Lebanese-born producer and DJ Rabih Beaini (formerly known as Morphosis) specializes in grainy, imaginative analogue techno. In the past year however, his Morphine label has telescoped in on key (often overlooked) voices in avant-garde electronic and outernational music. Recently, he launched “Raung Raya”, a concert series at Berghain, focussing on music and artists from Indonesia.
FACTS:
1: A story is what you tell, not the facts related to it.
2: I once owned a racing car and then it just died.
3: Pluto is no more a planet. (that blew me away!)
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Too many to mention, but mainly stage improvisation and instant composition, free jazz, sound manipulation, chaos and spirituality.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I think it was around late 90’s, and I was already spinning records back then, I guess it was a fun approach to production that got me to later form a Improv Jazz band and to play on stage, all this influenced my production and music making.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Sun Ra – Disco3000 (El Saturn)
Keith Fullerton Whitman – Disingenuity / Disingenuousness (PAN)
Pharoah Sand ers – Village Of The Pharoahs (Impulse!)
Bernard Parmegiani – De Natura Sonorum (INA-GRM)
Arvo Part – Tabula Rasa LP (ECM)
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Berlin for me still has a post-war feeling, something about segregation and limitations, that is fading away of course but I can still feel it on some certain levels. I think it connects me with the changes I am constantly living, the evolution and rehabilitation, that makes it exciting until the change is complete, I think it’s the city where edge is defined in many different ways, and you can choose the one that suits you best.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
which town?
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
the world wouldn’t actually exist without music, so I never really wondered. But just in case, I think I would be a carpenter.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
The Eskimos of Hudson Bay and Alaska, on Folkways Records.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Anybody who can teach me something, that could do things I will not be able to.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
The gig where I could be able to express the most, while the crowd is actually brave enough to want to live this expression, too many to mention, honestly, I think I’ve had many favourite gigs, gratefully so.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Very Important, it gives new and fresh ways to complete a process, to facilitate it, I am very selective on the type of technology I use for my process, but still learning a lot.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
I have a brother and two sisters, I don’t think they are really interested in what I do, but they respect it because they know how important it is to me.
Rabhib Beani is hosting the “Raung Raya” concert series at Berghain. The first installment is happening on 19th October 2017. Tickets for the 5 events can be purchased seperately or in a bundle for a special price of 60€ – the number is limited. Buy tickets here.
