Ben Frost (musician)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ben Frost

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Origin = Melbourne, Australia
Genre = experimental music, electronica, industrial, noise postminimalism
Years_active = 2001—present
Label = Room40,Architecture Label,Bedroom Community
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Ben Frost (born 1980 in Melbourne Australia), now based in Reykjavík Iceland is a Composer, Musician, Producer and Programmer, whose early work included the independently released ambient electronic Ep "Music for Sad Children" (2000) and whose early collaborations were with fellow Australian artists such as David Bridie and rock band Something for Kate. However Frost is probably most widely recognized for an uncompromising form of experimental music drawing widely on influences of Minimalism, Post-punk, Black metal, Sacred Minimalism, and Noise best demonstrated on the 2007 release "Theory of Machines".

The compositions of Ben Frost could be described as PostMinimalism

Frost's compositional catalogue includes "Music for Sad Children" (2001, independently produced and released), the ambient guitar exploration "Steel Wound" (2003, and reissued in 2007), [http://www.room40.org Room40] ), described by Pitchfork Media as "an exemplary ambient experience", [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/17934-steel-wound] and the widely critically acclaimed Lp 'Theory of Machines' on the Icelandic record label [http://www.bedroomcommunity.net Bedroom Community] , an album which earned Frost huge critical acclaim and it could be said, cemented his place as an artist on the global stage.

"This is the album which is to cement his name as one of the most interesting and groundbreaking producers in the world today... Theory of Machines is the future of electronic music." [http://www.boomkat.com Boomkat]

"Simply awesome... Frost reminds us that minimalism was never just the polished sheen of Reich and Glass, but also the sweat and grime of Michael Gira's Swans... A deeper, darker minimalism- menacing and claustrophobic... This is Arvo Pärt as arranged by Trent Reznor... Magnificent" [http://www.thewire.co.uk The Wire Magazine]

"...The compositional complexity of Arvo Pärt and the sonic nothingness of Wolf Eyes...Yes, it is that good." [http://www.viceland.com Vice Magazine]

Collaborations

Ben Frost has performed and collaborated with acclaimed artists such as Amiina, [http://ghostigital.com Ghostdigital] -a project of Ex-Sugarcube Einar Örn Benediktsson, American Composer Nico Muhly and Björk. He is the closest collaborator of Icelandic Producer/Engineer/Composer Valgeir Sigurðsson in [http://www.greenhouse.is Greenhouse Studios Reykjavik Iceland] , often contributing programming work to Sigurðsson's productions. It is within Greenhouse that the majority of Frost's work is produced, often in collaboration of Sigurðsson.

Frost is a member of [http://www.cicada.tv Cicada] , a contemporary arts collective that produces large scale audio visual installations and performances that focus on the intersection between biology and technology- a relationship perhaps best demonstrated in the Audio/Video installation piece [http://www.cicada.tv/projects/2005---2006-mob/mob.htm MOB, an exploration of the human crowd] , that utilized schooling fish and processed choral recordings. Frost is also a widely respected composer for both film and Contemporary Dance, having collaborated extensively with companies such as the Australian Based Chunky Move, the [http://id.is Icelandic Dance Company] , and acclaimed Icelandic dancer/coreographer Erna Ómarsdottír. Frost earned a [http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/default.aspx?s=haabout Helpmann Academy] award nomination for the "Chunky Move" production "Mortal Engine".

Frost is commonly mistaken for fellow Australian visual artist Ben Frost, as both are of similar age and have collaborated on projects together.

Iceland

After a single original visit in 2002 culminating in collaborations with Valgeir Sigurðsson and a remix commission from Björk, In early 2005 Frost relocated to and has since become a permanent resident of Reykjavík, Iceland. Since 2005 he has collaborated with various local artists and musicians including [http://www.id.is The Icelandic Dance Company] , Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson, and film Director [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1200194 Marteinn St Þórsson] , meanwhile using Iceland as a base from which to work, travel and perform throughout the North American and European continents. A strong opponent of the industrialization of Iceland and vocal critic on various local issues such as the non-development of public transportation, Frost has occasionally written for the Reykjavík newspaper [http://www.grapevine.is Grapevine] , and lent his catalogue to environmental movements such as [http://www.nattura.info Náttúra] .

Live performances

As a performer Frost has performed extensively throughout Europe, the US and Australia. His live performances are guitar oriented, utilizing real-time signal processing and several high powered Guitar and Bass Amplifiers such as the Ampeg SVT and often contain moments of extreme volume with a particular emphasis on the sub-bass aspects of his work. In a live setting this makes for extremely physical performances that can verge on infrasonic.

"...with processed guitar, stacks of amps, feedback and a command of the stage - the guy knows how to present his music in a visually arresting way. Two old-school cassette recorders sat miked at each end of his performance rig, matched by two stacks of amps and speakers off in back and two the sides. Ben attacks his material physically, working the rig with his whole body." -Regarding Ben Frost's performance at Mutek 2008 in Montreal Canada [http://events.noisepages.com/2008/06/03/avisions-3-mutek-day-3 noisepages.com]

Frost regularly performed live between 2002-2005 as [http://www.last.fm/music/School+Of+Emotional+Engineering School of Emotional Engineering] -A live band formed to perform work from the Ben Frost album of the same name. S.E:E was comprised of 4-5 performers, focussing less on the computer oriented compositions of his current work and more on a sound influenced by post rock.

Between 2003-2004 Frost performed regularly as a member of the now defunct Sydney-based band "The Husbands" alongside fellow experimental artists Oren Ambarchi and [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=81717572 Scott Horscroft] . "The Husbands" was a 9-12 piece band comprised mostly of guitarists, largely inspired by the work of Glenn Branca and Rhys Chatham. The Husbands few, but notorious live performances culminated in a live collaboration with ex-Can (band) vocalist Damo Suzuki. "The Husbands", along with Horscroft's acclaimed 2003 Lp "8 Guitars" provided the main influence for Frost's 2007 piece [http://youtube.com/watch?v=C6NUxuwrYh4 "Music For 6 Guitars"] which has been performed at a handful of mostly European festivals.

Discography as Composer

* 2001 - Frost: Music for Sad Children - Independent, Australia (CD Ep, Ltd)
* 2002 - Frost: Bleeding The Sacred Heart - [http://www.inventingzero.net Inventing Zero] , Japan (7" Vinyl, Single, Ltd)
* 2003 - Frost: Steel Wound - [http://www.room40.org Room40] (Australia World) (CD Digipak, Ltd)
* 2004 - School of Emotional Engineering: School of Emotional Engineering - [http://www.architecturelabel.com/Architecture Label] , Australia, New Zealand (CD)
* 2007 - Ben Frost: Theory of Machines - [http://www.bedroomcommunity.net/ Bedroom Community] Iceland/World (CD Ltd Digipak, CD 12" Lp Ltd, Mp3)
* 2008 - Ben Frost: Steel Wound (Re-Issue)- [http://www.room40.org Room40] (Australia World) (CD Digipak different artwork, Ltd, Mp3)

Remixes

* 2005 Steinbrüchel Opaque (+re) (CD), Veðuraðugan, Room40
* 2005 Björk Triumph Of A Heart (CD, Maxi) Desired Constellation, Polydor (UK)
* 2005 Björk Triumph Of A Heart (CD 1) (CD, Maxi) Desired Constellation, Polydor (UK)
* 2005 Björk Triumph Of A Heart (CD 1) (CD, Maxi) Desired Constellation, One Little Indian
* 2007 Machinefabriek Woeling (CDr, Mini, Ltd) V Is For Vampire Remix..., White Label

Production

* 2004 Gelbison- See The World (CD) EMI Music Australia
* 2008 Steintryggur- Trappa (CD Lp) Smekkleysa Iceland

Mix

* 2007 Stars Like Fleas- The Ken Burns Effect (CD, Album) Talitres Records
* 2007 Ben Frost- Theory of Machines (CD Lp, Ltd DIGIpak, 12" Vinyl) Bedroom Community, Iceland
* 2008 Steintryggur- Trappa (CD Lp) Smekkleysa Iceland
* 2008 Bora Yoon/Ben Frost- Journal of Popular Noise, (Ltd 7" Vinyl), Journal of Popular Noise, USA

Appears On

* 2004 See The World (CD) All The Rage, Holy, I... EMI Music (Australia)
* 2004 White Rabbits (2xLP) Magpies, Magpies Mush (USA)
* 2005 Transit (CD, Album, Car) Winter Sun Cajid Media
* 2006 Cursed Sleep (12", EP, S/Sided) Domino Recording Company Ltd.
* 2006 Cursed Sleep (CD, Maxi) Drag City
* 2006 Cursed Sleep (12", EP, S/Sided) Drag City
* 2006 How We Operate (CD, Album) All Too Much ATO Records (USA)
* 2006 Speaks Volumes (CD, Album) Bedroom Community
* 2006 Bonnie 'Prince' Billy The Letting Go (CD, Album, Gat) Domino Recording Company Ltd.
* 2006 Bonnie 'Prince' Billy The Letting Go (LP, Album) Domino Recording Company Ltd, Drag City
* 2007 Basis (CD, Album) These 1, These 2 Room40
* 2007 The Ken Burns Effect (CD, Album) Talitres Records A Heart Against Your Own (CD, Album, Dig) Someone Good
* 2008 All Is Well (LP, Album) Little Johnny Brown, F... Bedroom Community
* 2008 Mary-Anne Hobbs. Evangeline (4x12", Comp) Theory Of Machines Planet Mu
* 2008 Neotropic Whiter Rabbits (2xCD, Album, RE) Magpies, Squids Eye Records, Council Folk Recordings

Tracks Appear On:
* 2002 Emit One (CD) Amazing Graze EMIT
* 2002 Sound Quality Volume 2 (2xCD) Poking Holes In Your R... Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Music)
* 2004 Melatonin: Meditations On Sound In Sleep (2xCD) Svartifoss Room40
* 2005 Music For Film Cults Classics Curios 52nd Sydney Film Festival (CD) Rays Theme Sonic Arcana
* 2005 Tea For Two (CD) Anyone Can Sing, Meupe
* 2006 Evening At Room40 (CD, Promo) Deconstructing Michael... Wire Magazine
* 2006 On Isolation (CD) 4 Good Reasons To Leav... Room40
* 2007 Mind The Gap Volume 69 (CD, Dig) We Love You Michael Gira Gonzo Circus
* 2008 Mary Anne Hobbs Presents Evangeline (CD, Comp, 4x12"), Theory Of Machines Planet Mu
* 2008 Mutek 08 (File, MP3, 320) Theory Of Machines Reprise, Mutek_Rec

Unofficial Releases:
* 2008 Ono Norway (CDr, Ltd), Stomp, Ono

External links

* [http://www.ethermachines.com Homepage]
* [http://www.schoolofemotionalengineering.com School of Emotional Engineering] .
* [http://www.myspace.com/theghostofbenfrost The Ghost of Ben Frost] - MySpace page.
* [http://www.cicada.tv/people/core/ben-frost.htm Cicada - Contemporary Artist Collective] - Details Ben Frost's collaborations with Cicada.

Cyclic Defrost cite web | url = http://www.cyclicdefrost.com/article.php?article=250 | title = Interview with Ben Frost | accessdate = 2006-12-23 | accessmonthday = December 23 | accessyear = 2006 | author = Sebastian Chan | work = Cyclic Defrost Magazine