Christopher Trace

TvR is a duo of Martin Acher and Chris Bywater, both playing sythesisers, electronic and amplified objects. They ahve worked togheter since 1993 on music which they describes as "ambient to abrasive". Three Cds have been issued on Archer's Duscus label. Martin Archer was born 1957 in Sheffield, England. Sopranino, alto and baritone saxophones, bass clarinet, bass recorder, violectronics, keyboards, software instruments Since his move in the early 1990s from free jazz saxophonist to studio based electronics composer, Archer has produced a series of highly acclaimed CDs which combine electronics-based structures with written and improvised parts for brass, woodwind, strings and voices. Elements from jazz, free improvisation, contemporary classical music, electronica, and cutting edge rock music are all present within his work. Current live emphasis on solo laptop / woodwind performances, but also live and studio collaborations with all-acoustic improvising sextet ASK, laptop duo Inclusion Principle with Herve Perez, Hornweb with Charlie Collins and Derek Saw, (all represented on Discus) and as part of Gated Community, Mick Beck's 14 piece improv and compositions band. As a performer, Archer seeks to avoid the inert and inexpressive performance style inherent in much live electronic music. Archer acknowledges groups such as Faust, Henry Cow, Soft Machine and Magma as being highly influential in his work alongside Cage, Stockhausen, Feldman, and of course the school of European free improvisation. This combination of sources makes Archer a unique inhabitant of the school of English maverick composers.

Cfr. n. Arch. 183.1 TRACE is a limited edition collection of two-minute pieces by international sound artists, experimental composers, noise makers and other audio creators. Each artist has produced an original recording of two-minute duration for the CD on the theme of TRACE. TRACE greated an opportunity for a selection of international sound artists to work thematically, as well as providing listeners with further insight into the artists work. By bringing together this calibre and range of contributions, TRACE aims to stimulate further interest in the practice, debate and dialogue surrounding sound art. The artista on TRACE range from well known world figures, to individuals and groups making their first wirks in this field. TRACE was published thanks to a research award from the Centre for Art International Research (CAIR).