Swiss Vibes 2013, la chanson du mois de juin, Pierre Omer

Pierre Omer & Stewarts Garages Conspiracy Crew_low« La chanson évoque ce mal du pays que j’éprouvais tous les jours alors que je vivais à Madrid. J’y raconte la nostalgie des terres noires et fertiles, je dis entre les lignes le blues que j’ai ressenti dans un pays qui est, lui, plutôt aride voire désertique. En écrivant le texte, j’ai su tout de suite que le rythme allait être lent, j’ai compris à quel type de scansion j’allais faire appel. En l’écoutant aujourd’hui, je me dis qu’il y a dans le chant quelque chose de Dylan, un artiste que j’ai beaucoup écouté dans ma vie. » Pierre Omer, chanteur, Genève, à propos de la chanson “I Wanna go Home” qui figure sur la compilation Swissvibes 2013.  Cette chanson est écoutable ci-dessous et téléchargeable sur le bandcamp de Swiss Vibes.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/88381404″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

En concert à Lausanne, Festival de la Cité, le 9 juillet
Bienne, Podring Festival, le 10 juillet
Pierre Omer’s Swing Revue, Guebwiller (F), Festival Les Dominicains de Haute Alsace, le 13 juillet

Yellofier, le nouveau joujou de Yello

screen_29On connaissait Boris Blank co-fondateur de Yello. On le retrouve au côté du producteur suédois Hakan Lidbo pour Yellofier, une application pour smartphone destinée à la création musicale.

Le principe est simple. L’application permet d’enregistrer des sons et de les utiliser immédiatement comme boucles sonores. Chaque son est représenté par un carré de couleur auquel on peut superposer un effet audio (saturation, écho…) de manière intuitive. Ajouter à cela la possibilité d’agencer les diverses motifs rythmiques créés à l’aide d’un séquenceur audio simple d’utilisation mais riche en fonction d’édition, et on obtient une application facile d’accès mais aux innombrables possibilités. Et c’est la grande force de Yellofier. Pas besoin de connaissances musicales particulières ou d’instrument: un claquement de doigt, une respiration ou un tintement de verre suffisent à créer un morceau. Les fonctions de partage permettent d’accéder aux titres des autres utilisateurs, certains signés Henrick Schwarz, The Orb ou encore Carl Craig.

Yellofier rend la création musicale accessible aux novices tout en proposant des fonctions avancées qui convaincront les utilisateurs plus expérimentés, et cela grâce à une interface visuelle bien pensée, colorée et ludique. A vos tablettes!

Yellofier est disponible sur Iphone et Ipad. 2,69 euros.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulrDSBsjS80]

 

“By Bye Bayou” de Mama Rosin consacré

MJCR020_HumanExpression_Front300Tes les Federer du rock indépendant, les Genevois de Mama Rosin viennent de décrocher le prix du meilleur album de “alternative country” aux IMA, Independent Music Award. Cette distinction internationale n’est pas un prix avec une somme rondelette à la clef. Elle est conçue et pensée comme une vraie possibilité de développer sa visibilité sur la scène internationale. Elle devrait donc permettre à nos deux héros helvétiques, assistés de leur compère et batteur français, de décrocher plus de gigs, d’obtenir une meilleure distribution, bref d’aggraver leur hyperactivisme déjà bien développé.

 

affiche soirée 13 juinJustement jeudi soir, les Mama Rosin organisent à Genève (au cinéma Spoutnik) une soirée en l’honneur d’Alan Lomax, avec une performance de Eric Isaacson, le boss du label Mississipi Records (qui a réédité plusieurs enregistrements du père de l’ethnomusicologie) et célèbrent la sortie, sur leur label MoiJConnais Records, d’un disque culte du groupe de rock psychédélique californien, Human Expression. Ah oui, j’oubliais… les Mamas vont aussi passer des disques et en vendre. Une question reste en suspens: quand est-ce qu’ils dorment?

Andreas Schaerer Makes Friends with London

Guest appearance with Soweto Kinch at King’s Place, London. May 31st 2013.
Photos Reto Andreoli

IMG_8967bI’d like to say he has bionic vocal chords

The vocalist, Andreas Schaerer, is captivating. I’d like to say he has bionic vocal chords but in fact they probably resemble yours or mine. Whereas I can’t even whistle, Schaerer can convince you that a nightingale has got caught in the rafters or a percussionist has taken to the stage with a shekere, Batá drum and a pair of claves.

This Bern-based talent had been invited to perform in London by Soweto Kinch, the British alto sax player and rapper. Part of the show was made up of tracks from Kinch’s ambitious concept album, The Legend of Mike Smith but part way through Schaerer joined Kinch to improvise with him, his bassist Nick Jurd and drummer, Shane Forbes.

The game was to interplay sounds and rhythm with Kinch on the modern theme, ‘how will consumerism respond to the depletion of resources?’ Appropriation and optimization were amongst Kinch’s articulate raps but to be honest, these themes didn’t cut through into the music. What did was Schaerer’s vocal craft.

The turn that made the audience’s mouths drop was his ‘muted trumpet’

Starting with a beautiful three-note call and whistles, African plains and fluttering birds floated through my mind, Schaerer went on to bubbling, clicking and bashing before building an industrial cacophony that dropped into some fresh beatboxing. The turn that made the audience’s mouths drop was his ‘muted trumpet’ duet, echoing and dancing with Kinch’s sax runs. It was so convincing that people looked over at Kinch thinking he’d picked up a trumpet.

The gig could have relaxed a little, allowing the band and Schaerer to expand on their improvisations, but it’s to Kinch’s credit that he spotted the potential punch Schaerer brings to a gig. His ‘joyful noise’ left us all smiling, including Jonzi D, director of the breakdancing festival, Breakin’ Convention. He was intrigued by Schaerer’s vocals and how he used his physicality to echo them, bringing a visual dimension to the performance.

Jazz musicians need to make international friends and connections as their potential audience is spread far and wide. Schaerer is doing just that. I hope that part of his journey is also taking him deeper into vocal expression, developing his potential to truly move people. His talent is beyond a party piece.

Pierre Omer, Cully Jazz Interview

From a distance Pierre Omer‘s appearance is reminiscent of a compelling shadowy figure in a Jim Jarmusch film. His attire is dark, well-worn and elegantly dishevelled. His sound is a film noiresque Django Reinhardt meets Link Wray via The Clash.

London-born, Geneva-based Omer spent his youth listening to 80s UK pop, new wave and punk. Then came American roots music, large doses of Delta Blues, Hank Williams, Jimmy Rodgers, Bob Dylan, Shellac records and all things swinging from the 30s, 40s and 50s. Very much a vintage kinda guy.

His first band was a cabaret outfit immersed in the Berlin/Paris tradition. Omer then became a founding member of the Dead Brothers – an infamous funeral band known for their punk garage band ethic of rock’n’roll and other old school styles like swing, Bluegrass and hillbilly folk.

Pierre Omer & Stewarts Garages Conspiracy Crew_lowAfter 10 years of cult status, Omer moved into writing music for theatre, cinema and dance, as well as producing the first Mama Rosin LP, setting up his own label, ‘Radiogram Records’ and bringing out 3 solo albums.

By autumn 2011, a new band had organically come together out of disparate elements. Rob Butler – bass player from LA, now resident in Berne and part of the Voodoo Rhythm/Beatman scene. Christian Aregger (banjo) and Roly Bucher (drums) had asked Omer to play with them once and then automatically became his backing band. And lastly, the free radical, Julian Israelian – percussionist and noise-maker who plays his own handmade ‘Samsonite Orchestra’, (an out of this world lap-steel contraption that fits perfectly into a Samsonite suitcase). Together they produce a bluesy, rootsy, vintage sound with a post punk twist which is quite often dark but never sad.

Last year saw the release of “Stewart’s Garages Conspiracy Crew'”on Radiogram Records to critical acclaim. It was recorded at Space Echo Studios above Stewart’s old red-brick car garage in Fulham. The cockney twang in Omer’s singing voice is ever-present as is the up-tempo, jivey, Pogues-style sense of manic rhythm. Omer describes his guitar style as “raw, strange, dangerous and fun. I like to get people moving nowadays to music which has tragic and comic juxtapositions”. Judging by the full house at The Hundred Blue Bottle Club where Omer was resident this year at Cully Jazz, his filmic cocktail of folk-noir, roots, jive and swing is just what the Blues doctor ordered.

Erik Truffaz Quartet with Anna Aaron @Cully Jazz Festival

Erik Truffaz et Anna Aaron au Cully Jazz  ©Laurent Pasche
Erik Truffaz et Anna Aaron au Cully Jazz ©Laurent Pasche

Trumpeter Erik Truffaz has been a beacon of light in the Swiss and international jazz world since the early nineties and last autumn saw his 10th album release on Blue Note records. ‘El Tiempo de la Revolition’ links up nicely with tonight’s ‘Revolution Groove’ theme at Cully Jazz where the band finally return to play at this important festival after a gap of over 15 years – possibly a sign of how busy they’ve been in the interim.

It’s a delightfully mixed audience at the Chapiteau tonight, surley a testament of Truffaz’s dexterous ability to bridge the jazz gap from the traditional lyrical beauty of a Chet Baker to the nu-jazz experimentalist vibes reminiscent of Miles Davis. Hence, whether young or old, Truffaz’s elegant, atmospheric and resourceful style holds something magical for everyone.

Oiling the wheels of the machine are his heavyweight band members, each one bringing personality and colour to the cinematic flavour of the evening.

The wildly energetic and well-equipped Benoit Corboz on keyboards produced a wide variety of sounds ranging from piano, rhodes, church organ to wailing guitars and waterfalls. Along with Marc Erbetta on drums and voice box, they were the driving force behind the busy textures and soundscapes that contrasted from time to time with the more languid, introspective pieces. Marcello Giuliani on bass provided a rhythmically hip underpinning that helped to bring all elements and styles cohesively together. And as for Truffaz and his trumpet, whether bellicose or serene, his delivery was haunting, penetrating and deceptively understated throughout. Like liquid wax, he cleverly moved into places you would not expect and seductively melted you away.

Together, this quartet deliver a quietly confident, deeply poetic and engaging sound. They are not in any hurry, spaces in the music are allowed to breathe, less is quite often more, thereby allowing the atmosphere to build in a hypnotically meditative way, (typically evident in the track “African mist”).

The young and promising Swiss singer, Anna Aaron joined them on stage for two numbers, “Blue Movie” and “Blow Away”. Her soothing, agile, slightly pop-ish voice added a lighter touch, reminding us that Truffaz has often collaborated with unexpected genres of music to great effect.

“Mr K”, homage to their diligent manager, brought out their funkier side and whipped the audience into a joyful, energetic frenzy. It was hard for the band to leave the stage at the end of the gig, the audience had clearly not had enough of their favourite jazz export and wanted to bask a while longer in their irresistible ambiant beauty.

 

“You need to have discipline to create freedom for your band”

Swiss composer Nik Bärtsch and his band Ronin just wrapped up a US tour to present their new two-disc set called “Live”. Everywhere they go, music critics are raving about the groove of a music that is flirting with rock and pop. Swissvibes talked to Nik Bärtsch in New York.

Nik, tell us about your recent US tour with your band Ronin.

Nik Bärtsch We played in Oakland and Portland, where we had already played in the past. We also played at Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle. It was our first time there and it is a very good festival. Finishing the tour in New York was great. The headquarters of our label ECM are there. We played there last year and it was named by Jim Fusilli, the Wall Street Journal music critic, one of the best live shows of 2011 alongside Radiohead, Patti Smith and Björk. For us, it was amazing to be named with artists like them.

How did your new live album come about?

Nik Bärtsch We recorded about 50 shows. We made a first selection of about 30 tracks from all these shows. We reduced the number to 11 and worked with Manfred Eicher, our producer at ECM, to end up with a final selection of 9 tracks from different shows. The idea was to show the deveopment and activity of the band. It is a funny mix of small venues and bigger ones. For instance, we played in a theater in Lörrach. It was organized by a friend of mine and they had built a lounge. So we had young people lying in front of us when we played. It was kind of strange but also a really special show.

When you talk about Ronin, you often highlight the discipline of your band. Why?

Nik Bärtsch When you listen to great bands like Radiohead or musicians like Herbie Hancock, you can feel they have a lot of discipline. You need to have discipline to create freedom for your band. Our discipline come from our Swiss roots. Our sound is clean and precise. But we only do that to give ourselves freedom during our shows. You could compare us to an experimental pop and rock band. We are precise with our message. But the structure we have in our music allows us to have fun on stage. Music is the message.

Tell us about your relationship to New York.

Nik Bärtsch We played 4 times there. It is always important to play there because it is where most music is developped. We always have had inspiring audiences there. New Yorkers know a lot about bands. We were totally happy because they made us feel that they wanted to hear something special. It is a good feeling.

You are releasing a two-disc set at a time when people listen to more music online. Does this rapidly-changing environment have an impact on how you create an album?

Nik Bärtsch We always did what we thought was right. You have to work on the long run and show people you can surprize them. Ronin sold 50 000 records, which is amazing for a jazz band. The business model changes, the media change, but the message stays the same. I don’t only think myself as a musician. I am also an entrepreneur, because you need to sell records to be able to keep playing.

For more information:

Ronin’ s “Live” two-disc set is out. Label: ECM

Nik Bärtsch and Ronin play every Monday at Exil music club, Hardstrasse 245 21,  in Zurich.

Ronin will perfom at Label Suisse in Lausanne on December 14th, 2012.

For more information: http://www.nikbaertsch.com/konzerte/

Le disque de septembre de Swissvibes, Heidi Happy “on The Hills”

Son nom d’artiste laisse peu de doutes son pays de résidence. Heidi Happy s’y est d’abord fait remarquer par sa voix haute, son approche folk-pop-country et son bazar d’instruments.  Son dernier opus, « Hiding with the Wolves », la montrait plus sérieuse, accompagnée d’un ensemble de cordes.

Son quatrième CD, « On the Hills », synthétise ses précédentes approches musicales. On y trouve encore un peu de son bric-à-brac musical – glockenspiel et accordéon – à côté de violons. Des éléments qui  ne sont plus un but en soi, mais intégrés à son univers en construction. Parfois joyeuse, par exemple dans ce «Patient Heart » où son cœur fait « Boo Boo Boom ». Heidi Happy fait la folle, jongle avec sa voix, les samples, les cordes, les sifflets. Elle qui gardait jusque ici la main haute sur l’écriture et les arrangements des morceaux a partagé cette tâche avec son pianiste Ephrem Lüchinger. Essentiellement composé dans son antre lucernoise en une semaine, mais aussi au Canada, ce disque manifeste d’une artiste épanouie capable de lyrisme, de s’offrir un duo sombre avec le songwriter américain Scott Matthew ou de chansons d’amour avec une musique qu’on croirait tout droit sorti de la bande-son d’un western de Sergio Leone (« Land of Horses »). Egerie de Stephan Eicher ou Yello, Heidi Happy s’est offert un album léger et ludique. Une respiration bienvenue qui va peut-être l’inciter à l’avenir à oser se mettre plus en difficulté.
Heidi Happy, On the Hills, Silent Mode/ Irascible