John Sullivan

John Sullivan

Ph.D. researcher

McGill University

About

John Sullivan is a musician, music technology researcher and Ph.D. candidate at McGill University whose work focuses on the design of new instruments and technologies for music and multimedia performance. His current research includes projects in motion capture and movement analysis of live performance, development and testing of of haptic interfaces, and user-driven methodologies for the design and evaluation of digital musical instruments.

Under the name Johnny Venom, he has been a part of several indie rock groups from the northeastern US. He released several albums with various projects and has toured extensively in the US, Canada, and Europe.

Interests

  • Music Technology
  • Design
  • Cycling
  • Coffee

Education

  • Ph.D. in Music Technology, current

    McGill University

  • MFA in Intermedia, 2015

    University of Maine

  • BFA in Contemporary Music Performance, 2003

    College of Santa Fe

Skills

Human-Computer Interaction

interface design and evaluation

User-Centered Design

human-centered and participatory design

Digital Lutherie

digital musical instrument design

Rapid Prototyping

computer-aided design, 3D printing, laser cutting

Creative Coding

audio and interactive media programming

Motion Capture

movement and performance gesture analysis

Experience

 
 
 
 
 

Researcher and Lecturer

McGill University

Sep 2015 – Present Montréal, Canada
  • Scientific research on music interaction, digital interface design and HCI
  • Lecturer for course on music and interactive media programming
 
 
 
 
 

Research and Teaching Assistant

University of Maine

Sep 2012 – Aug 2015 Maine, United States
  • Practice-based research on interactive media design
  • Rapid prototyping, hardware and electronics design
  • Audio and multimedia programming
  • Teaching support for courses on new media production and design
 
 
 
 
 

Owner

Johnny Venom Media

Jan 2011 – Present Montréal, Canada
  • Creative design and content creation for businesses and artistic projects
  • Web design
  • Audio production and editing
  • Video and multimedia production
  • Audiovisual installation design
 
 
 
 
 

Performing and recording artist

Jan 2000 – Dec 2015 Maine, New York
  • Professional bassist and multi-instrumentalist
  • Released several albums in various styles: indie, alternative rock, reggae, experimental
  • Toured in United States, Canada, and Europe
  • Session musician
  • Private instruction for bass and guitar

Recent News

Dance Floor

“Dance Floor” Artist: Shannon Lawrence Album: Party Time EP Year: 2012 Production: Johnny Venom Additional production: Erin Lawrence
Last updated on Jan 1, 2021
Dance Floor

Working towards environmental sustainability in NIME

I’m happy to be serving alongside Adam Pultz Melbye and Raul Masu as an environmental officer for the NIME conference. We have published statement on the environmental goals for planning of future NIME conferences as well as promoting sustainability in NIME research.
Last updated on Nov 29, 2020 music technology, environment
Working towards environmental sustainability in NIME

Welcome

Welcome to a new johnnyvenom.com website.
Last updated on Nov 29, 2020
Welcome

Recent and Upcoming Talks

Designing Purpose-Built Digital Musical Instruments

I discuss my ongoing research in digital musical instrument design through the presentation of two design projects focusing on the specific demands of two different use cases: First, a software-based adaptive musical instrument for accessible music making, and second, bespoke musical interfaces for a professional contemporary harpist.
Nov 11, 2020 11:30 AM — 1:30 AM online (webEx)
AUMI - The Adaptive Use Musical Instrument The Bionic Harpist
Designing Purpose-Built Digital Musical Instruments

Popular Topics

coffee design digital musical instruments espresso fermentation NIME red wine

Contact

  • 550 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Suite 500, Montréal, QC H3A 1E3
  • @jonnyvenom