Bio

James Lowrie writes music at the intersection of pop, classical, and experimental music traditions. As a composer he both celebrates and interrogates genre conventions, putting commonly found musical material under the microscope. The resultant music can best be described as psychedelic-modernist easy listening.

Freesound, Current Resonance, The FAWN Chamber Creative, The Berrow Duo and Soundstreams have all performed his works in concert. In 2020, his “Chainsmoking;Index” for Solo Piano premiered to great acclaim at ArrayMusic, an organization that has been commissioning Canada’s most legendary experimental artists for decades. This year, he is participating in the Bozzini Quartet’s Composers Kitchen residency.

James graduated from the University of Toronto’s composition program in 2013. While teaching English in France in 2014/15 studied informally with composer Jean-Philippe Bec at the Conservatoire de Rouen, lessons paid for with genuine Prince Edward County Maple Syrup. He has since graduated from Western University with a Master’s in Music.

James’s instrument is the classical guitar. A student of the great Eli Kassner for over a decade, James has performed at numerous events in Toronto including the Guitar Society of Toronto and solo recital tours in South Eastern Ontario. Though he is loath to admit it, the guitar is central to how he thinks about harmony and texture.

James has also worked as a stand up comedian. Careful sleuthing around Youtube might even unearth a few of his performances in this capacity.

FAQ

Q: Now that you've lived in France does that mean you talk about how the food is better over there all the time in an annoying way?
A: Mais oui, bien sûr!

Q: Did you write a piece for guitar and paper shredder?
A: Yes. Furthermore, I am proud of it. 

Q: When you say you only have ‘half of one kidney’ does this mean that the other one and a half kidneys have been removed?
A: No, they are still there, they just don't work. Why does everyone ask me this? 

Q: I need to put your year of birth on my program. What is it?
A: 1990.