Bio 2022 bellow
Described as a "vanguard" by British publication Mixmag, Zoë Mc Pherson is a multimedia artist whose practice absorbs elements of performance, sound design, installation art and DJing. Additionally, Mc Pherson curates the SFX label with their long-time collaborator Alessandra Leone.
It was an early passion for jazz that sparked Mc Pherson's curiosity in experimental music's rugged fringes. Soon enough, their interest led towards electronic sounds, and Mc Pherson's inquisitive ear evolved rapidly as they began experimenting with DIY recording techniques and computer software. Now based in Berlin, the French-Northern Irish musician straddles artistic disciplines - their albums, EPs and 12"s only tell part of a story that includes kinetic live shows, and lavish interactive experiences.
After releasing their immersive 2018 debut album "String Figures" on the SVS imprint, Mc Pherson released 2020's rhythmically complex "States of Fugue" - described by Berlin's Hardwax as "adventurous" - on their own SFX imprint. Since its inception in 2020, SFX has released an ongoing collaborative audiovisual composition featuring 43 artists including Aho Ssan, Katie Gately, ZULI, KMRU, and a vinyl 12" from Klahrk amongst others. The composition, titled "XquisiteForce.AV", was presented as part of Berlin's CTM Festival in 2021 as a virtual digital exhibition, sidestepping restrictions with an innovative 3D environment.
Since then, Mc Pherson has assembled several sound installations for Berlin's Silent Green and Alhambra, performed at international festivals and venues such as Malmö's Inkonst, Madrid's LEV, Amsterdam's Fiber, Berlin’s CTM and initiated a collaboration with sound artist Jessica Ekomane. The duo's jagged debut live set was filmed at Berghain Halle and broadcast by ARTE TV, and their first recording was released in 2021 on Ostgut Ton's "Fünfzehn + 1" compilation. Mc Pherson also recently embarked on an ambitious project alongside a brand new queer-owned club bULt in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, to invite musicians and designers to perform and hold workshops.
This year, Mc Pherson released their new statement on Berlin's Pendulum Recordings label. Entitled "Abyss Elixir", it continues where "States of Fugue" left off, crawling out of recognizable electronic templates and dissolving sci-fi sonics in dubbed-out rhythmic vortexes.
Bio 2021 bellow
As well as creating music for movement & sound enthusiasts, Mc Pherson is drawn to bridging the worlds of sound and visual art. In 2018, she released album/art project, String Figures [SF01], created with visual artist and director Alessandra Leone.
Their collaborative AV work was praised “Best experimental video” at Berlin music video awards, a “Vimeo Staff pick” ; screened at the Australian Center for moving image, Melbourne.
Both started SFX in 2020,
focused on developing & releasing objects & experiences across various mediums.
One of this year’s projects, XquisiteForce.AV, an ongoing collaborative AV composition featuring 43 sound and visual artists will be revealed at CTM 2021 “Cyberia”, a virtual digital exhibition/multi user virtual 3D environment. Another direct output of this kaleidoscopic project was released in September 2020: compilation XquisiteForce.collection/01 in support of the people in Beirut (incomes on sales donated to Beit El Baraka and Haven for artists).
Meanwhile, in November 2020 they also released a 13 minute AV piece:
Grounding in outer space [SF03].
Zoë won an award for best 2019 electronic artist at Belgian ‘Octaves de la musique’ after being a two years resident at multidisciplinary arts centre Beursschouwburg Brussels.
Live performances include: Mutabor Moscow, De School Amsterdam, Krake festival Berlin, ZVUK Almaty, Schiev Beursschouwburg Brussels, Meakusma festival Eupen, Chouftouhonna Tunis, Concrete Paris, Nottingham contemporary, Room4Resistance Berlin; Mengi Reykjavik, Divadlo Archa Prague, Freerotation, Tresor Berlin, Kaiku Helsinki, Üle Heli Tallinn, BRDCST Brussels, etc.
She has released music on Morphine records, SFX, SVS records, BAKK, Oramics & Kashev Tapes, LavaLava records, Hot Desk, Low Income Squad, Euphonic Rhythms, etc.
Zoë hosts a bi-mentual radio show Pulse sur-mesure on Lyl radio, where she invites two guests per episode to focus on rhythmical explorations and oddly fitting pulses. Other guest mixes include NTS radio, C-, Eotrax, Rinse fm, The Word, Kiosk radio, FACT, Red light radio, Cashmere radio and a residency on Bristol’s Noods radio.
Press appearances include an in-depth artist profile film for FACT magazine,
ones to watch on DJ mag, etc.