MOONDATA LABPROJECTS

Past production

• ABOUT

  Started by Matthew Lederman, Peter X and Ryhna Thompson in Montreal, over the span of seven years (mostly between 2004-2007), Moondata LABprojects curated and presented 40 improvised shows that combined the talents of over 100 musicians, visual artists and DJs, all of them from Montreal. Some of these musicians were unknown, some of them were already famous, and some of them were on their way to greater heights. Sharing the stage were Patrick Watson, Land Of Talk, The Barr Brothers, members of Bell Orchestre & The Besnard Lakes, joined by Kid Koala, Amon Tobin, Jorane, and Lhasa De Sela, among others.
  
  What made the events truly unique and unforgettable was their spirit of openness and spontaneity, bringing together calibre musicians (many meeting for the first time) to perform completely new material, at free improvised performances. The first time Patrick Watson ever sang "Close To Paradise" was at a LABproject, and he did it with Liz Powell, who ended up singing on the record. Later, Quebec star Jorane hired her touring band from the musicians she played with at a LABproject.
  
  Some LABprojects sessions were recorded and released through Moondata Records, a label founded on a spirit of open-mindedness and collaboration in the creation of music and art. Their first album LABproject Vol. 1 (2003) featured selected tracks from the event series released on a limited run of CD-Rs. Their second release, Satellite: LABprojects 2003-2005 (2005) expanded on the selection of songs from the following two years. With 14 songs spanning 70 minutes, the album flows along numerous musical streams, features an eclectic mix of musicians that make up the vibrant Montreal scene. A brilliant display of the power of focused improvisation, Satellite is a cohesive work that is a strong example of true and inspired collaboration.

• CREDITS

  See full credits
  
  

Moondata LABprojects was an event series which invited musicians, visual artists and DJs to co-operate in special one-time, improvised performances that crossed traditional musical boundaries.