Martin Ng is a molecular biologist, turntablist and experimental DJ whose work has focussed upon redefining the sonic frontiers of the DJ by denaturing the turntable and “taking ‘extended technique’ into a realm where virtually any sound making potential that the instrument possesses is open to exploitation”(Will Mongomery, The Wire).  

Together with Mathias Gmachl (co-founder of Austrian digital band Farmers Manual), he formed gcttcatt - a nano-vinyl band which seeks to amplify and extend the recombinant potential of the DJ/turntablist  through the development of novel digital signal processing methods that allow for simultaneous atomisation and re-constitution of DJed sound + image. This interest in mutant DJ practices is further developed in beta erko, a far-out hip hop collaboration with Australian sonic iconoclasts Robin Fox, MC Vulk Makedonski & Anthony Pateras.

In recent years, Ng has also developed a distinctive, harmonically rich and tonally-based sonic vocabulary for the turntable. In separate collaborations with guitarists Oren Ambarchi and Tetuzi Akiyama, he has produced a body of work based upon the fluid architectural modulation of harmonics and resonances.  

Ng also has longstanding interests in experimental improvisation. He was part of the “Turntable Hell” project, a large-scale international collaboration of avant turntablists sponsored by the Arts Council of England. He has worked with a wide range of improvisors including Otomo Yoshihide, Ikue Mori, Martin Tetreault, Ilpo Vaisanen (Pan Sonic), Farmers Manual, Philip Jeck, Chris Abrahams (The Necks) and Jim Denley etc.

Selected Discography

Oren Ambarchi and Martin Ng – Fateless (DVD, Asphodel ASP 3009, San Francisco, USA)
beta erko – I’m OK, You’re OK (CD, Quecksilber  09, Germany)
Martin Ng and Tetuzi Akiyama ­- Oimacta (CD, Improvised Music from Japan, Japan, IMJ-519).
Oren Ambarchi and Martin Ng – Vigil (CD/CD-rom, Quecksilber 01, Germany). Featuring videos by Tina Frank.
Oren Ambarchi and Martin Ng - Reconnaissance (CD and LP, Staubgold, Germany (Staubgold 015)).
gcttcatt (Martin Ng and Mathias Gmachl) - ampErase (CD and CD-rom , Mego, Vienna, Austria (Mego 021)).
gcttcatt - Projektionen/live forms (audiovisual live acts) compilation (DVD, Lanolin, Vienna, Austria (Lanolin 003)).
Jim Denley and Martin Ng - Vergency (CD release by Grob, Cologne, Germany (Grob 322)).
 
http://www.abc.net.au/arts/adlib/stories/s875532.htm

Some reviews:
“ Incredible turntable work. Here is a manner of sonic dialogue which is truly new – this is true more in the aesthetic result that in the process. A bowl of welcome radicalism and overpowering proof that Ng innovates.” – Olivier Lamm, Review of “ampErase”, Chronic Art, Paris.

“The collaboration between Akiyama and Ng has produced a stunning piece of music…A crackling electricity is discernible between the musicians. The tension never drops.” – Will Montgomery, Review of “Oimacta”, The Wire, London.

“We're witnessing music taken to its furthest limits. The speeded up turntablism pounds like industrial jackhammers, becoming almost like hard techno if not for the many layers of noise, digital signals and feedback. If this represents the future, then I'm all for it.” - Satpal Kalsi, Review of “ampErase”, Friend of the Devil, California.

"Many artists with or without electronic backgrounds have tried similar things, but rarely have they created a piece that is an object of such plastic beauty, such raw post-modern aestheticism. Every musical gesture counts in this endeavour." - Francois Couture, Review of “Reconnaissance”, All-Music-Guide, Paris.