Matthew Herbert^UK

Photo credit: Chris Plytas

As much a social activist as a musician and storyteller, Matthew Herbert translates his unique worldview into thought-provoking electronic music using found sounds from the physical world. From exploring the complete life of a pig and crafting a body of music using a horse’s skeleton to capturing the sounds of a crowded nightclub or a tank driving over a meal prepared for Tony Blair, his sonic narratives aim to disrupt the status quo, spotlighting some of the world’s most pressing issues.

His wide-ranging work spans more than 30 albums, scores for Oscar-winning films, and music for the National Theatre, Broadway, TV, games, and radio. Over 30 years, he has performed solo, as a DJ, and with various ensembles, including his own 21-piece big band and 100-piece choir, bringing his work to venues such as the Sydney Opera House and the Hollywood Bowl.

His forthcoming work, theukhasmorefoodbanksthanbranchesofmcdonalds.com, makes its North American debut at this year’s MUTEK Festival. Building on his practice of crafting experimental music from real-world materials, the project critiques the UK’s rising number of food banks using the sonic textures of everyday essentials like bottles, packets, soap, and more.

Matthew Herbert – theukhasmorefoodbanksthanbranchesofmcdonalds.com
Live | North American premiere

In the North American premiere of theukhasmorefoodbanksthanbranchesofmcdonalds.com, Matthew Herbert comments on the UK’s surge from 35 food banks in 2010 to over 2,800 today. Using the sounds of the most requested items—tin cans, bottles, cartons, soap—he crafts energizing, incisive dancefloor music that demands attention.