Janek Schaefer

Schaefer was born in England to Polish and Canadian parents.{{cite web|url=https://www.cafeoto.co.uk/artists/janek-schaefer/ |title=Janek Schaefer ← People ← Cafe OTO |publisher=Cafeoto.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2022-03-24}}

While studying architecture at the Royal College of Art (RCA) with tutor Ben Kelly, Schaefer recorded the stop start noises of a sound-activated dictaphone travelling overnight through the Post Office. The resulting work, "Recorded Delivery"{{cite journal|url=https://www.frieze.com/article/janek-schaefer|title=Janek Schaefer|first=Abi|last=Bliss|journal=Frieze |date=1 April 2010|issue=130|via=www.frieze.com}} was made for the 'Self Storage' exhibition Time Out critics choice with former postman Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson, and Artangel.{{cite web|url=https://www.artangel.org.uk/project/self-storage/|title=Self Storage }}

After graduating from the RCA with the annual portfolio prize, Schaefer invented the Tri-phonic Turntable in 1997, to create new music from discarded media, and began performing and touring live. The turntable is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the "World's Most Versatile Record Player".{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/77475-most-versatile-record-player|title=Most versatile record player|website=Guinness World Records}} Schaefer has performed, lectured, and exhibited in 30 countries throughout Europe (Sonar, Tate Modern, ICA), USA & Canada (The Walker, XI, Mutek, FIMAV, Princeton), and toured across Japan and Australia including a performance at the Sydney Opera House in 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Janek-Schaefer-DJ-Olive-Lawrence-English-Three-By-Three-By-Three/release/11306125|website=Discogs|title=Janek Schaefer + DJ Olive + Lawrence English - Three by Three by Three |date=October 2015 }}

His debut reverse play LP "His Masters Voices" was released in 1997 on his audiOh! Recordings label. His first studio CD Above Buildings (2000) was released on Fat Cat and was CD of the week in The Guardian.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Janek-Schaefer-Above-Buildings/release/13061|title=Janek Schaefer – Above Buildings|last=|first=|date=20 October 2000|website=Discogs|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=9 Oct 2019}} He created the original random playing LP called 'Skate' in 2004, which evolved into an audio visual installation, which won Award of Distinction at Ars Electronica in Austria 2004 {{cite web|url= https://archive.aec.at/prix/showmode/1561/|title= Ars Electronica Archiv}}

Schaefer has collaborated on albums with Philip Jeck (Songs for Europe), Robert Hampson (Comae), Stephan Mathieu (Hidden Name), Charlemagne Palestine (Day of the Demons), and William Basinski (... on reflection).{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/12543-Janek-Schaefer|title=Janek Schaefer - Discography|last=|first=|date=|website=Discogs|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=9 Oct 2019}}

Schaefer is a visiting professor in sound art, and PhD external examiner.

In 2008, using prize money from the Paul Hamlyn Award, he set up the Lucky Dip Disco.{{cite web|url=https://www.luckydipdisco.com/|title=Lucky Dip Disco > You Pick The Hits > Funky Mobile Disco Party >|website=www.luckydipdisco.com}} An all ages disco turning around the box of 7"s to invite the audience to search for their favourite music memories. In 2020 he won the 'Best Mobile DJ' National UK Award.

In 2009, the Bluecoat gallery in Liverpool mounted a five gallery retrospective exhibition of his career to date.

He lives and works at 'Narnia' in Walton-on-Thames with two children.

File:Janek Schaefer BEACH.jpg

• 1991: Royal Institute of British Architects, Photography Prize for ‘Neighbours’.
• 1996: Royal College of Art Old Student Award portfolio prize.
• 2002: McKnight Composer in Residence, American Composers Forum{{cite web|url=https://composersforum.org/programs/mcknight-visiting-composer-residencies/|title=McKnight Visiting Composer Residencies|website=American Composers Forum}}
• 2004: Award of Distinction at Prix Ars Electronica, Austria, for random playing LP Skate{{cite web|url=http://90.146.8.18/en/archives/picture_ausgabe_03_new.asp?iAreaID=145&showAreaID=147&iImageID=39400|title=Ars Electronica Archive|website=90.146.8.18|access-date=2 November 2018}}
• 2008: British Composer of the Year in Sonic Art Award, for "Extended Play" (triptych for the child survivors of war and conflict).{{cite web|url=http://www.britishcomposerawards.com/nominations.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227075541/http://www.britishcomposerawards.com/nominations.html|url-status=dead|title=British Composer of the Year Awards 2003 - Present|archive-date=27 February 2012}}
• 2008: Paul Hamlyn Award for Composers prize.{{cite web|url=https://www.phf.org.uk/our-work-in-the-uk/ideas/awards-for-artists/previous-recipients/|title=Previous recipients - Paul Hamlyn Foundation|access-date=4 March 2022|archive-date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422034202/https://www.phf.org.uk/our-work-in-the-uk/ideas/awards-for-artists/previous-recipients/|url-status=dead}}
• 2020: UK 'Best Mobile DJ' Award at the Event Entertainment Awards{{cite web|url=https://bookentertainment.co.uk/awards/2020-uk-national-event-entertainment-awards|title=2020 UK National Event Entertainment Awards|website=bookentertainment.co.uk}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.janekschaefer.com Official website]
• Music & Art live Archive: [http://www.audioh.com/ audiOh! Room : Janek Schaefer]
• foundsoundscape: [http://www.foundsoundscape.com ( ( ( foundsoundscape ) ) ) : created & curated by Janek Schaefer]

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Category:1970 births

Category:British sound artists

Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Art

Category:Living people

Category:English composers

Category:English people of Polish descent

Category:English people of Canadian descent