I'm always ready to take a plunge with gear and software that I'm into. I've been using LIVE since version 3, so I'm no stranger to the concepts, but having recently upgraded to 8, there are "some things" I need to learn. Actually quite a lot of things. Actually an enormous number of things...! For me, the best way to do that is "trial by fire". While not "on stage" per say, working in the Dance Class forces me move quickly as the exercises are often short, and always at different tempos/time signatures. A slow 4; a fast 3; etc. I have to build up loops in LIVE, and then 30 seconds later throw them away and start over. And that happens about 30 times over the course of a single class.
Needless to say, I learn to work fast....! It's daunting at first, but I find a "no fear" approach is best. I have a lot of instruments set up ahead of time (in a template); that way, hitting Record on various trax on the APC 40 gives me access to different sounds - marimba, strings, bass, percussion, and so on. Plus, I always have the piano to fall back on, if I simply can't get things going quickly enough.
And of course everything helps in my push to become a certified Ableton Trainer. :)
Here's the Class Rig I'm currently messing with:
The ozone is for entering little ostinatos: percussion, bass lines, pads etc. I hope to have some awesome demonstrative videos up soon, so keep a eye on this space (but don't hold your breath!).
So here we are: 2010. It's been a wacky ride, especially the last few weeks! I've been so busy with gigs now (thanks heavens!) that I can't see straight. My "Year end wrap up" post never actually materialized, but at some point I will touch on the things that started last year and are starting to flower and bear fruit this year. Things like "The Mahavishnu Project" - which is picking up steam in a subtle and most interesting way. But I digress - and I'll come back to this with pix, video, and a story to tell. Promise.
This post is about looking forward - to possibilities, and to the future of Live Music. It's about bringing music right to you, the listener. That's right, I'm taking about House Concerts. Starting this year, I will be embarking on a new path: Solo House Concerts.
Concerts in Your Home. :)
I'm sure most (if not all) of you have heard of this delightful phenomenon. Basically what it means is that A performer, one who's music you're interested in, comes to your houseand does an intimate semi-private performance for you and your friends. People can bring food (ranging from snacks to a pot-luck dinner); it can be a cover charge or suggested donation. (I have to cover costs, and these will vary by location.) The important thing is everyone gets to have a meaningful musical experience - up close and personal, both for the fans and the artist. Basically, everyone wins! Some great info about the House Concert ideology and how it works can be found Here:
At this time, I've yet to do a solo performance (in someone's house, that is - I've done tons of solo gigs at traditional venues), so I've no video to post at the moment. I am setting up a local performance for recording so you can see exactly what I'm offering, from setup stills and live video. But till then, here's a brief description of what I do, especially for those coming to my music for the first time: I am a jazz pianist and electronica artist. What I've done is combine these 2 styles into something unique; something that blends jazz, rock, electronics, funk and ambient music into a seamless blend. My music is both composed & improvised; I perform a combination of familiar jazz standards with a twist; gentle ambient electronica improvisations, and a variety of combinations of all the aforementioned styles. I will bring an ever-so-small electronic setup to your house. If you have a piano (and it's a reasonably good instrument and in tune), I can use it along with the electronics - or keep it straight up acoustic if you prefer. I have my own style at the piano (somewhat along the lines of Keith Jarret and Bill Evans, with a modern classical vibe thrown in). In addition to standards and improvisations I also do select classical works - Gershwin, Bartok, Mozart etc. Stuff I'm SURE you and your friends will enjoy. :) I will have some video to post soon, of both my electronic, acoustic, and "electro-acoustic" material. Meanwhile, I have a whole bunch of stuff that you can look at to get a better idea of what I'm about, at my YOUTUBE page. I will be in the Los Angeles Area at the end of July and currently have an open date on July 23rd. Hit me up on twitter (@nailmusic) if you'd like to set something up! Also wanted to mention that my group NAIL - in either acoustic or electric form - is also available for House Concerts, although we'd need a bit more room (and a bit more money...). Here's my group NAIL performing at our first house concert in May 2009:
So - stay tuned for an actual House Concert Page to be posted on this site with vids, booking info, contact form, etc. Thanks for looking. I agree with the current sentiment that House Concerts are indeed the way forward. Peace!
OK peeps, here's the second clip from the March 18th Conservatory of Dance 2010 Musician's Concert. When choosing what to perform in this show, I wanted to do something with my old friend and drumming phenom Dave Lewitt. This guy seriously rocks... I chose a composition of mine and reinvented it.
"17 Seconds/Infinity" was originally composed by me in 1979. What I did here was to remove the "middle" section (which I'll be performing in it's entirety with the Mahavishnu Trio Project in a few weeks, hopefully captured on Video), and replaced it with a carefully orchestrated jam using Ableton LIVE. The bass lines and marimba loop were done in real time doing the performance; Dave played to a click (audible in the beginning). At 6:48 I simply stopped the software and we played duet before restating the melody one final time.
Ever since getting my iphone, I've been interested in the idea of the "Music App" - something which could actually be used to make music. There's more than a few videos of "iPhone bands" etc.; but that's not what we were going for. Rebecca Harmony is playing a Nintedo game thing (the DS Lite or the more recent one, I think); she's using 2 different apps. I'm using my trusty iPhone 3G, and also using 2 different apps, the second of which is called "Bebot". Although there is a certain amount of compositional structure to the piece, it's more like an "event list". But I think the real fascination for me is the ability to make relatively interesting music
from non-standard instruments. This performance was recorded at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance Annual Musician's COncert (which I organize).
Originally I had thought of the name "Jetsons Family Band", because it does make me think of futuristic stuff we used to see on TV when we were kids.... Of course Rebecca refused the name, lol! Smart girl. :)
