I enjoyed the recordings of ‘The Nutcracker Sessions’. It was great to take the time to meticulously go through a classical score again. I learnt a lot from this album project. However, it felt wrong to spend so much time in my studio bubble while the world outside my bubble seemed to be on fire with climate change, growing inequality and the rise of right-wing populist parties.
During one of my trips to Nairobi, I had come across a newspaper article about the ‘Economic Partnership Agreement’ that the European Union was negotiating with the ACP countries. The Kenyan president refused to sign the agreement because he feared disadvantages for Kenya. The EU responded by imposing tariffs on Kenyan cut flowers, beans and cut flowers. Many small and medium-sized enterprises went bankrupt and the President finally signed the agreement.
Together with the Kenyan percussionist Daniel Mbutch Muhuni, we conducted interviews based on this political blackmail process. We then turned these interviews into music. Definitely one of my favourite albums.

My favourite track:
Cycle Of Poverty

https://svenkacirek.bandcamp.com/album/economic-partnership-agreement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CewUl2ZF_PI