‘Repetitive Rhythm’ is the new record from the Norwegian experimental musician Peder Simonsen out on Ace Tunes. It documents his sonic explorations in the studio between 2015-2020, and features 3 long form compositions based on pattern repetition. The record is available digitally and 10 copies have been made on transparent vinyl.

Simonsen is known as a tuba player, but he also works extensively as a producer, recording engineer, and with modular synths. On this record he presents a collection of his synth experiments in the studio. Recorded over several years, they all remain true to a guiding principle of exploring one repeating rhythmical motif on one instrument. He then augments the motives by weaving webs of patterns and drones around them, both played by himself and an excellent group of colleagues from the Norwegian experimental music scene. Simonsen goes to painstaking lengths to acquire the sound he wants, his practice includes retuning his piano to an ancient Greek scale based on the harmonic series, tape manipulation and building his own melodic percussion instrument from an old metal fence. Hand tuned analog oscillators meets his own pristinely recorded drum samples, helping create a world of beat interference and subtle metric modulations. He finds joy in the process, and savors the time spent creating a sound he is happy with.

For the past few years Simonsen has been active with the pioneering microtonal tuba-trio Microtub, a group where he plays with Robin Hayward and Martin Taxt. His style is particularly present on the «Chronic Shift» reworks from 2019 where he introduced his modular synths and studio techniques juxtaposed with the microtonal brass sounds. In 2022 the group are set to premier works by Ellen Arkbro and Catherine Lamb, two collaborators who he regards as strong influences.

Having had a varied career both as a performer, sound artist and as a studio afficinando, Simonsen work has taken him all over the world, touring with groups such as Brainfeeder’s Jaga Jazzist, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra with Anna Webber, and his own Microtub and Invader Ace. He has presented sound installations all over Norway, and his work is to be found in the collection of KORO, Norways national body responsible for art in public space. Equally at home in the recording studio as on stage, he runs the music department of the artist residency Palazzo Stabile in northern Italy, and his sonic footprint is to be found in various records from the exciting Norwegian label Hubro, like Stein Urheim and Jo David Meyer Lysne. He has also worked with the Chinese punk band Dirty Fingers, and legendary Swedish rockers Bob Hund.

Composed, produced, performed and recorded by Peder Simonsen at Arc Studios, Palazzo Stabile and Can Serrat 2015-2020
Mixed by Marcus Forsgren at Studio Paradiso
Mastered by George Tanderø
Additional personnel:
Ingar Zach – Percussion on track 01
Anja Lauvdal – Piano on track 02, synth on track 03
Espen Reintertsen – Saxophone on track 02
Eivind Lønning – Trumpet on track 02
Christian Winther – Guitar on track 03
Knærten Simonsen – Percussion on track 03
Press photos by Jenny Berger Myhre
Cover by Johan Toorell
Cat. No. ACE006 – All rights reserved
℗ & © Ace Tunes 2022

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