British percussionist Joby Burgess and his audio visual trio Powerplant present Import/Export a landmark new commission from composer Gabriel Prokofiev.
The seven voyages of Import/Export explore a quartet of global ‘junk’ objects. Oil drums, plastic bags, soda bottles and wooden pallets all travel the world; soldiers that have carried out the globalisation of our planet: transporting, polluting and keeping our modern economy moving - the innocent yet destructive messengers of an ever hungry free-market.
Electronics are used sparingly throughout Import/Export to enhance the natural sounds of the metal, glass, plastic and wooden objects. Whilst the lead part generally remains ‘clean’, live looping is used to create multi-layered ostinati, which are often processed.
Track Listing
Voyage I On Land 4’40” - Gabriel Prokofiev
Voyage II Engine Multiplier 3’26” - Gabriel Prokofiev
Voyage III Cloudburst 2’26” - Gabriel Prokofiev
Voyage IV Plastic Invasion 3’17” - Gabriel Prokofiev
Voyage V Fanta 7’38” - Gabriel Prokofiev
Voyage VI Tropical Shores 3’40” - Gabriel Prokofiev
Voyage VII Memories of a Wooden Workhorse 4’57” - Gabriel Prokofiev
Epilogue Distant Drum 1’34” - Gabriel Prokofiev
Photography by Kathy Hinde
REVIEWS
“Oil drums, plastic bags, soda bottles and wooden pallets are deployed - along with a minimal amount of electronic looping ... Import/Export is that rare achievement: music wholly sufficient in itself that is shot through with the cultural fall-out which inspired it.” Richard Whitehouse, Gramophone, March 2011
“If the aim of musique concrete was to collapse the walls between art and life, Import/Export: Suite for Global Junk takes the connection an eco-logical step further - pollution as a sound source, recycled to maximum effect.” David Stubbs, The Wire, September 2010
VIDEO
Live performances of Import/Export featured video artist Kathy Hinde adding narrative to the voyages with live video projections. For the album release Kathy Hinde captured Joby Burgess in performance at the Merlin Theatre, Frome in January 2010.
LIVE
Import/Export was premiered as part of a nine date UK Tour.
15 November 2008 UK, BATH, ICIA, UNIVERSITY OF BATH
16 November 2008 UK, NORWICH, NORWICH ARTS CENTRE
20 November 2008 UK, CAMBRIDGE, THE JUNCTION
21 November 2008 UK, MANCHESTER, RNCM
22 November 2008 UK, EDINBURGH, DIALOGUES FESTIVAL, UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
24 November 2008 UK, BIRMINGHAM, BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE
25 November 2008 UK, TOTNES, DARTINGTON HALL
26 November 2008 UK, LONDON, SOUTHBANK CENTRE
6 December 2008 UK, BRIGHTON, BRIGHTON DOME
Import/Export has since toured the UK extensively and also been presented at several international festivals including Haven Festival Gent in September 2013.
Performers
Joby Burgess Global Junk and Electronics
Kathy Hinde Video Artist
Matthew Fairclough Sound Design
RECORDING Credits
Recorded at The Sweatshop Studios, Hackney, London 18-22 May 2009.
Produced and Mixed by Gabriel Prokofiev
Executive Producer by Joby Burgess
Mastered by Stuart Hawkes at Metropolis Studios
Released 6 October 2010 on Nonclassical Records.
Support
The commissioning and initial presentation of Import/Export was generously supported with funds from ICIA University of Bath, Arts Council England and the PRS Foundation.