Javier Areal Velez

Javier Areal Vélez is an Argentinian composer and improviser who performs mostly on electric guitar, with or without things stuffed between its strings.

His approach relies heavily on a primal technique that emphasizes timbre and rhythm, and avoids traditional forms in favor of intensity, dynamic contrast and general weirdness. The physicality of his interactions with the guitar creates sonic outcomes not defined by any specific genre.

He’s the main composer and guitarist of the bizarre pop band El Helicóptero and plays in Calato, a loud (free and scored) improv outfit. Former projects have included leading noise/postpunk trio Coso and being a founding member of Orquesta de improvisadores de Buenos Aires and Enjambre de Guitarras.

He runs Noise Nada, a live archive of recent Argentinian experimental music and is part of the coordination of the Contemporary Music Festival of Teatro San Martín and the Colón Contemporáneo program of Teatro Colón, both in Buenos Aires.