Powerplant
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Led by genre trashing young percussionist Joby Burgess, Powerplant is an inspiring collaboration of British artists, comprising Burgess’ playing and electronics with sound design by Matthew Fairclough and visuals by Kathy Hinde.
The collective made its debut in 2005, with a sell out performance at the Southbank Centre, London and has since performed extensively throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. Notable performances include Steve Reich’s Barbican birthday celebrations ‘Phases’ in 2006, FACT’s launch of Liverpool as European Capital of Culture in 2008 and the Electron and C3 festivals, in Geneva and Berlin during 2009.
Powerplant has created an experimental and challenging repertoire fusing seminal percussion works alongside it’s own work, improvisations, remixes and commissions, which include Graham Fitkin’s Chain of Command – a highly political and confrontational work featuring speech from American president George Bush in 2008.
Powerplant’s debut album – ‘a must for anyone surfing the sine waves and all things electronica’ Muso Magazine – includes remixes of Kraftwerk featuring the Elysian Quartet alongside Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint. Released in 2008 on Signum Records, ‘Burgess transfers it to a xylosynth, to a create a glinting, chiming soundworld that seems perfectly judged for Reich’s canonical writing.’ The Guardian.
The second album Import/Export – Burgess’ landmark collaboration with Gabriel Prokofiev – was released in 2010 on Nonclassical Records. Including remixes by artists such as Murcof and a DVD of performances, interviews and documentaries; Prokofiev’s suite for global junk suite is ‘pollution as a sound source, recycled to maximum effect’ The Wire.
2011 sees new collaborations with composers Max de Wardener and Dominic Murcott exploring the films of Michael Haneke and the pre-pianola experiments of Conlon Nancarrow. Powerplant will also present Steve Reich’s My Name Is to celebrate the 75th birthday of one the most influential composers of our time.
Powerplant greatly acknowledges the PRS for Music Foundation for their continuing and invaluable support, which throughout 2010/11 will help the group cover production costs and travel expenses.