Composers Joanna Mattrey and Christine Tobin will premiere their new works on 3 April at The Complex, as part of New Music Dublin and BAN BAM, with a further performance in Belfast later in the year. We asked Joanna and Christine the BIG questions . . .
A play on 'bean', BAN BAM is an initiative which began in 2017 to support and develop the work of women and gender-minority artists in jazz and improvised music.
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The commissioning and development award began in 2020, with previous works by C.V. Lunny, Úna Monaghan, Sue Rynhart, Carole Nelson, Meilana Gillard, and Bianca Gannon.
With themes of conflict, loss of home and cultural identity, Joanna’s piece, Battle Ready II, "tasks the performers to play for those who have no voice". The work includes composition, improvisation, spoken text, and video.
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Christine’s new work is Pseudologia Fantastica and it "explores themes of disinformation - the misappropriation of new technologies and information networks to spread lies that destroy democratic conversation and undermine perceptions of the world".
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Joanna: I am a classical trained violist, experimental improvisor, and bodyworker with training in yoga and Alexander Technique.
Chrstine: I like to go a-wandering because the world is wide. Music is my first and constant love. I think kindness is a magical virtue.
How would you describe your music?
Joanna: I use extended techniques, objects, and electronic alterations to connect the sound world of the viola to the void. My playing alternates between high energy rapid fire and lush meditative sweeps.
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Chrstine: Tender and tough, graceful and rough. Made up of everything I’ve lived and everything I dream. A magpie’s nest.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Joanna: Dufay, Gesualdo, Taisen Deshimaru, everything on the Sublime Frequencies label, Shirley Collins, Ryan Power, Bach.
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Chrstine: Geri Allen, Egberto Gismonti, Me’Shell Nedegeocello, Bartok, Berg, Craig Taborn, The Gloaming, Kathleen Ferrier.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Joanna: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem’s Up in Smoke Tour.
Chrstine: Bob Dylan in Earls Court, London in 1981.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Joanna: Macarena by ClubCutz.
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Chrstine: Lady Eleanor by Lindisfarne.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Joanna: Mast Kalandar by Usted Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Joanna: 'I locked you in this body, I meant it as a kind of trial' - Leonard Cohen.
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Chrstine: 'Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine’ - Bob Dylan’s Shelter From The Storm.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Joanna: Track two of Folk and Pop Sounds of Sumatra Vol 2 by Unknown Artist.
Chrstine: Billie Holiday’s recording of Deep Song (Decca Records, 1947).
Where can people find your music/more information?
Joanna: Improvised Music. My website, and Bandcamp.
Chrstine: Improvised Music, my website, and Bandcamp.
Alan Corr
