Join us May 21 at All Saints After Dark for an unforgettable night as Meredith Bates unveils her new album The Observer Effect with special guests!

TICKET LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1987449695540?aff=oddtdtcreator

Get ready for a mesmerizing evening as acclaimed Canadian violinist, violist, and improvisor Meredith Bates, a JUNO and Western Canadian Music Award (WCMA) winner, celebrates the release of her highly anticipated new album, The Observer Effect. The concert will take place on May 21st at All Saints 'After Dark' on Salt Spring Island.

Event Details:
Date: May 21st, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM
Entry: $15-30 sliding scale
Venue: All Saints By-the-Sea (110 Park Dr., Salt Spring Island, BC)

With the critical success of her 2023 release, Tesseract, still resonating, The Observer Effect marks Meredith Bates' continued exploration of sound and concept. Tesseract, known for its originality and ambitious scope, garnered a JUNO nomination for Best Instrumental Music Album and received accolades such as Bandcamp's Best Experimental Music. This new album builds on that foundation, unfolding over two expansive sections (or “Books”) that total approximately 140 minutes of captivating music.

The Observer Effect was released on March 13th on Phonometrograph and is available for streaming everywhere and purchase at http://www.meredithbates.bandcamp.com.

The Observer Effect invites listeners into an immersive experience, examining the interplay between observation and reality—a principle drawn from quantum mechanics and philosophy. Bates describes the album as an exploration of witnessing and being witnessed, an examination of emotional and political exchanges that shape our perceptions. Her compositions deftly probe themes of perception, illusion, and metamorphosis, revealing the intricate dynamics that influence sound and identity.

This evening will also feature special guests Matt Robertson and Chris Gestrin, who will perform solo synth sets, elevating the concert with their distinct electronic artistry. Thanks to WiL Shulba for creating the magically immersive octophonic sound system for this event.

Join us for this unique opportunity to engage with Meredith Bates' groundbreaking artistry and experience a profound sonic journey. Whether you are a long-time admirer of her work or are just discovering her music, this release concert promises to be an unforgettable celebration of creativity, innovation, sound and joy.

Since graduating with a Film Scoring degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 1995, Vancouver native Chris Gestrin has become an integral part of the Canadian music scene. As a versatile pianist and multi-keyboardist, composer, engineer, and producer, he has worked on over 500 albums covering a wide range of musical styles. From experimental electronic improvisations to greasy soul organ music, introspective piano jazz to top-of-the-charts pop, rock, and hip-hop, Gestrin is in high demand for his eclectic talents and ability to bring a high level of musical inspiration to any situation.

Matt Robertson is a 3× Grammy-nominated composer, producer, and musical director. He’s worked with artists like FKA Twigs and Björk, and has released eleven solo albums blending ambient, techno, and electronic styles. He combines synth-craft, classical composition, and cinematic production.

With special thanks to Of Sound Minds for their support of this event.

All Saints is an accessible venue. Please contact info@improvisedarts.ca for more info.