Jan Kleefstra: poet, recitation
Romke Kleefstra: guitar, soundscapes
Influences
The Ex, Samuel Beckett, Low, Tarentel, Joy Division, Andrej Platonov, William Basinski, Andrei Tarkovski, Biosphere, Czeslaw Milosz, Hood, Dylan Thomas, Bowery Electric, Durutti Column, Piano Magic, Harold Budd, Es
Jan & Romke is poet/vocalist Jan Kleefstra and guitarist/soundscaper Romke Kleefstra.
Jan Kleefstra writes 'fragments' about inlands between lakes and near the sea and the sense perceptions of it. And because words about land and water are vulnerable, especially when the relationship with it is fragile, he doesn't want the words to hit the ground and be trampled down by people after leaving his voice. That's why he recitates on soundscapes, partly form the guitar of his brother Romke, partly on samples of William Basinski, Deathprod or Es and sometimes live with others like Machinefabriek and Soccer Committee. Jan & Romke also co-operate with other forms of art like (seascape) painting and cinematographics.
So far Jan published three collections of poems:
Stem van de stilte (2004, Boon Uitgeverij, Groningen) - a combination of Dutch poems with seascape paintings by Minne Onnes
Fragmenten (2006, Boon Uitgeverij, Groningen) - Dutch poems with a few digitally adapted pictures by Johan van Aken
Fragminten (2008, Friese Pers Boekerij, Leeuwarden) - Frisian poems with a few digitally adapted pictures by Johan van Aken
Romke Kleefstra has been singer/songwriter/guitarist in a some groops over the last 15 years, including Shatterhole, Seascape Painters and Polaroyd. He's also been doing stuff solo and might do that again. Last but not least he's in the band Music for the Defect.
In the spring of 2008 the cd 'Piiptsjilling' was published by Onomatopee. A collaboration of a one track soundscape and Frisian poems by Jan & Romke with Machinefabriek and Soccer Committee. There has been a few great international reviews on the cd and with Machinefabriek and Soccer Committee they took Piiptsjilling live on stage in 2008. More performances are to be expected in 2009.
Late 2008 a new live collaboration was found in Kleefstra / Bakker / Kleefstra, with Chris Bakker. This resulted in 'Wink', again a one track soundscape cd with Frisian Poetry. Wink was published by Apollolaan Recordings.
On stage free improvisations took place with Bela Emerson, Liondialer (Greg Haines & Danny Saul) and meanwhile some instant composing with Gareth Davis has been recorded to be published in 2009.
Another co-operation with different artists is found in Tsjinlûd. In this project Frisian poetry of Jan Kleefstra and Elmar Kuiper collaborates with the music of Chris Bakker and Remco Kuiper, framed by the video-art of Johan van Aken, who also made video 'Fragminten' based on the music of Piiptsjilling.
For bookings contact jk.kobbeland @ chello.nl
Svarte Greiner (Deaf Center/Miasmah/Type) explores deep into a dark,
mysterious and disturbing universe. Drawing inspiration from artists
such as Earth, Volcano the Bear, David Darling & Deathprod, the
music is draped in Lynchian mysticism and horror film cinematics. "The
music of Svarte Greiner is practically perfect. It's like that sound in
our heads we've been imagining for ages but had never actually heard."
- Type Records.
The Sight Below (Rafael Anton Irisarri/Miasmah/Immune) draws as much on
modern genre progenitors like Brian Eno, Robin Guthrie and My Bloody
Valentine as it does from the more historic traditions in
neo-classicism from Erik Satie and Olivier Messiaen. His album Glider
has appeared on Thom Yorke's radar in making the Radiohead's lynchpin's
top ten playlist.
His debut album Navigare soon to feature on the Miasmah label, Simon
Scott (former Slowdive) is set to be a household name in conceptual
music. Simon is the former Slowdive drummer, co-producer of Televise,
producer of Seavault, and owner of KESH Recordings label.
On June 12th, NILS FRAHM, DUSTIN O'HALLORAN, GREG HAINES and ANNE MUELLER we be playing the beautiful Grunewaldkirche in Berlin. For more information on the artists, or how to get there, please view our profile. We sincerly hope you can make it!
Machinefabriek is amongst the finest experimental/electronic artists of today. His ultra-prolific back catalogue showcases his ability to perfect classical ambience, organic drone soundscapes, electronic minimalism and cathartic noise. He is hailed as one of the most interesting new experimental musicians by the Wire magazine.
Xela is the shady, underworld atmospheres and improv horrors of John Twells, owner of Type Records. "Xela has always been able to pre-empt the shifting tides of electronic music and deliver a statement that's definitively of its time” (Boomkat).
His debut album Navigare soon to feature on the Miasmah label, Simon Scott is set to be a household name in conceptual music. Simon is the former Slowdive drummer, co-producer of Televise, producer of Seavault, and owner of KESH Recordings label.
LIVE: Simon Scott, Svarte Greiner + The Sight Below: 1st July @ Hare and Hounds-Birmingham, 2 July @ Scared Trinity Church- Manchester, 3rd July@ The Luminaire- London and 4th July '09 Leeds The Royal Park Cellars.
Firetime (with members of Cheech Wizard, The New Earth Group, Doodoos Coffee, Special Power, Harry Merry & The Must)
Zondag 19 april releaseparty van ons debuutalbum “Rotan” dat uitkomt bij het Laterax label, waar ook bijvoorbeeld Nanko’s solowerk, Dr.Schnitt en Politics zijn gehuisvest.
@De Unie, Rotterdam centrum, 5 minuten in een rechte lijn lopen van Rotterdam CS.
Het zou te gek zijn als je komt, het wordt leuk en labelgenoot “Piaz” heeft ook zijn relaseparty van zijn nieuwe “Formants” album.
Sunday april 19 releaseparty of our debutalbum “Rotan” that will come out on the Laterax label, home of for instance Nanko's solowork and Dr.Schnitt en Politics.
@De Unie, in the centre of Rotterdam.
It will be great if you come on by. it will be a good night, also labelmate PIAZ will release his new album “Formants”.
Fee is 10 Euroz including our alboom....
Doors open at 20.00 uur, Piaz 21.00, Firetime 22.00 and then Laterax DJ-set till 01.00 uur.
It's a 5 minute walk in a straight line to Rotterdam Central so you can be back home on time...if you like being home on time and walking in straight lines....
Please come !
Martin, Nanko, Arjen, Michel en Fonckeltoff
De Unie
Mauritsweg 34-35
Rotterdam
hello there thanks for the message I enjoyed listening to your fragments this morning I'll hopefully get around to uploading dome new music soon beat of luck Chris
Ik voel me gevleid! Spannende geluiden hier. Mooi -kijk even naar de agenda- dat daar ook nog mee opgetreden kan worden. Luistert East River Pipe en Haley Bonar!
Dag Jan en Romke, merci voor de schone complimentjes! Wij zijn trouwens bezig aan onze eerste langspeler, dus check om de paar maand zeker es onze space als je op de hoogte wilt blijven.
