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.

Make Next Year Your “Year of the Gods”

The calendar features striking depictions of lesser-known gods from Greek mythology, reimagined as if they walked among us today. From the radiant god of the sun to the enigmatic goddess of the night, these images invite you to reconsider ancient deities in a modern context. You’ll encounter the gods of the four cardinal winds, imagine the role of the god of wealth in our world, and reflect on what the goddess of discord might stir up today.

Ever wondered about the primordial forces of the universe or the essence of mockery and criticism? These figures leap from myth into vivid, printed form, ready to guide you through the year. Whether as a source of inspiration or a conversation starter, the calendar offers a fresh way to engage with mythology and art.

Musical Horizons: A Compilation That Breaks the Rules

In the realm of music, I’ve recently mastered a compilation album titled Justification of Major. This project began as an experiment in a musical community known for pushing boundaries. The premise? Challenge the “non grata” status of the major triad in experimental and ambient music. Musicians were tasked with creating slow-tempo pieces, infused with a major tonal bias, while staying true to the community’s exploratory spirit.

The result is an album that raises more questions than answers. Does the major key’s inherent optimism create a sense of healing and hope, or does it risk losing depth and complexity? Can slow tempos and major chords evoke serenity without becoming overly functional or simplistic?

This compilation invites listeners to meditate on these questions while enjoying an immersive soundscape. Each track offers surprises and new layers, ensuring the experience evolves with every listen.

mockART: New Tracks and Upcoming Releases

Exciting things are also happening with mockART, my experimental music project. We’ve released the latest chapter in our La Bête Noire series. This time, the titular beast roams the city in search of food, culminating in a feast. The release includes two compelling remixes: the title track by Baco_Giovanni Cristino, a longtime collaborator, and another by Senglar, whose reinterpretation adds a fresh dynamic.

You can stream the tracks on your favourite platforms or watch the accompanying video for La Bête Noire cherche de la nourriture.

Additionally, our track The Wind is Still Whispering has been included in the massive download compilation with 100! Tracks of Experimental Music. It’s a treasure trove for anyone eager to dive deep into the world of experimental sound.

As for our live performance recordings? Mixing and mastering are underway. We aim to release a live album next year, offering a chance to experience mockART in its raw, unfiltered form.

Reflections and New Directions

This year has been a whirlwind of creativity, from immortalising gods to collaborating with musicians across genres. As I shift focus, I’m reminded that art, like life, is about evolution—balancing the old and the new, the familiar and the experimental.

The post The Year of the Gods: A Creative Journey 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.

Reflecting on the evolution of my music project, mockART, I’m reminded of the profound changes that have shaped the landscape of collaboration. Back in the day, when MySpace reigned supreme as the go-to network for musicians, connections flowed effortlessly, paving the way for numerous collaborations.

The Birth of the Black Beast

It was during this era that I composed and recorded La Bête Noire, a track that found its place on mockART’s inaugural album, Reflux Ux Bisou. Fast forward to today, and the dynamics of collaboration have shifted. In a world where connectivity isn’t as readily available, the pursuit of collaborative ventures remains a cornerstone of mockART’s ethos.

For me, collaboration isn’t just about merging sounds; it’s about embracing diverse perspectives and enriching the musical journey. However, in an age where self-interest often takes precedence, finding like-minded collaborators can be a challenge. Yet, amidst the sea of hesitancy, there are shining exceptions.

Becoming a Duo

One such exception occurred when mockART welcomed Christoph Dorner, a classically trained flutist, into the fold. Our musical backgrounds couldn’t have been more different, and initially, finding common ground posed a challenge. Yet, through experimentation and open-mindedness, we discovered a harmonious blend of our contrasting styles, propelling mockART into uncharted territories.

Our commitment to collaboration bore fruit with the release of our joint album, Men Who Lost Their Heads, featuring guest vocalists whose contributions breathed new life into our compositions. As we ventured into our second collaborative endeavour, views | Interrupted, we chose to embark on a different path, handling the recording process ourselves.

However, the question lingered: How would our tracks have evolved if we had enlisted the aid of other artists? Thus, the concept of inviting musicians to remix our album was born. The results were astounding, breathing fresh vitality into our music and paving the way for new sonic explorations.

The Story of the Beast Unfolds

This brings us to the present, where we find ourselves on the cusp of releasing our latest project – an album featuring remixes of La Bête Noire. As we eagerly await the final contributions, we’ve decided to unveil two tracks as a teaser of what’s to come.

The first track, remixed by Pharmakustik, delves into the realms of audioclinical investigation and sound-research, offering a mesmerising sonic journey. On the “B-Side,” Baco_Giovanni Cristino infuses his unique perspective as an independent toxic pianist, creating a captivating rendition that defies convention.

With each new version, we’re reminded of the power of collaboration to transform and transcend boundaries. As we anticipate the release of our album this autumn, we invite you to join us on this exhilarating musical odyssey.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore new horizons and push the boundaries of creativity with mockART.

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Your views have been interrupted. Now they are remixed.

The new mockART album is out

As you know, I also make music and finally I have released a new album with my band mockART. The album is called views | remixed and if this name sounds familiar to you, well, it probably is. You might remember that last year I had some pictures in an exhibition called views | interrupted. For that exhibition I also composed and recorded a soundtrack with mockART. You might also remember that I let you peak through the window.

As Christoph and I recorded the album all by ourselves and therefore we thought it would be interesting to see what other musicians would make of these tracks. Whispered, Medicine Lake, Urhixidur and Morteza Jahangiri all agreed to rework tracks of the original album and we were really amazed by the results. It was more than just remixes. The result was entirely new tracks. You can listen to the results on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and other streaming platforms. And we also offer the album as a free download on Bandcamp. As some of you might not have heard the original album, you can also download views | interrupted for free for a limited period of time.

The theme of remixing things goes through the whole project. We also released three videos for the project. They are all animated versions of pictures that were in the original exhibition (and that you have seen here as well). So I sort of remixed my own pictures.

The same goes for the cover image. It is a remix of all of my pictures that were in the exhibition.

So I hope you enjoy our little remix project that involves several media types.

Click here to find more information about views | remixed.

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Recently I’ve started to teach myself to work with animated videos. Therefore I created an animated video for a new track by my band mockART. The track is part of an EP called Men Who Found Their Remix. And yes, it is a remix EP. The first track is called Resistencia and was remixed by Andreas Brettschneider who played in the bands Gahzed, Lume and Monomatik. The second track Samesjwaering Onger Idiote you might already know, because we released it as a single and I shared the video with you earlier this year. This track was remixed by Mark Daelmans-Sikkel who also provided the vocals. Master Mason is more like an alternative version, but we thought it would fit the bill. Last but not least, Narziss & Echo was remixed by Sterion Music and features vocals by actor Bernd Geiling.

The original versions of all four tracks you will find on the forthcoming mockART album Men Who Lost Their Heads.

We uploaded the full EP on Bandcamp, where you can download it for free at the moment.

However, we also uploaded it to various streaming services. So you will find it on Spotify, iTunes, Deezer and Tidal as well.

I guess you all would like to see the video clip for Resistencia (Liminoog Remix) now. Well, here it is.

The post Remix Yourself appeared first on rabirius.

Why a remix of a photo? Or two photos, like I did here?

Currently I’m working on some t-shirt and merchandise for my music project mockART. Certainly, I use a lot of my pictures for the designs. For the latest artwork I decided to use elements from A Walk in the Park and Master of Puppets and got the idea to combine the elements to a new picture as well. Though I sometimes use parts from older pictures again, here is my first proper remix of two of my pictures (and a few extra details that I added to create a new narrative).

If you like to see the new t-shirts you will find them in the mockART Shop. For Parklife I created a dark and a light version.

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