Boundary-pushing and stunningly diverse, Loop represent a collection of composers and instrumentalists who have been at the forefront of the UK's creative music developments for nearly 10 years - this hugely promising day-long programme is dedicated to international collaborations and cross-medium explorations. The day includes two Hall 2 performances (at 7.30pm and 10.45pm) including The Loop big-band Cat's Cradle with Norwegian maverick guitarist Stian Westerhus, Anglo-French collaboration The Rich Tailors, led by Robin Fincker and Alcyona Mick and featuring cello extraordinaire Vincent Courtois and the potent, dynamic grooves of Dan Nicholls' Mirror with visuals by the highly influential Stephen Byram. There is also a free ticketed set from the electro-acoustic Splice at 5.30pm in the St Pancras room. www.loopcollective.org
Splice (17.30-18.30 St. Pancras Room):
Splice’s raison d’être is to mesh together influences of contemporary jazz, free improv, loud and soft noise, punk grit, ambient music, and more… with seamless blends or blunt juxtapositions.
Featuring Alex Bonney on trumpet and electronics, Robin Fincker on tenor sax and clarinet, Dave Smith on drums, Pierre Alexandre Tremblay on bass guitar and electronics, Splice will launch their second CD 'Silent Spoke' at this performance, a free ticketed event.
Rich Tailors and Mirror (19.30-21.50 Hall 2):
The Rich Tailors
The Rich Tailors is the fruitful reunion of five hyperactive improvisers from both sides of the Channel, determined to design the perfect costume for their singular and audacious music.
The Rich Tailors were no strangers to each other as the band was formed after numerous collaborations amongst its members such as the long-standing projects Blink in the UK, the berlin-based Erdmann/Roher 4tet or The Mediums in France.
This new project with its unusual instrumentation is the perfect setting for the subtle melodic crossings and irreverent style-mixing at the heart of these key European musicians’ approach, whose credentials include an impressively varied panel of collaborators and projects, ranging from film music to avant-garde improv.
Featuring:
Robin Fincker – tenor saxophone / clarinet
Vincent Courtois – cello
Daniel Erdmann – tenor saxophone
Alcyona Mick – piano
Paul Clarvis – drums
Mirror + ByramArt
Veering between big grooves, electro-improv and a vast sonic palette, Mirror is the brain child of keyboardist Dan Nicholls and brings together three of the most dynamic and original talents of the London music scene. Featuring Matt Calvert (Three Trapped Tigers) on guitar/electronics, Dave Smith (Robert Plant, Fofoulah) on drums/electronics and Dan on keyboards/electronics/visuals, this concert is the premiere of a new collaboration with one of New-York's most influential visual artists, Stephen Byram, who has created a set of stunning visuals especially for this concert.
Cat's Cradle featuring Stian Westerhus (22.45- approx 23.30 Hall 2):
Cat's Cradle is Loop's variable large ensemble featuring the collective's core members. The music is commissioned from Loop's members for each new project with an emphasis on compositional sketches that leave room for collective improvisation. Cat's Cradle made its first outing at the Loop Collective Upload festival in 2012. For this project they collaborate with the highly individual and genre-busting Norwegian guitarist Stian Westerhus. Stian has been connected to Loop since its inception having been a member of the band Fraud and he was invited back to play a solo set at the 2009 Loop festival. Expect an evening of sonic adventures.
Alex Bonney - trumpet/electronics
Robin Fincker - sax/clarinet
Jim Hart - vibes
Dave Manington - double bass
Dan Nicholls - keys
Dave Smith - drums
Pierre Alexandre Tremblay - electric bass/electronics
with Stian Westerhus - guitar
