专辑简介

Smomid is a project by Nick Demopoulos, who is a performer, musician and instrument builder. When performing as Smomid Nick only utilizes instruments he has designed and built to perform interactive computer music. The name is derived from the name of his primary instrument and is an acronym for “String Modeling Midi Device.” Smomid music often features glitchy and scattered beats, sampling, abstract textures, ambient spaces, and improvisation. Smomid music draws on many varied influences and creates bizarre juxtapositions with deft sonic versatility, with samples of heavy beats, Gregorian Monks chanting and Taiko drum sounds all coexisting comfortably. After listening to several Smomid tracks one gets the impression that anything is possible and all sound universes can exist together. One thing that doesn’t come across in an audio transmission is that there is also a visual aspect to Smomid Music. All the instruments emit light through high powered LEDs, and some illuminate visual animations and secret messages through several LED display embedded in the instruments.

Nick Demopoulos, the creator of Smomid music and instruments has a varied and diverse musical history. He has studied the tuning systems of Ancient Greek and Arabic music, as well as Algorithmic composition using a computer. He has also worked as a sound designer, creating audio textures for boutique hotels, video installations and many theater works. Additionally he has worked professionally in ensembles playing Latin jazz, Brazilian music, Arabic music, Greek music, Jazz, Metal and many other diverse disciples, As a guitarist he worked with NEA Jazz master Chico Hamilton from 2008 to 2013 and recorded on the albums The Inquiring Mind, Revelation and Euphoric. He also released several recordings with Exegesis, a group that mixes jazz and electronic music. In 2008 Exegesis traveled on behalf of the State Department to conduct cultural diplomacy and perform in Bahrain, Yemen, Oman, U.A.E and Kuwait. Other artists he has worked with include choreographer Camille Brown, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, George Bohannon, NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Owens, Solsonics, Don Mckenzie, and Intra Faction. In 2015 he released his first full length album of music created only with Smomid and Pyramidi instruments called Rhythms of Light. With his Smomid Nick has performed at Lincoln Center in New York, the 2017 NYC Electroacoustic Improvisation Summit, the Knockdown Center in Brooklyn and been featured on the Discovery Science Network, Guitar World, Create Digital Music, Metal Injection and Popular Noise Magazine among other media outlets.