Formed in early 2008, the Montreal Nintendo Orkestar are a Montreal-based avant-electronic duo composed of French sound experimentalist Albérick (.cut) and local artist Stephen Cibo. Using two Nintendo DS videogame units run through a variety of guitar pedals and effects processors, the duo have conjured up a brooding cinematic soundscape uniquely their own that runs the gamut from ambient, industrial, noise, and even a touch of pop, albeit their own version of what pop is. Influences include The Velvet Underground, Throbbing Gristle, Brian Eno, and Suicide.
Over the course of their 2-year existence, the duo have released several CD recordings as well as a limited-edition vinyl EP. They have collaborated with Japanese cyber-punk artist Kenji Siratori and New York guitarist Bryin Dall (Thee Majesty). Their more notable shows have included an opening night gig at the 2009 Pop Montreal Festival, an hour-long improv performance at the Musée D'Art Contemporain de Montreal, a late-night performance at 2010's Montreal Nuit Blanche, a March 2010 live on-air interview/performance on MusiquePlus and a support set for Atari Teenage Riot's performance at the 2010 Pop Montreal Festival.
Montreal Nintendo Orkestar plays Häxan
In late Spring of 2010, the Montreal Nintendo Orkestar were asked by a Montreal-based music festival (POP Montreal) to produce an original score for a silent film of their choice. Having already discussed the possibilities of undertaking such an endeavor as a future project, MNO accepted the proposition.
Given the nature of the duo's music, film choices were narrowed down to the horror genre. As both members of MNO hold an interest in obscure European films, Benjamin Christensen's 1921 horror/documentary film "Haxan - Witchcraft Through The Ages" was agreed upon as the film of choice. Over the following 3 1/2 months, MNO recorded and rerecorded numerous tracks to fill the 100 minute running time of the film. Certain sequences were scored specifically for the onscreen events whilst fourthousandblackbirds were loosely improvised, keeping in line with MNO's live tendencies. This would allow for some variance in the live performance of the score with the film being projected.
For the premier of "Montreal Nintendo Orkestar Plays Haxan - Live", the duo released a CD version of the soundtrack on the [walnut & locust] label which has since garnered interest. MNO are currently looking at future possibilities of performing Haxan in a live setting after a slew of positive critical responses to the debut performance at POP Montreal 2010.
(Photograph by Meryem Yildiz)
