Strobes

Strobes is a name used by at least three different acts: a Montreal band formed in 2005, a New Zealand band formed in 2013, and a London band formed in 2016. The New Zealand group uses the name for a project by LRD JXN, Benny Tones and BOOFA.

Montreal group

The Montreal Strobes forms from three musicians coming together to make loud, experimental music. Its line-up includes Brooke Crouser of HṚṢṬA, Felix Morel of Fly Pan Am, and Sophie Trudeau, who also plays with Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion, Set Fire to Flames and Diebold. The group plays a few times before its debut show in November 2005, records its last rehearsal at The Pines in Griffintown, and issues a limited hand-packaged CD-R for a reunion show a few weeks later. It is never intended to be a permanent collaboration and later disbands, with the members continuing in other projects.

New Zealand group

The New Zealand Strobes is an experimental, heavy and electronic band. It is formed in 2013 and releases music at strobes.bandcamp.com.

London group

The London Strobes is a trio made up of keyboardist Dan Nicholls, drummer Joshua Blackmore and guitarist and synth player Matt Calvert. Nicholls has worked with Squarepusher and Matthew Herbert, Blackmore also plays in Troyka, and Calvert is associated with Three Trapped Tigers and Heritage Orchestra. The group’s debut release, Brokespeak, presents a style that avoids easy genre labels, while combining fast tempos, intricate rhythmic patterns, grooves and melodic detail.