Noise Peddler

Danny Bright, and Lee Westwood

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract

Noise Peddler is a no-input pedalboard duo who have developed and refined a unique approach to building experimental network-instruments out of off-the-shelf tools and technology. The proposed performance presents the no-input pedalboard as a modular and restructurable network-instrument which repurposes tools designed as signal processors for guitars (and other instruments) as the primary sound source and interface for composition and performance. Their project is poised between the worlds of artistry and academia, combining research that explores the latent potential of effects pedals with actively composing, touring and recording the musical output. The work probes an inherent paradox in pedal design, intended to be sat at the performer’s feet, yet with the potential for finer real-time control of each parameter by hand. Through removal of an instrument as an external sound source, and replacing this with self-oscillating pedals, the performance engages directly - and exclusively - with the pedals themselves, inviting unique performative gestures and a palette of idiosyncratic timbres and sounds. This performance draws together a decade of practice-based research, whereby strategies for synchronisation between the boards enable a level of collaborative performance and detail of musical structure in pedals-only music which is unique to Noise Peddler. Their output presents a singular body of work that explores the creative potential of the instrument, leaning into and embracing its significant resistances, with a resulting music that demonstrates relevance to both academic and artistic communities.

Citation

Danny Bright, and Lee Westwood. 2026. Noise Peddler. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20782156 [PDF]

BibTeX Entry

@inproceedings{nime2026_music_43,
 abstract = {Noise Peddler is a no-input pedalboard duo who have developed and refined a unique approach to building experimental network-instruments out of off-the-shelf tools and technology. The proposed performance presents the no-input pedalboard as a modular and restructurable network-instrument which repurposes tools designed as signal processors for guitars (and other instruments) as the primary sound source and interface for composition and performance. Their project is poised between the worlds of artistry and academia, combining research that explores the latent potential of effects pedals with actively composing, touring and recording the musical output. The work probes an inherent paradox in pedal design, intended to be sat at the performer’s feet, yet with the potential for finer real-time control of each parameter by hand. Through removal of an instrument as an external sound source, and replacing this with self-oscillating pedals, the performance engages directly - and exclusively - with the pedals themselves, inviting unique performative gestures and a palette of idiosyncratic timbres and sounds. This performance draws together a decade of practice-based research, whereby strategies for synchronisation between the boards enable a level of collaborative performance and detail of musical structure in pedals-only music which is unique to Noise Peddler. Their output presents a singular body of work that explores the creative potential of the instrument, leaning into and embracing its significant resistances, with a resulting music that demonstrates relevance to both academic and artistic communities.},
 address = {London, United Kingdom},
 articleno = {43},
 author = {Danny Bright and Lee Westwood},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.20782156},
 editor = {Lia Mice and Nicole Robson and Tara Pattenden},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {June},
 note = {Live Performance},
 numpages = {4},
 pages = {183--186},
 presentation-video = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu7_8tOcz1M},
 title = {Noise Peddler},
 track = {Music},
 url = {http://nime.org/proceedings/2026/nime2026_music_43.pdf},
 year = {2026}
}