Toni Caillou

Toni Caillou

Electroacoustic music | Motorised lithophones

Toni Caillou, a musician and sound artist from Rennes, has developed a unique practice that blends craftsmanship, sound experimentation and musical technology. Fascinated by the acoustic qualities of stone, he designs and crafts his own instruments from slate, schist and other rocks, creating a set of lithophones – tuned percussion instruments – loosely inspired by the Indonesian gamelan.

At the heart of his performance, these stone instruments produce sounds that are at once mineral, resonant and rhythmic. Some are played by hand, whilst others are set in motion by small motors, vibrators or automated mechanisms. The sounds generated are then transformed live using looping, sampling and digital processing techniques, creating evolving compositions based on repetition, cycles and improvisation.

Blending artisanal craftsmanship with electronic experimentation, Toni Caillou constructs a sonic universe where natural materials and technological tools are in constant dialogue. Each performance becomes an opportunity to explore the musical possibilities hidden within the material, bringing together mechanical vibrations, acoustic resonances and digital manipulation.