Christopher Frank (a.k.a. Tleilaxu) was among the first in Philadelphia to push experimental music and IDM in clubs, bars and warehouses.  As the founder of Springlab Productions, he hosted events that started off as raves and quickly evolved into something laid-back and sophisticated.  In the late '90s, he hosted Philly's longest running trip-hop weekly event (called Grass) at Silk City.  As a DJ (Crasta) as well as a live artist (Tleilaxu), he's opened for Funkstorung, Amon Tobin, Mix Master Morris, Talvin Singh, Low, High Llamas, Morcheeba, and others.

Inspired by labels like Warp and Skam when these labels were fresh and new, he began producing and DJing heady, broken beat-ish IDM.  After releasing compilation tracks on labels like Darla, TBTM, and Cloudwatch, Tleilaxu released his debut album, Gene Therapy, on Sean O'Neal's Fuzzy Box label in 2000.  He has since released tracks for numerous compilations and two EPs on the Unfoundsound label.  The new full-length album “Bornagain” is slated for release in 2009.

http://www.myspace.com/tleilaxu1


How did he get involved with Pieris?

When Pieris put out the call for electronic musicians for its first “classical fusion” project, Christopher was one of the first to respond.  He participated in early experimental productions fusing violin, piano, and electronics in Fluid Nightclub as well as the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  His deep intellectual curiosity drives a uniquely dedicated approach to collaboration that always yields interesting results.