Shoe&Shoelace

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗲 & 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 is a new duo of seasoned percussionist, electronics maker, composer and improviser Jake Berger and slightly younger saxophonist and clarinetist Jure Boršič. The duet was formed as a rendition of the international trio Bootleg Unit, in which, in addition to Slovenian musicians, the French electronics maker Colin Petit also participated, manipulating and looping acoustic sound sources with the help of a tape and effects. The corona period greatly narrowed the possibilities of international cooperation, so Berger and Boršič decided to further explore the coexistence of organic and electronic sounds. Their modulated improvisation with strong free jazz, noisier as well as ambient and punk influences is out on the debut album Life In A Shoebox.

Jaka Berger: drums, preparations, modular synth, live sampling
Jure Boršič: saxophone, clarinet, preparations

Recorded by Brgs
Recorded in Club Metulj in Bistrica ob Sotli on 24.2.2021
Mixed and mastered by Jure Gruden
Artwork by Matej Stupica
Released at Zvočni Prepihi / Sound Draughts in March 2022

Reviews

Ed Pinsent – Sound Projector – UK

The duo has its roots in Bootleg Unit, a trio which also included the French electronics genius Colin Petit, who did much to enhance their sound by using his tape machines and effects, throwing wild tape loops and transformed sounds into the fray. Finding much to enjoy in these Feb 2021 sessions recorded at Club Metulj…I like the genuinely exploratory work that’s going on here, both players putting in much effort as they work towards new and freer modes of expression, and not simply deliver a pre-digested result based on their techniques. At times they seem to be asking deep questions about the human condition, so melancholic and profound is the mood they create, yet there’s also a humourous dimension to it, as reflected in the playful band name and track titles such as ‘Tie Your Damn Laces’, ‘Blessed Blister’, and even ‘Feetishist’ – which my spam messager above would probably have enjoyed at some level. Splurgy cover art is by Matej Stupica.

The Sound projector Radio Show – Shoebox of dreams – UK

Recenzija nastopa na serialki After party na Radiu Študent – Žiga Jenko – Odzven

Lahko rečemo, da je free jazz manira ena izmed zvočnih osnov dua Shoe & Shoelace, ki jo učinkovito nadgradi elektronika. Upamo, da bo duo nadaljeval s svojim delom in raziskoval zvočno polje, ki ga odpira uporaba elektronike, tako imenovani »shoebox«. Vsekakor fin koncert, ki ohrani pozornost, čeprav ga spremljamo po spletu. Vsa čast Radiu Študent za izbor in dolgo kontinuiteto cikla After party.