Starring:
EVAN PARKER
YELLOW SWANS
C. SPENCER YEH
JOHN WIESE
PAUL HESSION
METALUX
JOHN EDWARDS
CULVER

Free Noise is an eagerly awaited first-time collaboration featuring major names from the burgeoning noise and free jazz scenes on both sides of the Atlantic. As free jazz was originally seen as an abuse of established musical forms, so is noise today. This Contemporary Music Network tour, produced by Newcastle’s own NO-FI, brings together the revolutionary genius at the heart of both for a visceral, revelatory and often explosive experience. Over two sets, and through a series of improvised combinations, the paths of these two unorthodox musics will converge to create something both beautiful and terrifying. Expect riotous freeform squalls, minimalist meditations and breathtaking cliffs of extreme volume.

Improvisation is central to free jazz and Evan Parker has been one of the leading figures of the free jazz scene since the late 60s, when he appeared on Peter Brotzmann’s classic ‘Machine Gun’. As Mike Hobart explains, Parker “is the most prolific and arguably the most influential player to have emerged from European free improvised music. He is one of the most single minded musicians that the British jazz scene has ever produced “.

Today's noise scene burgeons like never before, and dominated the recent Thurston Moore-curated All Tomorrow's Parties. Free jazz and noise increasingly converge, drawn together in their search for new sonic frontiers: Wolf Eyes performing and recording with Anthony Braxton, Paul Flaherty in the trio with Chris Corsano and C. Spencer Yeh and as part of Thurston Moore’s Dream/Aktion Unit, John Olson (Wolf Eyes) and his free jazz Graveyards trio…

Many noise artists acknowledge the influence of free jazz and employ its structures and techniques (and love of musical freedom) in their own work. Free Noise will be the first time the noise/free jazz crossover has been explored in a live show of this scale and profile.

THE PERFORMERS

Evan Parker
UK free sax legend best known for his work with Keith Rowe, Anthony Braxton, Joe McPhee, Cecil Taylor, Peter Brotzmann (including on his epochal ‘Machine Gun’), Derek Bailey, and for his inspired, individualistic take on musical freedom. Being the UK's equivalent of Peter Brotzmann means that as far as free jazz saxophonists go, Evan Parker has very few equals. Hugely respected with a rich and varied back catalogue, Parker has graced the cream of the free jazz racks for the last forty years.

Yellow Swans
From Portland, Oregon, Yellow Swans play a constantly evolving mass of psychedelic noise that is both physically arresting and psychically liberating. Their music is a powerful rendering of free rock, black electronics, and white light vibrations. Consisting of Pete Swanson (vocals, drum machine, and electronics) and Gabriel Mindel Saloman (guitars, feedback, electronics), Yellow Swans create a dense ocean of sound using various analog and digital machines, all locked in a spiraling web of feedback.

C Spencer Yeh
Born in Taipei, Taiwan but now based in Ohio, C Spencer Yeh is a sculptor of breathtaking cliffs of electric sound, and also renowned as an improvising violinist and voice manipulator. Last year’s double CD compilation ‘Mes Soldats Stupides’ showcased the disparate strands of his sonic approach spread over his vast discography, under his oft-adopted alias Burning Star Core. His output ranges from soaring electronic odes to hypnotic drone rock to scathing free jazz in his trio with Paul Flaherty and Chris Corsano.

John Wiese
Californian noise and experimental music artist, he is extremely prolific releasing many albums both as a solo artist and as a member of groups such as Bastard Noise, Sissy Spacek and LHD, and he frequently collaborates with other musicians, including Sunn 0))), Wolf Eyes, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Brace Paine (The Gossip, Die Monitr Batss), Lasse Marhaug, Dave Phillips and Merzbow.

Paul Hession
Has played with many of the major figures on the free music scene (for example, Peter Brotzmann, Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Lol Coxhill, Maggie Nichols, Phil Minton, Peter Kowald, Joe McPhee, Borah Bergman, Otomo Yoshihide a.o.). "His torrential polyrhythmic style and his ability to raise the stakes in formidable company establish him as a prime mover in the attempt to inject excitement and power back into total improvisation" Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music

Metalux
US female duo MV Carbon and J Gräf renowned for in-your-face, charismatic live performances and finely tuned ears as producers. Create processed vocals and guitars, laced with drum machine malfunctions and digital noise. Recently released acclaimed collaborative album with John Wiese, on revered Load Records

John Edwards
UK double bassist with furious punk-fuelled free jazz attack. Collaborated with very many greats, including Evan Parker, Sunny Murray and Tony Bevan.

Culver
Multi-disciplined UK avant experimentalist with ever lengthening, very underground discography. Key figure in the Northern noise and sludge rock scenes. Has collaborated with Keith Fullerton Whitman and Alan Courtis amongst others, and had releases on Campbell ‘Birchville Cat Motel’ Kneale’s Celebrate Psi Phenomenon imprint, amongst many others. Currently performing as one half of the legendary Skullflower.

TOUR DATES 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2007:

Sun 29 April GLASGOW, CCA, Triptych Festival,
www.triptychfestival.com, 0870 220 1116
Mon 30 April CARDIFF, The Point,
www.thepointcardiffbay.com, 029 2046 0873
Tue 1 May GATESHEAD, The Sage Gateshead,
www.thesagegateshead.org, 0191 443 4661
Wed 2 May LEEDS, Wardrobe,
www.thewardrobe.co.uk, 0113 383 8800
Thu 3 May BRISTOL, Arnolfini,
www.arnolfini.org.uk, 0117 917 2300 / 01
Sat 5 May LONDON, ULU,
www.ulu.co.uk/ululive, 020 7664 2000

Produced by NO-FI for Contemporary Music Network. Media partners: Wire