Nujumi + John Bowers + Strandings + Mawhrin Skel live at Ipswich Smokehouse
Electronic adventures at the fantastic Smokehouse in Ipswich.
Friendship is a large part of the music experience. We meet friends at gigs, we're in bands with friends, and sometimes, when the stars align we get to put on gigs featuring friends. Then there are the magical occasions whereby we are able to promote a gig for a friend who has lived abroad for years and is back in the UK for just a short time. This episode is about one of those magical times.
Sure, the huge acts can afford impressive light shows and enough lasers to upset commercial air traffic, but what can artists who haven't already made millions do to make gigs more interesting?
This episode of the Beat Motel podcast is a review of a rare UK performance by Egypt-based Nujumi. Support from Jon Bowers, Strandings and Mawhrin Skel.
NUJUMI
Based in Eqypt, Nujumi describe themselves as 'green pastures and dark debris'. Orchestrated synth and strings emerging from the dusts of the Sahara.
Created by Daniel Merrill, one-third of the Dead Rat Orchestra.
https://nujumi.bandcamp.com/JOHN BOWERS
In his first performance returning to Ipswich after 10 years in the Newcastle DIY scene, John Bowers will coax room feedback, chaotic noise, spectral ambience, and extreme dynamics from his modular synthesizer and Pure Data programs. John has a long history in rowdy improvised experimental electronics having performed at festivals including the Venice Biennale, Experimental Intermedia New York, Transmediale/CTM Vorspiel Berlin, Piksel Bergen, Electropixel Nantes, BEAM London, Faster Than Sound Aldeburgh, Yarmonics Great Yarmouth and Spill Ipswich, and toured with the Rambert Dance Company performing David Tudor’s music to Merce Cunningham’s Rainforest. He is one third of the noise rock trio Tonesucker. He has just launched a personal record label, https://unlanded.bandcamp.com/. Its first album, Unlanded Volume 1 is planned for release June 2023. https://www.instagram.com/johnthemodulator/STRANDINGS
Strandings is the new project by Dead Rat Orchestra member Robin Alderton. A combination of electro-acoustic elements featuring the folk based influences of his soundtrack work with DRO and solo textural collage work utilising turntables, electronics and manipulated vinyl. For fans of Philip Jeck, William Basinski and CST Records.MAHWRIN SKEL
Depending on whim, willingness and weather Mawhrin Skel makes music that is often described as noise, drone, techno-alt-orchestral and ambient. His music is characterised by its use of harsh, abrasive sounds, deep frequencies as well as long, slow, and meditative passages. Mawhrin Skel is the stage name of Andrew Culture, occasional novelist and bassist of These Are End Times.
https://mawhrinskel.bandcamp.com/
Beat Motel Zine
Welcome to Beat Motel Zine, the comedy-infused alt-music podcast! Born from a zine from the DIY scene, we blend laughs with punk, metal, and everything offbeat. Discover the weirder side of bands, from unintentionally funny stage antics to musical mishaps. Tune in for a profane, comedic journey through alternative tunes, where every episode is a laugh. Join us as we explore music's funniest fringes with a punk rock spirit!
Can the alternative music scene and comedy mix? Of course they can; we'll prove it to you. Warning, episodes contain creative profanities in the vein of The Thick of It.
- No. of episodes: 129
- Latest episode: 2025-04-28
- Music Music Commentary
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