Fault Lines is the debut release of a new project by Paris-based saxophonist, improviser and composer Joshua Hyde, and Sydney-based composer, improviser and synthesist Ben Carey. An album of improvised duos for saxophone and modular synthesisers, the project sees these long time friends and collaborators engaging in an electro-acoustic dialogue, one that draws upon their many years working together in a variety of musical contexts. Fault Lines is their first completely improvised encounter, where the fissures between their distinctive practices accumulate to reveal a depth of connection, and a shared affinity for complex sonorities, detailed electro-acoustic gestures and musical structures.

Joshua and Ben first met in 2008 during their studies in Bordeaux, France. Since this time, these musicians have forged their own creative paths, but continue to collaborate regularly across numerous projects. As a saxophonist, Joshua regularly performs new notated music with ensembles such as scapegoat, soundinitiative, MusikFabrik and ELISION Ensemble, and works with improvised groups Replicant and triotrivio. As a composer, Joshua is particularly interested in the creation of immersive performance contexts, instrumental ambient textures, and electroacoustic works. His works have been performed across Europe and the United States, including at Rouyamont, the Borealis Festival and elsewhere. As a solo and collaborative artist, Joshua has released music on Kairos, NMC, HCR and New Focus Records.

Also trained as a saxophonist, Ben is now best known for his work with modular synthesisers, as well as his work developing interactive musical systems. Ben has an active solo and collaborative practice, performing regularly in Australia both solo and in Sumn Conduit, his duo with Dharawal/Inuk vocalist Sonya Holowell. Outside his purely electronic work, Ben has written music for the JACK Quartet, pianist Zubin Kanga, and is currently working on a new chamber work for ELISION Ensemble. Ben has released ten solo and collaborative albums, including two vinyl records released on Sydney-based label Hospital Hill. His latest release, METASTABILITY (2023), was reviewed in The Wire, who wrote that "Carey's analogue experiments reveal buckets of personality."


Joshua Hyde - tenor and soprano saxophones

Ben Carey - Buchla 200e and Eurorack modular synthesisers


Recorded at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney (Gadigal Land) April 12-13, 2023.


Mixed and mastered by Ben Carey in Neutral Bay (Cammeraygal Country) May/June 2023.