Christine Tobin - Pseudologia Fantastica (2026)

Pseudologia Fantastica combines spoken word, multi-layered vocals, electronic soundscapes, song, beats and more. in a musical soundscape that confounds expectations of style or genre. The title meaning pathological liar, charts a journey that explores themes of disinformation, the war on words, the misappropriation of new technologies, the rise of far-right ideologies and ultimately the corresponding rise of community, resistance and the kindness of the human spirit. A change is coming.

The multiple sections of Pseudologia Fantastica include spoken word, song, layered vocals, electronic soundscapes, beats and more. It is divided into four parts. Part 1. The journey begins with the solo piano of The Unravelling. The melody sets the scene, probing, searching as if one is trying to find their way out of a maze only to repeatedly find themselves back at the beginning. No matter how much they try to escape, the endless spiral of lies inevitably sucks them into a void. 2-7 map a slow build wandering through an existential wilderness culminating in the hymn-like Grace. Part 2 ushers in a bold change of pace with the circus-like 8. Pseudologia Fantastica, where strident phrases of voice and cello parody the self-aggrandizement of the pathological liar. 9-14 are a series of grooves, marches and narratives, by turns disruptive, anarchic and bitingly satirical, all delivered in street style and ‘stop press’ headlines. Part 3 speaks to the erosion of women’s rights 15. & 16 conjuring a tone of dark malevolence and melancholy. Part 4. As the age-old phrase tells us the ‘darkest hour is just before dawn’, the final pieces 17. Resistance & 18. Healing Water bring hope for a better world. Through the power of resistance, compassion and love, the human spirit can overcome adversity. Through community we rise above it all.

Christine Tobin was a recipient of the 2025 Improvised Music Company’s BAN BAM commissions award which was the origin of this work.

Christine Tobin - Vocals, Composer, Lyrics, Spoken Word, Keyboards, Electronics, Tongue Drum.
Kate Shortt - Cello, Backing Spoken Word.
Phil Robson - Guitar, Electronics.