Simon Whetham (from UK)

Capturing and composing almost primarily with field recordings since a research trip to Iceland in 2005, Simon Whetham has since become a very busy man: exhibiting his first sound art piece in Iceland; recording in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil with the Mamori Sound Project; performing at international festivals like Experimental Intermedia in New York; releasing his work from a wide number of labels; building installations and taking part in residencies worldwide.

Throughout 2012 Simon is traveling the globe, performing, recording and collaborating with other musicians and artists in each country he visits, and Test Tone is very happy to be part of his itinerary during his Japan travels.

Simon Whetham

Dave Miller (from NYC, drums from Pet Bottle Ningen) + Sakaguchi Mitsuhisa (keyboards) + Shimaji Masahico (bass) and special guest

With their Japanese moniker, New York City's Pet Bottle Ningen have got to have some local flavor. In addition to their Japanese sax player, they play lurching, angular compositions that would fit right at home in Koenji's backstreets. It just so happens that the pulse of the band, drummer Dave Miller, will be visiting Tokyo on an extended Japan tour through July and August.

He'll be joined in a session by equally atypical local improvisors Toru Tenda (flute), Shimaji Masahico (bass from Leningrad Blues Machine) and Sakaguchi Mitsuhisa (keyboards from STAND ALONE-404, Guru host, Polylis, Alan Smithee's MAD Universe).

Pet Bottle Ningen

Sakaguchi Mitsuhisa

Shimaji Masahico

FELL (toktek, from Holland and Simon Berz, from Switzerland)

Over the years, sampler guru toktek (Holland) has built up a rattling, resounding palette of live sampling chops, while drummer Simon Berz (Switzerland), using DIY analog electronic devices, creates a myriad of musical feedback from his doctored kit. Together they are FELL, battling it out in supercharged music sessions.

Playing their self-made electronic instruments/interfaces, they create brand new musical languages that evolve into spasmic, sweaty conversations between toktek, Berz and their machines.

toktek

Simon Berz

FELL on Vimeo

Evil Penguin

Master of disguises, Mexican top-hats, ambient rockabilly to minimal Hawaiian Kumulipo chants, the Evil Penguin poses the primordial question of evanescence against a backdrop of New Wave folk. Celebratory, subliminal, moment-to-moment. A Tasmanian treasure with a penchant for open spaces.