Cid Rim

A free jazz drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and session musician turned producer, Vienna's Clemens Bacher, aka Cid Rim, produces a bouncy, optimistic, psychedelic strain of electronica combining influences of IDM, pop, house, vaporwave, and jazz. Born in Vienna, Bacher grew up in a music-loving household and began to play the piano at the age of six. Later he took up the drums, before discovering electronic music production software at the age of 14 and becoming instantly fascinated. As a youth he was inspired by everything from classic 1960s jazz and '70s fusion to early Warp Records IDM and '90s U.S. East Coast hip-hop. He attended the Vienna Jazz Conservatoire, where he studied drums for five years. Becoming part of the city's thriving creative scene, Bacher was involved in both free jazz and electronic music, working with fellow Wiener (and kindred spirit) Dorian Concept, among others. He also served as a touring drummer for South African rapper Spoek Mathambo, and became known for his remixes, particularly that of the then-unknown Chvrches' "Recover." Cid Rim finally released his debut album, Material, in 2017, at the age of 32, on Scottish label LuckyMe. The record, which synthesized all of his influences into a unique avant-dance fusion, was widely acclaimed. Bacher moved to London, where he took his time working on his second long-player; entitled Songs of Vienna, it was released in 2021 and took his genre-bending style even further, incorporating more live playing and elements of pop and big-band jazz. ~ John D. Buchanan