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<h1>Markus Mehr</h1>
<p><img class="alignleft  wp-image-9013" src="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Markus_Mehr_Profile-224x300.jpg" alt="Markus Mehr" width="199" height="267" /><em>“... prepare for a shuddering, near chaotic, kaleidoscopic </em><em>experience as Mehr challenges our and his own </em><em>preconceptions of what “electronica” is, what it represents </em><em>and of what his instrumentation can achieve.”<strong> – Delusions of Adequacy</strong></em></p>
<p>Markus Mehr’s debut, <em>Lava</em>, holds true to its title – it is a dense, steaming surge of glue-thick sound. But, after any destructive force there is new growth. Green shoots of melody arc out of the surface and populate the terrain as new possibilities emerge. <span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".27.$mid=11404191394044=243362f841034556913.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span class="null">His follow-up triptych of works (<em>In</em>, <em>On</em> and <em>Off</em>) brought another level of conceptual and sonic experimentation to the table, advancing his stature in the field of contemporary experimental music.</span></span></p>
<p><strong><a title="Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/markus.mehr" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone wp-image-8763 size-full" src="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Facebook.png" alt="Facebook" width="26" height="20" /></a>  <a title="Twitter" href="https://twitter.com/MarkusMehr" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone wp-image-8766 size-full" src="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Twitter.png" alt="Twitter" width="26" height="20" /></a>  <a title="SoundCloud" href="http://soundcloud.com/markus-mehr" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone wp-image-8764 size-full" src="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/SoundCloud.png" alt="SoundCloud" width="26" height="20" /></a>  <a title="Website" href="http://www.markusmehr.de/" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone wp-image-8767 size-full" src="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Website.png" alt="Website" width="26" height="20" /></a> </strong></p>
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider admin_label="Divider" color="#ffffff" show_divider="off" /][et_pb_tabs admin_label="Artist Tabs"][et_pb_tab title="Discography"]<br />
<h3>Discography</h3>
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<h4>Off</h4>
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<p><iframe style="border: 0; width: 500px; height: 170px;" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=398032740/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=ffffff/artwork=small/transparent=true/" width="300" height="150" seamless=""><a href="http://markusmehr.bandcamp.com/album/off">Off by Markus Mehr</a></iframe></p>
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<p><em>Off</em>  by German experimental ambient artist Markus Mehr, is the third and final part of a trilogy that includes the critically acclaimed releases <em>In</em> and <em>On</em>.</p>
<p><em>Off</em>  is not only the culmination of Markus Mehr’s trilogy, but it may also be the culmination of his career’s work thus far. The single-track album begins in silence, as a thrumming loop gradually emerges. From there, a beautiful piano refrain is introduced, noise ebbs and flows, threatening to engulf the piece, while field recordings and swooningly transportive synth patterns drift into focus. During its 42-minute runtime, the piece immerses the listener in a dizzyingly beautiful soundworld that’s ever-shifting. Certain passages allude to other sequences and samples in the preceding albums, linking the three albums into a kaleidoscopic mobius strip.</p>
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<h4>On</h4>
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<p><iframe style="border: 0; width: 500px; height: 406px;" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2332510059/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=ffffff/artwork=small/transparent=true/" width="300" height="150" seamless=""><a href="http://markusmehr.bandcamp.com/album/on">On by Markus Mehr</a></iframe></p>
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<p>The new album <em>On</em> by German experimental ambient artist Markus Mehr, forms the second part of a triptych that also includes recent release <em>In</em> and the forthcoming <em>Off</em>.</p>
<p><em>On</em> is a continuation of the experimental direction of Markus Mehr’s previous releases, with eight diverse tracks employing samples, field recordings and slathers of Mehr’s trademark distorted drones. This approach is apparent right from opener ‘Gonna Make You Mine’, as scything slashes of sound leap from the speakers. Single ‘Flaming Youth’ counterbalances fragments of static against a gorgeous sleepy-eyed loop of mangled lounge-jazz. A track as expansive and moving as ‘Duck Became Swan’ is followed by brief rhythmic piece ‘Olympia’. This tightrope walk between dizzying samples and exacting digital manipulation is walked with aplomb throughout <em>On</em>’s adventurous and thrilling 45-minute runtime.</p>
<p><em>On</em> is preceded by <em>In</em>, the first part of the triptych, which comprises two monumental tracks, ‘Komo’ and ‘Ostinato’, each of which clocks in at around 25 minutes, circling around and building upon hypnotic instrumental motifs. The final part of the triptych, Off, released on 24 January 2013, includes the most epic piece yet, ‘Transit’, which clocks in at 49 minutes and will be performed live in collaboration with video artist Stefanie Sixt, who created the video to Mehr’s single ‘Cousteau’.</p>
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<h4>In</h4>
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<p><iframe style="border: 0; width: 500px; height: 210px;" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4000928914/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=ffffff/artwork=small/transparent=true/" width="300" height="150" seamless=""><a href="http://markusmehr.bandcamp.com/album/in">In by Markus Mehr</a></iframe></p>
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<p>Markus Mehr follows up his stunning debut album <em>Lava</em> with three new releases released over a 12 month period. In is the first part of the triptych, comprising two monumental tracks, ‘Komo’ and ‘Ostinato’, each of which clocks in at around 25 minutes, circling around and building upon hypnotic instrumental motifs. ‘Komo’ gradually emerges from silence, its distant, filtered throb reluctantly revealing its source material – a heartbreaking string part whose emotional impact intensifies as the loop clarifies. ‘Ostinato’ is an altogether darker, gnarlier experience, its string loops chewed into distorted knots which are highlighted by treated guitars and crafted electronics.</p>
<p>The second part, <em>On</em>, released on 21 June 2012, takes a more experimental direction, with eight diverse tracks employing samples, field recordings and slathers of Mehr’s trademark distorted drones. And finally, <em>Off</em>, released on 24 January 2013, includes the most epic piece yet, ‘Transit’, which clocks in at 49 minutes and will be performed live in collaboration with video artist Stefanie Sixt, who created the video to Mehr’s single ‘Cousteau’.</p>
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<h4>Lava</h4>
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<p><iframe style="border: 0; width: 500px; height: 439px;" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=634202850/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=ffffff/artwork=small/transparent=true/" width="300" height="150" seamless=""><a href="http://markusmehr.bandcamp.com/album/lava">Lava by Markus Mehr</a></iframe></p>
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<p><em>Lava</em> holds true to its title – it is a dense surge of glue-think sound, making new paths as it pushes through the landscape. But, after any destructive force there is new growth. Green shoots of melody arc out of the surface and populate the terrain as new possibilities emerge. A new master of heartbreaking ambient drone has arrived. These tracks evoke time spent transfixed, gazing through a giant looking glass, waiting wide-eyed as new discoveries are revealed in the album’s textured contours.</p>
<p>On epic opener ‘Agenda’, layers of gorgeous synth gradually accumulate into a gloriously massive chord. On single ‘Hubble’, a bedrock of fuzzed drone is decorated with glistening counter-melodies, tracing shards of light across the coal-black skies. ‘Softwar’ builds and then falls away, only to return with a spine-tingling theme that crumbles under its own majesty.</p>
<p><em>Lava</em>’s ability to both suspend the listener in its abstracted liquid vapours and at the same time imprint its affecting narrative is a special thing. It is one of those albums whose emotional impact stays with you long after you feel its last touch.</p>
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<h3>Biography</h3>
<p>Based in Augsburg, south Germany, Markus Mehr’s musical journey began with the guitar. He grew up listening to bands like Black Sabbath and AC/DC, before turning his ears to darker sounds and the ethereal, experimental pop of David Sylvian. After recording and touring with several bands, he struck out on his own with home studio project Aroma.</p>
<p>Now working under his own name, Mehr wrote and recorded his debut album <em>Lava</em> at his home studio using guitars and synths, plus any noise-making accoutrements at hand – electric shavers, ventilators, electric tooth brushes and field recordings –all processed and distorted to create a gorgeous wall of sound, akin to the classic ’70s Kosmische music of Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream, but also the contemporary masters of textured luminosity, Fennesz and Tim Hecker. His follow up albums, <em>In</em>, <em>On</em> and <em>Off </em> pushed the sonic and structural envelope even further and created a triptych of works that stands amongst the most engaging contemporary experimental music of our days.</p>
<p>Mehr’s extensive live performances across Europe include collaborations with visual artist Stefanie Sixt and performances in churches, galleries and large disused gas tanks amongst the more traditional festival shows.</p>
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<h3>News</h3>
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<h2>Reviews</h2>
[catlist name=markus-mehr-reviews content=yes pagination=no title_tag=h4 title_class=lcp_title]<br /> [/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title="Press Releases"]<h3>Press Releases</h3><p><a href="../../publicity/press-releases/HSR_Press_Release-Markus_Mehr-Live_In_Bari.pdf"><em>Live in Bari</em> Album Release</a></p><p><a href="../../publicity/press-releases/HSR_Press_Release-Markus_Mehr-Off.pdf"><em>Off</em> Album Release</a></p><p><a href="../../publicity/press-releases/HSR_Press_Release-Markus_Mehr-Duck_Became_Swan.pdf">‘Duck Became Swan’ Single Release and Music Video</a></p><p><a href="../../publicity/press-releases/HSR_Press_Release-Markus_Mehr-Flaming_Youth.pdf">‘Flaming Youth’ Single Release</a></p><p><a href="../../publicity/press-releases/HSR_Press_Release-Markus_Mehr-In.pdf"><em>In</em> Album Release</a></p><p><a href="../../publicity/press-releases/HSR_Press_Release-Markus_Mehr_Cousteau.pdf">‘Cousteau’ Single Release</a></p><p><a href="../../publicity/press-releases/HSR_Press_Release-Markus_Mehr_Lava_Digital_Release.pdf"><em>Lava</em> Album Digital Release</a></p><p><a href="../../publicity/press-releases/HSR_Press_Release-Markus_Mehr_Hubble_Single.pdf">‘Hubble’ Single Release</a></p><p><a href="../../publicity/press-releases/HSR_Press_Release-Markus_Mehr_Signing.pdf">Markus Mehr Signs to Hidden Shoal</a></p>[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title="Gallery"]
<h3>Artist Photos</h3>
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<h3>Music Videos</h3>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dGRCY37hMm4?rel=0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PcfMLHZZomw?rel=0" width="420" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1jIYi486n0c?rel=0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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<h3>Licensing</h3>
<p>Markus Mehr's music is  available for licensing (master & sync cleared) through Hidden Shoal. Please <a title="Contact Us" href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/contact-us/">contact us</a> with some basic details about your project and the track(s) you wish to use and we’ll be sure to get back to you straight away.</p>
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