April 2008 Update

The Ex will curate three special nights on the 25th anniversary of the amazing Musique Action Festival in Vendeouvre, Nancy, France on 7th, 8th + 9th May, . The first two nights are The Ex and guests, in different combinations. Guests will be: DJ /rupture from New York, the Australian bassplayer Clayton Thomas, saxophonist John Butcher, drummer Han Bennink, trombonist Wolter Wierbos and Ethiopian masinqo-player Afework Negussie. On the 9th will be The Ex + Getatchew Mekuria + Guests. Getatchew Mekuria specially flies over from Ethiopia for this concert.

From May 29 till June the 8th, The Ex + Getatchew Mekuria + Guests will play a tour in France and Switzerland, presentating their new DVD release, "11 Ethiopunk Songs" on the Ethiosonic series by Buda Musique.

The Ex will curate concerts and workshops in Ethiopia. After the two tours in 2002 and 2004, the main demand of audiences, music students and musicians was the lack of information, especially on new developments and adventurous new music. With all the experience and contacts it seemed logical to use it for a new project. In the coming years the plan is to bring five different disciplines of new music to Addis Abeba; new pop music, saxophones, big bands, voices and electronics. The Amsterdam popduo Zea will be the first to go, in May 2009. They'll play different venues and music schools, including the Ethiopian Festival of the Alliance Francaice.

Andy is working on a duo CD with soundpoet Anne-James Chaton.

Terrie is doing some concerts with Original Silence, the band with Mats Gustafsson, Jim O'Rourke, Thurston Moore, Massimo Pupillo + Paal Nilssen-Love.

Kat is finishing her duo CD of the Katjon Band, with Jon Langford from The Mekons.