Swell

A film by Emma Bowen (2020)

NEIL JOHNSTONE

Before emigrating to New Zealand in 2017, Neil’s multimedia artworks were widely exhibited in galleries and workshops throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. The subject and content of his work includes eco-degradation, immigration, memory, homelessness, urban renewal, the intersection between bees and quantum physics, and transitory movement in its many aspects.

“I’m conceptual artist more than a musician, with a strong fascination for how sound affects us emotionally, and can be used to explore abstract ideas like time and consciousness.”

SAM LEAMY

Sam is a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans a range of genres and musical platforms. He has collaborated with numerous bands over the last 15 years, including avant-garde pop duo Spork and atmospheric-rock heavyweights Opium Eater.

He has produced a number of acousmatic and electroacoustic works as a solo artist, as well as composing music for films. As a performer he specialises in textural guitar playing aided by the use of effects pedals.

STEVE GARDEN

Better known as the driving force behind Rattle Records, Steve began his career in music as a touring musician in the mid-70s. In the early 80s he worked as a studio musician, which led to an active interest in audio engineering and music production.

In the mid-90s, after a decade working at Progressive Music Studio in downtown Auckland, he established Garden Shed Music Studio, a digital project studio that continues to function as the production-hub for all Rattle releases.