Hauschka is the alias of German pianist / composer Volker Bertelmann, who currently resides in Dusseldorf. Having studied classical piano for ten years, his work as Hauschka is based upon a playful exploration of the possibilities of the 'prepared' piano - a playfully disruptive intervention into the preconceived idea of the piano as a pure-toned, perfected instrument waiting for a gifted virtuoso to play on it.
Clamping wedges of leather, felt or rubber between the strings; preparing the hammers with aluminium paper or rough films; placing crown corks on the strings, weaving guitar strings around the piano's guts, or pasting them down with gaffa tape - his resulting tracks are composed both originally and charmingly. The results are vivid, unconventional pieces made in a spirit of playful research-enthusiasm.
Manchester dwelling musician, born and brought up in the beautiful rolling landscape of Wigan, Nancy Elizabeth is a lover and creator of songs and instrumental music. The first release was an E.P. called ‘The Wheel Turning King’, which came out on Manchester label, Timbreland. That led to her hiring a cottage in the middle of nowhere, where she created her first album ‘Battle and Victory’. This was released by The Leaf Label in October 2007. She has toured across Europe (and Mexico), laden with instruments, playing her music. Recently, North Wales saw her recording her second album, which is due out in September. In between touring and working on her own music, she has played with James Yorkston on a few albums, as well as collaborating with Japanese sound artist Susuma Yokota on his recent release ‘Mother’, along with other things. Touring www.qujunktions.com qujunktions@googlemail.com, label www.theleaflabel.com
Initially inspired by the guitarists of the 60’s Takoma label to teach himself fingerpicking, James Blackshaw writes long-form pieces primarily for solo 12-string guitar that are heavily influenced by minimalist composers and European classical music and which use drones, overtones and repeating patterns alongside a strong inclination for melody to create instrumental music that is both intelligent, hypnotic and emotionally charged.
Born in 1981, Blackshaw has so far released six solo studio albums, one live recording and has also appeared on numerous compilations in the last five years. "O True Believers" (2006, Important Records/Bo’weavil Recordings), "The Cloud of Unknowing" (2007, Tompkins Square) and "Litany of Echoes" (2008, Tompkins Square) have received huge critical acclaim from printed and online publications including Pitchfork, Billboard, The Wire, The Observer, The Times, Uncut, The New York Times, Rolling Stone Magazine, Magnet and Acoustic Guitar Magazine. "The Cloud of Unknowing" was also listed as one of the 50 best albums of 2007 by The Wire (no. 24) and Pitchfork (no. 34).
He has toured extensively in Europe, US and Japan and currently resides in Hastings, England.
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