After a stellar 10th edition, we're continuing to explore the time capsule we keep here at MUTEK headquarters by sharing some of our favourite live recordings from over the past decade. If you're curious as to who we might have in store, just click over to MACROMUTEK for a list of everyone who's ever played a MUTEK stage anywhere in the world, and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast!
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Uwe Schmidt is a German musician that has produced under a very eclectic array of monikers over his long and distinguished career. His interest in developping music that doesn't follow trends and traditional trajectories is reflected by his move to Chile in 2004, a move meant to "escape the European music scene". Atom Heart's wonderful toe-tapping rhythms and experimental melodies brought MUTEK 2002 to a grand finish.
Murcof is the latest musical project by Tijuana's Fernando Corona. Influenced by classical and electronic minimalism, Murcof works primarily with orchestral samples, processing the sound sources into new textures and fusing them with microscopic sounds and rhythms. This performance marks Murcof's debut at MUTEK, a wonderful start to what became regular presentations of his distinct deep, introspective sound at various MUTEK events around the globe.
This marks Vancouver-based Loscil's first MUTEK appearance. Working in ultra-minimalistic electronic dub, his ambient creations have been presented through numerous releases on Chicago's Kranky label, as well as on compilations on labels such as Idol Tryouts and Ghostly International. With his gentle, low-key downtempo, Loscil's 2004 performance marked the beginning of the closing night at MUTEK in 2004.
Mauricio Barembuem (aka Barem) is one of the new emerging talents of Latin American techno. Barem's productions are based on a characteristic groove made up of synthetic samples, analogue elements and hypnotic basslines, although like most Latin American artists he never misses the chance to integrate rhythmic flourishes. This MUTEK 2008 performance marked the Canadian debut for Barem.
To start off the new year we have a podcast dating back to the early days of MUTEK. Performing as part of seminal record label Traum, France's Philippe Cam brought his intimate knowledge of contemporary electronic music to the festival. Exploring serial techno and cinematographic currents, his contemplative music is the perfect way to slide back into the grind after the holidays.
Highly sought-after for his productions, remixes, and performances, Sutekh is an artist that constantly pushes the limits of his sound. While not his first appearance at MUTEK, Sutekh's 2007 performance at the MUTEK@Piknic event was a very memorable one. Sit back and enjoy his excellent performance and sense of humour, a good break from all the holiday medleys out there right now.
Lusine performed in the intimate Savoy room of the Metropolis, as part of a Decibel festival showcase. Producing music for over 10 years now, with steady releases on Ghostly International as well as on numerous compilations, Lusine's style embodies warm, melodic as well as abstract compositions. His last MUTEK performance came right before the release of his fantastic new full-length, A Certain Distance, in September 2009, and concordantly gives you a nice taste of what the producer's latest offering is all about.
This is the first of several enchanting MUTEK appearances of Germany's Rechenzentrum. The audiovisual duo of Lillevaen (visuals) and Marc Weiser (music) have, over the course of ten years, created a reputation based on their modern soundtracks of depth and austerity that are expertly blended with atmospheric and rhythmic visual narratives.
Farben is one of the many monikers used by Germany's Jan Jelinek. Characterized by deep basslines and using cuts from early jazz and rock recordings, Farben expertly combines a funky style with clicky, glitchy beats. This set documents his first appearance at MUTEK, in a densely-packed night that included other minimal heavyweights such as Losoul, Ben Nevile, Luomo and Ricardo Villalobos.
Coming back again Saturday's PIKNIC 1 at MUTEK_10, we come to New York-based Brendon Moeller's stellar and very memorable mix. Another highlight for the team this year, Moeller artfully blended influences such as dub, techno, jazz, and, of course, baaaass in a set that really got the crowd moving.
Brendon was kind enough to provide us with a few words about his set at MUTEK, complete with a tracklisting for those that want to dig deeper: