Maja S.K. Ratkje & Ikue Mori

Event information

This unmissable concert brings these two iconic figures from the world of improvised experimentation, together as a duo for the first time. After creating explosions in the downtown NY art rock scene with the legendary DNA, Japanese-born Mori has become one of the world’s most celebrated and respected improv auteurs. Since the turn of the century the Norwegian Ratkje has dazzled with her maverick vocal work, feted compositions and thrilling excoriations of pure noise. Their performances will vibrate with wild sonic colours, forged by a pair of musicians who span two generations of fearlessly inventive sound craft.

IKUE MORI

Ikue Mori left Tokyo for New York in 1977, began playing the drums and soon formed the legendary No Wave band DNA with Arto Lindsay and Tim Wright, appearing on the highly influential compilation No New York.

DNA dissolved in the early 80s and Mori began experimenting with drum machines, developing a singular improv style with an instrument people rarely associate with instant composition. As her technique evolved, she moved onto working with a laptop around 2000.

Over the past 3 decades, Mori has accrued an impressive reputation as an improvisor, testified by her stellar cast of collaborators, including John Zorn, Kim Gordon, Jim O’Rourke, Zeena Parkins, Mike Patton, Thurston Moore and an impressive discography courtesy of labels such as Tzadik and Mego. She regularly performs with Parkins as the duo Phantom Orchard and in various combinations with Zorn, and is a member of the trio Death Ambient with Fred Frith and Kato Hideki.

Over 3 decades since her first impact on avant garde music, Ikue Mori’s influence on musical explorers of all generations is still profound.

“Ikue Mori is one of the most respected musicians in the downtown scene, renowned for her abilities as an accomplished composer and improviser and as one of the foremost electronic music innovators” (allmusic)

MAJA S.K. RATKJE

Maja S.K. Ratkje approaches music making with a broad palette and rare profundity. A graduate in composition from the Norwegian State Academy Of Music, her music is performed around the world by Oslo Sinfonietta, The Norwegian Radio Orchestra and many more.

Ratkje is also a major force in the world of noise and improvisation and is renowned for her solo performances, her work as part of groups such as SPUNK and Fe-mail and collaborations with artists such as Jazzkammer, Joelle Leandre, Jaap Blonk, Zeena Parkins and Stephen O’Malley.

Ratkje has an impressive discography of albums for labels such as Rune Grammofon, Important and ECM, and it is perhaps her album for John Zorn’s Tzadik label, River Mouth Echoes, that best exemplifies the considerable dynamic range of her work. A collection of tracks recorded over a decade, it includes orchestral pieces, electro-acoustic compositions, voice manipulations and sheer harsh noise and perfectly showcases the breadth of her musical ambition.

“Anyone who has seen or heard Ratkje perform live will know what a superb musician she is, and one who can genuinely be said to be extending the expressive range of the voice through technical and technological means…. Her work is celebratory and inclusive, an energising rallying call to those who are curious enough to peek out from behind the curtain of mainstream mediocrity” (The Wire)


This concert is part of a tour presented by Sound and Music and produced by [no.signal] and TUSK Music.

www.no-signal.net
www.tuskmusic.co.uk
www.soundandmusic.org