K8A / SHAHZAD ISMAILY / IVA BITTOVA
K8A, SHAHZAD ISMAILY, IVA BITTOVA
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
K8A, Shahzad Ismaily and Iva Bittová meet as a trio for the first time at Barbès, in a set built around fearless improvisation and real-time discovery. K8A brings violin, composition, Ethiopian musical traditions and electronics; Ismaily is the multi-instrumentalist moving between rhythm, texture and melody; Bittová contributes violin, voice and composition. The premise is an encounter between three distinct musical languages, with folk-derived material, electronics, melody and theatrical expression left to collide and intertwine as the performance unfolds.
K8A is Kaethe Hostetter, an American violinist and composer whose work was shaped by 12 years of living and collaborating in Ethiopia. Her solo practice uses violin, live looping and electronics, described as “a solo, psychedelic, loop-based violin ritual.” New York-based Pakistani-American musician Shahzad Ismaily is known as a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, with collaborators including Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, Tom Waits, John Zorn and Bonnie Prince Billy; he has been called “one of music’s most in-demand collaborators.” Czech violinist, vocalist and composer Iva Bittová combines voice and violin in work situated “between Moravian folk, contemporary improvisation, jazz, and opera.” Her collaborators include Bill Frisell, Bobby McFerrin and Bang on a Can All-Stars.
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.