STRANGE IS THE NEW NORMAL
EPIC TOPIAS SONIC UNIVERSE
Presented by PBS 106.7FM, Beat Magazine and JOLT
STRANGE JAMES & THE BOLT ENSEMBLE
ALIEN ABDUCTION NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD
Strange is the New Normal outlines a wickedly abstract tale of a willing alien abduction. This is cinematic abstract immersive sonic art blended with avantgarde indie rock and a slash of noise music and electronica. Teaming up with some of planet earth’s leading musicians in the BOLT Ensemble, led by Ryan Monro (Cat Empire) and drummer Hamish Upton, strap in for a wild ride. Look out for jaw dropping video by Japan’s Akiko Nakayama and interstellar lights by Bronwyn Pringle.
Strange James, created by “lauded” auditory master James Hullick, is the 21st century revolution that you have been waiting for. Tipping his hat to Ziggy Stardust, Hendrix, art music, Keiji Haino, Merzbow, and singers as diverse a Bjork and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Strange James’ origin album and corresponding multimedia show has arrived: Strange is the New Normal. Framed as a myth-evoking testament to the alien sonic gods, and a singularity moment where genres and universes collide.
ARTISTS
Strange James // voice + guitars
BOLT Ensemble: Ryan Monro // bass + Hamish Upton // drums + Peter Neville // percussion + Craig Harnath // electronics + Stuart Fisher // guitars
Bronwyn Pringle // lighting
Akiko Nakayama // video art
Photo: Tim McNeilage, WoW Studios
Akiko Nakayama
AKIKO NAKAYAMA visual artist Visual artist Akiko Nakayama creates installations, live performance and photographic works dealing with energy cycles, movement and colours. Employing a wide range of techniques, her unique approach to live painting results in melting...
James Hullick
JAMES HULLICK JOLT Director & CEO / Composer / Musician HULLICKSTUDIOS.COM James Hullick is an auditory creator like no other in Australia. Recently James’ artistic identity has been shifting from cutting-edge composer to that of an all out iconic...
Scarlet Bolcskey-Hullick
SCARLET BOLCSKEY-HULLICK sound artist / vocalist Scarlet Bolcskey-Hullick is daughter to James Hullick. She will debut alongside her sister, Astrid Bolcskey-Hullick, in the shows Le Scatterman and Strange Is The New Normal (as part of the video art content) and War of...
Stuart Fischer
STUART FISHER guitarist Stuart is a Melbourne-based ‘meta’ guitarist who is particularly concerned with performing new music on an ever widening range of plucked string instruments, including classical six and ten string guitar, electric and electric bass guitar,...
Ryan Monro
RYAN MONRO bassist Ryan Monro is an Australian bassist, known for playing with Australian ska/jazz band The Cat Empire. He has been bassist for The Cat Empire since its inception and also plays in jazz trio "The Genie", which includes fellow Cat Empire members, Ollie...
Hamish Upton
HAMISH UPTON percussionist Hamish Upton is a percussionist who thrives as a contemporary percussion collaborator and educator. He holds a Master of Music Research from Griffith University, where he used four case studies to explore the use of laptop-based sound...
Astrid Bolcskey-Hullick
ASTRID BOLCSKEY-HULLICK sound artist / vocalist Astrid Bolcskey-Hullick is daughter to James Hullick and has previously performed a theatre role in Disruptive Critters by the Duckworth Hullick Duo for Melbourne Music Week 2017 followed by a performance as Princess...
Peter Neville
PETER NEVILLE percussionist Peter Neville is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts and was appointed Head Of Percussion there in 2000. Whilst he works across the range of musical styles, he has a particular commitment to new music. As the percussionist of...