Mad Scientists of Music Documentary

Roger Gregg is a dramatist, poet, musician, actor and performer. Over a long career on radio and theatre, he’s had dozens of plays performed all over the world, and written and recorded numerous radio dramas as ‘Crazy Dog Audio Theatre‘. Today Roger continues to record and perform, with his ‘Bee Loud Glade Cabaret’. Bee Loud … Continue reading The Life & Work of Roger Gregg – Mad Scientists Bonus Episode →

So last night I was lucky enough to see the incredibly talented radio producer Roman Mars perform a live episode of his show 99% Invisible, at the ever creepy Freemasons Hall in Molesworth St. The event was a part of the inaugural Sounds Alive festival, which brought together a bunch of radio folks like legendary … Continue reading Mad Scientists of Music wins Sounds Alive Prize! →

The Instrument of the Law‘ examined how changing technology and copyright laws are impacting music. This bonus episode fills in the blanks, addressing additional issues we didn’t get to talk about in detail, like creative commons, the legality of mashups, copyright as a promotional tool, and alternative business models at a time when music sales … Continue reading Copyright Bonus Episode – Mad Scientists of Music →

The final episode of the series looks at the future of Irish experimental music. We find out how techniques like ‘Live Coding’ (where computer programming during a concert, creates the music and visuals in real time), ‘Geocached Music’ (intrepid explorers following clues to discover hidden caches of music in the real world), and new interfaces … Continue reading Postcards from the Edge – Episode 6 – Mad Scientists of Music →

Chuffed to be able to present my first piece for RTE Lyric FM’s ‘Culture File‘ programme. It’s a short on Chipzel, the Chiptune artist profiled in Episode 2 of Mad Scientists of Music. The piece features much of the same material from that report, but presented in a more straightforward way, which was an interesting … Continue reading Chipzel – Culture File Report →

This episode looks at how innovative new ways of making and distributing music are coming into conflict with our legal system. Some argue that copyright and patent laws, created to encourage innovation, are no longer in touch with how artists remix and reinterpret our cultural landscape. Part 1 – Piracy We learn about copyright law, … Continue reading The Instrument of the Law – Episode 5 – Mad Scientists of Music →

This episode takes us on a tour of workshops and hack spaces, and explores the relationship of outsider electronic music to the fine art establishment. Teaser – Andrew Edgar takes us on a tour of the A4 Arts Collective. Part 1 – Ed Devane talks about the relationship between self taught musicians, hackers, artists and … Continue reading The Hacker in the Gallery – Episode 4 – Mad Scientists of Music →

The is the first web only bonus episode of Mad Scientists of Music. Focusing on interviews rather than sound, these episodes feature clips, topics and artists there wasn’t space to fit into the radio series. We kick off with early experiences in technology, hearing from a host of folks about how early encounters with computers … Continue reading Bonus Episode – Beginnings – Mad Scientists of Music →

Episode three takes a journey into the underground world of circuit bending. Circuit benders hack children’s toys and dissect cheap archaic electronics, to produce strange new instruments. Circuit bending lies at the intersection of instrument building, grass roots activism and psychedelia. Listeners will learn about the history of circuit bending, a hobby that grew out … Continue reading Toys – Episode 3 – Mad Scientists of Music →

Episode two explores the video game backgrounds of a variety of Irish experimental musicians – how video game culture and ready access to technology influenced their love of music and their aesthetic sensibilities. Chiptune music in particular reappropriates not only the machinery, but also the distinctive sounds of computer games of the 1980’s, and this … Continue reading Growing Up Digital – Episode 2 – Mad Scientists of Music →

Episode one explores how circuit benders, hackers and artists are building teaching and education into their practice. This is a culture as much about sharing as making, and all the artists interviewed run classes and workshops (often at no charge). Children and adults alike attend the ‘maker fairs’ and hacklabs where circuit benders share tips … Continue reading Learning How to Listen – Episode 1 – Mad Scientists of Music →

So, after a very great while, but still much sooner than expected, my first documentary series ‘Mad Scientists of Music‘ is almost here. Quick and dirty promo – featuring the music of Bitwise Operator The final lineup of interviewees is ¡NO!, Deathness Injection, Andrew Edgar, John Leech Siam Collective, MarQu VR, Kieran Dold, Ed Devane … Continue reading Mad Scientists of Music is coming out, next week! →