Mikael Tobias, the Canadian musician and sound artist currently based in Copenhagen, presents “Rendered Material,” a composition that invites listeners into a multi-layered sonic journey. The track initiates with a static chord, looping and holding a harmonic stance, gradually enriched by alternative synth elements. As the drums make their entrance, the piece unfolds, crafting a rhythmic shape and groove that steadily evolves into a more complex musical landscape.
“Rendered Material” exudes a mood that is simultaneously moody, groovy, and ethereal. Mikael Tobias employs chopped pianos, layered textures, noise, and minimal percussion to guide the listener through an evocative expedition marked by refracted melodies and kaleidoscopic rhythms. The result is a sonic tapestry that navigates the delicate balance between conscious and unconscious resonance.
As a musician, composer, producer, and sound artist, Tobias showcases his ability to blend organic instrumentation with digital manipulation and deconstructed elemental sound. His work becomes an extension of the material environment, creating an expanse where perception hovers on the edge of clarity and elusiveness, both within grasp and slightly out of reach.
“Rendered Material” follows Tobias’s first solo release, “ABSENTIA” (Unit Shifter Records, 2017), an immersive and cinematic album that weaves lap steel guitar, tectonic motion, and cascades of noise into a rich sonic tapestry. Tobias’s contributions to renowned festivals and his diverse portfolio, featuring original music and sound design in documentary films, TV series, Augmented Reality artwork, advertising campaigns, art installations, commercial sample packs, and even onboard airplanes, attest to the breadth of his artistic exploration.
