Background
Born in Cheltenham, England, Andy Arthurs attended the University of Surrey (1970-1974) where he was the first person to gain a recording degree in the UK.
His professional career began at AIR studios, London (1971-1975) working with the production team who produced the Beatles and, in particular, producer and mentor George Martin.
Arthurs spent 15 years from 1975 in the UK as:
- a freelance recording producer
- sound designer
- composer
- recording artist.
He was part of the recording team for many top artists including:
- Tod Rungren
- Paul McCartney
- Bryan Ferry
- Marc Bolan
- Harry Nilsson
- Cat Stevens
- ELO
- Waterboys
- Tom Robinson
- Noosha Fox
- Stanley Holloway
- Peter Sellars.
He also worked on numerous commercials and films including the Bond film Live and Let Die.
Career highlights
1984 – 1990
After working with John Cage and Merce Cunningham on the International Course for Choreographers and Composers in the UK, Arthurs was one of the first sample-based composers.
This culminated in his founding the multimedia group La Bouche with Philip Chambon and DV8 choreographer, Lloyd Newson. The group was signed to CBS/Sony.
He wrote the music for Kenneth Anger’s classic movie Rabbit’s Moon.
1991- present
Arthurs’ move to Australia heralded a change of career. He is currently on the management team of the Independent Music Project at QUT and Bid Leader for a proposed CRC for Arts and Entertainment Futures (chair Michael Lynch).
He was a major contributor to Sounds in Space, Sounds in Time with Richard Vella.
He is a regular composer for Theatre, Dance and TV. His most recent project The Deep Blue Orchestra emerges from his research with Darren Clark.
Research projects
- 2004 – present: Artistic producer of The Deep Blue Orchestra, an internationally travelled group which is part band, part orchestra and part movie.
- 2009 – 2011: 1st named Chief Investigator (CI) in ARC Linkage research project investigating the value of “Remote Musical Interactions”.
- 2005 – 2007: 1st named CI in ARC linkage project, “The sustainable 21st Century Orchestra”. Partners with QUT Creative Industries are Creative Media Warehouse, The Queensland Orchestra and The Brisbane Festival.
- 2002: Co-producer the REV Festival of international, experimental music at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
- 1997 – 2008: Composer of soundscapes for five Queensland Theatre Company’s productions.
- 2005: Co-producer of The Ten Tenors CDs Larger Than Life and Tenology (Australia: platinum; USA: top ten.)
- 2004 – 2005: Chief Investigator/Sound Designer in ARC iCinema Project with Jeffery Shaw.
This information has been contributed by Emeritus Professor Andy Arthurs.
