Experimental Electronic Musician
Based in South Korea
Audio + Mechatronics
About
Hailing from Sydney, Australia, h.eund (Hee-Eun/Bekkie Kim) is a boundary-pushing electronic music producer turned aspiring audio visual installation artist, currently based in South Korea.
With a unique background in science and data analytics, h.eund's journey began amidst the vibrant music scene of Sydney, where her bold and ambitious sounds captivated audiences and earned acclaim for their colorful experimentation.
In 2018, a pivotal move to Korea ignited a new chapter in h.eund's artistic evolution.
Here, she delved deeper into merging her technological prowess with her musical expression, blending her background in tech and science seamlessly into her sonic landscapes. Utilizing tools like Microcontrollers and Max MSP, h.eund embarked on experimental projects, crafting immersive experiences that defy traditional boundaries and invite audiences into a realm of exploration.
Her current focus lies in the intersection of art and technology, as she continues to explore the possibilities of mechatronics and audiovisual integration.
Project 01
Mechatronics
Distance Reactive Spatial Audio Control
Through the integration of an ultrasonic sensor with spatial mixing, this project explores the manipulation of sounds within a three-dimensional space. Data from the ultrasonic sensor is intricately mapped to parameters such as reverb, spatial panning, and volume, yielding immersive effects that vividly emulate distance.
Testing the accuracy of ultrasonic sensor (Arduino)
Arduino OSC test on Ableton Live
Producing music for the project
Testing different FX for creating auditory distance in sound
Automation test for spatial panning plugin
Testing different methods of data smoothing (Max MSP)
Project 02
Mechatronics
Light Activated FX
Utilizing Arduino Uno as a MIDI controller in Ableton Live,
this project maps values from the photoresistor to LFO rate control.
By integrating a brightness-adjustable light bulb, dynamic modulation of vocal sound in the track is achieved.
Schematics for a single photoresistor with Arduino Uno
Test phase: Generative midi m4l device mapped to photoresistor values
Brightness adjustable lightblub (diy)
LFO parameters mapped to incoming values from the photoresistor in real-time
Project 03
Mechatronics
Emotion Triggered Music (Max MSP)
Incorporating Real-Time Facial Emotion Recognition with Max MSP, this ongoing project delves into the synthesis of emotionally driven soundscapes in real-time.
Showcasing a dedication to innovative interactive music composition, it leverages Facial Recognition and custom emotion detection scripts to explore new territories of auditory expression.
Testing different facial recognition scripts (DeepFace)
Max MSP Project with js running in real-time
Initial Test (Confirmed Emotion recognition in real-time)
Drum Racks
Audio
h.eund's innovative spirit propels her beyond the traditional confines of music, a passion that finds its expression in her drumrack projects.
Among these are the "Trash Percussion" Drumrack, crafted from the sounds of recycled materials,
and the "Kimchi Drumrack," featuring recordings derived from the traditional Korean dish. These projects not only underscore h.eund's dedication to pushing musical boundaries but also emphasize her commitment to sustainability and cultural expression.
Available for download at:
heund.gumroad.com/l/trashperc
heund.gumroad.com/l/KgZCa
Releases
Audio
Cheap Connections
(Feat. Richard Farrell)
“This song is about connections.
One that gravitates around my own relationship with the current digital landscape.”
Released November, 2022
More releases on Spotify, Apple Music +
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“h.eund is an emerging, Sydney-based name doing some incredibly exciting things. It’s dark, haunting, smooth and mesmerising, with the production largely influenced by themes of glitch-hop, reminiscent of The Glitch Mob, Prefuse 73 and PHFat … everything meshes well here and it's rad AF.”
Rob Carroll, PileRats (AUS)
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“Sydney-based producer Bekkie Kay aka h.eund (say like “haitch-oond”) has been making wonderfully quirky electronica with an unbridled sense of fun for some time now. This fizzing, busy little miniverse is every bit as tangy and delightful as the much-loved juice flavour it’s dedicated to.”
Tone Deaf Magazine
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"It's what you'd expect from h.eund. Something totally different from the last, a little strange and seriously quirky. Love the way you experiment with your sound."
Claire Mooney, Triple J Unearthed (AUS)
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"I hope you continue to lean into your quirky songwriting tendencies; the hard-to-place genre experimentation of this project also makes it pretty hard-to-forget imho"
Lachlan Whylie, FBi Radio
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“This is experimental chill with most connection to artists such as Flying Lotus and Bonobo. The prevailing mood is birdsong and rippling electronics. There’s an offbeat sensibility, as if everything is coming from just off where you expect. A sense that this is ART.”
ACID TED
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“Producer from Sydney presents a bitterly angry production and feature guest Rennan moves with his vocals somewhere between light heartedness and tension that couldn't sound better.”
TONSPION (GER)