IDM Mailing Archive

dear ann landers I have a show coming up this week. On a roster of seven acts we (1 laptop-turntable peep, 1 live video mixing peep)are the only "electronic" one. It is a benefit concert for a local radio station. When asking for our spot we were told that we could play in between sets instead of a set liek the rest. Much more happened but when we evetually complained about having the opening spot on the ticket, where we could finally play at least a 30 minute continuous set, we were told that we were orginally offered a prime spot playing in between sets so.....I realize we're not a band band, but is this old hat, old news, am i overreacting... _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

You make great points that I've been learning the hard way Nate. I think recognizing the differences in expections is crucial in making this decision. Maybe the biggest one is visual expection. In this case, he's got video and may want the stage. The visuals for my act consist of nothing more than button pushing and knob tweaking so we prefer to be side stage for that reason and also for being able to have the ear of everyone who passes through no matter what point in the night. Drawing attention to yourself as a side stage acts is more a challenge to making people aware that you are in fact an act and not a dj or the sound guy playing a cd. Having clear promotion of your act on the bill can help with that a bit. Brian Dysgenic Records http://www.dysgenicrecords.com Listen to Vers & 1stMan's set from April 12th, 2003 http://www.dysgenicrecords.com/vault.php Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 09:11:58 -0500 To: idm@hyperreal.org From: "Hilesh Patel" <narendramusic@hotmail.com> Subject: rock n roll Message-ID: <F16860yGuOJ75lRN8aK00000b34@hotmail.com> dear ann landers I have a show coming up this week. On a roster of seven acts we (1 laptop-turntable peep, 1 live video mixing peep)are the only "electronic" one. It is a benefit concert for a local radio station. When asking for our spot we were told that we could play in between sets instead of a set liek the rest. Much more happened but when we evetually complained about having the opening spot on the ticket, where we could finally play at least a 30 minute continuous set, we were told that we were orginally offered a prime spot playing in between sets so.....I realize we're not a band band, but is this old hat, old news, am i overreacting... _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 15:07:45 -0000 To: "Hilesh Patel" <narendramusic@hotmail.com>, <idm@hyperreal.org> From: "Nate Schmold" <neferiu@junglemate.com> Subject: Re: [idm] rock n roll Message-ID: <5e5b01c30297$9af1f010$6b3a6395@norada.com> Dear Not a Band Band, In some cities, there is usually a fair misunderstanding of electronic = performances and the 'dj' culture that shrouds the audience mystery of = 'live electronic music'. Until you are able to successfully create a = name for yourself and the music which you produce builds a respectable = following, you will most often be treated much like a DJ would, with = little respect on the creative side of things, and more expectations for = your 'versatility'. In my opinion, you should have taken the spot to play small sets in = between the others... In actuality, that would have been the best = opportunity to play for *any* of the bands playing there that evening. = You'd have the focus of each group's interest and the benefit of the = hype that each band before you built up. One important thing to remember = is audience communication, however, and to pop on the mic before you = start playing to introduce yourself and what you do, would work wonders = on those who thought you were just a 'filler-dj'. It usually sucks to play the opening slot of a larger show, no matter = how long the set - there just isnt enough audience built up by then. But = that doesnt mean you can't work it. I think showmanship and audience = interaction are super important and what better time to do it than when = you can ask the *names* of all 7 people in the venue. ;) Peace, hope i helped to a degree... Nate www.neferiu.com/mantra --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

I'm not going to criticise how anyone does their shows. I will say that the artists who make it a point SOMEHOW to make their show a show, will always get further with audiences. My buddy Tack Fu makes hip hop beats, and gets asked to open for hip hop shows all the time. Tack being Tack, he's not going to sugar coat it -- he brings a CD player, and plays beats. This has been a problem in that 3/4 of the audience don't distinguish between him playing beats and the radio being on. So we have DJ Squint on the scratch, which helps a lot, and Squint can do his beat juggling bit for 15 minutes too, and then he's off the hook for trying to fill an hour with turntablism. I've also started working out some extremely minimalist guitar parts, and playing them live. But what makes the biggest impression on audiences is when Tack brings a bushel of old 78's and breaks them over his head. Last time he was breaking 78's over my head while I was playing guitar. One night he brought a couple of bunches of bananas, ate them on stage and handed them out to the crowd. People eat this shit up (in the case of the bananas, literally). I don't think it takes away from the music at all, but if you're going to go out, you want to be entertained. Otherwise you can stay home and listen to the CD in your underwear. I've often thought that if you're going to be doing a set based around mouse clicks and knob twiddling, it would be cool to actually project what you're looking at on your screen for the audience. Even if they don't know what you're doing, it will make it clear you are doing something. My sets lately have started becoming completely improvised, live sampled performances. Basically I set up a bunch of sample buffers, and play into them, with keyboards, guitars, hand percussion, my voice, etc. Simply talking to the audience makes a connection with them that makes it less alienating. But it's important also to realize that it is possible to connect with an audience without making it a Vegas extravaganza. Performers like Yo Yo Ma and the Chronos Quartet have no trouble keeping an audience with them, simply by being really fucking amazingly good at their art. I see no real difference between a violinist staring at a music stand and a guy staring at a computer screen; the difference in how they affect the audience is entirely a function of how good and emotionally involving the music is. On Wed, 16 Apr 2003, Brian Redmond wrote:

quoted 4 lines The visuals for my act consist of nothing

> The visuals for my act consist of nothing > more than button pushing and knob tweaking so we prefer to be side stage for > that reason and also for being able to have the ear of everyone who passes > through no matter what point in the night.

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Another thing, along the lines of having your name on the bill, is to make sure people know who you are. Don't just chill and be all nervous drinkin' beers waiting for the big moment you get up there and play. Go around and introduce yourself to the people while they're chilling. It helps to have a little something to give them (not necessarily a cd, I've given out 'artwork' a printed drawing on some nice stock and my name on it). Then just have fun with the people - joke around with them, ask if theyre having a good time so far, tell them youre going up and what to expect - be modest, say you need the cheers to boost your fragile ego so hopefully you can play a show they'll dig. The audience will feel more like they 'know' you now, and will be more involved when they actually see you up there doing your thing: "Hey, there's that guy!" "Yeah, he's dreamy." Plus it wont be as tense up there playing in front of a bunch of people you don't know if you've just met them all an hour before. Nate www.neferiu.com/mantra --------------- Original Message Follows ------------------ From: brian@dysgenicrecords.com (Brian Redmond) Date: 4/16/2003 09:49 PM (Mountain Standard Time) To: idm@hyperreal.org Subject: Re: [idm] rock n roll You make great points that I've been learning the hard way Nate. I think recognizing the differences in expections is crucial in making this decision. Maybe the biggest one is visual expection. In this case, he's got video and may want the stage. The visuals for my act consist of nothing more than button pushing and knob tweaking so we prefer to be side stage for that reason and also for being able to have the ear of everyone who passes through no matter what point in the night. Drawing attention to yourself as a side stage acts is more a challenge to making people aware that you are in fact an act and not a dj or the sound guy playing a cd. Having clear promotion of your act on the bill can help with that a bit. Brian Dysgenic Records http://www.dysgenicrecords.com Listen to Vers & 1stMan's set from April 12th, 2003 http://www.dysgenicrecords.com/vault.php Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 09:11:58 -0500 To: idm@hyperreal.org From: "Hilesh Patel" <narendramusic@hotmail.com> Subject: rock n roll Message-ID: <F16860yGuOJ75lRN8aK00000b34@hotmail.com> dear ann landers I have a show coming up this week. On a roster of seven acts we (1 laptop-turntable peep, 1 live video mixing peep)are the only "electronic" one. It is a benefit concert for a local radio station. When asking for our spot we were told that we could play in between sets instead of a set liek the rest. Much more happened but when we evetually complained about having the opening spot on the ticket, where we could finally play at least a 30 minute continuous set, we were told that we were orginally offered a prime spot playing in between sets so.....I realize we're not a band band, but is this old hat, old news, am i overreacting... _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 15:07:45 -0000 To: "Hilesh Patel" <narendramusic@hotmail.com>, <idm@hyperreal.org> From: "Nate Schmold" <neferiu@junglemate.com> Subject: Re: [idm] rock n roll Message-ID: <5e5b01c30297$9af1f010$6b3a6395@norada.com> Dear Not a Band Band, In some cities, there is usually a fair misunderstanding of electronic = performances and the 'dj' culture that shrouds the audience mystery of = 'live electronic music'. Until you are able to successfully create a = name for yourself and the music which you produce builds a respectable = following, you will most often be treated much like a DJ would, with = little respect on the creative side of things, and more expectations for = your 'versatility'. In my opinion, you should have taken the spot to play small sets in = between the others... In actuality, that would have been the best = opportunity to play for *any* of the bands playing there that evening. = You'd have the focus of each group's interest and the benefit of the = hype that each band before you built up. One important thing to remember = is audience communication, however, and to pop on the mic before you = start playing to introduce yourself and what you do, would work wonders = on those who thought you were just a 'filler-dj'. It usually sucks to play the opening slot of a larger show, no matter = how long the set - there just isnt enough audience built up by then. But = that doesnt mean you can't work it. I think showmanship and audience = interaction are super important and what better time to do it than when = you can ask the *names* of all 7 people in the venue. ;) Peace, hope i helped to a degree... Nate www.neferiu.com/mantra --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org -------------------------------------- : neferiu records - beauty, electronic www.neferiu.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

Nate I agree. Previous shows I have gone out and talked to people, especially when I first started playing out-more to challenge my fears of performing live and later to talk to those same people again after a set or after a show. Plus you can always wait for the "wow he's dreamy." I really appreciate the words you've been sending out. My initial saltiness was that we were put on at 9 pm originally and print promo went out and then, without being told we were put into the 8 pm spot. And now we start at 8 and doors open at 8 and we will make the best of it because I love plugging in and playing live and everything about it especially that one person who comes up to you afterwards and says, "that was really good. I enjoyed it." It makes it all worth it, however cheesy that sounds. Thanks H

quoted 131 lines From: "Nate Schmold" <neferiu@junglemate.com>

>From: "Nate Schmold" <neferiu@junglemate.com> >To: <idm@hyperreal.org> >Subject: Re: Re: [idm] rock n roll >Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 14:31:35 -0000 > >Another thing, along the lines of having your name on the bill, is to make >sure people know who you are. Don't just chill and be all nervous drinkin' >beers waiting for the big moment you get up there and play. Go around and >introduce yourself to the people while they're chilling. It helps to have a >little something to give them (not necessarily a cd, I've given out >'artwork' a printed drawing on some nice stock and my name on it). Then >just have fun with the people - joke around with them, ask if theyre having >a good time so far, tell them youre going up and what to expect - be >modest, say you need the cheers to boost your fragile ego so hopefully you >can play a show they'll dig. > >The audience will feel more like they 'know' you now, and will be more >involved when they actually see you up there doing your thing: "Hey, >there's that guy!" "Yeah, he's dreamy." Plus it wont be as tense up there >playing in front of a bunch of people you don't know if you've just met >them all an hour before. > >Nate >www.neferiu.com/mantra > > > >--------------- Original Message Follows ------------------ >From: brian@dysgenicrecords.com (Brian Redmond) >Date: 4/16/2003 09:49 PM (Mountain Standard Time) >To: idm@hyperreal.org >Subject: Re: [idm] rock n roll > >You make great points that I've been learning the hard way Nate. I think >recognizing the differences in expections is crucial in making this >decision. Maybe the biggest one is visual expection. In this case, he's >got video and may want the stage. The visuals for my act consist of >nothing >more than button pushing and knob tweaking so we prefer to be side stage >for >that reason and also for being able to have the ear of everyone who passes >through no matter what point in the night. Drawing attention to yourself >as >a side stage acts is more a challenge to making people aware that you are >in >fact an act and not a dj or the sound guy playing a cd. Having clear >promotion of your act on the bill can help with that a bit. > >Brian >Dysgenic Records >http://www.dysgenicrecords.com >Listen to Vers & 1stMan's set from April 12th, 2003 >http://www.dysgenicrecords.com/vault.php > >Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 09:11:58 -0500 >To: idm@hyperreal.org >From: "Hilesh Patel" <narendramusic@hotmail.com> >Subject: rock n roll >Message-ID: <F16860yGuOJ75lRN8aK00000b34@hotmail.com> > >dear ann landers > >I have a show coming up this week. On a roster of seven acts we (1 >laptop-turntable peep, 1 live video mixing peep)are the only "electronic" >one. It is a benefit concert for a local radio station. When asking for our >spot we were told that we could play in between sets instead of a set liek >the rest. Much more happened but when we evetually complained about having >the opening spot on the ticket, where we could finally play at least a 30 >minute continuous set, we were told that we were orginally offered a prime >spot playing in between sets so.....I realize we're not a band band, but is >this old hat, old news, am i overreacting... > >_________________________________________________________________ >MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* >http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus > >------------------------------ > >Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 15:07:45 -0000 >To: "Hilesh Patel" <narendramusic@hotmail.com>, <idm@hyperreal.org> >From: "Nate Schmold" <neferiu@junglemate.com> >Subject: Re: [idm] rock n roll >Message-ID: <5e5b01c30297$9af1f010$6b3a6395@norada.com> > >Dear Not a Band Band, > >In some cities, there is usually a fair misunderstanding of electronic = >performances and the 'dj' culture that shrouds the audience mystery of = >'live electronic music'. Until you are able to successfully create a = >name for yourself and the music which you produce builds a respectable = >following, you will most often be treated much like a DJ would, with = >little respect on the creative side of things, and more expectations for = >your 'versatility'. > >In my opinion, you should have taken the spot to play small sets in = >between the others... In actuality, that would have been the best = >opportunity to play for *any* of the bands playing there that evening. = >You'd have the focus of each group's interest and the benefit of the = >hype that each band before you built up. One important thing to remember = >is audience communication, however, and to pop on the mic before you = >start playing to introduce yourself and what you do, would work wonders = >on those who thought you were just a 'filler-dj'. > >It usually sucks to play the opening slot of a larger show, no matter = >how long the set - there just isnt enough audience built up by then. But = >that doesnt mean you can't work it. I think showmanship and audience = >interaction are super important and what better time to do it than when = >you can ask the *names* of all 7 people in the venue. ;) > >Peace, hope i helped to a degree... > >Nate >www.neferiu.com/mantra > > > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- >To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org >For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org > > > > >-------------------------------------- >: neferiu records - beauty, electronic > www.neferiu.com > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- >To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org >For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org >

_________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

We've attempted to do something performative with Laptronica: A Laptop Cage Match. Sometimes its more sucessful than others. The last show (Laptronica3) ran the gamut of naked men attacking eachother with mayonaise, to a laptop-battle with a sock monkey and a pink ape out-rhyming eachother, to an out-of-control orgy vs. robot competition. Its... well, its entertaining, in the least, and at its best it exposes new music to a larger audience... more info is at http://modsquare.com/laptronica/ -------- Original Message --------

quoted 6 lines Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 07:13:32 -0500 (CDT)

> Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 07:13:32 -0500 (CDT) > To: Brian Redmond <brian@dysgenicrecords.com> > From: Kent williams <kent@avalon.net> > cc: "i'd do mary" <idm@hyperreal.org> > Subject: Re: [idm] rock n roll > Message-ID: <Pine.HPX.4.40.0304170654190.8089-100000@arthur.avalon.net>

quoted 3 lines I'm not going to criticise how anyone does their shows. I will say that

> I'm not going to criticise how anyone does their shows. I will say that > the artists who make it a point SOMEHOW to make their show a show, will > always get further with audiences.

-- MODSQUARE: music+technology+culture http://www.modsquare.com -- Issue #3:: INTERVIEWS: Pimmon, Frenchbloke, 8-Bit Construction Set, Enduser, Bud Melvin MUSIC REVIEWS: T.Raumschmiere, Heavy Petting, Boom Bip, M.Mayer, Ryoji Ikeda, Thomas Brinkmann, Jan Jelinek, The Flashbulb, Salvo Beta, Quantazelle, Bud Melvin, Four09 -- UPCOMING EVENTS: Modsquare presents: softWEAR May 10 @ Buddy (1542 N. Milwaukee, Chicago) Fashion show / electronic music event featuring collections from XNXDESIGNS and YOGAN SAY (Nipporn, Bruner&Bay) with music from DAVE SISKA, M50, QUANTAZELLE, FRED GARVIN, ROBERT SINEWAVE -- MODSQUARE: music+technology+culture http://www.modsquare.com -- Issue #3:: INTERVIEWS: Pimmon, Frenchbloke, 8-Bit Construction Set, Enduser, Bud Melvin MUSIC REVIEWS: T.Raumschmiere, Heavy Petting, Boom Bip, M.Mayer, Ryoji Ikeda, Thomas Brinkmann, Jan Jelinek, The Flashbulb, Salvo Beta, Quantazelle, Bud Melvin, Four09 -- UPCOMING EVENTS: Modsquare presents: softWEAR May 10 @ Buddy (1542 N. Milwaukee, Chicago) Fashion show / electronic music event featuring collections from XNXDESIGNS and YOGAN SAY (Nipporn, Bruner&Bay) with music from DAVE SISKA, M50, QUANTAZELLE, FRED GARVIN, ROBERT SINEWAVE --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org