Fennesz
Biography
Based in Vienna, Christian Fennesz has garnered a seriously strong reputation as one of the most innovative proponents of contemporary computer-based music. Recording primarily for the Touch and Mego labels, what marks his work out as instantly distinctive is not simply his cutting-edge sonics or programming skills, but both his continual movement between releases and the music's pure emotional content.
Fennesz' first solo work for Mego, the 'Instrument' EP, was released in 1996, combining elements of experimental electronica / techno with heavily treated guitar and electronics. 'Hotel Paral.lel' followed in 1997, and in 2000 came 'Plus 47 Degrees 56' 37" Minus 16 Degrees 51' 08" on Touch. 2001's 'Endless Summer' album (again on Mego) was a stunning piece of work, perhaps the most evident manifestation of Fennesz' love of The Beach Boys to date (only melted and refracted through the spangled prism of powerbook processing software), and ended up topping the end-of-year polls in many magazines. Since then he has released a number of records under the name Fennesz.
Besides his solo work, Fennesz has collaborated with Jim O'Rourke and Peter Rehberg in the powerbook trio, Fenn O'Berg, and with a shifting group of improvising electronic artists under the name MIMEO (Music In Movement Electronic Orchestra). He has also played with artists such as Mika Vainio (Pan Sonic), Pimmon, Oren Ambarchi, and Rosy Parlane.