Re: [microsound] laptop hell

[aleks <bvasic@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> No they are not the same thing. Everyone knows how a piano works and most
> people have some idea of the level of skill and feeling that a pianist
puts
> into their performance. The nuances of each note can be appreciated
because
> the audience basically know what's involved in the technique and know that
> that sound is being generated in their presence. This experience of the
> work could be defined, as Kim says (after Benjamin), as its "aura."
> This is what is missing in the laptop performance. The laptop is more or
> less a "black box" in the sense that it has input and output but what
> happens in between is not known. This does not mean that the performance
is
> not real, or  as good musically as any other performance. Its more that
the
> audience is not able to connect the sounds that they hear to a certain
> process or technique that  would help constitute the "liveness" or aura
for
> them in that particular situation.
> Also different situations demand different requirements  from the
> performer. A performer at a rock concert might need to exhibit charismatic
> qualities that would not be so necessary in a dance music environment. A
DJ
> at a dance party might need other qualities such as rhythm and timing and
> to be able to respond to audience feedback. But these things might not be
> so relevant in the context of an experimental electronic music
performance.
> I think that part of the problem is the inability to think of the
> experimental electronic listening environment as being radically different
> than the dance music environment.
>
> But, as I said before, its not just laptop performances which suffer from
> this loss of aura. Most purely electronic acts suffer from the same
> problems when put in the experimental performance environment (my own
> performances included). However, there are exceptions which, to me,
> maintain the aura of live performances: Scott Horscroft's piece with four
> guitarists keeps me captivated every time I see it.  The Loop Orchestra -
5
> blokes with reel to reel taperecorders putting loops on the machines and
> playing them together - you understand whats going on immediately and
> appreciate its live aspect. Toy Death, who make all their music with toy
> instruments. All of these acts convey something in the excecution of their
> live performance that cannot simply be written off as mere entertainment
> value (as if entertainment were something only required by phillestines,
> and beneath the values of the digirati).
>
> I think this is a genuine issue that needs some careful thought, (not
> hot-headed  kneejerk responses, as has happend with many posts on this
> subject). The objectors to laptop (or computer) performance cannot be
> conveniently written off as philistines or luddites. On the other hand,
> those who  mystify electronic music with the term "digital" - meaning cool
> and cutting edge, or avant garde - are also contributing to the same
> problem.
>
> I don't feel that visual stimulus, in the form of video projection, is the
> answer either (especially in the form of tedious syaesthetic patterns). I
> reckon its time for a bit of content in the work. Something for the mind
to
> engage in rather than the continual retreat towards new age immersive
> interiorization justified by the concept of (corporate)technological
> innovation.
>


I understand your point of view.  I dont agree with it entirely.

How does everyone know how a piano works?  They may know you hit a key and
it plays a note, just as  an audience member at a laptop gig knows what a
knobby box is or most of the other gear involved.  You dont need to know how
it was made, just that someone is interacting with it.  A laptop to me is an
instrament or tool. No different then a guitar or even an effects pedal.  As
long as it can serve whatever purpose i see fit for it.

"The nuances of each note can be appreciated because
the audience basically know what's involved in the technique and know that
that sound is being generated in their presence. This experience of the
work could be defined, as Kim says (after Benjamin), as its "aura."
This is what is missing in the laptop performance."

Again i disagree.  I just did a show last night, out of my laptop where half
the set was improvisational.  On the fly.  What is the difference between me
manipulating sequencers and loops that i made on my piano, or my guitarthen
resequencing over them again live,...blah blah blah.  The audience knew what
was going on because they are into that sort of thing.  Shure sit my grandma
down at one of the shows and she will probably laugh but thats part of my
point.  The artist as well as the audince predicate this sort of thing.  I
dont see how anyone can make such blanket statements as "This is what is
missing from laptop performances"  Period.  It is Fact.  I have spoken.

Dont mean to be a jerk but all im saying is that there are so many people
out there doing so many different things with laptops that it is impossible
to make such a broad statement.  Everyone from musicians to artist.  I hate
the fact that people steareo type laptop users as well.  Only reason i have
one now is because i got really sick of luggin a monitor, tower,keyboard and
what ever other crap i needed down to the club/venue.

Lets also stop treating our audiences like such idiots.  I mean do you
actually think they come to these shows on accident?

aLEKs