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Performers

Kid Koala (Quebec)

Not only is Kid Koala one of the premier turntable artists in the world, but he is also a forward-thinking multi-disciplinary artist who, for one, has been an innovator in the combination of music with graphic arts and fiction.

His debut album, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, on the estimable Ninja Tunes label, garnered widespread acclaim for both his virtuoso musicianship and for the 32-page comic that was included in the packaging. The success of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome brought Kid Koala to significant international attention, particularly with his pairing in performance with Radiohead and Björk.

Then, the ever-ambitious artist followed up with a 350-page illustrated book called Nufonia Must Fall, complete with a soundtrack that he composed for piano. He has released two subsequent records on Ninja Tune, "Some of My Best Friends Are DJs" (with 50-page comic book and mini chess set) and "Your Mom's Favorite DJ."

Kid Koala's work - both on record and in performance - combines both a rare instrumental command and a careful rethinking of the role of the DJ as performer. Conventions dictate that flashy demonstrations of speed are the hallmark of turntable artistry; instead, Kid Koala uses his instrumental palette to weave stories through sound. In this way, he is one of a handful of key musical thinkers at work in Canada today.