Alpha Xiao is an experimental musical group using a portable electroencephalograph (EEG) and microbial activity to modulate designed audio samples in real time as well as a traditional Chinese flute called a Xiao. They play a concert with new material at Vuotalo Culture Centre, Helsinki, Friday, April 4, 2025. Their concert forms a part of Akusmata Polyphonic. Other performers include Koray Tahiroğlu and The Loopers’ Orchestra.

Alpha Xiao has been active in its musical exploration of mental and musical space since 2020. They often collaborate with other musicians and artists in different constellations such as Sebastian Campbell of God Mother, Petri Kuljantausta and Olav Westphalen. They have played extensively in various Stockholm venues, in Paris and they are preparing for a concert i Helsinki. Alpha Xiao has also created music for Fabien Guillermont and Toan Van Che’s full-length documentary “Reality Check” in 2024.

Alpha Xiao will be in residency at La Generale in Paris March 26 – April 1, 2025. During the residency they focus on new technology to modulate the flute’s sound in real time and make the influence of the EEG and microbes’ activity more central to their sound.

Alpha Xiao’s participation in Akusmata Polyphonic is supported by the Nordic Culture Fund.

Listen to Alpha Xiao on Soundcloud.

B/w photo by Perttu Rastas and colour images by Juha van Ingen. Film and editing by Kenneth Kovasin