AIR Lab is excited to invite you all to a series of Autumn events with a special focus on listening, technology and sound as an affective material. Through performances and/or talks, invited guests will facilitate deep listening experiences – experiences that highlight the role and phenomenology of sound in relation to affective interactions and relations.

The first Listen Up! session will take place in the AIR Lab (in Atrium) on Friday the 3rd of October from 15.30-16.30. Here, we will welcome jazz guitarist Thor Madsen, who, through years of interest in Human Computer-Interaction (HCI) within musical contexts, has developed the algorithm Thormulator – introducing the computer as a musically responsive and co-creative agent.

Thormulator functions as a virtual ensemble of musical decision-makers that, in real time, analyzes and responds to Thor Madsen’s playing. The algorithm listens to both audio and
MIDI input and reacts with beats, bass lines, textures, and chords, based on the harmonic, rhythmic, and dynamic content of the performance. These responses are governed by a
“mood engine” in which different scenes determine the rules and possibilities at play. The result is an affective feedback loop, where the performer interacts with a kind of fractured
mirror image of their own music – sometimes intuitive and familiar, other times surprising and unsettling.

Thor Madsen is a renowned guitarist, producer, and composer whose career spans over three decades. Known for his versatility and innovative approach, Thor has made
significant contributions to jazz, electronic, and fusion genres. His work is characterized by a seamless blend of technical prowess and creative experimentation, making him a
prominent figure in the global music scene. In addition to his professional music career, Thor Madsen is an Associate Professor of guitar and ensemble teaching at the Danish
National Academy of Music.

Following Thor Madsen’s performance on October 3rd, the Listen Up! series continues on November14th and December 5th from 15.30-16.30 featuring invited artsts and
researchers working at the intersection of sound, technology, and embodied, affective experience.