LEEDS: The Brudenell Social Club

Wednesday 2nd April, 2014

7:30pm

Event information

Tim Hecker (Canada, Kranky)

Tim Hecker is a Canadian-based musician and sound artist, born in Vancouver. Since 1996, he has produced a range of audio works for Kranky, Alien8, Mille Plateaux, Room40, Force Inc, Staalplaat, and Fat Cat. His works have been described as “structured ambient”, “tectonic color plates” and “cathedral electronic music”. More to the point, he has focused on exploring the intersection of noise, dissonance and melody, fostering an approach to songcraft which is both physical and emotive.

The New York Times has described his work as “foreboding, abstract pieces in which static and sub-bass rumbles open up around slow moving notes and chords, like fissures in the earth waiting to swallow them whole”. His Harmony in Ultraviolet received critical acclaim, including being recognized by Pitchfork as a top recording of 2006. Radio Amor was also recognized as a key recording of 2003 by Wire magazine. His work has also included commissions for contemporary dance, sound-art installations, as well as various writings. He currently resides in Montreal. His early career was characterised by an interest in techno, expressed under the Jetonemoniker.
Disenchanted with this direction, Hecker began exploring more abstract notions of sound and collages, describing this process as ‘very brutal, bloody, bone-crushing experiences’. His current method of working involves the use of pipe organ sounds which are digitally processed and distorted.

For the album Ravedeath, 1972, Hecker travelled to Iceland where together with Ben Frost, he recorded parts in a church. Live performances contain improvisations by processing organ sounds that are manipulated, with great fluctuations in volume.

Hecker collaborated on a project with Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) who ‘had a couple days blocked out in Brooklyn , and Tim came down. There was a day of setup, and then we just rolled tape’. This became Instrumental Tourist album where the two musicians improvised and experimented with different styles.

In addition to touring with Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Sigur Rós and recording with the likes of Fly Pan Am, Hecker has also collaborated with Christof Migone, Martin Tétreault and Aidan Baker. He has also contributed remixes to other artists, including Isis.

Karen Gwyer (Opal Tapes)

Recording while living in London and pregnant with her son, Iowa-born producer Karen Gwyer assembled a deeply intricate collage for this mesmeric full-length debut. At times recalling the warped disco of Arthur Russell, Needs Continuum combined spiritual chanting, tumbling percussion and sci-fi synth-hum to shape a new form of cosmic techno.

Venue information

LEEDS: The Brudenell Social Club

0	33 Queens Road Leeds West Yorkshire LS6 1NY
>	www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk
!	01132752411
`	Live music will generally begin around 30 minutes after doors open.