By Michael Aliani
Composer and event producer Ivan Bullock has spent a career of 25 years exploring the spaces between classical training and experimental sound. Music has taken him to Japan and Europe, but now Footscray is his home.
He is the creative force behind Minorarc, a band that brings together violin music, guitars and keyboards, to delve into original works that border contemporary classical, ambient and at times even modern metal.
From a home studio, he is one of many westside artists who go about much of their process in an unrecognised and determined solitude, for the sake of art alone.
After setting up home in Footscray three years ago, Ivan’s pieces soon found the hearts of Eric Shek (diverse violinist) and Brendan Henriques (music teacher and Bass touring artist). The group’s first meeting was at Footscray’s Bluestone Church Arts Space, a historic landmark that through Maribyrnong City Council Arts and Culture, supports creative arts via a venue of equal measures accessibility and uniqueness.
Minorarc was immediately enamoured by its eerie persona and reverberant sound, and have been regulars creating there ever since. During this first rehearsal however, Ivan envisioned a future where a collective of like-minded artists performed publicly within the bluestone walls.
Thankfully, event production is no stranger to Ivan, he has built communities and platforms for independent artists since 2005. His Enzyme events have aided underground and electronic musicians in finding performance opportunities throughout Melbourne. A series which celebrated its 20th incarnation in June this year, at Footscray’s Mamma Chen’s, a night that I was proud to be a part of.
This year however, he also established something new. Shadow Resonance is a series of concerts that focus on stringed instruments from the renaissance to the present day, moving the themes from underground electronics into the realms of ambient neoclassical atmosphere.
The first event was held at Club Voltaire in May, and its selling out came as both a surprise, and a firm indicator that boundary-pushing and cinematic music retains a great home in Melbourne for intimate and engaging nights out.
Now, Ivan is taking Shadow Resonance in a special incarnation, to the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Through the support of Maribyrnong City Council Arts and Culture, he’s presenting five artists within his second home, yes… the Bluestone Church Arts Space.
Melbourne’s West is set to offer a unique evening of performances by Violinsidous (solo violinist with machines), Willebrant (solo bass with field drone recordings), Beyond the Lake (cello and guitar ambient duet), Emily Rosner (contemporary harp and vocals), and Minorarc.
A night of cinematic soundscapes and melodies, where delicate strings meet deep, resonant drones and moments of quiet give way to powerful crescendos. An opportunity to step into the shadows, and experience music that lingers.
Shadow Resonance
Saturday 3rd October 6.30pm,
Bluestone Church Arts Space
8A Hyde Street, Footscray,
Event Info: shadowresonance.au
Tickets: melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/events/shadow-resonance
