"Hip-hop producer would be cool"

When we received an email from the head of the German record label Macro a few months ago, announcing the debut album by "Luxembourg's most fascinating newcomer" Arthur Clees, the name immediately struck a chord. We recalled a conversation with Michel Clees (the writer, actor, songwriter, and, interestingly … a gynaecologist) who had mentioned his son's musical pursuits. Arthur, who has been studying at the Dresden University of Music, is indeed the son Michel had spoken of.

As the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Upon closer examination of the email from Macro boss Stefan Goldmann and the attached press release for Arthur Clees' solo debut (Stay, Temporary Home), we were greeted with a plethora of superlatives. Phrases such as "emotionally charged and hypnotic" and descriptions of influences ranging from techno to electronica to avant-garde, along with a distinct feel for melodies and percussion, were prominent. However, such language is perhaps par for the course in record company announcements.

At the end of January, we had our first opportunity to witness the young musician at a concert in the Bonneweger Rotonden, where he performed alongside Jan Jelinek, a well-known German electronic music producer. This collaboration stemmed from a completely improvised concert they had played together at the Escher Recordstore Vinyl Harvest at the end of 2021. Remarkably, both musicians had never met before! This impromptu performance resulted in a record titled Live in Luxembourg, December 3rd, 2021.

Clees and Jelinek reunited for the second time this year at the Rotonden, with Clees on drums and Jelinek on electronics. What can we say? It was fantastic.