Formed in Spring of 2008 at a Wolf Eyes concert in Montreal, The Montreal Nintendo Orkestar are a new force of un-nature on the Montreal music scene. Comprised of French sound experimentalist Albérick (.cut, Thee Virginal Brides) and enigmatic local artist Stephen S.Cibo (Black Leader), the duo have exceeded the preconceptions and limitations of their remarkably minimalist set-up.
In a time when many bands rely upon irony and pastiche to pull themselves through, The Montreal Nintendo Orkestar are devastatingly sincere in their non-mission. They may make subtle references to past groups and genres but theirs is a forward-looking vision. Not interested in simply being crowd pleasers, MNO draw their inspiration from artists whose sonic interventions have significantly altered the face of modern music. References to The Velvet Underground, Throbbing Gristle, Brian Eno, Swans, and a host of others in their work have incited one local music critic to state, "MNO are the new Suicide!".
Their approach straddles the line between composition and free improvisation. A typical live set will have them with their equipment and cryptic diagrams, taking a very much "let's see what happens" approach to the music with often startling results. Using two Nintendo DS videogame units as the primary sound source and a variety of effects gear through which to process the ensuing soundscapes, the duo have created many an evening of brooding, ambient, and at times brutal maelstroms of melody and sheer sound. They have thus far played gigs ranging from a notable hour-long performance at le Musée d'Art Contemporain de Montreal to opening for several local post-rock and black metal bands.
The band has also collaborated with other artists, most notably Japanese cyber-punk author/musician Kenji Satori and Thee Majesty's guitarist Bryin Dall.
Their first album, a split CD with Japanese musician Hitomi Yamamoto is officially sold-out. Their new album "Dinosaur Sex" is slated for a late-February release.
The Montreal Nintendo Orkestar currently record for [walnut + locust].
(...) And the Montreal Nintendo Orkestar, featuring returning ''sound re-engineer'' .cut fresh from playing IN A MUSEUM treated us to a short but memorable themselves. My ears still remember their set note-for-note, so their improvised set lives on in my head still today. (...) Sébastien Hell - UnPop Montreal - december 2008
° New track "There Is No Sanctuary" on v/a "Strange Encounters : A Sci-Fi Compilation, Volume One" out soon on [walnut + locust] (Canada) :
° New track "The Great Origami Lobster (Dictaphone Version)" on v/a "Dictaphonia Volume 4" out august 21st 2009 on HalTapes (USA) :
° The Montreal Nintendo Orkestar "One Hundred And Twenty Days" (CD) out in may 2009 on Artzik Rekordz (Canada), recorded live at the LFH on febuary 7th & March 14th 2009 - limited edition of 300 copies handscreened and numbered 8''x16'' cardboard packaging :
° The Montreal Nintendo Orkestar "Dinosaur Sex" (3" CDr) out in february 2009 on [walnut + locust] (Canada), including collaborations tracks with New-York guitarist Bryin Dall (Thee Majesty/4th Sign Of The Apocalypse) and Japanese cyberpunk artist Kenji Siratori :
° Unreleased track available on v/a "Necktar 2017 - Volume 1" out in january 2009 on Le Colibri Nécrophile (France) :
° The Montreal Nintendo Orkestar / Hitomi Yamamoto "Split" (3" CDr) out in november 2008 on [walnut + locust] (Canada) - sold out
The Montreal Nintendo Orkestar's Friend Space (Top 12)
Hello .New serie of photos :When the shadows are feelings ,is on line.A video is also on line ,for present this serie.Don't hesitate to give your critics . Thanks very much , BC
Tonal y Nagual’s third release has come to the world. „La Sierra Mecánica“ enters the outskirts of urban civilization with a more melodic and rhythm oriented sound. Featuring the brilliant voice of Geneviéve Pasquier and remixes by „Die Perlen“ and „Zero Degree“. You can take your ears to five tracks from this release on our page, if you don't enjoy them we apologize for bothering you.