Re: The West Coast Summit

[KILLINFO@aol.com]

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