Silence Is Sexy focuses on the so-called (new) contemporary classical composers that are increasingly gaining popularity in the field of ‘pop music’. They are engaged in the world of classical music but are willing to have electronica trickle through in their work, often resulting in a unique sound.

During the latest edition, we dig deeper and present a number of ‘brand new’ names. The guideline is two German labels that have been a highlight of this movement for years now: Erased Tapes and Denovali Records.

Erased Tapes
Erased Tapes has been around since ’07 and is led by originator Robert Raths, from out of Berlin. Although his label also includes post rock and IDM, modern classical music makes up the largest part of their catalogue. Webzine Drowned In Sound described the label as ‘Pure sonic perfection’. Aside from the young Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds, multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick is also housed on the label, just as Nils Frahm and revelation A Winged Victory For The Sullen.

Nils Frahm (d)
Pianist/componist/producer Nils Frahm learned the tricks of the trade from Nahum Brodski, a student of none less than Tschaikowski. He operates from out of Berlin and runs his own Durton Studio. From out of this laboratory, he's worked together with kindred spirits Ólafur Arnalds, Deaf Center, Efterklang and Dustin O’Halloran.

Frahm obtained a rapidly growing following with his solo piano albums 'Wintermusik' (‘09), ‘The Bells’ (‘09), 'Felt' (’11) and ‘Screws’ (’12). Mojo, Uncut and Q, crowned his latest album with **** reviews. Thom Yorke is also a fan and put Nils Frahm in Radiohead’s HQ Office Chart. To listen to Nils Frahm, is to enter into a micro cosmos bursting with fragile beauty.

Lubomyr Melnyk (Ukraine)
Lubomyr Melnyk is a classically schooled composer/pianist from the Ukraine and is the pioneer of the so-called ‘Continuous Piano Music’. Let's just say: music based upon the principle of ‘maintaining a continuous, unbroken stream of sound’. His ’79 debut also bore that title: ‘KMH: Piano Music in the Continuous Mode’. Melnyk says he's influenced by the minimalism of the '70's, from the likes of Steve Reich. He has also been praised as one of the fastest pianists in the world.
Erased Tapes took it upon themselves to honour this now 65-year-old pianist. Melnyk responded matter-of-factly: “Where were you guys when I was thirty?” But decided to accept the proposal and promptly recorded a new album - 'Corollaries' – with the assistance of Peter Broderick, Nils Frahm and Martyn Heyne (Efterklang).

Special guest: Gregory Euclide (us)
The artwork for Lubomyr’s ‘Corollaries’ is from the hand of American contemporary painter Greogory Euclide. Euclide is mainly known in 'pop circles' for the wonderful artwork on Bon Iver’s second album. He will create a new piece of work live – inspired by the music.

With the support of