Press info

Pravda23 is an open-source DJ band. By spontaneously creating dance music from scratch through improvisation and audience participation, Pravda23 is ground-breaking in introducing the single most under-rated performer back into live music performance: You.

Remixing the age-old practice of live improvisation with the exciting new fan-band crossover of today’s social networking avenues, Pravda23 replaces one-way performance norms with what some have called “the future of music:” two-way interaction. Live performances give selected fans a chance to contribute lyric, song and instrument to the music as it happens! The gap between stage and front row has never been smaller.

Using the novel hardware / software / instrument triptych of today’s premiere DJ bands, Pravda23 performances synergise the audience by creating music on-the-fly and remaining acutely focused on the simple formula of music: rhythm, melody & harmony. Layered drum loops, basslines, violin, guitar, djembe, percussion, keyboard, and – of course – the spontaneous contributions of the fans creates a complex musical territory for which even the performers themselves have no map!

Pravda23 is led by musical director and multi-instrumentalist John Bartmann. Bartmann began his music career at the age of three, playing from his older sister’s piano books, taking violin lessons at the age of 10, teaching himself guitar, drums and African drums and returning to violin twelve years later after receiving an amazing response to live violin electronica from the South African crowds.

While audience members, session artists and random bystanders are all roped into Pravda23 at every live show, Bartmann remains at the centre of the creative vision, surrounded on all sides by willing talent. Pravda23 is the vehicle you and him share to collaboratively express the inner music common to everybody: whatever’s on your heart at the moment.

Plug yourself into what must surely be the most innovative original live performance you’ve probably only ever heard of. Create your music with Pravda23.