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T R U U S

Worm - Rotterdam residency (May 7 to 13)
Truus creates Radio Program "Truus Makes Waves"

Truus at Worm, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2012

Just finalized my Radio Hoorspel (play) - I guess it turned out more like an opera. Here is a description:
"Truus Makes waves"

An autobiographical opera by Truus de Groot about her earliest years in the US. Dealing with the isolation and loneliness through her ongoing often humorous audio observations that she has collected over the years. Featuring numerous pieces of unreleased, and often actual field recordings from over the years.

The piece starts out with an old cassette recording of Truus reading from her Diary in 1980, shortly before her departure to the US. Just minor observations of a 20 year old, nothing special yet a moment in time. Not really a clue she would be going to the US mere months later, never to call the Netherlands her home again.

It was an adventure looking back for her, but at that time these were just impulsive decisions. Never thinking twice, why am I doing this? Is there future here?? What will I do? Her first stop was a connection she made on a whim in Eindhoven, David Linton (who was touring with Rhys Chatham), who lived in Tribeca, NY. His roommate was Lee Renaldo, who was at that time painting. From there her US journey began.

Truus in NYC 1984

In her isolation she could see the absurd humor of a culture that was so new to her. The many hours spent just looking at people, their silly habits, crazy public fights, moody encounters, make this opera a time capsule of sorts. It also conveys her frustrations of being harassed endlessly by the prying eyes of males that feasted their eyes on a beautiful yet naive unsuspecting young immigrant. However bothersome that might have been, Truus always translated it into humorous musical reflections. It is not dark yet perhaps a bit cynical, but full of irony.
It travels from 1979 to up to around 1990's -

Special guests:
Johnny Dowd - MC
Kathy Ziegel - Bontempi organ
Elisabeth Esselink (aka Solex) - NYNY Instrumentation
Special Thanks: José Verspaget inspiration for Toilet Dame
Broadcast date TBA

LIVE REVIEW

Incmag E

By Richard Foster

..one thing Truus de Groot has is presence, and an awareness of how to use the stage.

Ah blissful fun! But in Hoofddorp? Well, yes… team Incendiary were there to see Rats on Rafts for the umpteenth time this year along with a more rare catch, Plus Instruments / Nsmk. In their current incarnation Plus Instruments / Nsmk is the legendary Truus de Groot and Toon Bressers, coupled with the very talented Younes Riad. We reckoned that we’d probably never see the band again - given Truus’ residency in the US – so there was no way we were going to miss them. Added to all of this, Gonzo/Vinyl deejay and all round good guy Oscar Smit was deejaying, which meant we’d get to hear a few loved ULTRA tracks, old and new.

A word about the venue is in order. De Duyker is a fine podium, very well equipped with great sound and an attractive set of stages and practise rooms (as well as a very nice bar indeed). It’s part of a massive arts complex which, by virtue of its very scale, could have been designed for a minor despot. That it’s bang in the middle of Hoofdorp must be a bone of contention with the locals, considering how few had bothered to turn up for the gig, a no-show made all the more remarkable given Rats on Rafts’ appearance. Maybe they just like Pizza Hut better.

Incredibly by the time Toon & Younes set up and the clatter of the Nasmak Melody rang out the crowd had thinned again, but more fool them as the sounds emanating from the stage were nothing short of epic. Nasmak’s old numbers, these strident and sharp shards of memories lodged in the back of many an old punk mind were given fluidity and power, qualities that had the audience gasping. Bressers is a powerhouse of a drummer, but it’s not really obvious where he gets such a thump, his actions seem methodical, almost scholarly at times. Riad, bent over an amalgam of contraptions seemed to be intuitively aware of how to colour the incredible sonic framework set up by his partner. This was vaulting, steely music, ambitious as a skyscraper and hard as iron. The rhythms at times became merciless, akin to the sensual toughness of Afrobeat: once Truus stepped on stage the audience were pretty much battered into a submissive and receptive state.

But that’s not to intimate that she didn’t seek to work the audience; one thing Truus de Groot has is presence, and an awareness of how to use the stage. Despite using a whole host of articles on a table (including the famous “crackle box”) she is aware of the power of the smallest move, the subtlest inflection or attitude. It was quite weird seeing this brassy confident showmanship given full vent on a provincial Dutch platform. We got a whole host of new tracks from the latest LP, the brilliant Dance with Me (including a pulsating take on the title track) and Bored, not to mention the infuriatingly catchy Wrong Right (which my girlfriend insists on singing ad nauseum). Did we get Freundschaft and Git Along? Maybe we did, but at that point my head had dived into the tank of beer prepared for it. Sadly we had to cut half of the gig and run to get the train, missing any chance of seeing the band play Bodies (I just have to console myself that they probably didn’t do it). What a night, and what a waste only a handful of people saw it.

May 2012 - Issue 84

Article in NRC Handelsblad in Dutch

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Spring 2012

Truus'Tour Schedule

PI = Plus Instruments with Toon Bressers & Younes Raid when noted

April 4 – Extrapool, Nijmegen – Truus Solo (Salton Sea)

April 5 - Worm - Rotterdam -Truus Solo

April 6 - De Fabriek, Eindhoven – PI (With Younes Raid)

April 7 - De Melkweg , Amsterdam- PI & Nasmak medley (With Younes Raid & Solex)

April 13 - Sonic Protest Mini Festival, Tours, France- PI

April 14- Sonic Protest Mini Festival, Centre Barbara Fleury Goutte d'Or= 1, rue Fleury 75018 Paris (Ritualis Solo)

April 15 - Sonic Protest Mini Festival, Main D'Oeuvre, Paris, France - PI

April 20 - - Rietveld Academy - Lecture / performance (Solo)

April 24 – Ultra at STEIM - : ookoi + Instruments & Plurex Tentoonstelling and much much more TBA

April 27 – Podium Duycker, Hoofddorp, Netherlands – PI & Nasmak medley (With Younes Raid)

May 2 - Muziek gebouw, Kleine zaal - Eindhoven - preview Film Rene Daniels - director's cut. (Solo, before the film).

May 10 – Cafe Wilhelmina, Eindhoven, The Netherlands – PI

May 7 thru 14 - Residency at de Worm, Rotterdam creating a Radio show for the series of 'horspil' for Worm/VPRO Cafe Sonore/Radio 6

May 26 - Cinema Nova, Brussel - (Salton Sea) solo-

May 27 - Villette Sonique Paris, France - PI

Plus Instruments Feb-April '81- Reissue Ltd edition 500 Vinyl LP's - on Pouttre Apparente Label - Record release Showcase at Villette Sonique Paris, France - PI

- PI

Residency

April 18 through 30 th at STEIM with Solex. Possible workshop & Concert

Truus will team up with Toon Bressers (Nasmak) performing as Plus Instruments for selected dates in The Netherlands and France. More info as it becomes avaialble. Truus & Toon used to play together in Nasmak and Toon actually teamed up as Plus Instruments with Truus during that time (early 80's). They will play old & new material anywhere from between 1979 and 2011! You can also count or a healthy doze of improvisation. What ever it may be you will want to put your dancing shoes on.

Also in April, Truus will be at STEIM in Amsterdam for another residency. Planned is to finalize her collaboration between her and Solex in person. They have been working on this project through the cyberwaves. But to finish it they are super excited to be able to complete it face to face! They are planning to hold a workshop and concert as well. More about that TBA.

Truus will perform solo at M-Modern Gallery in Palm Springs for the Opening of Bosko's new exhibit "Modern Moods". Also opening that night is a group show for the 11th Anniversary of Sven Kirsten's Book of Tiki . Truus will provide a Ambient sound scape playing the Synthesizers designed by her and Bosko.

Truus & Ultra

Truus is honored to be part of a stellar Line-Up at the Melkweg in Amsterdam!!

Saturday, April 7. De Melkweg, Amsterdam

Thirty Years after the Dutch “Ultra” Movement made sonic and artistic waves in The Netherlands, a stellar line-up will fill a multi media evening of Ultra at De Melkweg in Amsterdam.

At Medialab , an exhibit of Ultra artwork and images. In the old venue performances by Minny Pops, The Tapes, Plus Instruments with Truus de Groot and guest players ToonBressers , Liesbeth Esselink and Younes Riad. In the theater; Bertin, The Sugarettes, the Tobacconists, Katadreuffe, Machinefabriek and Wooden Constructions followed by Gonzo (circus) and Eindbaas DJ's. The Tapes give their first concert since their last performance (12 February 1982) at Paradiso. Minny Pops will play after 30 years mostly material from their second album “Sparks in a Dark Room”. This Minny Pops performance will be the last time they will appear in the Netherlands.

This promises to be an epic event, never to be repeated and not to be missed!! Get your tickets now!!

Also:

Thursday April 5th through Sunday May 6th an exhibit of photography for Vinyl magazine from 1981- 1988 at
Melkweg Gallery, featuring Maarten Corbijn, Erwin Olaf, Roy Tee, Vincent Kruijt and Fran van
der Hoeven.

Pre-order your tickets at De Melkweg now!

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February 17 (Friday), 2012

Fall / Winter 2011

Truus is working hard on her new CD, with the help of none other than Johnny Dowd who is her creative Guru of awesomeness for this project. Release is planned Spring 2012 www.johnnydowd.com

Truus is collborating with Solex on a set of Childrens songs that will be cool enough for us adults as well. I has been an extreme honor to work with this lovely super talented lady!

September 24th

Saturday night the 24th of September at 20.00 (Blender #9), Audio/Performance night at 'De Fabriek'. in
*Dick Verdult (DICK EL DEMASIADO) & Constitu Sound* and *Truus de Groot*
...
Dick Verdult will read some of his 'ugly' poems with audio reinforcement by Pedro Buschi and Julio Lozano (Constitu Sound) from Argentina.
...
Truus will present the fascinating works of Noah Purifoy in a slide / film show where she will create an ambient sound scape infused with spoken/singing word to embellish the mood of the installations.

Here a brief introduction:

****

Yes, it happened! Olé! I improvised with the Cumbia Electronica king, Dick el Demasiado. We jelled like...well jello! It was an evening of pure improvisation, you'd think we been playing together for years. I have know Dick for over 30 years and this was a trurly sublime evening. We hope to release it as a live CD. Who knows... More on Sat. 24 at De Fabriek in Eindhoven...

My Beukorkest experience branched out into a wonderful opportunity for me to work together with the incomparable Johnny Dowd. I joined Johnny for a brief tour through Holland, Germany and Belgium. You could say it was a match made in "Oklahoven" (more about that someday). It was most enjoyable and the band was truly as tight as a wistle. The shows were unpredictable (which suits me) and truly entertaining. I am hungry for more!

Hear My New Plus Intruments CD played on BB6 and Bat Guano's Swag Radio!

***

I will join the Dutch Beukorkest September 2011

Look for performances throughout The Netherlands, dates:

04-09-2011 Effenaar Eindhoven
08-09-2011 Vera Groningen
07-09-2011 Tivoli De Helling Utrecht
09-09-2011 Gebouw T Bergen op Zoom
10-09-2011 Uit Festival Nijmegen
15-09-2011 Off Corso Rotterdam
16-09-2011 W2 Den Bosch

Truus' New CD “Dance with Me” (Truus Plus Instruments) was released July 1, 2011. The 5 th CD on her very own “Dewclaw Ditties” label features 13 original tracks of mostly driving Synthesizer Dance Music reminiscent of her earlier work in the late 70's and 80's - and a few chosen ballads of heartbreak. It has been almost 30 years since the last full length album for Plus Instruments. The album was mastered and produced by James Sclavunos and Peter Mavrogeorgis.

***

The New Plus Instruments is finalized and sent off to the Factory!

It will be released on Dewclaw Ditties under the name:

Truus Plus Intruments

Dance With Me

Get ready for a highly danceable club-oriented CD.

Yes, 2011 will be the year for a brand new Plus Instruments CD

30 years since the last release

Stay tuned

Interview with Truus in Dutch Fret Magazine (in Dutch) 2009

Check out a recent interview with me on The End of Being Blog

And another page dedicated to my recent Sonas Inflecto Video

Here is one from the vaults; a great blog dedicated to long forgotten music, aptly called "No Longer Forgotten Music". Here you can download the entire Nasmak Plus Instruments LP.

Another download is even more obscure a cassette I did in 79/80. Very experimental indeed!

There is

another

New CD release scheduled for End March 2010

More info and downloads soon!

********

How exciting! Hear Truus' Ritualis amidst a stellar line-up on the amazing Bat Guano's "Swag" radio show on WIDR, Kalamazoo, MI! Check for Podcasts on WIDR.ORG

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Currently finalizing the soundtrack we recorded at STEIM for the Salton Sea Series. A CD release is planned sometime around Late February.

STEIM Residency

In October Truus & Bosko will be at the amazing STEIM in Amsterdam for a 2 week residency. Their main focus will be to create the soundtrack for their latest multi media project The Salton Sea Series. For More info see: www.saltonsink.com Truus is super thrilled and humbled to be able to use the Crackle Synthesizer, the creation of Michel Waisvisz who sadly passed away last year. A short live performance is planned on November 4th at STEIM

Ritualis

14 brand new original tracks, this time many with vocals and a number of actual Chansons d'amour straight from the heart but all still in the realm of Exotica!

The CD cover art premieres a painting by surrealist master Mark Ryden and as if that wasn't enough the CD insert folds out to an 9 ½ ”x 14” mini poster (suitable for framing) of the original art. The opposite side of the fold out (and back cover) includes photographs by Bosko at some of our favorite Southern California locales.

INCLUDES COLLECTIBLE MARK RYDEN MINI POSTER!