Although producer Andy Dobson had been writing and performing as Digitonal since 1997, it wasn't until the addition of violinist Samy Bishai in 2000, and drummer Callum Macmillan in 2002 that the outfit's collision of cinematic, string drenched neo-classicism and melodic electronica properly took shape. Acclaimed releases for Toytronic, Seed Records and Cactus Island followed which fused the boundaries of both the modern classical and electronic movements, garnering across the board praise from critics of both faiths. 2004’s The Centre Cannot Hold EP introduced legendary ambient vocalist Kirsty Hawkshaw to the line up who the band continue to work with.
Digitonal are live favourites with high-profile shows under their belt for the Royal National Theatre, Institute of Contemporary Arts, Cheltenham International Festival of Classical Music, The Dedbeat Festival, and the Big Chill festival, as well as many more across the UK, US and Europe.
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The Band
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Andy Dobson Andy Dobson started writing and performing as Digitonal in 1997 whilst writing music for film and theatre groups. Classically trained from a young age, his flatmate turned him onto electronica by taking him to a little club night called Blech. Aside from Digitonal, he once wrote and toured a satirical musical and sang with the Philharmonia Chorus. Everything he knows he stole from comic books. He lives in Battersea. |
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Samy Bishai In addition to his work with Digitonal, Samy Bishai is an in demand session player in London, and has toured and recorded with Terry Hall and Mushtaq, Celloman, Yasmin Levy, Reem Kelani and Julian Joseph. He drinks way too much espresso. |
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Callum Macmillan Although Callum Macmillan started playing the drum kit at the age of fourteen, it is over the past ten years working as a digital artist & musician, which have allowed him to really explore his creativity. A pivotal moment in this progression happened through a chance meeting with producer, Andrew Dobson (Digitonal), in 2002. Here, Callum found an opportunity to converge two of his greatest passions; electronic music and drumming. Having appreciated many types of electronic music over the years, it was in the rhythmic patterns and sound palettes of these genres where Callum first started to find his own drumming technique and style. What has evolved from combining Callum’s drumming with Digitonal’s production skills is an opportunity to explore the interface between musicianship and electronic music. Citing this coupling as a kind of sonic grey-area, Callum believes that to properly realise the potential of this space, Digitonal is going to be pretty busy for some time to come. |
Mates and Collaborators
Gee
With a strong passion and love for stunning visuals and beautiful music since an early age, Graham 'Gee' Clarkin was thrilled when the oppotunity arose to colabarate with Digitonal in the creation of various visual feasts and music promos. Educated in traditional Art, Graphic Design and Moving Image he has developed a broad range of skills and techniques used in broadcast and film production. From art direction, conceptual design and blue/green screen photography to compositing, animation, editing and visual effects.
Since the summer of 2003 Gee has been working to produce visuals for Digitonal, as well as VJ on stage with them at various events. He is constantly striving to achieve the perfect union of sound and vision, and with Digitonal's visual inspiring music as a playground of opportunity and potenial he feels it's only a matter of time before that marriage is achieved.
Kirsty Hawkshaw
Best known for her legendary vocal performances with Opus III and Orbital, Kirsty has also leant her unique voice to Pulusha, Warm and Hybrid, and also recorded her own beautiful solo album, O<U>T. Digitonal and Kirsty first collaborated on Maris Stella in 2004, and have continued to work on a variety of material for both artists which will see the light of day throughout 2006.
Kat Arney
Kat Arney has been making music since before she was tall enough to reach the piano keys. Now still not tall enough to reach the keys, she plays harp, clarinet, bass clarinet, spoons and more or less anything else she can get her hands on. Kat is often found playing with the eclectic acoustic/Indian outift Sunday Driver, but freely admits to being a complete musical whore who will go with anyone (click the name to email!). In her spare time, she's a professional science communicator and avid knitter. Personal motto: Relaxation is for wusses.
Media Lounge
Sheffield's finest purveyors of audiovisual bewilderment. The self-styled "first ladies of VHS" first worked with Digitonal in the near legendary Dustpunk nights and went on to concieve and edit the Digitonal rescore of The Shining in 2005. Expect plenty more work with the band in the upcoming Season Four.
65Daysofstatic
The best band in South Yorkshire. All talent, all heart and probably way ahead of their time. When we rock, we rock to 65daysofstatic.