Sound of the City: LOSCIL
Electronic-music composer and multimedia artist Scott Morgan sounds off on new artists, Vancouver’s lack of affordability, and his cat
SOUND OF THE CITY is a chance to discover and explore Vancouver’s incredible and diverse music scene created in partnership by the City of Vancouver and Stir.
We hear from different local artists or acts, what’s in heavy rotation on their playlist as well as what’s happening in their world amid COVID-19—in their own words.
We ask each artist or act to curate and share a Sound of the City playlist that features some of their favourite Vancouver musicians.
Sound of the City is a way to celebrate local talent, highlight BIPOC and underrepresented artists, and connect with creatives and each other. It’s time to crank the volume on the music that’s all around us, right in our own backyard.
LOSCIL
LOSCIL IS THE electronic music project of Vancouver-based composer and multimedia artist Scott Morgan. For over 20 years, Morgan has released dozens of recordings under the LOSCIL moniker including his latest, Equivalents, for U.S. label kranky. Morgan is a graduate of Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts, where he studied with computer-music pioneer Barry Truax. As LOSCIL, he has also produced numerous special projects, remixes, and collaborations with other musicians, including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Murcof/Vanessa Wagner, Sarah Neufeld, Daniel Bejar, bvdub, Rachel Grimes, and Kelly Wyse.
Morgan has composed for film and TV and licensed music to bold documentaries, including The Corporation, Scared Sacred, Damnation, Enlighten Us and the Marshall Project’s award-winning series We Are Witnesses.
LOSCIL has contributed bespoke music and video for contemporary dance, working with choreographers Damien Jalet from Belgium and Vanessa Goodman from Vancouver. Morgan has been involved in creating music for interactive multimedia projects such as Hundreds, Osmos, Lifelike, and his own generative music application, ADRIFT.
As a touring entity, Morgan has brought his live audio-visual performances to festivals worldwide, including Mutek, Le Guess Who, LEV, Gamma Fest, Today’s Art, Open Frame, and Big Ears.
Listen to Morgan’s picks on his Sound of the City playlist—featuring all Vancouver artists—below.
LOSCIL’s Playlist
How are you feeling about life right now?
Lately, life has been a steady oscillation between optimism and pessimism. I can usually find something positive to grab on to and I’m grateful for the health of my family, but I can’t deny the impact of the daily news cycle.
What did you have planned last year and for 2021, and how has the pandemic changed those plans?
Like every musician on the planet, I had to cancel tours and events. I was most looking forward to a combined showing of some of my music and photography last year, but we had to pull the plug on that. Also had to cancel a trip to Malta to work on a score for the National Ballet there. Needless to say, that was a let down.
What, or who, do you miss most about pre-pandemic life?
Just the simple freedom to gather with friends and family. I also miss concerts and travel.
Where are you finding solace?
Mostly with my cat. Constant adoration.
What song or album has been in your heavy rotation recently and why?
My friend Amir's latest album, Embers, under his Secret Pyramid moniker has been a go-to. It’s a beautiful record that invites a deep listen. I’ve put one of the tracks on the playlist here.
Can you give a shoutout to one of your favourite Vancouver musicians or artists? What about them inspires you?
The playlist I created is all Vancouver artists. Many of them are my friends. I’ve been part of the music community here for 30 years so it’s pretty impossible to pick favourites. What I find inspiring are the new artists—either new to Vancouver or new to their practice—injecting energy, creating events, building things up. It’s great to see the enthusiasm, energy, and new ideas.
If you could change one thing about Vancouver, what would it be?
Probably affordability. It can be a challenging place for low-income folk, including artists. I think we would retain many more artists here if the city was more affordable and accommodating.
Who is your dream collaborator?
In late 2020, we lost musician Harold Budd to COVID-19. It would have been incredible to work with him in some way. I feel lucky I was at least able to take part in a compilation honouring him a few years back. In our little international community of subtle music, he is a legend.