Unbehagen
CD Unbehagen
about
Audio CD of experimental music by Unbehagen.
2017.
Arden Day: prepared piano, lozenges, Surgitron & drone boxes
Wysocky: granular synthesis, tape recorder, pi synth, am radio
"To classify sounds is to classify life."
Unbehagen (Malaise) explores new forms of domination and exclusion in society using sound environments. They are renowned for their use of prepared instruments, extended piano, and new acoustic sound devices such as motorized hurdy-gurdies that emulate voices, sirens, and war sounds.
Inspired by French spectral music, as well as traditional music such as shamanic chanting from Eastern Siberia and North America, we have found a common compositional language, oscillating between written and improvised forms. The three pieces "Stratagème" are inspired by Juliette Volcler's essay "Le son comme arme" about the global use of acoustic weapons and devices for warfare and social control. "Les banques de musique," which was broadcast on Deutschlandradio Kultur and was initiated with the Shut up and Listen prize in Vienna, revolves around Samuel Butler's utopia "Erewhon" (1872) describing the global financial system as a new religion.
All tracks on CD A were created in the studio, except "Stratagème n° 3," which was recorded during a residency in collaboration with Léo Maurel at the church of Dangolsheim. CD B contains a 37-minute live piece, which was professionally recorded in one take during a concert in Paris this year with the participation of Adrien Daoud on saxophone. (Arden Day & Wysozky)