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ArtsWells event offers unique workshops for those who have rhythm

ArtsWells dances to a new beat each year, but this week they are offering composers a chance to invent new beats on the fly. A one-of-a-kind local workshop is on offer during the days leading up to the ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art.

ArtsWells dances to a new beat each year, but this week they are offering composers a chance to invent new beats on the fly.

A one-of-a-kind local workshop is on offer during the days leading up to the ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art.

German electronica duo Psycho & Plastic (aka Thomas Tichai and Alexandre Decoupigny) will be in Canada, in the Cariboo, in the hamlet of Wells, and in the teaching studio to give local musicians some hands-on instruction in the art of "liquid sound" that flows from electronically created rhythms and melodies.

"This rare opportunity is designed for folk/indie rock musicians, aspiring electronic producers, and original singer/songwriters who want to learn how to add live electronic music production to their performance or recording process," said ArtsWells organizers. "The workshop aims to encourage students to reach a new creative potential by providing a diverse curriculum, encompassing all styles of music by this hands-on learning and practical workshop."

The festival is set to run Aug. 3-6 in the village at the threshold of Barkerville and this two-day workshop happens just before. Psycho & Plastic will let musicians behind the curtain of digital songwriting from July 31-Aug. 1 with a casual meet-and-greet with the duo on July 30 at an evening reception at Island Mountain Arts.

The workshop, entitled Liquid Stream Of Sound, is for musicians who have extensive background with electronic composition techniques or none at all. No particular skill-level is required.

It is also encouraged to bring along your chosen tools of the music trade. If that's a banjo, a guitar, laptop, even a collection of samples, it's all welcome for the instruction process.

"Learn how to create live techno in a club or large performance space," said organizers, adding that the charm of this workshop was how to integrate electronica into conventional instruments or singing or how to use it as a stand-alone music tool.

Psycho & Plastic have been operating as a Berlin-based electrionica duo since 2011. Plastic has crossed into local consciousness thanks to his collaborations with B.C. performer Rae Spoon, including their work together at past editions of ArtsWells.

"Performing live and touring Europe, they bring a unique energy to every gig skillfully combining disco, techno, and psychedelic rock influences into a genre-hopping smorgasbord of funky beats and insanely catchy hooks," the organizers said.

Anyone who participates in this workshop will also get half off the cost of an ArtsWells festival pass, a free barbecue for all students, free pass to the Instructors' Concert at the Sunset Theatre ($20 for non-students), a free pass to the ArtsWells official opening event on Aug. 3, plus a free pass to Barkerville Historic Town and discounts at participating local businesses.

See www.artswells.com for details, under the Workshops heading. ArtsWells also has pre-festival workshops in songwriting, print-making, drawing, painting, dance, plus the 32nd Annual International Harp & Cello School running Aug. 20-24.