admin – Initial Shock

The dust has settled and another Initial Shock is in the books! Thanks to all the performers, volunteers, sponsors, venue staff and attendees for making it another great edition. Initial Shock III will take place July 5, 2025 – see you then!

– Taylor & Aaron

FACTOR sponsors Initial Shock

Countdown to Saturday! The fest draws near and we’re excited to see everyone.

Last but not least, we’d like to thank FACTOR Canada for being a sponsor. A foundation long-dedicated to helping Canadian artists develop their practice, we’re happy to be partnering with them and for their interest in supporting the festival. Three days away. Advanced tickets still available. See you soon.

Exuvie at After Shock

Our latest addition to the AFTER SHOCK matinee on Sunday, July 7 is Montreal-based EXUVIE.

EXUVIE is a newly formed noise duo that blends harmonious sample collage, abrasive high pitch frequencies and gnarly electronics to create a harsh ambient sonic landscape. This is not a process of disfigurement but rather one of magnification, the aim being to render what was once peaceful as now engaging and intense.

The After Shock matinee is $10 PWYC at the door.

Advanced tickets are available for the main night of Initial Shock: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/82671/orders/new#/

Pizza Bouquet Sponsors Initial Shock

We’re grateful to have Pizza Bouquet return as a sponsor for INITIAL SHOCK II. Locally-owned and operated in Montreal since 2018, @pizzabouquet is a spot favoured by many for their large slices, 16” pies and unique specials that make them arguably the best pizza joint in town. They’re open 12-9pm all week and located in Little Italy at 45 Rue Beaubien East, so you know where to go next time the craving strikes. Special thanks to Andre and the crew for taking care of us.

INITIAL SHOCK II kicks off at 2pm Saturday, July 6 @ La Sotterenea (4848 Boul. Saint-Laurent). Advanced tickets: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/82671/orders/new#/

Initial Shock on Met Radio

Aaron was invited by the More Noise Please program on Met Radio to curate a fest-related playlist.

The show airs tonight at 8PM on metradio.ca / AM 1280 in Toronto.

The playlist:

Richard Ramirez – Spinal Mutilation (Certain Cruelty, 1995, Slaughter Productions)
The Nausea – Ascension (Requiem, 2024, Absurd Exposition)
Slime Street – Cold Rushes (Séance, 2024, Disaster Sources)
Murmur – 1 (Balcony, 2023, Buried in slag and debris.)
Fowl – 2 (Balcony, 2023, Buried in slag and debris.)

Thanks to Jen Creagh for the invite.

Initial Shock on CJLO

Taylor was invited by the Psychic Ceremony program on CJLO to speak a bit about the fest and present tracks from a selection of the artists.

The show is archived for the next 4 weeks here: http://cjlo.com/shows/psychic-ceremony/episode-24062419

The playlist:

Richard Ramirez – Severe Retraction (The Japanese / American Noise Treaty, 1995, Release Entertainment)
Heat Signature – Shedding the Human Psyche (Dehumanization In Progress, 2019, Oxen)
Parasite Nurse – Clarity (Life Is Beautiful, 2023, Oxen)
Paxillus Succubus – Acte 3 – Scène Finale – Terres De Guerre (Paxillus Succubus x Splinter Assembly, 2023, self-released)
The Nausea – Ascension (Requiem, 2024, Absurd Exposition/Buried In Slag And Debris)
Death Glaze – Rend (Collapse, 2024, Absurd Exposition)
Primitive Isolation Tactics – Hazy Nightmare Reality (Time Hole, 2024, White Centipede Noise)

Thank you to Josh Dimakakos for the invite.

Fowl and Splinter Assembly at Initial Shock II

FOWL is the solo sound project of Ben Symonds that has had recorded material appear over the past year on labels like Buried in Slag and Debris and Disaster Sources. Dragging objects, cheap microphones and a predisposition for quiet moments result in impulsive organic noise.

SPLINTER ASSEMBLY explores the sonic connection between the mechanical and the human, often manifesting itself in scorching hot and brief live performances or self-released cassette tapes. By use of home appliances, found objects, contact microphones and magnetic tape, SPLINTER ASSEMBLY creates dark and jarring soundscapes. Influenced by sounds of urban life, monotonous household items, and gothic imagery. Short, loud and blistering.

Tickets: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/82671/orders/new#/

Untitled Zine sponsors Initial Shock II

We’re fortunate and thankful to have sponsors of the festival, one of whom is Untitled Zine, a pro-printed publication reporting on noise, avant-garde, and contemporary sound art practices. Its editor, Chris Gibson, has been a big supporter of the festival since day one. Not only did he design all our promotional materials this year, he’ll also be performing at the After Shock matinee gig on Sunday, July 7 as part of the Rhoda & dang. collaborative set. Thank you to Chris for your generosity and support.

The newest issue of Untitled Zine is out now, featuring articles, artwork and interviews with:

• Jazzhand – Interview by Ross Henteleff
• alonewithlabor [ Kem Bond, Impact Initiative ]
• Pain Chain [ Sam Gruca ] – Interview by Kate Rissiek
• Aaron Scholz on Latitudes [ Disaster Sources, Catholic Stare ]
• Met Glas [ Kale Van Reekum ]
• Veikko Rajanen [ Mogao, The New Boyfriends ]
• Frans de Waard [ Kapotte Muziek, Vital Weekly ]
• Jeph Jerman – Interview by Barrett E. Lediard
• Jack Davidson [ Noise Not Music ]
• Elisha Morningstar [Joy de Vivre ]
• Film-Field: Punishment Park – Review by Sam Risser
• Will Kemper [ PRESSORTAPE, FBFFFBFBBBF, SIGNAL CORPS]

Support Chris and Untitled Zine by picking up copies at https://buriedinslaganddebris.bigartel.com or ordering from the following distributors:

Scream & Writhe (CA), Obsolete Records (Halifax), Skeleton Dust Records (US), Malevolent Relics (US), Satatuhatta (FI), Discreet Music (SE), Sentimental Youth (DE), Amek Collective (BG) + more.

Advanced tickets for the fest are available: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/82671/orders/new#/

Heat Signature and Come and See at Initial Shock II

Heat Signature is an American harsh noise duo formed in 2016 by Brad Griggs and Luke Tandy. They have released tapes and CDs on labels such as Dada Drumming, Oxen, Found Remains, and more, and have toured throughout the US and Europe.

Come and See is a one man (Yannis Panos) noise project from Montréal, Canada. Through heavy processed found sounds, field recordings, movie samples, Come and See aims to explore and illustrate the skewed perspectives of an anxious mind.