Aquaserge’s new album out now; watch the video for new single ‘Nuit Altérée (To György Ligeti)’

The Possibility of a New Work for Aquaserge, the much anticipated new album from Aquaserge has finally landed yesterday. Coinciding with its release, the Toulouse supergroup have shared a video to accompany one of the album’s heavenly tracks, ‘Nuit altérée (À György Ligeti)’. The track marks their second tribute to Ligeti, following ‘Nuit Terrestre’. As Aquaserge describe, ‘Nuit Altérée’ “is a vertical, ‘spectral’ approach to Nuit Terrestre, as if we were making cuts or freeze-frames on this body of water and unfolding them”. Featuring footage from their rehearsals at Le Lieu Unique in Nantes, the video was filmed by French filmmaker Marie Losier and was edited by Benjamin Glibert. Watch it below.

The Possibility of a New Work for Aquaserge is out now though Crammed Discs, as part of their celebrated composers’ series Made To Measure.

Aquaserge announce new album and share first single ‘Un grand sommeil noir’

The musical universe of Toulouse’s supergroup Aquaserge is wonderful and thrilling, amalgamating various influences and genres, from pop and 60s/70s rock to free jazz and noise. We’re over the moon to know they have a new album on the way called The Possibility of a New Work for Aquaserge, set for release on October 15th though Crammed Discs, as part of their celebrated composers’ series Made To Measure.
The band set themselves a challenge, as the press release explains, “drawing inspiration from four major, atypical figures in contemporary classical music from the mid-20th century (Ligeti, Scelsi, Varèse and Morton Feldman), in order to write & record an album which joyfully blurs boundaries between rock and what used to be called ‘serious music’”. Named after a Morton Feldman piece, The Possibility of a New Work for Aquaserge is also the title of a music theatre show, which they will perform in contemporary music festivals across Europe, including Art Musica in Brussels and Aujourd’hui Musiques in Perpignan.

October might seem far but we can already hear ‘Un grand sommeil noir’, serving as the first glorious taste from the upcoming album. The track is Aquaserge’s interpretation of one of the earliest compositions by pioneering composer Edgard Varèse to a poem by Paul Verlaine. ‘Un grand sommeil noir’ comes with an accompanying video, filmed by Karine Pain and Gaëtan Chataigner and edited by Karine Pain. Take a look.


Aquaserge set to release new album Déjà-Vous? in April

It’s no secret we love Toulouse’s experimental pop band Aquaserge, whose latest album Laisse ça être, made it to our 15 Picks of 2017. Like on the record, they are a wonder to behold live, each and all of its five members effortlessly displaying their outstanding musicianship and improvisational sensibilities. So we’re excited to hear they have a new record arriving this Spring, Déjà-Vous? (‘you, already?’). Featuring live renditions of eight tracks, including four from Laisse ça être, the upcoming Déjà-Vous? is the fruit of recordings the quintet made during several shows in 2016 and 2017, some of which accompanied by a 3-piece horn section.

Preceding the record release on April 27th through Crammed Discs, and serving as a wonderful introduction to Déjà-Vous?, Aquaserge have shared their impromptu version of the 30’s popular jazz standard ‘My Funny Valentine’. We simply can’t stop playing it.

Le Guess Who?’s Who 2017: Aquaserge

There’s just over two weeks to go before Le Guess Who? takes over Utrecht. With over 150 artists set to perform, how do we make sense of such a monumental line-up? We made a list of the artists we’re most excited to see and asked them for their recommendations.

Aquaserge

Official Website

Performing Saturday 11th November at EKKO

The wonderful and thrilling musical universe of Toulouse’s experimental pop band Aquaserge sprawls across a number of influences and genres, from pop and 60s/70s rock to free jazz and noise. A supergroup of sorts, with an ever evolving cast of incredible musicians, they’ve released Laisse ça être earlier this year and we love the album to bits. Have a look at their recommendations for the festival, with a few words from the band.

“First of all, it’s very rare, and we are very happy to be invited to play at a festival with such a quality line up. Picking acts was no easy task…”

 

Sun Ra Arkestra

Official Website

Performing Sunday 12th November at TivoliVredenburg

“for the power of the orchestra, which goes in all directions”

 

Lili Boulanger – ‘Du fond de l’abîme’ performed by Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

 

Performing Friday 10th November at TivoliVredenburg

“it’s very rare to be able to listen to her music”

 

Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares

Official Website

Performing Thursday 9th November at Domkerk, curated by Perfume Genius

 

Film: Incident at Restigouche

 

Showing Sunday 12th November at Louis Hartlooper Complex, curated by Jerusalem In My Heart

 

Juana Molina

Official Website

Performing Sunday 12th November at TivoliVredenburg

“simply an exceptional artist”

 

Richard Youngs

Facebook Page

Performing Friday 10th November at LE:EN, curated by Grouper

“a collaborator of our friend Makoto Kawabata, a unique guitar sound”

 

Le Guess Who? will take place 9-12 November. For the full line-up, tickets and more info visit leguesswho.com. And stay tuned for more artists we’re excited about picking their own Le Guess Who?’s Who.