Hatis Noit/ Merope/ Yas Clarke: 'The Palmhouse'

Japanese vocal performer Hatis Noit’s accomplished vocal range is entirely self-taught – inspired by everything she could find from Japanese classical music, Bulgarian and Gregorian chanting, to avant-garde and pop vocalists.

Hailing from Shiretoko in Hokkaido and now based in London. As well as collaborating widely (including with Matmos, Kevin Richard Martin and Nobumichi Asai), her performances have been commissioned by the likes of David Lynch and Rick Rubin.

Merope explore a contemporary vision of ancient Baltic music. Their roots lie deep in the soil of Lithuania’s folk songs, but elements gleaned from jazz, traditional, ambient music, 20th century minimalism and kosmische are interwoven into celestial and often moving compositions. Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė’s kanklės (a traditional Lithuanian plucked string instrument) and singing are the foundation for ornate, experimental guitar and electronics from Belgian multi-instrumentalist Bert Cools.

Premiering at BNM, ‘The Palmhouse’ is Bristol-based artist and composer Yas Clarke’s new acapella work for seven voices. Following a complex in-ear score, rhythmic text is passed along the line of performers, words and syllables phasing and shifting to create a sound that lies somewhere between Bob Cobbing, Chaucer and Steve Reich. This world premier will be performed by artists Harry Burgess, Felix Dobson, Jo Hellier, Georgia Cusack, Verity Standen, Ben Kulvichit and Hannah Sullivan.

Presented by Bristol New Music.

14+ (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult)