ABOUT
Gustavo Obligado
Gustavo Obligado
Gustavo Obligado, born in 1990 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a multifaceted musician, improviser, composer, and performer who has called Berlin home since 2020. Starting his musical education at the “Manuel de Falla” Superior Conservatory, he later expanded his knowledge by completing the Expanded Music Postgraduate Course at UNSAM in 2018.
Actively involved in an array of original music projects—Arura, Falsx Conejx, NoWa, HAPAX, Supernintendo Archundia, and Tripas—Gustavo showcases his versatility with acoustic instruments like saxophones and clarinets, as well as electronic instruments including sequencers, samplers, and drum machines. His exploration spans genres rooted in experimental music, free improvisation, noise, and experimental electronics. Notably, he has released three solo albums: “Phenomenas” (2017), “Phenomenas Vivas” (2018), and his latest creation, “Ulúlofono” (2021).
Gustavo’s musical influence extends beyond solo endeavors, with impactful tours across Europe, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, the United States, Peru, and Mexico. His prolific discography boasts over 20 albums, exemplifying his innovative contributions and adaptability within the contemporary music landscape.
Photo by Cristina Marx
EVENTS
Showcasing 8 Projects
English: Arura is an ancient entity that predates our existence. It materialized in Berlin in 2020 through the manifestation of two individuals, Gustavo Obligado and Sebastian Erdmann, hailing from a distant place known as Argentina. In this manifestation, Arura utilizes us as mere conduits, channeling its essence through electronic instruments.
Español: Arura es una entidad atávica que existe desde antes que nosotros. Se manifestó en Berlín en 2020, tomando la forma de dos seres humanos provenientes de un lugar remoto llamado Argentina, conocidos como Gustavo Obligado y Sebastián Erdmann. Arura nos guía, somos meros vehículos que ejecutan instrumentos electrónicos.
Photo by Miguel Ángel Gutiérrez
English: It’s an exploration that navigates between the analog and the digital, seamlessly blending the acoustic with the electronic. The outcome is articulated through voices intricately interwoven and processed, giving rise to soundscapes that traverse the dreamlike, the contemplative, and the industrial or post-industrial realms. This richness is elevated by incorporating instruments from diverse cultures worldwide, crafting an experience intentionally detached from specific references of place and time.
Español: Es una exploración que navega entre lo analógico y lo digital, fusionando de manera fluida lo acústico con lo electrónico. El resultado se expresa a través de voces cuidadosamente entrelazadas y procesadas, dando vida a paisajes sonoros que transitan entre lo onírico, lo contemplativo y lo industrial o postindustrial. Esta riqueza se potencia al incluir instrumentos de diversas culturas alrededor del mundo, creando una experiencia que evita deliberadamente anclarse a referencias específicas de lugar y tiempo.
English: Hapax Kollektiv is a musical project dedicated to the interpretation of contemporary musical pieces. The music of HAPAX KOLLEKTIV aims to create a captivating and immersive experience. The collective is composed of Argentine musicians residing in Berlin, Germany, and is made up of the following members: Gustavo Obligado on alto saxophone, Sofia Salvo on baritone saxophone, Guido Kohn on cello, Emiliano Salvatore on electric guitar, Julián Galay with tuning forks, and Ángeles Rojas on shruti.
Español: Hapax Kollektiv es un proyecto musical dedicado a la interpretación de piezas musicales contemporáneas. La música de HAPAX KOLLEKTIV busca crear una experiencia cautivadora e inmersiva. El colectivo está compuesto por músicos argentinos residentes en Berlín, Alemania, e incluye a los siguientes miembros: Gustavo Obligado en saxofón alto, Sofia Salvo en saxofón barítono, Guido Kohn en violonchelo, Emiliano Salvatore en guitarra eléctrica, Julián Galay con diapasones y Ángeles Rojas en shruti.
Photo by El oscurecedor
English: Emiliano Salvatore and Gustavo Obligado, Berlin-based musicians, seamlessly fuse improv and composition with electric guitar and soprano saxophone. Their real-time processed sound creates abstract soundscapes with melodic harmonies, rhythmic motifs, noise, instrument preparation, and extended techniques, crafting a resonant space that intrigues the listener.
Español: Emiliano Salvatore y Gustavo Obligado, músicos con base en Berlín, fusionan de manera fluida la improvisación y la composición utilizando la guitarra eléctrica y el saxofón soprano. Su sonido procesado en tiempo real da lugar a paisajes sonoros abstractos con armonías melódicas, motivos rítmicos, ruido, preparación de instrumentos y técnicas extendidas, creando un espacio resonante que cautiva al oyente.
Photo by Ana Iramaina
Sanchez is a project that originated during Berlin’s winter lockdown, evolving home sessions into a space for collective musical exploration. Amid the challenges of public performance limitations, the project crafted a distinctive improvisational language, blurring lines between electronic and acoustic, and redefining the boundaries of music and noise. Sanchez not only represents a musical endeavor but also serves as a quest for identity for three Latin Americans navigating life in Berlin.
Español: Sanchez es un proyecto nacido durante el confinamiento invernal en Berlín, donde las sesiones en casa se transformaron en un espacio de exploración musical colectiva. En medio de las limitaciones para actuar en espacios públicos, el proyecto desarrolló un lenguaje improvisacional único, difuminando las fronteras entre lo electrónico y lo acústico, y redefiniendo los límites entre la música y el ruido. Sanchez no solo representa un proyecto musical, sino también una búsqueda de identidad para tres latinoamericanos que se desenvuelven en Berlín.
Photo by Borja Martín Andino
Gustavo Obligado is a musician, improviser, composer and performer born in 1990 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his studies in academic music at the Superior Conservatory “Manuel de Falla”. He finished the Expanded Music Postgraduate Course at UNSAM 2018. He attended the Composition Workshop taught by maestro Ricardo Capellano at CEMFA 2017. Interested in popular music, he studied with saxophonists Ramiro Flores, Ada Rave and Rodrigo Dominguez. He is part of various projects that include original music: Arura, Falsx Conejo, Motor, Nowa, Caprís, Tecla Gato, Flujus. He has two albums released as a soloist “Phenomenas” (2017) “Phenomenas Vivas” (2018).He is currently presenting the group performance “Ululófono”. He is the organizer and curator of the ENCRUCIJADA Cycle since 2016 and of the sOnOraje cycle since 2019. He has produced the experimental music podcast “se oyó bulla” since 2020. He toured Europe, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, the United States, Peru and Mexico.
Photo by Frank Vogelsteller
NA formed in 2021 by OBRIGADO and VNNTX is an intense electronic duo dedicated to making the audience dance. With synthesizers, drum machines, sequencers, key tar, and real-time vocals, their set captures the live experience. Supernintendo Archundia fuses Electro-house and Big Beat, infused with ’90s rave influences, adding Techno, DnB, and Acid-house for a dynamic performance
Photo by Kiremico
The Ultimate Brutal Orchestra, or U.B.O., stands as a dynamic international real-time/import orchestra. Conceived by Dr. Nexus, this avant-garde ensemble came to life on August 22, 2022, during the 3rd BRUITAL NOISE PICNIC at Volkspark Humbolthain in Berlin.
Notably, the U.B.O. operates without a single rehearsal, opting instead to take the stage and craft their sonic masterpiece spontaneously. By definition, it is a real-time orchestra, with each member bringing a unique musical background and actively participating in various other projects. Consequently, assembling all members on stage simultaneously remains a challenging feat. Nevertheless, since its inception, the U.B.O. has graced numerous experimental music venues across Berlin.
The accomplished roster of members includes:
This eclectic ensemble showcases the diversity of its members, creating a one-of-a-kind auditory experience that pushes the boundaries of experimental music.
Photo by Carl Weidner
Showcasing 8 Projects