Melbourne-based sonic pre-production house JOLT Arts has announced a new auditory festival, Copy That, Copy Cat – JOLT Sonic Festival 2019, set to land in Footscray this September.
Curated by Strange James, The BOLT Ensemble and The Amplified Elephants, the three-day event features a diverse selection of inimitable performances, and we’ve narrowed it down to our absolute favourites and must-see performances.
Alessio Dilettoso
Alessio 18, will be performing an experimental noise piece using ’AIRSTICKS’ on Saturday September 21. The Airsticks are a virtual drum kit and sound effect device, programmed to interact with the user. Alessio will also be accompanied by Alon Ilsar (the creator of the Airsticks). Over the last year Alessio has been part of a ‘Safe in Sound’ program that offers experimental music performances and training to persons with a disability, the family member and carers that wouldn’t normally have the opportunity experience this art form. Prepare yourself for a wild ride in electronic glitch.
Cissi Tang
Creating music from the organic, samarobryn (Cissi Tsang) creates a haunting experience from the simplicities of nature. Using field recordings such as bird calls, wind sounds and insect chirps, samarobryn turns familiar sounds into powerful, psychedelic sound art. Heading to the festival, audiences will be sonically blessed through the hypnotic soundscapes of the outlandishly gifted Cissi Tsang.
Super Luminum
An improvised electric and bass guitar duo based in Melbourne, Super Luminum is Cat Hope (Decibel, Candied Limbs, HzHzHz) and Lisa MacKinney (Taipan Tiger Girls, Hospital Pass, Mystic Eyes). These two very different composers share a musical aesthetic characterised by an unhurried approach to the gradual unfolding of ideas and the constructive employment of stasis as a compositional philosophy. In Super Luminum, MacKinney and Hope apply this approach to improvisation, creating loud, euphoric, swirling textures that feature exploratory playing techniques and incorporate feedback, noise and experimental tonalities. Expect an immersive musical experience that is hypnotic and thrilling.
Brian McNamara
Brian McNamara is an experimental instrument builder and sound sculpture artist based in Bungendore, NSW, Australia.Brian mixes his passions for music, electronics and sculpture into unique objects that should need noexplanation to play or experience but convey a deeper meaning in the context of their surroundings. Brian will treat audiences to free, short performance on his elegantly crafted machines and objects.
Strange James
Put on your jumpsuit and prepare yourself for the interstellar ride that is Strange James. With creativity that seems boundless, manifesting sound worlds from inventive machines, electronics, orchestral/rock instruments, found objects, voice, sonic ensembles and the uncanny mergings of these things, Strange will electrify you with his technicolour vocals and guitars. This Ziggy-Stardust-like sonic art persona is supported by leading percussionists Hamish Upton and Peter Neville, with Ryan Monro on bass and Craig Harnath on electronics. Where the universes of indie rock and art music collide. Let’s. Get. Strange.
Copy That, Copy Cat – JOLT Sonic Festival 2019 is happening at Footscray Community Arts Centre from Friday September 20 until Sunday September 22. You can view the full program at www.joltarts.org/
