RUISKAMER #2: Merope / Alex Zhang Hungtai

support: Anna Svetlakova
VIERNULVIER & MIRY Concertzaal
  • Wed 20.11
    19:30 - 22:30
    Miry Concertzaal, Gent
    Biezekapelstraat 9, 9000 Gent

Merope

Merope offers a unique contemporary take on traditional Baltic music. The kanklės and voice of Lithuanian Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė are the basis of their folk reinterpretations, enriched by graceful, experimental guitar and electronics from multi-instrumentalist Bert Cools. Their music, a blend of jazz, ambient, minimalism, and cosmic influences, is hard to categorize. With deep roots in Lithuanian tradition, they focus on the future, creating a universal message. Their third album 'Naktės' and fourth album 'Salos', made with the Vilnius chamber choir, brought them international recognition.

Vėjula’, Merope's fifth album, is a self-proclaimed musical rebirth. It is their most experimental and open-minded album yet, embracing collaborations with like-minded artists Shahzad Ismaily, Laraaji and Bill Frisell. And although ‘Vėjula’ is still rooted in Lithuanian folk, it equally dabbles in unfamiliar landscapes and mixes ancient themes with contemporary philosophy and technology.

Cosmic minimalism with Merope & contrarian electronica by Alex Zhang Hungtai (ex-Dirty Beaches)

Alex Zhang Hungtai

Zhang is a multi-disciplinary artist focused on improvisation and its link to the unconscious. After ending his project Dirty Beaches, he has explored improvised music, free jazz, and composition, primarily using saxophone and drums, and delving into electronic music. He has collaborated with artists like Tashi Dorji, Che Chen, and Sam Shalabi. Zhang also composes film soundtracks and acts in independent films. Notably, he appeared in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return with the fictitious band ‘Trouble’. His latest film score for “Godland”

Anna Svetlakova

Anna Svetlakova is an ambitious flute player working in various styles. Anna was born in Irkutsk, Siberia and trained as a classical flutist. During her studies at Ural State Academy of music she, in collaboration with composer Dmitry Remezov, initiated a contemporary music ensemble InterText (Ekaterinburg, Urals), which premiered a lot of new music of young composers.

Nowadays Anna is a part of Ictus Academy and G.A.M.E.. As a flutist she works a lot with nowadays living composers and has a special interest in “decomposing” classical flute repertoire from Baroque to 20th century. 

Anna Svetlakova

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