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Robert McFadden

Robert McFadden has been writing and performing music since the late 1970’s. Originally trained as a visual artist, Robert developed his music as part of a multidisciplinary practice including installation, digital media, and performance art. Early projects give a clue to the diversity in Robert’s approach:

  • Sounds on Wednesdays (1978): a free improvisation series hosted by the National Gallery of Canada
  • The Post Barbie Band (1978 - 81): a cocktail of musicians, artists and programmers performing in clubs and art galleries
  • People in the Speakers (1986 - 90): a karaoke/movement ensemble championed by Gay Delorme (Frank Zappa, k.d. laing) as “seriously bent; way hip”.

Constructing Nature and The Edge of the World - musical performances playing off Broadway, roots, jazz and minimalist genres - were presented in the late 80’s and early 90’s at The Western Front (Vancouver), Globe Theatre (Regina), A Space (Toronto) and The Slade (London, England). For Those Who Stand For, a virtual reality soundscape produced at the Banff Centre for the Arts, was recognized in 1992 at Ars Electronica (Linz, Austria).

In 1993 Robert began work in sound production, digital animation and software development for companies such as Softimage, Microsoft and Avid Technologies with clients including Industrial Light and Magic, Mainframe Entertainment and Disney. In 2004, a two-week hiatus taken to consider ideas about jazz improvisation grew into a four year full-time process of listening, studying, jamming, composing and recording. Travelling in Curves documents recent developments in this exploration.


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"Like meeting an old friend for the first time."
-Deborah Dunn, choreographer (Trial & Eros Dance Theatre)

"Urbane & heartfelt."
-James Stephens, musician & producer (Ian Tamblyn, Fat Man Waving)

"Lovely, lovely, lovely"
-Linsey Wellman, musician (Galitcha, Kobo Town, Worlds Collide)

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