Strata is a duo of sound artists meeting in the fissure between music and noise. Strata combines cello, modular synthesis, processing, and objects to communicate a rare language formed from texture, pitch, scratch and hum. The message is listening and cooperation, while the negotiation is complex and very human.

Music is created through a cello lying on a table and collection of small, sometimes vibrating objects. Sounds are processed, resonances are explored, and the music that results draws the listener closer to try to see what they can already hear.

Brandon Auger is an artist, improviser and structural builder based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Working with sound as a medium, his minimalistic work promotes the amplification of electronic idiosyncrasies and vibrational nuances in both acoustic and synthetic environments. 

Along with being an active member of suddenlyLISTEN and the improvising community in Canada, Auger’s main project pnl(a), has been a 20+ year study of tape/electronic music having released 7 albums to date. Brandon is also one half of the microsound group Strata and the founder of Northern Apparatus, an improvising trio with Andrew MacKelvie and Danielle Jakubiak.  

He has also worked frequently with members of Mocean Dance and Kinetic Studios, fusing his approach to sound with various choreographers in both compositional and improvised constructs. His compositions, installations, live performances and collaborative projects have spanned across both Canada and the U.S.

Norman Adams is the Artistic Director of suddenlyLISTEN Music, and is a cellist, organizer, teacher and creator. Norm is a former Principal Cellist of Symphony Nova Scotia (1991 – 2018), has been guest Principal Cellist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and has performed chamber, new and improvised music throughout Canada, the US, Europe and the UK, (most notably at La Biennale di Venezia 2018).

Norman’s passion is creating, performing and presenting new, improvised and electronic music. Through this work he has had opportunities to collaborate with many leading artists including Joëlle Léandre, Gerry Hemingway, Eddie Prévost, Lawrence Casserley, Pauline Oliveros, Sam Shalabi and Marilyn Crispell.  

Norm currently performs and tours with Strata, Collateral (with Sam Shalabi and Tim Crofts), with in a duo with percussionist Joe Sorbara.