Interview with John Richards – Dirty Electronics Workshop Ensemble

John Richards explores the idea of Dirty Electronics that focuses on shared experiences, ritual, gesture, touch and social interaction. He is primarily concerned with the performance of large-group electronic music and DIY electronics. Dirty Electronics has been commissioned to create sound devices for various arts organisations and festivals and has released a series of hand-held synths on Mute Records. During the shooting of The Sound is Innocent in the Slovak Radio Building, Dirty Electronics occupied the corridors and basement of the building. An ad hoc group of artists were amassed who become actors/performers in the film. Electronic components and loudspeakers were scavenged from the film set made of discarded technology. From these pickings, a sound system and instruments were built and used to create a live performance that formed the basis for one of the distinct chapters of the film.

At NEXT 2019, Richards performed with a group of artists participating in the Dirty Electronics Workshop happening just one day before the performance.

Produced by A4 as a part of a project of international cooperation Re-Imagine Europe, co-financed by the program of EU Creative Europe and supported using public funding by Slovak Arts Council and Bratislava Autonomous Region.

Photo Courtesy of the organisation