By Sarah Peet
The OctaMasher; eight keyboards, one computerThe latest Nature Nocturne event at the Canadian Museum of Nature is scheduled for Sept. 25 and features the American electronic music artist and inventor Matt Moldover, who pioneered the “controllerism”-style blend of traditional music and software-generated sound.
Moldover and controllerism have become synonymous since its creation in 2007. “People may not know me as an artist, but almost everybody who makes electronic music seems to know who I am because I have worked so hard to change the culture and make better instruments,” says Moldover. The San Francisco-based artist released his self-titled album in 2009. Moldover said he is releasing his second album by the end of this year but does not have an official date.
Ottawa-based electronic music artist Mike (Mister Parker) Scherling says controllerism “opens the door to an individuals preference and allows for much more creativity.”
He adds: “Rather than being restricted to the effects and capabilities of the CDJ (Compact Disc Jockey) and standard DJM 900 (digital mixer) a controller can use everything and anything you want from your personal choice of software.”
Moldover explains that electronic music has become increasingly popular in the last two decades. “A big part of (standing out) for me has been the creation of my own instruments,” said Moldover. “I want to make instruments accessible for other people, so that’s one way that I’ve grown and worked to keep my work relevant.”
Moldover is debuting the OctaMasher in Ottawa at the Sept. 25 Nature Nocturne event. This multi-player instrument is constructed out of eight repurposed musical keyboards connected to a single computer system.
Each keyboard has a dedicated musical function. Certain keyboards can manipulate loops, play sequences backwards or have controls similar to a turntable. While each keyboard makes different sounds, they all sync together to make pleasant music through the shared computer system.
“It’s a playful kind of experience, “ says Moldover. “I love opening people up to possibilities and basically opening doors for people to do new and creative things with technology.” Jesse Stewart, an award-winning Ottawa composer, has purchased the OctaMasher from Moldover and will receive it after the event. This is the only OctaMasher made, which Stewart plans to use in community initiatives in Ottawa.
Nature Nocturne is an adult-only event held at the Museum of Nature. The massive stone structure on McLeod Street transforms into an exciting after-hours party where guests are encouraged to explore the exhibits and enjoy music, a variety of bars and activities.
Laura Sutin, the museum’s media relations officer, said Moldover’s appearance should be “an exciting draw and an awesome opportunity for people that aren’t familiar with him to just enjoy and discover what he has to offer.”
The combination of entertainment, interaction and education serve to follow the mandate of the Nature Nocturne events.
“I think Nature Nocturne is kind of the ideal environment for the OctaMasher,” says Moldover. “I’m excited to share my music in a place I’ve never been before, that’s the best part about what I do.”
Making innovative instruments has been at the forefront of Moldover’s career. After creating the OctaMasher in 2005, he has continued to invent more interactive musical instruments to serve the electronic community.
OctaMasher is now part of a three-piece set of community-oriented “Jamboxes.” The MiniMasher has three stations for all ages and the SyncoMasher has five stations for experienced controllerists.
Moldover will also perform his original music at the Nature Nocturne event.
“It all connects,” he says, “I think its really exciting when people can see the different sides of what I do in just one place.”
Scherling, who plans to attend the Sept. 25 performance says, “Curiosity is drawing me to the event more than anything. He’s half live act, half digital — it should be a great show.”
The upcoming event marks the beginning of the fourth season of Nature Nocturne. “We’re anticipating a very successful year again,” says Sutin. “We have no indication of people getting tired of it.”