DEGEM News – FWD – In 3 weeks — Kiezsalon’s month-long residency at DAS MINSK

Dear friends and music lovers,

In just three weeks, the Kiezsalon returns to DAS MINSK for its month-long residency. Every Thursday evening in June, we present international artists including Lia Kohl, Macie Stewart, Whitney Johnson, The Dwarfs of East Agouza, Martha Skye Murphy, Muslim Shaggan, Miriam Adefris, Radu Rățoi, Erwan Keravec and Midori Hirano w/ Brueder Selke.

The concerts will be paired with music selectors and fine wines, to be enjoyed with the view from the rooftop. Capacity is limited, so we recommend booking your tickets in advance.

The Dwarfs of East Agouza and Lia Kohl, Macie Stewart, Whitney Johnson

Thursday, 4 June

Founded in Cairo in 2012 by Maurice Louca, Sam Shalabi and Alan Bishop, The Dwarfs of East Agouza’s free-spirited music touches upon jazz and krautrock, combined with influences of Arabic and Egyptian Shaabi music. Their latest release, Sasquatch Landslide, sees the trio further reinforcing “their reputation for innovation and experimentation,” remarked The Quietus.

The Chicago trio of Whitney Johnson, Lia Kohl and Macie Stewartcreates an organic, intertwined sound from their three voices and three string instruments — viola, cello and violin. Their recent debut album BODY SOUND, out on International Anthem, “reaffirms the pleasure of collective music-making in contemplative improvisations that are both patient and restorative,” wrote Pitchfork.

Muslim Shaggan and Martha Skye Murphy

Thursday, 11 June

One of the most accomplished classical vocalists of his generation in Pakistan, Muslim Shaggan can trace back his musical legacy as a descendant of Guru Nanak’s faithful musician companion, Bhai Mardana, for more than 500 years. Showcasing what Songlinesdescribed as his “light but beautiful voice, and a prodigious technique,” his 2025 album Asar features songs across the geet, ghazal, thumri and kafi styles.

Vocalist and musician Martha Skye Murphy uses genre and vocal metamorphosis to dislocate and embed listeners in encoded narratives. Unpredictable, theatrical and tender, her debut album Um was released by AD93, leading The Quietus to praise “her remarkable, fragile soprano, offset with bursts of operatic ululations.”

Radu Rățoi and Miriam Adefris

Thursday, 18 June

Moldovan accordionist Radu Rățoi is known for his originality, versatility and virtuosity: New York Classical Review called his debut recital in the city last year “a dazzling performance characterised by whip-smart dialogue between right and left hands.” He has earned over 60 awards and is the only accordionist to win the six most prestigious competitions across both classical and entertainment music.

Rooted in both improvisation and composed structures, Austrian-Ethiopian harpist Miriam Adefris combines influences from classical to experimental and jazz. Her new trio, Flur, has made waves since their 2025 debut Plunge, which The Guardian describes as “a distinctly off-kilter take on the harp combo, harnessing the lushness of its sound as a counterpoint to angular melodies.”

Midori Hirano and Erwan Keravec

Thursday, 25 June

Expanding beyond her classical piano roots through electronics, synthesizer and field recordings, Berlin-based composer Midori Hirano creates soundscapes where acoustic intimacy meets abstraction. With her latest solo album OTONOMA, out on Thrill Jockey, every moment “is fitted together with elegance and musical wisdom,” acclaims Bandcamp Daily’s Album of the Day review. For Kiezsalon, she is joined by Potsdam-based polyinstrumentalist duo Brueder Selke.

Raised in Brittany, Erwan Keravec is a composer and bagpiper who has broken new ground in improvised music, free jazz and noise with the Scottish bagpipes. The Wire described his 2025 album Whitewater as “a trio of rippling, phasing soundscapes which grow and transform like mycelium across a tautly intense half hour.”

Kiezsalon Opening next weekend in Berlin

22–23 May | Schloss Britz

To inaugurate the 2026 season, we present Glasgow-based folk musician Susannah Stark & Band, New York cellist alice does computer music, Berlin-based duo Andrea Belfi & Jules Reidy, Belgian sound artist Natasha Pirard, award-winning Finnish saxophonist Heli Hartikainen and local jazz quartet KOOB.

Additionally, pioneering Scottish vocalist Maggie Nicols will perform two intimate sessions inside the castle’s piano salon ahead of Saturday’s main program. Capacity is limited: admission is first-come, first-served only for ticketholders.

We look forward to seeing you in just over one week.

Until then,

Michael Rosen & Team