PELLYVISION is a monthly cohesion of sound and vision. Each episode features a musical performance and selections from a different artist, which Alex Pelly visually accompanies by synthesizing live audio reactive video using a modular synthesizer and other analog technology.

Jeremiah Chiu is a Los Angeles-via-Chicago visual artist, synthesist, and graphic designer working with Chicago’s venerable International Anthem Recording Co., whom released his solo album, In Electric Time; his duo album (with Marta Sofia Honer), Recordings from the Åland Islands; his trio album (with Marta Sofia Honer and Ariel Kalma) The Closest Thing to Silence; and his quintet SML’s album, Small Medium Large to critical acclaim.

His prolific output across the fields of art, music, and graphic design has garnered recent recognition by Roland and Elektron, both of which profiled his expertise as a synthesist; the L.A. Times, who mentioned Chiu and his group, SML, as key figures within L.A.’s burgeoning jazz scene; and LAX, who is currently exhibiting his work in part of a citywide survey: Graphic Design in L.A.

Chiu’s current work focuses on infusing his electronic music compositions with an organic—or human as he puts it—touch through live-processed performances, field recordings, and chance programming operations. While the result of this process varies by project, morphing to accommodate myriad contexts and collaborators, his sound is distinctly his own: a mindful blend of a keen and improvisational sense of arrangement and a near-preternatural ability to conjure fresh webs of sound from his modular setup.

Alex Pelly is a Canadian video artist based in LA whose work incorporates multiple generations of video technology, both analog and digital. In recent years, her process has been centered on modular video synthesis. Frequently collaborative with musical accompaniment, her visuals serve as a reflection of and muse to the music simultaneously. She provides live visuals and installation work for various shows, music nights and art happenings around Los Angeles.

This episode of PELLYVISION is made possible by a grant from mediaThe foundation inc. For more details visit www.mediathe.org.