Re: [microsound] re: on working methods for live performance

[Gintas K <gintaskr@xxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "taylor deupree" <taylor@xxxxxxx>
To: "microsound" <microsound@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 2:34 AM
Subject: [microsound] re: on working methods for live performance


> From: Greg Headley <greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >To my mind, at the heart of this is the question of whether you (and 
> >the audience) want to
> >hear music or want to "see a performance".
> 
> i totally agree here that this is the heart of the question. i think 
> it is engrained in most people's mind that going to a "concert" means 
> not only HEARING something, but also SEEING something (interesting, 
> that is, not a guy sitting behind a laptop)... however, i think this 
> is a tradition waiting to be broken, or at least modified.
> 
> as a performing musician myself, i struggle with this question every 
> day. my first electronic live performances were with Prototype 909, 
> and anyone here who happened to see us back in the early 90's knows 
> that it could get quite wild.. 3 guys behind a pile of synthesizers 
> creating everythign in real time.. it was fun... really fun... some 
> shows were good, some were bad... but it was all live..
> 
> so, for me, coming from THAT, and going to sitting behind a laptop, 
> well, it's quite boring for *me*... which is why all my own live 
> shows now are improvisations, to put the risk of mistakes back into 
> the mix. i don't like mistakes when i play live, and when they happen 
> i get upset, but i keep that risk in there because for myself, at 
> least, it is more interesting.
> 
> i think there will ultimately end up being 2 schools of live "laptop" 
> performances.. those who want to put on a "show" and those who 
> don't... both have their merits and drawbacks, neither is "better" 
> than the other, but i, personally, will continue to personally push 
> the latter.
> 
> i am increasingly frustrated with venues that offer seating.. 
> especially theatre style seating.. i think this imposes a far too 
> rigid rule on the listener's part... becuase, these shows are 
> exactly, and ONLY about that... LISTENING. i don't want people to 
> look at me, i'm not exciting to watch.. i would rather see people 
> lying on the floor, closing their eyes, just enjoying themselves as 
> they LISTEN. like the ambient/chillout rooms of the old rave days... 
> birng your blankets.. relax.
> 
> i think most musicians who fall into this category really don't want 
> to be watched..  that they feel their music is about listening and do 
> not want visual distractions..  which, brings up another point....
> 
> i've seen a handful of laptop shows really be ruined by the fact that 
> the artist seemed to think they needed some sort of visuals.. which 
> are usually a projection of some sort that often seems tacked on as 
> an afterthought in hopes of giving the audience "something to do" 
> while they play their music. i've seen shows that have been wonderful 
> musically, but ruined because of distracting videos..  i think 
> artists have to take care in determining if they are sound artists 
> and/or visual artists... and not try to be both.. and simply, to not 
> be afraid to just play their music, and let people LISTEN.
> 
> i've also seen some shows that were greatly enhanced by the visuals.. 
> such as the raster/noton guys.. i think their visuals, because they 
> are so tightly integrated with the audio, really work, and add an 
> exciting dimension to the music.
> 
> this discussion can definitely go on for a long time (and 
> should...).. because there are no clear answers yet...  but i think 
> audience members who want visual excitement for visual excitement 
> sake.. should watch what they wish for.. .. and to maybe take a step 
> back and appreciate a visually "boring" laptop performance for what 
> it is.... sound. turn off your eyes for a bit, it does a wonderful 
> thing to your ears!
> 
> sorry for the ramblings,... more coherency soon.. i hope..
> 
> taylor.
> 
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