Electronic Press Kit

ZONAR

2026 ・ Happy Seal Records ・ Available 01.03.2026

The North Sea String Quartet is one of the most adventurous string quartets of the moment. Their newest project, ZONAR (2026, Happy Seal Records), takes their sound a step further by immersing the acoustic string quartet into the sonic worlds of electronic music. Through unconventional techniques, prepared instruments and collective composition, they explore the textures of EDM, ambient, and experimental music – all without using electronics. With ZONAR, the NSSQ creates immersive, contemporary music that speaks to both the body and the imagination.

The album is already available for pre-order on Bandcamp and will be released on 01 March 2026.

The official album release concert – featuring an innovative stage design by Roelof Pothuys – will take place on 01 March 2026 at Amare, Den Haag. We would love to see you there. Please check our agenda for all ZONAR tour dates, with more dates to follow.

The development of ZONAR is generously supported by Het Kersjes Fonds, Fonds Podiumkunsten, Het Cultuurfonds, and Sena Muziekproductiefonds.

George Dumitriu
violin/viola

Pablo Rodríguez
violin

Yanna Pelser
viola

Thomas van Geelen
cello

Listen to ZONAR

0:00 / 0:00
Saunter
On The Edge
Heavy Wood
Trauma
Samphire
Horizonia
Koorts
D'antz
Spaces
The Giver
Choral Reef

Press quotes - Splunge (2024, 7 Mountain Records)

"[..Splunge..] is a stunning kaleidoscope of sounds and movements. Film scenes in sound. (9/10)"

Hans Quant

Luister Megazine

"This group grooves exceptionally well – no string quartet can match that."

Dennis Weijers

De Volkskrant (NL)

"In this project (Splunge) [..the NSSQ..] is looking for a common breath, and they achieve that by far. It is worth following their trail. (****)"

Juan Gómez Espinosa

RITMO magazine (ES) - 2024

UPCOMING CONCERTS

March 22, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Pand-P podium

Eindhoven

, The Netherlands

April 7, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

St. Aegtenkapel, Amersfoort

Amersfoort

, The Netherlands

April 10, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Classical NEXT 2026

Budapest

, Hungary

April 17, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Jazz in de Fruitvis

Rotterdam

, The Netherlands

May 3, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Jazztage Gronau

Gronau

, Germany

May 31, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Dudok Muziekdagen

Kampen

, The Netherlands

October 3, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Orange Jazz Days, TivoliVredenburg

Utrecht

, The Netherlands

Stay in the loop

Videos

Videos

6 Videos
Info

Youtube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ4iPWDvY74

One of our tightest tunes that we ever released, composed by our talented violinist, George Dumitriu! We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful audience that surrounded us and filled the atmosphere with their incredible energy.

Recorded at Batavierhuis on May 13, 2023 Special thanks to all the Batavierhuis crew.

Camera and editing by Felipe Pipi. 2nd Camera by Tijmen de Vries Sound mixing by Pablo Rodríguez.

Tour Dates

March 22, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Pand-P podium

Eindhoven

The Netherlands

April 7, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

St. Aegtenkapel, Amersfoort

Amersfoort

The Netherlands

April 10, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Classical NEXT 2026

Budapest

Hungary

April 17, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Jazz in de Fruitvis

Rotterdam

The Netherlands

May 3, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Jazztage Gronau

Gronau

Germany

May 31, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Dudok Muziekdagen

Kampen

The Netherlands

October 3, 2026

ZONAR – Album Release Tour

Orange Jazz Days, TivoliVredenburg

Utrecht

The Netherlands