This is a Kareoke version of a popular 70s J-Pop tune by Hibari Misora called 人生一路 (which I think means Way Of Life or it could mean Flowers and Fire). There’s something about J-Pop tunes, they always sound better as Synthesised Kareoke versions.
We had our first Superbeat gig at the Milk Bar a couple of weeks ago. I’m really happy with how it went so we’re gonna do another pretty soon. I didnt manage to get any decent recordings myself but my sister Kelly took a short film on her phone and uploaded it onto youtube…
[note. it turns the right way up in a second]
A few posts back I mentioned that I’d been looking for some controllers to use for the audience to get involved and jam with us. I settled on the idea of using a dance mat and game controller. So I bought some that have usb connections and hooked them up to my computer, using all sorts of hokus pokus, and they worked really well. I’m thinking we’re gonna keep things pretty fluid by introducing extra or different kinds of controllers each gig (I’m working on making a multi-touch surface at the moment) but for now the dance mat is definitely gonna be a fixture.
We’re working on a maybe five track EP currently so I’ll be posting more info on that up in the next couple of months or so, other wise look out for the next Milk Bar gig!
x
Had a small test of the MIDI-Moov this week, for the Touch It gig, and it works really well! We’re thinking that the controller gets strapped to someone so they can dance to effect the music.
My friend Jason King is going to help us with the lighting by working on a midi program so they lights change with the person moving also. This should give more of a visual indicator for whoever’s strapped in, so they can see when they’re changing something.
Here’s a small video of Jason testing the MIDI-Moov. Whenever he moves around there’s a filter over the music that moves with him.
Had a couple of reviews this week, which has been nice. I’ve been applying for some funding for the new project and needed some references to get it going. Thank you to Songwriting and Blushing Panda for that.
I made this picture for Songwriting, spray painted my studio ceiling for it, blew my nose a few hours later and it was literally bright green! I think I’ve just made it quiet a dangerous place to be.
So it’s about time I started talking about what the new project is gonna be [drum roll maestro!].
The working title is Touch It and the idea is to have a live band that members of the audience can interact with. I’m writing some dance reggae style songs with Kieron Allan and Kraz at the moment [all originals] and we’re then gonna start playing with ways that the audience can control our sound as we play.
One of the ideas is to have sound controlled by dancing. So we attach a small gizmo to your body and when you move around the music filters and changes pitch or echoes and distorts. How fun would that be!
I’ve been in contact with a development team called TangibleFX who will possibly be providing us with the MIDI-Moov which we can use as one of the controllers. Really cool.
The MIDI-Moov
I’m trying to have a regular ‘sports Saturday’ with my friend Paul but he’s turned his phone off so he doesn’t have to do it, lazy sod. So I’ve probably got time to upload another tune…
This is a Tumbling Squares song called Whistle Way, one of the first tunes I sung on.
SUPERBEAT 