Rescheduled from April to December Q3AMBIENTFEST now takes a one day format, but still with a formidable lineup. From avant-garde to pop, Q3A holds a mirror to the eclectic architecture of Potsdam, from neo-classical palaces to prefabricated “Plattenbauten” (panelhouses). These Communist-era buildings gave Q3A its name, which is an abbreviation for “Querwandbau” (cross-wall construction).
Despite the tense CoVid-19 situation, we are able to present a special line-up. This is also worth mentioning because, in contrast to many festivals in the genre of neo-classical, ambient and experimental drone music, except the curators there are all female musicians this year:
In 2015 the Armenian pianist and composer Marie Awadis (AR) released her debut solo album “Echoes”, followed by “Searching” two years later in 2017, which reflects a journey to her roots, her identity and her musical existence. Since 2018 she has been actively performing in Germany and Europe, collaborating with various artists for studio recordings and live performances. Recently she finished the recordings for her album, on the unique Klavin’s M189 Concert Una Corda, which was written especially for this instrument.
Anne Müller (DE) released her first solo album Heliopause on November 22, 2019 on the London label Erased Tapes. It ties in with numerous collaborative releases – like the duo album with Nils Frahm 7fingers, but also guest appearances on Frahms All Melody and the music for the feature film Victoria (German Film Award), Ólafur Arnalds’ & Nils Frahms Collaborative Works and Fallen Trees by Lubomyr Melnyk – released on the London label Erased Tapes, whose 5 and 10 year anniversary boxes exclusively feature two of their solo titles (Waltzes for Robert, Bel Tono).
Hoshiko Yamane (JP) is a classically trained violinist and member of the legendary band Tangerine Dream. She is also an accomplished composer, whether she releases and plays under her own name or as Tukico, her unique sound is characterized by looped strings along with moog synths and effects. Under Hoshiko Yamane she will release several solo albums on the Swedish label 1631 Recordings, and collaborates with Decca Publishing on film music, as well as with many musicians and dancers.
Berlin-based multimedia artist Diane Barbé (FR) combines experimental music, field recordings, voice, radio and video to explore sound dreams and ambient stories. Fascinated by the diverse landscapes of the French countryside, she developed her photographic practice as meditation and contemplation of time and space. Working as a researcher in architectural history and urban planning, she recognized the need to explore sonic dimensions in order to understand and explore our environments. She was trained as a DJane by Felix Blume and performed under the name Diaphane for Ambient and Environmental.
The evening begins with the extraordinary film Island Songs by Ólafur Arnalds (IS). From the remotest village in the north to the beautiful and desolate Westfjords, to the busy bars of Reykjavik, Icelanders make up one of the most musical nations in the world. But why do these people, who have one of the highest per capita emigrant rates in the world, choose to live under such difficult conditions? How does this affect their music making? In Iceland Songs, the innovative and brilliant composer Ólafur Arnalds (BAFTA prizewinner for Broadchurch) explores the vibrant artistic life of his fellow countrymen in a fascinating music/film portrait.
Last but not least, the brothers and curators of the Q3Ambientfest Sebastian and Daniel Selke aka CEEYS (DE) will also take the stage. The work of Sebastian and Daniel – Mary Anne Hobbs from the BBC characterizes it as “an extraordinary piece of music” – is characterized by contrasts and the desire to overcome musical boundaries. This is how the project CEEYS was born in the search for a common language in the East of Berlin.
As a special highlight all musicians will improvise together in a sextet at the end.
Q3Ambientfest Edition 2020
Saturday, 19th December 2020 | Door 19:00 CET / Start 19:30
Fabrik | Schiffbauergasse 10 | 14467 Potsdam
Q3Ambientfest | C E E Y S | Tickets @ Fabrik Potsdam | Event @ Facebook
Photo collage © Daniel Selke
