When
Monday, April 17, 6.30pm-7.30pm
Come and hear vibrant stories from the history of Australian electronic music and some new approaches to the form.
Through using the current curated cabinet at the Australian Music Vault as a launch pad, Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS) co-founder Robin Fox will host a wide-ranging discussion with two exceptional artists – Nicole Skeltys (B(if)tek, clan-analogue, Artificial) and Mat Watson (Other Places, Taipan Tiger Girls, composer of Magnitudes for the MESS Synthesiser Orchestra).
This in-conversation will include a chance for a short public Q&A. Strictly limited seats are available as the talk will be inside the Australian Music Vault.
About Robin Fox
Robin Fox is an internationally recognised Australian based audio-visual artist working across live performance, exhibitions, public art and composition for contemporary dance. His audio visual laser works, which synchronise sound and visual electricity in hyper-amplified 3D space have been performed in over 60 cities worldwide. His new work TRIPTYCH premiered at Unsound Krakow in late 2022 and will feature at the Barbican London in May.
Fox is co-founding director of MESS, a not for profit organisation dedicated to giving everyone access to the entire history of electronic musical instruments. He has written a Masters thesis on the history of experimental music in Melbourne 1975-79 and holds a PhD in electroacoustic composition from Monash University.
About Mat Watson
Mat Watson is a Naarm (Melbourne) based musician whose work spans experimental, improvisational and traditional forms using modular synthesisers and drums. He has performed at arts festivals, music festivals, galleries and theatres in Australia, Japan and the USA.
Mat has collaborated on large scale works for unconventional orchestras with highlights including Boredoms 2010 – 2013, IIII Sydney Opera House and Hopscotch Music Festival USA, EYE CIRCOM Dark Mofo, MESS Synthesiser Orchestra and Heavy Spectra Ensemble for Melbourne Music Week. His band collaborations include Bronx legends E.S.G, drone group Taipan Tiger Girls, Ella Hooper, Underground Lovers among countless others.
About Nicole Skeltys
Nicole Skeltys is a pioneering Australian electronic and multi-genre composer, best known as one half of iconic femme-tech outfit B(if)tek (1996-2003) and solo disco-hillbilly project Artificial. In B(if)tek, she toured with the Beastie Boys, recorded with Twin Peaks chanteuse Julee Cruise, was nominated for an ARIA award, sold out the Sydney Opera House and headlined festival dance stages around Australia. She has subsequently released albums in many different styles including electronic dance to folk rock, country, psychedelia and folktronica.
Nicole was an early supporter of MESS and their development manager for three years. Nicole’s latest project is Canary Wharf: the Rock Opera, a music drama about London’s finance industry, that will be launched at Thornbury Picture House on 22 April. She has produced the work as part of her current Phd in Creative Arts at La Trobe University.
About Process Lab
Process Lab invites musicians, composers and producers alike to draw back the curtains and peek into the creative process of making contemporary Australian Music.
This exciting series of panel discussions, Q&A’s and workshops gives space for musicians to share, reflect upon and interrogate their creative practice and celebrate their latest projects.
Proudly presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and the Australian Music Vault, Process Lab will centre the stories, experiences and expertise of some of the most exciting and consequential voices in modern Australian music.