EMIL BEAULIEAU – America’s Greatest Living Noise Artist

Emil Beaulieau is the stage persona of Ron Lessard, a Californian-born noise musician who has been an important figure in the experimental and noise music scene since the 1980s. He is best known for his eccentric performances and for calling himself “America’s Greatest Living Noise Artist.” Under his real name, Ron Lessard also runs the influential noise label RRRecords, which has been a cornerstone for underground experimental releases on cassette and vinyl.

On stage, Emil Beaulieau is instantly recognizable for his playful and absurd presence. He usually performs in a pink dress shirt, tie, and grey cardigan, using a strange and unique four-armed turntable called the Minutoli, designed by Michael Minutoli. His concerts mix a kind of theatrical comedy with harsh, chaotic noise, making him stand out not only as a sound artist but as a performer who turns noise into spectacle.

Beaulieau is also known for popularizing the idea of “anti-records.” These are modified vinyl records that have been melted, drilled, painted, or otherwise altered so that they produce unexpected and often violent sounds when played. This concept, half destructive and half creative, became a defining part of his approach to noise.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with major figures in the international noise scene, including Merzbow, Pain Jerk, Richard Ramirez of Black Leather Jesus, and Sonic Disorder. His work, along with his label RRRecords, has had a lasting influence on experimental music worldwide. He was also married for a time to the multimedia artist Maria Moran, better known as Zipper Spy.