Days of Zorn II: Zorn Again - COVER REVEAL!
+ Lillinger/Stemeseder ANTUMBRA review, Artacts Festival highlights and more.
Sup lovers?
Here it is… 3, 2, 1 lift off : The cover of DAYS OF ZORN II: ZORN AGAIN, designed by the one and only Michael Imhof.
Thar she blows… They don’t call it the difficult second album for nothing! How could we possibly come up with a cover that would ever top the first one? How could we possibly produce an image that could summarise the entire universe of John Zorn, just in one graphic?
After much deliberation, and several attempts we finally had a breakthrough:
…the COBRA WAS THE KEY!
I am so proud to present this cover and I can tell you with great excitement that the back cover and inner sleeves are just as breathtaking! To see those, you will have to wait just a little bit longer. :)
DAYS OF ZORN II: ZORN AGAIN is scheduled for print at the end of this month. STAY TUNED FOR PREORDER DETAILS FROM FLADIK.NET!
In other Flake News, I have written a new review of the new Lillinger / Stemeseder album which is available on PLAIST now, and I gotta tell ya, this bad boy really blew my socks off. If you are into experimental avant-garde, and you feel like travelling through multiple worlds to a mental utopia, this is the album for you. Shoutout to track 8: “Lux” - epic.
I have also just returned from St Johann in Tirol, taking part in the wonderful Artacts Festival, not as a journalist, but as a fan. I was introduced to several thrilling new artists, and a couple of legends on the side.
I was super stoked to witness the improvisational trio of Oliver Schwerdt (piano), Günter Baby Sommer (dr) and Barry Guy (bass) - their musical abilities beautifully balanced with theatrics and a twist of parody. Really creative and fun to be around.
I had also dug the likes of trio Rodrigo Amado (sax), Gonzo Almeida (bass) & Onno Govaert (dr), the latter of whom was sporting the most beautiful hair in the whole festival. Man - those cats can really jam.
The (mostly) Chicago-based Ballister also impressed me with their intense and gritty free jazz… Dave Rempis (sax), Fred Lonberg-Holm (cello) and Paal Nilssen-Love (dr), this shit is not for wimps!
The photography exhibition from London-based stage photographer Dawid Laskowski featured a plethora of legends past and present, and a delightful collage of black and white snaps from his experiences backstage at Cafe OTO. I particularly enjoyed a candid shot of Mr Marc Riboner! Can you spot some other famous faces perhaps? ;-)
In this photo, taken by Dawid, you can see me and Peter Gannushkin shooting the shit! During this conversation pictured, I was nervously asking Peter if he has any old Zorn photos kicking about, that perhaps I can use for my fanzine. I am excited to report that he has given me access to his entire library of Zorn photos, and I am allowed to use anything I like. I am over the moon about this, and you will be too, when you see how gorgeous his photos are in DAYS OF ZORN II: ZORN AGAIN!
So that’s all from Tirol, and it’s back to grinding away on the fanzines. I am working my darndest to get this shit done, and into your hot little hands by mid-April. Stay tuned to this Substack, and I will keep you posted as soon as more details for the pre-sale become available. Not long now, dudes!
Lots of love,
FLAKE
CEO Fladik
