Electronic composer Eric Hill is one of several musicians creating sound as part of this year’s FUZE Fest, an experimental branch of programming included as part of the New Brunswick Summer Music Festival.
Indigo Poirier
Having started with an interest in creating soundscapes to support poetry readings, Eric Hill eventually pursued experimental music as its own discipline. His Counting on Downstairs project grew out of collaborations with a variety of groups and individual players and now stands as his main alias for recording and performance. His radio show / podcast, Surgery Radio, which he has produced since 1999, acts as the central node for a variety of pursuits, such as programming the Surgery Series live performances in Fredericton, and the Patient Records label which has released his own music and also albums by Dennis Goodwin, Union Suit, DenMother, Women of the Pore, Gaudeamas and others. He has also produced scores for short films and theatrical productions.
What is your favourite colour?
Blue.
Favourite thing about New Brunswick?
We have such a wide variety of nature packed into such a small space.
What are you most excited for about Fuze?
Hearing how the other Constructions musicians approach the theme this year.
What instrument is home to you?
It is ever changing, but I like electronics that have a hands-on aspect. I like sliding sliders and turning knobs.
Two things you want people to know about you?
Not really.
Is there someone else’s performance you’re looking forward to?
Not any one — just looking forward to the surprises.
If you could be any animal what would you be?
Something that doesn’t taste good or looking good as clothing.
What is your favourite memory from your music career this far?
The first show by Furnace Hour, a group I did noise in. We booked a theatre for a premiere Easter Weekend in the late 90’s… not knowing it was Easter Weekend… and assumed we’d have no audience… but ended up with a full house.
FUZE Fest, an exciting mini-festival blending classical and contemporary electronic music, returns this year on August 9, 7:30 p.m. at UNB Memorial Hall and August 10, 7 p.m. at Wilser’s Room. The August 9 concert and features the FUZE Ensemble collaborating with headliner Olympic Symphonium, while the August 10th concert will feature the return of our CONSTRUCTIONS project wherein emerging local artists create new works in response to classical pieces based on the year’s theme. The August 10 performance will be preceded by an open drone session from 4-6 p.m in the Capital. Festivalgoers are invited to bring their own instruments along and participate. Over the next couple weeks, we’ll be posting interviews with each of the participants in CONSTRUCTIONS.
- August 9th – The Olympic Symphonium and FUZE Ensemble at UNB Memorial Hall, 7:30 p.m.
- August 10th – Drone session, The Capital, 4 p.m.
- August 10th – FUZE Constructions and Minimalism at Wilser’s Room, 7:00 p.m.
Thanks to the Fredericton Community Foundation and to the SOCAN Foundation for supporting this event.
Lear about all this year’s programming at the New Brunswick Summer Music Festival
