Performance filmed at Rominations 03/05/07, University of Salford

Instructional Composition is a way for me to side-step elements of authorship and control. To create operations that instigate sound events in a Cage'ian / Fluxus manner. I am interested in absurdist approaches: how obtuse or can the instructions become? Do they even need to be possible to realise or actually relate to sound in anyway? I also like the idea of playing with conventions of musical presentation, the orchestra, conductor, the “composition”.

The Balloon Ensemble (noise action for balloons) was inspired by a recollection of a dinner party with friends where this action spontaneously seemed to take place. I don't remember the exact circumstances but something like that tends to stick in your mind.

There is something about balloons. Maybe it is this combination of noise and fun, memories of kid's parties, chaos fuelled by artificial colourings. The anticipation of the bang and the pleasure of the destructive act, the feel of rubber like skin. (…hmmm one for Freud I think)