Artists
ALPHABETICAL ARTIST LIST
At the Blip Festival Europe you have the chance to experience this phenomenal lineup of artists.
• MUSIC
Binärpilot [Norway]
Bit Shifter [United States]
Bodenständig 2000 [Germany]
Bu Bu Kitty Fuckers [Denmark]
cheap dinosaurs [United States]
Covox [Sweden]
glomag [United States]
GOTO80 [Sweden]
Hally [Japan]
La Belle Indifference [Denmark]
minusbaby [United States]
Nullsleep [United States]
Rabato [Spain]
Random [Sweden]
RECEPTORS [United States]
Saskrotch [United States]
• VISUALS
The C-Men [The Netherlands]
NO CARRIER [United States]
Paris [United States]
Raquel Meyers [Spain]
+ visual design by MOTORSAW [Denmark]
ARTIST DESCRIPTIONS
MUSIC
Binärpilot • [Norway]
There’s nothing like some unpretentious, techno-savvy beats to make you nod your head and smile. Binärpilot’s funky, space-age style does just that, fusing Nintendo-esque synth structures and speaker-bumpin’ drum programs that instantly electrify the air. Rocking a John Carpenter meets Donkey Kong kind of vibe, Binärpilot’s tracks are truly animated.
Bit Shifter • [United States]
Bit Shifter explores high-energy, low-bit music composed and performed on a standard Nintendo Game Boy. The result is a bracing foray into an evocative and distinctive soundset, executed on a console generally misperceived as being technically limited. Made possible by Oliver Wittchow and Johan Kotlinski’s respective home-brew musicmaking programs Nanoloop and Little Sound DJ, Bit Shifter’s music explores the aesthetics of economy and attempts to push minimal hardware to its maximum. Based in New York City, Bit Shifter is the co-administrator of the 8bitpeoples artist collective, co-curator and co-organizer of the Blip Festival, has released music on Astralwerks, Hymen, Mirex, and 555 Recordings, and has performed over 150 shows worldwide.
Bodenständig 2000 • [Germany]
Having spent most of their youth playing video games, Bodenständig 2000 formed when the two Germans turned towards developing the acclaimed soundtracker-like music software “Deluxe Mjuzakk Zerbastel Kit” in an attempt to gain fame and wealth. After failed efforts, however, they decided using their creation to make music on their own. Using this and numerous other devices, Bodenständig 2000 set out to create the definitive sound for the generation born next to flickering screens. Their outstanding German lyrics and subtle poems tell stories from their lives a cable freaks and computer kids. Having released albums on Rephlex Records, micromusic.net and Beige Records among others, Bodenständig 2000 are known for their incredible live electronica rock shows that contrast sharply the typical laptop performance.
Bu Bu Kitty Fuckers • [Denmark]
Bu Bu Kitty Fuckers have existed since February ‘08 and have since moved from being a completely ridiculous and scandalous project into a real, three-man 8-bit boy band armed to the teeth with Game Boys, attitude and real tour list.
Since they played their first public gig in ‘08, the demand for the three, young Game Boy-ists has increased at the same speed as the trio’s seriousness and fondness for chiptune music and electronic culture.
http://www.myspace.com/bubukittyfuckers
cheap dinosaurs • [United States]
Cheap dinosaurs is a construction of music by Dino Lionetti which involves live synthesizer performance and Gameboy programming on Philadelphia’s public transportation system. Blending complex rhythms and catchy melodies, the music is meant to provoke unique patterns of body motion. Dino has previously played and written for the now defunct band Chromelodeon, is a regular collaborator with bands of a wide range of musical style, and currently plays electric piano in The Private Sea.
http://www.myspace.com/cheapdinosaurs
Covox • [Sweden]
Melodic high-energy romantic Game Boy pop — influenced by the synth heroes of yesterday Covox brings this electronic love to the present. In 2003 he debuted with a 7″ vinyl EP on Swedish label Rebel Pet Set and has since played in Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, etc, with tours in Japan, Holland, United States and Germany. In June 2005 the debut album Delete The Elite was released on Swedish label Socom, which was followed by a special Chinese version released by Beijing-based Shanshui Records. In October 2006 the Japanese edition of Delete The Elite was released by Fantabulous Music.
glomag • [United States]
At the dawn of the 21st Century (or shortly thereafter) glomag emerged in the NYC chip music scene, writing music on Game Boys and performing local shows. It is his contention that his interest in music grew out of an early obsession with Astroboy, coupled with the formative experience at 10 of finding a trilobite fossil in his schoolyard. His latest release, “DaMaGe,” was released on 8bitpeoples in early 2009. His work can also be heard on “8 Bit Operators” on Astralwerks Records as well as various compilations. He has performed on three continents in clubs, museums, galleries and festivals including a sold out show at the Blip Festival in NYC.
Goto80 • [Sweden]
With roots in catchy as well as extreme music, Goto80 continues his deliver furious-relaxed pop-noise in 8-bits. While low-tech eclecticism is common-place in music biographies, Goto80 has the music to back it up. Computer Music Magazine recently called him “the most prolific chip music artist” and HAIP Festival dubbed him “the most uncompromising”. They probably refered to the 300+ songs he released in 2007 and 2008 that spanned from ambient experiments to throat-destroying data grind metal. Or that his music appears both on MTV and in crusty squats. Or his bizarre visual appearences as a cowboy, or covered in salad for Swedish national TV.
Goto80 has been rewarded for his traditional composing skills as one of three nominees for all-time C64-composers at Commodore’s 25 years anniversary. But what sets him apart from skilled computer programmers is his obsession with errors and non-typical composing. This has lead him to play shows at festivals like Transmediale, Mapping, Hultsfred, Gogbot and 150 other locations over 4 continents. He has played right before/after µ-Ziq, Ceephax Acid Crew, Plaid, DAT Politics, Kavinsky, and many prominent 8-bit artists.
Visuals have accompanies Goto80’s music ever since his first audiovisual rave-release in 1993. During the past years he has been working with the Spanish pixel-queen Raquel Meyers and the Dutch glitch-artist Rosa Menkman. He has also started working more towards art galleries. Together with Autoboy he made the C64-game HT Gold (2008) which breaks apart and creates glitch-art as you are playing. Goto80 also does workshops and lectures based on his research in low-tech aesthetics.
Hally • [Japan]
The modern chiptune scene in Japan was started in 2001 when Hally founded www.vorc.org: a must-stop chiptune portal. Nowadays he’s also active as a Famicom-based funk rock star for Saturday night cyberpunks.
La Belle Indifference • [Denmark]
La Belle Indifference is clinically defined as: “Apparent emotional ignorance despite obvious severe symptoms and disability” (Source: netpsych.dk)
In this case, La Belle Indifference also stands for crazy beats, catchy pop melodies and a homage to funky eighties phenomena such as grill bar games and George Duke.
The duo, La Belle Indifference, enjoy the magical realm of restriction. Driven by playful curiosity and eternal restless, they are on a journey with their 4-bit sound machines, searching for the perfect pop song. Besides making hits, La Belle Indifference is also making musical instruments and art installations.
Last, but not least, La Belle Indifference enjoy fishing.
http://myspace.com/blissfullymediocre
minusbaby • [United States]
Long-time 8bitpeoples member, minusbaby, born Richard Alexander Caraballo in New York City, trades in counterpoint, subtle dissonances and surprises. While it may be impossible to predict what will happen at each performance, one constant can be expected: a forceful equatorial beat. Each familiar song is given new variation while the center holds it down with a bassy bottom end to make anything bump and bounce that hasn’t been tied down, exploding the very meaning of 8-bit orchestration.
Nullsleep • [United States]
Nullsleep creates powerful romantic pop using repurposed low-bit electronics in a relentless search for new ways to circumvent their limitations. Bittersweet melodies and driving, rhythmic pulses are coaxed out of small plastic devices to produce a surprisingly intense sound. In 1999 Nullsleep cofounded 8bitpeoples, a collective of artists interested in the audio-visual aesthetics of early home computers and video game consoles. He has since released a number of recordings through 8bitpeoples, Astralwerks, Aniplex and others. Based in New York City, Nullsleep has performed extensively throughout North America, Europe and Asia, including the 20-date International Chiptune Resistance world tour in 2006.
Rabato • [Spain]
Rabato is a Spanish musician form Barcelona who composes music with the Game Boy console by Nintendo and other circuit bent objects and instruments. The software used is called Littlesounddj programmed by Johan Kotlinski. He is co-founder of microBCN, the Spanish division of the larger Micromusic.net. Rabato has taken part in music festivals and workshops around the world such as Blip Festival in New York or Faster than Sound in the UK.
Random • [Sweden]
Random started his chipmusic career in 2002 with the joke-band, randomshitmotherburger, but quickly discovered that his interest in chipstyle sounds was no joke. Branching off as Random, he started making music with Game Boy in 2004, after being introduced to Carillon Tracker by Karawapo (of Pepino). Not long after that, Random was introduced to Little Sound DJ, and subsequently traded his soul to the Devil in exchange for supernatural tracking skills. But Random had the last laugh, putting all of his soul into his music — and the Devil, scorned, was robbed of his prize. Random has performed live in Sweden, Holland, Belgium, United Kingdom, Norway, Finland, Spain, Hungary, Austria, and USA, and used to co-organize Europe’s finest chipmusic club Microdisko in Stockholm.
RECEPTORS • [United States]
RECEPTORS is electronic artist/producer Jeremy Kolosine, born in London and currently living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He was the founder of the electro-punk pioneers Futurisk and micro-chipmusic vanguards 8-Bit Operators, among other projects. Exemplifying a longtime experimental electro ideal, Receptors currently stands equipped with everything from 8-bit gameboys, ataris and circuit-bent furbies, to vocoded stylophones, vintage synths and treated guitars. In recent years, Receptors has performed at at NYC’s legendary Blip Fest, CMJ and Bent Festivals, showcased at Austin, Texas’ SXSW Festival and Iceland’s Airwaves Fest, and in 2007 Jeremy Kolosine performed the first ever circuit-bent performance with a full symphony orchestra (Leopold Mozart’s “Toy Symphony” with The Roanoke Symphony). Since 2005, Receptors has released a slew of tracks on vinyl, cd, for download and a new full length LP is in the works. In 2007 the critically acclaimed ReceptorsMusic production “8-Bit Operators - an 8-bit Tribute to Kraftwerk” was released on Astralwerks/EMI to much critical acclaim. In early 2009, Jeremy completed an ongoing 8-bit audio/video installation “21st Century Retro-Futurists” at The Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia.
Saskrotch • [United States]
Saskrotch combines layered bittersweet 8-bit melodies with complex, hi-speed breaks, achieving a sort of spastic melancholy. He is considered the pivotal reason girls aren’t into musicians anymore
http://www.myspace.com/saskrotch
VISUALS
The C-Men • [The Netherlands]
Some veejays need expensive, high-end PCs or Macs to display a bunch of grey lines. The C-Men only need 2 Amiga computers, a 320×256 resolution in 16 colours and a couple of Red Bulls to send those graphic designer VJs home with burnt retinas.
For 10 years, the C-Men have been displaying their bright, comic-styled, abstract and intricate visuals from Barcelona to Pusan, Los Angeles to Hamar, Moscow to Madrid, Tallinn to Florence, New York to Petrozavodsk, Bergen to St. Petersburg, Stockholm and Las Vegas, and back to their hometown, Enschede.
http://www.myspace.com/vjthecmen
NO CARRIER • [United States]
NO CARRIER, or Don Miller, is an educator, coder, and live visualist. He reprograms nearly obsolete video game and computer hardware for live performance and installations. He primarily codes for the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System, creating visual work that incorporates both new and recycled symbols and patterns. Miller has performed and lectured internationally, but also curates 8static, a monthly chip music show in his hometown of Philadlephia.
Paris • [United States]
Paris (previously known as Voltage Controlled) writes custom software to transform hand held game systems such as the Game Boy Advance and the GP2X into visual performance instruments. His visuals are abstract, minimal and influenced by his background and continued interest in mathematics and theoretical physics. He has been creating live visuals for the chiptunes scene since 2005. During that time he has performed at Blip Festival 06, 07 and 08, at many Pulsewave NYC events, at chiptunes shows across the country and his visuals are featured in the documentary, “Reformat the Planet”. In addition, he was awarded a residency at the Experimental Television Center, created a series of video podcasts for the pioneering composer William Duckworth, and has given talks in the US and Europe on Open Source Software development for the arts.
Raquel Meyers • [Spain]
Raquel Meyers’s vividly animated videos for chiptuners like Jellica, Bubblyfish, and Glomag mirror the music’s retro-tech aesthetic with 8-bit visuals and narrative elements lifted from the era of 2-D videogames. While many will spy the influence of Paper Rad in the Madrid-based artist’s work– particularly the Rad’s more ludic pieces like Robert Parish or their Cory Arcangel collabo Super Mario Movie — one might easily argue for an even older lineage stretching back to Lillian Schwartz’s Op-Art-inflected computer films of the early 1970s or the imaginary landscapes of Jane Veeder’s seminal 1982 real-time graphics tape Montana. A connection to the latter can be especially espied in Meyers’s The Emperor’s New Snuff Box, a mostly black-and-white collage of mountain ranges, spinning cubes, strobing patterns and an unnervingly faceless galloping horsething, perfectly complementing the ominous, static-punctuated music. Other clips show off a more colorful playfulness, but always with notable bits of edge. A video to accompany Prince remake I WLD DI 4 U features pixelly kitties being adorably crushed to death and ascending to heaven; with videogame logic, each one of the cat’s nine lives is ticked off in a top-left countdown. Follow the Red Dots places a Minnie Mousean character in a Super-Mario-like pellet-eating adventure, while FuriousClubfoot stars a crustacean-headed boogaloo dancer traipsing across a burning city. Meyer’s latest video, for Los Punsete’s 2 Policias involves a band of beer-drinking bunnies, public urination, and police brutality, all done in the Meyers’s densely-layered cute-brut style.
Visual design by: MOTORSAW • [Denmark]
MOTORSAW was originally a collaboration between Lau Nørgaard and Sune Petersen. The collaboration began in 2000 when the current state of commercial Vj-software did not satisfy the expectations of MOTORSAW. Being a skilled programmer Lau set out to create software that would meet the technical demands of the team resulting in a customized hardware and software configuration that fits MOTORSAW live performance requirements. Today, however, MOTORSAW consists mainly of Sune.
The current software is the second revision, a real time modular video performance and processing system, evolving around the processing of video footage making intense use of feedback.
Artistically, the MOTORSAW visuals balance between the abstract and the concrete as well as organic noise. The images are mostly made with base in real footage, and in the concrete element of a performance, the footage is processed, often to unrecognizability thus creating an abstract element of the performance. Usually the performance flow is made live in real-time, leaving room for an improvisional approach that produces unique and ideosyncratic moments of audiovisual synergy.
In recent years, MOTORSAW has performed in both Denmark and abroad, including Germany, Italy and Spain. For Blip Festival Europe, MOTORSAW will not perform with his own visuals. Instead he has developed the overall visual design of the main concert room.