Join us for a joint evening of exciting music with exciting people as TAK ensemble make their Manchester debut!

About TAK

Regarded as “one of the most prominent ensembles in the United States practicing truly experimental music” (I Care If You Listen), TAK delivers energetic performances “that combine crystalline clarity with the disorienting turbulence of a sonic vortex” (The WIRE), and “impresses with the organicity of their sound, their dynamism and virtuosity” (New Sounds, WQXR).

Founded on the principles of curiosity, change, and caring communication, TAK is dedicated to the commissioning of new works and direct collaboration with composers and other artists and they have premiered hundreds of works to date. TAK is Laura Cocks, flute; Madison Greenstone, clarinet; Charlotte Mundy, voice; Marina Kifferstein, violin; Ellery Trafford, percussion.

Program

TAK:
Mouthpiece 28 — Erin Gee
the moon sank. the wet grass — Golnaz Shariatzadeh
For jaimie branch — Tyshawn Sorey
Ballad of the Water of the Sea — Ashkan Behzadi

Distractfold:
The Cloud Factory — Hanna Hartman
A Thing Made Whole (Coda) by Andrew Greenwald

Tix: https://www.anthonyburgess.org/event/concert-tak-ensemble-distractfold/

Another Sky is a new London-based festival celebrating experimental music from the SWANA (South West Asia & North Africa) region and diaspora - 2023 is our first edition. Join us in listening, in watching, in dancing and in connecting for two days and three nights. We’ll present composed, improvised and electronic music; short films and moving-image works; six new commissions; a film workshop and an independent label & publisher fair. Another Sky is co-directed by Sam Salem أسامة سالم (composer; co-founder Distractfold Ensemble; RNCM) and Emily Moore (Southern Bird artist management & production; former co-director Kammer Klang).

Over the course of the 3 day festival (Sep 29 - Oct 1st) Distractfold will be premiering four new works by Kimia Koochakzadeh-Yazdi کیمیا کوچک زاده یزدی, Nilufar Habibian, and Jad Atoui جاد عطوي, and presenting an existing work by Zeynep Toraman.

Friday Programme @ Cafe OTO

Nilufar Habibian, Becoming (2023) - Co-commission with Ensemble Contrechamps, for amplified qanun, electric guitar & bass clarinet, performed by Habibian with Distractfold Ensemble. World premiere

Kimia Koochakzadeh-Yazdi کیمیا کوچک زاده یزدی, Unstuck In Time (2023) - Commissioned by Zubin Kanga with the support of a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship and Royal Holloway, University of London, for electric guitar, bass clarinet, violin, cello, electronics & video, performed by Distractfold Ensemble. World premiere

Jad Atoui جاد عطوي, Vibrant Pools (2023) - Co-commission with Irtijal Festival, for objects & electronics, performed by Atoui with Distractfold Ensemble. World premiere

Sophie Hoyle, Sheer-Naked-Aggression (2017) - Video with 2-channel sound

Nour Mobarak نور مبارك, Subliminal Lambada (2023) - Co-commission with Counterflows Festival, for voice & electronics. Second performance

Mazen Kerbaj & Ute Wassermann, Revisitations (2021) - Commissioned by SAVVY Contemporary in collaboration with MaerzMusik 2021 as part of a programme on Halim El-Dabh, for voice, trumpet, electronics & objects. UK premiere

Full programme!

Another Sky is a new London-based festival celebrating experimental music from the SWANA (South West Asia & North Africa) region and diaspora - 2023 is our first edition. Join us in listening, in watching, in dancing and in connecting for two days and three nights. We’ll present composed, improvised and electronic music; short films and moving-image works; six new commissions; a film workshop and an independent label & publisher fair. Another Sky is co-directed by Sam Salem أسامة سالم (composer; co-founder Distractfold Ensemble; RNCM) and Emily Moore (Southern Bird artist management & production; former co-director Kammer Klang).

Over the course of the 3 day festival (Sep 29 - Oct 1st) Distractfold will be premiering four new works by Kimia Koochakzadeh-Yazdi کیمیا کوچک زاده یزدی, Nilufar Habibian, and Jad Atoui جاد عطوي, and presenting an existing work by Zeynep Toraman.

Friday Programme @ Bishopsgate Institute

Halim El-Dabh حليم الضبع, Wire Recorder Piece (1944) & Meditation in White Sound (1959) - Spatial diffusion by Sam Salem أسامة سالم

Zeynep Toraman, An emotional rollercoaster just for you (2018) - For electric guitar, bass clarinet, violin, cello & electronics, performed by Distractfold Ensemble. UK premiere

Sam Salem أسامة سالم, The Way Up & The Way Down (2023) - For percussion, electronics & video, performed by Noam Bierstone. UK premiere

FRKTL سارة بدر - Live audiovisual set

Mariam Rezaei - Live set

Full programme!

Distractfold members: Rocío Bolaños - clarinets / Daniel Brew - electric guitar / Alice Purton - cello

Friends: Celeste Betancur - live coding and electronics / Kimia Koochakzadeh-Yazdi - live electronics / Mike Mulshine - Vocals, keys, piano and live electronics. / Sean loaf O Dalaigh - contact mics and objects

PROGRAMME

Part 1

- All of it by Mike Mulshine. For cello, clarinet, guitar, piano and voice.

- Shimmering, insistent by Sean loaf O Dalaigh. For solo cello.

- Ánimas by Celeste Betancur. For violin, cello, clarinet, and live electronics.

- Just Like Blueberries by Kimia Koochakzadeh-Yazdi. For electric guitar and live electronics.

Part 2

- Anonymous Room by Lemon Gou. For everyone.

Tickets here.

Distractfold return to Cafe Oto to present a brand new work by Anna Korsun alongside host of exciting new additions to the groups rep!

Andrew Greenwald - A Thing Made Whole (VI) for bifurcated electric guitar. 

Jonah Haven - was - for amplified voice, percussion and violin.

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 Anna Korsun - Of Birds for singing cello, violin, clarinets and electric guitar. WORLD PREMIERE 

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Vero Merangere - hydra for video.

Esaias Järnegard - Fragments of a broken order for percussion, violin, cello and electronics

Tickets here.

Distractfold performs new works by Stanford graduate composers Celeste Betancur, Seán Ó Dálaigh, Lemon Guo, Kimia Koochakzadeh-Yazdi, Mike Mulshine.

FREE and Open to the Public

Face coverings are strongly recommended. We encourage you to continue wearing masks for the comfort of our audience members, artists, and staff.

Directions, parking, accessibility: https://music.stanford.edu/venues-facilities/venues/ccrma-stage

Distractfold presents the three world premieres of new solo works by Zeynep Toraman, Santiago Diez-Fischer, and Sam Salem, alongside Berlin-based trombonist and composer, Weston Olencki. + UK premiere of The Cloud Factory by Hanna Hartman.

PROGRAMME

Part 1 - Distractfold
- if objects were not solid - (2022) for bass clarinet and tape, by Santiago Díez-Fischer.
- shallow water - for solo electric guitar (2022), by Zeynep Toraman.
- The Cloud Factory - for bass clarinet, cello and amplified objects percussion (2020), by Hanna Hartman

Part 2 - Weston Olencki
- Bury Me Deep - (2022) for solo trombone and fixed audiovisual media by Sam Salem.

8PM | £10 in advance | £12 on the door

Ticket link: https://distractfoldensemble.bandcamp.com/merch/distractfold-weston-olencki-iklectik-london

Supported by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Distractfold is excited to be in residence at the Royal Northern College of Music from February - October 2022. They will be working on 2 new student works with Megan Steinberg and Bofan Ma as well as presenting a new work by Sam Salem to be performed together with members of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mark Knoop.

In partner with:

Distractfold present an exciting mix of solo works form their 2020-21 project, The New Unusual, alongside pieces by Sam Salem, Andrew Greenwald and a new work by Hunjoo Jung.

PROGRAMME:

- Sivan Cohen Elias - multicounterspeachless for prepared bass clarinet and tape. (2020)

- Ute Wassermann - Go Between, for cello, voice and electronics. (2020)

- Andrew Greenwald - A Thing made Whole (IV), for string trio, bass clarinet and bifurcated electric guitar. (2017)

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- Sam Salem - The Raft Breaks, for solo violin, electronics, tape and video. (2019)

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- Hunjoo Jung - Talk_To/abouT/wiTh_My…, for clarinet, e.guitar, violin, object percussion, cello and electronics. (2021)

- Lee Fraser - Scii Tenaph III, for tape. (2020)

- Bára Gísladóttir - Rage against the reply guy (2021), for bass clarinet, electric guitar, violin, violoncello, electronics

PERFORMERS:

Linda Jankowska / violin
Kasia Ziminska / viola
Daniel Brew / guitar
Rocío Bolaños / clarinets
Alice Purton / cello

🎫 - @ cafe oto

Distractfold present performances of a selection of works from their 2021 commissioning project, The New Unusual, alongside new pieces by Hunjoo Jung and Bára Gísladóttir.

Programme:

Andrew Greenwald - A Thing Made Whole VI (2020), for bifurcated solo electric guitar. 5min

Ute Wassermann - Go Between (2020), for cello, voice and electronics 4min

Bára Gísladóttir - Rage against the reply guy (2021), for bass clarinet, electric guitar, violin, violoncello, electronics 10min

Sivan Cohen Elias - multicounterspeachless (2020) 5min

Sam Salem - The Raft Breaks (2019), for solo violin, electronics, tape and video 20min

Hunjoo Jung - Talk_To/abouT/wiTh_My… (2021), for Clarinet, E.guitar, Violin + Percussion and Cello with Electronics 16min

reConvert + Distractfold

Kaj Duncan David: Sound & Vision (2012)
Ana Korsun: Vertigo for 2 sopranos, clarinet, e-guitar, perc. (2018-21)
Hana Hartman: The cloud factory (2018-21)
Bára Gísladóttir: Rage against reply guy (2021)
Fernando Manassero & Roberto Maqueda: The mesmerizing sound of acumulation II (2020-21)

reConvert: Roberto Maqueda & Lorenzo Colombo

Distractfold Ensemble:
Daniel Brew, e-guitar
Rocio Bolaños, clarinets
Alice Purton, cello
Linda Jankowska, violin

Fernando Manassero, sound

reConvert + Distractfold

Kaj Duncan David: Sound & Vision (2012)
Ana Korsun: Vertigo for 2 sopranos, clarinet, e-guitar, perc. (2018-21)
Hana Hartman: The cloud factory (2018-21)
Bára Gísladóttir: Rage against reply guy (2021)
Fernando Manassero & Roberto Maqueda: The mesmerizing sound of acumulation II (2020-21)

reConvert: Roberto Maqueda & Lorenzo Colombo

Distractfold Ensemble:
Daniel Brew, e-guitar
Rocio Bolaños, clarinets
Alice Purton, cello
Linda Jankowska, violin

Fernando Manassero, sound

More info

Musical Features is an annual series of concerts and events that explore the future of music-making, digital creativity, and new ways to perform, experience, and interact with music. Distractfold will be performing an exciting mix of solo and ensemble works including 2 world premieres.

Programme:

Andrew Greenwald - A Thing Made Whole VI (2020), for bifurcated solo electric guitar [U.K. premiere]

Ute Wassermann - Go Between (2020), for cello, voice and electronics [world premiere]

Bára Gísladóttir - Rage against the reply guy (2021), for bass clarinet, electric guitar, violin, violoncello, electronics [U.K. premiere]

Sivan Cohen Elias - multicounterspeachless for prepared bass clarinet and tape (2020)

Sam Salem - The Raft Breaks (2019), for solo violin, electronics, tape and video

Hunjoo Jung - Talk_To/abouT/wiTh_My… (2021), for Clarinet, E.guitar, Violin + Percussion and Cello with Electronics [world premiere]

Book tickets here

In 2019, Distractfold Ensemble met up in Berlin with Ensemble Dal Niente a brilliant Chicago-based new music group, to collaborate on some truly wild music. Now, Distractfold are heading to Chicago, where they, along with Dal Niente and Ensemble 20+, will perform music for their blended ensembles, including George Lewis’s Connectome (2019), which was written for Dal Niente, Distractfold, and Ensemble Adapter and premiered in Berlin in 2019.

Distractfold will be an ensemble in residence working with Columbia Composers as part of their 2019-2020 season lineup. The results of this residency will be showcased in a final concert on the 18 April 20 at The DiMenna Centre for Classical Music.

We will be working on and presenting pieces by:

• Bill Dougherty

• Sam Yulsman

• Bethany Younge

• Onur Yildirim

• Nina Fukuoka

• Uri Kochavi

Distractfold present a cross section of some of their most exciting new repertoire including two very recent commissions by Anna Korsun and Hunjoo Jung

Programme:

Andrew Greenwald: A Thing Made Whole (Quintet)

Hunjoo Jung: Gestalt II (trio b cl, e-guitar, cello)

Sam Salem: The Tower (trio percussion, e-guitar, cello)

Anna Korsun: Sottilissime (for singing string trio)  

Across their 2020 concert season Distractfold are releasing a series of 4 distinct recordings each of which exclusively presents the works of a different composer showcasing their unique compositional voice and providing the listener with a deeper insight into their work through an accompanying booklet and/or object. Back in NY for the first time since 2016, they are excited to present this portrait concert which preempts these releases with an insight into the music of bassist and composer Michelle Lou who is the first featured composer in this series. Pre-Orders of Michelles release will be available!

Programme:

Telegrams

Untitled three-part construction

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HoneyDripper (performed by Weston Olencki)

- To avoid adding to the perplexingly vast amount of unnecessary plastic waste still produced all Distractfold releases will instead be hosted online and accessed via a download code printed in each booklet -

We’re excited to be heading out to Vermont to undertaking a mini residency with internationally renowned composer and performer Andrew Greenwald of Ensemble Pamplemousse! During our time together we’ll be rehearsing and recording one of Andrews works ‘A Thing Made Whole’ at Gilford Sounds Recording Studio. We’ll be closing our time together in Vermont presenting a concert at Marlboro College.

Programme bellow:

Andrew Greenwald: A Thing Made Whole (quintet)

Hunjoo Jung: Gestalt II (trio b cl, e-guitar, cello)

Sam Salem: The Tower (trio percussion, e-guitar, cello)

Anna Korsun: Tollers Zelle (e-guitar, soprano)

Distractfold present the last instalment in a series of two exciting evenings of contemporary music that they’re bringing to venues in Manchester and London featuring renowned New York-based trombonist and composer, Weston Olencki. 

The evenings programme includes works by Anna Korsun, Hanna Hartman, Weston Olencki and Sam Salem.