LOCAL MUSIC ARTISTS - WELLINGTON, NZ + MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
DESCRIPTION: Francesca Mountfort
ACTIVITY STATUS: Active
ACTIVITY PERIOD: 2002 - Current
MUSIC GENRE: Electronic-Classical Fusion, Neo Classical
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN & RESIDENCE: NEW ZEALAND / AUSTRALIA
RECORD COMPANIES / LABELS (Current & Past): Smooch Records
OFFICIAL WEB SITE: http://francescamountfort.com/
ABOUT HER:
Francesca is a Melbourne based classically trained cellist and composer originally from Wellington, New Zealand. Her unique brand of music incorporates classical, electronic and ambient elements into a melting pot that transcends time and place.
The origins of Francesca’s compositions go all the way back to the electoacoustic studios at Victoria University of Wellington in 2002. She wanted to make music that was feminine, fragile and emotional, so began experimenting with sampling her cello and voice, looping and effecting them. She released her debut album in 2004 under the alias Nervous Doll Dancing, which stayed with her for over a decade, and under which she independently released three solo albums Eidolon (2012), Aphelion (2009) and Nervous Doll Dancing (2005).
Francesca’s latest release, Swift & Raven (2016), which she recorded at Smooch Records with Josh Delaney, is the first album to be first released under her own name. Her music and live shows have always been about delving deep into the spiritual side of an imaginary world. This album is no different. The music is an exploration of Raven spirituality, inspired by folklore beliefs that the Raven is a mythical creature, a mediator animal between life and death, able to pass between realms.
Francesca’s compositions range from minimal and spacious to dramatic and expansive. The classical nature of the cello is embraced and built upon, using subtle electronics and recording techniques, adding complex layers and effects. In performance, Francesca has collaborated with many artists in different mediums including dance, puppetry, illustrated animation and live video projection.
Throughout 2012 and 2013 Francesca toured her music extensively across Australasia, Europe and Canada with an award-winning cinematic show titled Eidolon. This was a collaboration with visual artist Tom Hume which incorporated music from all three of Francesca’s albums set to original animations, film and illustration.
Her music is broadcast regularly on national radio in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and has been featured in recent New Zealand short film releases. ‘The Tidekeeper’, by Alyx Duncan, was screened at the 2014 Melbourne International Film Festival and won the best animated film award. The film used music from all three of Francesca’s previous albums. ‘David’ and ‘Memory House’ are recent collaborations with dancer / choreographer Loughlan Prior from the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Francesca’s cello playing and string textures feature on Nicholas Allbrook’s (Tame Impala / Pond) latest album ‘Pure Gardiya’ (2016).
Francesca studied cello with Rolf Gjelsten from the New Zealand String Quartet and with David Chickering, principal cellist of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Music in 2002, majoring in electroacoustic composition.
Source: Artist's Web Site.
VIDEO:
LINKS:
- AU Review - http://music.theaureview.com/features/melbournes-francesca-mountfort-takes-us-through-her-new-record-the-neo-classical-swift-raven/
- Link to her Digital Album 'Swift & Raven' - http://smarturl.it/zduo97
Parent Category Page Links: | Local Music Artists / Outfits - New Zealand | Local Music Artists / Outfits - Australia |
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