Nick Cobby x NYX Electronic drone choir — Mutualism
NYX Electronic Drone Choir, Nick Cobby
Trailer
This video is presented as part of the free Pop-up programming from March 16 to 26, 2022 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm in the Tudor Hall at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy.
The product of an iterative process of communal collaboration, Mutualism was developed over lockdown in 2020 by electronic drone choir NYX, spoken word and sound artist MA.MOYO, aka Belinda Zhawi, and visual artist Nick Cobby. Described by NYX as “a metamorphic meditation, embodying our relationship with nature, symbiosis transformation and collective consciousness”, the 11-minute audiovisual work emerged from what the choir term ‘symbiotic working,’ intended to generate “a true sense of connection, expression and interdependence.” Unfolding from the image of a match being struck deep within a mass of dense and twisted foliage, Mutualism is slow, introspective trip through the leaves, stones and earth of the natural world, a call and response between the modulated vocal tones, live electronics and instrumental arrangements of NYX, the lysergic visuals of Nick Cobby and the incantatory performance of MA.MOYO.
The product of an iterative process of communal collaboration, Mutualism was developed over lockdown in 2020 by electronic drone choir NYX, spoken word and sound artist MA.MOYO, aka Belinda Zhawi, and visual artist Nick Cobby. Described by NYX as “a metamorphic meditation, embodying our relationship with nature, symbiosis transformation and collective consciousness”, the 11-minute audiovisual work emerged from what the choir term ‘symbiotic working,’ intended to generate “a true sense of connection, expression and interdependence.” Unfolding from the image of a match being struck deep within a mass of dense and twisted foliage, Mutualism is slow, introspective trip through the leaves, stones and earth of the natural world, a call and response between the modulated vocal tones, live electronics and instrumental arrangements of NYX, the lysergic visuals of Nick Cobby and the incantatory performance of MA.MOYO.
| Director | Nick Cobby, Nick Cobby, NYX: Electronic Drone Choir |
| Codirection | Josh Thomas, Philippa Neels, Sian O’Gorman |
| Production | NYX: Electronic Drone Choir |
| Choreography | Imogen Knight |
| Voice | Adélaïde Pratoussy,, Cecilia Forssberg, Kelechi Anucha, MA.MOYO, Ruth Corey, Rebekah Alero, Shireen Qureshi, Sian O’Gorman |
| Sound | Peter Rice |
| Sound mixing | James Rand |
| Music | David Boyce, MA.MOYO, Sian O’Gorman For NYX: Electronic Drone Choir |
Image tirée du film Mutualism // Image from the film Mutualism
Image tirée du film Mutualism // Image from the film Mutualism
Production
NYX Electronic Drone Choir
NYX is a collaborative drone choir, re-embodying live electronics and extended vocal techniques. With visceral arrangements and original compositions by choir leader Sian O’Gorman, NYX looks to reshape the role of the traditional female choir, testing the limits of organic and synthetic modulation to explore the entire spectrum of collective female voice as an instrument.
NYX is a self-managed collective and independent record label, debuting in 2018 with a 4‑part deep listening concert series of experimental collaborations with female UK composers Hatis Noit, Gazelle Twin, Iona Fortune and Alicia Jane Turner. NYX has quickly established itself as a popular music-led interdisciplinary experience: performing a sonic immersion with Sigur Rós at BST in Hyde Park, developing a sonic installation / live performance for London Design Festival and providing a live score at QEII Design Award for London Fashion Week.
NYX’s approach to post-digital performance and composition is influenced by Meredith Monk’s extended vocal technique, Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares’ charged harmonics, the electronic and acoustic body manipulations of Holly Herndon and the viscerality of Sunn 0)))’s ecstatic noise experiences. Alongside performances, the collective continues to research health and social benefits of sonic immersion in relation to ethnomusicology, sound therapy, collaboration, feminism and new digital technologies.
Following a live performance at Queen Elizabeth Hall in November 2019 described by The Times as a “a spellbinding, timeless piece of avant-garde performance art, part catharsis and part exorcism”, NYX and Gazelle Twin released their first collaborative album, Deep England, in March 2021.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
NYX is a self-managed collective and independent record label, debuting in 2018 with a 4‑part deep listening concert series of experimental collaborations with female UK composers Hatis Noit, Gazelle Twin, Iona Fortune and Alicia Jane Turner. NYX has quickly established itself as a popular music-led interdisciplinary experience: performing a sonic immersion with Sigur Rós at BST in Hyde Park, developing a sonic installation / live performance for London Design Festival and providing a live score at QEII Design Award for London Fashion Week.
NYX’s approach to post-digital performance and composition is influenced by Meredith Monk’s extended vocal technique, Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares’ charged harmonics, the electronic and acoustic body manipulations of Holly Herndon and the viscerality of Sunn 0)))’s ecstatic noise experiences. Alongside performances, the collective continues to research health and social benefits of sonic immersion in relation to ethnomusicology, sound therapy, collaboration, feminism and new digital technologies.
Following a live performance at Queen Elizabeth Hall in November 2019 described by The Times as a “a spellbinding, timeless piece of avant-garde performance art, part catharsis and part exorcism”, NYX and Gazelle Twin released their first collaborative album, Deep England, in March 2021.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
Nick Cobby
Working professionally for over 10 years, Nick Cobby’s work focuses on visual content for live music performance and online music content, which to date has utilised 2D, 3D, stop-motion, projection mapping, coding and generative visuals. His mixture of work for mainstream pop and rock artists in collaboration with Blink and personal relationships with electronic producers and DJs such as Max Cooper has ensured a rich body of work with a wide range of aesthetics. Commercial artists Nick has produced world tour visuals for include Tame Impala, Kylie Minogue, The Killers, Kid Cudi, Jolin Tsai, Shania Twain, J Balvin, Cardi B, Bastille, The Weeknd as well as producing the visual identity and show content for the 2016 MTV EMA Awards in Rotterdam.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
You would like
