Yuri Landman
Yuri Landman (born 1973) is an experimental instrument builder and musician based in the Netherlands. After an early career as a comic book artist and a musician in the bands Zoppo and Avec-A, Landman began designing experimental musical instruments. Drawing on prepared guitar techniques, he built his first instrument in 2001, seeking to create a more reliable and precise alternative to the unpredictable results of instant preparations.
Since then, Landman has custom-built derivative instruments for an impressive range of musicians, including Sonic Youth, Half Japanese, Enon, Lou Barlow, Liars, HEALTH, Liam Finn, The Luyas, Kaki King, The Veils, Melt-Banana, Micachu and The Shapes, The Go! Team, These Are Powers, Mauro Pawlowski (of dEUS and Evil Superstars), Philippe Petit, and many others. His instruments explore the resonant properties of strings, metal and unusual materials, producing rich harmonic overtones and unconventional timbres.
In 2012, Landman formed the two-piece band Bismuth with producer and multi-instrumentalist Arnold van de Velde. He built a wide range of electric percussive instruments for the project as the band's repertoire expanded. The collaboration allowed Landman to explore the performance potential of his creations in a live duo setting, pushing both the instruments and the music in new directions.
Beyond his ensemble work, Landman performs solo using self-built electronics and motorised instruments. Since late 2013 he has developed a series of solo performances incorporating motorised instruments, string and steel constructions, custom-built electronics and modulation pedals. These performances transform the stage into a workshop of kinetic sound, where mechanical processes and electronic signals interact to produce evolving textures and rhythms.
Landman's work sits at the intersection of instrument design, visual art and experimental music, making him a natural fit for FAQ Festival's programme. His performances offer audiences a direct encounter with the creative possibilities that emerge when the boundaries between builder and performer dissolve.