Emptyset

Emptyset is a multidisciplinary production project developed by James Ginzburg and Paul Purgas exploring the sonic possibilities of electroacoustic and computer music, materiality and performance. Their output is informed by the evolution of electronic and improvised music, full frequency production and detailed sound design, reflecting upon the history of experimental media and global sound practises. Their recorded material has employed percussion and spatial feedback techniques through Ash (2023), raw audio synthesis within Blossoms (2019) and custom instrument design for Borders (2016).

emptyset’s sixth album Dissever (Thrill Jockey, May 23, 2025) builds on their ongoing exploration into the histories of electronic sound and media across the 20th century, considering the intertwined evolution of cosmic rock, minimalism and electronic music, viewed through their prospective dreams and overlapping technological ambitions.

Alongside this they have worked on several expanded projects within performance and installation settings incorporating architectural acoustics, broadcasting, large scale instruments and vocal arrangement through commissions developed for the Architecture Foundation, Tate Britain, V&A and Deutschlandradio.