RE: [microsound] laptop improv attempts so far

[Philip Sherburne <philip@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<private-post-gone-public deleted>

oh crap.  now i'm embarrassed, and compelled to add something of value to
the conversation:

laptop performance:  i'm intrigued by the idea that laptop performances
could provide new formats for performance, where the performer is no longer
the visual spectacle (such as the Mego show @ Other Music).  it's nothing
new for the DJ to be hidden away in a booth; to me it's no stranger to shift
the laptop performer to a corner.  i saw jake mandell last night, and while
it was intriguing to watch him work (tapping his feet, he was obviously
"working," at least as much as the beat-matching DJ works or plays the
decks), in the end it distracted from listening.  i found myself constantly
trying to watch his motions, thinking, "is that him now?  is he doing that?
or is that the program?"  

now that i think about it, that's a more interesting aspect of such a
performance -- standing back and analyzing my own very hard-to-shake desire
to separate out the "live" elements from the "programmed."  

hopefully somewhat redeemed,
phil