A collective of artists in sound, interpretive dance and art share an experimental collaboration at Studio Live in Cumberland this Sunday at 4 p.m. in the afternoon.
Ergot/Isthmus is a collaborative musical project combining the mesmerizing analogue synth and radio soundscape transmitted from Destanne Lundquist, inventive percussion via Jesse Gentes, and free vocal improvisations of Joanna Finch.
There will also be improv dance with Jade de Trey, painting/art produced in house with Nichol Ward and Corre Alice as well as photography with Sarah Kerr. To add to the lush aural experience, some visual humour in the form of projection will be added — with the idea that the room itself is the experience.
The last public performance of this group took place at Joe’s Garage a year ago when the Glissando Collective played to an almost full room of amazed patrons of the arts.
The trio Ergot/Isthmus is excited to share its first CD, Subconscious Elements, recorded live in August by Patrick Des Jardins at the Corre Alice Gallery for the closing of their art show of the same name.
Be prepared to sit back, relax and dream while you take in the sounds and noise textures of creative, improvised music. Images of landscapes and abstract textures appear as you become part of the experience.
Adventures in soundscapes invite audience to listen in a different way from traditional music. In experimental music, musicians “play” their instruments, exploring all sorts of auditory possibilities.
“It is exciting, sometimes unsettling, and very interesting,” says Finch, improvisational voice teacher and recording artist who thrives on discovering new sounds she can make with her voice.
"This form of music is the most freeing, most interesting and honest music I have ever experienced. I am honoured to be playing with these wise and talented artists.”
A wide array of instruments will be played: drums, wooden objects, viola, flutes, bells, and vocal sounds. At times haunting and ethereal and other times verging on industrial chaos, the contemporary sounds of Ergot/Isthmus is nothing short of amazing.
Jesse, Destanne and Joanna are all students of the Vancouver Creative Music Institute. Together they studied advanced improvisational music under the direction of Francois Houle, Han Benninck, Eugene Chadbourne and others.
Alchemy and intense listening play a large part in what makes their music flow from a simple drone into complex textural sounds.
Recently returned to the Comox Valley from Vancouver, Jesse Gentes and Destanne Lundquist have been playing together for many years and continue to present private and public experimental collaborations. While in Vancouver they co-curated a series of creative music concerts at their loft The Vinegar Factory hosting well-known improvisors Tony Wilson, Jesse Zubot, the Aeroplane Trio and others as well as working on their own projects.
Interpretive dancer Jade Trey, the founder of Methusala Dance Co. has performed at the Big Time Out, MusicFest and most recently with Shane Philip.
Artists Corre Alice and Nichole Ward are contemporary abstract artists who translate energy into paint and mixed media.
The concert begins at 4. Studio Live is at First and Beaufort, across from the United Church in Cumberland. Admission is $12 at the door.
— Glissando Collective