Premiere and Q&A: Ambiq Prepare New LP, Ambiq 2
The experimental trio will release its sophomore LP, 'Ambiq 2,' via arjunamusic on November 13.
Ambiq—the Berlin-based experimental trio comprising Max Loderbauer, Claudio Puntin, and Samuel Rohrer—will release its sophomore LP, Ambiq 2, via arjunamusic on November 13.
The trio dropped its spaced out and genre-bending first LP on arjunamusic in Febuary 2014, drawing from influences that include “free improv, early electronic music and spaced-out dub.” Ambiq 2 follows the same path as its predecessor, one of free-flowing, sophisticated melodies, cascading rhythms, and conversing improv. A remix EP will also follow the release of Ambiq 2, featuring reworks by Perlon affiliate Margaret Dygas, and one half of The Orb, Thomas Fehlmann.
XLR8R had a chat with Ambiq about collaboration, electronic vs. accoustic, and the revered live show. With an exclusive stream from the LP below.
Each one of you has had several prestigious collaborations in the past. What has been the X factor which made you decide to form AMBIQ with the members we know?
At first, we came together because of other reasons, but the actual interstellar constellations showed us something more. So we decided to create this project, which become what we call AMBIQ today.
Your music is free, dark, organic, and ambient, if you had to describe it further, how would you describe the landscape depicted by AMBIQ?
If you want to form it into a landscape, it might look very much like stalagmites growing from your perceptive cave.
How does the interaction between electronic and acoustic sounds work in an improvised session? What are the sonic results?
It definitely helps to listen to our music to find an answer to this question. And to listen in general to each other. This opens doors to everything, everywhere. But in the end we could look at it like in architecture: A new, built construction should never really touch the old structure of the already present building so you can look at both as a self standing individual existence. But in the same time it emerges into something new. The same works for sounds and music. There is always a first note, an action which leads to a reaction, which can also result in silence. Or adding something to the sound without destroying the initial idea, which becomes powerful when different layers, rooms, and creatures insist in their existence. If each one can stand alone, but also contribute something to the whole, the new form works. It requires the ability to reflect and listen to yourself while your attention is actually on the others and the whole process.
What’s the experience of seeing and listening to AMBIQ performing live?
It’s very much an individual thing. For us as for the listener. This music is created in the very moment. So it’s about accepting what ever happens. It’s an adventure.
Ahead of the November 13 release, Ambiq 2 can be preordered here, with LP cut “The Mother” streaming in full below, along with a video teaser.