Janek Schaefer
Janek Schaefer (born 1970 in England to Polish and Canadian parents) is composer, sound artist and musician. While studying architecture at the Royal College of Art [RCA annual prize], he created 'Recorded Delivery' [1995] using a sound activated dictaphone travelling overnight through the Post Office. That work was made for the 'Self Storage' exhibition [Time Out critics choice] with one time postman Brian Eno and Artangel. Since then the multiple aspects of sound became his focus, resulting in many site-specific installations, exhibition/dance/short film soundtracks, albums and concerts using his self built record players with manipulated foundsound collage. The 'Tri-phonic Turntable' [1997] is in the Guinness Book of Records. He has performed, lectured and exhibited widely throughout Europe [Sonar, Tate Modern, Pompidou, CCCB], China, USA/Canada [The Walker, XI, Mutek, Princeton], Japan, and Australia [Sydney Opera House].
The context of each idea is central to its development and resolution. His concerts and installations explore the spatial and architectural aspect that sound can evoke and the twisting of technology. Hybrid analogue and digital techniques are used to manipulate field recordings with live modified vinyl and found sound to create evocative and involving environments. In recent years he has become an accomplished Party DJ with his Lucky Dip Disco playing dancoing music from the last 100yrs on 7" & digital. He hosts public & private parties for children sharing his passion for dancing musics, or for adult celebrations, rocking the dance floor till dawn.
His first studio album 'Above Buildings' was released on Fat Cat to considerable praise, [The Guardian CD of the week]. Other solo works have been released all over the world by Asphodel, Sub Rosa, Hot Air, Sirr, Rhiz, Kraak, Alluvial, DSP, Diskono, BiP_HOp, Cronica, LINE, Room40, Desire Path, Fat Cat, audiOh!, Staalplaat, Dekorder, and 12k. He has collaborations with Philip Jeck (Songs for Europe CD), Robert Hampson (Comae CD), Stephan Mathieu (Hidden Name CD), and Charlemagne Palestine (Day of the Demons LP).
In 2008 he won The British Composer of the Year Award in Sonic Art and the Paul Hamlyn Award for Composers Prize, and in 2020 won the British 'Best Mobile DJ' Award for his Lucky Dip Disco. The Bluecoat Gallery exhibited a Retrospective of his 20 year career in 2009. Janek is a Visiting Professor in Sound Art, and in 2023 won Creative Consultant of the Year. He lives and works at Narnia, in Walton-on-Thames, UK.