KTU: 8 Armed Monkey

Rockadillo Records
ZENCD 2101
Virallinen julkaisupäivä 7.9.2005

SCROLL DOWN FOR BIOS AND ENGLISH PRESSRELEASE

Kimmo Pohjonen ja Samuli Kosminen (Kluster -duo) sekä Pat Mastelotto ja Trey Gunn (King Crimson ja TU -duo) ovat yhdistäneet voimansa kaksoisduoksi KTU (lausutaan kuten englanniksi K2).

Kluster-duo koostuu Kimmo Pohjosesta, joka on laajentanut haitarimusiikin määritelmää aivan uusiin sfääreihin, sekä samplayksen erikoismies Samuli Kosmisesta. Kluster on keikkaillut maailmanlaajuisesti rock-, jazz-, avant-garde-, nykymusiikki-, folk- sekä maailmanmusiikki- festivaaleilla ja tapahtumissa. Rockadillo Records julkaisi Kluster -CD:n vuonna 2003.

TU -duossa vaikuttavat King Crimsonin perkussionisti Pat Mastelotto ja Crimsonin entinen kitaristi Trey Gunn. King Crimsonin historia ja asema yhtenä maailman dynaamisimmista, taitavimmista ja innovatiivisimmista yhtyeistä on kiistaton. TU esittelee Gunnin ja Mastelotton tunnetun energian ja hämmästyttävät soittotaidot improvisoidun musiikin puitteissa.

KTU sai alkusysäyksensä Austinissa, Teksasissa, maaliskuussa 1999 kun Mastelotton, Gunnin ja Robert Frippin Project Three esiintyi samassa konsertissa Kimmo Pohjosen kanssa. Suunnitelmat yhteistyöstä jäivät hautumaan viideksi vuodeksi, kunnes huhtikuussa 2004 KTU oli valmis astumaan Nosturin lavalle Helsingissä, mistä bändi jatkoi konsertoimaan Tokioon.

KTU pyrkii yhdistämään kummankin duon luovan energian, särmän, huumorin ja mielikuvituksen synnyttääkseen jotakin uutta, erilaista ja musiikillisesti räjähtävää. Bändin materiaali koostuu enimmäkseen Pohjosen ja Kosmisen sävellyksistä, mutta joukossa on myös Gunnin ja Mastelotton musiikkia.

Tänä vuonna KTU on konsertoinut jo menestyksekkäästi Saksassa (mm. Moersin festivaaleilla) ja Portugalissa FMM -festivaaleilla, missä se nousi 7000-päisen yleisön suosikiksi. Marraskuussa yhtyettä päästään kuulemaan Tampere Jazz Happeningissa (5.11.) ja Tallinnassa (7.11.).

KTU:n debyytti-CD 8 Armed Monkey julkaistaan lähes samanaikaisesti Suomen kanssa keski-Euroopassa, Englannissa, USA:ssa ja Japanissa. CD on Rockadillo Recordsin ensimmäinen uusi julkaisu sen jälkeen, kun levy-yhtiön kotimaan jakelu on siirtynyt EMI Finlandille/PEC Musiikkitukkuun.

Lisätiedot, haastattelu- ja kuvapyynnöt ym:
Rockadillo Records / Tapio Korjus, Lumi Vesala
Hoedown / Phillip Page
Puh: 03-213 1260 Puh: 050-569 2982

records@rockadillo.fi – www.rockadillo.fi
pap@hoedown.com – www.hoedown.com

www.kimmopohjonen.com
www.patmastelotto.com
www.treygunn.com

Jakelu: EMI Finland / PEC






NEWS: KTU RELEASE DEBUT CD 8 ARMED MONKEY
ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2005

Kimmo Pohjonen and Samuli Kosminen (from Finnish duo Kluster) and Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn (from King Crimson and duo TU) join forces for the double duo formation KTU (pronounced “K2”).

Kluster features accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen, who stretches the definition and sound of accordion beyond anything previously known plus sampling mastermind Samuli Kosminen with his infinite number of sampled percussive sounds and effects, all originating from Pohjonen’s accordion and voice. Their live shows include surround sound and lighting for a full dimensional experience. Kluster has toured worldwide in rock, jazz, classical, avant-garde, contemporary, folk and world music festivals and events. The Kluster CD was released in 2003.

The duo TU (pronounced “2”) features King Crimson percussionist Pat Mastelotto and guitarist Trey Gunn. Crimson’s history and stature as one of the worlds most dynamic, skillful and innovative bands is well established. TU explores and highlights the well-known Gunn and Mastelotto edge, energy, humour, imagination, phenomenal playing skills and dynamism in an improvisational setting. The first TU album was released in early 2004 followed by April appearances in Moscow.

Seeds for KTU took root at SXSW in Austin Texas in March 1999 when Kimmo Pohjonen shared a billing with Mastelotto/Gunn/Fripp's Project Three at the Electric Lounge. Plans for the quartet took shape over the next five years. KTU’s aim is to combine the creative energies, edge, imagination, humour and other elements of the double duos to make something new, different and musically explosive. Material is mainly comprised of compositions by Pohjonen and Kosminen, plus pieces by Gunn and Mastelotto and arrangements and improvisations by all four. Surround sound design and additional effects by Heikki Iso-Ahola.

KTU rehearsals and the World Premiere concert took place in Helsinki at the venue Nosturi in April 2004, followed by four concerts in Tokyo at Eggman. All concerts were recorded on multi-track for the September 2005 CD release entitled 8 Armed Monkey. International licensees are Rockadillo (Finland, Europe outside
G-A-S), Westpark Music (Germany, G-A-S), Thirsty Ear (USA) and Besection (Japan). UK distribution is by Proper Music.

KTU had successful 2005 concerts in Moers Festival, Kassel and Jena (Germany) and FMM Festival (Sines, Portugal) and will make its return to Finland at Tampere Jazz Happening on Nov 5, followed by concerts in Moscow and Tallinn. Bookings are now being made for 2006. See KTU video: www.kimmopohjonen.com

"KTU, with the "diabolic" Kimmo Pohjonen, were the most applauded band of the last day of the festival. If Master Musicians of Jajouka are the ancestral spirits who's music has timeless resonance, KTU - "elected" by the crowd as the highlight of the night - imprison those same spirits in the urban schizophrenia of today. The project that reunites the Finnish Kluster (the accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen and the percussions and electronic samples man Samuli Kosminen) to the drummer Pat Mastelotto and the guitarist Trey Gunn, created on stage the hellish environment usual in Pohjonen’s music and went further to create convulsive, ghostly music, able to release gargoyles from its cement skin - and they, scarily, danced slow waltzes, improvised gothic jazz, adding unexpected funk in the encore, which was muscular and overwhelming."(Diário de Notícias)

KTU
Trey Gunn - Warr guitar
Samuli Kosminen – accordion samples and voice samples
Pat Mastelotto – rhythmic devices
Kimmo Pohjonen - accordion, voice

www.kimmopohjonen.com
www.patmastelotto.com
www.treygunn.com

Rockadillo Records, Ilmarinkatu 12 A 2, 33500 Tampere, Finland
Tel: +358 3 213 1260, Fax: +358 3 213 1297
records@rockadillo.fi www.rockadillo.fi

Hoedown, Laivurinrinne 2, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: +358 50 5692982, Fax: +358 9 628950
pap@hoedown.com www.hoedown.com



KTU

Trey Gunn - Warr guitar
Samuli Kosminen – accordion samples and voice samples
Pat Mastelotto – rhythmic devices
Kimmo Pohjonen - accordion, voice

Kimmo Pohjonen and Samuli Kosminen (from Finnish duo Kluster) and Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn (from King Crimson and duo TU) join forces for the double duo formation KTU (pronounced K2).

Kimmo Pohjonen Kluster features accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen, who stretches the definition and sound of accordion beyond anything previously known plus sampling mastermind Samuli Kosminen with his infinite number of sampled percussive sounds and effects, all originating from Pohjonen’s accordion and voice. Their live shows include surround sound and lighting for a full dimensional experience. Kluster has toured worldwide in rock, jazz, classical, avant-garde, contemporary, folk and world music festivals and events. The Kluster CD was released in 2003.

The duo called TU features King Crimson percussionist Pat Mastelotto and ex-Crimson guitarist Trey Gunn. Crimson’s history and stature as one of the worlds most dynamic, skillful and innovative bands is well established. TU explores and highlights the well-known Gunn and Mastelotto edge, energy, humour, imagination, phenomenal playing skills and dynamism in an improvisational setting. The first TU album was released in early 2004 followed by April appearances in Moscow.

Seeds for KTU took root at SXSW in Austin Texas in March 1999 when Kimmo Pohjonen shared a billing with Mastelotto/Gunn/Fripp's Project Three at the Electric Lounge. Plans for the quartet took shape over the next five years. KTU’s aim is to combine the creative energies, edge, imagination and other elements of the double duos to make something new, different and musically explosive. Material is mainly comprised of compositions by Pohjonen and Kosminen, plus pieces by Gunn and Mastelotto and arrangements and improvisations by all four. Surround sound design and additional effects by Heikki Iso-Ahola.

KTU rehearsals and the World Premiere concert took place in Helsinki at the venue Nosturi in April 2004, followed by four concerts in Tokyo at Eggman. All concerts were recorded on multi-track for the autumn 2005 CD release entitled 8 Armed Monkey, licensed to partners in Finland, Germany, USA and Japan. The group is now booking dates for the 2005 / 2006 season including concerts in Moers, Jena, Kassel (Germany), Sines (Portugal), Tampere Jazz Happening (Finland), Moscow and Tallinn.

Trey Gunn, a native Texan who now resides in Seattle, began his musical life at the age of 7 playing classical piano. His interest in music grew through various instruments: electric bass, electric and acoustic guitar, keyboards and the touch guitar. He completed a degree in classical music composition at the University of Oregon before moving to New York City where his professional life blossomed. He has toured and recorded with Sunday All Over The World, Toni Childs, The Robert Fripp String Quintet, David Sylvian, Vernon Reid, Michael Brook, Eric Johnson, David Hykes of the Harmonic Choir and King Crimson. In 1992 he was asked to join David Sylvian and Robert Fripp in a collaborative project that grew from a three-piece to a fully-fledged band, touring Japan and Europe in both configurations. The band released “The First Day” and a live album, “Damage”, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in London. During this period Gunn also found time to record his first solo album “One Thousand Years” released on Discipline Records. In 1994 he joined King Crimson, participating in seventeen King Crimson CDs, two DVDs and hundreds of performances. Their latest recording, “The Power to Believe,” came out on Sanctuary Records. For his role in this configuration of the group (Belew, Fripp, Gunn and Mastelotto), Gunn has helped evolve a new and unique instrument. Built by Mark Warr of Warr Guitars, this ‘tapped’ instrument is a 10-string touch guitar with the range of a piano. It can be heard, in depth, on his 6 solo recordings. In 2004, Gunn made his departure from King Crimson to run a multi-media production company (7 Directions), and establish the new multi-dimensional performance group Quodia. www.quodia.net www.treygunn.com

Samuli Kosminen started drumming at age thirteen before eventually becoming a student at Helsinki’s Pop/Jazz Conservatory from age seventeen-nineteen. By exploring electronic effects, toys, samplers and computers and adding them to his acoustic drum/percussion setup, he achieved new sounds and dimensions in the world of percussion. Through his experiments with the electronics he moved naturally to producing & composing music.
He has collaborated with an array of Finnish and foreign rock, pop, jazz, electronic music artists like Pepe Deluxe, Fat Beat Sound System, Nu Spirit Helsinki, Emiliana Torrini and many others. In recent years he has focused on playing, composing and producing music with Kimmo Pohjonen and Iceland’s Múm. He joined Kimmo Pohjonen in the duo Kluster in 2001 and has performed worldwide including David Bowie’s Meltdown festival in London. Kosminen, with Pohjonen, composed music for the collaboration project, Uniko with Kronos Quartet. On stage and recordings, Kosminen reproduces samples of Pohjonen’s accordion and voice percussively by way of electronic drum pads combined with his own effects. He worked with Múm in 2002, drumming for their album "Finally We Are No One". and touring since then in Europe, USA, Australia and Japan while also taking apart in composing for their last album "Summer Make Good".

Pat Mastelotto, born September 10, 1955 in Chico, California, began drumming at age ten. Pat moved to LA in 1973 and built a session career with Juice Newton, Nick Gilder, Bernie Taupin, Martin Briley and many others. His first major breakthrough was the formation of the band Mister Mister, releasing three albums, the second of which was a Number One LP selling millions and including two #1 hits. This led to session work with Al Jarreau, Pointer Sisters, Kenny Loggins, Patti Labelle, Eddie Money, XTC, Jude Cole and many others throughout the eighties.
During the early nineties Pat did sessions with the Rembrandts, Robyn Hitchcock and The Sugercubes plus soundtrack work with James Newton Howard. In 1993 Pat joined the Sylvian/Fripp band which led directly into the reformation of double trio King Crimson of 1994, becoming a double duo in 1999, during which time Pat has recorded over a dozen King Crimson CDs and two DVDs. During the Crimson breaks he formed the band MasticA and the duo BPM&M (with sound designer Bill Munyon) eventually releasing "XtraKcts & ArtifaKcts". In 2001 Pat joined up with Tony Levin for gigs and recordings with California Guitar Trio. In 2002 collaborations with German band Centrozoon and release of the MasticAttack CD, the completion of a duet CD with Terry Bozzio and the start of a duet projeKct, TU, with Rhythm Buddy Trey Gunn. In 2003 gigs in over 20 countries, including drumming for Steve Hackett and John Paul Jones, and recording in Istanbul for a Turkish ballet. In 2005 a new collaboration with German touch Guitarist Markus Reuter called Tuner. Pat currently resides with his daughter in the hill country near Austin Texas. www.patmastelotto.com

Kimmo Pohjonen’s mission is to expand the capabilities, sound, performance, scope and experience of the accordion. Playing since age ten, Pohjonen has performed and recorded in rock, folk, theatre, dance, classical, improvisational and avant-garde music groups and ensembles for three decades and has played on over seventy albums. He has received numerous artist grants and has received several jazz and folk music awards. Music from his debut CD Kielo has been used in ballet performances in Holland, Helsinki and Australia. His various projects include solo concerts, Kluster shows with Samuli Kosminen, Kalmuk with Kluster and Tapiola Sinfonetta’s 15-piece orchestra, Animator with multimedia artist Marita Liulia and an improvisation duo with French percussionist Eric Echampard. Pohjonen has performed worldwide in all configurations including Kluster performances at David Bowie’s Meltdown festival in London. He has composed music for the collaboration project, Uniko, with Kronos Quartet. He is now making new plans for 2006 including a new project for strings and a new solo Midi-accordion project. On stage Pohjonen uses live loops and effects and the audience experience is enhanced by surround sound and lights. Kimmo has also completed his first filmscore for the British silent film Flickerman and the Ivory Skinned Woman. www.kimmopohjonen.com