Length Value
A collaborative effort between New Zealander Fis (whose recent release on Subtext “From Patterns to Details” explores tonal, neo-romantic realms dramaturgically blended with noise passages and abstract textures), and Berlin-based Iranian percussion virtuoso Mohammad Reza Martazavi provides an impressive performance. At one point I wonder about the necessity of Fis’ discrete interventions, but as the duo slowly builds their aural edifice I see the role that such sobriety plays. It all starts coming together during the second part, after the two musicians have achieved a tense dialogue and when both sonic streams start colliding into an arousing and ever-fluctuating rhythmic / arhythmic continuum.
In a context where the quest for immediate reward leads us to adopt ridiculously short attention spans - and where even experimental and alternative scenes are subjected to such mutations - it feels good to be reminded how great and valuable lengthy, slow developments and patience are, when experienced to the fullest.
Falling back into the “wow effect” category, Robin Fox’s music & laser show “Single Origin” has a few truly exciting parts, even though my attention drops a little at the end. Throughout the evening, I kept hearing people asking each other “have you seen the laser show?” Which could have pissed me off if it hadn’t been exactly that, a fine laser show.
At Stage Null, Gabor Lázár doesn’t disappoint, while at Tresor, local DJ Resom provides an invigorating technopop mix followed by a live act by PTU. They do the job pretty well -given the difficulty of playing in the dark, smoky, crowded, rumbling pits of hell Tresor can turn into at times.
I’m surrounded by millennials on synthetic drugs. I can’t help thinking that everything I see around me seems pretty distant. We’re all in the same ocean of sound, smoke, darkness and flashing lights, but each of us is alone. The DJs in their booth, the musicians, so small under those giant visuals, behind their monitors. Tonight, revolt, subversion and collective catharsis appear to me as things of the past. Anyway… staying aware of what the week can give me is what matters for now.
Thursday around noon. My thoughts and my vision are both blurry and confused. I hear screams from a dream, still echoing in my mind. My right knee hurts, I remember hitting it on a concrete podium yesterday at stage Null. I find myself wishing to transform - nothing to do with my knee, I seek an instant inner transformation. It’s what I’m longing for today.
As the day passes I’m slowly cheering up. I watch a Claude Chabrol movie (Merci pour le chocolat, 2000) - it always does the trick.
