NPR reviews Tomoko Sauvage and M.C. Schmidt at the 2010 High Zero Festival

NPR on Tomoko Sauvage and M.C. Schmidt at the 2010 High Zero Festival:

I could have listened to this set all night.

The full piece published over on the A Blog Supreme blog includes audio of the performance as well as pics and a lengthy review.

12th High Zero Festival of Experimental Music

The 12th High Zero Festival of Experimental Music All Week!
see www.highzero.org for all details; numerous site specific performances around town

Tuesday 9/21 at Gallery 4, H&H Building, 7:30
Opening of "Electric Petting Zoo," High Zero sound installations by Tristan Perich, Karl Ekdahl, and Julie Benoit
With an opening performance by:
- Tristan Perich, in duo with Tom Goldstein, on crotales, perform a hypnotic minimalist composition by Perich
- Ich Auch: First live performance of synth/drums improv duo with Karl Ekdahl.
- Salamander Wool Quartet. Carson Garhardt's music, in first ever quartet format, with Dan Breen, Paul Neidhardt, and Walker Teret.
 - Tristan Perich, 1 bit improvisation.
Recommending donation for performance: $5

Wednesday 9/22 at 2640 Space; 8PM $5
Ghost Dancers: An special atmospheric concert by  Susan Alcorn (pedal steel guitar) and Claire Barratt (movement) at 2640 Space (2640 St. Paul St.).

Thursday 9/23, Opening Night at Theatre Project, 8;30, $12
Experimental performances with Shelly Blake-Plock, Ami Dang, Owen Gardner, Liz Meredith, Tuna Pase, Karen Borca, Tiffany Defoe, Shayna Dunkelman, Marc Miller, Michael Muniak, M.C. Schmidt, Dragos Tara, Keith Fullerton Whitman, Andrea Neumann, Juanjosè Rivas and Wobbly.

Friday 9/24 at Theatre Project, 8;30, $12
Experimental performance with Andrea Neumann, Tiffany Defoe, Hans Koch, Stewart Mostofsky, Karen Borca, Ami Dang, Ayako Kataoka, Tomoko Sauvage, Owen Gardner, Liz Meredith, Dr. Johannes Rosenberg, Drew Daniel, Dan Deacon, Tuna Pase, Juanjosè Rivas.

Saturday Matinee 9/25 at Theatre Project, 1PM, $12
Two special projects conceived and curated by Baltimore's Ayako Kataoka and Dan Deacon involving numerous High Zero performers.

Saturday Night 9/25 at Theatre Project, 8;30, $12
Experimental performance with Karen Borca, Hans Koch, Liz Meredith, Michael Muniak, Tuna Pase, Gary Smith, Shelly Blake-Plock, Dr. Johannes Rosenberg, Wobbly, Ju Suk Reet Meate, Marc Miller, Stewart Mostofsky, Tomoko Sauvage, Shayna Dunkelman, Juanjosè Rivas.

Sunday 9/26 at Theatre Project, 8;30, $12
Experimental performance with Keith Fullerton Whitman, Owen Gardner, Marc Miller, Gary Smith, Shelly Blake-Plock, Dan Deacon, Ju Suk Reet Meate, Ayako Kataoka, Hans Koch, Tomoko Sauvage, M.C. Schmidt, Drew Daniel, Shayna Dunkelman, Keith Fullerton Whitman, Wobbly.

Baltimore’s 12th Annual High Zero Festival of Experimental Improvised Music Again Set to Organize Chaos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8.31.10




High Zero Festival of Experimental Improvised Music
September 23rd - 26th, 2010
@ The Theatre Project   45 W Preston St., Baltimore

site: highzero.org

twitter: @highzero

PR contact: diymummy@gmail.com



Baltimore’s 12th Annual High Zero Festival of Experimental Improvised Music Again Set to Organize Chaos


"High Zero Festival is the premier showcase for spontaneous sound." NPR

“An utterly confounding yet utopian vision of musical possibilities.” Wire

High Zero is the premier festival of Improvised, Experimental music on the East Coast, being fully devoted to new collaborations between the most inspired improvisors from around the world.

“A fertile laboratory of musical possibility without equal.” Signal to Noise

The festival brings together 28 core musicians each year, but also involves a much larger subculture of musicians in Baltimore and on the East Coast. Musicians play sets of improvised music alongside improvisers they are often meeting for the very first time on stage. Unlike many related festivals, High Zero is not narrow in terms of sensibility or subculture, but rather widely inclusive of all the different types of experimental music-making in the moment.

“The continent’s finest four days of all-in improv and otherwise musical exploration.” City Paper

"Baltimore is becoming a crucible for serious experimental music produced outside of academia and concert halls." ArtPapers

The fact that half of the festival's core participants are from Baltimore speaks to the depth of Baltimore's experimental music subculture, which in recent years has grown to be one of the richest cities in the country for experimental art.

“Best Music Festival” City Paper and Baltimore Magazine

"A striking glimpse into the avant-garde and a creative process limited only by the imagination." Baltimore Sun

The festival has a unique structure. HIGH ZERO is focused solely on new collaborations in freely improvised experimental music. Internationally famous musicians play side by side with younger "unknowns," united by their commitment to the musical imagination. Each year, Baltimore becomes a fertile meeting-ground for a large group of inspired players, drawn from a fascinating international subculture.

"Could there possibly be a better place for a festival of cutting edge, improvised music than Baltimore?" Washington Post

The festival exposes large audiences to this radical music in its pure form. Large-scale public concerts, recording sessions, workshops, and guerrilla street performances are all part of the heady mix. The players are carefully selected by the festival's organizers for their intense, unique music, whether it is based around dramatic intensity, humor, specially designed instruments, original approach, raw sound, or nearly superhuman instrumental technique. The resulting collaborations challenge the limits of music and delight by their audacity, expressiveness, immediacy, and innovation. It isn't about stars or established projects; it is about the most uncompromising and stimulating new improvised music we can bring together.

High Zero Festival of Experimental Improvised Music

September 23rd - 26th, 2010
@ The Theatre Project   45 W Preston St., Baltimore

Musicians from Afar

Karen Borca (NYC): bassoon
Shayna Dunkelman (NYC): percussion
Ju Suk Reet Meate (Portland): trumpet
Hans Koch (Switzerland): bass clarinet
Andrea Neumann (Germany): inner piano
Tuna Pase (Istanbul): voice, flute, laptop
Juanjosè Rivas (Mexico City): circuit bending
Tomoko Sauvage (Paris): porcelain bowls, water
Gary Smith (United Kingdom): guitar
Li Tieqiao (China): saxophone
Keith Fullerton Whitman (Boston): electronics
Wobbly (California): electronics



Musicians from Baltimore


Shelly Blake-Plock: stringed instruments
Ami Dang: sitar, voice, electronics
Drew Daniel: electronics
Dan Deacon: electronics, tuba
Tiffany Defoe: saxophone
Owen Gardner: strings
Ayako Kataoka: electronics
Liz Meredith: viola
Marc Miller: guitar
Stewart Mostofsky: electronics
Michael Muniak: feedback
M.C. Schmidt: electronics



High Zero Special Projects


Dan Deacon (Baltimore)
Ayako Kataoka (Baltimore)
Dr. Johannes Rosenberg (Australia)
Dragos Tara (Switzerland)


High Zero Festival Sound Installations


September 21st - 26th, 2010
@ Gallery Four   4th Floor / 405 W Franklin St., Baltimore

Sound Installations
Tristan Perich (NYC)
Karl Ekdahl (Baltimore)
Julie Benoit (Baltimore)




For set lists and information about High Jinx street happenings, see: www.highzero.org


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2010 High Zero Festival: Artists Announced!

This year's High Zero line-up is:

From Baltimore:

Ayako Kataoka, electronics
Drew Daniel, electronics
Stewart Mostofsky, electronics
M.C. Schmidt, electronics
Dan Deacon, electronics, tuba
Michael Muniak, feedback
Marc Miller, guitar
Owen Gardner, guitar
Shelly Blake-Plock, stringed instruments
Tiffany Defoe, saxophone
Ami Dang, sitar, voice, electronics
Liz Meredith, viola

From afar:

Keith Fullerton Whitman, electronics, Boston
Wobbly, electronics, California
Shayna Dunkelman, percussion, California
Li Tieqiao, saxophone, China
Karen Borca, bassoon, NYC
Tomoko Sauvage, porcelin bowls, Paris
Ju Suk Reet Meate, trumpet, Portland
Gary Smith, guitar, United Kingdom
Andrea Neumann, inner piano, Germany
Hans Koch, bass clarinet, Switzerland
Juan Jose Rivas, circuit bending, Mexico City
Tuna Pase, voice, flute, and laptop, Istanbul
Dr. Johannes Rosenberg, violin, technology, Australia
Dragos Tara, MAX/MSP, acoustic bass, Switzerland

SOUND INSTALLATIONS: Tristan Perich, Karl Ekdahl, Julie Benoit

And a special opening week show at 2640 Space featuring Susan Alcorn and Claire E. Barratt.

High Zero is Announcing 2010 Line-up Piece by Piece via Twitter

Here's the deal as reported by City Paper.

NPR calls High Zero Festival "premier showcase".

Here's the first of two concert night reviews of High Zero by NPR:

High Zero Festival is the premier showcase for spontaneous sound.

A full set by Margarida Garcia, bass; Hans Grusel, electronics; Paul Neidhardt, percussion, friction; Morten Olsen, drums; and Raed Yassin, bass is available via the NPR site.

NPR Music Mixes Up High Zero

NPR Music has put together a fun piece featuring a series of great videos of High Zero artists:

When you strip away the blues, swing, and polyrhythms, what's left of jazz? Improvisation, for one, but probably not resulting in what one would call "jazz." Some call it "free improvisation," others "non-idiomatic." In any case, it's sound that seeks new sound.

For the past 11 years, the High Zero Festival in Baltimore, Md., has done just that ... with a twist.

Here's a highlight:

High Zero Opening Party: TONIGHT

High Zero Opening Party
September 8th, 2009
@ Load of Fun 120 W North Ave. Baltimore

7:30 PM - $6 admission

The High Zero festival kicks off with a party at the site of High Zero's gallery installation show, INEQUALITIES, and will feature varied performances by the installation artists. Tickets available only at the door.

"INEQUALITIES"
High Zero Sound Installations
August 28th - September 14th, 2009
@ Load of Fun 120 W North Ave. Baltimore

Since 2001, High Zero Festival has included a gallery show of installations, primarily to do with sound and other elements related to the broad experimental music and thought culture of which High Zero is a part. This year, High Zero Foundation presents INEQUALITIES, a gallery show at the Load of Fun curated with works of four very interesting local artists. Special thanks are due to Ric Royer and Sherwin Mark, and to the artists. The gallery does not have regular hours but is often accessible during the day, and is accessible during all Load of Fun events. See loadoffun.net for a schedule.

Please visit the INEQUALITIES page for further details.

The following artists will present work in the show:
Walter Carpenter
Owen Gardner
Jesse Haas
Ayako Katoaka
Jimmy Joe Roche

2009 High Zero Festival Schedule Announced!

Major Concerts at The Theatre Project
Doors open 7:30 PM, Performances start 8:30 PM sharp.

Detailed set listings:

Thursday Night, September 10th
[buy tickets]

Solo
Christofer Varner: trombone

Group One
Tom Boram: prepared piano, tap shoes
Miya Masaoka: koto, electronics
Melissa Moore: electronics, turntable

Group Two
Nick Becker: moog, electric guitar
Max Eilbacher: sax, violin, electronics
Hans Grüsel: electronics
Twig Harper: electronics

Group Three
Samuel Burt: clarinets, electronics
Will Redman: drums
Raed Yassin: bass

Group Four
Martin Blažíček: projection
Michael Evans: drums
Melissa Moore: electronics, turntable
Morten Olsen: drums, supercollider 3


Friday Night, September 11th
[buy tickets]

Solo
Morten Olsen: drums, supercollider 3

Group One
Dave Ballou: trumpet
Killick: harpeggione
Stewart Mostofsky: electronics
Kate Porter: cello

Group Two
Tom Boram: prepared piano, tap shoes
Chris Cooper: guitar
Michael Evans: drums
Andrea Neumann: inner piano

Group Three
Jorge Martins: guitar, wild wave
Miya Masaoka: koto, electronics

Group Four
Shelly Blake-Plock: guitar
Samuel Burt: clarinets, electronics
Hans Grüsel: electronics
Stewart Mostofsky: electronics
Christofer Varner: trombone


Saturday Matinee (Day), September 12th -- SPECIAL EVENT!!!
[buy tickets]

1. Programmed by Snacks

Featuring:
Nick Becker: moog, electric guitar
Samuel Burt: clarinets, electronics
Max Eilbacher: sax, violin, electronics
Michael Evans: drums
Jorge Martins: guitar, wild wave
Ava Mendoza: electric guitar
Christofer Varner: trombone

2. Programmed by Will Redman

Featuring:
Dave Ballou: trumpet
Rose Burt: reeds
Margarida Garcia: bass
Melissa Moore: electronics, turntable
Kenta Nagai: fretless guitar, shamisen
Paul Neidhardt: percussion, friction
Raed Yassin: bass


Saturday Night, September 12th
[buy tickets]

Solo
Andrea Neumann: inner piano

Group One
Martin Blažíček: projection
Rose Burt: reeds
Killick: harpeggione
Miya Masaoka: koto, electronics
Kenta Nagai: fretless guitar, shamisen

Group Two
Chris Cooper: guitar
Nick Becker: moog, electric guitar
Stewart Mostofsky: electronics

Group Three
Margarida Garcia: bass
Hans Grüsel: electronics
Paul Neidhardt: percussion, friction
Morten Olsen: drums, supercollider 3
Raed Yassin: bass

Group Four
Shelly Blake-Plock: guitar
Chris Cooper: guitar
Michael Evans: drums
Twig Harper: electronics
Ava Mendoza: electric guitar


Sunday Night, September 13th
[buy tickets]

Solo
Twig Harper: electronics

Group One
Martin Blažíček: projection
Paul Neidhardt: percussion, friction
Andrea Neumann: inner piano
Christofer Varner: trombone

Group Two
Margarida Garcia: bass
Jorge Martins: guitar, wild wave
Kate Porter: cello

Group Three
Dave Ballou: trumpet
Max Eilbacher: sax, violin, electronics
Killick: harpeggione
Ava Mendoza: electric guitar

Group Four
Shelly Blake-Plock: guitar
Rose Burt: reeds
Kenta Nagai: fretless guitar, shamisen
Kate Porter: cello
Will Redman: drums

For more info see www.highzero.org.

2009 High Zero Festival of Experimental Improvised Music

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 22ND, 2009
BALTIMORE, MD

What: High Zero Festival of Experimental Improvised Music
When: September 10th - 13th, 2009
Where: Theatre Project 45 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-5717
General Contact: info@redroom.org
Press Inquiries: blakeplock@gmail.com
Tele: press: 410-493-0912 / general: 443-414-5414
Website: www.highzero.org
Twitter Hashtag: #HZF2009
PR Updates: http://diymummy.blogspot.com


11th Annual High Zero Festival to bring global experimental culture to Baltimore

“A fertile laboratory of musical possibility without equal.” - Signal to Noise

“An utterly confounding yet utopian vision of musical possibilities” - Wire Magazine

Baltimore’s High Zero Festival—one of the longest running and most successful festivals of experimental improvised music in the country and what City Paper called “one of Baltimore’s great cultural treasures” is entering its eleventh year.

The High Zero Festival -- called by Baltimore Magazine the city’s “Best Music Festival” -- gathers avant-garde musicians and artists each year from around the world for a series of concerts featuring startlingly new ad hoc collaborations, virtually taking over the city that Rolling Stone cites as having the “Best Music Scene” in the USA.

Attendance of the High Zero Festival in previous years has been exceptionally high for this non-commercial music, with the festival frequently selling out. A weekend pick in the New York Times and regularly covered by major European and U.S. magazines, the festival is an outgrowth of the vital weekly Red Room performance series at Normals Books and Records, which since 1996 has presented roughly 800 concerts of experimental music in Baltimore, making it one of the longest running series of its kind in the country.

“Some of the most intense new music being made anywhere, on everything from oboes and one-of-a-kind instruments to the human body itself… unforgettable performances.” - The Washington Post

“So highly singular that it corresponds to nothing that has been heard before.” - Maryland Public Television

The eleventh annual High Zero Festival of Experimental Improvised Music will take place at Theatre Project in Baltimore, MD this September 10th - 13th, 2009. The press is invited to inquire regarding interviews and special announcements.


2009 Festival Musicians:

From afar:

Martin Blažíček (projection)
Prague

Chris Cooper (guitar)
Massachusetts

Michael Evans (drums)
NYC

Margarida Garcia (bass)
NYC

Hans Grüsel (electronics)
San Francisco

Killick (harpeggione)
Athens, GA

Miya Masaoka (koto, electronics)
NYC

Ava Mendoza (electric guitar)
San Francisco

Kenta Nagai (fretless guitar, shamisen)
NYC

Andrea Neumann (inner piano)
Berlin

Morten Olson (drums / supercollider 3)
Norway

Christofer Varner (trombone)
Munich, Germany

Raed Yassin (bass)
Amsterdam, Netherlands


From Baltimore:

Dave Ballou (trumpet)

Nick Becker (moog/electric guitar)

Shelly Blake-Plock (guitar)

Tom Boram (electronics, voice)

Rose Burt (reeds)

Samuel Burt (clarinets, electronics)

Max Eilbacher (sax, vln, electronics)

Twig Harper (electronics)

Jorge Martins (guitar, wild wave)

Melissa Moore (electronics)

Stewart Mostofsky (electronics)

Paul Neidhardt (percussion, friction)

Kate Porter (cello)

Will Redman (drums)


For more information contact:
High Zero Foundation, Inc.
General Contact: info@redroom.org
Press Inquiries: blakeplock@gmail.com
Tele: press: 410-493-0912 / general: 443-414-5414
Website: www.highzero.org
Twitter Hashtag: #HZF2009
PR Updates: http://diymummy.blogspot.com

Documentation of the 2008 High Zero Festival can now be found at: http://www.highzero.org/2008_documentation/

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