British electronic artist Actress and modular synthesis trailblazer Suzanne Ciani have unveiled a surprise live album titled "Concrète Waves." This new release captures their spontaneous performances at the Barbican Theatre in London and the Sónar Festival in Barcelona, which took place last year. The album, issued by Werkdiscs with minimal prior announcement, is touted as the inaugural installment in a forthcoming collection dedicated to showcasing improvised musical collaborations between leading figures in avant-garde sound.
The collaborative project, "Concrète Waves," emerged from a series of live, improvised sessions where both artists explored the depths of their respective sonic landscapes. Actress, known for his distinctive electronic productions, and Ciani, a revered master of the Buchla synthesizer, converged to create a unique auditory experience. Their combined talents resulted in a tapestry of sounds that blended electronic textures with modular synthesis, pushing the boundaries of contemporary music.
The album features twenty-one tracks, divided between their London and Barcelona sets. Each piece, such as "Concrète Waves London A1" through "B5" and "Concrète Waves Barcelona A1" through "B4," represents a moment in time where two innovative minds converged to create something entirely new and unscripted. This raw, unedited approach highlights their mastery of improvisation and their ability to craft compelling narratives through sound.
Following the release of this live album, Actress and Ciani are set to continue their collaboration with further performances of "Concrète Waves" at upcoming festivals. Scheduled dates include the Rewire Festival in The Hague, Netherlands, on September 4th, and the Variations Festival in Nantes, France, on November 4th. These events offer audiences another opportunity to witness the dynamic interplay between these two influential musicians.
This release follows Actress's recent solo album, "Statik," which debuted earlier in 2024. The collaboration with Ciani, an artist celebrated for her pioneering work in electronic music, underscores a shared commitment to experimental sound design and live performance. "Concrète Waves" not only celebrates their past improvisational achievements but also signals an exciting future for their collaborative endeavors within the avant-garde music scene.