FREE NOISE: Evan Parker / Yellow Swans / John Wiese / C. Spencer Yeh / Paul Hession / Metalux / John Edwards / Culver :: A unique collaboration featuring major names from the burgeoning noise and free jazz scenes. This tour brings together the revolutionary genius at the heart of both of these unorthodox musics for a visceral and revelatory journey through the sonic spectrum. Expect riotous freeform squalls, minimalist meditations and breathtaking cliffs of extreme volume. To listen to sample tracks and for full booking details go here.

Free Noise is a unique collaboration featuring major names from the burgeoning noise and free jazz scenes. Over two sets and through a series of improvised combinations, the paths of these two unorthodox musics will converge to produce something both beautiful and terrifying. As free jazz was originally seen as an abuse of established musical forms, so is noise today. This tour brings together the revolutionary genius at the heart of both for a visceral and revelatory journey through the sonic spectrum. Expect riotous freeform squalls, minimalist meditations and breathtaking cliffs of extreme volume.

Evan Parker: UK free sax legend best known for his work with Keith Rowe, Anthony Braxton, Joe McPhee, Cecil Taylor, Peter Brotzmann (including on his epochal ‘Machine Gun’), Derek Bailey, and for his inspired, individualistic take on musical freedom. Being the UK’s equivalent of Peter Brotzmann means that as far as free jazz saxophonists go, Evan Parker has very few equals. Hugely respected with a rich and varied back catalogue, Parker has graced the cream of the free jazz racks for the last forty years.

Yellow Swans: From Portland, Oregon, Yellow Swans play a constantly evolving mass of psychedelic noise that is both physically arresting and psychically liberating. Their music is a powerful rendering of free rock, black electronics, and white light vibrations. Consisting of Pete Swanson (vocals, drum machine, and electronics) and Gabriel Mindel Saloman (guitars, feedback, electronics), Yellow Swans create a dense ocean of sound using various analog and digital machines, all locked in a spiraling web of feedback.

C Spencer Yeh: Born in Taipei, Taiwan but now based in Ohio, C Spencer Yeh is a sculptor of breathtaking cliffs of electric sound, and also renowned as an improvising violinist and voice manipulator. Last year’s double CD compilation ‘Mes Soldats Stupides’ showcased the disparate strands of his sonic approach spread over his vast discography, under his oft-adopted alias Burning Star Core. His output ranges from soaring electronic odes to hypnotic drone rock to scathing free jazz in his trio with Paul Flaherty and Chris Corsano.

John Wiese: Californian noise and experimental music artist, he is extremely prolific releasing many albums both as a solo artist and as a member of groups such as Bastard Noise, Sissy Spacek and LHD, and he frequently collaborates with other musicians, including Sunn 0))), Wolf Eyes, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Brace Paine (The Gossip, Die Monitr Batss), Lasse Marhaug, Dave Phillips and Merzbow.

Paul Hession: Has played with many of the major figures on the free music scene (for example, Peter Brotzmann, Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Lol Coxhill, Maggie Nichols, Phil Minton, Peter Kowald, Joe McPhee, Borah Bergman, Otomo Yoshihide a.o.). “His torrential polyrhythmic style and his ability to raise the stakes in formidable company establish him as a prime mover in the attempt to inject excitement and power back into total improvisation” Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music

Metalux: US female duo MV Carbon and J Gräf renowned for in-your-face, charismatic live performances and finely tuned ears as producers. Create processed vocals and guitars, laced with drum machine malfunctions and digital noise. Recently released acclaimed collaborative album with John Wiese, on revered Load Records

John Edwards: UK double bassist with furious punk-fuelled free jazz attack. Collaborated with very many greats, including Evan Parker, Sunny Murray and Tony Bevan.

Culver: Multi-disciplined UK avant experimentalist with ever lengthening, very underground discography. Key figure in the Northern noise and sludge rock scenes. Has collaborated with Keith Fullerton Whitman and Alan Courtis amongst others, and had releases on Campbell ‘Birchville Cat Motel’ Kneale’s Celebrate Psi Phenomenon imprint, amongst many others. Currently performing as one half of the legendary Skullflower.

Touring April/May 2007

Sun 29 April
GLASGOW CCA
(Triptych Festival)
www.triptychfestival.com

Mon 30 April
CARDIFF The Point
www.thepointcardiffbay.com

Tue 1 May
GATESHEAD The Sage Gateshead
www.thesagegateshead.org

Wed 2 May
LEEDS Wardrobe
www.thewardrobe.co.uk

Thu 3 May
BRISTOL Arnolfini
www.arnolfini.org.uk

Sat 5 May
LONDON ULU
www.wegottickets.com/event/16861