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Looper's Delight
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Hi there! Andre, here is my own response to your list of questions about performance preferences for the loop users summit. 1. BEST TIME--For me, anytime after NAMM (mid January '97). In my day gig I'm ramping up to that even now and don't have any more spare brain cells for extracurricular creativity. Prefered days are Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. No midweeks please... 2. GEAR REQUIREMENTS--Fairly simple, if need be. One AC outlet, and enough space for a stool, a 12-space rack (on casters), a couple of guitar stands, A GR-1 and a bunch of EV-5 pedals. And, if there is a full-range system available, I'll only need two channels on the board (I can bring my own pair of direct boxes). Can we assume that there will be a "stage" mike of some sort (to make silly comments between pieces if need be)? If so that would be nice. If not, oh well...I'm not that good at telling jokes anyway. As far as list of my "gear" goes it would take a while to list out item by item. How 'bout just a list of potential instruments...the candidates are midi-augmented electric guitar, 6- and/or 12-string acoustic guitars, birimbau, kalimba, cunbus (a sort of a mandolin/banjo from Turkey), 2 midi wind controllers (cheapo Casio ones no less, taped together as a mutant "siamese" pair), miscellaneous mallets, sticks, springs and other gadgetry to hit, rub, and scrape things with, as well as the things to hit, rub, and scrape (in addition to all of the above abused instruments) pieces of metal, toys. and perhaps a sampler... More than likely it'll just be the rack, the electric guitar and just one other instrument. But, if the show starts to look a bit too guitar heavy, I can do other things to add alittle contrast. When in doubt...punt. 3. SET LENGTH--About an hour would be fine, much less than that and it's hardly worth the trouble to schlepp the gear and set up. More would be nice, but realistically, a little hard on the audience if they're not used to it (without a break) 4. UNREHEARSED COLLABORATIONS--I'd love it. That is what I do (whenever I do perform with others). Life is too short to spend it rehearsing. Don't get me wrong, It's not like I'm any sort of phenom, or virtuoso, or any such thing (far from it). I guess I'm just too stupid, or crazy (or both) to be much affraid of being out of my depth any more. Life really is too short. If music is a language, I love a good conversation. I'm fairly at home with that concept. 5. TIME OF DAY--If it's indoors, it doesn't matter much. Anytime between noon and 2:00am. Beyond that, I'll not be too picky. I do rather dislike outdoor gigs in open sunshine though... 6. VENUE TYPE--Anywhere where an attendee who really wants to hear what's going on can (without too many "mechanical" distractions). I play both very loud and very soft. Some places that have the cash register, capuchino machine, or margarita blender right next to the stage can totally distract a performer and audience from what has been refered to as that "ritual" and (I believe) mutual act of making music. However, the other normal noises of a coffehouse or bar are no problem though. So, while an academic or theatrical venue might actually be preferable to me, I've played in enough java joints and jazz clubs to know how to cope with the real world. If it turns out that it happens in the Bay area, I've only been there as a tourist. I don't know my way around much there. I could probably make it though. I guess I'm about 100 miles closer than you folks down in L.A. are. Thank you for all of the work you are doing to pull this together, Andre. I hope this info is of some help. Take care Ted