Composer/performer. From my first forays into music playing guitar as a teenager, my work has evolved into a creative exploration of experimental, electro-acoustic, electronic and improvisational sound. I am featured in numerous recorded releases and live performances (both solo, and in groups). Since 2003 I have been frequent host to radio programs emphasizing the sonic arts, and performed several radiophonic works and improvisations live on-air (mostly on CKUT FM). Self-taught in electronic circuitry, I began building my own electronic sound boxes in 2010. (See electronics page for more info.).
Making music / sound art for decades using 6 & 12 steel-string acoustic guitars, electric guitar (usually played with objects/preparations), mandolin, A.M. & shortwave radios, prepared zither, violin-uke, voice, mouth-resonated plucked idiophones (A.K.A. jews harp, guimbarde, morchang, etc), handmade electronics, synthesizers, organs/keyboards, field recordings, no-input mixer, cassette-mangling, VCRs, electro-magnetic inference, regular & contact microphones, transducers, percussion, software...
Cookie Magique (2017-2023) : Psychopoetic trance explorations centered around Ian Ferrier (spoken word, guitar) with the musical guidance of Will Eizlini (tablas, clay pot), and featuring the talents of Sarah Albu (voice & fx), James Annett (viola/guitar), Dina Cindrić (keyboard, voice), Éric Gingras (double bass), Elizabeth Lima (voice), Marie-Douce St-Jacques (electric organ, voice), John "Triangles" Stuart (guitar), and myself on guimbardes.
Éric Gingras & James Schidlowsky (2014-present?) : A mostly acoustic duo with Éric Gingras A.K.A. Enfant magique, playing and singing songs (in English and French), with acoustic guitars and integrating some electronics.
Th3rd Eye Candy (2014-present?) : Duo with Will Eizlini, wherein we play rhythmic psychedelic-trance music using table(!) + effects + guimbardes (AKA jews harps -- mouth-resonated plucked idiophone). Linkage: Th3rd Eye Candy facebook page, Th3rd Eye Candy soundcloud page.
Experimentallica (2009-present) : Collective involving core members Alexandre St-Onge, Simon Brown and others. Various configurations and instrumentations.
The Live Wires (1999-present?) : Matt Bain and Paul Berry (spoken word) and James Schidlowsky (various things that make noise).
44 Ensemble A.K.A. The Strings Are The Things Wherein We'll Catch The Conscience Of The King Of Drone (2008-2009) : String drone quintet with James Schidlowsky (violin-uke A.K.A. ukelin), Leon Lo (violin), Will Eizlini (violin), Iain McMaster (violin), and James Annett (viola).
Heavy Eye of the Sun (2005-2008) : An acoustic duo formed by James Schidlowsky and Olivier Borzeix. Psychedelic drone music featuring toy organ, prepared banjo, voice, guitar, zither, chitrali sitar, charango, cymbals, chinese bowls....
Druid Style A.K.A. Los Druidos (2006) : a stoner-rock jam-band formed with Francis Amireault (drums), Jacob Chelkowski (electric guitar), and James Schidlowsky (electric guitar).
Le Black Noise (2005) : a no-input electronics duo formed by Olivier Borzeix (no-input laptop) and James Schidlowsky (no-input mixers).
Rivers and Mountains (2003?-?) : a large ensemble of mostly Montreal-based music&sound-makers led by Justin Evans. Various members & configurations, loosely-composed improvisation-heavy pieces or perhaps cover songs, sometimes involving projections and stage antics.
Micro désastre (2003) : electronic noise duo formed by a_Dontigny and James Schidlowsky.
Les 3 Nathalies (2003) : a trio formed by Nathalie Dion (alias Zazalie Z.) (voice), Nathalie Derome (voice) and James "Nathalie" Schidlowsky (prepared guitar).
[no name] (2001-2003) : a duo formed by Jacques Gravel (bass trombone) and James Schidlowsky (prepared guitar).
[no name] (2000-2003) : a duo formed by Nathalie Dion (alias Zazalie Z.) (voice), and James Schidlowsky (prepared guitar or zither). Exploration of experimental voice, sonic poetry, auditory atmospheres, strange and meditative textures using sound.
Trio Saccacomie (2001-2002) : an electronic noise trio formed by Érick d'Orion (laptop PC, sampler), Guillaume Théroux-Rancourt (tapes, equalisers), and James Schidlowsky (radios & interference).
Qui Joue Quoi? (2001) : heavy minimal electronic drone duo formed by Magali Babin and James Schidlowsky.
Yves Hudon Et Son Équipe (2000-2001) : free-jazz/noise meets ambient meets noise with a_dontigny (turntables, etc.), Philémon (alto sax, drums, etc.) and James Schidlowsky (prepared electric guitar).
Last updated: 2024.08.22.