Digital Media Taken Over

So last night, this blog was due before midnight but instead of making sure my post was on time. I decided to capture something that was a great example of how digital media has taken over the music world. Last night at the House of Blues, here in Chicago I had another opportunity to see an amazing Israeli trance band, Infected Mushroom. The first time I saw these guys live, was at the same venue three years ago but this time there was no band. This time it was only the two founders, Erez Eisen and Amit Duvdevani. Below is a performance of what they are capable of doing.

 

Okay well when I saw them in 2010 they didn't have the garbage cans or the ladies beating on them either. When I saw them they had the keyboardist, the guitarist, bassist, lead singer and the drummer. However the drummer did use an electronic drum set instead of the traditional style.

This time on their Fungusamongus Tour, they use an Emulator Dual View System (DVS) by SmithsonMartin Inc. (http://www.smithsonmartin.com/dvs/) The Emulator DVS is a multi touch-screen midi control software that allows the audience to view what the artist or musician is doing. 

Now, I do think this highly expensive item is really cool and all but at the same time, I went to this show in hopes that it was going to be somewhat like the last show. 

On the other hand the Infected Mushroom did not have any visuals two years ago but the visual effects this time were pretty trippy. So cudos to them from the help of Projection Freak (http://www.projectionfreak.com/tag/software-based-control)

Some of this style of LED effects can be seen here in Chicago at Castle formerly known as Excalibur.

Here's the show from last night.

Their new album Army of Mushrooms is more dubstep and drum and bass heavy I stayed for about an hour because I got bored. I wanted to see a performance. If I wanted to watch some guys mess around on a piece of digital software I could have gone to a club or more cheaply, I could have worked on a project of my own. I can only be disappointed but that doesn't mean I will never pay to see them again. I am a fan.

Marketing major, Drummer

So lately, I have been talking with people in different aspects of the music industry. My first Q & A was with a guitarist, then the founder of Chicago Music Guide, Dennis M. Kelly and one of his writers, Tanya Vega a.k.a. Southside. I have been following Southside's blog for quite some time and I know she is on the road at the moment but when she returns to Chicago, I will try and make some time to hang out with her at a show as she interviews musicians. This will be an advantage and a good way to network.
My next interview is with a drummer, his name is Austin, originally from Ohio and now lives here in Chicago. I hung out with him the other night for a few hours and we talked about things from how he got started to singers to bands that perform as cover bands. He made a mention about Berklee and we also spoke about connections and how some times it just works out.

ME: So how did you get started playing the drums?
AUSTIN: It has always been a life long dream for me. I can remember when I was in the first or second grade, I told my parents I wanted to play the drums. My dad said I had to learn piano first, so I took a couple years of piano. The year before I got into band class in school my parents bought me my first drum set.

ME: That's cool that your parents supported you.
AUSTIN: Yeah, that was nice.

ME: So you obviously were in the percussion section.
AUSTIN: Yeah, (as he is smiling and snickers) I was into the whole Drumline thing in band too.
ME: That's cool. Those guys can get down on some drums. I always dug our percussion section in marching band.

ME: So you went to school for marketing? Where'd you go to school?
AUSTIN: Yeah, while I was still in high school a lot of my friends who also play drums went to music schools and I went to the University of Ohio for marketing.

ME: Have you done any marketing work in the music industry?
AUSTIN: I had an internship at a local record label. I did some marketing for them and while I was there, I got to meet some well known bands and learned more about the whole recording side of the business too.

ME: You know, that's what I hear a lot from people that I go to school with now. Some of the guys that I have class with said they've learned alot inside a studio while interning.
AUSTIN: I feel that it is somewhat true. I mean look at me, I'm a drummer who went to school for marketing. Now I just play at venues around the city or like tonight my friend is having a jam party and I need to get there sometime before 10pm to help set up the PA. I don't do anything involved with the marketing side now.

ME: Wow! A jam party, is this at someone's house? Well playing around the city at different venues is a way of marketing.
AUSTIN: Yeah, most of my friends are vocalist and musicians.

ME: That's a good crowd to be around. So how come you didn't go to school for music.
AUSTIN: Well like I said I did have some friends that went to school for music. Two of my friends went to Berklee and dropped out after a year or two. So I decided to go to school for something else, since I already knew how to play and I also got to experience the music business through marketing at a record label company.

ME: I love the piano. So can you still play keys?
AUSTIN: A little, I wish I would have kept up on it. I agree, I think the piano is an amazing instrument when used in music.

ME: One of my favorite singer/songwriters plays piano, do you know who Fiona Apple is?
AUSTIN: Yeah, just the timbre of her voice is unique.

ME: So what kind of music to you enjoy playing?
AUSTIN: I like jazz and funk, that's just my style but my band is a little harder than that. We have more of a My Bloody Valentine, Jimi Hendrix sound. It's very hook heavy.

ME: Cool, I'd like to come check you guys out some time. You have to let me know when your next show is.
AUSTIN: I wish would've remember to tell you before, you could've came and checked us out a week ago. We played at Quencher's.

ME: So what else do you listen to?
AUSTIN: I like a lot of classic rock and you know jam bands.

ME: That funny I was just talking to someone about a Queen cover band. I don't know how I feel about that. I mean I know there are Pink Floyd cover bands and many others but…
AUSTIN: Yeah but to have the kind of presence of Freddie Mercury. I don't know how I feel about that either.

ME: I'm not saying that there isn't a band out there that can perform and sound like a classic rock band. I mean there's an all women Led Zeppelin cover band.
AUSTIN: Lez Zeppelin

ME: Yeah, I saw them last summer and the only thing I can say is, They rocked, they were amazing. Extremely talented ladies. So do you mind if I share this in my blog?
AUSTIN: Sure go ahead
ME: Thanks man. I like to get different aspects of the music industry in my blog because not everyone does the same thing. Ya, know?

AUSTIN: Like I said earlier, my friends that went to Berklee, well we took a road trip to Colorado and we ended up meeting some other guys that went to Berklee and they were looking for a drummer and now one of my buddies tours with them. They all live in New York now. At the moment they're on a break from touring but that was a good connection we just happen to run into.

So a University of Ohio, marketing major decided to come to Chicago to have a better opportunity to get involved. Even though he is educated, enjoys playing and jamming out on the drums with his fellow mates whom also play and sing, says that he is glad that his parents were always supportive about playing music.

And if you're in the mood for some good craft beer and live music check out Quenchers Saloon.

Get Involved

So earlier this week, you may have read about a Q & A that I did with the founder of Chicago Music Guide. What about the people that work for them and their thoughts on music media or just music some type of musical knowledge? Well I had the opportunity to discuss this with someone that contributes her time to CMG. She goes my "Southside" on CMG's website. So I asked her a few questions of my own and how she got started in the business.

ME: I have been following your blog since the beginning of this year. I drew interests because my instructor wanted us to start a blog as a class project and we also had to look at other blogs within the music industry. I came across yours because I enjoy and support the local music scene. I see that you write for Chicago Music Guide, how did you get involved with CMG? If you don't mind me asking. 

I, myself have started a blog on music education and how it is important in a person's life. If I could pick your brain for a moment, I'd like to ask you a few questions about the music industry. 

SSide: Wow, never been interviewed before. My first with well-thought out

questions. Of course I will reply back with my answers.

ME? How did you get involved with CMG?

SSide: Started with CMG back in 2007 or 2008 when I first met a photographer named Beth Shandles who spotted me reviewing bands during MOB Fest at Elbo Room. She was the one who recommended my name to Dennis Kelly who in turned asked me to join as contributor to the site. From time to time I write and/or cover shows for CMG when I'm not busy with my schedule.

 

ME: Are you a musician yourself? 

If so, what do you play?

SSide: Yes - I know how to do my scales on piano but truly flunked out on the clarinet lessons when I was younger. Never really caught on with that instrument. However, I do sing but not professionally. I was part of my high school girls' chorus and church choir (both youth and adult).

 

ME:  How long have you been involved in the music industry?

SSide: Seems like forever! LOL I've been involved way back in the days when underground house music was the rage here in Chicago. I used to date a DJ named James "Jack Rabbit" Martin before his death in 1990. That's when I sort of dropped out of it until 2005 when I discovered a music site called dMusic. At first it started out as a hobby - reviewing and interviewing artists and bands on that site for an internet radio station called Fearless Radio where I was an avid listener to The New Music Binge. Then host - Rocco gave me the moniker SouthSide since I was calling from the Southside of Chicago. My first review as SouthSide happened on Sept 12 2006 at SubT. Can't remember the bands that played yet I never knew what would transpire after posting it.

 

ME: When you were growing up did you have a music program in your school?

SSide: Yes - we had music classes at both elementary and high school level (which was an elective)

 

ME: Do you feel that it is important for children these days to be involved in some type of music program?

SSide: Yes, I do. How are kids today suppose to know that Mozart was the original "rock hard and die young" rock star of his time? Or that Brahms' and Bach's compositions can be heard in modern music today. Music no matter the genre whether it's rock to hip hop to classical and even neo/modern jazz exposes them to a world were sound, lyrics, tempo, harmonies and melodies are formed to create something new and refreshing each and every day. Without it, I see a dull uncultured world for this generation and others.

 

ME: Do you have any advice for those parents who would like to have their children involved in music, as to, where they could go?

SSide: My advice - start when they're in the womb or even while they're babies. I exposed both o my daughters (now 20 and 11) to classical (Mozart, Bach, Handel, et al) to classic rock (Led Zeppelin, The Who, Beatles, Pink Floyd - my youngest loved track 4 "Great Gig In The Sky" to Dark Side of the Moon) to modern jazz (Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Johnny Mathis, Ella, Duke Ellington) and more as well as theatric musicals when they were young. Kids, believe or not, are exposed to music every single day whether it's commercials to the shows on PBS and even cartoons. Take them to see a Broadway show like the Lion King or Beauty and the Beast ...also check out The Old Town School of Music. They have classes for kids as young as babies and toddlers as well as classes if you want your chlid to learn an instrument.

ME: How do you feel about learning music off the internet?

SSide: Learning off the net I think is a wonderful idea and good way of connecting with others around the world when it's impossible to meet face to face for lessons. I have a friend in LA (Dan Sindel) who does guitar lessons on the net via Skype to connect with his students.

So everyone has different experiences in the music world. How do you so your self years from now?