For someone with an interest in electronic music, there is a lot to offer in Boston, and the surrounding cities. While interesting things are constantly popping up in the periphery, there are often events that prompt one to venture further out than normal. Mutek, an electronic music, and digital arts festival based in Montreal, known as an intersection of music, visual art, and technology is definitely one such event. I was drawn to it initially by the festival’s thoughtfully curated lineup of amazing artists, traveling from different parts of the world.
Mutek has been dedicated to showcasing the innovative junctions between sound, music, and new media since 2000. A wide array of styles based in electronic music performances and digital media are represented by both widely regarded individuals as well as figures who are just beginning to be recognized for their innovative approaches to sound and digital media. Many artists are traveling from all over the world, some of which are performing on this continent for the first time.
The performers, and artists promote an active discovery of new territories in electronic music, and digital media. With the full lineup for this year has not yet been released, there has already been a stellar lineup of artists listed in the first wave of announcements. Montreal-based musician Marie Davidson, crafts sounds that cause levitation, weaving together synthesizers, sequencers and voice. Davidson’s cascading voice washes through blistering synth compositions, punctuating their pulsating rhythms. Kara-Lis Coverdale, creates sublimely billowing soundscapes that bend perception of time and space. Coverdale’s compositions are profoundly mesmerizing, and approach the orbit of other worlds of both inner and outer space.
Many of the artists explore the symbiotic relationship between sight and sound, creating stellar audio/visual performances and collaborations. Robert Henke, who also performs as Monolake, will be performing Lumière III, a white laser performances using custom software as a bridge between light and sound. Michela Pelusio and Glenn Vervliet will be performing their piece SpaceTime Helix, which utilizes interactive wearable technology to control shape-shifting spirals of light.
The festival is scattered across a handful of venues within a block sized radius, each schedule overlapping slightly so it is possible to run around, and catch bits and pieces of all of the performances. Spaces range from Métropolis, a large theater style venue with a powerful sound system and surreal lighting, to the Society for Arts and Technology, a non-profit space dedicated to immersive experiences of digital art, featuring a 360 degree projection dome.
Mutek takes place August 22nd– 27th in Montréal, Québec, Canada. More information about Mutek can be found on their website, http://www.mutek.org/en/
