Fennesz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christian Fennesz
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Fennesz performing in Bethesda, Maryland in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christian Fennesz |
| Also known as | Fennesz |
| Born | 25 December 1962 Austria |
| Origin | Neusiedl am See, Austria |
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| Associated acts | Fenn O'Berg |
Christian Fennesz (born December 25, 1962) is an Austrian musician. He is known for his electronic music. People often call him just Fennesz. He started making music in the 1990s.
Fennesz uses his guitar and laptop to create unique sounds. He mixes melodies with special samples and glitch effects. He lives and works in Vienna, Austria. Currently, he records music with the UK label Touch.
His album Endless Summer became very popular in 2001. It was released by the Austrian label Mego. Fennesz has worked with many other artists. These include Ryuichi Sakamoto, Jim O'Rourke, Ulver, David Sylvian, and King Midas Sound.
Contents
About Christian Fennesz
Christian Fennesz grew up in Austria. He studied music formally in art school. He began playing the guitar when he was about 8 or 9 years old.
Early Music Career
Fennesz first played in an Austrian experimental rock band called Maische. Later, he signed with the electronic music label Mego. He started making music as a solo artist. The influence of techno music led him to use a laptop for his compositions.
In 1995, he released his first EP, Instrument. An EP is a shorter music album. This EP explored electro-acoustic and ambient styles. Electro-acoustic music mixes electronic sounds with acoustic ones. Ambient music creates a mood or atmosphere.
Developing His Sound
In 1997, Fennesz released his first full album, Hotel Paral.lel. On this album, he used more laptop production. He also explored early glitch sounds. Glitch music uses sounds that seem like errors or digital noise.
He followed up with the 1998 single Plays. This single included covers of famous songs. He covered "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones and "Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)" by the Beach Boys. His versions were very different from the originals.
Collaborations and Albums
In the years that followed, Fennesz worked with many artists. He was part of a group called Fenn O'Berg. This group included Peter "Pita" Rehberg and Jim O'Rourke.
In 2001, he released his third studio album, Endless Summer. This album received a lot of praise from critics. It helped him become widely known.
He continued to collaborate with artists like David Sylvian, Keith Rowe, eRikm, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. He also released more albums. These included Venice in 2004 and Black Sea in 2007. Both albums were also highly praised.
In 2009, Fennesz worked with Mark Linkous from Sparklehorse. They created the album In the Fishtank 15. The next year, Fennesz released Szampler. This was a cassette tape with his collection of samples. A sample is a small piece of recorded sound.
In 2011, he played guitar and added effects on a live album by the band Ulver. This album was called The Norwegian National Opera. In 2013, Fennesz performed at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in England.
He released the studio album Bécs in 2014. In 2015, he worked with the UK group King Midas Sound on their album Edition 1. His more recent albums include Agora (2019) and Mosaic (2024).
How Fennesz Makes Music
Since the 1990s, Fennesz has used special computer software. He works with a program called Max/MSP. He also uses a free tool called Ppooll. He runs these programs with his music workstation, Logic 9.
When he records in the studio or plays live, he connects his guitar to effects pedals. These pedals change the sound of the guitar. He uses a special distortion box that he designed himself.
The guitar sound then goes into his computer. There, it is processed using Ppooll software plugins and tools. These tools include samplers, synthesizers, and MIDI controllers. This is how he creates his unique blend of guitar and electronic sounds.
Discography
Christian Fennesz has released many albums and EPs. Here are some of his main works:
Studio Albums
- (1997) Hotel Paral.lel (Mego)
- (1999) Plus Forty Seven Degrees 56' 37" Minus Sixteen Degrees 51' 08" (Touch)
- (2001) Endless Summer (Mego)
- (2004) Venice (Touch)
- (2008) Black Sea (Touch)
- (2014) Bécs (Editions Mego)
- (2019) Agora (Touch)
- (2024) Mosaic (Touch)
Collaboration Albums
Fennesz has worked with many other musicians on albums:
- (2004) GRM Experience with Mika Vainio & Christian Zanési (Signature)
- (2005) Cloud with Keith Rowe, Toshimaru Nakamura and Oren Ambarchi (Erstwhile)
- (2007) Cendre with Sakamoto (Touch)
- (2009) In the Fishtank 15 with Sparklehorse (Konkurrent)
- (2011) Flumina with Sakamoto (Commmons/Touch)
- (2015) Edition 1 with King Midas Sound (Ninja Tune)
- (2016) It's Hard For Me To Say I'm Sorry with Jim O'Rourke (Editions Mego)
- (2023) Senzatempo with OZmotic (Touch)
Other Releases
- Compilations: Field Recordings: 1995–2002 (2002) and Szampler (2010).
- Live Recordings: Several live EPs and albums, including Live at Revolver, Melbourne (2000) and Sala Santa Cecilia with Ryuichi Sakamoto (2005).
- Studio EPs: Instrument (1995), Plays (1998), and Seven Stars (2011).
- Remixes: He has remixed songs for artists like Ulver, Isis, and Nine Inch Nails.
- Soundtracks: Fennesz has also created music for films, such as Gelbe Kirschen (2000) and Blue Moon (2002).
With Fenn O'Berg
- (1999) The Magic Sound of Fenn O'Berg (Mego)
- (2002) The Return of Fenn O'Berg (Mego)
- (2010) In Stereo (Mego)
With Food
- Quiet Inlet (ECM, 2010)
- Mercurial Balm (ECM, 2012)
- This Is Not a Miracle (ECM, 2015)
See also
- List of ambient music artists
- List of Austrians in music
