Sam Erpelding is a sound engineer, guitarist, eco-acoustician, field recordist, soundscaper, co-founder of an art collective and instrument maker - but above all a sound artist. And he is also currently writing his doctoral thesis. A life between science and music.
We meet Sam Erpelding at Casino Display, the former Konschthaus Beim Engel in the historic city centre, where his artist residency is currently coming to an end. Between cables, self-built sound sculptures and light feedback loops – there will be a final performance in the evening to mark the end of his residency – he tells us how he became who he is today.
"I already loved listening to music as a child. My father played a lot of jazz, but also rock music. My mum also liked listening to music. That probably gave me a good taste in music, " the 33-year-old recalls with a smile. "Because I loved singing, I was also in the children's choir. Later, I bought a guitar. At first I went to a music school, but that didn't work out for me."
He then gradually taught himself everything on an electric guitar, "self-taught", as he says, before discovering punk music at the age of ten or eleven. "I grew up with punk, I also skateboarded all the time. When I was 16, I was in the Escher Jongelycée (LGE) and started experimenting with effect pedals and things like that. That's when I got a taste for noise music, including Japanoise and Merzbow. I also was in various bands." Part of this path into the world of experimental sounds leads via his older brother Bob, now an art teacher in Pétange.
You want more? Get access now.
-
One-year subscription€185.00/year
-
Monthly subscription€18.50/month
-
Zukunftsabo for subscribers under the age of 26€120.00/year
Already have an account?
Log in
