Anlässlich des Festivals gastiert am Samstag, den 13.06 16 – 22 Uhr TROGLODYT Schallplatten mit seiner münzbetriebenen digitalen Jukebox unter dem Motto “Youth can kiss my ass” bei uns in der Brunnenstrasse 191.
TROGLODYT Schallplatten is a Berlin based vinyl-only record-label. BAD KLEINEN’s Ole Verstand (www.tontransfer.de) & Sackzement aka linol-cut artist Philipp Hennevogl, the two founders, are releasing split-singles of their personal underground-favourites, that have never ever been pressed on 7″ before and probably won’t be re-released again. Covers are 100% handcrafted linol printings -each one a unique masterpiece.
In anticipation of the German premiere of Montréal music documentary «A City Is An Island» we have talked to the director Timothy George Kelly. The film will be shown at Kino Babylon Mitte on Thursday, the 11th of June at 8pm followed by a Q&A with the director, musician Sean Nicholas Savage and artist Jason Harvey.
Your film illustrates how ambivalent many Montreal musicians are about self-promotion and even success. Did you encounter resistance to the project of documenting the Montreal music scene? If so, how did you convince people to be involved in your documentary?
Timothy George Kelly: There were different levels of resistance from different people. Younger artists are more often self-conscience, excited for a platform to talk and then afterwards sometimes wishing they had never done it at all. I think there is a real pressure now because of the internet, having to tour, having to have a press photo and music videos, it asks for an identity from young artists who may not know who they are yet and they are forced to cement that in recorded document that is in someone’s else’s control, which can result in a neurotic episode from some.
A City Is An Island: Montréal by night
A lot of the older people who didn’t want to be in the film were just passive aggressive, which I would fire back with my greatest weapon, the never ending persistent weekly email. Mauro from Godspeed You! Black Emperor straight up told me to fuck off which I thought was pretty cool. There was this strange attitude from some of the nineties and early 00s crowd that making a film about the Montreal scene would somehow reveal the secret of the place and the floodgates would open. I grew up on a farm in Australia pretty much the furthest distance from Montreal possible, it ain’t a secret no more. The secret they are thinking of is just nostalgia for a time when their hangovers were more tolerable.
Most of the musicians in the film are solo artists. Is there something particularly solitary about Montreal life?
It’s economics of time and money. You have to tour now, touring with one person is way more affordable than multiple – and technology, people are create huge sounds with gear that didn’t exist ten years ago. Macbook Pro rock stars. And of course, winter. If you are solo, you don’t even have to leave your room.
A City Is An Island: Sean Nicholas Savage on a roof
You use a lot of live performances in the film — in venues, homes, and outside in Montreal city space. Why was that important to you?
I asked the artists where they would like to play. It was a way to document the space of the city whilst giving the audience what they want from a music documentary: music.
You spend a significant amount of time on language politics in Quebec, and the tension between French-speaking Quebecois and Anglo “ex-pats” who are mostly from other parts of Canada. Not knowing French is a weirdly big aspect of living in Montreal. Do you speak French? In your film, Brendan Reed compares asking this to asking someone about their sexuality. Do you agree?
One of my first jobs in Montreal was delivering sofas, my French never really improved from what was required there. I wouldn’t say Brendan is directly comparing sexuality and language, he is using sexuality as an example of something that is very important to someone’s identity which could result in people feeling isolated or ashamed. Anglophones feel guilty for their laziness in not ingraining themselves in the predominant language of Quebec, but the shame comes from language politics being in the fabric of Montreal culture and the anglophone being the perpetual outsider, the voluntary outsider, the lazy outsider, which leads to for so many to be the temporary citizen. It is this that makes them eventually leave.
What compelled you to make this film? Put another way, why did you feel it need to be made?
I am a filmmaker. I had no money to make a film about something made up, so I made a film about what was in front of me.
What kind of response has it had, in Montreal and outside?
Really well. I am just happy people completely ignore the technical issues the film has and see it has a heart, it was shot on a camera that is worth $150 now so I sit in the cinema at these film festivals and just feel like a kid, a pretend filmmaker, a liar, where all the other films that play have logos of companies and state support at the end credits. It is strange how something doesn’t look official until you put some kind of logo on it. Our brains love symbols.
A City Is An Island: Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade
Your film is about artists in Montreal, but your voice is absent. Why did you choose not to include yourself in it?
My voice is in it. It is everywhere. 90 hours of footage cut into 72 minutes. What is in it, what isn’t, that’s my voice right there.
Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
Australian. Moved to Montreal in 2008. Now based in London, UK. Have very little patience for shit fruit. I like painting, whisky and napping.
What are you working on next?
I am making a documentary about a techno collective called John’s Kingdom in Moscow right now. They are pretty interesting, all friends who somehow have a very similar sound, which in the world of Ableton and digital music creation where anyone who can work a torrent basically has an endless palette of sounds, is quite rare.
And then when I am back in London I will start another film in reaction to what Katie Hopkins has been saying about immigrants. The window of what has become reasonable to say in the right-wing press in the UK is disgusting and needs to be fought against, we are in an information war and it is very loud and very confusing and very fucked up. So I am going to make a film asking only egalitarian revolutionaries their opinions of the police, what it is to be human and if a policeman can be one. No one will care about the film of course, but it’s worth trying anyway.
Erste Neuigkeiten aus dem Rahmen-Programm: Your Mom’s und Mein Haus am See schmeißen fast ein eigenes kleines Torstraßen Festival!
«Your Mom’s & Mein Haus Am See präsentieren euch die Torstrassen OFF Stage am Samstag den 13. Juni – Tag & Nacht im Mein Haus Am See & Cosmic Kaspar.
Euch erwarten Konzerte und DJ-Sets mit zahlreichen urbanen experimentellen berliner Beats und Wundern, sowie Newcomern und ikonischen Persönlichkeiten der Hauptstadt, wie: Spoken Word von Lady Gaby, eine Performance von Mad Kate & The Tide, live Improvisation von Obi Blanche, Konzerte von Andreas Krach, Infinite Livez & Rodeo, und DJ Sets von Carne, Das she Cray, Soundvector und mehr.
Mal was anderes! Lasst einmal los von der Technoszene und genießt Live-Musik der heutigen berliner Untergrund Helden: queer queen Mad Kate, der melodische Tech-Zauberer Obi Blanche, zugängliche Experimentalität von Andreas Krach, athmosphärischer Hip-hop von Infinite Livez, der berüchtigte Hip-Popper Rodeo und die gefeierte Wortakrobatin Lady Gaby.
Zum Abendprogramm lassen sich einige dieser Künstler dann auch hinter den Decks wiederfinden. So werden Obi Blanche, Rodeo & Infinite Livez mit einigen ihre urbanen Electronica Tracks den Tag gemütlich ausklingen lassen. Im Anschluss übernehmen Das She Cray, Carne & Soundvector um euch bis in die frühen Morgenstund en wach zu halten.
Das Sahnehäubchen ist ein Showcase einer Auswahl der besten Street Artists der Galerie Serigraffeur, unter anderem Prost, Elna, Peter Phobia und Dave the Chimp.»
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News from our partycipate program… Your Mom’s and Mein Haus am See are almost throwing their own little Torstraßen Festival!
«Your Mom’s & Mein Haus Am See present Torstrassen OFF Stage on Saturday June the 13th day & night at Mein Haus Am See & Cosmic Kaspar.
A live & DJ lineup featuring some of Berlin’s urban & experimental beats or happening up-and-coming or iconic actors: spoken word by Lady Gaby, performance by Mad Kate & The Tide, live impro by Obi Blanche, concerts by Andreas Krach, Infinite Livez & Rodeo, DJ sets by Carne, DJ Zhao, Soundvector & more.
Take a step back from the techno scene and enjoy a day with Berlin’s underground live heroes: queer queen Mad Kate, melodic tech wizard Obi Blanche, approachable experimental wise man Andreas Krach, atmospheric hip-hop mellow man Infinite Livez, hip-pop rep Rodeo and the celebrated word warrior Lady Gaby.
As for the evening program, stay with us to (re)discover live musicians this time behind the decks: Obi Blanche, Rodeo & Infinite Livez will spin some urban electro tunes. Later at night, it will be DJ Zhao, Carne & Soundvector’s turn to make you dance till morning…
And the icing on the cake, a showcase of Serigraffeur Gallery’s best recent street art exhibits featuring Prost, Elna, Peter Phobia and Dave The Chimp.»
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Mein Haus am See hosted by Lady Gaby 4-10pm / Art with Serigraffeur Gallery: Elna, Peter Phobia, Dave The Chimp & Prost. 4pm / Andreas Krach (live) 5pm / Obi Blanche (live)
6pm / Mad Kate & The Tide (live)
7pm / Infinite Livez (live)
8pm / Rodeo (live)
10pm / Infinite Livez (DJ set)
00.30am / Obi Blanche (DJ set)
Cosmic Kaspar
11pm / Rodeo (DJ set)
1am / Das She Cray
3am / Carne B2B Soundvector
Mattscha ist eine Berliner Rockband seit 2014. In ihrer Musik kombinieren sie Elemente von Rock, Folk und Country und ihre Texte sind auf Englisch und Deutsch; direkt aus dem Leben gegriffen. Die Band besteht aus Matthias `Mattscha` Schuber (Sänger und Gitarrist) und Volker Zimmermann (Bass und Gitarre), Klaus Berger sitzt am Schlagzeug.
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Mattscha is a Berliner Rockband formed in 2014.The music combines elements of Rock, Folk and Country. The daily-life experienced lyrics are in english and german language. Members: Matthias ‘Mattscha’ Schubert (voc, git), Volkmar Zimmermann (bassgit), Klaus Bergs (drums).
Erste Neuigkeiten aus dem Rahmen-Programm: November – Rock spielen im Cafe Filmhaus @ Torstraße 180
Es gibt es schnelle Grooves und melodisch sentimentaler, purer und unverbrauchter Rock mit echter Spielfreude. Seit 2011 spielt November kompromisslose Rocksongs aus eigener Feder. Zudem ist mit Michael Becker an den Drums ein ungewöhnlicher Lead-Sänger am Start. November – Rock aus Berlin, das macht einfach nur Spaß!
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News from our partycipate program…At the Cafe Filmhaus there will be quick groves and melodic, sentimental, pure and novel rock music played with a lot of energy and joy. Since 2011, the rock band November plays rock music, which they compose themselves. Moreover, Michael Becker, who is playing the drums is a unique lead-singer. November – Rock from Berlin, that should be fun!
Kevin Halpin steht mit Shameless/Limitless in Berlin für scham- und grenzenlose Konzertereignisse. Darum haben wir Kevin gebeten, das Programm für unsere Bühne in der Gaststätte Prassnik zusammenzustellen. Der Kanadier entschied sich für kanadophiles Line-Up: Pascale Project kommt aus Montreal, Lief Hall kommt aus Vancouver, lebt aber in Berlin, Antoine93 kommt aus Montreal und lebt jetzt auch in Berlin. Und Jack Chosef? Kommt nicht aus Kanada. Ist auch super.
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With Shameless/Limitless Kevin Halpin stands for shame- and limitless concert experiences in Berlin. That is why we have asked Kevin to put together a program for our stage at Gaststätte Prassnik. The Canadian went for a Canadaphile line-up: Pascale Project comes from Montreal, Lief Hall comes from Vancouver but lives in Berlin, Antoine93 comes from Montreal and has also just moved to Berlin. And Jack Chosef? Not from Canada. Also great.
Was wäre das Torstraßenfestival ohne den Bademantel tragenden, Zigarren rauchenden Zeremonienmeister David Strauss. Als Musikeditor des Exberliner Magazins präsentiert Strauss das Line-Up des Kaffee Burgers. Ein krautiges Programm steht an mit dem Stereolab Spin-Off Cavern of Anti-Matter, der New Yorker Glock-Rock-Chanteuese Glockabelle, den Schweizer Disco-Kraut-Duo Klaus Johann Grobe und der heiß ersehnten Rückkehr von Thieves Like Us.
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What would Tostraßen Festival be without David Strauss, the bathrobe-sporting, cigar-smoking master of ceremonies. In his capacity as a music editor of Exberliner Magazin Strauss will be back at Kaffee Burger to present the following: Stereolab spin-off Cavern on Anti-Matter, New York glock-rock chanteuse Glockabelle, Swiss disco-kraut duo Klaus Johann Grobe and the return of the mighty Thieves Like Us.
«Expatriarch» ist ein Kofferwort aus den Begriffen «expatriate» und «patriarchy»; eine Wortschöpfung zum Ende einer männlich dominierten Gesellschaft. Gegründet in 2010 von Joey Hansom ist es allerdings auch eine monatliche Radio-Show und der Titel sporadischer Events in ganz Berlin, eine Platform für Musik von Frauen sowie allen Künstlern, die Gender-Normen hinterfragen und herausfordern. Das Torstraßen Festival hat Joey Hansom in diesem Jahr gebeten eine Bühne zu kurieren. Joey hat ja gesagt und eingeladen hat er… Freestyle-Rapperin Xana, die Riot Grrrl Band Gurr, Cyber-Elfe James K und seine eigene Band Godmother.
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Founded by Joey Hansom in 2010 «Expatriarch» is a portmanteau of “expatriate” and “patriarch[y]”; it’s a made-up word representing the abandonment of our male-dominated society. It’s also the name of a monthly radio show and the banner of sporadic events throughout Berlin, providing a platform for music made by women as well as by any artists who challenge gender norms. Torstraßen Festival asked Joey to curate on of our stages this year. Joey said yes and invited: freestyle rapper Xana, riot grrrrl band Gurr, cyber-elf James K and his own band Godmother.
Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids: Music is the Healing Force of the Universe Community Workshopbrought to you by Torstraßen Festival, Planet Rock, Music Pool Berlin, BIMM Berlin & Cultural Odyssey
This workshop gives you the chance to learn from some of the last true masters from the heydays of “cosmic” jazz: Led by the restless Idris Ackamoor a bunch of pupils of free jazz legend Cecil Taylor at Ohio’s Antioch College used a student grant to escape the US to travel to europe and then all over Africa as early as 1972, playing and recording with local musicians wherever possible. Back in the US, The Pyramids incorporated their African experience into a music which is as unique as visionary, releasing three albums in private press before disbanding in 1977. Almost thirty years later the musicians regrouped, encouraged by the fact that new audiences and a new generation of especially electronic music producers had enthusiastically embraced their “old” music – The Pyramids have been cited as a major influence and sampled by luminaries like Flying Lotus, Caribou, Gilles Peterson and Bonobo.
About the workshop:
Since the earliest times music has been used to create community, heal, worship, create ceremony and as a vehicle to pass on the knowledge and history of the tribe/community. In those early times the line between performer and audience did not usually exist. The audience WAS the performer and the performer WAS the audience. Enter the 21st Century. There are now concert halls, clubs and art spaces that separate the performer from the audience with members sometimes sitting hundreds of feet from the stage! The atmosphere can be impersonal and non-inclusive. “Music is the Healing Force of the Universe Community Workshop” encourages new creative ways of engaging the public by blurring the distinctions between audience, musician and non-musician, professional performer and nonprofessional, and exploring new and unusual space for performances. The target audience for the workshop will be professional and nonprofessional members from the general community, as well as, “closet” musicians and singers. All musical levels are encouraged to attend with compositional structures and improvisation tailored to fit the individual needs of the workshop participants. The foundation of the workshop will be based on the compositions of instructor, Idris Ackamoor, as well as members of The Pyramids. The two day workshop at NK on May 22 and 23 will culminate in a mutual performance of Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids and the workshop participants on June 13 at this year’s Torstraßen Festival.
Dates:
22.05. 18.00 – 22.00
23.05. 11.00 – 18.00 (including lunch break)
23.05. 20.00 Q & A with Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids (public, free admission)
Address: NK Project
Elsenstraße 52
2. Hinterhaus Etage 2
12059 Berlin
Workshop fee:
40 €
Register here:
info@planetrock-booking.de
(please mention your instrument, if applicable)
Erste Neuigkeiten aus dem Rahmen-Programm: Your Mom’s und Mein Haus am See schmeißen fast ein eigenes kleines Torstraßen Festival!
«Your Mom’s & Mein Haus Am See präsentieren euch die Torstrassen OFF Stage am Samstag den 13. Juni – Tag & Nacht im Mein Haus Am See & Cosmic Kaspar.
Euch erwarten Konzerte und DJ-Sets mit zahlreichen urbanen experimentellen berliner Beats und Wundern, sowie Newcomern und ikonischen Persönlichkeiten der Hauptstadt, wie: Spoken Word von Lady Gaby, eine Performance von Mad Kate & The Tide, live Improvisation von Obi Blanche, Konzerte von Andreas Krach, Infinite Livez & Rodeo, und DJ Sets von Carne, Das she Cray, Soundvector und mehr.
Mal was anderes! Lasst einmal los von der Technoszene und genießt Live-Musik der heutigen berliner Untergrund Helden: queer queen Mad Kate, der melodische Tech-Zauberer Obi Blanche, zugängliche Experimentalität von Andreas Krach, athmosphärischer Hip-hop von Infinite Livez, der berüchtigte Hip-Popper Rodeo und die gefeierte Wortakrobatin Lady Gaby.
Zum Abendprogramm lassen sich einige dieser Künstler dann auch hinter den Decks wiederfinden. So werden Obi Blanche, Rodeo & Infinite Livez mit einigen ihre urbanen Electronica Tracks den Tag gemütlich ausklingen lassen. Im Anschluss übernehmen Das She Cray, Carne & Soundvector um euch bis in die frühen Morgenstund en wach zu halten.
Das Sahnehäubchen ist ein Showcase einer Auswahl der besten Street Artists der Galerie Serigraffeur, unter anderem Prost, Elna, Peter Phobia und Dave the Chimp.»
–
News from our partycipate program… Your Mom’s and Mein Haus am See are almost throwing their own little Torstraßen Festival!
«Your Mom’s & Mein Haus Am See present Torstrassen OFF Stage on Saturday June the 13th day & night at Mein Haus Am See & Cosmic Kaspar.
A live & DJ lineup featuring some of Berlin’s urban & experimental beats or happening up-and-coming or iconic actors: spoken word by Lady Gaby, performance by Mad Kate & The Tide, live impro by Obi Blanche, concerts by Andreas Krach, Infinite Livez & Rodeo, DJ sets by Carne, DJ Zhao, Soundvector & more.
Take a step back from the techno scene and enjoy a day with Berlin’s underground live heroes: queer queen Mad Kate, melodic tech wizard Obi Blanche, approachable experimental wise man Andreas Krach, atmospheric hip-hop mellow man Infinite Livez, hip-pop rep Rodeo and the celebrated word warrior Lady Gaby.
As for the evening program, stay with us to (re)discover live musicians this time behind the decks: Obi Blanche, Rodeo & Infinite Livez will spin some urban electro tunes. Later at night, it will be DJ Zhao, Carne & Soundvector’s turn to make you dance till morning…
And the icing on the cake, a showcase of Serigraffeur Gallery’s best recent street art exhibits featuring Prost, Elna, Peter Phobia and Dave The Chimp.»
–
Mein Haus am See hosted by Lady Gaby 4-10pm / Art with Serigraffeur Gallery: Elna, Peter Phobia, Dave The Chimp & Prost. 4pm / Andreas Krach (live) 5pm / Obi Blanche (live)
6pm / Mad Kate & The Tide (live)
7pm / Infinite Livez (live)
8pm / Rodeo (live)
10pm / Infinite Livez (DJ set)
00.30am / Obi Blanche (DJ set)
Cosmic Kaspar
11pm / Rodeo (DJ set)
1am / Das She Cray
3am / Carne B2B Soundvector
Am 20. Mai geht es weiter mit unserer kleinen Serie von Warm-Up Veranstaltungen in Kooperation mit Shameless/Limitless im Acud Club. Wir freuen uns auf das Berlin-Debut der New Yorker Ausnahmekünstlerin Gabi, die ihr neues von Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) und Paul Corley (Oneohtrix Point Never, Tim Hecker, Ben Frost) produziertes Album Koo Koo präsentieren wird. Genauso gespannt sind wir allerdings auf die in Berlin beheimatete Künstlerin Johanne Swanson alias Yohuna die den Abend beginnen wird.
On May 20 we’re inviting you to Acud Club to join the second warm-up concert, presented in cooperation with Shameless/Limitless. This time we’re looking forward to the Berlin debut of the very exceptional artist Gabi from New York, who will present her new Album Koo Koo, produced by Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) and Paul Corley (Oneohtrix Point Never, Tim Hecker, Ben Frost) and released via Software Recordings. Gabi’s performance will follow the appearance of a Berlin-based artist we’re equally excited about: Johanne Swansons aka Yohuna.
