Digitale Release: NATURE Simon Berz, sound artist and drummer (Berlin/Zurich), presents two recordings that deal with the sound of stones. The transdisciplinary artist has been working with the sound of stones for 15 years. On November 23 and in April 2024, two recordings have been released that sensually reproduce the diverse soundscapes of the unique sonic geological phenomena.
Sounding slate stones from the Alps Simon Berz 2024 BADABUM Records
Credits:
Released March 22, 2024
Music by Simon Berz
Combination.Space Val Blenio Switzerland
Mastered by Dan Suter Echochamber Switzerland
Artwork by Lilu Herlambang
Press Text NATURE
In 2009, Simon Berz found thin, sounding slate slabs in Haute-Provence, southern France. This discovery led him to a new path in his work with found objects. The raw sound of the stones in combination with water droplets or electronics has accompanied him ever since. The sound installation TROPF was awarded the 2011 work year of the canton of Zug. Last year, he was able to present the new version of the installation at Kunst Raum Aarau 2023. The collected recording TROPF was released by DUMPF Edition Zurich. With the instrument TECTONIC (basalt stones from Iceland and electronics, 2015), he toured and performed concerts between Cuba and Japan.
Simon Berz on the sound of stone
During the pandemic, I worked at COMBINATION.SPACE, the newly emerging studio for artistic interaction in the former chocolate factory Cima Norma in Val Blenio in the Ticino Alps. Collaboration with other musicians was difficult during the pandemic, so I focused, among other things, on refining my techniques and experimenting with new sound possibilities. I set out to explore the pure sound of the stones in absolute silence every day. In the morning ritual, before making coffee, I played with my found stones in various ways. I wanted to find out what sounds, rhythms, and structures I could extract from the material. This was to happen immediately after waking up, as soberly and purified as possible. While improvising, I looked at the snowy mountains, the dark fir trees, or the mist rising from the valley.
This is how the LP NATURE came about. The name reminds of natural yogurt, the unsweetened, pure product. My stomach noises and the Soja river can sometimes be heard. These are part of it. I decided on Swiss German names for the small sound impressions. NATURE is a look at the time of the pandemic, with all its difficult and magical moments and qualities.
TROPF THE COLLECTED RECORDINGS 2009-2019, by Simon Berz
All music composed and performed by Simon Berz.
Recorded between 2009 and 2019 by Willy Strehler and Simon Berz at Collegiate Church of the Romainmôtier Monastery (CH), Fondazione la Fabbrica del Cioccolato, Torre (CH) and Scharten 2, Wettingen (CH).
Mixed by Simon Berz and Willy Strehler.
Mastered by Willy Strehler at Klangdach Guntershausen, Switzerland.