Claude Woodward considers himself a “serious musician”. Despite initial scepticism, speaking to the noisy, space suit-clad busker compelled me to admit that at the very least he is doing something unique.

“I played piano as a child and got into synths at the dawn of the 1970s”, Woodward explains. “I quickly realised that interesting electronic musicians had to find new ways to manipulate the timbres and tones. That’s something I’ve been passionate about, so I began making gadgets to interface my body with the Synths.”

The Australian busked in Melbourne before coming to England last Spring to engage with our “intense culture and festival scene”. A key factor in his move was also the bulky suit which made Melbourne “uncomfortably hot and dry”.

The key to Woodward’s performance is the “Claudatron”, a small synthesizer which allows sound to be manipulated using a two axis joystick. It rapidly becomes apparent that the manic dancing is for far more than just display.

Questioning the reasoning behind his spaceman persona I was told; “Basically, a DJ friend of mine had booked me a set about ten years ago. When I turn up, I find his wife has made me my first space suit without even asking me”. “At first I really objected to hiding my face behind the helmet. Over time though, I got used to it and it helped me to really become the alien.” By “becoming the alien” I took him to mean that, hidden behind the suit, he totally engaged with the music. After watching him perform I’d say that is a feat he undoubtedly achieves.

The alien persona comes from the fact that “the Claudatron sounds like a Theremin and in the 1950s Hollywood made the sounds synonymous with science fiction.”

As somebody who knows nothing about music, attempting to get together an amusing interview, I was unhelpfully, perhaps mistakenly, impressed. Hopefully Woodward’s plans to avoid a council clampdown on noisy buskers will save the comedy of the situation; look forward to seeing a pimped out electric wheelchair replete with massive speakers and driven by a long-haired Australian in an alien outfit, roaming our cobbled streets.
Visit www.sonicmanipulator.com for more information.