More than 40,000 years ago, our Neanderthal predecessors invented the first music instruments from simple objects around them (bones and stones, sticks and skins…), without reference to any existing music history, and primarily for their own pleasure rather than that of others. Nowadays, we use complex audio hardware and software which make it “easier” to make music, so long as we channel our creativity into such socially acceptable avenues as Western Classical or Minimal Techno. As with any established genre, the results are often completely predictable, and therefore quite boring. But some of us, deep in our wild hearts, still long for the Stone Age simplicity of pure noise!
This 3 day workshop is designed for 8-10 people, possibly with a background in sound, but with no previous electronics experience. They are shown how to use simple objects from our modern environment (resistors, capacitors, transistors, LEDs, integrated circuit chips…) to design and build their own personal, customized primitive noise synthesizers.
The participation is free, with possible material costs.
Registration is now closed. Please check out the concert on Monday night.
Join us at Ptarmigan for the presentation of work from the Neanderthal Electronics workshop! Over the weekend, Derek Holzer will be teaching a workshop where a group of students will create their own personal, customized primitive noise synthesizers. This concert will showcase the output of this workshop through individual and group presentations.
Derek Holzer will also perform a solo set. Derek is an American sound artist living in Berlin, whose current interests include DIY analog electronics, sound art, field recording and the meeting points of electroacoustic, noise, improv and extreme music. He has played live experimental sound, as well as taught workshops in Pure Data and electronics, across Europe, North America, Brazil and New Zealand.
Additional performances to be announced. This night is free - please come and enjoy the sounds!
