Chrissie Butler

Chrissie Butler is a multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, writer and illustrator based in Aotearoa New Zealand. She performs solo, collaborates and makes comics under the moniker, DSLB. Chrissie has toured extensively, both locally and internationally with mr sterile Assembly, DSLB, Ditzy Squall, and as an improviser. She is the co-founder of skirted Records with partner, Kieran Monaghan.

skirted Records website, Bandcamp, Instagram, Facebook

Experience:

  • Multi-instrumentalist and sound maker: bass, guitar, electronics, wind instruments, gamelan, voice with extensive experience across multiple genres.
  • Composer and lyricist
  • Live, improvised sound for experimental theatre productions
  • Improviser and collaborator
  • Record label co-founder
  • Recording artist
  • Physical theatre performer
  • Illustrator and zine maker
  • Writer
  • Music and art teacher

Projects and performance groups:

  • DSLB – solo sound art, music and illustration project (2018 – current)
  • Chrissie Butler – solo performance and experimental sonic collaborations – multiple instruments, voice, found sounds (ongoing)
  • Mekar Bhuana Aotearoa – gamelan (2022 – ongoing) 
  • mr sterile Assembly – founder and performer, outsider math rock punk band (2001-2024)
  • Ditzy Squall – band leader, lyricist, vox and guitar, math rock band (2002 – 2007)
  • Under Lily’s Balcony (physical theatre group directed by France Herve) – performer 2003
  • Roadworks, Red Mole theatre company (Sally Rodwell and Alan Brunton) – performer (2002-2006)
  • Gallowglass – composer and performer in alternative celtic group (1995 – 1999)

Indicators of Peer Esteem [awards/prizes]:

  • Invitation to perform at OFFSITE: Phil Dadson – a tribute to Jim Allen at Futuna Chapel November, 2023
  • Artist-in-Residence for music and sonic arts, Driving Creek Railway, Coromandel, 4 weeks, November 2023
  • Invited to compose soundtracks for two short films for The Sound of Seeing series presented by CIRCUIT Artist Film and Video Aotearoa New Zealand 2020 
  • Audio Culture, Iwi Waiata: 10 Great New Zealand Rhythm Section by Nick Bollinger May 2022
  • Commision from Pyramid Club, podcast, 2023
  • P-Club, Pyramid Club artist talk, 2019
  • “Creating culture” – presentation at the International Conference on Thinking, 2013
  • Profiles in book Erewhon Calling, Experimental Sound in New Zealand. 2012
  • CNZ Recording Grant, 2010
  • Whyt, the Show: Dunedin Fringe Festival, Best Music and Best Set Design awards, 2008

Festival Inclusion:

Chrissie Butler:

  • Outherliers festival, Pyramid Club 2024

mr sterile Assembly:

  • Boskovice, Czechia, 2019
  • She Shreds, Wellington Museum, Te Whanganui-a-Tara 2019
  • Tora! Tora! Tora! Festival 2016
  • Remember the Peacemakers, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 2015
  • Up the Punks, 35 years of punk in the capital, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 2012
  • Hamilton Fringe Festival, 2012
  • Fredstock, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 2010
  • Borderline Festival, 2009
  • Om the Space, 2008
  • Whyt, Dunedin Fringe Festival 2008
  • Meatwaters noise festival (2001-2004)

International tours:

mr sterile Assembly:

  • OrangeTime tour (33 shows) in Czech, UK, Thailand, Malaysia, Java, China, South Korea, and Japan, 2019
  • HELLo tour (7 shows) in Tokyo and Seoul, 2018
  • It’s All Over tour (22 shows) in China, Italy, UK, Finland, Czech, Malaysia and Singapore, 2016
  • London plus tour (6 shows) in London and Czech, 2014
  • Southeast Asia tour #2 (12 shows) Malaysia, Java, Singapore 2011
  • Southeast Asia tour #1 (11 shows) Malaysia, Java, Singapore, 2007
  • Central Europe tour (8 shows) Czech, Slovakia, Poland, 2006

Ditzy Squall

  • Japan (2 shows) 2006 
  • Czech Republic (8 shows)2006

Discography (albums):

DSLB

  • Pass-On-Ings 2024
  • Two Hands Twice 2018
  • Blokebird 2013

mr sterile Assembly:

  • Goodbye 2023
  • HELLo 2023
  • Run Peter Run 2022
  • Hūrrē 2020
  • It’s All Over 2015
  • Transit 2011
  • Bug my Ride 2009
  • 15 Minute Crib 2006
  • Hulagu 2004

Ditzy Squall:

  • Skirt 2004

Gallowglass

  • Sparven

Publications

  • Sound Off, mr sterile Assembly 2001 – 2024
  • Whyt, 2008

Residencies:

  • Driving Creek Railways, Coromandel, One month, November 2023

Theatre Productions:

  • This Unquiet Planet, Roadworks Red Mole Production, 2005
  • The (Un)Known Island: Tales of Trade, Roadworks Red Mole Production, 2004
  • Unbearable Journeys, Roadworks Red Mole Production, 2004
  • Hades’ Window (short film), Under Lili’s balcony, 2003

Contact details

skirtedrecords@tuta.com