A key figure in ambient and experimental music, Joseph Kamaru, known as KMRU, is a sound artist from Nairobi and based in Berlin. His work is based on in situ recordings, including noises, with the idea to explore new ways of listening and perceiving sound. KMRU questions listening habits outside of established norms, and through his compositions, installations, and artistic performances, he seeks to raise the listener's awareness of the environment. He has gained international recognition through performances at prestigious venues such as the Barbican (London), Berlin Atonal, the CTM festival (Berlin), Dekmantel (Amsterdam), Le Guess Who? Festival (Utrecht) and Tramway (Glasgow). His works have been released on renowned labels like
Editions Mego, Subtext, and Seil Records, as well as on his label, OFNOT. KMRU has toured with musicians as diverse as Big Thief and
Fennesz. As an artist supported by the artistic platform SHAPE, KMRU's work was awarded the Ars Electronica Prize 2023. The artist also obtained a master's degree in Sound Studies and Sonic Arts.
