Re: Some observations about Y2KX

[Zoe Keating <info@zoekeating.com>]

Enjoying the reports!  

Matthias Grob <matilists@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>On 19 Oct 2010, at 10:22, kkissinger@kevinkissinger.com wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone!
>> 
>> Y2KX was my 4th festival in Santa Cruz and I noticed a few things and 
>wonder if they indicate a trend in Live Looping.
>
>nice, I like such thinking ;-)
>> 
>> 1) Few (if any) equipment glitches.
>> 
>> In the past, equipment glitches occurred with enough regularity that 
>one considered glitches to be part of the looping game.  This year, the 
>only noticeable glitch was when Bob utilized his prototype LP2 -- and, 
>after all -- it was a prototype still in development.
>
>hm... ok, but I noticed that even most headliners had to say at some 
>point: "crap" and restart a loop or so...
>as a listener, I do not have a problem at all. its even a circus 
>tradition to do something wrong, to appear more human etc...
>but "professionals" may conclude that its not suitable for big stages or 
>so?
>> 
>> 2) Equipment setups tended to be smaller.
>> 
>> Compared to past years, people used less equipment on stage.  This may 
>be attributed to the difficulty to travel with equipment and perhaps a a 
>trend to keep things simple to minimize setup time and to minimize the 
>risk of glitches.
>
>true! I think some are still to big for the task. its nice to have all 
>kinds of tricks and sounds available, but not quite necessary for half an 
>hour...
>> 
>> 3) Looping tended to be simple, most of the time.
>> 
>> While some people manipulated loops (i.e., reverse, stretch, etc) most 
>of the loops ranged from 2 to 12 bars with an emphasis on overlaying 
>sound.
>> 
>> Either that or the loop mangling was so subtle and/or integrated into 
>the performance that one didn't immediately notice it.
>> 
>> Again, this reflects an approach that avoids too much complexity.
>
>are you saying that it has become simpler compared to other years? 
>yes, maybe there was less impulse to show off fancy looping and more 
>focus on beauty and flux
>> ...
>> 5) The visuals!
>> 
>> ... were awesome and really added a lot to the festivals.  Also, the 
>visuals really complimented the music.  Thanks to the visual artists who 
>put this together.
>
>YES great videos!
>> 
>> 6) Lots of laptops
>> 
>> I didn't keep count, but it seemed the majority of performers utilize 
>laptop computers.  The debate between the use of laptop computers and 
>equipment that contains imbedded systems continues however may people 
>appeared to use both (i.e., external boxes with laptop).
>
>I had the impression that the majority did not run the main sound though 
>laptop. as you say, many used them as helpers.
>I think it will become much more common to control things by touch 
>screens as Eric (Rasta) demonstrated nicely!
>> 
>> 
>> In my own personal work, I tend to swing between simplicity and 
>complexity -- trying to achieve some kind of balance.  I think as a 
>community, we may do the same thing.  One of the fun things about such an 
>event is to look at where we are as individual artists and where we are 
>as a movement.
>
>great!
>I felt a lack of rap and beat boxing since (as you can confirm on 
>http://youtube.com/livelooping ) there are many of them and its one of 
>the most obvious use of livelooping. maybe due to the vibe (age?) of this 
>community they feel lesser at home?
>Also, there are many singers/songwriters that use livelooping as an aid, 
>but I would agree to rather invite musicians that create new music with 
>looping than those that recreate the old kinds (with less musicians)
>