“The compositions as a whole make this record so incredibly beautiful. We can only thank the original duo for assuming this artistic vision and for having magnificently realized it. ” Lira Musikmagasin
(…) “The sound color palette has a kaleidoscopic look. Between moments Of great intensity and intimacy, all nuances are possible.” Dominique Simonet LarsenMag
**** “It’s all alchemy, and Simon Leleux is a gifted alchemist. The result is an album rich in different sounds (…). With many layers to listen to and a thousand elements to discover as you go along”. Jean-Claude Vantroyen Le Soir
AUSTER LOO collective
Auster Loo Collective was born from the meeting between eight musicians from around the world. Together they aim to break free from all stylistic patterns and borders. The result is a colorful and powerful music, performed in a neutral ground where each of them can apply its own rules.
Iranian setar and voice mingle with classical flute and double bass, Japanese koto and shamisen meet Senegalese kora and the whole is accompanied by the melodious notes of piano and percussions from the Middle East, Africa and from South America. Loaded with intensity, vividness and contrast s, Auster Loo Collective presents a mesmerising sound journey that will allow you to travel through space and time.
The Auster Loo collective was created in 2023 by percussionist and composer Simon Leleux. Musically raised in a fertile ground of inspiring encounters and musicians of various origins and ethnicities, the crossover within traditions is an inherent part of his artistic approach. The project aims to enable each musician to put his or her rich personal background at the service of an innovative and authentic music.
Lydie Thonnard (flutes, voice)
Simon Leleux (doholla, composition)
Aki Sato (koto)
Shahab Azinmehr (tar, setar, voice)
Bao Sissoko (kora, voice)
Osvaldo Hernandez (percussion, voice)
Vincent Noiret (double bass)
Céléstin Massot (piano)
AUSTER LOO duo
Simon Leleux (duhulla, bendir, compositions) and Lydie Thonnard (flutes, voice) are united by a joint passion for rhythm and improvisation, inspired by their encounters with music and musicians of all sorts of styles and from different corners of the world.
Lydie’s and Simon’s unique complicity instantly leads the listener to an engaging perception of their music. Through their freedom of improvisation, the two musicians make the audience complicit in the creation of the moment in which it participates and which it helps to shape.
In addition to rhythmic exploration, it is the sound that matters most: “how can we manipulate our respective instruments in a way that they suggest other musical sounds, instruments and traditions?” Acoustic, artful, improvised or composed, Auster Loo’s music is like a fresh breeze that makes us travel in space and time, looking for a unique and innovative musical language.
