Subject to sound

Formed in 1992, The Charles Ives Singers have become a Melbourne Underground Institution. The group consists of renowned visual artists David Palliser, Alexis Ensor & Victor Meertens & Breadman (above). They released their first recording (cassette) as Those Naughty Rays, Yarraville 001, in 1992 & first performed live at The Toff on The Town in 2008, curated by Marco Fusinato. They do not rehearse or plan a gig as they rely on the stealth of being alive… They approach sound out of love for it. They are totally ready to fail in concert & sometimes come close. To be untrained in sound construction they consider a blessing. They view amateurism as a gift & intuition as their illogical ally. But as the man said, ”See them before they get better”. They play a mix of homemade & customary instruments with Victor performing free stream of consciousness vocals, his monologues often integrating daily news with touching personal observations with David P. on sax & percussion; Alexis as the cigar-box guitar virtuoso… It’s almost like driving a car on familiar roads & terrain but blindfolded. David Palliser was the heart of the legendary People With Chairs Up Their Noses. Alexis is one of the most important chroniclers of the Melbourne 80’s visual arts scene through his photographic archive. Victor cut his solo performance teeth during his Australia council fellowship year at Kuenstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin 94/95. The Charles Ives Singers present an exhibition of new work as well as a series of live performances. Together they make mayhem an appellation.

David Palliser is represented by Block Projects, Melbourne.