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Martin Daigle

Winner of Music NB's 2022 Innovator of the Year Award, Martin Daigle is an interdisciplinary performer, composer and researcher from New Brunswick, Canada. Trained as a drummer and percussionist, Martin pushes the boundaries of audiovisual and electroacoustic art in interdisciplinary contexts. He is also a founding member of the group Les Moontunes, with whom he performs frequently.

Martin's innovative musical approach to percussion is based on electronic devices. In particular, he is exploring the development of ‘augmented drums’, which combine acoustic drum sounds, digital samples and visual manipulations to produce a unique result.

As a performer, Martin has mastered a variety of genres, including rock, jazz and classical percussion. He has performed at prestigious festivals such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Festival d'été de Québec, Open Ears, Sound Symposium, the Festival de Musique de Création, the Halifax Jazz Festival, Acadie Rock, and many others.

Martin's scientific research focuses on drummer balance, timbre and drum orchestration, as well as on the development of adapted technologies for inclusive pedagogy. These projects aim to improve the accessibility of teaching and reduce injuries associated with drumming. His work has been published in HAID20 and presented at PASIC2023, the CIRMMT-OICRM-BRAMS symposium, and at various universities in North America and Europe.

What drew you to music?

I've always been touched by music. In my teens, music was a way of escaping and letting off steam - a sonic punching bag. When it came time to decide on my post-secondary path, I didn't really want to do anything else!

How have your training and experiences helped you to create and innovate in your artistic practice?

My training includes a lot of steps in different directions. My time in the academic world, in research, in private lessons and travelling, has all had a big impact on my practice.

Teachers, colleagues and communities have encouraged me and helped me to question what I do. These encounters have enabled me to refine my performances to my taste and with respect for the environment, the work and the vision of the project.

What stimulates you most about your practice?

I like taking risks and exploring new ways of interacting between artistic fields. My artistic practice and interests often change after seeing a performance or having a powerful experience. I see people creating things that I've never seen before and that inspires me to contribute in my own way.

How has living and working in New Brunswick helped and/or inspired you on your journey?

We have a rich community in New Brunswick, good resources, lots of room to create, and inspiring people. Sometimes you might think that things would be better in a big centre, but that's not necessarily the case.

I've enjoyed the experience of a big centre, because there's a lot more going on, and a wide variety of artists who are extremely talented. It plays on your humility as an individual, and it feeds your influences pretty quickly, and keeps you informed about what's going on in your artistic milieu.

What drives your creativity?

Other artists who create art that makes me feel emotions. Art that makes me ask questions, life experiences not related to my practice, spending quality time with my loved ones.

How does the process of creating a work unfold?

The process is messy. I take a direction, I look for feedback from people close to me who give me their impression, and I adapt to the ‘feeling’.

What is your long-term vision and what do you hope to achieve?

I've got a year left to finish my PhD, and then I've got a few projects lined up. I'd really like the chance to use my research in community and grassroots projects. It's great to do research, but it's even better to use it to influence my community.

Why do you think it's important to make art and get involved in an artistic process?

I think it's a good way of having fun, expressing yourself and developing a critical opinion on things that aren't clear.

What have you learned about yourself and the New Brunswick arts community through your work?

Every time I come back to Moncton, it's great to see people again. I don't often show work in Moncton, but it's always a pleasure to share with my community. I know I really like the New Brunswick vibe, and I'm looking for ways to get back here more often.

What impact do you think the work of artists has on communities?

The work of artists is important for the community and makes it come alive. You can see it very clearly at the summer festivals, where the presence of art brings a great energy to the communities and allows them to experience some great moments.

Describe what you are most proud of in your career.

I'm proud of the positive feedback Les Moontunes is getting. I put a lot of energy into this project, and it's really great to see the positive impact it has on the community!

This summer I also created a piece for the Insectarium de Montréal. With Marie Lévêque, we created a beautiful intersection between dance, music and electronics, which had a really great effect on the audience.