BATA BABA LOKA

Percussionist extraordinaire Eric Thielemans™ 4th solo percussion album release Bata Baba Loka (released on ET™s own OORWERK label, distributed by NEWS, out on May 25th 2018) was recorded during a pilgrimage voyage to the US in the Summer of 2017. The album was not planned. It happened. As with many things (if not most) that truly matter to Thielemans, it seems that making oneself available and setting up the conditions for cultivation seem somehow more important than what is actually harvested. By staying close to the stream of things, to the core of being, whatever comes from that šplace› seems natural and good. This record came to be in such a way. On this album, for the first time, Thielemans focusses mainly on the classical drumset, augmented with some gongs and percussion extravaganza and a very special bonus track, and connects his spiritual practise and life openly to the life of music. Out of the closet so to speak, and hopefully straigth to your soul. For the live experience, Eric will dive into his repertoire of solo works (digging up his tour de force ša Snare is a Bell› for an extended version of up to 50 minutes) to share the consciousness trip, the trance, the meditative qualities intrinsic to the process and playing of the music. Therefor Thielemans is looking for settings and scenographies, special places and people who are open to share their venue, festival, living room, chapel, gallery, club, theatre studio, yoga place„for a shared deep listening and meditative percussion experience. Set for a limited audience, Eric wants to create an intimate, sensual, ceremonial, ritualistic type of listening experience that lasts from 50 minutes to 90 minutes (or more). This deep listening experience could take place at sunset or dawn as well as any special or ordinary hour of the day or night with only daylight and shadows, or in the near dark of a room, for an audience lying down or sitting comfortably on cushions or chairs, close to the percussion set up. Links: Video of ša Match made in Heaven› (Bata Baba Loka): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anIdHCla5t8 Quotes: Yes, it certainly is a walk you propose to us with this recording. A walk into place and sound, into a place through the sound, into a sound via the place. Your instrument is this place and your snare drum really brings to live the surroundings like the bow enlivens the violin or a reed needs the mouthpiece of a clarinet. As a result I've been very sensitive towards experiencing musical time and space. 1. Sit 2. be still 3. and listen 4. Moon Dance 5. because you™re drunk 6. and we are 7. at the Edge of the Roof. 8. a Match made in Heaven