The pioneering German composer and experimental musician Hauschka comes to Australia for the first time for a string of very special performances in support of his widely acclaimed album, Abandoned City. Hauschka’s extraordinary experimentation with classical piano music has seen him gain accolades worldwide.

Hauschka is a composer, songwriter and experimental musician who has brought an exciting new perspective to the prepared piano.

The prepared piano - a technique for getting new sounds from the acoustic keyboard by resting pieces of paper or drumsticks on the strings of the instrument - has been used for centuries, but Hauschka was unaware of the tradition when, at the dawn of the new millennium, he began exploring ways to get new sounds out of his Bechstein grand upright. "I wanted the sound of a hi-hat (cymbal) to add a percussive effect to a composition I was writing. I took foil from a Christmas cake and wrapped it around the strings [inside the piano]. From there, I was inspired to use other objects on the strings to get bass drum sounds, or tacks on the piano hammers to get the sound of a harpsichord. When I was playing techno music, I had samplers where you could get a different sound on every key. I thought it would be great to have that effect on an acoustic piano. I was not aware of John Cage (one of the first 20th century composers to use prepared piano) when I started searching for ways to alter the sound of the keyboard, but as I got more into prepared piano, I was influenced by Cage's theories."

Ever prolific, over the last decade HAUSCHKA has continued to work on solo albums, collaborations with the likes of Samuli Kosminen (from Iceland's M m), Calexico's Joey Burns & John Convertino, as well as numerous other projects in the fields of film, theatre, dance, and film soundtracks. He has also toured the world playing some of the great concert halls and festivals; The Barbican, Decibel Festival, Constella, Elita and the P Festival in Taipei to name a few.

The combination of HAUSCHKA's classicist training, chamber music sensibilities and pop-cultural interests ensures that the often playful - but never disposable - results are far more than an academic exercise in experimentalism.

He makes his debut visit to Australia this November.

See Hauschka's prepared piano on NPR here:

And the press said....

Mesmerising" The Guardian 

"Astonishing" Louder Than War 

"Hauschka's hauntological painting conjures up textured moodscapes and modernist collages. Inspired concept, superlative execution" Uncut 8/10

"An intense exercise in concentration, creativity and procreation. The end product is one that often meets at a point teetering between the old and the new, a point at which the neo-classical converges with electronic dance music" God Is In The TV

Piano, frenetic rhythms and spooky swathes of delay ...formed of ghostly odes to fallen municipalities we humans have left behind.... so creepy you can hear the rats chewing through the wires" NME

TICKETING INFO

General Admission ticket buyers have an added option of purchasing The Basement's Plate & Glass deal on the following booking page.

The Plate & Glass meal includes one meal option with one glass of selected wine which will be made available at the Green Room Bar from the time doors open through to 10:30pm.

Plate and Glass meal and wine options are listed on the following booking page.

Dinner & Show tickets include entry, seating and 2 course meal.

Dinner & Show tickets are only available via Moshtix.

Some Dinner & Show Bookings may be on a shared table. Please let us know at the time of the booking as a special request should you prefer not to share, and subject to availability we'll do our best to accommodate your request. Note it is not possible to join ticket holders together across ticket groups (meaning A Reserve ticket holders cannot sit with B Reserve etc).

Standard and Premium Beverage Packages are available by exclusive table service to Dinner & Show Ticket Holders for 3 hours from Doors. Beverage packages are available for purchase on the following booking page. *RSA and conditions apply

DOORS OPEN AT 7.00PM
MUSIC STARTS AFTER DINNER SERVICE, AROUND 8.30PM
SET TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FROM SHOW TO SHOW

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
When General Admission Ticket sales have closed on the day of the show they may still be available at the door on the night.

All patrons must be over the age of 18

Once purchased tickets are non-refundable & non-transferable
(applies to both Standing and Dinner sales)

Please ensure you bring photo ID as proof of age

A booking fee applies to all advance tickets. (All quoted prices include tax).

Dress is Smart/Casual at Manager's discretion. No thongs.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Basement has very limited accessibility for patrons with disabilities, however please contact the venue to ensure there is adequate availability for you to enjoy the show comfortably and they can advise on the recommended seating options.

RESTAURANT (GREEN ROOM BAR) 
RESTAURANT HOURS ARE DEPENDENT ON SHOW
Please call The Basement to confirm opening times - (02) 9251 2797

SEATING MAP FOR DINNER & SHOW BOOKINGS
Please Note: tables cannot be joined together. Please ensure everyone you intend to seat at your table is included in your booking to avoid being seated separately. Unfortunately, Dinner & Show bookings are for a minimum of 2 people.

Specific table reservation is not available for this performance. It is the venue's decision as to which table you will be allocated. Whilst the venue would love to give everyone their preferred seats, it is not always possible. We ask that you respect this decision and enjoy the performance.