Bitch 'n' Monk

Witch 'n' Monk (formerly Bitch 'n' Monk) is the twinning of nonconformist Colombian flautist Mauricio Velasierra and anarchic soprano/guitarist Heidi Heidelberg. Their music is constructed with Latin American flutes radically manipulated with effects and extended techniques, anarchic soprano vocals that move seamlessly and suddenly between characters and timbres, analogue electronics and a jazz-punk guitar/bass hybrid. Each limb is called upon to create the sound of multiple dimensions being inhabited simultaneously, using a myriad of control pedals and labyrinthine signal paths to orchestrate live.

Exploring extremes and creating contrast are fundamental to their work and thus they tread upon the edges of genres. Celebrated in the jazz, contemporary classical and underground music scenes they have played across the UK and Europe, at prestigious venues and festivals such as Berlin, London, Manchester and Umea Jazz Festivals, Amsterdam’s Bimhuis, London’s Royal Festival Hall and Paris' La Cigale, but have also performed at communist Italian skateparks or in East London gardens.

Following their previous releases ‘Fulafalonga’ and ‘We Are Peering Over’, they released 'Witch 'n' Monk' under their new name on John Zorn's legendary label Tzadik Records in 2020 to critical acclaim. It was named 'Contemporary Album of the Month' by The Guardian and received the prestigious Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. It is not available on Spotify but can be found on Bandcamp!