The International Nothing
(kai fagaschinski (berlin) - clarinet | michael thieke (berlin/rome) -clarinet)

Kai and Michael started working together as a clarinet duo in 2000. After improvising for some time in a mainly quiet and noise-based style, they became somehow bored with that and turned their thoughts in new directions to find the delicate pleasures one might not associate with clarinet duos. So some years ago (2002) they shifted the project towards the composition of pieces that are focused on tone material in a kind of pipe-organ style, making it sound like one instrument, or more than two, through the comforts that multiphonics offer. The pieces have a warm and slowed down quality and might be associated with electronic music. Their way of composing can be described as "empirical" as the music isn't developed in the head of one musician; it relies more on the ears of both and a long process of trying, failing, changing and developing ideas during numerous rehearsals. In 2006 they have completed recordings for their debut album. As well as five duo pieces, there are two pieces with guests: one song with Margareth Kammerer (voice & guitar) and one quartet piece with Christian Weber and Derek Shirley (both on double bass). Another track is a remix with additional vocals by Christof Kurzmann. Their CD mainstream has been released in October 2006 by Ftarri (Tokyo). After many years of withdrawn work they played in October 2007 their first duo concerts since 2002. So far they presented their music in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland, among others at Donaueschinger Musiktage (2007) and Konfrontationen (Nickelsdorf 2008). The duo is constantly working on new compositions. Since the release of their first album three new pieces have been developted, which show a deeper permeation for sonic detials and more subtle forms. From the fruitful collaborations with Margareth Kammerer and Christof Kurzmann an independent and song-based quartet has been formed in 2005: The Magic I.D. (http://www.myspace.com/themagicid). Their 1st album till my breath gives out (CD/LP) has been released by Erstwhile Records (as Erstpop 001) in February 2008.

Discography: The International Nothing - mainstream (Ftarri Records, 2006) | The Magic I.D. - till my breath gives out (Erstwhile Records, 2008)