French drummer and composer Seb Brun, working here as Ar Ker, has shared ‘Copper #1’, the first piece from his forthcoming second solo album, ‘Materials’, to be released by Carton Records.

Brun has spent years finding ways of making the drum kit do rather more than keep time, and ‘Copper #1’ is a good example. The piece was recorded live using an expanded kit fitted with electronics, piezo microphones and other devices that allow the drums, feedback and distortion to affect one another as he plays.

There is no attempt to tidy all of that up afterwards. The electronics can interfere with the drums, the drums can set something else off, and Brun works with whatever happens in the moment. It gives ‘Copper #1’ a slightly unruly quality, with the percussion remaining very much at the centre of it.

<a href="https://sebastienbrun.bandcamp.com/album/materials">Materials by Sébastien Brun</a>

‘Materials’ takes its title quite literally. Brun has built the album around three materials, maple wood, bronze and copper, with each one forming a different part of a larger composition. ‘Copper #1’ begins the final section, where electricity becomes particularly important to the way the music works.

This way of recording is not entirely new for Brun. His first Ar Ker album, released in 2020, was also performed live without overdubs. With ‘Materials’, he has expanded the setup considerably and given the electronics much more to do.

The album is available to pre-order through Bandcamp on vinyl, CD and digitally.

Brun will also take Ar Ker on the road this autumn, with dates in Austria, Poland, France and the Czech Republic.

October 8 — Raum Schiff, Linz
October 9 — Small Forms, Vienna
October 17 — Fonomo Festival, Mozg, Bydgoszcz
November 6 — Dynamo de Banlieues Bleues, Pantin
November 21 — Faun Festival, Brno

Headline credit: MateusxProkowski

Seb Brun Official Website / Facebook / Instagram
Ar Ker Facebook
Carton Records Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bandcamp / SoundCloud / YouTube