Ben Frost (musician)
Encyclopedia
Ben Frost is a musician
, composer
and producer
. Frost is probably most widely recognized for his experimental music
drawing widely on influences of minimalism, post-punk
, black metal
and noise best demonstrated on the 2007 release "Theory of Machines" and 2009's "BY THE THROAT"
Frost's compositional catalogue includes Music for Sad Children (2001, independently produced and released), the ambient guitar exploration Steel Wound (2003, and reissued in 2007), Room40), described by Pitchfork Media
as "an exemplary ambient experience",http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/17934-steel-wound and the widely critically acclaimed LP 'Theory of Machines' on the Icelandic record label Bedroom Community, an album which earned Frost massive critical acclaim and it could be said, cemented his place as an artist on the global stage.
and rock band Something for Kate
.
/Random Dance, Tim Hecker
, Amiina
, American Composer Nico Muhly
and Björk
. He is the closest collaborator of Icelandic Producer/Engineer/Composer Valgeir Sigurðsson
with whom Frost shares Sigurðsson's recording facility Greenhouse Studios Reykjavik Iceland. Frost has contributed various programming and performance work to Sigurðsson's productions and it is within Greenhouse that the majority of Frost's work is produced, often in collaboration of Sigurðsson. And in 2005 Sigurðsson, Frost and Nico Muhly formed the independent record label Bedroom Community as an outlet for a series of internationally recognized releases including Frost's Theory of Machines and BY THE THROAT
.
In 2010 Ben Frost was hand selected as a protége by artist and musician Brian Eno
as part of the Rolex Mentor and Protége initiative
Ben Frost is also a composer for film. Most recently for Sleeping Beauty
the directorial debut of Julia Leigh
. The film was selected for the main competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival
.
Frost is also a member of Cicada, a contemporary arts collective that produces large scale audio visual installations and performances that focus on the intersection between biology and technology- a relationship perhaps best demonstrated in the Audio/Video installation piece MOB, an exploration of the human crowd, that utilized schooling fish and processed choral recordings.
Frost is occasionally confused with fellow Australian visual artist Ben Frost
. Both are of similar age and have actually previously collaborated on projects together
.
and a remix commission from Björk
, In early 2005 Frost relocated to and has since become a permanent resident of Reykjavík
, Iceland
. Since 2005 he has collaborated with various local artists and musicians including The Icelandic Dance Company, meanwhile using Iceland as a base from which to work, travel and perform throughout the US and Europe. A strong opponent of the industrialization of Iceland and vocal critic on various local issues such as the non-development of public transportation, Frost has occasionally written for the Reykjavík newspaper Grapevine, and lent his catalogue to environmental movements such as Náttúra.
SVT and often contain moments of extreme volume with a particular emphasis on the sub-bass
aspects of his work. In a live setting this makes for extremely physical performances that can verge on infrasonic.
"...with processed guitar, stacks of amps, feedback and a command of the stage - the guy knows how to present his music in a visually arresting way. Two old-school cassette recorders sat miked at each end of his performance rig, matched by two stacks of amps and speakers off in back and two the sides. Ben attacks his material physically, working the rig with his whole body." -Regarding Ben Frost's performance at Mutek 2008 in Montreal Canada noisepages.com
Frost regularly performed live between 2002-2005 as School of Emotional Engineering -A live band formed to perform work from the Ben Frost album of the same name. S.E:E was composed of four to five performers, focusing less on the computer oriented compositions of his current work and more on a sound influenced by post rock.
Between 2003-2004 Frost performed regularly as a member of the now defunct Sydney
-based band The Husbands alongside fellow experimental artists Oren Ambarchi
and Scott Horscroft. The Husbands was a 9-12 piece band consisting mostly of guitarists, largely inspired by the work of Glenn Branca
and Rhys Chatham
. The Husbands few, but notorious live performances culminated in a live collaboration with ex-Can (band)
vocalist Damo Suzuki
.
The Husbands, along with Horscroft's acclaimed 2003 Lp 8 Guitars provided the main influence for Frost's 2007 piece Music For 6 Guitars which has been performed at a handful of mostly European festivals.
Cyclic Defrost
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. Frost is probably most widely recognized for his experimental music
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
drawing widely on influences of minimalism, post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
, black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
and noise best demonstrated on the 2007 release "Theory of Machines" and 2009's "BY THE THROAT"
Frost's compositional catalogue includes Music for Sad Children (2001, independently produced and released), the ambient guitar exploration Steel Wound (2003, and reissued in 2007), Room40), described by Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
as "an exemplary ambient experience",http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/17934-steel-wound and the widely critically acclaimed LP 'Theory of Machines' on the Icelandic record label Bedroom Community, an album which earned Frost massive critical acclaim and it could be said, cemented his place as an artist on the global stage.
"This is the album which is to cement his name as one of the most interesting and groundbreaking producers in the world today... Theory of Machines is the future of electronic music." Boomkat
"Simply awesome... Frost reminds us that minimalism was never just the polished sheen of Reich and Glass, but also the sweat and grime of Michael Gira's Swans... A deeper, darker minimalism- menacing and claustrophobic... This is Arvo Pärt as arranged by Trent Reznor... Magnificent" The Wire Magazine
"...The compositional complexity of Arvo Pärt and the sonic nothingness of Wolf Eyes...Yes, it is that good." Vice Magazine
Formative Works
Early work's by Frost included the independently released ambient electronic Ep Music for Sad Children (2000) and "Steel Wound" which was one of the first releases of the now established and widely acclaimed Room40 record label. Early collaborations were with fellow Australian artists such as David BridieDavid Bridie
David Bridie is a musician from Melbourne, Australia. Bridie first rose to prominence as a member of Not Drowning, Waving, which he started in the early 1980s with guitarist John Phillips. They released four albums on Australian independent labels to some level of critical acclaim and very limited...
and rock band Something for Kate
Something for Kate
Something for Kate are a rock band from Melbourne, Australia. Members include songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Paul Dempsey, drummer Clint Hyndman and bassist Stephanie Ashworth...
.
Collaborations
In addition to his acclaimed solo work Frost is an avid collaborator who works across a variety of media including film, contemporary dance and theatre. Acclaimed artists such as Wayne McGregorWayne McGregor
Wayne McGregor CBE is a British choreographer of contemporary modern dance. His work is highly distinctive in its vocabulary of movement, for its integration of dance with film and visual art, and for his active interest and incorporation of computer technology and biological science...
/Random Dance, Tim Hecker
Tim Hecker
Tim Hecker is an electronic musician and sound artist based in Montreal, Canada. Hecker previously recorded under the moniker Jetone, but has become better known internationally for his ambient recordings released through Kranky, Mille Plateaux, Alien8, Force Inc, Staalplaat, and Fat Cat under his...
, Amiina
Amiina
Amiina is an Icelandic band composed of Hildur Ársælsdóttir , Edda Rún Ólafsdóttir , Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir , and Sólrún Sumarliðadóttir . They frequently perform live and in the studio along with Sigur Rós...
, American Composer Nico Muhly
Nico Muhly
Nico Muhly is a contemporary classical music composer, who has worked and recorded with classical and pop/rock musicians. He currently lives in the Lower East Side section of Manhattan in New York City.-Early years:...
and Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
. He is the closest collaborator of Icelandic Producer/Engineer/Composer Valgeir Sigurðsson
Valgeir Sigurðsson
Valgeir Sigurðsson is an Icelandic record producer, mixer, composer, engineer and musician.-Biography:Coming from a musical background Valgeir's fascination with recording technology lead to a job in a small recording studio at the age of 16. He studied classical guitar and graduated with a...
with whom Frost shares Sigurðsson's recording facility Greenhouse Studios Reykjavik Iceland. Frost has contributed various programming and performance work to Sigurðsson's productions and it is within Greenhouse that the majority of Frost's work is produced, often in collaboration of Sigurðsson. And in 2005 Sigurðsson, Frost and Nico Muhly formed the independent record label Bedroom Community as an outlet for a series of internationally recognized releases including Frost's Theory of Machines and BY THE THROAT
By the Throat
- Personnel :* Eyedea – Bass ; guitar ; keyboards ; additional drum programming/percussion * DJ Abilities – Bass ; keyboards ; turntables...
.
In 2010 Ben Frost was hand selected as a protége by artist and musician Brian Eno
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
as part of the Rolex Mentor and Protége initiative
Ben Frost is also a composer for film. Most recently for Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty (2011 film)
Sleeping Beauty is a 2011 Australian erotic drama film written and directed by Julia Leigh. It was her debut as a director. It stars Emily Browning as Lucy, a young university student who performs a special type of erotic service.- Cast :...
the directorial debut of Julia Leigh
Julia Leigh
Julia Leigh is an Australian novelist, film director and screenwriter.-Early life:Born in 1970 in Sydney, Australia, Leigh is the eldest of three daughters of a doctor and maths teacher. She initially studied law but shifted to writing. For a time she worked at the Australian Society of Authors...
. The film was selected for the main competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival
2011 Cannes Film Festival
The 64th annual Cannes Film Festival was held from May 11 to May 22, 2011. American actor Robert De Niro served as the president of the jury for the main competition and French filmmaker Michel Gondry headed the jury for the short film competition...
.
Frost is also a member of Cicada, a contemporary arts collective that produces large scale audio visual installations and performances that focus on the intersection between biology and technology- a relationship perhaps best demonstrated in the Audio/Video installation piece MOB, an exploration of the human crowd, that utilized schooling fish and processed choral recordings.
Frost is occasionally confused with fellow Australian visual artist Ben Frost
Ben Frost (artist)
Ben Frost is a visual artist whose work seeks to challenge contemporary norms and values of Western culture and society...
. Both are of similar age and have actually previously collaborated on projects together
Gelbison
Gelbison is an Australian pop rock band based in Sydney, and featuring the Kahn brothers Edo and Nadav - who also perform in Nations by the river.-History:The band's first album, 1704, was produced By Ian Ball of the British band Gomez....
.
Iceland
After a single original visit in 2002 culminating in collaborations with Valgeir SigurðssonValgeir Sigurðsson
Valgeir Sigurðsson is an Icelandic record producer, mixer, composer, engineer and musician.-Biography:Coming from a musical background Valgeir's fascination with recording technology lead to a job in a small recording studio at the age of 16. He studied classical guitar and graduated with a...
and a remix commission from Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
, In early 2005 Frost relocated to and has since become a permanent resident of Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. Since 2005 he has collaborated with various local artists and musicians including The Icelandic Dance Company, meanwhile using Iceland as a base from which to work, travel and perform throughout the US and Europe. A strong opponent of the industrialization of Iceland and vocal critic on various local issues such as the non-development of public transportation, Frost has occasionally written for the Reykjavík newspaper Grapevine, and lent his catalogue to environmental movements such as Náttúra.
Live performances
As a performer Frost has performed extensively throughout Europe, the US and Australia. His live performances are guitar oriented, utilizing real-time signal processing and several high powered Guitar and Bass Amplifiers such as the AmpegAmpeg
Ampeg is primarily a musical instrument amplifier manufacturer headquartered in Woodinville, Washington, though they also manufacture guitars to a small extent...
SVT and often contain moments of extreme volume with a particular emphasis on the sub-bass
Sub-bass
Sub-bass is a term used to describe audible sounds below 90 Hz and extending downward to include the lowest frequency humans can hear, typically 20 Hz. Sound systems often feature one or more subwoofer loudspeakers that are dedicated solely to amplifying sounds in the sub-bass range...
aspects of his work. In a live setting this makes for extremely physical performances that can verge on infrasonic.
"...with processed guitar, stacks of amps, feedback and a command of the stage - the guy knows how to present his music in a visually arresting way. Two old-school cassette recorders sat miked at each end of his performance rig, matched by two stacks of amps and speakers off in back and two the sides. Ben attacks his material physically, working the rig with his whole body." -Regarding Ben Frost's performance at Mutek 2008 in Montreal Canada noisepages.com
Frost regularly performed live between 2002-2005 as School of Emotional Engineering -A live band formed to perform work from the Ben Frost album of the same name. S.E:E was composed of four to five performers, focusing less on the computer oriented compositions of his current work and more on a sound influenced by post rock.
Between 2003-2004 Frost performed regularly as a member of the now defunct Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
-based band The Husbands alongside fellow experimental artists Oren Ambarchi
Oren Ambarchi
Oren Ambarchi is a multi-instrumentalist who in major plays electric guitar and drums, with longstanding interests in transcending conventional instrumental approaches. He was born in Sydney, Australia in 1969 to a Jewish family originally from Iraq....
and Scott Horscroft. The Husbands was a 9-12 piece band consisting mostly of guitarists, largely inspired by the work of Glenn Branca
Glenn Branca
Glenn Branca is an American avant-garde composer and guitarist known for his use of volume, alternative guitar tunings, repetition, droning, and the harmonic series. In 2008 he was awarded an unrestricted grant from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts.-Beginnings: 1960s and early 1970s:Branca...
and Rhys Chatham
Rhys Chatham
Rhys Chatham is an American composer, guitarist, and trumpet player, primarily active in avant-garde and minimalist music. He is best known for his "guitar orchestra" compositions...
. The Husbands few, but notorious live performances culminated in a live collaboration with ex-Can (band)
Can (band)
Can was an experimental rock band formed in Cologne, West Germany in 1968. Later labeled as one of the first "krautrock" groups, they transcended mainstream influences and incorporated strong minimalist and world music elements into their often psychedelic music.Can constructed their music largely...
vocalist Damo Suzuki
Damo Suzuki
, universally known as Damo Suzuki , is a singer best known for his membership in the German krautrock group Can.-Biography:As a teenager, Suzuki spent the late 1960s wandering around Europe, often busking....
.
The Husbands, along with Horscroft's acclaimed 2003 Lp 8 Guitars provided the main influence for Frost's 2007 piece Music For 6 Guitars which has been performed at a handful of mostly European festivals.
Composer (as Frost)
- Music for Sad Children (2001) - Independent, Australia (CD EP, Ltd)
- Bleeding The Sacred Heart (2002) - Inventing Zero, Japan (7" Vinyl, Single, Ltd)
- Steel Wound (2003) - Room40 (Australia World) (CD Digipak, Ltd)
Composer (as School of Emotional Engineering)
- School of Emotional Engineering (2004) - Architecture Label, Australia, New Zealand (CD)
Composer (as Ben Frost)
- Theory of Machines (2007) - (200z - Bedroom Community Iceland/World (CD Ltd Digipak, CD 12" Lp Ltd, Mp3)
- Steel Wound (Re-Issue) (2008) - Room40 (Australia World) (CD Digipak different artwork, Ltd, Mp3)
- By the ThroatBy the Throat (Ben Frost album)-Reception:Electronic musician Tim Hecker named By the Throat as his favorite album of 2009. Resident Advisor—an online magazine with a focus on electronic music—named By the Throat as the 16th best album of 2009.-Track listing:...
(2009) - Bedroom Community Iceland/World (CD Ltd Digipak, Mp3) - SÓLARIS (with Daníel Bjarnason) (2011) - Bedroom Community Iceland/World (MP3)
Remixes
- 2005 Steinbrüchel Opaque (+re) (CD), Veðuraðugan, Room40
- 2005 BjörkBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
Triumph Of A Heart (CD, Maxi) Desired Constellation, Polydor (UK) - 2005 BjörkBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
Triumph Of A Heart (CD 1) (CD, Maxi) Desired Constellation, Polydor (UK) - 2005 BjörkBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
Triumph Of A Heart (CD 1) (CD, Maxi) Desired Constellation, One Little Indian - 2007 MachinefabriekMachinefabriekMachinefabriek is the musical nom de plume of Rutger Zuyderveldt from The Netherlands. As Machinefabriek, Zuyderveldt makes electronic music influenced by drone, classical ambient and noise, ranging from very silent work to loud, noisy soundscapes Machinefabriek is the musical nom de plume of...
Woeling (CDr, Mini, Ltd) V Is For Vampire Remix..., White Label
Production
- 2004 Gelbison- See The World (CD) EMI Music Australia
- 2008 Steintryggur- Trappa (CD Lp) Smekkleysa Iceland
- 2008 Bora Yoon/Ben Frost- Journal of Popular Noise, (Ltd 7" Vinyl), Journal of Popular Noise, USA
- 2008 Reykjavik!- The Blood,(CD Lp) Kimi Records, Iceland
Mix
- 2007 Stars Like Fleas- The Ken Burns Effect (CD, Album) Talitres Records
- 2007 Ben Frost- Theory of Machines (CD Lp, Ltd DIGIpak, 12" Vinyl) Bedroom Community, Iceland
- 2008 Steintryggur- Trappa (CD Lp) Smekkleysa Iceland
- 2008 Bora Yoon/Ben Frost- Journal of Popular Noise, (Ltd 7" Vinyl), Journal of Popular Noise, USA
- 2008 Reykjavik!- The Blood,(CD Lp) Kimi Records, Iceland
- 2011 Colin Stetson- New History Warfare II, Judges,(CD Lp) Constellation, CA
- 2011 Tim Hecker- Ravedeath 1972,(CD Lp) Kranky, USA
Appears On
- 2004 See The World (CD) All The Rage, Holy, I... EMI Music (Australia)
- 2004 White Rabbits (2xLP) Magpies, Magpies Mush (USA)
- 2005 Transit (CD, Album, Car) Winter Sun Cajid Media
- 2006 Cursed Sleep (12", EP, S/Sided) Domino Recording Company Ltd.
- 2006 Cursed Sleep (CD, Maxi) Drag City
- 2006 Cursed Sleep (12", EP, S/Sided) Drag City
- 2006 How We Operate (CD, Album) All Too Much ATO Records (USA)
- 2006 Speaks Volumes (CD, Album) Bedroom Community
- 2006 Bonnie 'Prince' Billy The Letting Go (CD, Album, Gat) Domino Recording Company Ltd.
- 2006 Bonnie 'Prince' Billy The Letting Go (LP, Album) Domino Recording Company Ltd, Drag City
- 2007 Basis (CD, Album) These 1, These 2 Room40
- 2007 The Ken Burns Effect (CD, Album) Talitres Records A Heart Against Your Own (CD, Album, Dig) Someone Good
- 2008 All Is Well (LP, Album) Little Johnny Brown, F... Bedroom Community
- 2008 Mary-Anne Hobbs. Evangeline (4x12", Comp) Theory Of Machines Planet Mu
- 2008 Whiter Rabbits (2xCD, Album, RE) Magpies, Squids Eye Records, Council Folk Recordings
- 2008 The Blood (CD, Album) Kimi Records, Iceland
Tracks Appear On
- 2002 Emit One (CD) Amazing Graze EMIT
- 2002 Sound Quality Volume 2 (2xCD) Poking Holes In Your R... Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Music)
- 2004 Melatonin: Meditations On Sound In Sleep (2xCD) Svartifoss Room40
- 2005 Music For Film Cults Classics Curios 52nd Sydney Film Festival (CD) Rays Theme Sonic Arcana
- 2005 Tea For Two (CD) Anyone Can Sing, Meupe
- 2006 Evening At Room40 (CD, Promo) Deconstructing Michael... Wire Magazine
- 2006 On Isolation (CD) 4 Good Reasons To Leav... Room40
- 2007 Mind The Gap Volume 69 (CD, Dig) We Love You Michael Gira Gonzo Circus
- 2008 Mary Anne Hobbs Presents Evangeline (CD, Comp, 4x12"), Theory Of Machines Planet Mu
- 2008 Mutek 08 (File, MP3, 320) Theory Of Machines Reprise, Mutek_Rec
External links
- Homepage
- School of Emotional Engineering.
- The Ghost of Ben Frost - MySpace page.
- Cicada - Contemporary Artist Collective - Details Ben Frost's collaborations with Cicada.
- Two and a Half Questions With Ben Frost by Headphone Commute (2009)
Cyclic Defrost
Cyclic Defrost
Cyclic Defrost is Australia's only specialist electronic music magazine. It is edited by Sebastian Chan, Shaun Prescott and Alexandra Savvides, and covers independent electronic music, avant-rock, experimental sound art and left field hip hop....