About the Concert
Valeriu Borcos and Eduard Gabia are Karpov not Kasparov, a musical game of chess between synthesizers and drums. Beginning in Bucharest in 2009, the duo soon incorporated an analogue visual artist and contemporary dancers into their live performances, resulting in a theatrical show and a kind of real-time soundtrack to the action around them. The duo’s unique dynamic creates a psychedelic synth driven sound, combining oriental melodies with the drive of a full live drum kit.
“Soundtrack for a game of Chess” is their debut LP, comprising a selection of the best tracks from their previous two EPs, which never appeared on vinyl. “Mechanical Turk”, named after a faux chess-playing machine constructed in the late 18th century, displays the darker side to the band’s undulating sound, as the vintage synth creates a spacey Eastern overlay to the driving bass and drums.
There are moments of downbeat jazz-infused introspection, such as the track “Kaissa”, named after the goddess of chess, as well as the ever-onward kraut drums of “Choose you colour gipsy dark” overlaid with the rise and fall of a pulsating synth. Yet the record is not simply a dark synth composition, at times K not K sway towards a more playful, experimental pop sound reminiscent of early electronic pioneers such as Harmonia or Vangelis, while still managing to retain a modern, otherworldly feel.
Having garnered great acclaim within their native Romania, their debut Eps also received high praise internationally from sources such as WFMU. While last year, Mehmet Aslan’s re-work of “Mechanical Turk” released on Huntleys + Palmers made waves across the dance floors of the world. They’re now set to release their debut LP on Polychrome Sounds this Summer and will be touring Europe from Spring onwards.
They are playing Urban Spree on Tuesday, July 28th.Upcoming concert
Concerts
KLANGSTABIL \\ Urban Spree, Berlin
- Mar 21, 2026
- 20:00
- 30.00€
Concerts
Automelodi \\ Urban Spree, Berlin
- Nov 13, 2025
- 20:00
- 18.00€
Concerts
Harm/Shelter x TORCH IT x Wrecked Culture…
- Oct 10, 2025
- 19:00
- 22.00€
Concerts
+ Conan + and more - Urban Spree Berlin
- Oct 09, 2025
- 20:00
- 28.87€
Concerts
Berlin Breakout
- Jul 05, 2025
- 14:00
- 56.21€
Concerts
HHY & THE MACUMBAS • Berlin • Urban Spree
- Jun 26, 2025
- 20:00
- 28.20€
Concerts
LES SHIRLEY | Berlin, Urban Spree
- Jun 26, 2025
- 19:00
- 21.30€
Concerts
(moved from Urban Spree) - Getdown Services…
- Jun 25, 2025
- 20:00
- 20.90€
Concerts
Korowa Bar Club Night
- Jun 20, 2025
- 21:00
- 20.35€
Concerts
WARFIELD | Berlin
- Jun 15, 2025
- 19:00
- 22.00€
Concerts
Left For Pleasure + Gorgyra + Ascending •…
- Jun 12, 2025
- 20:00
- 20.00€
Concerts
SUPERHEAVEN \\ Berlin
- Jun 11, 2025
- 20:00
- 30.70€
Concerts
FAETOOTH • Berlin • Urban Spree
- Jun 08, 2025
- 20:00
- 24.90€
Concerts
Scruff of the Neck Berlin: Shybits, Lore…
- Jun 06, 2025
- 20:00
- 12.50€
Concerts
NO CIGAR - live in Berlin
- May 31, 2025
- 20:00
- 16.50€
Concerts
Laura Krieg ╫ Urban Spree, Berlin
- May 29, 2025
- 20:00
- 16.95€
Concerts
Junius w/ tba ◥◣ Urban Spree, Berlin
- May 28, 2025
- 20:00
- 26.25€
Concerts
Koza Mostra • Urban Spree • Berlin
- May 18, 2025
- 20:00
- 23.50€
Concerts
Kadavar: 'I Just Want To Be A Sound' Album…
- May 17, 2025
- 20:00
- 45.00€
Concerts
CRAVE TAPES LABELNIGHT with Jennifer Touch,…
- May 16, 2025
- 22:00
- 22.60€
Concerts
Tristwch y Fenywod \\ Urban Spree, Berlin
- May 14, 2025
- 20:00
- 15.00€
Concerts
Condor \\ Patrol \\ Klavo
- May 08, 2025
- 20:00
- 19.00€
Concerts
HEAVY LUNGS | Berlin, Urban Spree
- May 07, 2025
- 19:00
- 20.20€
Concerts
Black Magic Presents: HIRS COLLECTIVE | STORMO…
- May 03, 2025
- 20:00
- 18.70€
Concerts
Bragolin \\ Urban Spree, Berlin
- May 02, 2025
- 20:00
- 15.00€
Concerts
BLACK ENDS | Urban Spree - Berlin
- May 01, 2025
- 20:00
- 23.50€
Concerts
THE FRANK & WALTERS (IRL) | Berlin show at…
- Apr 26, 2025
- 20:00
- 22.00€
Concerts
Words Of Concrete + Blossom Decay + Bite…
- Apr 25, 2025
- 19:00
- 19.93€
Concerts
The Vulcan Itch • Urban Spree • Berlin
- Apr 24, 2025
- 20:00
- 17.90€
Concerts
Cathedral Bells (US) + Haunt Me (US) + Sleep…
- Apr 22, 2025
- 19:00
- 19.20€
Concerts
Battle of the Machines (DAYTIME)
- Apr 19, 2025
- 15:00
- 16.95€
Concerts
EP2 Release Konzert
- Apr 18, 2025
- 20:30
- 5.00€
Concerts
Jemek Jemowit + Choke Chain Live + Katrin…
- Apr 17, 2025
- 20:00
- 18.00€
Concerts
DENISA ( + rýr) \\ EUROPEAN TOUR 2025 \\…
- Apr 15, 2025
- 20:00
- 20.00€
Concerts
Iggor Cavalera (Cavalera Conspiracy \ Ex-Sepultura)…
- Apr 14, 2025
- 20:00
- 28.00€
Concerts
Indian Nightmare - record release + Gravekvlt…
- Apr 13, 2025
- 19:00
- 22.73€
Concerts
MACHINERIES OF JOY: The PSYCHIC FORCE (live)…
- Apr 12, 2025
- 22:00
- 20.00€
Concerts
-SOLD OUT- Snapped Ankles - Berlin - Urban…
- Apr 11, 2025
- 20:00
- 22.00€
Concerts
The Vices + support: Yunni • Berlin • Urban…
- Apr 02, 2025
- 20:00
- 26.60€
Concerts
EDDIE DARK + XTR HUMAN + RUHR + JESS BRETT
- Mar 29, 2025
- 20:00
- 25.00€
Concerts
Escape With Romeo \\ Urban Spree, Berlin
- Mar 28, 2025
- 20:00
- 23.00€
Concerts
Concert of Tequilajazzz
- Mar 27, 2025
- 19:00
- 35.00€
Concerts
-Cancelled \ abgesagt - GÖRKEM KARABUDAK…
- Mar 26, 2025
- 20:00
- 23.50€
Concerts
HotWax: 'Hot Shock' Release Gig
- Mar 25, 2025
- 20:00
- 40.00€
Concerts
THUS LOVE
- Mar 19, 2025
- 20:00
- 22.70€
Concerts
- CANCELLED - Dlina Volny \\ Urban Spree,…
- Mar 16, 2025
- 20:00
- 15.00€
Concerts
DAS BEAT • Urban Spree • Berlin
- Mar 14, 2025
- 20:00
- 19.00€
Concerts
Tapetopia: PLANLOS X + Der Expander Des Fortschritts…
- Mar 07, 2025
- 20:00
- 15.00€
Concerts
ALPHAWHORES | Berlin, Urban Spree
- Mar 06, 2025
- 19:00
- 21.20€
Concerts
The Rills - Don't Be A Stranger Tour
- Mar 05, 2025
- 20:00
- 24.85€
