(oscillators, samplers, fx, modular synthesizers, feedbacks, field recordings)
picture by Francesca Naibo
Gaudenz Badrutt (Biel/Bienne, CH) & Ilia Belorukov (Novi Sad, RS; originally from Saint Petersburg, RU) decided to work as a duo unit in 2017, but they have a story behind this. After the first meeting in 2013, they did a tour in Russia as a trio with the accordion-player Jonas Kocher in 2014; a recording from this tour became the CD called Rotonda, after that the Video&Book called Quiet Novosibirsk. In 2016 Ilia visited Biel (where Gaudenz and Jonas lives) for a residency in Espace Libre in March, together with Alexander Markvart, where the music turned out in a deeper universe. First tour as a duo took place in Poland and Austria in September 2017. In 2019 they continued to develop their music as a fully electronic duo, using live sampling, effect pedals and feedback, modular synthesizers and field recordings. They played several concerts in Switzerland and recorded material for the first album. «Sauerkraut» CD was released in 2021, and in 2022-2023 they did new recordings and also participated in Salter Ensemble, a 10-piece band with musicians from Switzerland, Slovenia and Austria. In 2024 the duo did a tour in Spain and Portugal, and collaborated with Wade Matthews which resulted in "Fireflies" album. In 2025 the duo continued activities in Italy and Switzerland.
Gaudenz & Ilia play improvised and electroacoustic music that explores relationships between silence and very loud sounds and everything in between. They use mainly electronic devices and instruments. Some of the main topics of their work is improvisation as context for producing the sounds and environment as part of member of the collective's music.
