Janek Schaefer
Janek Schaefer

biography

Sound Artist, Musician & Composer Janek Schaefer was born in England to Polish and Canadian parents in 1970. While studying architecture at the Royal College of Art [RCA annual prize], he recorded the fragmented noises of a sound activated dictaphone travelling overnight through the Post Office. That work, titled eRecorded Deliveryf [1995] was made for the eSelf Storagef exhibition [Time Out critics choice] with one time postman Brian Eno and Artangel. Since then the multiple aspects of sound became his focus, resulting in many site-specific installations, exhibition & dance soundtracks, albums and concerts using his self built record players with manipulated found sound collage. The eTri-phonic Turntablef [1997] is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the eWorldfs Most Versatile Record Playerf. He has performed, lectured and exhibited widely throughout Europe [Sonar, Tate Modern, ICA], USA/Canada, [The Walker, XI, Mutek, Princeton], Japan, and Australia [Sydney Opera House]. In 2008 he won the Paul Hamlyn Award for Composers Prize, and The British Composer of the Year Award in Sonic Art. The Bluecoat Gallery exhibited a Retrospective of his 20 year career in 2009.

The context of each idea is central to its development and resolution. His concerts and installations explore the spatial and architectural aspect that sound can evoke and the twisting of technology. Hybrid analogue and digital techniques are used to manipulate field recordings with live modified vinyl and found sound to create evocative and involving environments. His CD 'Above Buildings' [2000] was released on Fat Cat to considerable praise, [The Guardian CD of the week]. He plays in duos with Philip Jeck (Songs for Europe CD), Robert Hampson (Comae CD), and Stephan Mathieu (Hidden Name CD). Janek runs his own label [audiOh!Recordings] and web site [audiOh.com] as well as releasing work with Asphodel, Sub Rosa, Hot Air, Sirr, Rhiz, [K-RAA-K]3, Alluvial, DSP, Diskono, BiP_HOp, Cronica, LINE, ::Room40::, Fat Cat, and Staalplaat. He currently works as a full time sound artist/sound designer/musician and composer from the audiOh! Room in Walton-on-Thames.

selected discography


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