Dr Lee Westwood (left) and Dr Danny Bright (right)
Noise Peddler album cover
Noise Peddler album launch at The Rose Hill, Brighton
Two researchers in the Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities have released a ground-breaking album exploring what can be achieved with effects pedals used as instruments, with no external input.
Performing as Noise Peddler, Dr Danny Bright (Head of Music and Senior Lecturer in Music & Music Technology) and Dr Lee Westwood (Lecturer in Music) released their debut eponymous album on 29 November, on Rose Hill Records. The album launch took place at The Rose Hill in Brighton, following their winter tour throughout the month that included performances in Whitstable and Witney.
Noise Peddler are a symmetrical duo of no-input pedalboards, walking the line between composition and improvisation, experimental noise and melodic hooks. Their music explores the possibilities of a performance where pedals are the signal generator, processor and sole interface. The research project behind the music dates back to 2018, and the album release marks a significant milestone in the journey so far.
Up next, Noise Peddler will be performing a live session and being interviewed on Resonance FM on 14 December.
Danny Bright commented: "It’s been awesome to share the music of the new Noise Peddler album with people at our launch gigs, and the response has been brilliant. People love the energy, and the fact that complex performance systems developed through research can produce lively and accessible music that is still experimental. We’re looking forward to playing more shows next year and continuing to develop the project. Massive thanks to everyone who’s come along, bought a record and to Rose Hill Records for their support too."
You can listen to the album on BandCamp, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music and YouTube.