Jingweir Release Show: Solent - Digital Naturism EP [JW022]

Lineup: Solent, Michele Seippel, Meng Qi

Date: August 9th, 2019

Venue: fRUITYSPACE

Address: 13 Meishuguan East Street

Dongcheng District

Door/pre-sale: 60 RMB / 50 RMB

Start time: 9:30

Show Introduction:

Jingweir has been diligently chipping away at events throughout 2019. Behind the scenes, however, we have been working on a couple of releases. It is to our great excitement that we would like to announce the release of Solent’s first EP Digital Naturism. Over a year in the making, this ambient-filled, guitar, synth & field recording 4 track EP stands as our most anticipated of releases of the year. Recorded throughout 2018 in Beijing, China the digital release will also be accompanied by four series of physical prints by multimedia visual artist, Fang Yifei, featuring unique designs relating to each specific track from the EP. A limited run of 20 copies will be available for presale online and through Jingweir, and at the release show on August 9th. The night will take place at the renowned fRUITYSPACE with gracious support by Meng Qi and Michele Seippel (USA).

Release Info:

Solent - Digital Naturism EP [JW022]

Digital Naturism [JW022] is the first EP to be released by Solent on Jingweir, recorded throughout 2018 in cooperation with producer Brad M. Seippel aka thruoutin at Brevity of Motion Sounds in Beijing, China. The pieces have been constructed to represent a snapshot of modern life in Beijing as an outsider and onlooker of the unfolding spectacle: contrasting ideas and emotions, of both excitement and disappointment; layers of ambient sound and musical phrases designed to be meditative and immersing; and ultimately, a desire to escape self-imposed confines of modernity and submerge oneself in an alternative state.

The title of the EP reflects a paradox which is inherent to modern-day capitalism and global development, namely, that as we migrate further towards an ecosystem of digital devices and become fully immersed in the rhetoric of Dataism, there is a deep yearning for the ‘genuine’ and ‘natural’ in spite of these constructed artificial environments. As a reaction to this phenomenon, the work of Solent attempts to provide an alternative auditory space for the listener to both exist in, and temporarily submerge themselves within. Akin to the sensation of escaping to an alpine retreat, or secluded forest, the listener may rediscover their inner voice, and recalibrate accordingly. This is the essence of Digital Naturism.

Artist Information:

Solent:

Solent is a British multi-instrumentalist based in the neo-capitalist urban sprawl of Beijing, China since 2008. Synthetic loops, samples, and field recordings all form the foundation of his tracks, presenting ideas which have been extracted from ambient, psychedelic, new age, and drone. Solent has collaborated with a variety of platforms including labels such as Jingweir and Slow Pulse, Spittunes and the Bookworm Literary Festival, Dou Mi Ao International Art Festival as well as taking part in performances produced by Shining Dimensions, Sound[E]scapes, and the inaugural installment of the “Yichang at Home” series.

https://solent.bandcamp.com/releases

Meng Qi:

Meng Qi is a pioneering synthesizer designer and musician, famous for his music and distinctive instruments, which are used by electronic artists all over the world. With dedication, research and deep experience in electronic musical interfaces, he designs synthesizers with unique thoughts and aesthetics and performs modular synthesizers with a gestural, emotional edge. As a teacher of synthesis, creative coding, and instrument building, he has led courses at institutions like Beijing Contemporary Music Academy, Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, Central Academy of Fine Arts and other major events throughout China and abroad. Recently, Meng Qi announced his latest design, Wing Pinger, an analog musical instrument that merges chaos and melody for an effortless live performance.

http://www.mengqimusic.com

Michele Seippel:

Michele Seippel is currently graduate music student studying Electronic Music and Recording Media at Mills College in Oakland, CA. She earned her BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University where she concentrated on animation, sound, and video performance.

The foundation of her work is focused on the intersection of mediums. She strongly believes that, in order for mediums to intersect, they must have a common thread. For herself, that thread is time. Her work is comprised of captured personal moments using field recordings, voicemails, and video footage. These elements are then manipulated in real-time while performing. The use of Max MSP, open sound control, audio synthesis, motion controllers, looping and audio analysis all help to create an ephemeral experience. Her process of layering and blurring both imagery and soundscapes sets the stage for the audience to reminisce about the fleeting memories in which often escape consciousness.

www.micheleseippel.com

www.seippelabel.com

https://www.mixcloud.com/MicheleSeippel/