Follow the guide! In an empty theatre, she takes you backstage to meet astonishing artists.
California-born, Montréal-Based Alex Tibbitts is The Bionic Harpist , quite literally. Classically trained, Tibbitts has since been dedicated to new forms of gestural and digital augmentation of the harp. Through real-time processing during her performances, she joins her instrument in a symbiotic dance, a metaphorical image made even more relevant by the fact that half of her body contains metal. Tibbitts holds a Masters in Interpretation as well as a Diploma in Orchestral Repertoire from l’Université de Montréal, and is a member of McGill University’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT) since 2016. She is a founding member of Ensemble ILÉA, an electroacoustic improvisation ensemble, and has participated in writing academic articles dedicated to her area of research, such as Gestural Control of Augmented Instrumental Performance: A Case Study of the Concert Harp (2018). For MUTEK Montreal 2020 Alex Tibbitts’ revealed The Bionic Harpist to the world. She was the artist residency at Quebec City’s Avatar Arts Center, in collaboration with MUTEK Festival. Working with John Sullivan, music technology researcher and Ph.D candidate at McGill University, Tibbitts’ augmented concert harp lends itself for enriching haptic exploration, bound to offer a highly physical and visually captivating performance. The Bionic Harpist is a founding member of the Montréal-based avant-house EDM group — Porto Porto ! — featured at the MUTEK Mexico & MUTEK Japan virtual 2020 festivals.
Martin Marier was born in a small, brown and horizontal town. Even though he left his home town a long time ago, he is still inspired by shabby taverns, huge and empty parking lots, and the beauty salon Chez Électro-Lise. He is mainly interested in the link between gesture and sound in electronic music. He is the inventor of the sponge, a digital musical instrument that he uses to improvise or perform his compositions.
Sheenah Ko is a Chinese-Irish solo artist from Montreal and Maui. Keyboardist for The Besnard Lakes, she has also been a touring member of Thor Harris (swans), Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies), Bedouin Soundclash and more. Sheenah's music is intended to swallow audiences into an entrancing journey where one can forget time and space. A huge, deep sound, she creates a certain mood and ambiance, bringing listeners into a trippy dreamlike state of "breathing" analogue synths, raw emotional vocals and driving beats. Often accompanied by contemporary dancers, Sheenah’s live shows are intended to enchant audiences with her emotionally-charged and intensely captivating show.
International Artist. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Daby Touré returns in 2021 with phenomenal renewed creative energy. Daby has shared the stage and studio with Peter Gabriel, Enzo Avitabile, Skip McDonald and The Touré-Raichel Collective. Whether he appears solo or with his full band, Daby Touré never fails to astound audiences with his ethereal voice, masterful guitar work and catchy original songs.