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.