Synthese x AMME with: among others Elias Mazian, Mary Lake & Anushka Chkheidze

HYPNOTIZING DRUMS, SUFI SINGING AND ELECTRONIC CLUB RHYTHMS

Synthese is a musical discovery journey along the stories and sounds of heritage at unconventional locations in Utrecht. On 27 March Synthese collaborates with AMME, an organization that works to support the Moroccan electronic music scene and promote the rich tradition of Amazigh music. This winter Synthese and AMME are organizing a residency in Morocco and in the Netherlands, the outcome of which will be presented on 27 March. Artists Mohamed Said, Prophän and Cengiz Arslanpay present a new performance as a result of their residency, in which they explore the Hmadcha Sufi rituals.

Following there is a club night in which Elias Mazian, Mary Lake and Anushka Chkheidze present a diversity of rhythms.

Elias Mazian (dj)
DJ, producer and singer Elias Mazian is a mainstay in the club circuit of Amsterdam and beyond. His DJ sets, in which house forms the basis to stray into other sounds, are never predictable. The former Trouw and De School resident grew up in a multicultural neighborhood in Amersfoort, where he often danced with his brother in the living room. As a fourth-generation Moroccan boy it was alienating to end up at a very white school, where his being different was often emphasized. This feeling returned when he entered the Amsterdam club scene, although he was pleased that he finally found a place where people shared the same passion. Fortunately the dance floor is becoming an increasingly inclusive place; a very welcome development.

Mary Lake (dj)
Mary Lake’s sound brings techno with an emotional charge. Her musical identity was shaped by her upbringing in Algeria, France and the Netherlands and is recognizable by cultural versatility and a sense for atmosphere, rhythm and presence. In her sets she creates atmosphere and movement with thoughtful pacing and emotional clarity. As a resident of Club RAUM/Spielraum and as a welcome guest in Berghain she has developed a narrative approach characterized by fluidity, focus and instinct. Her live performances, presented at STOOR, Dekmantel and Positive Education, reflect an ever-evolving approach to rhythm and melody.

Residency: Mohamed Said, Prophän & Cengiz Arslanpay (live)
Mohamed Said, Prophän and Cengiz Arslanpay present a new performance as a result of their residency in which they explore the Hmadcha Sufi rituals. The Hmadcha are a Moroccan Sufi brotherhood that was founded in the 17th century. They are known for their intense spiritual practices in which they combine music, trance and ritual healing. Their ceremonies often contain hypnotizing drums, chanting and ecstatic bodily movements.

Anushka Chkheidze (live)
The young Georgian Anushka Chkheidze, based in Utrecht, is a promising talent far beyond the borders of her country. She grew up in the small village Kharagauli and began singing in the choir there at the age of 11. She considers the time there magical and believes that her music is strongly influenced by those childhood years. In her work she connects the sonic worlds of that time with the electronic sounds of the dance floor.

Timetable
23:00 Doors
23:15 Residency: Mohamed Said, Prophän & Cengiz Arslanpay (live)
00:00 Anushka Chkheidze
01:00 Elias Mazian
03:00 Mary Lake