Time Distance Music

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Seven visionary musicians explore new possibilities for traditional and invented instruments. Revel in the chaos and beauty, trip out, rise up and deep dance inside.

Presented by Colin Offord & Collaborators

Songs and soundscapes, heartbeats, skin beats, mouth music and animal howls, drones and harmonic delirium. Soulful, sensual music for the 21st century: tradition and innovation across time and space.

Seven visionary musicians from diverse musical and cultural backgrounds, led by musician - instrument inventor Colin Offord, explore new possibilities for traditional and invented instruments.

Five-hours of continuous performance - you come and go as you please.

Prepare to be silent, lifted up, tremble in the chaos and beauty, trip out and dance deep inside. These performances are 5-hours in duration. The performance is continuous and your entry fee for the day allows you to come and go as you please.

Please note: we ask that you enter and exit in silence so as not to disturb people already listening. These performances are not particularly suited to small children.

"This music is immediately accessible, probably because without artistic pretentiousness or self-consciousness, it manages to reach into some kind of collective sub-conscious and touches sensitivities which are both mythic and familiar."
— Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald
"PRESS COMMENTS about previous performances by Colin Offord & groups “He is like a modern troubadour with his artistic crossover of Celtic, Aboriginal, Medieval and Asian music. His performances are enchanting, effortless and always an exciting event.” Antoine Legat, Cultuur Magazine, Belgium"
"“For over thirty years Offord has been inventing miraculous instruments and incorporating them into a unique performance vocabulary. At the core of his creativity is the Australasian Mouthbow, his stringed wonder weapon, the versatility of which ensures that a stream of surprises flows through the music. Against this shifting backdrop he sings in a gloriously rich voice of exceptional range, conveying a magical blend of the primal and the sophisticated. John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald"
"“The combination of wild music and highly original instruments will have you raising your eyebrows and listening like you’ve never listened before. It won’t hurt, really!” Chet Williamson, Rambles Culture Magazine, U.S.A."
"“Magical and extraordinary, a musician and artist of genius and a real national musical treasure.” Bruce Elder, Rolling Stone Magazine."
"“Beautiful and unusual music, easy to listen to but difficult to categorize.” Jane Rickards, The China Post"
"“One of the most remarkable concerts in the rich history of the Brugge festival.” Chris Delariviere, De Morgan, Belgium."
"“For the duration of the evening, the Bernheim Biblioteque Park became an enchanted place.” Les Nouvelles Caledoniens, New Caledonia"
"“Uplifting musical work capable of replenishing the human spirit.” Lisa Yallamas, Brisbane Courier Mail"
"“Offord is a genuine original. His music is immediately accessible, probably because without artistic pretentiousness or self-consciousness, it manages to reach into some kind of collective sub-conscious and touches sensitivities which are both mythic and familiar.” Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald."
"“Haunting, organic, irregular, it calls from an ancient source into the modern and asks us to reach inside ourselves.” Darrelyn Gunzberg, Lowdown Magazine"
"“Richly sensual and extraordinarily imaginative. A plethora of unique sound colour, spectacle and sheer raw energy.” Stuart Hill, The West Australian"
"“The sound he makes carries the breath of angels.” John Shand, The Guide, Sydney Morning Herald"

Proudly supported by the FUSE Fund

COLIN OFFORD

Resident of Reservoir. Voice, Australasian Mouthbow, Windpipes, Conch Shells. Colin is a singer, instrument inventor, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist. He has invented many original instruments, and directed countless events and performances in art centres, music festivals and venues, galleries, environmental settings, remote villages, great concert halls, and funky old halls. His music has taken him around the world many times - throughout Australia, Europe, North America, East Asia, South East Asia, South Africa and the islands of the South Pacific. He recently completed a 3-month artist-in residence at MONA Museum of Old & New Art, Tasmania.

TANIA BOSAK

 - resident of Darebin. Percussion, Berimbau, Drums, Voice. Tania is an interdisciplinary musician, producer and performer. She has composed and directed many ensemble music projects and is a powerful force in the Australian music scene. Tania is a compelling performer and brings an elegance, refinement and power to the art of drumming. As a Master TaKeTiNa Rhythm facilitator, rhythm, body, voice and meditation practice informs her cross-art form projects in music, theatre, ritual and collaborations throughout Australia and Europe.

YILAN YEH

 - resident of Darebin. Moonbells, Waterbells, The Vessel. Yilan holds a Phd in Media Arts, and is a video artist, curator, teacher and sound performer who specialises in playing Colin Offord's Moonbells and other harmonic sound sculptures. A long-time collaborator with Colin, Yilan has performed in environmental settings, theatres, festivals, museums, art galleries and music venues in Queensland, Taiwan, China, Switzerland and France and for MOFO in Hobart, Tasmania.

RON REEVES

 - resident of Darebin. Drums, Kaval, Furulya, Percussion. Ron is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, improvisor, performer and music educator. He is at home in a wide variety of musical styles: world music, contemporary improvisation, western orchestral, Hungarian and Indonesia traditional music. Ron has performed throughout Australia and the world in numerous festivals and music venues and for many years has engaged with Indonesian music and musicians, and has studied percussion in South India and wind instruments in Hungary. An exceptional soloist and ensemble member his playing is intensely rhythmic, inventive, precise and emotive.

Event & ticketing details

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Accessibility

Accessible Toilet

Dates & Times

Ticketed 25 March, 5-10pm / 26 March 1-6pm

Tickets

Book in advance or tix at the door

Location

Northcote Uniting Church - Chalice

251 High St, Northcote VIC 3070

Get directions

Tram

Route 86, Stop 32

Bus

Route 567
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