About us
Two-headed octopus's industrial garden party drumming for stroke survivors. Poly-hiccup thing hitting with Martin, Tom and the sound of hyperinflation.
- Line-up
- Martin Rother, Tom Schäfer (drums, FX)
- Since
- 2025
- Based in
- Leipzig
- Style
- Experimental improvisation
CZIZC has been around since early 2025. We have both been playing drums for many years, in different bands and styles, in rehearsal rooms, on stages and at jam sessions.
Every performance is completely improvised. No setlist, no backing tracks, no click. We start with a single sound or with silence and let the piece grow from there.
1.5 drum kits, one bass drum
We play one shared bass drum, plus percussion, FX, found objects and self-built instruments such as our spring box. Springs, pieces of metal or wood often become just as important as snare drums or cymbals.
Never finished
Our setup is never fixed. We keep developing it, swapping instruments, adding new things and leaving others out. That way we always have to deal with new things, or with fewer things, and start over a little every time.
Everyone hears something different
Some people tell us they imagined flying through clouds into a thunderstorm. Others hear underground tunnels, machines, earthquakes or collapsing landscapes. Some see no pictures at all and focus on rhythm and texture. We never tell these stories ourselves. There are no lyrics and no predefined narrative.
With others
CZIZC is a duo, but regularly plays with other musicians and performers too.
Played with
Line-up
- Martin Rother · drums, FX
- Tom Schäfer · drums, FX
Questions
Since when has CZIZC existed?
Since early 2025. Martin Rother and Tom Schäfer have both played drums for many years, as a duo since 2025.
Do you always play the same setup?
No. Our setup is never finished: we swap instruments, build new ones and leave others out. Sometimes we play with more, sometimes with less. That is exactly what keeps us listening.
Is everything really improvised?
Yes. There is no setlist, no backing track and no click. We start with a single sound, a rhythm or silence and see where it goes. No two shows sound alike.
What does it sound like?
Somewhere between free improvisation, noise and rhythm. Some listeners hear thunderstorms, machines or tunnels, others focus on rhythm and texture.
Do you play outdoors?
Yes, happily. Wind, conversations and street sounds become part of the music. We have played street festivals, galleries and backyards.
How long do you play?
A set usually runs 30 to 60 minutes. We are happy to fit the evening.
What equipment do you need?
Not much. Everything is listed in our technical rider on the booking page.
Where do you play?
We are based in Leipzig. So far we have played in Leipzig and Jena, in galleries, at street festivals and in backyards. Where we go next depends on the next invitation.