Announcement // THALAMUS V.01: A Night of Experimental Live Sound

Article by April Dell in Berlin // Friday, Jun. 17, 2016

Following their successful inaugural event last December, Thalamus Collective are back with another night of experimental live sound performances. This installment emphasises the spontaneity and ephemerality of live performance, and brings together sounds to tickle the senses. Hosted at ACUD Macht Neu on Thursday, June 30, 2016, THALAMUS V.01 keeps the momentum running for the collective’s event series that collaborates with artists from different fields to orchestrate thematically-curated and interdisciplinary sound experiments.

Classically trained, experimental violinist Kathy Alberici kicks off the evening’s line-up with hypnotic, spine-tingling sounds that occupy the space between drone, soundscapes and noise. For the second performance, Thalamus has invited rkss and Claire Tolan to perform together for the first time in an improvised sound exchange. For this experiment the artists will take turns responding to one another’s work from opposing ends of the space to create a unique and dynamic audio experience. Claire Tolan’s explorations with ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) and interest in its community has taken on many forms, from installation to hosting the radio show ‘You’re Worth It’ on Berlin Community Radio. Like the fuzzy feeling stimulated by certain musical encounters, ASMR is that euphoric tingling sensation that trickles down your neck, triggered by such things as whispering, ambient repetitive sound, or receiving tender attention. rkss, whose recent album ‘Top Charted’ was released on cassette with UK label Where To Now?, is investigating notions of authenticity and realness with the use of EDM samples, stripped and bit-crushed beyond recognition. After the performances SYZYGY will spin some records; expect euphoric, cinematic techno mixed with dark dancey delights.

Thalamus is the initiative of two Berlin based artists, who aim to blur the distinction between contemporary club culture and exhibition practices. Their curatorial practice is guided by a progressive, postgender outlook. Tickets to THALAMUS V.01 are 6 Euro on the door.