J3M5 is an experimental live PA artist exploring circuit bending and its ties to sound system culture. His hardware-based performances span glitch, rhythmic noise, and dubtronics, using stereo effects, sequencers, and modular synthesis with MIDI and CV integration.
With over 80 live circuit-bent performances, he has played at events like the International Noise Conference (Miami), Substation (Singapore), NorCal Noise Fest (Sacramento), and Jogja Noise Bombing (Indonesia). Locally, he has performed at venues such as Honor Fraser Gallery, Art Center College of Design, LACDA, Sound Pedro, and Coaxial.
During a three-year residency at SunSpace (Sunland, CA), he produced six audiovisual events, handling design, promotion, and FOH operations. He now works with Wonder Valley Experimental, helping grow the event in its 17th year while developing a PA system and FX setup.
His work has been featured in LA Weekly and OC Weekly, with releases on Inner Demon Recordings, Forever Escaping Boredom, and Kylix Media.
Artist Location: Calabasas, CA
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PARTICIPATION
J3M5 is a experimental live PA of glitch, rythmic noise and dubtronics. The circuit bent practice explores technical integrations with stereo effects, extensive midi, CV and modified hardware.
Brief:case
James Allen
2024
The performance involves a salvaged brief case that has been modified into a battery powered glitch instrument.The hardware application was initially used for outdoor cassette recordings that were a short duration from two to five minutes long.The case has been outfited with a two perforated steel cheese plates for mounting FX pedals and brackets.
Tech specs:
Marshal MS-2, 9V Amplifier Speaker Casio KA-2, AA Keyboard
Effects:
Boss SLC-2, AA
DOD FX25, 9V
DOD FX13 9V Electroharmonix ModRex, 9V BOSS DD3 (Custom), 9V BOSS GE7 (Fromel), 9V
Cassette Recording:
Craig Dictation Tape Recorder AA RadioShack mic equalizer AA Sony Dictation Microphone AA
These brief and basic sound happenings were first conducted in natural suroundings near water and bridges. The field recordings later became material for reworking into a live performance.
Performance
J3M5 (live PA)
J3M5 is a experimental live PA of glitch, rythmic noise and dubtronics. The circuit bent practice explores technical integrations with stereo effects, extensive midi, CV and modified hardware.