Aaron-
Really nice monologue. Obviously you've been thinking-and acting- on the
subject.
quoted 6 lines Incidentally, there's a wider issue I have with performance in the
>Incidentally, there's a wider issue I have with performance in the
>electronic music world: that our notions of performance rhetoric seem
>strongly grounded in the rock/punk or DJ scenes. Stand in a crowd, face
>the performer, watch them run their motor-program of behaviors for you...
>
>Is that REALLY what's interesting (or should be) with this kind of music?
That's one of the main problems! But I think the main reason for facing the
stage is that most of the venues are established "rock" venues. But also
there may be the simple reason that the speakers are at the front of the
stage, we like to face what we hear.
But the real question is why we are even in this position. Intelligent
Dance Music - beyond being a fantasy dreamed up by listserve managers-
continues to be just a catch bin for everything else made electronically.
That's part of the (classification) problem, there are too many disperate
elements to truely satify (and justify) definition, and therefore establish
a loose set of dogma.
It's very hard to say "lap top shows suck" and speak simulatiously about
Otto Von Schirock and Noto. To compare Autechre and BOC is one thing, but
the scene is two varied to make such pronouncements.
quoted 4 lines So why not go the last mile and relax our expectations for that 5%? Build
>So why not go the last mile and relax our expectations for that 5%? Build
>new expectations for what composers/musicians in these genres will
>actually DO for you in a situation that is already offering benefits
>differentiating it from at-home CD listening (say)?
Agreed, that's why this moment is great because so many different people are
trying to figure this particular problem out. You've got performance types
doing interesting things theatrically while the lowercase people explore the
visceral possibilities of "sound in space and time".
quoted 3 lines Well, what are the alternatives? Other than 'unnecessary' dramatization
>Well, what are the alternatives? Other than 'unnecessary' dramatization
>and histronics unrelated to the production of sound? (disclaimer -- I
>realize some performances are just as much about those aspects... fine!)
But I think this uncessacary element is just what's needed. Afterall we are
humans, we like to be entertained. We like to see people smile and do new,
unexpected things.
And when we can fluidly and well-control the
quoted 3 lines parameters we're interested in, the cause and effect are often either too
>parameters we're interested in, the cause and effect are often either too
>loosely coupled, or not obvious enough to the audience to satisfy (though
>there's always hope for audience education...).
That'll change with time. What it sounds like your doing will surly pay off.
That is education. To see people play out and to discuss what happens.
Donna Summer
www.cockrockdisco.com
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at
http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org
For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org