Michiyo Yagi Trio with Eivind Aarset & Jan Bang
It’s always fun to see traditions flayed. That of the koto, Japan’s traditional zither, is thousands of years old and yet has no defined boundaries. Among the musicians who have the art of pushing these boundaries is Michiyo Yagi. Koto under overdrive, koto played jazz, koto in the trenches of free-rock. Renowned for the energy and density of her style, Yagi has created music that is ancient, contemporary and futuristic all at once. Influenced by John Zorn, improv partner of Joe McPhee, Peter Brötzmann, or even Paal Nilssen-Love, her evocative power is incredible. This time, for this live show, the Japanese woman effortlessly confronts the peerless sensitivity of Aarset and the art of live sampling by Bang. Wide open spaces ahead.
(LINE-UP: Michiyo Yagi : 21-string electric koto, 17-string bass koto, electronics, vocals
Eivind Aarset : guitar, electronics / Jan Bang electronics)
Photo © Mirei Sakaki
(© Design logo Sons d’Hiver 2023 : studioDGK)
Fearless
Fennesz
Place a fractal at the heart of a sonic Work In Progress. Electrify the whole thing and here’s the work. That of Austrian guitarist Christian Fennesz, at Sons d’hiver, last February, alongside Sylvie Courvoisier. A genius in sonic matters, he first crossed the Viennese techno scene to counter his classical guitar training. This is how Christian Fennesz distinguishes himself from other musicians. With a guitar run through software filters, he manages to create a unique sound. Full of small, repeated sound figures in a striking, magnificent density. At the heart of unequaled clarity, these narratives are tinged with a serene, powerful and still necessarily unfinished obviousness. Herr Fennesz is a fan of Work In Progress.
(Christian Fennesz: guitar, electronics). Record release, Fearless, due out 2023, Touch
Photo © Lorenzo Castore
