AMBIQ, the Berliner instrumental trio of Max Loderbauer, Samuel Rohrer and Claudio Puntin emerged onto the scene not long ago with a self-titled arjunamusic LP (AM703) of impressive sonic distinctiveness and technical ability. Drinking from a deep pool of influences that includes free improv, early electronic music and spaced-out dub, the trio does what any great ensemble should set out to do: it becomes more than the sum of its parts, a single organism with its own unique expressive vocabulary and perspective. Proving that their debut was no fluke, the ambiq trio has already re-convened for a second full length bubbling over with new timbral combinations, and with a sophisticated interpretation of the ancient art of tension and release. Plenty of music exists for the open-minded, but not all of it has the ability to initiate the process of opening minds in the first place. ambiq does have that ability, and have come up with a musical formula that will melt away the defenses of the most hardened techno fanatic or avant-gardist, seeding new ideas not beholden to any one genre or lifestyle.

Facts

1: A tree

2: is a tree

3: is a house

Questions

What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
The realization that the more we know, the more we understand that we know nothing.
And how liberating it can be to trust in the not knowing.

How and when did you get into making music?
Music has always been a way to escape from the system we were thrown in, from very early on. And it was always something I had to protect. And still is. Like a hidden place. Parallel realities. Real or unreal as everything else. All a question of definition.

What are your 5 favorite albums of all time?
hmmmm…
„old and new dreams“ by Don Cherry/Dewey Redman
„Died in the wool“ by David Sylvian
„String Quartets“ by Bela Bartok
„Maurice Ravel: Piano concerto in G, adagio assai“ Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
„A Love Supreme“ by John Coltrane
„Chiaroscuro“ by Arve Henriksen
„The White Album“ The Beatles
„Seria“ by Skuli Sverrisson
„undertow“ by Sidsel Endresen
„vespertine“ by Björk

What do you associate with Berlin?
Home. You have to leave to realize how much you feel at home in a certain place and want to come back. There are many ways leading back to Berlin. Actually all of them. Who said its Rome?

What’s your favorite place in your town?
The silence.

If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Playing music.

What was the last record you bought?
David Bowie – Black Star

Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Maybe ambiq with a free improvising symphony orchestra…?

What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Loved to see Björk live. She is incredibly inspiring.

How important is technology to your creative process?
Its a part of the working process. From first ideas till the final composition/production, on stage, as a part of the instrumentation, its always there. But not necessary. it just gives you more options, different ideas and can be very helpful.

Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career?
Yes. If you want they are a part of it, because they are very supportive.

Our favourite:

The spur