Abacus Earthling: a sonic adventure from The Asthmatix
The Asthmatix has released their new album, Abacus Earthling, which they describe as a sonic adventure, “multi-layered, deeply textured, and cinematic”.
For members of The Asthmatix, Micha ‘Morphingaz’ Walter, Daniel Pliner and Daniel Weltlinger, music has always been at the core of their lives. The band, who describe their music as “irreverent, off-the-wall-anything-goes electro-acoustic music blending klezmer, hip hop, middle east” on their Facebook page, have been playing for nearly 20 years, bringing a mix of humour, groove and deep musicality.
Their new album, Abacus Earthling, has been a decade in the making and it’s something they’re incredibly proud of.
While Walter, Pliner and Weltlinger all come from the Jewish community, their diverse roots always influence their music.
Weltlinger’s late father was born in Budapest and his mother was born in Casablanca, Walter’s family are from the UK and he is married to a Swedish Jew with Hungarian and Czech ancestry, while Pliner’s family hails from South Africa.
“Despite leading diverse lives, we all collectively share an undeniable bond to Jewish culture – whether through family, tradition, or the unique creative lens it gives us,” they said.
As explained to The AJN, “Weltlinger is the violinist in the group and grew up with music before he could even talk”. His maternal grandfather played the violin and now Weltlinger plays the very same instrument, carried by foot from Budapest to Marseilles between 1920 and 1922.
Like Weltlinger, Pliner’s musical journey started with a family heirloom – a treasured family piano. “[He] spent hours getting lost in its melodies,” the band recalled.
Walter however, took a different route, choosing to dive straight into DJing right after his Bar Mitzvah, “drawn to the thrill of mixing sounds, creating beats, and experimenting with new technology”.
The band began in 2003 as an impromptu jam between turntablist Yossi Mlynsky (now based in New York), Pliner and Weltlinger. That initial spark turned into something bigger – a blend of hip-hop beats, fat basslines, samples of anything and everything that “just fits”. This may include Chassidic nigunim, kids records, jazz and klezmer influences using turntables, beat pads, computers, synthesisers and violin.
“Our sound is constantly evolving, shaped by the diverse range of artists we’ve collectively worked with over the years including Mocky, Dereb The Ambassador, Oyobi, Lulo Reinhardt and Monsieur Camembert amongst many others,” they explain.
As for the new album, the band described Abacus Earthling as a sonic adventure, “multi-layered, deeply textured, and cinematic”.
“Tracks on the album have titles like ‘Galaxiana’, ‘The King’ and ‘Hungary’ which take the listeners on a journey, letting them piece together their own stories through sound.”
Their hope is that listeners feel something when hearing the tracks, whether it’s the nostalgia of a Chassidic melody flipped into a hip-hop groove or the deep, immersive warmth of the violin cutting through a sea of beats.
“It’s the kind of album that rewards repeat listens – every time, you’ll pick up something new. It’s rich, playful, and cinematic, leaving enough space for the listener’s imagination to run wild.”While the band explained that for a while they have been scattered across the globe – Micha in Sweden, Daniel Weltlinger in Berlin, and Daniel Pliner in Australia – they’re now ready to hit the stage more frequently and make even more music together.
“Expect more live shows, collaborations, and new recordings on the horizon. There’s a lot brewing, and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”
As for words of advice for people trying to follow their musical dreams, The Asthmatix said it’s simple.
Be yourself.
“Be patient, be brave, and most of all – be yourself. The music industry is full of trends, but real artistry comes from authenticity. Don’t try to copy what’s already out there – trust your instincts, experiment, and create something only you can make.
And remember: music is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy every moment of it.”
Listen to The Asthmatix on your preferred streaming platform. Abacus Earthling will be launched at Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville on Wednesday, April 16. Doors open at 7 PM, and the live music kicks off at 8:30 PM.
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