Hochzeitskapelle :: We Dance EP (Alien Transistor)

The instruments are not electronic and have a reasonable calming feeling, nothing frantic or challenging, inviting the listener to just relax and enjoy this part of the afternoon.

Contemporary is the way they present this music

Hochzeitskapelle is the name of the ensemble or bunch of friends who like to play their instruments together. There is a video depicting a bunch of people playing normal but for these parts somewhat unusual instruments in a well lit room with tables. The instruments are not electronic and have a reasonable calming feeling, nothing frantic or challenging, inviting the listener to just relax and enjoy this part of the afternoon.

Dirk Wagner writes that the vocalist heard here, Enid Valu, normally relies on lenses and light to express herself. She is known to create stunning visuals, and to capture sonic worlds with her preferred instrument, the camera. The US-born, Munich-based photographer and video artist has been working with various bands shooting concerts, creating music videos, visualizing what she hears. She also has been known to play in the band CEMENT STARS. However, now that she’s become an indispensable part of the local Munich scene, she for once sets aside the camera and steps up to the microphone instead—appearing as a featured vocalist here on two of the four brand-new covers Hochzeitskapelle recorded for this new EP.

Since 2012 the members of the ensemble Hochzeitskapelle are Micha Acher on Trumpet and Tuba, Evi Keglmaier on Viola and Tuba, Mathias Götz on Trombone, Markus Acher on the Drum Kit, and Alex Haas playing Banjo. The constant listener may already know Hochzeitskapelle as the German instrumental quintet formed by members of The Notwist, Alien Ensemble, and friends from the jazz scene. In this age of electronics, I find the sound to be a refreshing change of pace, simple and relaxing, sincere and authentic. What is contemporary is the way they present this music, sometimes collaborating with the Japanese friends Tenniscoats. This recording of all covers features Hochzeitskapelle and the crowd at Goldmarie, Munich 2023, as part of Alien Disko#5.

Musicians who cross borders and cannot be categorized ::

The Alien Disko Festival was originally initiated and curated by the band The Notwist at the Kammerspiele in 2016, presenting exciting musicians who cross borders and cannot be categorized, most of whom would otherwise not be seen in Munich, coming from Argentina, Brazil, England, France, India, Japan, Kenya, Mongolia, Spain and the USA, turning the festival into a loud and colorful alternative to the current political developments everywhere.

No castration fear and a belly full of Brazilian nuts! Make of that what you can. We dance while the world falls down around us. “We Dance” feat. Enid Valu 2′ 53” The song is originally from Pavement’s Wowee Zowee, written by Stephen Joseph Malkmus. Next, “Silver Rider” 4′ 01” by the musical group Low, lyrics written by Mimi J. Parker George Alan Sparhawk. Some say that Galactus (the Great Destroyer) wants to obliterate the Earth, and sends the Silver Surfer to our planet to act as a spearhead. Perhaps the song is a mourn to the Surfer, who is gone. I do not know.

Now for my favorite track, “Stockholm Syndrom” feat. Enid Valu 3′ 16” by the legendary Yo La Tengo, originally Track 7 from the album I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One (1997). The summer’s what you make it but I’ll believe what I want to believe. The EP concludes with a song from Blind from here on out, a studio album by We Are Heroes (Wir Sind Helden) “Ein Elefant für Dich” 4′ 18” (an elephant for you) there are no lyrics so what can possibly go wrong? I want more.

We Dance is available on Alien Transistor. [Bandcamp]