In the year 2002 Simon Wascher and Merit Zloch played session at the
slightly odd bagpipe festival in Strakonice / Czechoslovakia. It
grooved so well that they decided to join forces. Out of this relation
bilwesz was born in late autumn of the same year.
One year later, also playing session, but this time at the
hurdy-gurdy-festival in Lißberg/Germany, Matthias Branschke joined the
team.
The first CD followed in February 2004. The recordings were made in a
wine cellar in the western outskirts of Vienna. In addition to Matthias
Branschke there were two more guests invited: Stefan Straubinger
(concertina) from Munich and Laurenz Schiffermüller (percussion).
Listeners and critics liked "hardigatti!". The french Trad
Magazine awarded it with "Bravos!!", a prize for especially recommended
CDs.
Gigs in Germany and abroad followed, amongst others at the EBU Festival
in Pula/Croatia and at the Harfentreffen at Mosenberg, Germany.
In winter 2006 so many new tunes had piled up that plans were made for
a new CD. "spring" was recorded in February 2006 in the "Blue house" in
Kremsmünster / Upper Austria with Jörg Mikula (drums) as guest
musician. The new CD was presented to the public at
Rudolstadt TFF Festival, the biggest world music festival in Germany.
Meanwhile Matthias Branschke is a fixed member of bilwesz. For bigger
stages a drummer is invited as guest musician.
the band:
Simon Wascher
hurdy-gurdy alto
musician with Schickaneders Jugend and Rundgeiger, 1. prize at solo
competition at Saint Chartier Festival 2003; CD-recordings with L´Orfeo
Barockorchester, editor of sheet music, graphic
Matthias Branschke
shepherds pipe, border pipes, säckpipa, flute
musician with Broth, winner of Folkförderpreises TFF Rudolstadt 2001
Merit Zloch
lever harp, voice, booking
musician with Malbrook (TFF-Ruth-winner 2005) and vinkoop, 2. prize at
Duo competition at Saint Chartier 2003, MA in archaeology and art
history
