Send Receive: A Festival of Sound, Balanced Records, CKUW 95.9 FM, UMFM 101.5 FM proudly present Akufen!
Saturday, October 1st, 2005 will be the very first time internationally renowned Montréal DJ and producer Marc Leclair, aka Akufen, graces the stage in Winnipeg. With a critically acclaimed debut album, an experimental ambient recording and dozens of singles and remixes under his belt, this artist has performed around the world, incorporating found sounds and samples from radio and every day life. The resulting sound is distinctive and vivid, infused with the electricity, sound waves and energy that surround us. This special evening will include local artists Ali Khan, Suz [aka Audio Angel] and Solidaze. The event is a fundraiser for Send Receive: A Festival of Sound. Starting at 9 pm, the show will take place at the Bull and Bear Tavern.
With releases on the Oral, Hautec, Perlon, Trapez, Revolver and Background labels, Akufen’s debut full-length album for Force Inc. My Way, took this underground sensation to a level beyond any of the ‘new school’ of techno/house producers infecting the dance-floors. Since the release of My Way, Akufen has gone on to remix Craig David, Massive Attack, Thomas Dolby, and Yello, to name a few. Leclair released the ambient Musique Pour 3 Femmes Enceintes [Music for 3 Pregnant Women] under his given name earlier this year – a tribute to his pregnant wife and two pregnant friends. Leclair co-runs the Musique Risqueé, handled and distributed by Cologne’s Kompakt collective. The diverse DJ and producer will perform a DJ set while in Winnipeg.
Ali Khan’s sound has evolved over the past eight years, through psy-trance, house, tech-house, progressive, and into minimal house. His live performances are quirky and intelligent sounding, performed with precision. Many of Khan’s compositions feature his own vocal recordings and custom-built Reaktor instruments developed in his home studio. Khan has released recordings on the Clever Music, Kahlwild, Legroom and Budenzauber labels and currently produces electronic music solo and in collaboration with friends Joe Silva [tonepushers] and Procynic [negativ nein].
Suz [aka Audio Angel] has performed in cities across Canada over the past five years. In Winnipeg, Suzanne has had residencies at Blue Agave, Vertigo, and the Pyramid Cabaret as well as her own club night called “Manage et Trois.” Today, you will find Suzanne co-hosting Alter Ego on UMFM 101.5 fm. She also manages and resides at the Empire Cabaret's intimate oxygen bar alongside DJ Oxide [sHIFT] with “O2 in the Basement.” Being fully aware of the fact that females are indeed the minority within the electronic music scene, Suzanne aims to solidify her place based on the merits of her abilities rather than the novelty of being a minority. With that said she is always willing to help further the influx of female talent.
Original Balanced Records artist Luis Cardona has had different monikers over the years. Solidaze is his house music persona and was inspired by the haze over the city in an orange afternoon when he lived in Toronto. Now residing in Winnipeg, this El Salvadoran import has found his way into electronic music production. While his Latin origin comes through in his rhythms, Solidaze has a “rainy day” outlook in his melody. So, it seems to be all about an experience. Solidaze has played many live sets, which continue to evolve and include different musical formats.
Now entering its eight year, Send Receive: A Festival of Sound takes place October 14 to 22, 2005. Featuring local, national and international artists, the sound/media art festival will take place at various venues in downtown Winnipeg. For more information, visit www.sendandreceive.org
See Akufen with Ali Khan, Suz and Solidaze on Saturday, October 1st at the Bull and Bear Tavern, 177 Lombard Avenue. Doors open at 9 pm. Tickets to the show are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Advance tickets will be available at Into the Music and The Urban Boutique. 10ntertainment Tax will be charged on all tickets.
Send Receive gratefully acknowledges the support of The Canada Council for the Arts, and the assistance of the Japan-Canada Fund, a gift to the Canada Council for the Arts from the Government of Japan, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Winnipeg Arts Council, Video Pool Media Arts Centre, CKUW 95.9 fm, UMFM 101.5 fm, the Fairmont Winnipeg, MacHelper, Fort Garry Brewing, Long & McQuade, the Winnipeg Film Group and Cinematheque, Plug In-ICA, AceArt, the Urban Shaman and Balanced Records