Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Experimental music platform Eavesdropping returns to Arnolfini with two improviser-composers: the raw politicised sound art of Iraqi Kurdish experimental cellist Khabat Abas; and Rachel Musson, a saxophonist fusing improvisation with text, field recordings, and live processing. This could be the most adventurous and globally attuned event you’ll see all year."
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A gig held at Arnolfini on Thursday 18th September. The event starts at 19:30.
We are delighted to welcome back new music platform Eavesdropping to Arnolfini. For this event they present two artists - cellist Khabat Abas and saxophonist Rachel Musson.
Khabat Abas is a cellist, composer, and interdisciplinary artist from Kurdistan-Iraq. Her work explores time, space, and memory through music, everyday sounds, and noises. She delves deeply into how we experience sound, particularly in various geopolitical contexts. Abas uses her instrument beyond traditional norms—improvising, composing, creating videos and sound installations, crafting cellos from diverse materials, and incorporating her body into performances. Through this approach, her work merges politics with personal expression, challenging conventional values and control.
Saxophonist, improviser and composer Rachel Musson has spent over a decade immersed in improvised music, and is now gradually introducing composed elements into her work, drawing on text, field recordings and processing sounds. Rachel is involved with a variety of improvisation projects, featuring on several releases (577 Records, Babel Label, Two Rivers Records), performing with musicians such as Pat Thomas and Mark Sanders, and a recent improvised collaboration with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Her recent album, Ashes and Dust Earth and Sky, blends compositions, improvisations and field recordings, and her solo performances have evolved to incorporate these sounds in a live setting. Rachel is a current (2024-2027) recipient of the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Composer award.
This event is curated by Juliet Fraser, Artistic Director of eavesdropping. eavesdropping is a platform for the sharing of new music and new ways of thinking about music. Excited by experimentalism, our activity includes a four-day festival, held at Cafe OTO and Vortex Jazz Cafe in London, a podcast, and various artist development opportunities. Our mission is to build community through an ethics of curiosity and care, in the belief that ripples do make waves.
Our galleries and bookshop will remain open to all until 7:30pm. Ticketholders will get a 10% discount In the bookshop.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
Khabat Abas is a cellist, composer, and interdisciplinary artist from Kurdistan-Iraq. Her work explores time, space, and memory through music, everyday sounds, and noises. She delves deeply into how we experience sound, particularly in various geopolitical contexts. Abas uses her instrument beyond traditional norms—improvising, composing, creating videos and sound installations, crafting cellos from diverse materials, and incorporating her body into performances. Through this approach, her work merges politics with personal expression, challenging conventional values and control.
Saxophonist, improviser and composer Rachel Musson has spent over a decade immersed in improvised music, and is now gradually introducing composed elements into her work, drawing on text, field recordings and processing sounds. Rachel is involved with a variety of improvisation projects, featuring on several releases (577 Records, Babel Label, Two Rivers Records), performing with musicians such as Pat Thomas and Mark Sanders, and a recent improvised collaboration with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Her recent album, Ashes and Dust Earth and Sky, blends compositions, improvisations and field recordings, and her solo performances have evolved to incorporate these sounds in a live setting. Rachel is a current (2024-2027) recipient of the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Composer award.
This event is curated by Juliet Fraser, Artistic Director of eavesdropping. eavesdropping is a platform for the sharing of new music and new ways of thinking about music. Excited by experimentalism, our activity includes a four-day festival, held at Cafe OTO and Vortex Jazz Cafe in London, a podcast, and various artist development opportunities. Our mission is to build community through an ethics of curiosity and care, in the belief that ripples do make waves.
Our galleries and bookshop will remain open to all until 7:30pm. Ticketholders will get a 10% discount In the bookshop.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
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