Illustrious Company

23/09/2024

As part of the launch of Adventures In The Electroverse in association with Monitor Audio at The Piece Hall, we’re thrilled to announce a competition offering you the chance to get up close and personal with the exhibit on opening night!

The competition offers:

- Guest list access to the private viewing for one or two people
- The opportunity to meet Martyn Ware and the team behind the exhibition
- A signed copy of Martyn’s book Electronically Yours: Volume 1

The opening night will feature introductory speeches by Martyn Ware and Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL FRSA, CEO of The Piece Hall, beginning at 6:30 PM.

HOW TO ENTER:

- Email [email protected] with the subject line ‘AITE COMP’.
- Express your interest in receiving one or two invites.

Winners will be chosen at random by Martyn on 30th September, and you'll be notified by email if you're successful.

By entering, you confirm that you’re available to attend the private launch on 3rd October from 6 PM at The Piece Hall in Halifax. Please only apply if you can attend.

GOOD LUCK! 🤞

30/10/2023

OUT NOW!!

The latest absorbing episode of Electronically Yours with Martyn Ware features a famous production team primarily responsible (together with Anne Dudley) for creating the band Art Of Noise, Gary Langan and JJ Jeczalik.

Gary started as assistant engineer on the most famous Queen albums, he then went on to work with Trevor Horn at Sarm on various projects, he produced Beauty Stab for ABC and Through The Barricades for Spandau Ballet. He co-founded ZTT in 1983, and produced Happy? For PIL. Gary went on to work with Malcolm McClaren, Scritti Pollitti and constellations of major stars and some of the most epic albums of the last 30 years.
JJ Jeczalik is a British electronic musician/record producer, Fairlight expert and co-founder of Art Of Noise. He was also behind the success of controversial Liverpool band, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and their number one hit singles "Relax" and "Two Tribes" also on ZTT. Other work for ZTT involved further work for FGTH on the Welcome to the Pleasuredome album and for another two signings, Propaganda and Andrew Poppy.

Ladies and Gentlemen – meet the men behind the noise, Gary Langan and JJ Jeczalik

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martyn-ware/

19/10/2023

In 2020, we collaborated on this poignant piece that was on display in Notting Hill, London.

To Be Invisible was the second in a series following Breath Is Invisible, a monument in Notting Hill born out of a need to address issues of social inequality in London that were exacerbated during the early outbreak of coronavirus.

The building’s facade adopted an immersive soundscape. The windows of the building were lit up by projections by artists Martyn Ware and Zachary Eastwood-Bloom, and acted as a commentary on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Listen to the soundscape here 👇

https://illustriouscompany.co.uk/to-be-invisible/

17/10/2023

OUT NOW!

The latest Electronically Yours episode with Martyn Ware features one of the most influential artists in the dance world, Graham Massey.

He is most famously associated with 808 State, and the rise of Acid House, but the sheer diversity of his work including film soundtracks is very underrated - he was even in a Sun Ra tribute band!

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be impressed, meet Graham Massey

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martyn-ware/

12/10/2023

Six years ago we had the pleasure of creating an immense 3D soundscape in collaboration with Central Saint Martins and Aberrant Architects in Shanghai as part of their Shanghai Urban Space Art Season 2017.

LIQUID HISTORIES – ‘The Thames between imaginary and reality’

The title of the installation refers to the way that history can be told through multiple viewpoints and methods, lending history a fluidity that washes away the fixity of a list of facts. The histories of the Thames are diverse and overlapping: they are liquid. From the personal narratives of individuals to the grand histories of nationhood, with everything from the mythical histories of poets to the false histories of estate agents in between.

You can listen to the full soundscape below 👇

https://illustriouscompany.co.uk/liquid-histories-shanghai/

10/10/2023

OUT NOW!

The latest episode of Electronically Yours with Martyn Ware features one of the progenitors of the Minneapolis sound, the producer, songwriter, engineer, and mixer David Z.

As an engineer at Paisley Park working with Prince amongst many others, he arranged and engineered the song ‘Kiss’ and worked with him on the albums Purple Rain and Under Cherry Moon. He also was responsible for the sound of the dance floor-filler Funkytown by Lipps Inc. He has a list of collaborations with major artists as long as your arm…

Ladies and gentlemen - prepare to be amazed - meet David Z

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martyn-ware/

04/10/2023

We'll be doing a postal run tomorrow of the limited edition Illustrious eye masks! Get your order in now if you want yourself a handmade, one-of-a-kind mask, signed by Martyn Ware! 👇

https://illustriouscompany.bandcamp.com/merch/illustrious-limited-edition-eyemask-signed

02/10/2023

12 years ago, we designed and composed the sound for Part II: New Work was a performance by the Michael Clark Company.

The piece utilised movement, film, light, and 3D sound to create a site-specific work.

Created in response to the monumental architecture of the Turbine Hall, the unique event provided an extraordinary opportunity for Tate Modern visitors to witness the artistic process behind Clark’s choreography.

Check out this short clip captured by an audience member of the live performance!

29/09/2023

OUT NOW!

Todays exceptional episode of Electronically Yours with Martyn Ware features a legend in the world of ambient music, Roger Eno.

Brother of Brian Eno (with whom he has created several live and recorded pieces), his compositions entrance and beguile. Roger’s work covers intimate small scale orchestral, through to electronic and soundtrack pieces.

His methodology is heavily influenced by his love of the countryside and nature, and he continues to prolifically release work and perform all over the world.

Ladies and gentlemen meet the one and only Roger Eno ..

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martyn-ware/episodes/EP162-Roger-Eno-e29tm7d

28/09/2023

28/09/2023

The eye masks are preparing for send-off 👆📦 Click the link to get your hands on a pair (and yes, they are limited edition)

https://illustriouscompany.bandcamp.com/merch/illustrious-limited-edition-eyemask-signed

25/09/2023

Thank you to everyone who has ordered one of our limited-edition eye masks! We're preparing the orders as we speak. 📦

This is your chance to own Illustrious Company's first piece of merch.. signed by Martyn Ware himself!

Check them out on our Bandcamp page below.

https://illustriouscompany.bandcamp.com/merch/illustrious-limited-edition-eyemask-signed

22/09/2023

OUT NOW!!

Today's episode of Electronically Yours with Martyn Ware features maverick songwriter & producer Pascal Gabriel. His career has spanned 30 years so far, from S-Express’s number 1 hit ‘Theme from S-Express’, Bomb The Bass’s landmark album ‘Beat Dis’, EMF’s multi-platinum ‘Schubert Dip’, Dido’s ‘Here With Me’ and ‘No Angel’, to later hits with Kylie, Ladyhawke, Will Young, Goldfrapp, Marina and the Diamonds, Miss Kittin, Little Boots, Emma Louise, The Temper Trap, as well as his solo project Stubbleman

Ladies and gentlemen - meet the great talent of Pascal Gabriel

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martyn-ware/episodes/EP161-Pascal-Gabriel-e29k39o

19/09/2023

OUT NOW!

Today's special Patreon-only Electronically Ours with Martyn Ware features a Famous DJ and champion of new music, Gary Crowley.

Gary is an old acquaintance of Martyn’s from the early days of the Soho scene in London, and he has been a constant presence on national radio and TV in the UK for the last 40 years

Ladies and gentlemen, one of the nicest people in show business, Gary Crowley! To listen to this and other exclusive content, please subscribe to the Electronically Yours Patreon channel - patreon.com/electronicallyours

18/09/2023

Those who have been to HEAVEN 17’s concert performances over the last 18 months will have noticed a glamorous addition to the band on keyboards. The lady in question is Berenice Scott, a musician and songwriter with an exotic musical upbringing. She has worked on a variety of musical projects with...

15/09/2023

EXCLUSIVE SALE!

We've listed less than 100 limited-edition eye masks, all signed by Martyn Ware himself. Extremely rare, handprinted, and very limited edition. Once they're gone, they're gone.

Grab yours now to avoid disappointment, and thank us later. 😉

https://illustriouscompany.bandcamp.com/merch/illustrious-limited-edition-eyemask-signed

12/09/2023

SPECIAL EDITION RELEASE SALE.

The avante-garde of practical and decorative eye masks...

Designed and hand-printed in-house, our eye masks are completely unique, and extremely limited edition.

As creators of immersive sound, we sometimes like to appreciate sound without worldly distractions. You can use this mask as a transportation device to carry you to a heightened sense of sound, or just as a night mask, to aid a good night's sleep.

Each mask is
+ Signed by Martyn Ware - founder of Illustrious Company
+ Very limited edition, printed in weather-resistant paint for wear
+ Hand printed, each print is unique and one-of-a-kind
+ A one-off piece of Illustrious merchandise
+ Comfortable soft fabric

Follow our link to grab yours before they're gone > https://illustriouscompany.bandcamp.com/merch/illustrious-limited-edition-eyemask-signed

11/09/2023

Ten years ago, we created a piece inspired by Bowie that was played as part of the ‘David Bowie is Making a Scene’, a Friday Late at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Alexis Kirke and Martyn Ware discovered compelling patterns through computer analysis of David Bowie’s lyrics, song keys, album sales, and music features, presenting musical “sonifications” – the audio display of non-sound data.

Using sonification of Bowie’s career data to map musical features such as tempo, pitch, and loudness and turning them into new musical compositions.

Listen to the full piece, here 👇

https://illustriouscompany.co.uk/bowies-mood-music/