Freeworm
Encyclopedia
Freeworm is a Montreal
-based multi-instrumentalist. He leads a musical project that integrates conventional instrumentation (guitar, bass, percussion, brass, etc.) with original digital constructs (programming, sound manipulation and a hefty bank of home-made samples). Freeworm is also an environmentalist
, who includes many natural sounds (water on Freeworm Fish's Orchestra, etc.) in his tracks.
—earthy acoustic textures and aquatic atmospheres—to produce a work of driving, ethnic-tinted electronic rhythms overlaid by the elements of a recycled natural soundscape. Vegetation=Fuel transports the listener into the surging rolls of drum'n'bass, through the adamant rhythms of breakbeat
s, past the soothing cascades of liquid jazz and over to the hip hop
party next door. The melodious phonetic utterances of Verushka provided an extra dimension, a warmth that touched the listener and added an ethno-international ambience to the Freeworm experience.
Originally from Luskville, a small village in western Quebec, Freeworm began his musical expeditions in 1991 as a member of the electro-folk
group Jus (« Juice »). But while other members played electric violin
s and guitars in a more or less traditional manner, Freeworm set about exploring the huge sonic potential of his electric guitar.
After moving to Montreal in 1992, his work evolved from simple rhythmic explorations with an old beat box to fashioning and sculpting digital sounds. His need to interact and share in musical discovery attracted musicians and vocalists from a variety of backgrounds and musical genres, setting him on the path of trip hop
and jungle
, with dub
-influenced basses and reggae
-inspired vocal arrangements. His studio quickly became « Hybrid Central, » a meeting place for street musicians and professionals alike who shared his love of musical experimentation.
Before Vegetation=Fuel, the appearance of Freeworm’s contributions came mostly in the form of internationally renowned compilations, such as Infinessence (2001), Ekkocentric - The Ekko Remixes (2000) and Interior Horizons (1999, Interchill), which earned him a spot on Solidsteel, an international radio program begun by Brits Coldcut (Ninjatune). He also worked on soundtracks for film and television with mentor and friend, composer and clarinetist Robert M. Lepage (Ambiance Magnétique). In the wake of the success of Vegetation=Fuel, he has put together remixes for a slew of artists, from Bran Van 3000
to Adam Chaki, No One Knows Where The Hell We Are, and in 2001 collaborated with Daniel Bélanger
on his fourth record, Rêver Mieux
.
Known for his ecologically
-themed concerts, Freeworm’s persona takes on a whole new dimension onstage. He knows how to make the most of the spontaneity and versatility that live performance offers.
From his numerous excursions abroad, which includes Europe, Brazil and Vietnam, among others, Freeworm has returned with an even stronger desire to assume the diversity of his North American urban roots, and in particular, the multicultural character of his city, Montreal. He therefore dove into the creation of Solar Power (2003), with the help of no less than 27 hand-picked musicians, and plunged head first into the renewal of his musical approach by exploding the borders between experimentation and the spirit of pop. The result is a brilliant, authentic, accessible work that he delivers with no other pretense than to communicate his love for music, the planet and its inhabitants.
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
-based multi-instrumentalist. He leads a musical project that integrates conventional instrumentation (guitar, bass, percussion, brass, etc.) with original digital constructs (programming, sound manipulation and a hefty bank of home-made samples). Freeworm is also an environmentalist
Environmentalist
An environmentalist broadly supports the goals of the environmental movement, "a political and ethical movement that seeks to improve and protect the quality of the natural environment through changes to environmentally harmful human activities"...
, who includes many natural sounds (water on Freeworm Fish's Orchestra, etc.) in his tracks.
Biography
Freeworm’s first record, Vegetation=Fuel (2000, Hydrophonik/Indica), demonstrated his innate passion for experimenting and delving the depths of sonic possibility. He extracted sounds from the forests of QuebecQuebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
—earthy acoustic textures and aquatic atmospheres—to produce a work of driving, ethnic-tinted electronic rhythms overlaid by the elements of a recycled natural soundscape. Vegetation=Fuel transports the listener into the surging rolls of drum'n'bass, through the adamant rhythms of breakbeat
Breakbeat
In 1992, a new style called "jungalistic hardcore" emerged, and for many ravers it was too funky to dance to. Josh Lawford of Ravescene prophesied that the breakbeat was "the death-knell of rave" because the ever changing drumbeat patterns of breakbeat music didn't allow for the same zoned out,...
s, past the soothing cascades of liquid jazz and over to the hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
party next door. The melodious phonetic utterances of Verushka provided an extra dimension, a warmth that touched the listener and added an ethno-international ambience to the Freeworm experience.
Originally from Luskville, a small village in western Quebec, Freeworm began his musical expeditions in 1991 as a member of the electro-folk
Folktronica
Folktronica or electrofolk is a genre of music comprising various elements of folk music and electronica, often featuring samplings of acoustic instruments—especially stringed instruments—and incorporating hip hop rhythms...
group Jus (« Juice »). But while other members played electric violin
Electric violin
An electric violin is a violin equipped with an electronic output of its sound. The term most properly refers to an instrument purposely made to be electrified with built-in pickups, usually with a solid body...
s and guitars in a more or less traditional manner, Freeworm set about exploring the huge sonic potential of his electric guitar.
After moving to Montreal in 1992, his work evolved from simple rhythmic explorations with an old beat box to fashioning and sculpting digital sounds. His need to interact and share in musical discovery attracted musicians and vocalists from a variety of backgrounds and musical genres, setting him on the path of trip hop
Trip hop
Trip hop is a music genre consisting of downtempo electronic music which originated in the early 1990s in England, especially Bristol. Deriving from "post"-acid house, the term was first used by the British music media and press as a way to describe the more experimental variant of breakbeat which...
and jungle
Jungle
A Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
, with dub
Dub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
-influenced basses and reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
-inspired vocal arrangements. His studio quickly became « Hybrid Central, » a meeting place for street musicians and professionals alike who shared his love of musical experimentation.
Before Vegetation=Fuel, the appearance of Freeworm’s contributions came mostly in the form of internationally renowned compilations, such as Infinessence (2001), Ekkocentric - The Ekko Remixes (2000) and Interior Horizons (1999, Interchill), which earned him a spot on Solidsteel, an international radio program begun by Brits Coldcut (Ninjatune). He also worked on soundtracks for film and television with mentor and friend, composer and clarinetist Robert M. Lepage (Ambiance Magnétique). In the wake of the success of Vegetation=Fuel, he has put together remixes for a slew of artists, from Bran Van 3000
Bran Van 3000
Bran Van 3000 is an electronica collective from Manhattan, New York City, New York and Montreal, Quebec. Founded by DJ James Di Salvio and E.P...
to Adam Chaki, No One Knows Where The Hell We Are, and in 2001 collaborated with Daniel Bélanger
Daniel Bélanger
Daniel Bélanger is a musician/singer/songwriter. He is considered one of the best Québécois songwriters and singers to emerge in the past 15 years...
on his fourth record, Rêver Mieux
Rêver mieux
Rêver mieux is the fourth album by Québécois singer and musician Daniel Bélanger. Freeworm has collaborated on it. It was certified Platinum in January 2002 for selling more than 100,000 copies.-Track listing:#Te quitter#Fous n'importe où...
.
Known for his ecologically
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
-themed concerts, Freeworm’s persona takes on a whole new dimension onstage. He knows how to make the most of the spontaneity and versatility that live performance offers.
From his numerous excursions abroad, which includes Europe, Brazil and Vietnam, among others, Freeworm has returned with an even stronger desire to assume the diversity of his North American urban roots, and in particular, the multicultural character of his city, Montreal. He therefore dove into the creation of Solar Power (2003), with the help of no less than 27 hand-picked musicians, and plunged head first into the renewal of his musical approach by exploding the borders between experimentation and the spirit of pop. The result is a brilliant, authentic, accessible work that he delivers with no other pretense than to communicate his love for music, the planet and its inhabitants.
Upcoming Releases
Freeworm are working on a DVD album to be released in Spring 2007 by Audiogram Records.Discography
- 2003 : Solar Power, (Audiogram Records)
- 2000 : Vegetation = Fuel (Indica Records)
- 2000 : Freeworm EP
- 2000 : Ekkocentric - The Ekko remixes (Interchill Records)
Videography
- 2004 : Zero gravity Love (Package Deal Mix), Directed by Ian Cameron http://www.vimeo.com/clip=44877
- 2004 : No Hands (Grass Growin' on Cars), Directed by Ryan Crouchman http://www.vimeo.com/clip:45555
- 2001 : Gran Manje, Directed by Charles-Éric Savard http://ms1.bandeapart.fm/bap/videoclips/345/vid_wm_34.asf