If you were at the concert by my band mockART in September last year, you already know that traffic || jammed was a very specific moment. If you read my report about the evening shortly after, you might remember how intense and concentrated the atmosphere was that night at Atelierhaus Orber Straße, during the Rush Hour Kulturfestival.

traffic || jammed – The Album

What I am happy to share now is that the music from that evening has been released.
traffic || jammed, the album, is out now on CD and in digital form.

All the pieces were written specifically for that concert. We did not take existing material to the stage but instead developed a complete program around the idea of rush hour and the people who create it, intentionally or not. Drivers, pedestrians, systems, habits, blockages. Playing this music live, in that space and in front of that audience, was an essential part of shaping it. At the same time, it always felt like more than a one-off performance.

The concert was recorded by Jörg See, and over the following months I worked carefully on the mix and master. The goal was not to document a concert for nostalgia’s sake, but to shape the material into an album that holds together on its own, even if you were not there that evening. The energy, tension and physicality of the performance were important to preserve, while still allowing the music to breathe as a listening experience.

The CD edition also includes two bonus tracks, La Bête Noire and Kör Adamın Gazeli, which we played as encores. Both tracks were previously released digitally as the single La Bête Noire (Alive).

Limited CDr with two bonus tracks in an exclusive cardboard sleeve.

If you were at the concert, this release might bring you back to that evening. If you were not, this is a good chance to experience what we were working towards.

Thank you for listening and for staying with the music beyond the moment it was played.

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We did it. We played our first concert. My band, mockART, finally took the stage.

Our performance, traffic || jammed, was part of the Rush Hour Kulturfestival, organised by the Heussenstamm Stiftung. The theme was traffic, so we crafted an exclusive set around the sounds of urban life. We composed pieces that captured the essence of cars, bicycles, pedestrians, trains, and even the underground – giving each a musical identity within the chaos of rush hour.

The Sounds of the Rush Hour

We wanted to push the concept further, so we incorporated real-world sounds from traffic, sampling noises and even building instruments from car parts. A bicycle became an instrument in its own right. Alongside these unconventional sounds, Christoph played the flute, while I handled guitar and electronics. We were also joined by a special guest: Ümit Kaya, who played the saz and added his evocative vocals. You might know Ümit from our track Kör Adamın Gazeli on the album Men Who Lost Their Heads. From the outset, we hoped he’d join us for the live version, and when he came to our rehearsals, he began to play along with the new material we’d composed specifically for this performance. Before long, he was fully integrated into the show.

Our rehearsals went smoothly – until the final one, which was a complete disaster. My effects pedals started malfunctioning, and Christoph faced issues with his equipment too. Frustrated, we decided to call it a day, only to be trapped by a sudden thunderstorm with torrential rain. With no food or drink, we waited it out in the rehearsal space until we could finally ride our bikes home, drenched but determined. I was worried that something might go wrong during the actual performance. Thankfully, my fears were unfounded – everything went off without a hitch.

The Day of the Performance

The team at the factory hall where we performed had set up the space beautifully, even placing a car on stage as we’d envisioned. The audio and lighting crew were fantastic, helping to create the perfect atmosphere for each piece, with carefully crafted lighting and stage fog to match the mood of each track.

The new songs we wrote specifically for the show were the heart of the set. They came alive in a way I hadn’t anticipated, flowing effortlessly as we responded intuitively to each other’s cues. The chemistry between us felt just right.

For the encore, we revisited La Bête Noire from Reflux Ux Bisou – which, I suppose, has become something of a mockART classic. Our final track was Kör Adamın Gazeli, and some in the audience told me afterwards that the live version gave them goosebumps – a high compliment indeed.

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have already seen a few snapshots from the show. I’ve put together a selection of the best photos taken by Christian Rocas for you to enjoy:

The post traffic || jammed: mockART Live 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

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