FOR TRAINSPOTTERS ONLY

                                                                                  (2021)



VINYL RECORD


On her debut album Belgian-based multi-instrumentalist Ann Eysermans explores the possibilities of the train as a music instrument: a deep quest into a fascinating and mesmerising world, which started as a five year old kid, when she climbed on board of the train helm station during a trip from Antwerp to Ostend.


For the compositions 'Prelude and Fuga For Four Diesel Locomotives And Harp' Eysermans had the chance to capture the sounds of diesel locomotives (HD 51, 54, 55 and 60) of the Belgian Train World Heritage collection. Microscopic hissing vibrations of steaming engines slowly entwine and resonate with fragile harp playing, getting on track for an unconventional sonic rail journey. A melancholic odyssey of sound in motion: Ann Eysermans let the sparkling harp notes dissolve into the tones of pulsating train wheels.


On the B-side she bends her soft singing voice around deranged horn melodies in 'Le Départ', connect delayed organ harmonies in 'De Vertraging' with the dying frequencies of a trembling and humming locomotive from the 60's, On the key track 'For Trainspotters Only' Ann Eysermans assembles a hauntingly piece of musique concrete with clanging chimes, broken music boxes, ghostly whispers and throbbing machine room sounds. A lonely barking dog and the last train announcement on a desolate platform in 'Chorale' also mark the last part of this spellbinding record.


Tracklist:


A1 Prelude For Four Diesel Locomotives And Harp
A2 Fuga For Four Diesel Locomotives And Harp


B1 Le Départ
B2 De Vertraging
B3 Little One
B4 For Trainspotters Only
B5 Snowing
B6 Chorale


All music composed and performed by Ann Eysermans Recorded by Istvan Leel-Össy, Serge Verstockt and Ann Eysermans

Mastered by Gert Van Hoof at Cochlea Mastering Cut by Dubplates & Mastering

Lay out by Jef Cuypers

Photography by Philippe Cortens and Ann Eysermans

Distributed by N.E.W.S. Distribution

For Trainspotters Only by Ann Eysermans (Cortizona 013) is a co-production between Cortizona, ChampdAction and EUROPALIA, in collaboration with NMBS

Vinyl edition of 400 copies (including 2 inserts)


More info:
cortizonarecords@gmail.com
https://cortizona.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/c.ortizona/

You can order the vinyl record at Cortizona.


REVIEWS

The Quietus

Foxy Digitalis

Foxy Digitalis (interview)

De Tijd

Vinyl Factory

Luminous Dash

Skyline

Gazet Van Antwerpen

De Morgen



FILM-CONCERT BOZAR (25 January 2022 - Bozar)

Line 25 Brussels - Antwerp + Fuga for 4 diesellocomotives

The concert starts with a FUGUE for 4 diesel locomotives. Subject, counter-subject, divertimenti, dominant and tonic pedals are heard from four loudspeakers installed in the four corners of the auditorium. This four-part counterpoint, full of whispering, snorting and thunderous locomotive sounds, forms the sequel to PRELUDE for two diesel locomotives and harp, which will be performed live (with a delay) in the SNCB/NMBS Central Workshop in Mechelen.

"We leave Brussels North from platform 10 and respect the speed limit for leaving a station of origin. For even-numbered tracks, departure signs are located on your right. All the points and signals allow us to reach lines 50, 27, 161, 36 and 27D on the left. On the right, we have access to line 25."

We are in 1975. We are heading directly towards Antwerp Central from Brussels North. During this train journey (recorded from the driver's seat), the listener is introduced to the characteristics of line 25, explained by an instructor from the SNCB/NMBS. The magnificent images blend with the mechanical sounds of the locomotives and the experimental playing of the harp.

"The film is now coming to an end. While rewinding, you can pause at places of interest and then restart until all these places are lodged in your memory. Continue using this film until the places are completely familiar to you. Only then will the study routes be useful. Stop the film and rewind it."

Concept, composition and execution (harp and tapes): Ann Eysermans
Production and co-production:
EUROPALIA and ChampdAction in collaboration with BOZAR, NMBS, Cortizona, Cinematek

Tickets:

January 25, 2022 - 20:00 - Première at Bozar Brussels:

https://www.bozar.be/nl/kalender/bozar-electronic-series-trainspotters-only

March 12, 2022 - 15:30 at TIME CANVAS - ChampdAction - deSingel Antwerp:

https://desingel.be/en/programme/music/champdaction-time-canvas-2022-alter-futurum

March 16, 2022 - 19:00 at Kunstencentrum Nona Mechelen:

https://www.nona.be/nl/programma/dolores-charlotte-bouckaert-ann-eysermans



LOCATION PROJECT NMBS - CW MECHELEN (19 March 2022)

Prelude for 2 diesellocomotives and harp

A prelude for 2 diesel locomotives and harp. This line-up may at first seem incompatible and strange to you. But opposites attract. Two train drivers conjure up the impressive and nostalgic sounds of the HLD 5404 and HLD 6041. The sounds of locomotives idling, and those of compressors and air escaping as well as the roaring transition to a higher speed are all part of their sonic potential. The harp interacts with fragile micro sounds, solid chords and circular movements to create a remarkable counterpoint and melodious interweaving of sound.

(This PRELUDE normally follows the FUGUE for 4 diesel locomotives. This four-part counterpoint (with subject, counter-subject, divertimenti, dominant and tonic pedals) full of whispering, snorting and thunderous locomotive sounds was the première of FOR TRAINSPOTTERS ONLY, which took place in January 2022. So, no delay, but ahead of schedule!)

Concept, composition, execution (harp): Ann Eysermans

Execution (diesellocomotives): Tim Haesevoets and Rudi Langeraert (NMBS)

Audio engineering: Lars Morren, Serge Verstockt and Istvan Leel-Össy

Production and co-production: EUROPALIA in collaboration with ChampdAction, NMBS

Tickets:

March 19, 2022 - CW Mechelen

https://www.nona.be/nl/programma/dolores-charlotte-bouckaert-ann-eysermans


Photography: Philippe Cortens