Haiku Salut at The Deaf Institute

Johnny James, Managing Editor

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Haiku Salut

The Deaf Institute, Manchester
27 September 2018

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Haiku Salut
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Describing themselves as Baroque-pop folktronic neo-classical something-or-other, Haiku Salut’s sound is indeed tricky to pin down. By fusing sparkling electronic textures with those of older instruments like the accordion, the instrumental trio create unusual soundscapes which are entirely their own. After completing a wildly futuristic project for Brighter Sound’s The Hexagon Experiment series, the trio are concentrating on touring once again, and plan to bring their unique Lamp Show to Manchester’s The Deaf Institute on the 27 September.

After an introductory EP, the Derbyshire trio released their debut album Tricolore in 2013. The record shimmered with a charming, child-like naivety, with many of its tracks featuring xylophones and glockenspiels, as well as accordion, guitar and piano. In places, the trio paired this instrumentation with skittering, glitchy electronica, which makes for an unusual but charming combination. If given a little more weight, many of these tracks sound like they could find a home on Four Tet’s album Rounds. Their second album Etch and Etch Deep was a lovely development, with the trio’s previously light touches of electronica getting just a little heavier, and with the production growing in warmth.

When making this record, Haiku Salut say they were influenced by the impressionistic writing of Japanese author Haruki Murakami, which makes a lot of sense. A magical realist storyteller, Murakami’s writing not only resembles dreams, but it makes us feel like we’re the ones dreaming it all. At their best, Haiku Salut achieve a similar effect with their music. Their enchanting soundscapes can easily carry you down a strange, far-away path which, if you follow it long enough, feels like your own. There is a space in tracks like ‘Hearts Not Parts’ from their latest album which feel like yours to explore.

In terms of playing live, the band have become known for their innovative ‘Lamp Shows’, in which a stageful of vintage lamps flash, flicker and fade in synchrony with their music. Building on this idea of converting sound into light, the lead single ‘Cold To Crack The Stones’ from their forthcoming album There is No Elsewhere, features a manipulation of NASA recordings of the pulses emitting by lightning. So light has been turned into sound which, at The Deaf Institute later this month, will be converted back to light, as the trio’s lamps dance in time to their new music. Intrigued? See you there.

Where to go near Haiku Salut at The Deaf Institute

exterior of Contact Theatre building
Manchester
Theatre
Contact Theatre

Following a major redevelopment, the iconic venue on Oxford Road will be reopening its doors to welcome the public back into the building this autumn. 

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Sandbar

Sandbar, just off Oxford Road in Manchester, is a well-loved watering hole, with a great selection of ales and some eccentric seating.

Johnny Roadhouse store
Manchester
Shop
Johnny Roadhouse

Buffeted by fried chicken outlets, legendary musical instrument emporium Johnny Roadhouse has been serving the local music community for over 50 years.

Manchester
Catalog Bookshop

Find Peter and his Christiania cargo bike around All Saints Park, a hop, skip and a bunnyhop from Manchester Poetry Library.

Manchester
Event venue
The Proud Place

Based in the heart of Manchester on Sidney Street, The Proud Place houses The Proud Trust and serves as a community hub for the wider LGBT+ population across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Eighth Day

Eighth Day is a co-operative shop that sells ethically-sourced food, wine and cosmetics. There’s also café that serves hearty, healthy meals in the basement.

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