Brian will be hacking game controllers into tube screamers, and DJ Quantum will be selecting. Everything we’ll be doing, we’ll also be teaching.

So come see and learn with us!

www.makerfaire.com

Most Excellent Happenin Video Link Here

Further adventures in controlling Jitter video with Ableton Live.

Guitarist and electronic musician Christopher Willits continues his monthly series from SoundArts studio. In this episode, he expands on what he began last episode: integrating video footage with live performance using Ableton Live and Max/MSP/Jitter.

Tune in once a month as Christopher shows us some of the ways he produces his own music, as well as the many cool things you can do with recording software. According to Christopher, “I simply want to excite people’s imaginations and creative processes so they can more easily create the sounds and music and art they love.”

]]> http://blog.soundarts.org/2009/05/xlr8r-tv-what-you-talkin-bout-willits-part-11/feed/ 0 http://blog.soundarts.org/2009/03/avant-guardians-miroque-sound-arts/ http://blog.soundarts.org/2009/03/avant-guardians-miroque-sound-arts/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:14:02 +0000 jeanyaste http://blog.soundarts.org/?p=309 Sound Arts Instructor, Christopher Willits, suggested we all bring pillows for the floor of the live room. I pictured low lighting, persian rugs and lots of booze as I picked up a six pack and made my way to the studio….

The first live performance held at Sound Arts was Sunday, March 15. Thanks to the folks at overlap everyone had a great time. It felt quaint, cozy and very…familiar to the underground. The seating was limited, and the treats were plenty. Miroque was a bit nervous; she kept patting her cheeks between songs and tapping her fingers over her heart. But she played beautifully, to the tune of drowning swans, including tracks from her latest record, Green Anthology. The word of the moment is happening, so check back often to stay in the know.

***

Lead Instructor, Christopher Willits, is touring again. For those who don’t know, Willits is an acclaimed experimental musician, coining the term ‘folding’ in his approach to his guitar playing.  He travels all over the world to share his avant guard work with anyone and everyone. Upcoming dates on the East Coast:

Friday, Feb. 20 in Brooklyn @ Monkey Town

Saturday, Feb. 21 in NYC @ the Stone

Sunday, Feb. 22 in Baltimore @ Hexagon

For a complete list of Willits’ upcoming tour dates, check out www.christopherwillits.com/events.html

Willits was also asked to give a guest lecture at Stanford this month, to talk about the relationship between live performance, mic techniques, and how he designs software that creates a relationship between  sound and image. Way to go Willits!

Lead Producer, Ryan Kleeman, is currently co-designing the sound for Philistines, a theater production about the young generation and the older generation clashing through the chaos of a revolution in turn-of-the century Russia. Philistines runs the second week of Feb. through the last week of Feb. at Zeum Theater in Yerba Buena Gardens at 4th and Howard.

We’ve got lots going on this month, here’s the skinny:

Upcoming classes:

* Music Production Workshop. Sat. & Sun. Feb. 14 & 15, 2009
* Mic Techniques. Sat. Feb. 21, 2009
* Voice Over Workshop. Sat. & Sun. Feb. 28 and March 1, 2009

For the current list of scheduled classes, prices and descriptions, or to sign up for a private instruction session, give us a call or visit www.soundarts.org

Overlap Salon

On February 4th, Sound Arts partner organization, Overlap, hosted a FREE event where users of Cycling 74′s powerful New Media creation software Max/MSP/Jitter were invited to join us in a mix of presentations, discussions, and discoveries. Topics included preset storage using the pattr system and tips and tricks for integrating preset communication into your patches.

We will be hosting the salons once a month throughout the year, so be sure to check in to get the next date. Everyone is welcome regardless of previous experience, and all are encouraged to bring laptops and libations!

Lily Taylor Releases “Overtones”

Lead engineer Ryan Kleeman has nearly wrapped producing up and coming artist Lily Taylor’s debut album “Overtones.” Together they infused her haunting vocals with ethereal drops of piano strings, creating the perfect soundtrack for watching skies ablaze in the jaded desert. And did we mention she’s originally from Santa Fe? Hear something new at: www.myspace.com/thelovelylily

Join Sound Arts at Blakes in Berkeley and support the Obama Campaign…Brought to you by Abject Era and KGE Productions, with live art from Wall Eye Creations and music by The Dervish, The Red Fox, Pride City Purpose and more!

Amongst several other prizes and giveaways, Sound Arts will be raffling a $250 gift certificate for a half day of recording and mixing (engineer included).

2367 Telegraph Ave
$10 Min Donation
Doors Open at 7:00

An incredibly young band, called Midori and Audioclique, were taking session. The singer, Midori, is a very beautiful girl who is only 15. Her band mates, Conor and Kevin are 20 and 19, respectively. They were working on a song called “Bangkok,” about a girl who just may be too hot to trot.

Adam cued up the machines and they were rolling. As Midori started her vocal overdubs, Conor and I chatted on the sofa. He told me that they were currently in the restructuring phase, that soon they were be focusing on the real star (he forked a finger at himself and smiled.)

Both Conor and Kevin were very playful. They play keys and bass respectively. While watching Midori enunciate the ‘kok’ in ‘Bangkok’ and joking that it’s their song too, they told me a sliver of their story. They all grew up in Santa Rosa, and are currently in the running for “Best Indie Pop Song” in the Hollywood Music Awards. Midori has been singing since she was 13, in fact the song up for the award, called “Go,” was recorded when she was only 13.

Midori’s father Ron and her mother have been very influential in helping her get this far. Her father actually plays guitar in the band and helps with management and audio production. Her mother fills in as the resident PR and booking agent. The awards take place at the Kodak theater, November 20.

You can listen to Midori and the Audioclique at:

http://www.myspace.com/midorilongo
http://www.audioclique.net

- Jean Yaste

The National Association of Record Industry Professionals, will be hosting a panel about how to promote and make money from songs. This session will include live song critiques and a special breakout section on legal aspects of song collaborations, licensing and self-publishing. This is a great opportunity to get a crash course in the music business and develop the tools you’ll need to market your songs to labels, businesses, online vendors and individuals.

“NARIP’s July 19 program on this topic will take an in-depth look at the A&R process and provide insight into how to commercially exploit songs, perform many functions of a publisher, and secure and capitalize on licensing opportunities.”

Check it out!