Rafael Anton Irisarri^[USA]

17th July  -  21:00

/ Left Bank /

Rafael Anton Irisarri is an American composer, multi-instrumentalist, and sound engineer recognized for his deeply immersive approach to ambient and drone music. Working with bowed guitar, tape loops, analog textures, and field recordings, his compositions explore themes of memory, decay, and emotional resonance, often described as cinematic, oceanic, and profoundly moving.

Over the past two decades, Irisarri has become a central figure in the ambient and experimental electronic scenes. Alongside his solo work, released on labels like Dais Records and Ghostly International, he runs Black Knoll Studio, where he has mastered and engineered work by artists such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, Julianna Barwick, Grouper, and Telefon Tel Aviv. His remastering of Terry Riley’s archival works and engineering contributions to Sakamoto and Alva Noto’s Glass have received widespread acclaim.
 

Irisarri’s live performances are known for their physical intensity and emotional depth, combining dense sonic layers, low-end pressure, and site-specific spatial design. He has appeared at major international festivals and institutions including Sónar, Mutek, Unsound, MiTo, and Dark Mofo, often performing in unconventional venues such as chapels, museums, and art spaces.