Berlin Atonal Festival Curators On the Must-See Acts
berlin-atonal-festival-curators-on-the-must-see-acts
August 12, 2015
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# Berlin Atonal Festival Curators On the Must-See Acts
Next week is one of our favorite weeks in Berlin because the five-day
experimental festival Atonal launches on August 19. The series of
concerts, film screenings and audio/visual art installations has an
extensive legacy that dates back to 1982, when Tresor founder Dimitri
Hegemann organized its debut, which you can read about [here][1]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}. After a hiatus in the 2000s,
[Laurens von Oswald and Harry Glass][2]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"} revived the festival in 2013 and brought it to the
cathedral-like Kraftwerk power plant next to Tresor, and we've [hotly
followed][3]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} Atonal ever
since. After an [interesting experience last year][4]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener noreferrer"}, we asked them to recommend the sets and
events they're looking forward to this time around. Read their picks and
explanations below.
## Wednesday, August 19 @ 20:00: Alessandro Cortini + Lawrence English Present *Immediate Horizon*
"Alessandro Cortini was one of the first people who we knew needed to be
part of this year's lineup, as his output on Hospital Productions and
Important Records made up some of our favorite releases of the last few
years. We're very proud to be able to present the live audio-visual
premiere of his *Sonno* project, which is based on the Hospital series
by the same name. The second volume,*Risveglio,* was just
released. We're also excited to premiere a new project by Cortini and
Australia's Lawrence English, *Immediate Horizon*."
[Alessandro Cortini - Passatempo (2014)][5]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener noreferrer"}
## Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Kangding Ray + Barry Burns (Mogwai) Present SUMS
"It's always nice when you can see a project through from the first idea
to early drafts and---hopefully---its successful presentation. David
Letellier is one of our favorite producers and a family friend of the
festival, so it was easy to get on board with the idea of a joint
project between Kangding Ray and Barry Burns. We've been listening to
the music as it develops, and it's incredible: big, sweeping and
powerful. Now we can't wait to show everyone else."
[Kangding Ray AMBER DECAY][6]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
## Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Varg presents *Ivory Towers*
"We've been big followers of everything out of the Northern Electronics
camp for quite some time, so it's fantastic to be able to host the world
premiere of Varg's *Ivory Towers* project, which features Loke Rahbek (a
member of Damien Dubrovnik and Lust For Youth), Ossian Ohlsson (aka Vit
Fana), Frederikke Hoffmeier (aka industrial producer Puce Mary) and
renowned film score composer Erik Enocksson, all under Varg's unorthodox
leadership. Sofia Al Rammal, Frida Sundqvist and Linnea Mesko will
provide live visuals."
## Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Paul Jebanasam + Tarrik Barri present *Continuum*
"Paul's performance at the 2013 festival was a highlight for us. His
solo output has been limited but incredibly strong, and this is the
first glimpse into his future works with his *Continuum* piece, the
follow-up to *Rites*. Tarrik is probably one of the best contemporary
artists working in sound-responsive visual constructions in the world.
He also knows our unusual visual set-up because he was commissioned for
a couple of pieces at last year's festival. It's a dream to have them
working together."
[Paul Jebanasam - Rites III][7]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
## Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Chra
"Once we started listening to the music Christina Nemec has made lately,
we knew that we would love to hear it in the big hall. It's dark, noisy,
and full of subterranean rhythmic passages and experiments in tonal
development. It's top stuff, so we're so happy to invite her to stretch
her sound to its fullest extent in the power plant."
[SoundCloud Track][8]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
## Saturday, August 22 @ 1:00: Northern Electronics Showcase
"We already mentioned Northern Electronics, but the label is definitely
worth another look. Its output has been diverse, furiously consistent
and forward-looking. The lineup on Friday night/Saturday morning
showcases label stalwarts Abdulla Rashim (who will present his Lundin
Oil project), Acronym and Varg, as well as newcomer Vit Fana and special
guest Puce Mary. Their visual artist, Boefums, will accompany every show
on our yet-to-be-seen second stage. Expect everything from entrancing
synth pieces to noise workouts."
Ed. note: Although this show starts on Saturday morning, you will need
to buy a Friday ticket in order to gain entry, as this event is part of
Friday's programming.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGCpVXe0ves][9]
## Saturday, August 22 @ 20:00: Outside the Dream Syndicate
"Part of the job of putting together a festival is looking at what areas
of creative activity haven't yet been fully explored, and that usually
means trying to find the newest and freshest stuff or featuring artists
whose work we believe in and want to promote. But another side
involves looking back into history and digging up important, undervalued
items. We've been working hard on what we think will be one of the the
standout musical events of the year: a one-off live performance
from Outside the Dream Syndicate, the legendary collaboration between
avant-garde icon Tony Conrad and German krautrock band Faust. Conceived
in 1973, their seminal LP helped set the parameters for minimalist and
drone music in the latter part of the 20th century. For us, this project
is absolutely unique and pre-figured so much of what we like in
contemporary experimental music: thunderous percussion and violin,
chest-rattling low frequencies, repetition and drone. They'll play their
first onstage reunion in over 20 years at Atonal."
[Outside The Dream Sindicate - Tony Conrad & Faust (1972) Full Album
Disc 1 & 2][10]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
## Saturday, August 22 @ 20:00: Shackleton presents *Powerplant*
"Another specially devised project that we're so happy to be a part of
is Shackleton's new piece for live drummers. It was made with the
Kraftwerk venue in mind and is going to be explosive. Again, we've been
privy to some of the rehearsal sessions and this one's going to be very
special. The music falls somewhere between komische, ritual trance and
minimalism and is---as Shackleton's work always is---very much
individual and forward looking."
[Shackleton - Vor Und Zuruck][11]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
## Nightly after parties @ OHM
"Whenever we do something in the Kraftwerk, its little brother
often provides some of the most memorable gems. OHM will host
after-shows all week, plus a massive closing party to end the festival.
We're keeping some of the special guests under wraps for now."
[1]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/all-of-a-sudden-noise-was-music-dimitri-hegemann-on-the-legacy-of-berlin-atonal/
[2]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/an-interview-with-the-organizers-of-berlin-atonal-part-2/
[3]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/key-to-the-city-berlin-atonal-part-1/
[4]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/thunder-lightning-a-brick-in-the-face-berlin-atonal-2014-reviewed/
[5]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIk5-FMsZo8
[6]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO40CaFEG5Y
[7]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fW0LXb7an8
[8]: https://api.soundcloud.com/users/2009762
[9]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGCpVXe0ves
[10]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGMnDcwoXns
[11]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDkF2Sgwxbk
---
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blueprint: article
title: 'Berlin Atonal Festival Curators On the Must-See Acts'
date: 2015-08-12T12:44:52+02:00
wp_id: '97163'
slug: berlin-atonal-festival-curators-on-the-must-see-acts
teaser_image: legacy/berlin-atonal-festival-curators-on-the-must-see-acts/berlin-atonal-2014-high-res-©-camille-blake-323.jpg
contents:
-
type: text
text: '<p>Next week is one of our favorite weeks in Berlin because the five-day experimental festival Atonal launches on August 19. The series of concerts, film screenings and audio/visual art installations has an extensive legacy that dates back to 1982, when Tresor founder Dimitri Hegemann organized its debut, which you can read about <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/all-of-a-sudden-noise-was-music-dimitri-hegemann-on-the-legacy-of-berlin-atonal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. After a hiatus in the 2000s, <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/an-interview-with-the-organizers-of-berlin-atonal-part-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Laurens von Oswald and Harry Glass</a> revived the festival in 2013 and brought it to the cathedral-like Kraftwerk power plant next to Tresor, and we’ve <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/key-to-the-city-berlin-atonal-part-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hotly followed</a> Atonal ever since. After an <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/thunder-lightning-a-brick-in-the-face-berlin-atonal-2014-reviewed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">interesting experience last year</a>, we asked them to recommend the sets and events they’re looking forward to this time around. Read their picks and explanations below.</p><h2>Wednesday, August 19 @ 20:00: Alessandro Cortini + Lawrence English Present <em>Immediate Horizon</em></h2><p>“Alessandro Cortini was one of the first people who we knew needed to be part of this year’s lineup, as his output on Hospital Productions and Important Records made up some of our favorite releases of the last few years. We’re very proud to be able to present the live audio-visual premiere of his <em>Sonno</em> project, which is based on the Hospital series by the same name. The second volume,<em>Risveglio,</em> was just released. We’re also excited to premiere a new project by Cortini and Australia’s Lawrence English, <em>Immediate Horizon</em>.”</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIk5-FMsZo8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alessandro Cortini - Passatempo (2014)</a></p><h2>Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Kangding Ray + Barry Burns (Mogwai) Present SUMS</h2><p>“It’s always nice when you can see a project through from the first idea to early drafts and—hopefully—its successful presentation. David Letellier is one of our favorite producers and a family friend of the festival, so it was easy to get on board with the idea of a joint project between Kangding Ray and Barry Burns. We’ve been listening to the music as it develops, and it’s incredible: big, sweeping and powerful. Now we can’t wait to show everyone else.”</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO40CaFEG5Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kangding Ray AMBER DECAY</a></p><h2>Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Varg presents <em>Ivory Towers</em></h2><p>“We’ve been big followers of everything out of the Northern Electronics camp for quite some time, so it’s fantastic to be able to host the world premiere of Varg’s <em>Ivory Towers</em> project, which features Loke Rahbek (a member of Damien Dubrovnik and Lust For Youth), Ossian Ohlsson (aka Vit Fana), Frederikke Hoffmeier (aka industrial producer Puce Mary) and renowned film score composer Erik Enocksson, all under Varg’s unorthodox leadership. Sofia Al Rammal, Frida Sundqvist and Linnea Mesko will provide live visuals.”</p><h2>Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Paul Jebanasam + Tarrik Barri present <em>Continuum</em></h2><p>“Paul’s performance at the 2013 festival was a highlight for us. His solo output has been limited but incredibly strong, and this is the first glimpse into his future works with his <em>Continuum</em> piece, the follow-up to <em>Rites</em>. Tarrik is probably one of the best contemporary artists working in sound-responsive visual constructions in the world. He also knows our unusual visual set-up because he was commissioned for a couple of pieces at last year’s festival. It’s a dream to have them working together.”</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fW0LXb7an8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paul Jebanasam - Rites III</a></p><h2>Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Chra</h2><p>“Once we started listening to the music Christina Nemec has made lately, we knew that we would love to hear it in the big hall. It’s dark, noisy, and full of subterranean rhythmic passages and experiments in tonal development. It’s top stuff, so we’re so happy to invite her to stretch her sound to its fullest extent in the power plant.”</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/users/2009762" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><h2>Saturday, August 22 @ 1:00: Northern Electronics Showcase</h2><p>“We already mentioned Northern Electronics, but the label is definitely worth another look. Its output has been diverse, furiously consistent and forward-looking. The lineup on Friday night/Saturday morning showcases label stalwarts Abdulla Rashim (who will present his Lundin Oil project), Acronym and Varg, as well as newcomer Vit Fana and special guest Puce Mary. Their visual artist, Boefums, will accompany every show on our yet-to-be-seen second stage. Expect everything from entrancing synth pieces to noise workouts.”</p><p>Ed. note: Although this show starts on Saturday morning, you will need to buy a Friday ticket in order to gain entry, as this event is part of Friday’s programming.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGCpVXe0ves">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGCpVXe0ves</a></p><h2>Saturday, August 22 @ 20:00: Outside the Dream Syndicate</h2><p>“Part of the job of putting together a festival is looking at what areas of creative activity haven’t yet been fully explored, and that usually means trying to find the newest and freshest stuff or featuring artists whose work we believe in and want to promote. But another side involves looking back into history and digging up important, undervalued items. We’ve been working hard on what we think will be one of the the standout musical events of the year: a one-off live performance from Outside the Dream Syndicate, the legendary collaboration between avant-garde icon Tony Conrad and German krautrock band Faust. Conceived in 1973, their seminal LP helped set the parameters for minimalist and drone music in the latter part of the 20th century. For us, this project is absolutely unique and pre-figured so much of what we like in contemporary experimental music: thunderous percussion and violin, chest-rattling low frequencies, repetition and drone. They’ll play their first onstage reunion in over 20 years at Atonal.”</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGMnDcwoXns" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Outside The Dream Sindicate - Tony Conrad & Faust (1972) Full Album Disc 1 & 2</a></p><h2>Saturday, August 22 @ 20:00: Shackleton presents <i>Powerplant</i></h2><p>“Another specially devised project that we’re so happy to be a part of is Shackleton’s new piece for live drummers. It was made with the Kraftwerk venue in mind and is going to be explosive. Again, we’ve been privy to some of the rehearsal sessions and this one’s going to be very special. The music falls somewhere between komische, ritual trance and minimalism and is—as Shackleton’s work always is—very much individual and forward looking.”</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDkF2Sgwxbk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shackleton - Vor Und Zuruck</a></p><h2>Nightly after parties @ OHM</h2><p>“Whenever we do something in the Kraftwerk, its little brother often provides some of the most memorable gems. OHM will host after-shows all week, plus a massive closing party to end the festival. We’re keeping some of the special guests under wraps for now.”</p>'
---
Chunk #1 (Position: 0)
# Berlin Atonal Festival Curators On the Must-See Acts Next week is one of our favorite weeks in Berlin because the five-day experimental festival Atonal launches on August 19. The series of concerts, film screenings and audio/visual art installations has an extensive legacy that dates back...
Chunk #2 (Position: 1)
After an [interesting experience last year][4]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}, we asked them to recommend the sets and events they're looking forward to this time around. Read their picks and explanations below. ## Wednesday, August 19 @ 20:00: Alessandro Cortini ...
Chunk #3 (Position: 2)
We're very proud to be able to present the live audio-visual premiere of his *Sonno* project, which is based on the Hospital series by the same name. The second volume,*Risveglio,* was just released. We're also excited to premiere a new project by Cortini and Austra...
Chunk #4 (Position: 3)
We've been listening to the music as it develops, and it's incredible: big, sweeping and powerful. Now we can't wait to show everyone else." [Kangding Ray AMBER DECAY][6]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} . ## Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Varg presents *Ivory Towers* "We've been big...
Chunk #5 (Position: 4)
## Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Varg presents *Ivory Towers* "We've been big followers of everything out of the Northern Electronics camp for quite some time, so it's fantastic to be able to host the world premiere of Varg's *Ivory Towers* project, which features Loke Rahbek (a member ...
Chunk #6 (Position: 5)
He also knows our unusual visual set-up because he was commissioned for a couple of pieces at last year's festival. It's a dream to have them working together." [Paul Jebanasam - Rites III][7]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} . ## Thursday, August 20 @ 20:00: Chra "Once we started ...
Chunk #7 (Position: 6)
It's dark, noisy, and full of subterranean rhythmic passages and experiments in tonal development. It's top stuff, so we're so happy to invite her to stretch her sound to its fullest extent in the power plant." [SoundCloud Track][8]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} . ...
Chunk #8 (Position: 7)
note: Although this show starts on Saturday morning, you will need to buy a Friday ticket in order to gain entry, as this event is part of Friday's programming. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGCpVXe0ves][9] . ## Saturday, August 22 @ 20:00: Outside the Dream Syndicate "Part of the job of put...
Chunk #9 (Position: 8)
For us, this project is absolutely unique and pre-figured so much of what we like in contemporary experimental music: thunderous percussion and violin, chest-rattling low frequencies, repetition and drone. They'll play their first onstage reunion in over 20 years at Atonal." [Outside The Dream S...
Chunk #10 (Position: 9)
Again, we've been privy to some of the rehearsal sessions and this one's going to be very special. The music falls somewhere between komische, ritual trance and minimalism and is---as Shackleton's work always is---very much individual and forward looking." [Shackleton - Vor Und Zuruck][11]{...