We are happy to announce the release of traffic || jammed, our new album that grew out of a singular evening at the Rush Hour Kulturfestival, presented by Heussenstamm Stiftung. The music was recorded on September 8, 2024 at Atelierhaus Orber Straße in Frankfurt, in direct exchange with an attentive audience and the specific atmosphere of the space.

All pieces were written exclusively for this occasion. The album revolves around the different figures that populate our streets during rush hour, from drivers and pedestrians to invisible systems that regulate and disrupt urban movement. What emerged that night was a dense and physical sound world, shaped by repetition, friction, tension and sudden shifts, mirroring the pulse of the city itself.

The performance was recorded by Jörg See. In the process of mixing and mastering, rabirius focused on retaining the immediacy and energy of the original moment while carefully shaping the material into a coherent album that stands on its own beyond the concert setting.

That evening, mockART were Christoph Dorner, Ümit Kaya and rabirius.

The CD edition includes two bonus tracks, La Bête Noire and Kör Adamın Gazeli, performed as encores. Both tracks were previously released digitally as the single La Bête Noire (Alive).

traffic || jammed was released digitally and on CD.

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For a brief moment, we were surprised and – let’s admit it – excited: one of our older tracks, Resistencia, suddenly racked up nearly 1,500 plays in a single day on Spotify. We had no idea where the listens came from, the stats gave us no clues, but it was still a milestone.

Fast forward six months, and the whole album – Men Who Lost Their Heads – was removed by Spotify due to “suspicious activity.” Whether it was bots or a shady playlist, we were never told. But the result was clear: the album was gone.

We’ve now re-uploaded a remastered version to all streaming platforms, titled Men Who Lost Their Heads (Again).

Usually, we’re not fans of endless remasters. But in this case, we had so many versions floating around that we weren’t even sure which mix was “the original” any more. It also gave us the chance to properly credit all the guest musicians—who, until now, were only listed on the CD and our website. They deserve more visibility, and this remaster does just that. The album is available again everywhere. And for those interested in how various streaming platforms handle music and artists, rabirius has reviewed them in detail on his website.

Compilation Appearances

Two exclusive tracks have recently found new homes on experimental music compilations:

🎧 Køksspæl appears on Songs of Things, a tribute to the pioneers of musique concrète. No instruments were used—only kitchen tools. Think glasses, bottles, a toaster, a hand blender. Think noise turned musical.

“This is the practice of an unconditioned view of the surrounding world… the pure joy of experimentation.” — AEMC

🎧 Ritus Verni is featured on Communal Music Vol. 14, part of AEMC’s ongoing series exploring sample-based composition. Every composer used the same limited set of audio samples—but the results are entirely individual. Our track turns those sounds into a kind of ritual celebrating the arrival of spring. The whole compilation album was mastered by rabirius.

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This time, we invited several artists to remix or rework the same track – La Bête Noire, a piece that has become something of a mockART classic. Each contributor approached it from a different angle, resulting in a series of radically diverse versions that reinterpret the original in unexpected ways, showing the many faces of La Bête Noire.

Some stay close to the haunting atmosphere of the source, others dismantle it completely and rebuild it from scratch. What emerged is a fragmented but coherent narrative—a kind of sonic myth, told through many voices.

The album begins with the original version and ends with a live recording from last year’s performance at the Rush Hour Kulturfestival. These two versions frame the story.

The cover artwork – designed by rabirius – shows the eye of La Bête Noire, with the reflection of a woman running away inside the iris. A subtle nod to the album’s themes of pursuit, fear, and transformation.

You can find streaming and download links on our music page.

There also is fresh merchandise in our shop – from t-shirts and bags to pins and phone cases.

The post Our new album La Bête Noire is out now. appeared first on mockART.

The saga of La Bête Noire continues — and this time, the beast comes alive. Literally.

mockART proudly presents La Bête Noire (Alive), a raw and electrifying live recording captured on September 8, 2024, at Atelierhaus Orber Straße in Frankfurt. That night, the band’s lineup featured Christoph Dorner, Ümit Kaya, and rabirius, delivering a powerful performance that brought the beast to life in front of an intimate audience.

This new release includes La Bête Noire (Alive) as well as a live version of Kör Adamın Gazeli, a track originally from Men Who Lost Their Heads. While unrelated to La Bête Noire, it was part of the same unforgettable night and complements the energy of the set.

The single is available now on all major streaming platforms and as a digital download.

But that’s not all: La Bête Noire (Alive) is also a preview of what’s to come. It will feature on the upcoming remix album, dropping June 20, 2025 — an entire release dedicated to remixes of this ever-evolving track.

And there’s more on the horizon: the rest of the live performance from that night is in the works and scheduled for release later this year, likely in autumn. A rough mix already exists, but it still needs some final touches before it’s ready to be unleashed.

Stay tuned. The beast is far from done.

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We are thrilled to announce the release of our new album, He Staggered Across The Floor. Born from an experiment, this album takes flute melodies and sends them through layers of effect loops, feeding the transformed sounds back into the loop repeatedly. The result? A mesmerising exploration of minimal noise, a departure from our previous works as a duo.

The album is available as a limited edition CDr, featuring exclusive, hand-designed covers by artist Sonja Ackermann – each one a unique piece of art.

For those who prefer digital formats, the album is also available for download and on all major streaming platforms.

But that’s not all! Two of our tracks are featured on the compilation accompanying the latest edition of Means Magazine. The cover image for both the magazine and the compilation comes from a photograph by rabirius.

Additionally, one of our tracks appears on ArrhythNia Records Compilation #5, an extensive collection of experimental and noise music that is well worth a listen.

rabirius has also been busy with mastering work, having lent his skills to the compilation Justification of Major by AEMC Records, as well as the latest album by The Given Ghost – both of which you should definitely check out.

Meanwhile, mockART continues to work on a live album and a remix album compiling all the remixes of La Bête Noire. Stay tuned—we’ll have more updates for you soon!

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traffic || jammed was part of the Rush Hour Kulturfestival, organised by the Heussenstamm Stiftung. Since the theme was all about traffic, we decided to create an exclusive program featuring tracks inspired by different aspects of urban mobility. We had pieces about cars, bicycles, pedestrians, trains, and the underground—giving each main participant in the rush hour its own musical voice.

To capture the essence of traffic and rush hour, we incorporated real-world sounds and built our own instruments from car parts. We even used a bicycle as an instrument! Christoph played flute, while I handled guitar and electronics. We were also joined by a special guest on stage: Ümit Kaya, who played the saz and provided vocals. You might already be familiar with Ümit’s work; he is featured on our track Kör Adamın Gazeli from the album Men Who Lost Their Heads. For the encores, we performed this song, along with a live version of La Bête Noire from Reflux Ux Bisou.

We wanted the show to be something truly special, so we chose to perform in a factory hall. On stage, we had a car, and we used lighting and fog effects to create different moods.

You can check out some pictures taken by Christian Rocas here:

We also made an audio recording of the performance, which we’ll receive by the end of the week. Of course, it still needs to be mixed, but we’re excited to see how we can share it with you.

The post mockART Live appeared first on mockART.

We’re excited to announce the next chapter in the La Bête Noire remix series, continuing the journey of this enigmatic track from our album Reflux Ux Bisou. This time, the beast doesn’t just think about leaving its grotto—it steps out into the night, roaming the town and even taking a spin on the dance floor.

These latest releases feature two thrilling collaborations. La Bête Noire rôde dans la ville is a remix by Urhixidur, who previously wowed us with their take on The Takeover. They return to add their distinctive flair, capturing the essence of a beast on the prowl. Meanwhile, La Bête Noire danse, remixed by Ubaldo, takes the energy up a notch, translating the beast’s newfound freedom into a dynamic, danceable rhythm.

These tracks build on the success of our earlier remixes, La Bête Noire dans sa grotte by Pharmakustik and La Bête Noire pense à quitter sa grotte by Baco_Giovanni Cristino. Each remix breathes fresh life into La Bête Noire, offering listeners a new perspective on the track’s evolving narrative.

But that’s not all! We’re also hard at work on a brand new album featuring original material, and preparations for our first live performance on September 8th in Frankfurt are in full swing. There’s so much more to come, so stay tuned for further updates!

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Join us for the unforgettable live performance of traffic || jammed, an innovative exploration of traffic, mobility, and movement in public spaces. As part of the Rush Hour Kulturfestival organised by Heussenstamm Stiftung, this unique event takes inspiration from the bustling Hanauer Landstraße in Frankfurt, bringing the sounds of the rush hour to life.

Through manipulated traffic samples and the everyday noises of commuters, mockART creates a sonic landscape that immerses you in the chaotic beauty of urban life. The performance features an eclectic mix of instruments, including flute, guitar, and electronics, as well as custom-built instruments crafted from materials related to traffic.

Visually, the experience is enhanced with light and video art, creating a multi-sensory journey that you won’t want to miss!

Mark your calendar and be part of this extraordinary event at the Rush Hour Kulturfestival!

Event Details:

• Date: September 8, 2024
• Time: 19:00
• Location: Atelierhaus Orber Straße, Orber Straße 24, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
• Admission: Free – donations appreciated

Stay tuned for more information and get ready to dive into the rhythmic pulse of the city with traffic || jammed!

The Rush Hour Kulturfestival is sponsored by Drees & Sommer. Additional sponsors are: Horst-Haas-und-Irene-Haas-Scheuermann-Stiftung, Kulturamt Frankfurt, Stabstelle Stadtmarketing Frankfurt, Stiftung Polytechnische Gesellschaft Frankfurt

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We’re thrilled to unveil the first single from our upcoming remix album, featuring reinterpretations of our beloved track La Bête Noire from the album Reflux Ux Bisou.

Following the success of our previous remix collaborations, we’ve embarked on a new journey, inviting a diverse range of artists to put their unique spin on this iconic piece. The result is a collection of fresh and innovative remixes that breathe new life into La Bête Noire.

As a sneak peek, we’re releasing La Bête Noire dans sa grotte, remixed by Pharmakustik, alongside La Bête Noire pense à quitter sa grotte, as a B-Side remixed by Baco_Giovanni Cristino. Stay tuned for more remixes to come!

But that’s not all! In addition to our remix album, we’re also hard at work on a brand new album featuring original material. Plus, mark your calendars for our first live concert September 8th in Frankfurt. More details about these projects will be revealed in due time, so keep an eye out for updates!

Get ready to experience the evolution of La Bête Noire like never before. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

The post La Bête Noire dans sa grotte: Introducing the First Single from Our New Album! appeared first on mockART.

mockART is proud to be a part of the impactful Yellow and Blue Through Black and Gray project, uniting international musicians with Ukrainian poets to create a stirring fusion of art and expression.

At the heart of Tænæt, our contribution to the project, lies poet Maksym Churkov, a talented wordsmith whose journey through the realms of poetry is as diverse as it is inspiring. Born in Dnipro and well-versed in the intricacies of language, Maksym’s passion for literature and language shines through his extensive background in Germanic studies and translation. His creative endeavours have garnered accolades and recognition, including awards in poetry competitions and participation in prestigious literary events.

mockART’s involvement in this project builds upon our previous collaborations, including our work with project founder Dmitry Postovalov on The Ambient Flute Orchestra. Additionally, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with musicians such as Mark Daelmans-Sikkel, who provided vocals on our album Men Who Lost Their Heads, and remixes with Medicine Lake, Whispered, and Sterion Music.

As part of the Yellow and Blue Through Black and Gray project, a lyric video was created for every track. These videos offer an immersive experience for listeners, providing visual accompaniment to each track’s evocative poetry. mockART’s rabirius contributed by creating two videos, one of them for their own track Tænæt.

Join us in supporting this meaningful initiative, where all proceeds go towards supporting the Military Medical Clinical Center of the Northern Region in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Together, let us weave a tapestry of hope and resilience through the power of art.

Blue and Yellow through Black and Gray

War-time Ukrainian poetry in an ambient music frame

Presented by AEMC

Published by Syrphe

Track List:

1. Sterion Music – Peredmova 02:09
2. Medicine Lake – The Braille Stars (feat. Olena Halunets) 04:25
3. Toto Tobass – Alone with the Demon (feat. Anastasiiith) 04:12
4. Jennifer Howd – The Bullet (feat. Ada Yelagina) 01:38
5. Fedir Tkachov – Our House (feat. Stepan Penkaliuk) 02:53
6. James Schlesselman – Rapids of Hunger (feat. Snig na Golovu) 04:49
7. Whispered – Evening Glow Milk (feat. Oleh Ladyzhensky) 03:31
8. Paul Soto – Perepochynok (All Remain Silent) 03:21
9. mockART – Tænæt (feat. Maksym Churkov) 04:58
10. Givun – We Were Men in Black (feat. Vlad Kovbasiuk) 02:43
11. Bayun the Cat – The Temple (feat. Mira Malska) 06:13
12. Mark Daelmans-Sikkel & Paulien Dirkzwager – This Passionate Pleasure (feat. Tetiana Osipenko) 05:07
13. Alex Richardson – Renaissance (feat. Holosy) 05:20
14. Guy Richardson – Dreaming of You Again (feat. Maria Chekariova) 05:43
15. Phil Durrant – Pislyamova 04:10

All the poems were written between February 2022, and February 2023.
All the music was composed and recorded between February and July 2023.

The post Discover mockART’s Collaboration with Ukrainian Poet Maksym Churkov appeared first on mockART.