Mark Fell is a multidisciplinary artist based in Sheffield (UK). After studying experimental film and video art at the local polytechnic he reverted to earlier interests in computational technology, music and synthetic sound. In 1998 he initiated a series of critically acclaimed record releases, featuring both collaborative and solo works, on labels including Mille Plateaux, Line, Editions Mego, Raster Noton and Alku.
Fell is widely known for combining popular music styles, such as electronica and techno, with more academic approaches to computer-based composition with a particular emphasis on algorithmic and mathematical systems. His recent musical practice has become increasingly informed by non-Western musics, this is evident in two linked works “Multistablity” and “UL8” which explore a number of unfamiliar timing and tuning systems. Uncut magazine called these “completely mind-blowing” and the Wire magazine said these were “amazing”. As well as recorded works Fell produces installation pieces often using multiple speaker systems. Although well versed in the use of ambisonics, his work in this area is characterised by ‘non-illusion based’ approaches where multiple waveshapes are spatially distributed to form complex synthetic sonic environments. The diversity and importance of Fell’s practice is reflected in the range and scale of international institutions that present his work – from large super clubs such as Berghain (Berlin), to Hong Kong National Film archive and many others.
Mark will be performing along with Keith Fullerton Whitman in Berlin at Volksbühne Oct. 24th, 2014.
Facts
Yorkshire
Gravity
Love
Questions
What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
music
How and when did you get into making music?
age 13, i got a synthesiser and drum machine
What are your 5 favourite albums of all time?
http://thequietus.com/articles/16444-mark-fell-favourite-albums-interview
What do you associate with Berlin?
my dad’s memories of being part of the reconstruction of berlin after the
war. he came over as a young man and he still talks about what he saw.
What’s your favourite place in your town?
a scrap heap next to the canal.
http://www.mimaroglumusicsales.com/g/emego116detail.jpg
If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
i would make repetitive patterns in sound
What was the last record you bought?
that was so long ago i can’t remember.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
keith fullerton whitman
What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
spectator – indian classical music summer solstice 2011 all nighter, leeds
uk.
How important is technology to your creative process?
http://www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/essays/collateral-damage-mark-fell
Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career?
one is dead, the other doesn’t like it.
Our Favourites:
Multistability 12
https://youtu.be/G_TLmFfb9JQ
SOA-1
https://youtu.be/QUBNr2r14eY
SOA-3
Links: markfell.com Interview with (name of the artist) by Digital in Berlin
