Farthest South – it’s not easy to get there. Most people never even try. It’s a dangerous journey, the destination elusive: farther. In the tradition of the intrepid explorers of the south (Scott, Shackleton, Amundson), musicians Yair Yona (bass and effects), Yair Etziony (electronics), Barry Berko (guitar) and Sivan Zeimer (visuals) venture into unknown territory, improvising, taking risks. Listening to Farthest South is an adventure.
Following a twelve hour session in the recording studio, the album Omens & Talismans reflects the encounter between Farthest South and jazz saxophonist Albert Beger. The album, with its ominously enticing name, is not easy to listen to, nor is it intended to be. It rips through the consciousness, disturbing the skin of everyday complacency; sometimes it makes me want to jump up and dance, sometimes it makes me shudder deep inside. It’s impact is visceral, compelling, demanding one’s full attention: body, mind and spirit.
The Omens & Talismans album launch will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Levontin 7 in Tel Aviv, at 20:00, with guest musician Albert Beger. The CD will be sold at concerts and from the band; the digital album can be heard and purchased through the bandcamp site – here.
While recording the materials that were to become Omens & Talismans, Farthest South band members discussed their artistic vision and creative process in the band, as individuals. For Yair Yona the band’s explorations are a response and means of action within the current social-political environment in Israel, as he says in the video: “That’s why we have this band going, I mean… to perpetuate a certain vibe of collapsing, but there’s also a certain striving to reach a… a better place. But you know, that’s an Ideal, a kind of Utopia that can’t be reached.”
Links: Farthest South facebook page; bandcamp; album launch event page.
