Earlier this year, FACT’s John Twells and Bryan McKay headed to Montreal with local FACT contributor Son Raw for MUTEK, and talked to a handful of artists about the nature of live performance.
New York City-based cellist Julia Kent has built up quite the reputation over the last couple of decades, as a member of “dark cabaret” act Rasputina and ANOHNI’s Antony and the Johnsons, as a soundtrack composer and as a solo musician. Kent’s command over the cello has been honed over many years of development, and her airy compositions – built up from layers upon layers of cello, electronics and found sounds – blossom in the live environment.
FACT met up with Kent at this year’s MUTEK Montreal, and spoke about her breathtaking live performance. She describes the cello as her voice – her way of expressing herself – and explains how her process uses Ableton Live but never loses the human element.
Directed by Bryan McKay. Interview by Son Raw. Shot by Bryan McKay and John Twells. Produced by John Twells.