Every great passion ends in the infinite… Likewise, MOTEK are driven by instinct for sultry recollections of forgotten emotional states. Chaos, coincidence and stubbornness: Motek’s endless jam sessions result in combinations of melodies, rhythms and creative flaws. Recording and relistening them, MOTEK are able to reconstruct a few ‘holy’ moments into their songs. Their sound is crafted by effect-laden guitars wandering around needy bass and entrancing drums. On stage, MOTEK combine their music with images, imagery, and imagination. They are well-known for their particular approach to live concerts, interweaving songs and visuals into a vigorous performance.
The first - untitled - album was released in 2006 on their own label, Asthmatic Whale, containing instrumental, atmospheric music. A musical documentary excluding all words, this debut album boasts everyday sounds recorded in Berlin, Brussels, Kinshasa. The core theme surfacing on this album is 'purity'. Critics wrote: ‘MOTEK, the Belgian answer to Mogwai’, but MOTEK didn't agree: they were ‘questioning rather than answering.’
A starting band supported by many Belgian art centres, MOTEK created a full-option live audiovisual performance, headlining Cimatics Live A/V festival in 2007 and Zendai Shanghai MoMA Festival, China in 2008 amongst others. While touring with this live A/V performance, Christoph Elskens (EMI Belgium) spotted MOTEK. Surprised by their intensity and unsigned status, Christoph and EMI Belgium decided to start Noisesome Recordings, a sublabel hosting the rather experimental edge of the Belgian music scene.
Their first joint release was “RE:EP” (2007), four re-edited songs of MOTEKs former nameless album. MOTEKs sound started to evolve: some vocals were added to the re-edited songs. The single 'Maybe I'll go home' was broadcasted on national radio in both Belgium and the Netherlands. The intense song 'I'm your son' became a live anthem for postrock fans across the Lowlands and also convinced people who were previously unaware of the existence of the genre. A true and firm MOTEK fanbase grew.
On the next full album, “Port Sunshine” (2008), MOTEK flirted with the idea of writing different kinds of songs. This approach proved its worth: ‘Tryer’, a meandering ballad, became a huge hit, dilating the MOTEK fanbase from postrock die hards to a wider, radio-minded audience. But no song without conflict, MOTEK must have thought. The uncategorizable 'ImmerBlei’, lasting only slightly over three minutes and a much preferred song by music professionals, ranges from math-rock-from-hell to fusion, culminating in an opera-like finale. It will never be ‘a hit’.
For the first time, Motek received broad press-attention, while Port Sunshine received warm and lauding reviews. ‘Powerful songs skippering between rock and experimental’ (Humo), ‘A powerful album, more open than the previous one, it deserves to be the breakthrough album’ (Soundslike) – Out of nowhere, here is Motek. They came, saw and won’ (Cuttingedge), ‘Motek gave a successful new twist to their music without losing quality’ (Digg).
Following the release of ‘Port Sunshine’, MOTEK toured extensively in Belgium, resulting in a more dynamic and playful live performance. In the meantime, a natural Belgian buzz brought them to Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, China and Brazil.
After a year of intensive rehearsals, MOTEK laid the foundations of what was to become their new album. Playful and powerful jam sessions resulted into eventually 9 tracks. ‘Abused’, a new song packed with industrial mystery and heavy romantic hooks, was chosen as a ‘buzz track’ and released on May 17th, 2010.
In September 2010, Motek proudly announced full album details and revealed the album title ‘DRAGONS’.
‘Dragons’ will be released on November 5th, 2010. It will be preceded by the lead single ‘Motives’, a fitting prelude hitting the airwaves from September 27th onwards.
BOOKINGS FLANDERS BELGIUM: waldo@jazztronaut.be
BOOKINGS WALLONIE BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG: fabrice@intersection.be
***Past Gigs***
w/ MOGWAI, HELMET,.
***BELGIUM***
Pukkelpop Festival / Marktrock / DeNachten / Rivierenhof / Concertgebouw Brugge / Vooruit Gent / .
***INTERNATIONAL***
Shanghai Zendai MoMA, China /
Eurosonic, Netherlands /
Goiania Noise Festival, Brazil /
SDSM Festival, Italy /
Nordjyllands kunstmuseum, Denmark /
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Audiovisual performance "Do you us too?" by Motek
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