Q&A with Benjamim Taubkin & Adriano Adewale

Q. What was it that brought you together as a duo?

BT: When I did a solo concert in 2009 at the Vortex, Monica Vasconcelos  - a Brazilian singer living in London - suggested that Adriano could come and sit in. We did some songs and it went great. Then in 2010 , Luiza Morandi, my producer, also living in London at that time, proposed another session: just one afternoon, recording at the Vortex. It went so well, that we decided to launch as a record.

AA: The music happened very naturally and it has been each time is both a surprise and a reassurance of the magical mix of the duo.

Q. Your music seems to subtly deconstruct popular Brazilian music and build it into something new. What is the thinking behind the compositions?

BT: I think we are both immersed in the Brazilian Music and traditions. So I believe we both feel very comfortable to let the inspiration and the moment to guide us. And of course, some new and unexpected things come out of it.

AA: The human connection, the similarities in the musical palate, but also the life story of each of us. How we come to be as we are. It all goes to the music, and to the moment. Always the moment!!

Q. Do you improvise when you play together?

AA: Everything is improvised. There is no ideas that we put together to depart from. It is always a new story, a trusting exercise and a state of opened mind which opens the channel for the music to happen.

BT: It’s 100% improvised. Sometimes we go for some known songs. But they just appear – it’s not planned. So the way we may end up playing can be also a surprise to us.

Season4 promo clip just released!

Here is our brand new promo video featuring some great music from our artists touring the Making Tracks trail this season: Adrinao Adewale & benjamim Taubkin, Ballake Sissoko Quartet, Mokoomba and Debashish Bhattacharya:

Making Tracks Season4: Line-up announced!

Following an exceptional season3, the most successful to date, Making Tracks are delighted to announce the artists for season4, which will run from Sept 2013 to May 2014. Once again four great ensembles will criss-cross the country playing in 11 of the finest venues – a unique opportunity for audiences and musicians, placing exhilarating global sounds in a local context. Coming to a venue near you: 

ADRIANO ADEWALE & BENJAMIM TAUBKIN (Brazil/UK)

From subtle to sumptuous on piano & percussion 

ON TOUR 26 Sept - 10 Oct 2013

More info

 


BALLAKÉ SISSOKO: At Peace (Mali)
Classical soundscapes of African beauty
ON TOUR: 20 Nov – 1 Dec 2013
More info

MOKOOMBA (Zimbabwe)
Rising stars from Zimbabwe: Electrifying, intoxicating, irresistible!
ON TOUR: 30 Mar - 12 Apr 2014
More info

DEBASHISH BHATTACHARYA (India)
Global Adventures on a Slide Guitar
ON TOUR: 7-18 May 2014
More info

Making Tracks is programmed & produced by KAPA Productions funded by Arts Council England.
www.makingtrackslive.org.uk

Participating venues include: 

The Apex (Bury St Edmunds), Colston Hall (Bristol), The Junction (Cambridge), Lighthouse (Poole), mac (Birmingham), NCEM (York), Pontardawe Arts Centre (Swansea),  Rich Mix (London), The Sage Gateshead, The Stables (Milton Keynes), Wiltshire Music Centre (Bradford-on-Avon)

Live Review: Johanna Juhola Reaktori at The Junction

By Robert Burnham-Rusk

Painting a story with their music, Johanna Juhola Reaktori whisk the audience away in an emotion fuelled, musical journey, that visits both comedy and tragedy.

Johanna Juhola Reaktori are a Finnish quartet who explore many different styles and genres throughout their lively set. The group mix elements of traditional folk and tango with electronic drum beats, conveying musical storytelling with a catchy dance vibe. Johanna describes the band’s sound as “Fantasy Tango” and played her song Fantasiatango at the 2007 Eurovision contest held in Finland, receiving well deserved recognition for her innovative music.

Unsure of exactly what I was about to witness from the genre defying quartet hailing from Helsinki, I took to my seat, excited. The house lights dimmed and a video of an old black and white film was projected on to the curtain at the back of the stage. The band bounded over to their instruments, in brightly coloured, cartoonlike outfits and one by one joined in with the music from the video. I soon realised that this wasn’t just simply a gig; it was an artistic performance, a show, an experience.