Marvin Ayres
Encyclopedia
Marvin Ayres is a british composer / cellist / violinist and producer. He has composed and recorded a diverse selection of minimalist albums, incorporating spatial soundscapes and psycho-acoustics and latterly 5.1 Surround Sound
. He has also produced a number of film soundtracks.
“Like some of Eno’s best work, the atmospheres Ayres creates are also compelling pieces of music that can dominate and transport.” All About Jazz .
“A serious and thoughtful composer.” The Wire
, Marvin Ayres toured extensively with his own bands as songwriter, singer and violinist. Ayres also made solo contributions and arrangements to bands and artists throughout the late '80s and '90s, including members of Culture Club
, Simply Red
and Frankie Goes to Hollywood
.
In 1999 he was signed to the avant-garde label Mille Plateaux
as composer/producer, and released two minimalist albums, Cellosphere and Neptune to critical acclaim.
Excerpts of these works have been performed live in an array of forums such as: London’s ‘Festival of Electonica,’ (with Groove Armada
’s Patrick Dawes).
and the
inter-media cutting edge event 'Sprawl'.
His reputation as producer and performer came to the attention of Jaki Liebezeit (ex CAN
), who invited him to re-mix tracks and tour with Liebezeit's band Club off Chaos in early 2001. Ayres is currently commissioned by Einstürzende Neubauten
's electronica music publishers Freibank, and his compositions have been featured on five of Freibank's 'For Films' albums.
Eccentric Deliquescence was released in 2008 as a CD and limited edition 5.1 surround sound DVD.
In addition to his work with musicians, Ayres also collaborates with visual artists on audio/visual installations, which have been exhibited in international galleries and art houses. In 2000, the prestigious ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) in London commissioned him and film maker Pete Gomes to compose and produce their first ever DVD exhibition. The two works resulting from this were 'Sensory' and 'Cycle', incorporating spatial soundscapes and psycho acoustics and were composed specifically for 5.1 Surround Sound.
Marvin Ayres' ongoing project producing and collaborating with Sonja Kristina
(ex–Curved Air
) is called MASK.
Their 2006 hit single 'Waking The Dream ' came from their debut dual-disc album 'Heavy Petal'. In 2010 MASK released their second Album 'Technopia' on Rare /Repertoire Records.
Marvin produced and performed two tracks (Melinda and Elfin Boy) on the 2008 Curved Air album 'Reborn'.
Three MASK tracks were included as bonus tracks on the 2010 anthology of Curved Air's work 'Retrospective'.
5.1 surround sound
5.1 is the common name for six channel surround sound multichannel audio systems. 5.1 is now the most commonly used layout in both commercial cinemas and home theaters. It uses five full bandwidth channels and one low frequency enhancement channel . Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS, and...
. He has also produced a number of film soundtracks.
“Like some of Eno’s best work, the atmospheres Ayres creates are also compelling pieces of music that can dominate and transport.” All About Jazz .
“A serious and thoughtful composer.” The Wire
History
After graduating from Trinity College of MusicTrinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
, Marvin Ayres toured extensively with his own bands as songwriter, singer and violinist. Ayres also made solo contributions and arrangements to bands and artists throughout the late '80s and '90s, including members of Culture Club
Culture Club
Culture Club are a British rock band who were part of the 1980s New Romantic movement. The original band consisted of Boy George , Mikey Craig , Roy Hay and Jon Moss...
, Simply Red
Simply Red
Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz...
and Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Frankie Goes to Hollywood were a British dance-pop band popular in the mid-1980s. The group was fronted by Holly Johnson , with Paul Rutherford , Peter Gill , Mark O'Toole , and Brian Nash .The group's debut single "Relax" was banned by the BBC in 1984 while at number six in the charts and...
.
In 1999 he was signed to the avant-garde label Mille Plateaux
Mille Plateaux
Mille Plateaux is an influential electronica record label founded 1993 by Achim Szepanski in Frankfurt, Germany. It is known for mostly releasing minimal techno, glitch music and other experimental electronic music.-History:...
as composer/producer, and released two minimalist albums, Cellosphere and Neptune to critical acclaim.
Excerpts of these works have been performed live in an array of forums such as: London’s ‘Festival of Electonica,’ (with Groove Armada
Groove Armada
Groove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
’s Patrick Dawes).
and the
inter-media cutting edge event 'Sprawl'.
His reputation as producer and performer came to the attention of Jaki Liebezeit (ex CAN
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...
), who invited him to re-mix tracks and tour with Liebezeit's band Club off Chaos in early 2001. Ayres is currently commissioned by Einstürzende Neubauten
Einstürzende Neubauten
Einstürzende Neubauten is a German post-industrial band, originally from West Berlin, formed in 1980. The group currently comprises Blixa Bargeld , Alexander Hacke , N.U...
's electronica music publishers Freibank, and his compositions have been featured on five of Freibank's 'For Films' albums.
Eccentric Deliquescence was released in 2008 as a CD and limited edition 5.1 surround sound DVD.
In addition to his work with musicians, Ayres also collaborates with visual artists on audio/visual installations, which have been exhibited in international galleries and art houses. In 2000, the prestigious ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) in London commissioned him and film maker Pete Gomes to compose and produce their first ever DVD exhibition. The two works resulting from this were 'Sensory' and 'Cycle', incorporating spatial soundscapes and psycho acoustics and were composed specifically for 5.1 Surround Sound.
Current projects
Marvin was interviewed about his composition and music in the 2010 documentary 'In Search of Sound' which won the best documentary award at the London Underground Film Festival. It is being screened in an ongoing programme of international film festivals.Marvin Ayres' ongoing project producing and collaborating with Sonja Kristina
Sonja Kristina Linwood
Sonja Kristina , is an English musician most recognizable as the vocalist for Curved Air.- Biography :...
(ex–Curved Air
Curved Air
Curved Air are a pioneering British progressive rock group formed in 1970 by musicians from mixed artistic backgrounds, including classic, folk, and electronic sound. The resulting sound of the band was a mixture of progressive rock, folk rock, and fusion with classical elements...
) is called MASK.
Their 2006 hit single 'Waking The Dream ' came from their debut dual-disc album 'Heavy Petal'. In 2010 MASK released their second Album 'Technopia' on Rare /Repertoire Records.
Marvin produced and performed two tracks (Melinda and Elfin Boy) on the 2008 Curved Air album 'Reborn'.
Three MASK tracks were included as bonus tracks on the 2010 anthology of Curved Air's work 'Retrospective'.
Discography
- Cellosphere
- Neptune
- Scape
- Cycle
- Sensory (DVD)
- Eccentric Deliquescence
- For Films Edit 4
- For Films Edit 5
- For Films Edit 6
- For Films Edit 7
- For Films Edit 9