Friday 26th June
Photospace Gallery
Barnaby Oliver is a UK-born, Melbourne-based composer, multi-instrumentalist, and sound artist. Active in Australia's exploratory and experimental music scene, his work spans contemporary classical, ambient minimalism, and free improvisation. He performs and records using instruments like the piano, violin, bowed banjo, and bowed metal bowls.
His background includes contemporary classical composition, alternative rock, mixed media collaborations, and solo/group improvisation. Amongst his many projects he includes Brenin – a mini-opera for BBC Wales inspired by the mythical Welsh ancestry of Elvis Presley. He has arranged and conducted large group performances, such as The Wall of E a 17-player electric guitar ensemble, and a 12 piece band arrangement of the Velvet Underground's 'Sister Ray' for Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Piano, Trumpet, Tenor Sax, Trombone, and Percussion.
His experience and influences are vast, as he delves into sonic textures with intricate glee and precision. As evidenced with both his unique electric guitar and piano skills, in particular his meditative piano, in projects such as his duo work with Clinton Green, and in the band Infinite Decimals. Possibly Melbourne's answer to The Necks? His works are “arranged to bring attention to the beauty of a refrain, a note or even a moment's silence”. It is an act of pulling sophisticated sounds via unconventional sources and manners.
Barnaby visits Aotearoa for the first time this June, and will perform at Photospace Gallery.
Support for this show comes from Spirit Holler, a new free saxophone and electric guitar duo, featuring Zak Argabrite and Zac Winterwood.
Also performing with the bands is Carterton based artist Rosalie Jurczenko, who will (in a sense) perform the creation of her abstract art by way of live painting. A process which establishes a connection between her and the artists: listening, watching, and responding to one another, with each of the mediums dependent on the other for its creation.
Friday 26th June
Photospace Gallery, Wellington
With Spirit Holler, and Rosalie Jurczenko
7pm. $20.00
