The Lights Surgeons - SuperEverything* (Utter)

What The Trailer Video Is Saying

SuperEverything* - live cinema performance trailer from THE LIGHT SURGEONS on Vimeo.

What Your Ears Say & The Cover Looks Like

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What We Say

Nice to see this decade long multi-disciplinary audio visual collaboration between London's Light Surgeons & Malaysian artists get a proper audio release courtesy of Utter, as  the music is as stunning as the visuals. Initially developed in 2011 this Anglo-Malaysian exploration of how traditional constructs are coping with globalisation's onslaught; although affecting rural, traditional and lower income communities the most; is relevant to us all and something we rarely consider as we struggle to stay afloat in its rising tide.

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What The Release Notes Say

'SuperEverything*' is a live cinema performance piece that explores identity, ritual and place in relation to Malaysia’s past, present and future. Commissioned by The British Council in 2011, it was created in collaboration with a group of Malaysian audio and visual artists. Over the past decade, the project has toured to various film and new media arts festivals internationally.

'SuperEverything*' is a fusion of music, field recordings, documentary filmmaking and real-time moving image manipulation that together transports its audiences through a series of universal narratives; exploring themes of tradition and modernity, globalisation and development, race and national identity, to consumer culture and belief.

'SuperEverything*' surveys our human condition to reveal what unites and divides us. It weaves together a rich kaleidoscope of stories, sounds, images and smells live on stage. It is a truly immersive, cross disciplinary performative artwork that reflects on how our complex identities are formed through ritual in relation to our rapidly evolving physical and psychological environments.

'SuperEverything*' poses many questions about how people form a sense of identity in a world increasingly dominated by information networks and fast changing social and economic landscapes.

This limited edition vinyl and digital album features the nine original tracks that make up the musical score to this groundbreaking live cinema project, fusing traditional South East Asian instruments with field recordings, electronica and western classical string instruments.

Accompanying the record is a 24 page full colour booklet and double-sided poster, housed in a gatefold sleeve. The booklet contains quotes from the narrative interviewees whose voices are interwoven throughout the performance. These quotes accompany images from the production and performances to help illustrate the musical journey and allow you to contemplate the themes and ideas explored in this work. The poster design features a collection of filmstrips taken from the video material in the show with a single striking album image photo on the reverse.

The release is also accompanied by a previously unavailable film of the full live cinema performance recorded at Hackney Empire in collaboration with The Barbican in 2013. A wealth of information on the project is also available here: www.supereverything.net 

CREDITS
Project Direction by Christopher Thomas Allen.
Music Direction by Tim Cowie.
All tracks written and arranged by Tim Cowie in collaboration with Chor Guan Ng, Flica, Rhythm in Bronze and Hands Percussion.
All string arrangements by Tim Cowie and Chor Guan Ng except “Pursuit For Purpose” by Kate Robinson, Amy May and Ben Trigg.
Mastered & Cut by Anne Taegert at D&M Berlin.
Distributed by Rubadub (Vinyl) + Above Board (Digital).

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If you want to explore music outside of the Western led narrative then take a trip through the Slow World Playlist sometime: