Explore Found Sounds with Beatrix*JAR

The music of Beatrix*JAR is a mix of beats, sound samples, and random noise, a "fuzzy sound collage" that's unique and original every time the Minneapolis-based duo performs. From toys to circuit boards to radio interference, found sounds are a key ingredient to their art. And Hawaii will get to experience it first-hand on Saturday night when Beatrix*JAR performs live at The Arts at Marks Garage.

Beatrix*JAR was born in March 2005 to Bianca "Beatrix" Pettis and Jacob Aaron Roske (a.k.a. "JAR"), who met in 2003. In addition to their music, the pair is known for spreading the word of "circuit bending," or "the creative short-circuiting of devices such as low voltage, battery-powered guitar effects, children's toys and small synthesizers to create new musical instruments and sound generators."

Indeed, before Beatrix*JAR takes the stage downtown, they're putting on a hands-on circuit-bending workshop with the Hawaii Macintosh & Apple Users' Society (HMAUS). The creative and the curious are invited down to the Word of Life Academy auditorium at 419 South Street to play with found sounds.

Be sure to bring old battery-operated toys that generate sounds or voices (such as Speak-n-Spell or other talking toys, keyboards or electric drums). And feel free to bring the kids attached to said toys!

For more information on the 10 a.m. workshop, contact Kimo Sutton at (808) 783-6322. The concert begins at Marks Garage at 8 p.m., $10 admission.

To hear "fuzzy sound collage" and learn more about Beatrix*JAR, visit BeatrixJAR.com or their MySpace Music profile. And be sure to check out Beatrix*JAR's YouTube Channel, which includes a performance at Bent Fest 2007 and a morning news interview on WSEE. Their albums ("I Love You Talk Bird" and "Golden Fuzz") can be bought at CD Baby.