Merlin Ettore - Dominant Patterns

Dominant Patterns is an electrifying snapshot of the improvisational, hybrid audiovisual practice of Merlin Ettore, recorded in the artist’s Berlin studio over three days back in February. Layering acoustic percussion, live electronics and custom-made GAN animations, Ettore has developed a richly textured and hyperkinetic mode of performance, transforming improvisational sessions into multidisciplinary sessions with his distinct aesthetic sense. “This musical work is essentially a snapshot of my exploration process towards the interplay and dialogue of live drums and electronics, he explains. “Everything is improvised and spontaneously manoeuvred. The base concept of my setup is that it should sound like one single sonic source. I am constantly trying to find ways to ‘glue’ the sound together.” “Very often the electronic counterpart is reactive to my drum sound,” he continues, “meaning that the drum performance controls and expresses the parameters of the machines, this impacts my musical choices as I am lis