Masal

Event information

English-Turkish instrumental duo Masal weave together harp, theremin and experimental electronics. Their jazzy breakbeats and psychedelic grooves take the listener on a journey of unexpected twists and turns, from wild stomps to ethereal drops of sound.

Özlem Simsek and Alastair Johnson describe themselves as “neurodiverse nature-lovers.” Simsek is a Turkish/English harpist, theremin player and vocalist who blends middle eastern and western classical influences. Johnson is an experimental electronic musician from Essex who found his early musical inspirations in the record collection of his local library. He has also made music as Alien and Weapon Eyes.

Masal’s album “The Galloping Cat” (2024) with collaborator Andy Bell was released in 2024. They have performed at festivals including Altered Images, Septembersong, and Mickfest (Colchester), and their music has been played on BBC Radio 6.

This gig, in a secret (entirely accessible) venue in central Oxford (details to be announced closer to the date), will be one of the first in their tour celebrating the launch of their new album due out in April 2025.

This event is co-promoted by Oxford Contemporary Music with WOOD HQ. WOOD HQ Happenings is the new venture from the team behind the award-winning Wood Festival, and its new autumnal cousin Septembersong, both held at Braziers Park, Oxfordshire. The team aims to work with like-minded partners to create exciting cultural happenings, bringing the kind of eclectic performers they host at Wood and Septembersong to local venues, and working with organisations which share their love of community, nature and the arts.

Bookers will be invited to make an optional donation to Oxford Health Charity, which sits alongside Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and aims to provide funds toenhance the experience of patients, carers, families and staff receiving support or working for the Trust. The charity funds activities, equipment, projects and patient-focussed support that is above and beyond the usual expenditure of the NHS budget. This could range from the provision of simple items to increase patient wellbeing; funding arts and creative sessions that improve the mental health of our patients and staff; the development of our green spaces and activities that improve the welfare and wellbeing of our staff. The Charity also contributes towards largescale projects to develop and enhance the environment around the Trust sites. Earlier in the day of this performance, Masal will also perform a private, relaxed performance for staff and patients at the Nuffield Hospital (Charity number 1057285).

Performance times are approximate: Doors 7:30pm // Start 7:45pm // End: 9pm
__
OCM is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. OCM is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner supported by PPL. Supported with funding from Oxford City Council. Affiliate Organisation of Oxford Brookes University.
__

Booking Terms and Conditions
For our booking terms and conditions please see: https://www.ocmevents.org/booking-terms-conditions
For our privacy policy please see: https://ocmevents.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/OCM-Privacy-Policy-updated-September-2024.docx.pdf