nine-sum sorcery | 2019
Kraftwerk Berlin for Berlin Atonal

“Dust is the real nomadic entity. It migrates elsewhere, spiriting itself away an illusive ground. When dust particles are composed, they combine countless terms, languages and materials belonging to entirely different kingdoms.” -- Cyclonopedia: Complicity with Anonymous Materials

nine-sum sorcery can be understood as an occult incantation to the dark energies, natural, political and otherwise, that are released when oil is extracted from the ground. This ritual is focused through the enigmatic electronic and percussion composition from LABOUR which alternates between foreground and background for the haunting vocal performance of Mojtahedy, who interprets Kurdish and Persian verses.

The work's visuals by Enes Güç, Evelyn Bencicova and Zeynep Schilling combine different approaches from 3D to graphic illustrations over three chapters (The Wheel, Cyclone and Xerodrome).

nine-sum sorcery debuted at Berlin Atonal in 2019 as Mi†ra, and exhibition versions have since been presented throughout Europe. In November 2020, the music was released on vinyl and digital by Studio LABOUR.

Video by Fact Magazine

LP release on studio LABOUR (SL001)

(…) an agonising depiction of strife, grief and pain that blends traditional and contemporary music into an operatic montage. - The Wire, January 2021 issue (Chloe Lula)

4.5/5 stars - Rolling Stone Germany (Jens Balzer)