Extreme composer from Saskatoon (SK), Holzkopf (Jake Hardy) just released his second album, This CD Is an Apology. He is currently transporting his peculiar blend of samples and distortion across Canada, catch him live January 30, 2004 in Winnipeg (MB), February 3 and 6 in Toronto (ON), February 7 in St Catharines (ON) and also February 15 in Montréal alongside Kevin M Krebs and [sic].

The University of Edinburgh (Scotland) presents its second Soundings… weekend of sonic art, taking place in the Reid Concert Hall from Friday February 6 to Sunday February 8, 2004. The Saturday concert will feature works by Åke Parmerud and Christian Calon as well as Jonty Harrison.

Electronic music duo Coin Gutter will take part in the Signal to Noise ’04 event held in Vancouver (BC) from March 4-7, 2004. They will present a live performance on Saturday March 6th at 9pm.

Sound artist vivie’ vinçent (harpsicord) presents … mais le désir d’entendre, at La Sala Rossa (Montréal) from February 8 to 11, 2004. Two distinct concerts featuring works by Pierre Schaeffer, Kaija Saariaho, Micheline Coulombe Saint-Marcoux, Amnon Wolman amongst others. Composer Monique Jean will manage sound projection. The public is also invited to experience, before each concert, Rob Godman and vivie’ vinçent’s sound installation inside the eye of silence.

Laptop lad Todd Drootin has made something very different, very complete and very satisfying. The format is like that of a DJ set. But the sheer imagination that conjured all the myriad of beats and sounds here is a joy to behold. The thing is alive with quirky grooves, abused samples and an old-timey feel enhanced with hiss and crackle where need be. What should often be pretty cheesy is cool and oh so good to move to. More than enough variety to keep you unsettled. This would be one helluva great party record to get people going. Bloody genius.