Anni Nöps
I became aware of Anni Nöps when I happened upon an article in The Quietus about the Estonian music scene.
Nöps, currently living in the Netherlands, is a self-proclaimed "genre-fluid dj". "Fluid" is a very apt descriptor, with its implications of blend, depth and flow. It's so appropriate to Nöps' art, which is immersive, tumultuous, placid, and reckless all at once. I disagree with the "dj" identification, because I hear so much more. She may have begun in that frame she moves so far beyond that designation in a substantive and obvious manner that she has really created something else that is quite unique. In many ways I think she has more in common with 1950s "musique concrete" or the 1990s "downtown" scene in NYC (John Zorn, et al).
What I admire about her work is that it has such a strong sense of narrative, both in traditional and non-traditional ways. She uses both melodic and sonic tools with equal potency and creates combinations and re-combinations in something of a sound-mosaic.
Her compositions typically last 20 minutes and beyond and are well worth the attention and time spent following the twists and turns, the sonic boldness and the outright adventure of discovery. Even on repeat listens, her work has a sense of insistent exploration, intensity and a muscular authority. I strongly hear improviser's logic in the music, presented in a kind of tableau structure that is really more reminiscent of visual arts (assemblage, triptychs, mosaics).
Nöps is relatively under the radar in that there are no "traditional" albums, but has a pretty active presence on SoundCloud, and seems to perform live quite a bit. More reason to visit Holland.
Find Anni Nöps on Twitter and Facebook.
Nöps, currently living in the Netherlands, is a self-proclaimed "genre-fluid dj". "Fluid" is a very apt descriptor, with its implications of blend, depth and flow. It's so appropriate to Nöps' art, which is immersive, tumultuous, placid, and reckless all at once. I disagree with the "dj" identification, because I hear so much more. She may have begun in that frame she moves so far beyond that designation in a substantive and obvious manner that she has really created something else that is quite unique. In many ways I think she has more in common with 1950s "musique concrete" or the 1990s "downtown" scene in NYC (John Zorn, et al).
Her compositions typically last 20 minutes and beyond and are well worth the attention and time spent following the twists and turns, the sonic boldness and the outright adventure of discovery. Even on repeat listens, her work has a sense of insistent exploration, intensity and a muscular authority. I strongly hear improviser's logic in the music, presented in a kind of tableau structure that is really more reminiscent of visual arts (assemblage, triptychs, mosaics).
Nöps is relatively under the radar in that there are no "traditional" albums, but has a pretty active presence on SoundCloud, and seems to perform live quite a bit. More reason to visit Holland.
Find Anni Nöps on Twitter and Facebook.
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Don't be a yutz