Funds for the Perth Music Mill

The Music Mill is a solar powered sound sculpture made up of many automated musical instruments: glockenspiel, marimba, tuned pipes, snare drum, bass drum and cow bell. Each instrument is manually programed through the use of pins and lift arms to create different melodies and rhythms. It is like a giant kids toy which brings joy to small and big kids!


Why Make This?
I have been helping Japanese saxophonist and composer Makoto Oka to create one in Japan over the last few years and now I would like to build one in Perth.

What I love about The Music Mill is the purely analogue way to create music. The whole process of making music is visible - the motor turns the gears which lifts arms and beaters which then hit instruments to create joyus sounds. It is programable but has a life of its own.

While it makes music by itself it is fun to play along with. Here is Makoto and myself playing along with the Japanese Music Mill at the Tobigamori Festival in Iwate Prefecture in Northern Japan.


I am looking to raise funds to help me build this beast! Your generous support will go to purchasing materials, instruments, specialist tools, expertise labour and flying Makoto Oka out to Australia.

I would be super super thankful for any contributions as it will help make this dream machine come true.


If you are unable to give financially but are handy with building things, please make contact. I will need all the help I can get! 

I am really looking forward to having a Music Mill in Perth and presenting it at many community events and festivals in the near future.