1982-2022, Touch (the UK-based imprint and publisher) will celebrate forty years of activity; very few independent organisations survive this long in any field – particularly in the creative industry – without material support from sponsors, art funders or any other bodies. So far, Touch has tried to grow organically and independently and thus has been able to make ideas-based decisions in a spirit of ‘the reality of the situation’.
Of course, this has presented huge challenges, but by building from the ground up and focusing on individual artist development and mentorship, Touch has steered its way through historic and often difficult times.
We have seen the momentous shift from analogue to digital, and the re-exploration of analogue audio by many sound artists, the revival of vinyl and cassettes as a format option for releases; lighter, cheaper equipment and air travel have opened up opportunities for collaborations and field recordings for artists which were not there previously. We have witnessed huge changes in design, production, distribution and point of sale issues as well as the meltdown enabled by digital technology of the supply of artists into the market place.
But digital ‘freedom’ has actually had the opposite effect; fewer artists can earn a living compared to the 70s and 80s. Even fewer have the opportunity to reach a wider audience with the saturation syndrome of streaming platforms and promotion-based social media. In amongst this swirling effect of confusion, Touch has stayed consistent, with wit, energy and durability, all qualities which creative people need in their lives.
We intend to continue…
ALL PHOTOS BY JON WOZENCROFT
Upcoming Events in 2022, subject to change
12 December 2022
San Fedele Auditorium, Milan
Artists: Jana Winderen, Jacaszek, Ozmotic, Claire M Singer, Geneva Skeen
A part of the Inner Spaces Festival
San Fedele Auditorium
Via Ulrico Hoepli, 3/b
20121 Milano
Italy
Further info and tickets: innerspaces.it
Previous Touch.40 Events
31 January 2022
Kuppelhalle, Silent Green, Berlin
Artists: Oren Ambarchi & crys cole, Youmna Saba, Budhaditya Chattopadhyay, Ipek Görgün, Marta De Pascalis
Produced by CTM
With longstanding interests in transcending conventional instrumental approaches, Oren Ambarchi’s immersive ambient explorations are punctuated by collaborator and sound artist crys cole, who re-tunes the ear with subtle and imperfect sounds created through haptic gestures and seemingly mundane materials. Youmna Saba is currently focused on the interrelationship of traditional Arabic music and electronic and electroacoustic treatments. An attentive and (com)passionate listener of the world around him, Budhaditya Chattopadhyay inquires into the materiality, objecthood, site, and technological mediation of lived experiences, and considers the aspects of subjectivity, contemplation, mindfulness, and transcendence inherent in listening. In her rich, ambient drone soundscapes that explore the complexity of the human psyche, Ipek Görgün balances technical precision and emotional potency to spin fine-tuned sounds that stay resistant to blur no matter how thick her mix becomes. Marta De Pascalis will bring her own music selections to round out the evening’s ambiance.
Gerichtstraße 35
13347 Berlin
Germany
Further info and tickets: ctm-festival.de
11–13 March 2022
2220 Arts + Archives, Los Angeles
Artists: Jasmin Blasco, Charlie Campagna + Ian Wellman, Richard Chartier, Faith Coloccia, Robert Takahashi Crouch, Robert R. Gaines, Bana Haffar, Jim Haynes, Bethan Kellough, Jmy James Kidd + Jillian Stein, Pauline Lay, Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe, Yann Novak, Zachary Paul, Dr. Yewande Pearse, Rotary ECT, SPS, Dr. Katja Seltmann/Irene Moon, Chandra Shukla, Geneva Skeen, Gabie Strong + Peter Kolovos, Travelogue, Mark Van Hoen, CM von Hausswolff, Byron Westbrook + demos, presentations, keynotes, panel, talks…
2220 Beverley Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90057
USA
Friday 11 March
Tickets / Facebook Event
Saturday 12 March
Tickets / Facebook Event
Sunday 13 March
Tickets / Facebook Event
Weekend Pass
Tickets / Facebook Event
29-30 April 2022
Indexical at the Tannery Arts Center, Santa Cruz
Installation: Chris Watson
Artists: Bana Haffar, Patrick Shiroishi
1050 River St.
#119
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
USA
Chris Watson installation – further info and tickets: indexical.org
Bana Haffar and Patrick Shiroishi performances – further info and tickets: indexical.org
29 April 2022
The Lab, San Francisco
Artists: Bana Haffar, Patrick Shiroishi
2948 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
USA
Further info and tickets: thelab.org
21 May 2022
International Museum of Surgical Science, Chicago
Artists: Jonathan Thomas Miller, Cleared with Olivia Block
Produced by The Empty Bottle
524 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60610
USA
Further info and tickets: eventbrite.com
24-25 June 2022
Iklectik, London
Friday 24 June: Gavin Bryars – a tribute to Philip Jeck, katt newlon & Franz Kirmann, Anthony Moore, Jay Glass Dubs, Fennesz.
Saturday 25 June: Simon Fisher Turner, Fennesz, Clara, Bethan Kellough, Bruce Gilbert, Claire M Singer, CM von Hausswolff.
To survive for 40 years as an independent music project is the ability to bear witness to the massive changes in cultural production – and to hold a candle for artistic freedom and sonic invention. Touch.40 Iklectik is a home-based lighthouse in the centre of London and we invite you to this celebration of past, present and future. As everything gets more atomised in terms of inner and outer worlds, we intend this as a beacon of our collective commitment to joy, pleasure, life, the challenge of being human in these uncertain times.
Old Paradise Yard
20 Carlisle Lane
London SE1 7LG
England
Further info and tickets: iklectikartlab.com
24 September 2022
Ancienne Belgique, Brussels
Artists: Fennesz, Simon Scott, Razen and Valery Vermeulen.
Ancienne Belgique
Anspachlaan 110
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Further info and tickets: abconcerts.be
1 October 2022
Cafe OTO, London
Artists: Jacaszek, Claire M Singer, Simon Scott, Howlround, plus a short film by People Like Us.
To survive for 40 years as an independent music project is the ability to bear witness to the massive changes in cultural production – and to hold a candle for artistic freedom and sonic invention. Touch.40 at Cafe OTO is a home-based lighthouse in Dalston, London and we invite you to this celebration of past, present and future. As everything gets more atomised in terms of inner and outer worlds, we intend this as a beacon of our collective commitment to joy, pleasure, life, the challenge of being human in these uncertain times.
Cafe OTO
18-22 Ashwin Street
London E8 3DL
Further info and tickets: cafeoto.co.uk
Support Touch.40
We’ve been fully independent all this time and never had any support from institutions or private patrons. Many of our artists economically suffered under lockdown, losing regular incomes due to venue closures and tour cancellations. We are seeking donations by private patrons and foundations to help pay our festival artists equitable performance fees, as the venue will have limited occupancy due to COVID-19 restrictions and ticket sales would not cover their needs.
Europe and Rest of World
Here you can donate to support Touch.40 events in Europe and elsewhere during 2022…
USA only
Here you can donate to support Touch.40 events in USA during 2022… Starting with Touch.40 festival in Los Angeles from March 11th to 13th at 2220 Arts + Archives on Beverly Blvd. (formerly The Bootleg Theatre). More information to follow… All donations are tax deductible [501.3.c compliant]
