Together with Sound artist Isul Kim we will present our second collaborative work at the second edition of Sofia Experimental Festival organised by Infinity Experimental.

For full program and more details visit - https://www.facebook.com/infinityExperimental

Between 23-27th of September I realise an Artistic Research residency at Studio Loos, The Hague.

Sewing Grounds is an interdisciplinary project that explores the interplay between memory, displacement, and sound through the medium of a transformed sewing machine. This performance seeks to capture and translate the folklore music and stories of Scandinavia, Bulgaria, and England, reflecting the physical and emotional landscapes shaped by war and environmental disasters. By sewing a fabric map infused with field recordings and vocal elements, we evoke the lived experiences of displaced communities, connecting their pasts to the present.

The project emphasizes the intimate relationship between everyday objects and cultural rituals, merging domestic practices with sacred acts. Through the act of sewing, we map the sonic landscapes of migration, revealing how the pressures of history are stitched into the fabric of our identities. The incorporation of conductive materials allows for a dynamic auditory experience, amplifying the needle's impact and the fabric's response.

Viktoria Nikolova in colaboration with musicians Phoebe Kirrage and Julie Hasfjord, cellist Leah Plave, and technical support for instrument development, invite the audience into a shared space of reflection and resonance. This ongoing exploration aims to honor and transmit the memories of those who have experienced displacement, weaving together threads of history, culture, and sound.

Tickets and more information can be found here - https://www.loosdenhaag.com/agenda/sewing-grounds-by-viktoria-nikolova

This August I have the immense pleasure of performing in the central Balkan next to the village of Stokite, Bulgaria as a guest vocalist of Meraque band.

Listen more of Meraque band here —> https://www.krooks-records.com/artist/meraque/ <3

More information about the festival can be found here - https://www.instagram.com/p/DADVufNIu7f/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostgipsyland/

Presenting "The Eternal Parent” together with Gaz aka Isul Kim.

Excited to take part in the Crawlspace Series for experimental music in The Hague together with Concepción Huerta, Klyl & Seina, DJ AUDIO and Na-Ah.

Timetable:

20:00 doors

20:30 Concepción Huerta

21:15 Klyl & Seina

22:00 yourvoicesIhear & gaz

22:45 DJ AUDIO

23:45 Na-Ah

For more info and tickets: https://crawwwl.eu/

We are heading on a tour again!

It has been a long-anticipated program which we are super proud to present in the Netherlands and UK. The first stop is our favourite Murphy's Law in The Hague! Get Tickets

HARDKOOR

trailer - https://youtu.be/jSN-bOIUXzk

A stand-up tragedy concert, a stream-of-self-consciousness set to techno, trip-hop and choral music

ORDER TICKETS

Following the groundbreaking trilogy PERMANENT DESTRUCTION, Naomi Velissariou, together with the Netherlands Chamber Choir, alumni of NKK NXT (the trainee program of the NKK), composer and producer Frank Wienk (Binkbeats), and drummer Jens Bouttery, forms a new musical-theatrical formation: HARDKOOR is a stand-up tragedy concert, a stream of self-consciousness set to techno, trip-hop, and choral music.

An unmarried mother and artist retreats from public life for a year prior to her fortieth birthday. From the standstill of her burnout, she battles against the pressure of time, against the images she tries to escape by conforming or not, and against her excessive self-awareness and self-criticism. Through a personal struggle in language, music, and movement, she paves her way to a shameless existence, where the never-ending search for validation gives way to radical self-love and a not-so-boring balance.

According to Velissariou, a burnout is not a work-related condition but a disease of the entire system, both physically, mentally, and spiritually. Under the motto "never waste a good crisis," she completes the last part of her rehabilitation process in the presence of the audience. At a pace allowed by her body at that moment, she confronts the personal and societal blind spots that brought her to this state: her insecurity as a single mother, the pressure of social media, the disturbed relationship with her body, the cult of growth and self-improvement, the bullshitization of our working life, the commercialization of care, the bankruptcy of the family as the foundation of society, and the constant overstimulation of our brain due to our contemporary way of life.

Velissariou's harsh language, aiming to shatter suffocating human images in a fluent combination of English and Dutch, is interlaced with the mind-bending sound design of Joost Maaskant and Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) in HARDKOOR. Velissariou previously formed the duo PERMANENT DESTRUCTION with Maaskant. Producer Frank Wienk translates their sound into a composition for HARDKOOR that explores the boundaries between acoustic and electronic music. This composition is performed by drummer Jens Bouttery, the Netherlands Chamber Choir in collaboration with NKK NXT alumni. The entire production takes place in a set described by designer Boris Acket as a "brutalist techno temple": a modular installation of light and sound technology, with a special role for the voices of the choir. The costumes consist of high fashion loungewear designed by MAISON the FAUX.

HARDKOOR is a co-production between the Netherlands Chamber Choir and NKK NXT alumni, and Theater Utrecht, by invitation of the Netherlands Chamber Choir.

• Credits

  concept, regie, tekst en performance Naomi Velissariou muzikale compositie Joost Maaskant, Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) muzikale regie Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) drums, percussie, live electronics Jens Bouttery zang Nederlands Kamerkoor in samenwerking met NKK NXT-alumni repetitor Béni Csillag Artistieke vertegenwoordiging NKK Imre Ploeg scenografie en licht Boris Acket kostuumontwerp Maison the Faux geluidstechnisch systeemontwerp Sander van der Werff outside eye Benjamin Abel Meirhaeghe onmisbare hulp Casper Vandeputte regie-assistent Lindsy Dias bewegingscoach, choreografie koor Nicole Beutler productie Theater Utrecht coproductie Theater Utrecht, Holland Festival, Nederlands Kamerkoor, Nicole Beutler Projects tekst ‘I am a parent’ gebaseerd op en geïnspireerd door 'A life's work' van Rachel Cusk met dank aan Anne Breure, Lucien Rentmeester, Thomas Dudkiewicz, Luca Meisters, Cristian Boscheri, Sylvia Bosmans, Tassouli Velissariou, Fransje naar een initiatief van Nederlands Kamerkoor

  More info.

HARDKOOR

trailer - https://youtu.be/jSN-bOIUXzk

A stand-up tragedy concert, a stream-of-self-consciousness set to techno, trip-hop and choral music

ORDER TICKETS

Following the groundbreaking trilogy PERMANENT DESTRUCTION, Naomi Velissariou, together with the Netherlands Chamber Choir, alumni of NKK NXT (the trainee program of the NKK), composer and producer Frank Wienk (Binkbeats), and drummer Jens Bouttery, forms a new musical-theatrical formation: HARDKOOR is a stand-up tragedy concert, a stream of self-consciousness set to techno, trip-hop, and choral music.

An unmarried mother and artist retreats from public life for a year prior to her fortieth birthday. From the standstill of her burnout, she battles against the pressure of time, against the images she tries to escape by conforming or not, and against her excessive self-awareness and self-criticism. Through a personal struggle in language, music, and movement, she paves her way to a shameless existence, where the never-ending search for validation gives way to radical self-love and a not-so-boring balance.

According to Velissariou, a burnout is not a work-related condition but a disease of the entire system, both physically, mentally, and spiritually. Under the motto "never waste a good crisis," she completes the last part of her rehabilitation process in the presence of the audience. At a pace allowed by her body at that moment, she confronts the personal and societal blind spots that brought her to this state: her insecurity as a single mother, the pressure of social media, the disturbed relationship with her body, the cult of growth and self-improvement, the bullshitization of our working life, the commercialization of care, the bankruptcy of the family as the foundation of society, and the constant overstimulation of our brain due to our contemporary way of life.

Velissariou's harsh language, aiming to shatter suffocating human images in a fluent combination of English and Dutch, is interlaced with the mind-bending sound design of Joost Maaskant and Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) in HARDKOOR. Velissariou previously formed the duo PERMANENT DESTRUCTION with Maaskant. Producer Frank Wienk translates their sound into a composition for HARDKOOR that explores the boundaries between acoustic and electronic music. This composition is performed by drummer Jens Bouttery, the Netherlands Chamber Choir in collaboration with NKK NXT alumni. The entire production takes place in a set described by designer Boris Acket as a "brutalist techno temple": a modular installation of light and sound technology, with a special role for the voices of the choir. The costumes consist of high fashion loungewear designed by MAISON the FAUX.

HARDKOOR is a co-production between the Netherlands Chamber Choir and NKK NXT alumni, and Theater Utrecht, by invitation of the Netherlands Chamber Choir.

• Credits

  concept, regie, tekst en performance Naomi Velissariou muzikale compositie Joost Maaskant, Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) muzikale regie Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) drums, percussie, live electronics Jens Bouttery zang Nederlands Kamerkoor in samenwerking met NKK NXT-alumni repetitor Béni Csillag Artistieke vertegenwoordiging NKK Imre Ploeg scenografie en licht Boris Acket kostuumontwerp Maison the Faux geluidstechnisch systeemontwerp Sander van der Werff outside eye Benjamin Abel Meirhaeghe onmisbare hulp Casper Vandeputte regie-assistent Lindsy Dias bewegingscoach, choreografie koor Nicole Beutler productie Theater Utrecht coproductie Theater Utrecht, Holland Festival, Nederlands Kamerkoor, Nicole Beutler Projects tekst ‘I am a parent’ gebaseerd op en geïnspireerd door 'A life's work' van Rachel Cusk met dank aan Anne Breure, Lucien Rentmeester, Thomas Dudkiewicz, Luca Meisters, Cristian Boscheri, Sylvia Bosmans, Tassouli Velissariou, Fransje naar een initiatief van Nederlands Kamerkoor

  More info.

HARDKOOR

trailer - https://youtu.be/jSN-bOIUXzk

A stand-up tragedy concert, a stream-of-self-consciousness set to techno, trip-hop and choral music

ORDER TICKETS

Following the groundbreaking trilogy PERMANENT DESTRUCTION, Naomi Velissariou, together with the Netherlands Chamber Choir, alumni of NKK NXT (the trainee program of the NKK), composer and producer Frank Wienk (Binkbeats), and drummer Jens Bouttery, forms a new musical-theatrical formation: HARDKOOR is a stand-up tragedy concert, a stream of self-consciousness set to techno, trip-hop, and choral music.

An unmarried mother and artist retreats from public life for a year prior to her fortieth birthday. From the standstill of her burnout, she battles against the pressure of time, against the images she tries to escape by conforming or not, and against her excessive self-awareness and self-criticism. Through a personal struggle in language, music, and movement, she paves her way to a shameless existence, where the never-ending search for validation gives way to radical self-love and a not-so-boring balance.

According to Velissariou, a burnout is not a work-related condition but a disease of the entire system, both physically, mentally, and spiritually. Under the motto "never waste a good crisis," she completes the last part of her rehabilitation process in the presence of the audience. At a pace allowed by her body at that moment, she confronts the personal and societal blind spots that brought her to this state: her insecurity as a single mother, the pressure of social media, the disturbed relationship with her body, the cult of growth and self-improvement, the bullshitization of our working life, the commercialization of care, the bankruptcy of the family as the foundation of society, and the constant overstimulation of our brain due to our contemporary way of life.

Velissariou's harsh language, aiming to shatter suffocating human images in a fluent combination of English and Dutch, is interlaced with the mind-bending sound design of Joost Maaskant and Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) in HARDKOOR. Velissariou previously formed the duo PERMANENT DESTRUCTION with Maaskant. Producer Frank Wienk translates their sound into a composition for HARDKOOR that explores the boundaries between acoustic and electronic music. This composition is performed by drummer Jens Bouttery, the Netherlands Chamber Choir in collaboration with NKK NXT alumni. The entire production takes place in a set described by designer Boris Acket as a "brutalist techno temple": a modular installation of light and sound technology, with a special role for the voices of the choir. The costumes consist of high fashion loungewear designed by MAISON the FAUX.

HARDKOOR is a co-production between the Netherlands Chamber Choir and NKK NXT alumni, and Theater Utrecht, by invitation of the Netherlands Chamber Choir.

• Credits

  concept, regie, tekst en performance Naomi Velissariou muzikale compositie Joost Maaskant, Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) muzikale regie Frank Wienk (Binkbeats) drums, percussie, live electronics Jens Bouttery zang Nederlands Kamerkoor in samenwerking met NKK NXT-alumni repetitor Béni Csillag Artistieke vertegenwoordiging NKK Imre Ploeg scenografie en licht Boris Acket kostuumontwerp Maison the Faux geluidstechnisch systeemontwerp Sander van der Werff outside eye Benjamin Abel Meirhaeghe onmisbare hulp Casper Vandeputte regie-assistent Lindsy Dias bewegingscoach, choreografie koor Nicole Beutler productie Theater Utrecht coproductie Theater Utrecht, Holland Festival, Nederlands Kamerkoor, Nicole Beutler Projects tekst ‘I am a parent’ gebaseerd op en geïnspireerd door 'A life's work' van Rachel Cusk met dank aan Anne Breure, Lucien Rentmeester, Thomas Dudkiewicz, Luca Meisters, Cristian Boscheri, Sylvia Bosmans, Tassouli Velissariou, Fransje naar een initiatief van Nederlands Kamerkoor

  More info.

ON AIR - ON SITE FESTIVAL 24th - 26th of May.

Soundscape composition - "La Città Eterna" by the poem of Elena Deneva. The piece will be aired at 9:30h Dutch time / 10:30h Bulgaria.

Beautifully curated radio program - 48 hours of new music, sound compositions and experiments. I am so happy to join as an artist and volunteer and together with my colleagues from the Institute of Sonology and many other amazing musicians and artists.

For all the information, times and venues go to https://onaironsite.com/programme-2024

About the festival:

"On Air - On Site is a sound investigation of a temporary radio event consisting of a broadcast schedule of 48 hours of non-stop streaming, including live performances, fixed media, and radio artworks specifically composed for the festival by an international community of sound artists. The project explores the boundaries of being simultaneously on air in a physical and virtual space, challenging different radio formats.

On Air - On Site invites the involved artists and the public to re-consider the physical spaces as a context rather than a location and to rethink together a different relationship between communities and experimental radio practice."

With the “Yarrow and Pine” program we will perform in the Netherlands and the UK, bringing people cosy winter vibes and comfort for the holiday season. We will be sharing Scandinavian, Bulgarian and English folklore songs arranged for three voices. Among them are some precious, gifted songs and others connected to our past which we brought back to to live in new forms and accompanied by texts.

Tickets and Info:

https://www.greennote.co.uk/production/bitter-blossoms-yarrow-pine/

With the “Yarrow and Pine” program we will perform in the Netherlands and the UK, bringing people cosy winter vibes and comfort for the holiday season. We will be sharing Scandinavian, Bulgarian and English folklore songs arranged for three voices. Among them are some precious, gifted songs and others connected to our past which we brought back to to live in new forms and accompanied by texts.

With the “Yarrow and Pine” program we will perform in the Netherlands and the UK, bringing people cosy winter vibes and comfort for the holiday season. We will be sharing Scandinavian, Bulgarian and English folklore songs arranged for three voices. Among them are some precious, gifted songs and others connected to our past which we brought back to to live in new forms and accompanied by texts.

Join us for a warm evening at Murphy's Law in The Hague, 20:30h

With the “Yarrow and Pine” program we will perform in the Netherlands and the UK, bringing people cosy winter vibes and comfort for the holiday season. We will be sharing Scandinavian, Bulgarian and English folklore songs arranged for three voices. Among them are some precious, gifted songs and others connected to our past which we brought back to to live in new forms and accompanied by texts.

The concert on the 24th of November will be at a private home.

With the “Yarrow and Pine” program we will perform in the Netherlands and UK bringing people cosy winter vibes and comfort for the holiday season. We will be sharing Scandinavian, Bulgarian and English folklore songs arranged for three voices. Among them are some precious, gifted songs and others connected to our past which we brought back to to live in new forms and accompanied by texts.

Tickets and info can be found here: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/593340

LOOS X Zaal3 present: "We Are Transforming Worlds" - the first The Hague International Sound Art Festival 2023 on November 2 and 3, 2023

It is a celebration of the limitless possibilities of sound as a medium of artistic expression. This immersive event invites you to embark on a journey through aural landscapes, where the boundaries of music, technology, and art blur into a tapestry of sonic experiences.

“The Hague International Sound Art Festival 2023” presents an international selection of audiovisual artists spanning various generations and cultural backgrounds.

November 2 and 3, 2023, at Studio LOOS and Zaal 3, De Constant Rebecqueplein 20b, The Hague, The Netherlands.

Performance:

“Private and Ideological Sewing Grounds”

For a sewing machine, four channels and voice

Tickets and Info here: https://september-me.nl/events/dochter-kika-sprangers/

Tickets and Info: https://www.wilminktheater.nl/nl/agenda/3846/kika-sprangers-en-sander-hagelaar/dochter

Concept Kika Sprangers

saxofoon, spel Kika Spangers
zangers

regie Xander Straat
muziek Kika Spangers, Patrick Burgan, Stravinsky en Petar Liondev
lichtontwerp Sander Hagelaar
tekst Ingmar Heytze, Vasalis en dagboekfragmenten
productie Stichting PAKS Music

foto’s Martijn de Koning