Pharmakon
The audio assemblages of New York-based sound manipulator
Margaret Chardiet are made and conveyed with combative intent. As
Pharmakon, she doesn’t go on pleasure cruises. Rather, Chardiet makes
soundtracks for readings of Dante’s “Inferno.” There’s a stealthy sexual
quality to her Dadaesque workouts on her latest release, “Bestial
Burden.” From the bare-boned abrasion of “Body Betrays Itself” to the
caustic pounding of “Autoimmune,” Chardiet uses her throat as a sensual
weapon. It’s a sound tailor-made to weed people out. But if you like
Thomas Pynchon, Hannah Höch and early Einstürzende Neubauten, it will be
sweet music to your ears. She brings her tonal revulsions to Sediment
Arts on Friday, Jan. 30. Richmond analog terrorists Mutwawa and
noise-pushers Coteries set the divisive mood beforehand. Doors open at 8
p.m. Admission is $10-$15. sedimentarts.org.
