A

figures

B

drifter

Banjo and woodblocks are the scarce ingredients of Poor Isa's second album,
‘dissolution of the other’. The instruments can be used not only in their usual
form, but in alternative tunings, with preparations and additional attributes.
This creates an otherworldly vacuum, rich in silence and shadow, with sounds
that seem equally familiar as mystical. The music is broken up from its classical
form and sounds like an instrumental eld recording or a musical ceremony.

In contrast to the rst album - which consists of nine short, playful composi-
tions and improvisations - the duo now opts for two composed, long works.

Both are the elaboration of restrictions and a limited number of musical ideas.
‘Figures’ is reminiscent of early music, with modal harmony and a free tempo.
It’s a piece that ripples on and sounds are blended while both players face

each other as if they look in a mirror. ‘Drifter’ focuses on rhythmic develop-
ment with a ABAB structure. While the A part has dripping unpredictability,

the B part has an ongoing, pulsing sound. Making the whole sound like a
insistent ritual.

All music composed and performed by Frederik Leroux and Ruben Machtelinckx

(outside)
No title (From an untitled drawing book)
2002-2003
Watercolour and pencil on paper
29.7 x 42 cm
(inside)
No title (From the book Le livre de l'araignée; Le livre des porteur de bites; Le livre de la route
d'Arles et des oreilles poreuses; Le livre des scorpions [The Book of the Spider; The Book of
the Cock Bearers; The Book of the Road to Arles and the Porous Ears; The Book of the Scorpions]),
2000
Watercolour and pencil on paper
42 x 29.7 cm

Photography by Joke Floreal

Met steun van de Vlaamse Overheid