Photo credit – Christian Senti
Can you tell us about your new album?
The album shows the recent spin of the band. It communicates directly via the groove energy and playfulness of the band organism. The album goes forward to the roots and reflects the whole Ronin story since its beginning in 2001.
It presents new tracks such as Module 66 and 63, a combination of new and middle material on Module 70_51 and two old classics in completely new arrangements, Module 14 and 23. The album also introduces the new bass player Jeremias Keller, who re-shapes the band with a different sound and playing.
What other projects are you currently involved with?
As usual I focus mainly on my zenfunk band RONIN, the acoustic ritual music group MOBILE and my solo playing. This year I also wrote a large orchestra piece and played duo formats with Greek pianist Tania Giannouli and with my daughter Ilva Eigus who is an amazing classical violin player. I can explore in these duos more the chamber music aspects of my own music. We also launched a full documentary film about Ronin and my work and show episodes of it in communication with our audience: in every episode a musical conundrum is hidden which you can solve – so it’s also a ritual groove community project.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I bought a record with various rain sounds to focus my ears and an old vinyl box with zen monastery atmospheres when I was touring in Japan recently. This vinyl box is an extraordinary field recording with amazing spacial soundscapes. It was recorded in a time where such soundscape recordings were really an experimental and special thing. Therefore, it sounds so good and effortless compared to today.
What is your all-time favourite album and why?
In my book “LISTENING – Music, Movement, Mind” I presented a list with 20 influential favorite recordings. To choose one is complex. So, from an opposite perspective our ECM album HOLON is an all-time favorite of our community. It’s a very coherent and clear album which caught the most attention, probably because it is so characteristic and was launched in a special time. This resonance was essential for us to become what we are now.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
The young Swiss trio Arbre around pianist Mélusine Chappuis is developing massively. Really a band with an own idea, sound and group empathy concept. We will hear from them!
Spin is released on Ronin Rhythm Records and is available on CD, vinyl and on all streaming platforms. Click here to read our review.
Ingredients For Disaster is available to stream on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Google Play/YouTube Movies now.
The Musical Conundra of the Scientists of Groove is launched on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/nikbaertsch
