plays with: Johnny Saw Horses, Golden Fur, Francis Plagne, Reindeer and Parchment, Joe Talia, Sophie Brous, Marco Fusinato, Ned Collette, Oren Ambarchi et al.
James Rushford is a young Melbourne-based composer/performer, interested in a diverse range of contemporary music. Alongside concert music, a focus lies in inter-media, installation and recorded mediums. As a composer, James has been commissioned by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Speak Percussion, Team of Pianists, The Melbourne International Biennale of Exploratory Music (2008), The Australian National Academy of Music, the Melbourne International Arts Festival (2006), the Now Now (2009) and the 21:100:100 project (a collaboration with Oren Ambarchi and Marco Fusinato). He has also worked with composers including Robert Ashley, Anthony Pateras, Phill Niblock, Brett Dean, Marcus Schmickler, Fred Frith and Michael Pisaro. A multi-instrumentalist, James performs mostly with piano, viola and electronics. His regular ensembles include the rock trio Johnny Saw Horses, an improvisation duo with Joe Talia, Francis Plagne Band, as well as the recently formed avant-classical ensemble Golden Fur (premiering works by Anthony Pateras, Kate Neal, Marco Fusinato, Phill Niblock, Alexander Garsden and Jaap Blonk). His solo record, Vellus, was released by Cajid Media in 2008, followed by a collaborative album with Joe Talia, Palisades, on Sabbatical Records this year. James is 23 years old.
“…influences aside, what shines through is an independent mind and a unique compositional personality. ” – Paris Transatlantic
“…a ferocity of expression and selectivity of sound sources that trod a fine line between the histrionic and the serious.” – The Age
“There is a certain roughness and power to the music that makes it very charming...it is hard to imagine that these works are composed by a 23-year old person.” - Tokafi
Vellus available through Cajid Media and select record stores.
Palisades available through Sabbatical and select record stores.
hey james, looking forward to seeing you at stutter on wednesday. you've probably no doubt heard how awful HORSE MANIA is. i think we are probably the most unpopular band in melbourne right now. i think sophie actually hates it. but i think everything will be ok... we are a vaudeville trainwreck with no survivors. we will be on our best behaviour. i am even going to wear a tie.
