IMPROVISATION IN SEQUENCER BASED ELECTRONIC MUSIC WITH MOONBEAN

Explore improvisation through sequencer based electronic music with MOONBEAN.

Sequencer-based Improvisation entails the synchronizing of one or more electronic instruments together via a “Master Clock”, then using sequencers, sound design, audio mixers, and effects, to spontaneously compose fluid and spontaneous music in real-time.

We will discuss a brief history of the technology and the cultural history of electronic dance music, and how specific pieces of equipment changed the genre. As well as how these factors spawned a unique type of improvisation, and why it differs from other improvisational art forms. 

The brief presentation will be followed by an open studio session, work-shopping a selection of synchronized electronic instruments. A small assortment of synthesizers, drum machines and effects will be available for participants to try.

About The Presenter:

MOONBEAN is an Ontario-based electronic duo who lace their live, synth hardware set with lush vocals. Their psychedelic electronica weaves in acid-house, synth-pop, techno, disco, and their live performance gives off punk energy. Speaking to self-expression and community their lyrics weave mantras to empower their audience. Although their music is electronic, MOONBEAN plays an all-live hardware set leaving room for improvisation, experimentation and audience engagement. Their musical inspirations align with Peaches, Nine Inch Nails, Ladytron and Eurythmics. They have toured nationally twice and internationally thrice and headlined Hillside Festival, played Rainbow Trout Festival, Folk On The Rocks, Sappy Fest, Toronto PRIDE and many more.

MOONBEAN is a hardware electronic duo composed of Valentina Morelli and Colin Harrington. They have performed at esteemed festivals such as Hillside (Guelph, ON), Electric Eclectics (Meaford, ON), Folk On The Rocks (Yellowknife, NT), Sappy Fest (Sackville, NB), SOMMERFEST (Regensburg, DE) Pride Toronto plus many more and have taught their interactive workshop across Canada and in Berlin. They are Toronto/Guelph based multimedia artists, A/V technicians, and multidisciplinary musicians. MOONBEAN has toured Canada and Europe playing semi-improvised electronic dance music. They also produce and direct music videos. Outside of their artistic practices Valentina is Festival Manager and Community Partners Manager of Guelph Jazz Festival and Colin works for The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI)  as a technician and research assistant in their ImprovLab at University of Guelph.