Formed in Spring of 2008 at a Wolf Eyes concert in Montreal, The Montreal Nintendo Orkestar are a new force of un-nature on the Montreal music scene. Comprised of French sound experimentalist Albérick (.cut, Thee Virginal Brides) and enigmatic local artist Stephen S.Cibo (Black Leader), the duo have exceeded the preconceptions and limitations of their remarkably minimalist set-up.
In a time when many bands rely upon irony and pastiche to pull themselves through, The Montreal Nintendo Orkestar are devastatingly sincere in their non-mission. They may make subtle references to past groups and genres but theirs is a forward-looking vision. Not interested in simply being crowd pleasers, MNO draw their inspiration from artists whose sonic interventions have significantly altered the face of modern music. References to The Velvet Underground, Throbbing Gristle, Brian Eno, Swans, and a host of others in their work have incited one local music critic to state, "MNO are the new Suicide!".
Their approach straddles the line between composition and free improvisation. A typical live set will have them with their equipment and cryptic diagrams, taking a very much "let's see what happens" approach to the music with often startling results. Using two Nintendo DS videogame units as the primary sound source and a variety of effects gear through which to process the ensuing soundscapes, the duo have created many an evening of brooding, ambient, and at times brutal maelstroms of melody and sheer sound. They have thus far played gigs ranging from a notable hour-long performance at le Musée d'Art Contemporain de Montreal to opening for several local post-rock and black metal bands.
The band has also collaborated with other artists, most notably Japanese cyber-punk author/musician Kenji Satori and Thee Majesty's guitarist Bryin Dall.
Their first album, a split CD with Japanese musician Hitomi Yamamoto is officially sold-out. Their new album "Dinosaur Sex" is slated for a late-February release.
The Montreal Nintendo Orkestar currently record for [walnut + locust].
