Ancienne Belgique

Silence Is Sexy focuses upon contemporary classical composers who have been making a solid name for themselves in the field of 'pop music' over recent years. They move in the world of classical music but don't feel themselves 'too good' to have electronica seep through into their music, often resulting in a unique sound.

AB welcomed the likes of Ludovico Einaudi, Jóhann Jóhannsson and the collaborative project of Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto to previous editions. This latest edition throws a light on two labels who have been the invisible motor behind this movement for years: Berlin's Erased Tapes and England's 130701.
 
Erased Tapes
Erased Tapes has been around since ’07 and is led from out of Berlin by founder Robert Raths. Even though his label also contains post-rock and IDM, modern classic makes up the majority of their content. Webzine Drowned In Sound described the label as “Pure sonic perfection”. Aside from the young Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds you can also find multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick on the label, just as Nils Frahm and revelation A Winged Victory For The Sullen.
 
Nils Frahm (d)
Pianist Nils Frahm learned his craft with Nahum Brodski, a student of none less than Tschaikowski. He operates his very own Durton Studio from out of Berlin. In this lab, he works together with kindred spirits like Peter Broderick, Ólafur Arnalds, Anne Müller, Deaf Center, Efterklang and Dustin O’Halloran.
 
His flock of fans grew quickly with the solo piano albums 'Wintermusik' (‘09), ‘The Bells’ (‘09) and 'Felt', Uncut and Q crowned his latest album with **** reviews. Thom Yorke is also a fan and placed Nils Frahm in the Radiohead’s HQ office chart. Listening to Nils Frahm is to enter into his personal microcosm full of beauty.
 
A Winged Victory For The Sullen Chamber Orchestra (us)
A Winged Victory For The Sullen is the unique collaborative project of Dustin O’Halloran and Adam Bryanbaum Wiltzie. Their untitled debut was released last year and was heaped with rave reviews. De Morgen wrote of it: “The dialogue between O'Halloran's minimalistic piano style and Wiltzie's stylish orchestral arrangements often delivers staggeringly beautiful results.” And also: “Of surreal beauty”. And: “compositions that move one with their simplicity”.
 
Especially for AB – and for the first time in Belgium – AWVFTS will be performing with a 20-member (!) chamber orchestra. Unique!

A WINGED VICTORY FOR THE SULLEN + ERASED TAPES POP UP RECORD SHOP + SCREENING OF A JOHN CAGE DOCUMENTARY
Along with A Winged Victory For The Sullen, there have been a number of goodies added to this Silence is Sexy evening. So there's the screening of ‘The Revenge Of The Dead Indians’ in HUIS 23, a documentary about John Cage to celebrate his 100th birthday. What's more, the Silence Is Sexy (4’ 33’’) logo refers to one of Cage's compositions (‘The Silent Piece’ from ’52).
 
Erased Tapes POP UP Record Shop
ERASED TAPES will also be attending this evening, with a POP UP RECORD SHOP. Aside from regular releases, the label promises to bring along a collection of hard to find treats for the concertgoers. We're already queueing !
 
Nils Frahm
Lastly, we should mention that opener Nils Frahm's tour has become a ‘recording tour’. He will record all his shows and later release a live album of them.