Altmusic is proud to present Keith Rowe (UK) as part of Altmusic’s programme of exciting & innovative international musicians touring New Zealand in 2011.

Well known for his involvement with pioneering groups AMM and later M.I.M.E.O. – Keith Rowe is the legendary trailblazer of free improvised, prepared guitar techniques.

“Twanging ruler-shaped objects set off a cartoon style jiggling tremolo, a block of foam causes mountainous scuffling booms…A one man sound lab and dub studio formed out of a corner hardware shop..” – The Wire June 1999

A relentless innovator, Keith Rowe has been exploring the potentialities of ‘tabletop’ guitar and shortwave radio sound production for over thirty years – employing a small army of objects and bric-a-brac including library cards, a rubber eraser, springs, hand-held electric fans, alligator clips and common office supplies to create his compelling aural galaxies. Born and based in the UK, Rowe is a co-founder of AMM (with Eddie Prevost, later including Cornelius Cardew and John Tilbury) and an early member of the Scratch Orchestra in the mid-60s – hugely influencial groups that spearheaded a distinctivly European approach to free improvised sound making. His ongoing collaboration with all-star eleven-piece electroacoutic improvised group M.I.M.E.O. brings improvised music techniques firmly into a contemporary digital context.

Tour dates as follows:

Christchurch – Sunday 13th Nov, Chambers@241 with Rosy Parlane, 8pm.
Dunedin – Friday 18th November, Dunedin Public Art Gallery with Omit, 8pm.
Wellington – Friday 25th November, Freds – 46 Frederick St. with Rosy Parlane, 8pm.
Auckland – Sunday 27th November, The Classic with duo of Jeff Henderson & Phil Dadson, 8pm.