Etienne Nillesen Solo

Vibrating overtones and the dimension of silence: drummer and improvisation artist Etienne Nillesen explores the microtonalities of the snare drum in his spatially unfolding, meditative solo concerts. Over long periods of time, layered sound levels are created in minimalist-repetitive frictions. Through a combination of traditional and extended techniques such as the use of toys, bows or bells, Nillesen develops a diverse spectrum of pitches, overtones and intermediate tones from which rhythmic microstructures emerge. The US trumpeter Nate Wooley described the intensity of his improvisation on the snare drum as ‘unexcavated truth’. Nillesen is currently a lecturer at the ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem, where he teaches improvisation and percussion. His solo album will be released in autumn on the Norwegian label SOFA music. Highly virtuoso improvisation of sonic temporality.