12.01.10: Fenn O'Berg are back!
Cat. No.: eMEGO 103V / eMEGO 103
Artist: Fenn O'Berg
Title: In Stereo
Formats: Double gatefold Vinyl / CD Digipack
Release Date: March 5th 2010
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part I
Part VII
Part VI
Part II (vinyl only)
Written and performed by Christian Fennesz, Jim O'Rourke & Peter Rehberg
Recorded and mixed at Studio GOK Sound, Tokyo, October 2009
Mastered at Piethopraxis, Köln, December 2009
Photos by Shunichiro Okada (Outside) & Ujin Matsuo (Inside)
Thats right, they're back!
After a hiatus of almost 9 years the legendary trio of Christian Fennesz, Jim O'Rourke and Peter Rehberg have returned with a new studio album. Technically the first studio album as previous releases were edits of live performances.
They spent a week in Studio GOK Sound, Tokyo to lay down some stunning electronic works. Whereas previously the emphasis was on a chaotic blend of found samples mangled through their mobile computing systems to create a humorous oddball sound, 'In Stereo' implements a more wider instrumental palette of analogue & digital synthesis, guitar, piano, bass and percussion. What they do maintain is the ability to make a near psychedelic audio blend where its impossible to determine who does what.
Released as CD digipack and deluxe gatefold double vinyl which features an extra slice of classic Fenn O'Berg magic beauty.
'In Stereo' ...for you.
pre-orders which can be made here
30.11.09: The Muse: "Endless Summer" is one of decade's ten best records
The Muse say; "Austria's finest musical export Christian Fennesz dropped one of the best noise albums of all time in 2001. His brand of reverb-drenched guitar expression combined with incredible ambient drone and intelligent mixing all came together on Endless Summer to create an album outstripping anything release by Tim Hecker, Wolf Eyes, Black Dice, or any other noise musicians active in the 2000s."
Buy "Endless Summer" in the TouchShop
27.08.09: Sparklehorse + Fennesz - "In The Fishtank"
Released on Konkurrent on 14th September.
Konkurrent say -
"Ever since 'Endless Summer' we were attracted to the music of Christian Fennesz. Where many laptop artists don't reach further than idle electronic rumble without engagement, Fennesz manages to create a world of unheard and rich new sounds.
Christian's idea to collaborate with Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse excited us immediately. The two artists had performed together a couple of times and both felt that there was further mileage in the collaboration.
Just two days in December 2007 were enough to record over 40 minutes of the sublime Fennesz and Sparklehorse combination. Prepared oddities and masses of inspiration make these recordings unique in their style and in this series in particular. Songs and soundscapes of rare beauty with stunning atmospherics, where abstract sounds and wellcrafted traditional songstructure meet and where acoustic instruments and electronics create outstanding ambience."
Further info at www.konkurrent.nl
Buy at www.boomkat.com
27.08.09: David Sylvian - "Manafon"
Fennesz appears on David Sylvian's forthcoming album, "Manafon", released on September 14th. Further information on this release can be found at www.manafon.com
10.06.09: The V. Sessions
The V. Sessions are filmed live sessions, organised in great intimacy, recorded live inside a studio or another suitable location, and broadcast on www.thevsessions.com and nowhere else. They strive to combine the excellent acoustics of a studio session with the spontaneity of live music. Studio recording lets us provide a clear, tailor-made sound; while live music yields its exclusive, vibrant drive.
Fennesz's live solo V. Session recording, from May 28th, 2009 at 21.00 (GMT+2) (Paris), is now available on demand by clicking here.
03.06.09: Photos by AOKI takamasa from Japanese tour
AOKI takamasa toured Japan with Fennesz in March. Click here to view his photography from the tour.
24.04.09: Fennesz interviewed by PopMatters
Jennifer Kelly has interviewed Christian Fennesz - you can read "Hidden Melodies: An Interview with Christian Fennesz" by visiting www.popmatters.com
18.04.09: Fennesz at Ether Festival 2009 is The Guardian's "Pick of the Week"
The Guardian newspaper have made next Tuesday's performance by Fennesz at Ether 2009 one of their "Pick of the Week" recommendations.
They write: "...guitarist Christian Fennesz treats his instrument so it sounds like pretty much anything apart from a guitar. Fizzing, atmospheric stuff..."
Touch presents, live at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, featuring Fennesz, Rosy Parlane and CM von Hausswolff will take place on Tuesday 21st April, 7.30pm, as part of the Ether Festival 2009. Further information can be found by clicking here.
A day before, at 6.30pm on Monday 20th April in the Purcell Room at the QEH, Touch's Jon Wozencroft and Mike Harding will be hosting a Q&A session with the artists. Nb: the Monday event is FREE - so, if you are in London please do come!
03.03.09: Touch Presents, as part of the Ether Festival 2009
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 21st April 2009 - Touch presents, as part of the Ether Festival 2009:
Fennesz [AT]
Rosy Parlane [NZ]
CM von Hausswolff [SE/KREV]
encore
You can now buy tickets for Touch Presents, as part of the Ether Festival 2009.
More about Ether 2009
Book tickets online
17.02.09: Blogcritics Magazine reviews Black Sea
Jeff Perkins writes, at blogcritics.org: "I searched the internet trying to find the answer to my question: How much of the English language has fallen into disuse over, say, the last couple of centuries? This has suddenly become important to me because of the latest album from Austrian electronic musician Christian Fennesz, Black Sea.
My own personal vocabulary limits my attempt to describe the audio imagery to you. However, these restrictions simply do not seem to apply to a mind such as the one Fennesz himself possesses. When he locks himself away in his studio, alone, immersed in his work, he creates a canvas to express the labyrinth of sounds within his mind. If he has any limitations at all, it is only those surrounding the technology of trying to reproduce what he can hear. His mind has seemingly endless possibilities."
Click here to read the full review.
Click here for the Fennesz news archive.
