This release marks the continuation of an idea that first emerged after mockART invited a number of artists to remix our album views || interrupted. Back then, we were amazed at how far the contributions went—not just in terms of sound design, but in how they expanded and redefined the original tracks. Many of those remixes stood entirely on their own, as independent works with distinct identities.

That experience left us curious: what would happen if multiple artists were given the same track to work with? Would they follow similar paths or diverge completely? Could one track generate an entire ecosystem of variations?

We selected La Bête Noire—a piece that has become something of a mockART staple over the years—as the nucleus of this experiment. With its hypnotic structure and eerie atmosphere, it felt like fertile ground for interpretation. We handed the track to several collaborators, inviting them to rework, remix, or completely deconstruct it in any way they wished.

The results surprised even us.

Each artist brought something entirely personal to the piece. Some explored its darker impulses, while others pulled unexpected rhythmic or harmonic threads to the foreground. A few took the material into entirely new sonic territories—sometimes to the edge of recognisability. What ties the tracks together is not their similarity, but the way they all circle around the same core presence: the “black beast.”

It was only natural to begin thinking of the remixes as chapters—fragments of a nonlinear narrative, told in many voices. Together, they form what we now call “the complete story” of La Bête Noire. To bookend that story, we included the original studio version of the track, along with a live version recorded last year at the Rush Hour Kulturfestival, organised by the Heussenstamm Stiftung. That live performance captured something raw and immediate, and it felt like the right way to close the loop.

Visually, the album cover offers its own take on the beast. The artwork—created by me—shows the eye of La Bête Noire, and within the iris, a haunting reflection: a woman running away. Whether she’s escaping or being hunted, we don’t know. The image captures something central to the music itself—a sense of ambiguity, of motion, of being watched and haunted at once.

For those who’d like to carry a part of La Bête Noire with them, we’ve also created a small line of merchandise, featuring elements of the artwork on t-shirts, pins, bags, and more. Just click on the images and you will learn more.

In the end, this album is a celebration of artistic transformation—of what happens when a piece of music is opened up to reinterpretation and allowed to evolve freely. We’re grateful to the artists who took part, and excited to finally share the full story with you.

Thanks for listening—and for following the beast this far.

The post La Bête Noire – A Track Becomes a Story appeared first on rabirius.

As I prepare for the upcoming live performance with mockART, I find myself reflecting on the journey that’s brought us here. Music has always been a medium through which we explore, experiment, and push boundaries. This time, we’re diving into the heart of the city, capturing the chaotic pulse of urban life in our latest project, traffic || jammed.

Event Details:

• Date: September 8, 2024
• Time: 19:00
• Location: Atelierhaus Orber Straße, Orber Straße 24, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
• Admission: Free – donations appreciated

When the Heussenstamm Stiftung invited us to be part of the Rush Hour Kulturfestival, we knew we had to take on the challenge. The idea of interpreting the rush hour on Frankfurt’s Hanauer Landstraße through sound was immediately compelling. This stretch of road is a microcosm of urban life, where cars, bikes, buses, trams, and pedestrians collide in a symphony of movement and noise. It’s complex, it’s chaotic, and it’s the perfect canvas for what we do.

For this performance, we’re transforming the everyday sounds of traffic – honking horns, screeching brakes, the hum of engines – into a rich sonic landscape. We’re using manipulated samples of these sounds, blending them with flute, guitar, and electronics to create something entirely new. What excites me most are the custom-built instruments we’ve crafted from materials related to traffic. These add a tactile element to the performance, connecting the music directly to the urban environment we’re exploring.

But traffic || jammed isn’t just about sound. We’re incorporating light and video art to create a fully immersive experience. The industrial space at Atelierhaus Orber Straße, right off Hanauer Landstraße, is the perfect venue for this. The raw, expansive environment will allow us to layer our performance with visuals that mirror the intensity and rhythm of the city.

As I’m working on this project, I’m also excited to introduce our latest single, La Bête Noire rôde dans la ville, remixed by Urhixidur, and La Bête Noire danse, remixed by Ubaldo. These tracks mark the next chapter in the La Bête Noire saga. While the beast has left its grotto, these remixes capture its newfound freedom as it roams the city and hits the dance floor. Both tracks showcase the power of collaboration, something that remains at the core of mockART’s philosophy.

In many ways, this single and the upcoming performance are connected. Both explore themes of movement, transition, and the collision of different elements – whether it’s the beast navigating the city or us untangling the rush hour chaos through music. As we move forward, I’m reminded of how important it is to embrace the unexpected, to find beauty in the noise, and to keep pushing the boundaries of what music can be.

I hope you’ll join us on September 8th for what promises to be an unforgettable evening. traffic || jammed is more than just a performance; it’s an exploration, an experiment, and a celebration of the urban symphony that surrounds us every day. And, of course, stay tuned for more releases as we continue to unravel the story of La Bête Noire.

Roam the city with La Bête Noire

The Rush Hour Kulturfestival is sponsored by Drees & Sommer. Additional sponsors are: Horst-Haas-und-Irene-Haas-Scheuermann-Stiftung, Kulturamt Frankfurt, Stabstelle Stadtmarketing Frankfurt, Stiftung Polytechnische Gesellschaft Frankfurt

The post Exploring the Sonic Chaos of Urban Life: mockART’s Upcoming Live Performance and New Single appeared first on rabirius.