Modular & semi-modular synthesis happenings in Central Canada
PRAIRIE WIRES
PRAIRIE WIRES IS AN ONGOING EXPERIMENTAL ELECTRONIC MUSIC AND ART EVENT SERIES AND FESTIVAL IN BRANDON MANITOBA.
Established in 2019 to create live performance opportunities for sound-based artist and experimental electronic musicians, Prairie Wires is strengthening ties between communities and creates space for like minded artists to network, share knowledge and collaborate.
Prairie Wires Modular 2021
Since 2019 Prairie Wires has produced several live and virtual events in Brandon and on-line including International Drone Day (2019, 2020 online, 2022), Prairie Wires Modular Festival of Electronic Sound (2019, 2021), Quiet Concerts Series (2020 online), Spring Sound Series (2022).
We are currently planning the 2025 Prairie Wires Season. If you are interested in performing at Prairie Wires please send an email with a bio and link to a sample of your work (video preferred) to prairiewires@gmail.com with the words “PWM Proposal” in the subject line
Prairie Wires is humbled to exist on Treaty 2 territory, the traditional shared land of Cree, Oji-Cree, Anishinaabeg, Assiniboine, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the Homeland of the Métis Nation. Prairie Wires continues to work towards reconciliation, decolonization, Indigenization and diversification of this art form long dominated by euro-centric male voices by striving for equity, diversity and inclusivity in it’s curation of events.
at PRINCESS PARK Corner of Princess & 8th, Brandon, MB
The sun has set on the Prairie Wires’ Summer Sound Series. Princess Park was the scene for an evening of inspiring instrumental experimental sounds! as Prairie Wires turned it’s focus on a showcase of Brandon University School of Music alumni.
concert 3/4 SCATTERPATTERN, HARRUMPH! & ALEXANDER CANADA SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024 | 7:30 PM
at SECTION 6 BREWING CO. 1126 Princess Ave. Brandon, MB
Section 6 Brewing Co. was the scene of a sonic encounter of the third kind. The tap room exploded with flight of gritty washes of guitar drones, glitchy dark grooves and 8-bit boss battles well into the night. On tap were Brandon’s Alexander Canada, Winnipeg’s Harrumph and Carberry’s Scatterpattern.
concert 2/4 BONDEGI & A MOON SHAPE NOISE SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2024 | 2:00 PM
at THE BRANDON GENERAL MUSEUM & ARCHIVES 19, 9th Street, Unit 101. Brandon, MB
The Brandon General Museum was tranformed into a mesmerizing universe of immersive light and sound by Winnipeg’s Chris Harder. Known for pushing the boundaries of electronic music, Bondgi blends experimental video techniques with custom software and modular synthesis to create spontaneous improvised landscapes of sound and imagery. Harder’s architectural approach to music and visual composition will take you on an exhilarating journey through evolving sonic realms.
Also on the bill was a rare performance by A Moon Shape Noise, the solo electroacoustic alter-ego of Prairie Wires founder Brendon Ehinger. Using modular synthesis to manipulate acoustic instrumentation and found sounds, AMSN creates site specific ephemeral soundscapes that straddle the line between experimental music and sound art.
at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, 710 Rosser Aveneue, Unit 2, Brandon, MB
To celebrate International Drone Day, Prairie Wires invited 8 experimental music acts from across the prairies to collaborate for an immersive sound event dedicated to celebrating drone music in all it’s forms.
simultaneous performances by: Bell Dreams (Saskatchewan) Leanne Zacharias & Jennifer Thiessen (Brandon/Winnipeg, MB) Koda Maxon & Nora Wilson (Brandon, MB) Kurtis Johnson (Brandon, MB) Yoyu (Winnipeg, MB) Harrumph! (Winnipeg, MB) Thomas Toews (Winnipeg, MB) A Moon Shape Noise (Brandon, MB)
SPRING SOUND SERIES 2022
Drone at the Global Market 2022 Saturday, May 28, 2022 | 2:00 – 6:00pm Global Market, 1215 Rosser Ave. Brandon, MB
A Celebration of International Drone Day returnED to the Global Market for a participatory community drone concert featuring sursurate + whir, acidbasement and wire+bone.
Jason Kahn Wednesday, June 8, 2022 | 7:00PM Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, 1-710 Rosser Ave. Brandon, MB
Prairie Wires in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba presented Zürich based touring artist Jason Kahn.
Wire & Bone Friday, June 17, 2022 | 7:00PM Chez Angela Bakery and Café, 29C 10th St. Brandon, MB
Electroacoustic duo of Brendon Ehinger and Aaron Wilson on Modular Synthesizer and Trombone respectively
PRAIRIE WIRES MODULAR 2021 FESTIVAL OF ELECTRONIC SOUND SEPTEMBER 12, 2022
The second PWM festival took place at the Riverbank Discovery Centre all day on September 12, 2021. Featuring a public open house and modular demo in the afternoon, as well as a casual Modular on the Spot style round robin of mini performances. The evening concert featured artists from across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Yukon. Highlights are currently streaming as part of Groundswell MB’s 30 anniversary season.
QUIET CONCERTS V1.0 LIVESTREAMED SUNDAYS, SEPT 27 – OCT 5IVESTREAMED
Prairie Wires partnered with the Brandon Public Library to present Quiet Concerts. Originally intended as a unique in person concert event inviting the audience to bring their own headphones to the Library to relax and enjoy an afternoon of experimental electronic music performance. Due to Covid-19 this event was presented as a series of online livestream mini concerts every Sunday from September 27 to October 25, 2020.
DRONERS IN A DANGEROUS TIME May 30, 2020
May 30, 2020 Prairie Wires hosted a 24 Hour Drone Playlist featuring over 30 droners, sound artists, musicians and synthesists from across the Canadian Prairies and beyond. Heartfelt thanks to all of the droners who participated. Please enjoy the finalé Drone Megamix below, featuring all of the performances mixed on top of each other.
PRAIRIE WIRES MODULAR MEETUP Friday June 14 & Saturday June 15, 2019
PWM2019 was a free two day festival of Modular Synthesis hosted in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
Events included a free opening concert on Friday June 14 consisting of a electro-acoustic performance of Modular Synth and Trombone, a free ambient morning concert, a Modular Meetup and public open house. A Modular on the Spot improvised concert at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Mantitoba wrapped up the day.
DRONE AT THE GLOBAL MARKET May 25, 2019
The first Prairie Wires event, Drone at the Global Market was an open air sound art and music concert on May 25, 2019 at the Global Market in downtown Brandon brought together a diverse group of musicians and artists working in sound and exploring their own interpretations of Drone music. Building on the success of Drone at the Global Market, the second event titled “PWM2019” —billed as a meetup for modular synthesizer enthusiasts and artists across the prairies— was hosted at multiple venues in downtown Brandon across two days, June 14 & 15, 2019. This event was to focus primarily on the modular synthesizer as a tool for exploring sound and creating music and art.
