About

Fennesz (Support: Marcus Hamblett)

'It’s difficult to imagine this present musical landscape without the work of one Christian Fennesz' The Quietus

'a fixture in the experimental music world' Stereogum

'the scene’s great romantic' Pitchfork

Austrian guitarist, composer and electronic musician Christian Fennesz is recognized as a key figure and one of the most distinctive voices of electronic music today. His wide international reputation has been consolidated through his substantial overall contribution to new musical expression.

In the early 1990s, Fennesz became involved with the Viennese techno scene. Though formally educated in guitar and ethnomusicology from an early age, Fennesz decided to pursue composing and developing his own distinctive electronic sound world. By plugging his guitar into his laptop and transforming and processing it, he managed to create a specific sound that is difficult to mistake for another’s.

His first full-length solo release, Hotel Para.lel (1997, Editions Mego), introduced a mix of law textures and twisted guitar sounds and was awarded the Prix Ars Electronica.

His milestone third album Endless Summer (2001, Editions Mego) was acknowledged as one of the most important releases of the decade, helping to change the perception of electronic music today. On it, he gave significant importance to melody, appearing delicately beneath (or on the top) of his shimmering electronic soundscape-often described as 'symphonic' for its enormous range and complex musicality.

His new album Mosaic was released on Touch in December 2024.

Over the last decade, Fennesz has collaborated with many musicians, filmmakers, and dancers, including Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Sylvian, Keith Rowe, Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, Mike Patton, and many others. Fennesz has also worked alongside Peter Rehberg and Jim O’Rourke as the improvisation trio Fenn O’berg.

About Marcus Hamblett

Support comes from Brighton-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Marcus Hamblett.

You may well have already watched or listened to Marcus Hamblett without knowing it. A highly sought-after player, collaborator and enabler, he has played synths, guitar, bass, trumpet and many other instruments on records by the likes of Laura Marling, The Staves, James Holden, This Is The Kit, Bear's Den and Lucy Rose. His live session work has included playing with Villagers, Timber Timbre, Broken Social Scene, Sarah Blasko and Willy Mason.

His debut LP Concrete (2015) garnered critical acclaim wherever it was heard; not least by The National and Beirut collaborative side project LNZNDRF, and Timber Timbre, both of whom subsequently invited Hamblett to join them on tour.

His genre-bending sophomore album Detritus, released on Willkommen Records (2019) was a tapestry of sound featuring an all-star lineup including James Holden. This Is The Kit’s Kate Stables and The Animal Spirits’ saxophonist Etienne Jaumet and celebrated bass saxophonist Colin Stetson.

More recently he has supported Nathan Fake and Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and played duo shows with James Holden supporting The Smile.

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Image © Carsten Nicolai