Music
Since 1997 I have been interested in electronic music production on computers. Back then Steinberg hadn’t finished the VST format of virtual instruments that reign supreme over hardware gear today and it was very frustrating being a composer and wanting to use a machine that I felt so at home on. I bought lots of gear that was popular at the time such as a Roland JV10-80 and AKAI S2000 but didnt really enjoy using it. In 2001 i sold all the gear and switched to Cubase SX1 and spent the next few years learning REAKTOR from Native Instruments and other great synths at the time. As software become more powerful and easy to use i actually began to hanker back for a physical piece of equipment to operate – especially as i had plans for releases, label and live performances. Hardware interfaces for software weren’t that exciting until the Monome 40h was released. Instantly hooked on is aesthetic and ease of use i wanted one. Since then i have added to my set-up of ‘controllers’ which enable me to manipulate sounds and beats live. I feel that watching someone press play on a computer is incredibly dull and boring and that performance is key to entertaining a live crowd. This ethos of mine won me the Laptop Battle Championship back in 2009. I perform under the name Arctic Sunrise; however in the past I have used the name Second Angel.
Since 2006 I have been the label founder and director of Airvent Media. Based in Coventry this label aimed to explore all aspects of experimental electronic music and performance and to encourage and expose local talent from the city. The first release gained Radio 1 exposure from Mary Anne Hobbs and sold out very quick;ly. The fact that it was a 7inch vinyl record was unheard of at the time for a new label and proved that the label ethos about offering new and exciting media was right on the mark. Since 2010 the label has been on holiday, however it will be returning refreshed and made over ready for the winter.
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I still find time to produce and perform live however I spent most of my time teaching software such as Able ton Live and find that my output is a little more limited these days. My personal output and the labels is available at the following links. Video from performances and instructional tutorials are also available.
SOUNDCLOUD :: MYSPACE :: VIMEO :: Arctic Sunrise
