The International Nothing — Just None of Those Things

Here we're revisiting the blessed fields of minimalism once again, and this time it’s with Just None of Those Things from The International Nothing, a psycho-acoustic clarinet duo. The Berlin-based project brings together Michael Thieke and Kai Fagaschinski. Their work is released by the Japanese label Ftarri, spanning, so far, with seven albums released to date, with this being their latest.  

Recorded by Thieke in Fagaschinski's living room in Kreuzberg, Berlin, between June 21st and 25th, 2021- the outcome is raw and warm, with a live sensation that sounds primordial, as in a deep state of meditation. The limitations of recording non-electric instruments in a household landscape are intentionally adapted, adding more audible elements. Worked on for two and a half years, The International Nothing worked focused on this long composition. With the two clarinets expressing their sound materiality, without any overdubs, or any electronic manipulation.

Just None of Those Things kicks in with what resembles an exotic interlude but quickly transforms (and settles) into something more “concrete”. Throughout, the work is pure minimalist, true to Robert Morris’ description of the form: “an extreme form of abstract art, typified by artworks composed of simple geometric shapes, based on the square and the rectangle”. 

The tonal drones are fluent and geometric, as in a Euclidian paradise, so precise and the equivalent of floating leaves in a natural habitat. Shapes with confronting trajectories and curves move towards each other eventually colliding. While the sonic imprint is big, the details chosen to be shared are tiny, yet very much important and full; we are listening to just a glimpse of Thieke and Fagaschinski sonic terrain and that is rewarding in itself.

Just None of Those Things is sentimentally charged in its conception (as expected), blissed in a naturalist point of view, ventures forth “traditionally”, emancipated like the crystal-clear mountainous water. Multi-layered, fragmental and equalized romanticism, where frequencies march heavenly throughout the works forty-two-minute duration. 

The release is presented with a  painted artwork of birds against a grey sky and blue leafed backdrop by the visual artist Tanabemse. Poetry for the eyes, leading to poetry for the ears. The CD version is already released, with the vinyl being released sometime in September 2022. To find out more set down here