Dirty Electronics
DMU’s noise doctor, John Richards has developed a unique interest in the process of the creation of electronic music that has taken him on a journey from Europe to America and Japan, delivering workshops, performances and artist collaborations.
From his interest John, coined the term 'Dirty Electronics' which refers to an approach in electronic music that is directly opposed to those found in mass produced digital culture and includes some of the following characteristics: designer trash, ugly, cheap, heavy, hand-made, designed to be handled or to come in contact with the body, ready-mades, hacked, bent, feedback and kitsch.
Richards, Course Leader in Music, Technology and Performance BA (Hons)| at DMU said: “Through making things together, the work takes on a more social dimension; and it is as much about the process as the final realisation and performance.”
Recently John has been working and performing in the UK participating in Short Circuit, the annual festival of electronic music at the Roundhouse, London, the Festival of Britain 60th Anniversary at the Southbank, London, Leicester's Phoenix Square and the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), London.
Attendees of Dirty Electronics Solder a Score at the ICA, built a large patchwork quilt-like instrument and co-wrote a musical score with John, culminating in a group performance.
Richards considers his work with students and staff at DMU as integral to his creative output. John said "My practice has been integrated in to my work at De Montfort University and vice-versa. It is a question of sharing ideas and experiences from the University and professional practice."
Aspects DMU's creative Music and Technology courses include composition, sound diffusion, sonic art, audiovisual composition, create visual music, installation art and collaboration with other art forms, but aside from John's teaching DMU's students also have the opportunity to participate directly with John's work through regular rehearsals and performances with the the Dirty Electronic Ensemble.
John Richards has directed the Dirty Electronics Ensemble since 2005, giving workshops and performances internationally, including collaborations with Japanese noise artist - Merzbow, Mute Records and graphic designer Adrian Shaughnessy, Throbbing Gristle’s Chris Carter, and Scratch Orchestra founder, Howard Skempton.
Discover more about Dirty Electronics and Senior Lecturer in Music, John Richards
Dirty Electronics website
|Lead & Schemas, ICA Magazine
|The Dirty Electronics Ensemble on Facebook
|The John Richards website|