Description
Join us for the grand finale of Synth Cafe 2023, featuring our very first Synth Cafe performance!
We’ll be joined by Australian artist Rachel Lyn, now based in Berlin. Renowned for her evocative soundscapes that effortlessly blend ambient tones with ethereal narratives, Rachel captivates audiences, creating a nostalgic and enchanting atmosphere. Her remarkable performances at prestigious venues such as the Tate Modern and Tresor 31 Festival, along with her roles as a curator and music selector, highlight her diverse talents and unwavering commitment to the art of sound.
We’re thrilled to have Rachel with us to share insights on the electronic music and modular scene in Berlin, her experiences with traveling for art, and her current live setup. Additionally, attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to witness Rachel’s mesmerizing performance in the MESS Studio, making it an event not to be missed!
About Rachel
Rachel’s creative journey, deeply influenced by her dual-island heritage, finds its most profound inspiration in the world that surrounds her. Whether she’s crafting the perfect auditory backdrop for a sun-soaked shoreline, an enigmatic industrial setting, or a nature-bound site-specific gathering that incorporates elements like culinary delights, installations, fashion, or film, Rachel excels in the craft of composing scores and playlists that seamlessly elevate the ambiance.
As a producer, Rachel weaves tales of spoken word and sonic memory within her original productions. Her work traces her journey from a farm in the Australian countryside to her nomadic traveling lifestyle. She transforms her internal diaries into outward expressions, creating an immersive listening experience that defies genre boundaries. Her debut album, ‘Oh Daydream’ (2020), received international acclaim, and her follow-up, ‘Stories Came to Us,’ both released through Rachel’s own label, My Own Imaginary World, continues this narrative. This second album premiered at London’s iconic Tate Modern in 2023.
During her live performances, Rachel initiates her process by conducting research on the performance space, considering its unique characteristics and principles. Her improvised performances are never the same and are uniquely tailored to the space that surrounds her, often designed on the spot. This knowledge becomes her guiding compass as she embarks on a musical odyssey through the modular synthesizer. She blends exclusive, unreleased material with glitched components from her earlier productions, intricately crafting soundscapes that encompass ambient tones, tape loops, spoken word, analog forests, and ethereal creatures. Her shows possess an almost mystical ability to evoke dreamy and nostalgic sensations, offering an atmosphere that ranges from a profound, immersive journey to a surreal chill-out, all underscored with a touch of enchantment and fantasy. Rachel’s portfolio includes performances at venues such as the Tate Modern, Design Hotels, Opera Festival, Halle am Berghain, Tresor 31 Festival, Transmediale, and Fortuna Forest.
As a curator, Rachel established and launched a live event series called Modular Gang in Berlin in 2017. This spontaneous initiative has resulted in the creation of multiple events, workshop series, and various collaborations since its inception, featuring a diverse range of live music styles, ranging from ambient and music concrete to experimental dance music. Rachel’s dedication to promoting emerging artists is unmistakable, as she frequently provides a platform for their debut live performances. Notably, Modular Gang evolved into a musical instrument, collaborating with Koma Electronics in 2022 to produce a limited edition module.
As a music selector, Rachel’s record collection spans a wide spectrum, encompassing classical music, world music, folk, sound effects, ambient treasures, electronic gems, and industrial soundscapes. Rachel’s extensive knowledge and research into sound from different eras, instruments, and genres, combined with her experience, enable her to craft a truly unique and thoughtfully curated musical experience.
What is Synth Cafe? ☕
Synth Cafe is our monthly event series, especially for MESS Members. Designed to foster community and deepen your connection with electronic sound, these Saturday morning gatherings will offer a relaxed setting where you can grab a coffee and get to know other people in the community. Events will be centered around a unique blend of activities, whether it's an artist talk, an in-depth demo of a groundbreaking new instrument, hands-on workshops, or a deep dive into particular treasures from the MESS collection.
We’re looking forward to making your weekends resonate with the art and science of sound and friends!
If you have any suggestions for things to do at Synth Cafe, please contact our Membership and Engagement Coordinator, Prudence Rees-Lee: prudence@mess.foundation
