Mir

«Mir explore the smoking ruins of Avant-garde with punk-rock panache». Their sound has been defined as «the perfect dance-music for Klingons», «and they take a refreshingly un-intellectual approach towards intellectually loaded music.» – The Wire

Founded in 2005 by Daniel Buess, Papiro and Michael Zaugg, MIR were inspired by radical precursors 16-17 and spiced with a mutual admiration for Techno Animal, Iannis Xenakis, Sun Ra and This Heat. With the latter they shared the concept of a skilled percussionist teaming up with non-musicians. Zaugg (now of Pure Mania fame) contributed with abstract electronics and Papiro picked up the guitar because he had never played it before, developing his own playing and tuning style. Inevitably rhythms were emphasised, chord changes became superfluous and texture abundant. The group remained instrumental, with the occasional exception of Papiro singing Battiato’s «Aria di rivoluzione» on tour. Although Daniel’s drumming was closer to heavy machinery than funk, the band always had a particular attention for West-African grooves. Guest percussionists would join on stage and in the studio. With the addition of Marlon McNeill and the introduction of the Indian Shehnai and the Tibetan Dungchen, the group shifted from physicality to transcendence.

Daniel Buess sadly passed away in February 2016. The last line-up consisted of Daniel Buess on drums and percussion, Marco Papiro on analog synthesizer, detuned guitar and shenai, and Yanik Soland on bass.