Sebastian Reynolds is a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist based in Oxford, UK. In 2016/17 he worked with German cellist/composer Anne Müller and violinist/producer Alex Stolze to release Solo Collective Part One, a ground-breaking record which featured two tracks from each artist, one taken from a live performance by the trio at Roter Salon (Berlin), and one a studio production by each artist. The format proved fruitful and the trio toured together in Germany and the UK. As a result of the touring and studio sessions during their time on the road together, the trio have put together a record of performances of compositions by Sebastian Reynolds.
Solo Collective Part Two moves between delicate, introspective piano solos and trios, with the klezmer influence on By The Tower, At Nightfall. Solo Collective Part Two also features a brand new studio version of the Sebastian Reynolds track Holy Island, a previous version featured on Solo Collective Part One. When asked about his musical heroes, and his methodologies for working, Sebastian says “I grew up loving Constellation Records acts such asPolmo Polpo and Silver Mt Zion, and I loved the () album by Sigur Ros. The other label of love for me was Leaf Records, particularly the acts Susumu Yokota and A Hawk and A Hacksaw. In terms of music making methodology Solo Collective Part Two reflects my favourite working methods. Some of the tracks are taken from live performances, at gigs and in the studio with Anne and Alex, set alongside a couple of tracks that I self-produced that are based on moulding and processing found sounds alongside musical performances, to create ambiguous, naturalistic soundworlds where the line between real instrumental performances and digital processing are blurred”.
The three musicians are all well established in their own right. Violinist and producer Alex Stolze rose to fame with his band Bodi Bill, who had a string of chart hits in Germany, and as a member of the internationally renowned Avant Garde trio Dictaphone (Denovali Records). Alex has a long history with the Berlin techno scene since, including co-founding Krakatau records. He has released two solo albums, 2016’s Mankind Animal and 2018’s Outermost Edgevia his Nonostar Records imprint.
Sebastian Reynolds is a lynchpin of the UK experimental/alternative music scene, having led cult ensembles Keyboard Choir and Braindead Collective. In addition to the Solo Collective collaboration, Sebastian continues to operate as a solo artist, and has completed commissions to create scores for two contemporary dance works – the Thai-inspired Mahajanaka Dance Drama and Puzzle Creature – in collaboration with contemporary dance company Neon Dance, known for their choreography/dance pieces which have featured scores by the likes of Ólafur Arnalds, Efterklang and Peter Broderick.
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12.06 – MANCHESTER – Anthony Burgess Foundation – tickets
13.06 – LONDON – SET Dalston – tickets
14.06 – OXFORD – St Michael at the Northgate Church – tickets