Open Call - Decolonize Electronic Music
The Search for Repressed Possibilities – A workshop hosted by Seba Kayan
Decolonize Electronic Music – Open Call
Behind the alluring facade of modernization, contemporary music production tools conceal numerous shortcomings that often go unnoticed. Today’s mainstream DAWs, such as Ableton, FL Studio, Logic, and Cubase, were designed with a Western-centric approach, rooted in the principles of European classical music. The absence of a standardized tuning data system presents challenges for artists seeking to incorporate elements from African, Asian, Arabic, or Latin American music traditions, forcing them to navigate software limitations and resort to complex workarounds.
With the tuning systems “Leimma” and “Apotome” (both developed by Khyam Allami), it is possible to push the boundaries of sonic experimentation and challenge colonial legacies in music production. “Leimma” allows users to explore tuning systems from around the world or create their own, while “Apotome” offers generative music creation using these diverse tuning systems. These tools aim to give musicians a blank musical canvas rather than steering them toward any specific musical tradition.
Together, we will initiate a dialogue addressing the challenges presented by music technologies, develop our own tuning system, and explore its application in music production.
A celebration of breaking free from differences across musical traditions.
About the Host
Seba Kayan
Seba Kayan is a visionary Viennese dj & artist, who is transforming the music landscape with an unparalleled fusion. Growing up between two cultural worlds and musical influences, Seba decided to combine both her European and Kurdish roots in her unique sound cosmos. Her signature blend includes oriental-futuristic Electro, Techno, and Acid, expertly weaving the unmistakable sound of the so-called “Oriental” music into Ironclad Techno frameworks.
Seba Kayan´s music embodies a harmonious fusion of western and eastern influences, rather than creating divisions she skillfully intertwined both worlds. By seeking the past in archives, an imagination of tomorrow is getting shaped into new hybrid music. Acquiring ascriptions and deconstructing them in the creative musical process, as a collective improvisation effort is an ongoing procedure for her. This method of relating to the ancestors, to a collective memory tells also an alinear historical narrative.
Listen to an interview Seba Kayan did with Khyam Allami, where they discuss the colonized aspects of electronic music:
Schedule & Deadlines
application deadline:
October 31th, 2024
Participants announced:
November 7th, 2024
Workshop dates:
November 13th, 2024 / November 15th, 2024 Soundcheck tbd
Final performance:
November 16th, 2024
Participant & Application Information
With this open call we invite all artists who are interested in exploring tuning systems beyond the traditional Western music scales and explore the music world outside the so-called western box. Participants will have the opportunity to design their own personalized tuning system and create generative music with it.
Up to 6 participants will be selected from the open call.
Exact workshop hours will be communicated at a later stage.
Please note: We cannot provide an artist fee or financial support for travel/lodging.
We can provide what we think will be a great experience, a shared communal performance outcome, and a festival pass to Sonic Territories 2024 events.
Snacks & non-alcoholic drinks for participants will also be provided.
Technical Equipment & Requirements
Please find below an overview of the technical requirements you need to fulfill to be able to attend this workshop.
You need to bring your own Laptop with your working DAW installed, we recommend Ableton 11.
Apotome and Leimma software will only run with full MIDI functionality in Chrome or Chromium based browsers e.g. Brave.
Download a Browser:
Should your submission be successful, you can discuss any specific technical issues directly with the host of this workshop.