Ruiskamer: Merope + Alex Zhang Hungtai

Led by Lithuanian Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė, Merope offers a unique vision of traditional Baltic music, enriched with Bert Cools' experimental guitar and electronics. Their music, a blend of jazz, ambient, minimalism, and cosmic influences, is difficult to categorize. With deep roots in Lithuanian tradition, they focus on the future and create a universal message. Their third album, *Naktės*, and their fourth album, *Salos*, featuring the Vilnius Chamber Choir, brought them international acclaim. Merope continues to evolve with contributions from artists like Sam Amidon and members of Efterklang.

​

<iframe width="100%" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yy2o5tdrVVY" title="Merope - Naktės" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

​

Zhang is a multidisciplinary artist focused on improvisation and the connection to the subconscious. After ending his project Dirty Beaches, he explores improv, free jazz, and composition, primarily with saxophone and drums, and delves into electronic music.

He has collaborated with artists such as Tashi Dorji, Che Chen, and Sam Shalabi. Zhang also composes film soundtracks and acts in independent films. Notably, he appeared in David Lynch’s *Twin Peaks: The Return* with the fictional band Trouble. His latest film score for *Godland* was in competition at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard.

​

<iframe width="100%" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RzUbI-Ugjzo" title="Dirty Beaches - Solid State Gold [FULL TAPE]" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>