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Looper's Delight
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To Everyone at Loopers Delight, The idea of a Loopers Network is a great idea. This is what we've been trying to do, to the best of our ability in Northern California area, by first creating a series of Regional Looping Festivals. I've produced 5 now in Santa Cruz (including the world's first solo bass looping festival), 2 in Big Sur and instigated and participated in one in Mountain View (thanks Robert Edgar and Jon Wagner). My thinking has been to create some high profile (to the media, at least) specific looping events to create the conciousness in the musical community of the emergence and legitmacy of live looping as a viable new artform. We are, currently, a fairly long way away from producing shows that will generate much income for this emergent form. Indeed, in Santa Cruz, I have convinced local venues to put shows on for free, just so that we can spread the word and actually have performances so that our live shows can mature and evolve (rather difficult in the gentrified dot.com madness of raised rents and disappearing live music venues here in the bay area(s). Most people still don't know what looping is, so I think a little bit of aggressive Looping Evangelism is in order before we can create a successful Loopers Network. Even when we can get people to our shows (it's gone form 25 people to 200 people at the most) a lot of people frequently think that I am just triggering prerecorded samples at some of my shows. Inspired by Jon Wagner at the 1st Mountain View Looping Festival, I have started to include a formal looping instructional presentation in each of my shows (outside of Santa Cruz, where looping is an already established phenomena) just to help educate people about what is going on. I thought this kind of 'educational' approach would put audiences off, but I have found, especially if you can involve them in the process (try getting them to hiss rhythmically and loop it), that people actually really dig it. Santa Cruz should remain on anyone's map from outside of the Northern California region for looping touring. The Worlds' First Solo Bass Looping Festival had it's genesis in Steve Lawson's approaching me for a simple gig on his tour from England. I will always do my best to try to put on some kind of a show for someone travelling through the area (and pair you with a good S.C. looper to help increase the 'draw' of the show. There are even looping artists in town (I think, specifically, of Papa Dave, who have mentioned the possibility of house concerts). There is going to be very little money or no money at all in such a venture, so anyone wanting to take me up on this offer will need realize this from the get go. Anyone interested can send me a CD of their material to start the ball rolling: 412 Darwin Street Santa Cruz, California 95062-26292 In the meantime, I think we should all think seriously about gathering three loopers (including from outlying areas) and putting on our own Regional Looping Festivals. Convincing a local progressive coffee shop or bookstore or small club that you could bring in 25-50 patrons on one of thier off nights by throwing a 'FREE TO THE PUBLIC' looping festival is, generally, speaking , not too difficult. You then, have the ability to go sell the idea to the local print and radio media (don't forget appropriate pirate radio stations and internet radio stations). I have frequently been able to actually go on the air and perform a little, as a way of promoting an upcoming show. All media loves the idea of something new.........and it generally really piques their interest when they find out the the musicians are 'tithing' their performances to the community. The worst thing that can happen is that the world gets closer to knowing about what we have all discovered, here on Loopers Delight Please consider me a resource if anyone needs advice or encouragement about producing their own show. Yours, in the love of looping and 'putting it out there', Rick Walker (aka, loop.pool) P.S. How are plans coming for upcoming Looping Festivals in Wales, London (Steve Lawson and Stephen Goodman, you only need one more looper for your first festival ;-), Dallas , Austin, Portland and Seattle (all places that have loopers who have considered such madness. If these places all happen (and I'm trying my damndest to add San Francisco, Berekely, Marin County, Santa Clara, San Jose, Tehapchipi, Bakersfield and San Luis Obispo to the list) in the next six months, that would create a lot of attention POR LA CAUSA, TOUT LE MONDE, NICHT WAHR? And, speaking of that devil, welcome German Loopers!!!! Glad to hear you representing, in the house!!! I'd love to hear your music. An exchange, perhaps?