Saddlerthe

Saddlerthe is a multidisciplinary creative project that encompasses music, interactive media, and design. Conceived as a collaborative initiative rather than a fixed organization, saddlerthe emerged in the early 2010s from a small group of artists and programmers working in a shared studio space. The name is a coined term chosen for its ambiguous meaning, intended to evoke themes of balance, integration, and motion.

Across its activities, saddlerthe releases experimental sound works, hosts live performances, and develops online installations and participatory workshops. Recordings tend to combine field recordings, modular synthesis, and generative processes, while installations pair audio with projection and tangible interfaces. Notable projects include a 2014 album that paired analog synths with handcrafted controllers and an interactive web piece from 2018 that invited visitors to influence a living audiovisual score.

Scholars and critics typically describe saddlerthe as exploring the interface between materiality and digital production, with attention to craft and user agency. The project emphasizes DIY methodology, open-source software, and collaborative creation, often sharing process materials with audiences and inviting contribution from community members.

Since the mid-2010s, saddlerthe has operated as a rotating collective and small-label imprint, releasing music and software under permissive licenses and hosting residencies and workshops. The exact membership and activities vary over time, reflecting the group’s emphasis on ongoing collaboration and experiment across media.