Tag: ROOM40

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Track Premiere: France Jobin “A Ritual / For a Daydream”

I am thrilled to have been included in this project by Robert Crouch, my remix is featured on Foxy D

Listen here: Foxy Digitalis – The full album will be released May 6th on ROOM40

Here is what Foxy Digitalis has to say about my remix:

The opening track on Robert Takahashi Crouch’s last album, Jubilee, is the 19-minute “A Ritual,” culled from a longer, two-hour improvisational piece. For Ritual Variations, out on May 6 via Room40, he commissioned seven friends and artists to use the original two-hour recording as source material for further investigations and contemplations on the intimate nature of the music. The entire release is fantastic, but France Jobin’s stunning 37-minute “A Ritual / For a Daydream” stands out. 

Few artists create longform works as enveloping and engaging as Jobin. On “A Ritual / For a Daydream,” she gently pushes open the sound structures of the original to let the daylight pour in. Where Crouch’s original captures a deeply personal exchange between two people, Jobin builds a world where can all find connection and communion. Glacial tones are infused with grit and stretched across delicate architecture to create gossamer sound webs that hold us close together. It’s a beautiful treatise on how the most intimate aspects of sound can be building blocks for deeper, wider bonds. 

Ritual Variations is available to pre-order from Room 40 HERE and will be released on May 6 with reworks from France Jobin, Lawrence English, Yann Novak, and more.

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My last album opens with a piece called A Ritual. I think of this piece as a somewhat aggressive, long-form meditation on intimacy and ecstasy. There’s a reason I think about it like this.

The 19 minutes that comprise the track were taken from a much longer recording; a 2 hour improvisation I performed privately for my partner, Yann Novak. Performance is always a personal experience, even when offered communally, but this particular performance was very much about a shared moment, in an environment that foregrounded the personal. The low, undulating frequencies in the piece underscore a sense of the physical for me. I’d like to think it’s a work that dwells on upon the vibrational qualities of sound, and offers a respite within its mesh of rich harmonics, pushing a listener towards the ecstatic.

For Ritual Variations, I reached out to friends and artists whose work I respect and admire for various reasons. I gave these seven artists, including my partner, access to the original 2 hour recording and invited them to create new compositions using it as source material. It was a chance for them to also consider the private, intimate nature of the recording itself.

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The fluidity of time does not exist

Released on ROOM40 April 2nd 2021

Time is mysterious; I never realized how much until I studied it in the context of Quantum Physics. The mystery stems from a common-sense way of thinking – that the present moment, which we call “now” is not fixed but moves constantly in the direction of future. This is what we refer to as the flow of time.

The common-sense concept of time is as follows: Imagine a line with an arrow pointing towards the right, each point on the line represent a fixed moment, a triangle drawn with the tip touching the line represents the continuous moving point, the present moment. It is supposed to move from left to right. Some believe particular events as being fixed, and the line itself as moving past them so that moments from the future sweep past the present moment to become past moments. Thinking of time as a line simply implies a sequence of points at different positions, so any moving point can be thought of as a sequence of motionless “snapshot” versions of itself, at each moment. It is similar to a sequence of still photos, projected onto a screen. Collectively, the images are moving but individually, the image never changes.

This idea that the present moment seems to be moving forward in time is defined relative to our consciousness. But our consciousness however, cannot do that. Nothing can move from one moment to another, To exist at all at a particular moment means to exist forever. Our consciousness exists in all our (waking) moments. We do not experience time flowing, or passing. What we experience are differences between our present perceptions and our present memories of past perceptions. We interpret those difference correctly, as evidence that the universe changes with time. We also interpret them incorrectly, as evidence that our consciousness, or the present, is something that moves through time.

The passing of time is intrinsic to the world; it is born of the world itself, out of the relations between quantum events that are the world, and that themselves generate their own time.

The fluidity of time does not exist, is my attempt to put this concept into sound, creating a piece of music, which itself is created within a span of time…. 

credits

All sounds recorded at various locations in Europe and South America.

Image : Mark Hogben
Design: Lawrence English
Mastering: Lawrence English

The passing of time is intrinsic to the world; it is born of the world itself, out of the relations between quantum events that are the world, and that themselves generate their own time.

The fluidity of time does not exist, is my attempt to put this concept into sound, creating a piece of music, which itself is created within a span of time…. 

Special thanks to: Lawrence English and Mark Hogben for their constant support and, Richard Hodgskin-Brown – PhD student, my mentor during my studies of Quantum Physics.

© 2021 France Jobin / p 2021 Touch Music/Fairwood Music UK Ltd

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#evenmoresynthporn

EP03 France Jobin is a lover of wires, electronics and sine tones. She has something special to share on ROOM40

This photo serves as clear evidence of my early fascination with all things cables, connections and electricity. To this day, I have nurtured this obsession with childlike wonder.

When Lawrence English and Robin Fox extended the invitation to travel to Australia, an invitation which included a coast to coast tour and a residency at MESS in Melbourne, I could not resist!

Upon arriving at MESS, I simply became overwhelmed by the amount and diversity of the collection of synths and electronic instruments. There it was, the entire history of synth, drum machines and modulars in front of me, delight! Which one will I start with? It’s complicated.

I opted to work the synths that I am unfamiliar with, therefore adding a nice learning curve to the experience but also, an opportunity to observe and learn how the technicalities and programming evolved over the years.

I strived to remain true to each synth, I did not have a compositional intent, but rather preferred to let each synth’s personality shine through and hope I manage to earn their respect in the process.

An enormous thank you to Lawrence English, Robin Fox, Byron Scullin and Matthew Watson and everyone at MESS for their kind support.

released September 4, 2020

all rights reserved

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#moresynthporn on ROOM40


EP02 France Jobin is a lover of wires, electronics and sine tones. She has something special to share on ROOM40!

“This photo serves as clear evidence of my early fascination with all things cables, connections and electricity. To this day, I have nurtured this obsession with childlike wonder.

When Lawrence English and Robin Fox extended the invitation to travel to Australia, an invitation which included a coast to coast tour and a residency at MESS in Melbourne, I could not resist!

Upon arriving at MESS, I simply became overwhelmed by the amount and diversity of the collection of synths and electronic instruments. There it was, the entire history of synth, drum machines and modulars in front of me, delight! Which one will I start with? It’s complicated.

I opted to work the synths that I am unfamiliar with, therefore adding a nice learning curve to the experience but also, an opportunity to observe and learn how the technicalities and programming evolved over the years.

The 7 pieces included in the 3 ep’s are the result of recorded live improvisations during which I familiarized myself with these wonderful electronic instruments.

I strived to remain true to each synth, I did not have a compositional intent, but rather preferred to let each synth’s personality shine through and hope I manage to earn their respect in the process.

An enormous thank you to Lawrence English, Robin Fox, Byron Scullin and Matthew Watson and everyone at MESS for their kind support.”

credits

released August 7, 2020

All sounds recorded at MESS (Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio) using the Sequential Circuits Prophet 10, and the Mellotron Mini.

license

all rights reserved

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#synthporn on ROOM40

EP01 France Jobin is a lover of wires, electronics and sine tones. She has something special to share on ROOM40!

“This photo serves as clear evidence of my early fascination with all things cables, connections and electricity. To this day, I have nurtured this obsession with childlike wonder.

When Lawrence English and Robin Fox extended the invitation to travel to Australia, an invitation which included a coast to coast tour and a residency at MESS in Melbourne, I could not resist!

Upon arriving at MESS, I simply became overwhelmed by the amount and diversity of the collection of synths and electronic instruments. There it was, the entire history of synth, drum machines and modulars in front of me, delight! Which one will I start with? It’s complicated.

I opted to work the synths that I am unfamiliar with, therefore adding a nice learning curve to the experience but also, an opportunity to observe and learn how the technicalities and programming evolved over the years.

The 4 pieces included in the 2 ep’s are the result of recorded live improvisations during which I familiarized myself with these wonderful electronic instruments.

I strived to remain true to each synth, I did not have a compositional intent, but rather preferred to let each synth’s personality shine through and hope I manage to earn their respect in the process.

An enormous thank you to Lawrence English, Robin Fox, Byron Scullin and Matthew Watson and everyone at MESS for their kind support.”

credits

released July 3, 2020

All sounds recorded at MESS (Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio) using the Sequential Circuits Prophet 10, and the Mellotron Mini.

license

all rights reserved

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ROOM40 – Various-10

ROOM40 – Various-10

On March 31st 2011, Room40 officially ends its tenth anniversary and to wrap things up we’re celebrating with a free 40 track sampler created by friends and family. It’s a summary of music and sound that has occupied our ears…past, present and future.

We’re very proud to offer work from as far away as Iceland and Antarctica. Pole to pole Room40 says thanks to all our supporters, friends and artists for such a great first ten years and we look forward to the next ten!

 

1. CHRIS ABRAHAMS – WATER
2. ASHER – UNTITLED
3. ANDREA BELFI  – POAOFBP
4. CANDLESNUFFER  – EUCLID’S FUDGE
5. JOHN CHANTLER – THE DRONING CHORD
6. RICHARD CHARTIER – RENDERED1_2009
7. CHIHEI HATAKEYAMA – FKPKC002
8. LEIGHTON CRAIG – ENDLESS BLUE SKY
9. GREG DAVIS AND BEN VIDA – TWO DOZEN WINDOWS
10. TAYLOR DEUPREE – LIVE:BRISBANE
11. DJ OLIVE – MONDAY
12. D.N.E. – VOLATILE
13. ERIKM – SOSSUSVLEI
14. BEN FROST – FEEDING
15. FRIEDL + VORFELD – BLAU
16. GLIM – FUSIBIL
17. KRAIG GRADY – BIMA
18. ERIK GRISWOLD – FROM HEAVEN ABOVE
19. DAVID GRUBBS – YOU COULD LOOK IT UP
20. GROUPER – HOLLOW TONE
21. KOEN HOLTKAMP – BROKEN CIRCLES
22. RAFAEL ANTON IRISARRI – DISTANCE
23. I8U – HIGGS
24. JEPH JERMAN – NO WORDS
25. ULRICH KRIEGER – CEPHEI
26. MINAMO + LAWRENCE ENGLISH – LUMINOUS
27. SCOTT MORRISON – BALLAD FOR VELIZY
28. PIMMON – LIMITED E COUNTRY
29. STEVE RODEN – ONE OF FORTY ROOMS
30. MARINA ROSENFELD – SWEETEST SENSATION
31. SEBASTIEN ROUX – MORE SONGS (EXCERPT)
32. PHILIP SAMARTZIS – DAVIS STATION
33. JANEK SCHAEFER – UNFOLDING HONEY
34. STEINBRÜCHEL – SAME
35. TENNISCOATS – TASMANIA: FOR A BAY
36. DAVID TOOP, SCANNER, IO3- LIVE AT OPEN FRAME
37. ZANE TROW – INITLED
38. TUJIKO NORIKO TRIO – HEARTGA LIVE
39. JAMES WEBB – PIGLET
40. XIU XIU – INGEBORG BACHMANN

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ROOM40 Sampler – The Wire (2010)

An exclusive interwoven collage from the Antipodean imprint ROOM40, this free CD documents past, present and future sounds. Curated by Lawrence English with contributions from Chris Abrahams, Asher, Candlesnuffer, John Chantler, Mike Cooper, Leighton Craig, Greg Davis, Taylor Deupree, DJ Olive, DNE, Robin Fox, Reinhold Friedl & Michael Vorfeld, Ben Frost, Grouper, Chihei Hatakeyama, Tim Hecker, I8U, Rafael Anton Irisarri, Jeph Jerman, Ulrich Krieger, Erik M, Tujiko Noriko, Pimmon, Sebastien Roux, Matt Rösner, Philip Samartzis, Janek Schaefer, Steinbrüchel, Tenniscoats, Zane Trow, James Webb and Xiu Xiu.

Given away free to all print subscribers with this month’s September issue.

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Review – 10-33cm (ROOM40) 2008 – by Eric Hill, Exclaim

i8u – 10-33cm (MP3 by Room40) 2008
From Holst’s The Planets to Eno’s Apollo, composers have glanced spaceward for inspiration and grandeur. Montreal’s France Jobin goes the extra step by turning outwards then inwards to explore ideas of String Theory, the title being the theoretical size of strings that make up, well, everything. Music, or purely expressed sound, is a logical art form to tackle these complex ideas, as little else exists in time and space quite the same way. The seven pieces have a scientific precision and clarity, placing each tone and texture in an aural description of nearly dimensionless particles. The vibratory interactions of these particles, or strings, stir high end frequencies that snap together like microscopic jigsaws, and waves of drone that describe a closed or looped model. Slipping just out of silence into the auditory field intensifies a reflex to lean towards the discovery of curious phenomena. Whether or not Jobin’s work inspires you to more deeply consider reality it can be enjoyed for its wonderful minimalist construction.
-Eric Hill
Address: http://www.room40.org

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Review – 10-33cm (ROOM40) 2008 – by Massimo Ricci, Touching Extremes

i8u – 10-33cm (MP3 by Room40) 2008

Described by the press release as a “compelling meditation on the nature of sound in time”, this work by Canadian France Jobin was conceived by taking into account the “theoretical size of the strings that makes up the universe”. The impression is mainly one of morphing resonance, like someone manoeuvring an equalizer while a sequence of consecutive drones is unfolding. A chain of pretty static visions, some of them in fact engrossing, rarely presenting truly shocking elements yet effective, at least in spurts. Still, the compositional effort doesn’t appear extreme; this will probably determine a filing in the jam-packed folders of “good but not really memorable” near-minimalism, with the exception of “String 6” and “String 7”, whose impressive bottomless rumbles and subsonic purrs are something to be heard. Dulcis in fundo, indeed.

Touching Extremes
Massimo Ricci

Address: http://www.room40.org

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Review – 10-33cm (ROOM40) 2008 – by Marcus Whale, The Silent Ballet

i8u – 10-33cm (MP3 by Room40) 2008

A part of the spat of new releases on Room40 over late 2008 and early 2009, this offering is produced by Montreal-based sound designer France Jobin, best known for her conceptually mind boggling sound experiments as I8U. This latest work, 10-33 cm, focuses on string theory, an attempt to adapt these tenets of quantum physics to a sound context.

Being unfortunately shackled to an intellect utterly bereft of mathematical knowledge, I have no way of interpreting the conceptual basis for the piece, but Jobin’s skill as a sound designer is undeniable. Jobin creates a seven-part, 46 minute long universe of mainly sine-tone based sound worlds that are remarkable in their focus and detail. Each track is assigned a different ‘type’ of string and the disparity between the contents of each section is marked. The most beautiful moments in the work come at the very beginning, where tiny, high frequency sounds move in and out of each other and take on a delicate form. Massive arrays of sounds subsequently provide counterpoint to this initial moment, but ultimately don’t match the atmosphere that it creates.

The most remarkable element of this release is the ability for such intellectual, difficult music to become as evocative, even on an emotional level, as much of 10-33 cm is. A criticism may be, for all of its intricacies, these experiments occasionally lapse into over-repetition, becoming reduced to its subject matter, rather than finding identity through the medium by which the concept is being expressed – sound. However, as a whole, the suite is tight and well constructed, finding moments of great intensity and poise.

Room40 are known for managing the compromise between the intellectual aesthetic of this corner of experimental music and its ability to ascertain a human reaction to it, beyond the arguably dry conceptual origins that often mark the associated releases. I8U is an example of this success; above all, a demonstration of the complexity of Jobin’s craft, an approach to sound design that is difficult to fault, in its strong intent and flawless execution.

-Marcus Whale
Address: http://www.room40.org