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>> A compact preview of highlights at this year’s FIMAV

by BOSS SAMBOSA

At this year’s edition of Victoriaville’s annual Festival internationale de musique actuelle, all the usual themes are present. There’s the aging member of Sonic Youth supported by a conceptual artist (this time, it’s Lee Ranaldo scoring some experimental shorts by filmmaker Stan Brakhage). There’s the grassroots avant-folk combo comprised of electric-rake-rocker Eugene Chadbourne and the finest from Quebec’s Ambiances Magnetiques label, René Lussier. The Alien8/Constellation crowd is out in full force with the Set Fire to Flames supergroup as well as what is expected to be a richly textured, patient and moving electroacoustic evening with Sam Shalabi, David Kristian and Alexandre St-Onge.

The jazz contingent is especially strong this year with an appearance by bassist William Parker, whose playing is so strong and so complete it exudes a genuine feeling of ease and trust in his wisdom.

Then there are the events of exceptional interest, acts seemingly out of sync with Victo’s lineup, which seamlessly integrate into the festival’s larger manifesto of staying totally counter-culture, and being so out-there that you can check your grey matter at the door and enjoy being bombarded with raw sound. Expect the hyper-electrified fusion of free-noise, metal and pop culture of Melt Banana to cook your ears. These frenzied Japanese ladies take their cues from Mr. Bungle and the Boredoms, but push things into a realm beyond satire.

Scanner and Stephen Vitiello intend to weave a collaborative soundscape using some sounds collected in Victoriaville prior to their performance. They share a mastery of mutating found sounds—Scanner has used captured cell-phone conversations to craft intricate techno pieces, while Vitiello has translated the luminescence of the NYC skyline into music. Should be an interesting experiment in 4-dimensionality, context and form.
One hopes that Merzbow’s infamous sonic assaults are motivated by a love for his sound, and not a disdain for his audience, but you can never be certain. The prolific sound destroyer will be joined by Pan Sonic, known for helping pioneer IDM. Expect total sonic ablution and the renewal of aural innocence. :

FIMAV runs from Thursday, May 16, to Monday, May 20, in Victoriaville. For more info visit www.fimav.qc.ca