Friday 15 May 2026, 7.30pm
From the Lips to the Moon returns to Cafe OTO for an electrifying long-form improvisation of music and words led by live-electronic musician Pouya Ehsaei and performer-writer Tara Fatehi.
Each From the Lips to the Moon show features a fresh lineup of guest musicians and poets, creating an intimate yet expansive space of playfulness and transformation. In this edition, they are joined by artists from their upcoming album: saxophonist and multi-wind player Tamar Osborn (Collocutor), cello player expanding jazz into other realms Kareem Dayes (Tom Skinner ensemble), and the dynamic percussionist and grammy winner Hammadi Valdes (Ariwo, Carlos Acosta) and more.
This event marks the launch of their debut album produced by Pouya Ehsaei coming out on Akazib Records featuring poets and musicians from their live shows including Tim Etchells, Tara Fatehi, Tamar Osborn, Nisha Ramayya, MA.MOYO.
Weaving together live electronics, performative poetry, unearthly melodies, noise, twisted beats, heavy subs, and glitchy words, the night invites audiences into a space where dark fantasy, experimentation, and unexpected encounters unfold.
Since 2022, From the Lips to the Moon has become a driving force in London’s experimental performance scene, with past shows at Southbank Centre, V&A Museum, Cafe OTO, 180 Studios, Sophiensaele, Teatro Lucido, NTS and Soho Radio. Lipstomoon press has published two poetry+sounds publications In times of darkness (2024), Noise Complaint (2025). www.lipstomoon.com // @lipstomoon
‘Lively – hypnotic – surreal’ The Wire
‘Futuristic, colourfully surreal and fantastical—like looking through a kaleidoscope.’ Worms
POUYA EHSAEI is a live electronic musician, composer and sound designer working on the intersections of experimental electronic music, live improv and dub techno, characterised by influences from industrial music, breakbeat, jazz, noise, and Iranian folk and classical music. He is the band-leader of Cuban-Iranian ensemble Ariwo and co-founder of Parasang where he led long-form improvisations in a clubbing context. His latest album People of the Wind is out on Akazib Records (2025).
www.pouyaehsaei.com
TARA FATEHI works with theatre, movement, voice, and text. She creates poetic-political pieces spiced up with everyday absurdity. She has performed at Nottdance, Horizon, Southbank Centre, Montpelier Dance, Dansens Hus among others. She is part of People of the Wind album (Akazib, 2025), author of Mishandled Archive (LADA, 2020) and the first ever resident artist at the United Nations’ Archives (Geneva, 2021).
www.tarafatehi.com
Multi-wind instrumentalist Tamar Osborn collaborates regularly in various ensembles with Dele Sosimi, Sarathy Korwar, Ill Considered, Rosa Brunello, Jessica Lauren, Emanative, DJ Khalab and more. She is a founder member of Flock and Unknown to Known, and also the creative force behind modal jazz ensemble Collocutor (On The Corner Records), with whom she has released three critically acclaimed LPs and an EP. A professional freelancer for 20+ years with a background in both classical music and jazz, she has worked in many different contexts around the world: touring internationally with contemporary/Indian classical dancer Akram Khan’s ‘Xenos’; London productions of the FELA! musical (National Theatre, Sadler’s Wells); Air Anatolia and Moments Notice projects for London Jazz Festival; working with artists as diverse as Kelis, Rhye, Tanmoy Bose, and the Africa Express project with Tony Allen, Fatoumata Diawara and Batida amongst others.
As ‘Tamar Collocutor’ she also hosts a monthly cross-genre music show on Soho Radio, including interviews with musicians and others involved in the industry.
