From the dark resonances of found objects and metal surfaces to the dense tape loops of fragile organs, Alfredo Costa Monteiro and Gustavo Costa build up a ceremonial and luminous sphere from which a brilliant light emanates.
The duo has been establishing several connections throughout the years, as both share the same hometown, Porto, despite Costa Monteiro living in Barcelona. Their stronger connection, however, relies
on sound. There is a common passion for the complex spectrums of metals, springs and resonating surfaces. Here, their music flows from the constant transformation of these spectrums, that once superimposed produce an additional layer of complexity and unpredictability.
As experienced improvisers, It is in the real time
interaction of these materials that lie the most precious elements of this music. Evolving slowly and densely, it is organically adjusted by a spherical aura that molds a luminous sound.
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"...these masters of their craft have given us a multidimensional space to explore. They have done a careful job of combining sounds in interesting ways, so that they sparkle, shimmer, then almost shine too brightly before winking away. There is a lovely marriage of the metallic and percussive echoes complemented by the swirling and hazy, yet confident organ."
- Steven Senger from On the Fringes of Sound
Full review here:
www.onthefringesofsound.com/post/gustavo-costa-antonio-costa-monteiro-luminosa-esfera
"There is quite a bit of darkness in these recordings; whether it is the slow percussion moves by Costa or the drone-based electronics by Monteiro, the music is dark and ominous. It is also quite intense at times when Costa plays the cymbals with metallic objects and there is a shrieking high-pitched sound set against the constantly shifting darker drones of Monteiro. Maybe this is the soundtrack of the dark year 2020 was? This duo moves slowly between louder and quieter material, going from rough patches uphill to an easy path in the valley. I found this all quite spooky and horror-like, but that was also the beauty of it for me."
- Frans de Waard in Vital Weekly.
www.vitalweekly.net/1286.html
released May 7, 2021
Gustavo Costa: percussion and objects
Alfredo Costa Monteiro: recordings and walkmans
Recorded at sonoscopia porto 28th august 2020
Mixing and artwork at Mont Efímer, Barcelona
by Alfredo Costa Monteiro
SG32
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Gustavo Costa
Born in Porto, in 1976. His sonic vision is characterized by a constant permeability to various musical styles but with a common denominator: experimentation and the constant desire for stylistic renewal.
Active in the underground scene since the early 90s, he maintained an interest and parallel activity in the academic world, studying percussion, musical technologies, sonology, theory, composition and digital media, and teaching at various higher education institutions in Portugal.
In a period of 30 years, he was part of countless bands and formations from various stylistic spectra, collaborating with hundreds of musicians and performing regularly around the globe.
In recent years he has concentrated a large part of his activity in Sonoscopia, the collective and association of which he is a founder and where he dedicates himself to the sonic exploration through various formats of creation and collaboration.
Alfredo Costa Monteiro
Sound artist, improviser and sound poet born in Porto, Portugal . He lives and works in Barcelona since 1992, the year he graduated in sculpture / multimedia at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
His installations and sound pieces, all of a low-fi character, have in common an interest for unstable processes, raw materials and gestures, where the manipulation of objects as instruments or
instruments as objects has a strong phenomenological aspect.
He has been working since 2001 in various projects of improvised and experimental music, using each time a different instrumentation such as accordion, prepared guitar, various electro-acoustic devices or resonant objects, in order to give these projects multiple identities and directions.
In sound poetry, his work focuses on the musicality of language, creating multiple meanings that often lead to confusion and defy understanding.
He has collaborated with many musicians, choreographers, video artists, and film makers and has played throughout Europe, Canada, the US, Russia and Japan.
He has an extensive discography in solo and in different formations.
For more information:
www.costamonteiro.net
