Beyond Novelty: A More Social and Reflective Take on Musical Interfaces and Music Technology

The relentless drive for newness in music technology has started to be questioned in recent academic work: not least because we don’t always know what the social and environmental impacts will be of cutting-edge technologies. What would a more considered and reflective innovation process look like? This session explores how we might draw on slow culture, frugal innovation and accessible design movements to find new/old ways that are more sustainable and ethical. Existing solutions, older and already used technology and design for reuse and ethical disposability all offer potentially less harmful kinds of practice. With over thirty years as an amateur one-handed musician (first trumpet, then guitar) and nearly twenty years as a music technology educator, instrument designer, and interactive audio specialist, I bring a unique perspective that spans different disciplines and blends art and science. My work, often collaborative in nature, has included digital musical instruments, sound installations, tools for learning new musical skills, accessible theatre, and music-related video games.