Matthew Cha : technojazz musician
biography
Matthew cha is an electroacoustic musician
from Seoul, now based in washington dc.
Cha’s performances focus on the Buchla modular synthesizer, fusing a background in saxophone with an unrestrained pursuit of new electronic timbres.
he calls his music “technojazz.”
cha is a sophisticated live musician, devising expressively daring performances that celebrate the nuance of the buchla’s unique input structures. These sets feature live synthesis or prepared buchla, and explore improvisation, minimalism, and the power of analogue modular synthesis.
also a fluent DJ, his uncompromising techno sets reflect his appreciation for experimental sound design and hypnotic grooves.
Known to prepare custom tracks for his sets ahead of time on his buchla, cha’s personal approach to mixing has been proven in contexts ranging from his own d.i.y. “avant-hard” parties to prominent dc venues like U street music hall, flash and The anthem.
Cha pursues extensive international collaboration and output, with engagements in shanghai, chongqing, tokyo, seoul, prague, and mexico city on his performance resume.
In july 2024, he made his berlin debut at Berghain’s Klubnacht.
cha is a self-inflicted vintage soundsystem specialist, regularly deploying a refurbished turbosound Floodlight pa for d.i.y. events.
he also runs the label Eklektik Elektrik which focuses on platforming experimental techno through releases and concerts.