Jo David Meyer Lysne

Jo David Meyer Lysne (b. 1994) is a composer and instrument builder based in Gvarv, in the Norwegian county of Telemark. Drawing on interests in robotics, tuning, and acoustic performance, he produces works that consider our relationship to sound, machines, and how we listen. Recent projects with cellist Amalie Stalheim, contemporary ensemble Aksiom, and violin and bass duo Vilda&Inga entail chamber music for Lysne’s own machines and live performers, while other works for self-playing acoustic instruments invite new perspectives on familiar technologies. Independently and in ongoing collaborations with composer and tubist Peder Simonsen, Lysne employs his own inventions to explore possibilities in just intonation.

Trained in improvised music and composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music, Lysne has released numerous albums as solo performer and collaborator with such artists as Peder Simonsen, Wendra Hill, Mats Eilertsen, and Jenny and Jo Berger Myhre on Hubro and SOFA Music. His music has been performed throughout Norway and broader Europe by such presenters as Festspillene i Bergen (Bergen International Festival) (NO), where he was a featured composer; Borealis Festival (NO); Eclectic Sound (PL); and Ultima (NO). Lysne is a recipient of numerous Norwegian artist grants, including the prestigious Statens Kunstnerstipend, awarded for research in robotics within chamber music. His works have received praise in The Wire, Morgenbladet, and The New York Times.