Nonclassical is partnering with NottFAR to present weekly videos showcasing new experimental music and creative sound practices from the Midlands. We caught up with the featured artists from the series to learn about their practice, influences and lockdown habits.
Noise artist AJA Ireland stages some of the most captivating and confrontational performances in the electronic music underground and was highlighted as part of BBC Radio 4’s New Weird Britain. Her work combines power electronics and techno, with rippling deep drones and industrial percussion and a visual flurry of dramatic costumes and fluorescent colours.
What are you listening to this week?
I'm listening to ‘Rhubarb’ by Aphex Twin slowed down by 800% pretty much on repeat at the moment!
Has the pandemic affected your work? Have you been involved with any new projects?
Yes, my whole creative output was always focused on the live and very physical element of performing, and, because of the current restrictions, I've not been doing any live performances. But because of this I've been able to be part of new projects such as teaching for the Norway University of Applied Sciences to students learning sound design for film scores, which wouldn't have been possible otherwise.
Aja Ireland performing live – photo by Flyn Vibert
What's getting you through this second lockdown? Any lockdown hobbies/pastimes you'll keep up? And what will you get rid of?
I've taken up running (‘taken up’ is strong – I've ran 3 times so I'm classing that as ‘taking up running’!) – and I think what's getting me through is doing online workshops and teaching in my other job as a mental health trainer. To be honest, I'm feeling very creatively unmotivated at the moment, as it's difficult to create when there's no certainty of when I'll be able to perform live to a crowd again. But I'm grateful of this in a way – I needed a break from touring, and now when I finally do get back on a real stage I know I'm going to have a new energy to give to people.
What's inspiring you recently? Any recommendations for lockdown 2.0?
I'm probably the worst person to ask that as at the moment as I'm only listening to Radiohead's ‘Treefingers’ or Aphex Twin's ‘Rhubarb’ slowed down by 800%. I've also randomly got into UFC and eating lots of Key Lime pie – I feel like I shouldn't be admitting that but, hey, this is what lockdown does to you apparently! I would recommend checking out GY!PA and UKAEA's new releases though, and Loraine James has a new release coming out too as well as Dorcha who are all my go-tos for inspiration. Also artwork by Kim Thomspon – I love her Instagram, that is keeping me going too.
Artwork by Kim Thompson
Watch AJA’s live improvised electronics set as part of our Nonclassical x NottNOISE partnership here.
We caught up with the featured artists from NottNOISE to learn about their practice, influences and lockdown habits.