While you might be expecting a harmonic polyphony of harp and piano you'll be shocked to hear that Germ Studies by comparison embody a sound more familiar with alien landscapes resulting from the unlikely combination of 1980s Japanese synth and 1380's Chinese harp. They create an ambiguous and ambitious music that stems from a language borne of contemporary electro-acoustic improvisation, approached from a very different angle – filled with wonderful, ecstatic and unexpected joys.
Their new album “Wing Down”, a collection of text, illustrations and new sounds, is set for release in late 2017.
"Thanks to the Ears Have Ears team, In Depth is the first time Germ Studies has released new recorded material in 8 years. The piece is a combination of studies from sessions together in Berlin and Randwick over 2009, 2010 and 2015. These are improvisations, but they are more often than not compositional agreements to scratch itches until they redden and bleed. In Depth takes us through four conversations between the Guzheng and the DX7 - they take turns climbing inside the others textures, stinging one another, forever trying but failing to be one instrument.
We’re working on a publication of a book for the next release. “Wing Down” - It’s a short story with illustrations and 6 studies/pieces on a CD in the cover. Like the 2009 release, we’re hoping people take the time to listen to the music amidst the other bits - the images, the words - and that this will connect to more unexpected parts of us, maybe our memories, maybe our futures." - Germ Studies
