JG Thirlwell ~ Silver Mantis

JG Thirlwell is a composer/producer/performer based in Brooklyn, NY. Born in Melbourne, he moved to London in 1978, then relocated to NYC in 1983, where he has been based ever since.  As well as his own name, he works under many pseudonyms, including Manorexia, Foetus, Xordox, Steroid Maximus, Baby Zizanie, Hydroze Plus, Clint Ruin, and Wiseblood ~ Silver Mantis is a 50-minute electro-acoustic presentation, performed with software and sampling, theremin, and prepared piano. It is an immersive multi-channel composition which allows for an elastic performance.

After my recent densely structured work with chamber ensembles, the inspiration behind Silver Mantis was to create a work incorporating live re-composition and improvisation into its structure, one which could expand and contract fluidly with flow and spontaneity from pre-ordained building blocks of sound.

Incorporating musique concrète and electronic sound along with live instrumentation, the composition is dynamic, cinematic and diverse with stylistic left-turns, creating a tension between time and anxiety.

I perform it with a projection created exclusively for the project by acclaimed Swedish visual artist Sten Backman.

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