Posted in N.I.M.E.
Inspirational Actions
Chosen below are some inspirational performances that do not necessarily apply to my NIME performance, but have made a mark on me in some way.
The first is a balinese kecak “monkey chant” performance. Communal participation is the heart of this phenomenon. Listen for the “bope, bope, bope” type repetitive sound, this is the one guy who is in a sense the metronome, he is the only one responsible for keeping the timing. I believe there is another who gives audible cues to different sections to produce the layered effect.
The power of the togetherness and the coordination of many working as one organism was unbelievable to me when I witnessed this for the first time.
kecak
I got to participate in a recreation of this practice while at burning man either in 2004 or 2005. This is a clip from one of the sessions in 2005.
burning man kecak
Jimi Hendrix gives an incredible show of guitar mastery, he transcends traditional mastery into one of blind playing while resulting in sexing the guitar and setting in on fire. Even the sound of the guitar as he smashes it on the stage is a beautiful thing.
guitar god
Talkdemonic is a Portland duo I discovered as an opening band when I went to see another portland band Quasi. I was particularly move by the viola player’s (Lisa Molinaro) seemingly emotional attachment and conveyance through her instrument. I was literally entranced and could not keep my eyes from her. The quality of the vid is a little shotty, but it’s one of the better I could find where she is swaying and dancing with the instrument. Perhaps it’s because in order to play, you literally need to press your cheek to the instrument that it seems so intimate.
Talkdemonic
I recently saw the Pet Shop Boys in concert to promote their new album, “Yes”. The production level was a m a z i n g !! The transformable backdrop which consisted of stackable cubes covered in white scrim that they uses to project on, as well as a dance floor. Each song they did something completely different so I’m including a few of my favorites.
There were several costume changes and choreographed dancing that was performed by the same 4 dancers all night. During the song “Jealousy” (one of my favorites!) 2 of them acted out a couple dance that conveyed the theme of the song which is endless chasing, loneliness, anger and the passion of jealousy. Really powerful. I appreciate performances that think of the big picture; set, costume, movement and audio all working as one to transport the audience into the world that you are creating in front of their eyes. Being able to use all available mediums in order to tell a story.
