Sebastian Mullaert (Live)
11pm doors • 11:30pm show
About
Over the course of his decades-long career, Sebastian Mullaert has won critical and popular acclaim for both his solo acts and his work as part of the legendary duo Minilogue. Now, he’s coming to National Sawdust to debut a special all-night-long live performance for the first time in the United States. Join the adventure early and experience a journey from deep ambient to exploding techno, all performed and improvised right before your very ears. The evening will be an unique opportunity to immerse yourself in his inimitable universe of sounds, encompassing material from his recent neo-classical collaboration with the Zurich Philharmonic Orchestra, previously unheard music from his forthcoming debut artist album, and his mysterious hypnotic techno alias Wa Wu We. Don’t miss out!
Tickets
The Artists
When you listen to Sebastian Mullaert’s music you will feel something enchanting, a resonance that delivers truth and integrity and that reminds us to simply be. The Swedish artist has a distinct approach to life, as well as music, which is centred around tranquillity, stillness, and the convergence of Zen meditation, nature, and creativity. Known for his work as one half of Minilogue, Sebastian is also an accomplished solo artist with new material ready to roll. As an artist that is constantly evolving, he has taken a bold new direction in his sonic exploration, immersing himself in the neo-classical scene and joining forces with one of the top 10 philharmonic orchestras in the world, Tonhalle Zürich. Working with great care and innovation, he has created a truly immersive audio-visual performance experience, combining a mesmerising integration of electronic and classical instrumentation, with a visual art installation based on breathtaking nature landscapes shot from a helicopter’s perspective. With such an innovative approach, he aims to bridge the gap between classical and electronic music and introduce a whole new generation to the neo-classical concept.
Sebastian’s deep connection with music can be traced back to his formative years, from playing the organ and violin as a child to performing in orchestras, string quartets, and pop bands before progressing on to electronic music in his late teens. Discovering house and techno in the mid-nineties was the catalyst behind a revolution in his life: He set out on a new musical pathway to promote the simplicity of being. Throughout the late nineties, he experimented with electronic sounds, forming cult duo Minilogue with a friend and releasing, with Crosstown Rebels, Traum Schallplatten, Wagon Repair, and more, plus two albums via Cocoon, Animals (2008) and Blomma (2013). In 2014, the duo decided to take a break and invest their time in solo projects, and Sebastian has since been hard at work cultivating a collection of new music already snapped up by hugely influential labels such as Drumcode, Hypercolour, R&S sub-label Apollo, and Minus.
Sebastian Mullaert’s live performances are awe-inspiring, combining technical wizardry with energy, atmosphere, and euphoria — you only have to watch his “Interpretations” performance for XLR8R or his Boiler Room appearance for examples of his prowess. Recognition of his aptitude has led him to perform at institutions and festivals such as Berghain (Berlin), the Labyrinth Festival (Japan), Fabric (London), Concrete (Paris), The Block (Tel Aviv), and Blackmarket (NYC).
Sebastian’s collaborative work runs parallel to his solo endeavours, and he has teamed up with several figures in the techno world to produce some unforgettable releases. Collaborators include Mathew Jonson, Eitan Reiter, Aril Brikha and Ulf Eriksson, and releases have come via underground platforms such as Hypnus, Mule Musiq, and Kontra Musik. He also produces under the alias Wa Wu We, offering a serene, understated take on the techno aesthetic. Furthermore, he is involved in the new Be Yokai project, a trio formed of Sebastian, Douglas Holmquist, and Kristoffer Ström. The three men formed a natural alliance, finding their flow after several sessions together. Their first EP is signed to Hypercolour sub-label Space Hardware, with a live show and more music in the pipeline.
In 2018, Sebastian launched his Circle of Live project, a brand new event series concept and a record label that honours the value of improvisational spontaneity. The project brings together elite artists known for their live performances in the dance music world and gives them an opportunity to take part in free-flowing, collaborative jam sessions in clubs around the world. Each event will be unhindered from any formal structure, allowing both performers and audience to forget preconceived concepts and habitual patterns in the creative process of dance music and explore the raw beauty of inimitable improvisation. Circle of Live is the first concept of its kind and is a refreshing and innovative beacon of change in underground dance music.
Sebastian Mullaert is already established as a potent force in the world of electronic music. Serious about reminding people to BE on the dance floor, or in the comfort of their own home, the music he makes is deep, progressive, and utterly unique. His way of life, enthusiasm, and dedication to his craft make him one of the most exciting artists of his generation and, whatever the future holds, you can be sure he will continue to channel the infinite energy that surrounds us into every facet of his life.
