Wally De Backer, better known as Grammy-winning singer/composer Gotye, along with designer and instrument builder Mike Buffington, will be demonstrating for the first time in public their newest project, the Rhythmicon, a re-creation of an almost unknown instrument built in 1930 by composer Henry Cowell and famed inventor Leon Theremin. Their unique instrument, combining antique and modern technology, will be used in two concerts by the Tufts Electronic Music Ensemble, on Sunday, December 9 at Tufts’ Distler Recital Hall, and on Tuesday, December 11 at the ONCE Lounge in Somerville.

All three events are part of ElectroMechanicon: A Festival of Electronic and Mechanical Musical Instruments.