Week 121: Technology as an Accelerator II

Hi Guys!

I'm looking more into technology, art, installations and audience interactivity. How can technology help us to enhance an existing live act?

Checkout the intro video and slideshow of the concert.

TEI Promotional Video:

By chance I met Volker at the Wednesday webmaster meetup. We got chatting about streaming and agreed that subscribing to 3rd party providers to stream live would be possible and affordable. Volker sent me a  link to checkout: www.ustream.tv/platforms/plans

He was participating in a 3/4 day conference TEI (Seventh International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction). Barcelona, the 7 th annual conference. So I put a note in my diary and made a point to check out videos on the organisations webpage.

Monday, February 11th at 8PM

Razzmatazz2, Carrer Pamplona, 88, 08018 Barcelona

http://www.salarazzmatazz.com/

Across from the conference concert hall is the venue Razzamatazz where the delegates could enjoy a free concert and demonstration of the use of these technologies. It was at one of the smaller halls-Sala 2. I was impressed at the lighting mood of the place. It felt like being in an aeroplane hanger with atmospheric lighting effects of blue and complimentary red of the bar in the distance was going to present a visual experience (See this slideshow below).

The first performance was an award winning entry for a new bio-instrument that was plugged into the muscle and blood flow monitoring equipment of Marco Donnarumma : Hypo Chrysos | Action art for vexed body and biophysical media (Xth Sense Biosensing Wearable Technology) and amplified his exertions on the stage into audio effects and synchronised with a slideshow in the background. Although  the two stones he was dragging about didn't really entertain the crowd for too long, some variations of the curious dramatic art performance and visual graphic projection did get me thinking about biofeedback and other ways the technology could be integrated into an already established and choreographed live show performance.

The second were a trio who created a backing track and and performed their songs in a simple rhythmic way with bat tons for drum sticks hitting he air for bass drum and snare rhythm, a minimalist guitar style and over-processed vocals with a synth player adding effects.

Not very musical, but in the hands of accomplished musicians or dancers the technology could shine much more and the audience would be satisfied at least with the skill of the performers.

There were 6 Macs onstage and little musicality. I think I'd like to take some of the ideas, get my hands on the technology and apply them to live shows of bands performing gigs to develop audio visual compliments and interact more with audience participation at live shows.

Any collaboration of music with technology are welcome.. Please contact me on zackqureshi@gmail.com

Source

Week 120: Event Organisation - Moritz (founded 1856) & Timeout

Hi Music Lovers!

We arrived promptly at 9pm and went down the steps to a basement/museum area. There was a table of event organizers dressed up in various costumes. 

I was invited by Alejandro whose friend was one of the organizers of the event 'Ornitorrinco'. It was free to enter if you were wearing a 'Fancy dress' costume, if not, 5 euros including a drink. We had come to see the first gig in the Moritz Fabrica sponsored by TimeOut Bcn. The restaurant upstairs has been open since Nov 2012 and the basement had been prepared for live music events. The sound and lighting systems made it good for live music and great for photos!

The hall was an open space with curiously placed pillars that divided the space into different corners. In one corner the band and stage, in another the temporary bar.

The lighting was very good and created a warm atmosphere. Sponsors logos were clearly visible as projections on the walls around the hall and 2 colourful projected logos around the stage area. There was also a Timeout advertising board and a 2nd stage for the DJ to spin after the gig.

The organizers concept was to put 2 bands: MiNE & The Seihos of varying styles onto the same stage, playing the same song and thereby creating a fusion. The second song I heard was Walk of Life by Dire Straits. The bands had clearly come out to entertain and get the party atmosphere going. As you can see the costumes were quite outrageous and very entertaining on stage. It was a university crowd and most of them were really up for it when it came to dressing up. My favorite was the three matadors (great costumes guys... where did you nick them?!).

Moritz Beer Factory Opening Party In Barcelona: http://youtu.be/SwmMwngInW0

Address: Cerveses Moritz, Ronda Sant Antoni, 41 08011 Barcelona.

Tel: 93426 00 50

Website: www.moritz.com/

Moritz on G+

TIMEOUT: TimeOut on Facebook

Source

Participants:

Aleko Capilouto, Xavi Pablo, Dani Royo, Ariadna Cebrián, Adrià de Yzaguirre, Mireia Serrano, Adri Ortiz, Héctor Ferreño, Dani Pujalte, Smile Films, Teo Campos, Luis Lungarini, Laura Guitérrez, Gal·la de Yzaguirre, David Oliete, Josep Torelló, Leonora García Casacuberta, Lucia Meler i Maria Vilaredas

Week 119: Technology as an Accelerator

Hi Guys!

I wanted to do something simple like a slideshow with all those lovely photos that I´m taking. So I uploaded to FLICKR and embedded to my website and blog. Only problem is that people on mobile devices couldn´t see the slideshows! Then I tried with HTML5 but it didn´t work.

Finally good old YouTube and movie maker (free in windows) gave me this result. I played around a little more and added my guitar audio tracks as background music as well as effects and cool transitions between the pictures. I could also add text to some of the pictures. Finally add intro title and credits at the end and voila! You have a more interesting way of looking at photos.

I'm also preparing some Pink Floyd songs for our Jam session this coming Friday 15th Feb. We are planning some gigs and recordings in the coming months.

Look forward to seeing you there and streaming online in the near future.

Zack a.k.a. RedeyeZack

Here's an interesting reference to technology in music:

David Byrne, founding member of the Talking Heads, label owner, Byrne makes the point that while technological innovation creates efficiency for the savvy artist, technology alone cannot enable you to have a successful career. 

Source

Week 118: Setting up a covers band

Hi Music Lovers!!

This picture was taken in a cocktail bar called 7Sins!!

It's a great place for my first creative video, very glamourous and stylish (coming in the spring). I'm going to perform my own original songs acoustically in small places in Gracia and play with streaming services, so you can watch the gigs live in the comfort of your own armchair. 

Well it's back to work this month (Feb!) Jan was very slow here in Barcelona. The covers band could be good fun but more than this, it's an incentive to practice on set songs. I've been to 2 rehearsal Jams at BAMM. The 1st was a general Jam & the 2nd was a Beatles Hommage. On Feb 15th we have the Pink Floyd night.

I've put my own list of covers together (see below) and I'm planning to name a date in about 2-3 weeks for the session. Let me know which songs you would most like to hear. Finally we have to select 15 from them.

Let me know if you would like to be involved in any way: zackqureshi@gmail.com 

PLJ 

Zack a.k.a. RedEyeZack

Source

Week 117: Playing Covers - Beatles Night at BAMM

I joined the Barcelona Amateur Music Makers for their Beatles night. Miquel had printed sheetmusic copies of 6 or 7 songs. Were were a small group of musicians around a piano. It was great to hear the saxophone. We also had guitars, vocals and two ukulele's.

It was fun to sing together. I've always been a big Beatles fan. Here are some pictures and a slideshow of the event. Doing cover versions is a great way to collaborate with other musicians.

It's possible to connect and find common ground when you play songs that you love.

So I've decided to put a covers band together. I'm looking for a core of musicians; Bass, Guitar, piano, percussion. The idea will be to introduce other members of our BAMM community into the coverband to perform in front of friends at small event and house parties.

If you would like to join us then please drop me a line at zackqureshi@gmail.com

Checkout my cover of One featuring Albert Greenlight.

Source

Week 116: Finding local musicians

Hi Guys!

I've been looking for a guitarist to play with. There are several I've met but they are foreigners like myself and with other jobs. I've been down that road before which is great for doing covers or just having fun with music as a hobby.

I'd like to find local musicians, those that are dedicated and managing to live from their music. So I've been to see a few bands and I'm talking to friends that know these musicians. There was a great funk party this weekend that was closed down by the police on Sunday afternoon. It took place at 33/45, a venue I've written about before. This time I had a chance to chat with the musicians during and after the gig.

I chatted to Khaoula  bouchkhi (she joined the band for a few songs and when she sang her first line the crowd were gobsmacked (see alternative English dictionary) 'what a voice'!) and met the rest of the band. EMPTY POCKETS are a funky force full of energy, a jam group. Their founder, keyboard and pianist Adel Boquera told me they had just been playing together for 2 weeks and decided to perform at 33/45. Adel gave me his details and also told me he was responsible for the Superfly Parties in Barcelona: http://www.superflyparty.com/ (The finest Funk & Soul).

Checkout their next event on Jan 20th on their Facebook Events page

I really enjoyed watching the musicians, they were all great and having a good time performing. I found the drummer amazing. His name is Caspar St Charles, from London, so it was great to have a chat with him.

Caspar St. Charles @ WTF Jam Session en Jamboree Jazz Club - Barcelona 24/11/2008 from Aurelio Santos on Vimeo.

Week 115: Seeking Small Venues to Perform In

Hi Music Lovers! On Tuesday Jan 8th, I went to check out a bar in Gracia called 'Alfa‎ Bar'.

C/ Gran De Gràcia, 36. 08012 Barcelona. Tel: 934 15 18 24

The Band Out of Water formed by guitarist Gustavo Aguado (from the BAMM meetup group last week) had a gig and I decided to go and support him while checking out the venue. It was a curious mix of influences with a strong vocal performance coming from their female Jazz style vocalist (reminded me a bit of Alanis Morisett). Los pianistas Ariana Carreras y Toni del Amo y la cantante Itziar Sánchez.

The band members had their own influences with Piano and keyboard players. The venue was a good size to play for 50-80 people. The stage is lifted, so there is a distance between the audience and the performers onstage. I loved the lighting and decor, looks like a really cool place to take pics!

 As you can see, the entrance there is a bar for those who want to chat and the stage is further into the bar. There was a medium to large size mixing desk and engineer on hand.

 It was quite a dazzling looking set, maybe an idea to take live video promotion in future for one of my tracks.Love the old records on the ceiling!

Its been a busy week and I've been to 4 venues. I'm checking out the local music scene and looking for places to play. I'm in the process of also meeting the local music talent and getting to know some great bands.

Gracia seems to be the place that has a lot of small places I could play an intimate set. Informal and laid back. On Friday I decided to get fit again but avoid the gym, so I went dancing! Salsa. In fact there was a Cuban live band "Habana con Kola" Meetup event. It was nice to be able to have a social evening, let off steam and get into the latin rhythm, great fitness solution:))

On Saturday evening I ventured into a bar called L'Astrolabi in Gracia (Carrer Martinez de la Rosa 14, Bcn, Spain). It was a curious place, with a small room at the back for Unplugged performances.

Lidia Uve played unplugged in Gracia. When I say unplugged, I mean really unplugged, no speakers, no microphone, a tiny room with people sitting on the floor at the feet of the artists in the corner of the room. Standing room near the entrance from the bar and seating against the wall. I hadn't seen this since the last home party with my flatmate Moez in Brighton.

Have a great week!

PLJ

Zack a.k.a. RedEyeZack 

TOP 5 PREVIEWS:

Choose your Top 5 from my list of song demos: Previews on Artist website

Week 114: Barcelona Music Community

Hi Guys!

Welcome to 2013!

After flying in directly from my Xmas holidays in the UK, I freshened up and went on my way to join group of music lovers at a bar near the center. It was a MEETUP group called Barcelona Amateur Music Makers (BAMM)

"El Nostre Racó"

• Saturday 5th Jan at 9:00 PM
• El Nostre Racó

New year, new place!

Any nou, lloc nou! Año nuevo, lugar nuevo!

37 years of spontaneous music in Barcelona. Essential place to go!

37 anys de música espontània a Barcelona. Un lloc imprescindible!

They've had a few meeting already and it was my chance to meet the group and their organiser Miquel Ferrer (Piano/Guitar) Although they call themselves amateurs, I've seen the profiles of some of the members and some of them have galactic credentials! 

Where to park?

As you can see, it's a pretty cozy and rustic bar. There's an upstairs area for about another 10 people. I could hear 2 or 3 other groups jamming at the same time. Notice the 'guitars on the ceiling'. There was a constant flow of non-musicians too. Always ready to start a surprised clapping after hearing a 'Golden Oldie' or Beatles song.

It was good for learners of all levels. Here's me and Manel Munoz tuning up (top photo). It was also a great opportunity to sing harmonies, something that doesn't happen very often. 

I enjoyed singing without having to play the guitar too. I sang Rolling Stones 'ANGIE' with Miquel on guitar, the group did a version of HOTEL CALIFORNIA in Am. We played MAD WORLD by Tears for Fears.

 

There were 3 guitars, acoustic and classical, one flute, a ukelele, piano and some pleasing listeners who sang along. There was some improvising too. It started with BossaNova but ended up with a Beatles songbook.

 

 I know the group are practicing for a Beatles night. Whats your favorite Beatles song? Come on down and 

join us sometime.

  

Miquel and I are very willing to help you get to a level where you can perform and enjoy these songs. Gustav (Above) has a band that are performing at ALFA bar in Gracia. Join the group and let our musical spirit out. Singers and music lovers who are non-musicians are welcome to participate. It's a great night out!! Barcelona Amateur Music Makers (BAMM)

Is that Fmaj7 aug or dim??

Week 113: I love feedback!!

Happy New Year All! 

I'm in the UK for Christmas & New year visiting family and friends... awful weather!!

                                      

 In September 2011, I moved to Barcelona to pursue my songwriting more seriously. I'd love your feedback on these demo songs. I've put a selection of 90-second previews together on soundcloud because I think it's enough to get the feel of a song. And... If you're still listening up to the end of the clip then I must have done my job! ;) 

Enter any comments below the song you're playing and please feel free to send me your top 5 songs by email to: redeyezack@gmail.com 

This is really gonna help me decide which songs to record & perform first.

Previews on Artist website

or here:

All the best for a creative and inspiring 2013! 

PLJ (Peace, Love & Joy) 

Zack

Week 112: Watch RedEyeZack's new live video of 'I CAN'T SLEEP TONIGHT'

Cafe del Sol in Gracia, Bcn

Hi Guys!

It's a blistering sunny day 20 degrees C here in Barcelona. I'd like to wish you all a happy Xmas and a wonderful new year!! I'm flying to the UK tomorrow for 2 weeks to catch up with family & friends.

I will be back in Barcelona building my artistic base and moving into a local community full of artists. Thanks for following my music mission project. I will have exciting news for next year as I'm looking to put a band together to play at festivals in the summer.

Here's a video my friend Ajit Dutta took last summer in the backstreets of Brighton. An intimate version of 'I CAN'T SLEEP TONIGHT'.

Enjoy & I look forward to getting on the road and playing for you in 2013.

PLJ (Peace, love & Joy)

Zack aka 'RedEyeZack'

Week 111: Watch RedEyeZack's new video for 'HOLD ME'

Hi Guys!

I hope you're well and looking forward to 2013. I've finally got a video that can give you an idea of where the music is going. I'd love your feedback on this track, if you really love it, please share it!!

A classical composer once said that he didn't like the track, because it was too short, there was no time signature and the arrangement was too simple. On asking his wife, she passionately disagreed with her husband and said she loved the song dearly. When I asked her why, she said "because it's short, there was no time and that it was beautifully simple..."

Decide for yourself and send me your comments below.

If I should fly before your time…my love

Don’t even try an’ follow me… oh no

For there’s a world, beyond this life

Behind the sky

Beneath the sea

Within the breeze

Hold me...

Hold me...

This video was made at home. A DIY done simply. I'm looking to collaborate with VideoGraphers & Film Makers. Drop me a line if you know anyone or you'd like to create experimental video for original music.

'Hold Me' is taken from a collection of poems and available now.

Bindi (decoration) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

• The red bindi has multiple meanings which are all valid at the same time. This is also a spiritual symbol.
• By one simple interpretation it is a cosmetic mark used to enhance beauty.
• From Vedic times, the bindi was created as a means to worship one's intellect. Therefore, it was used by both men and women. The worship of intellect was in order to use it to ensure our thoughts, speech, actions, habits and ultimately our character becomes pure. A strong intellect can help one to make noble decisions in life, be able to stand up to challenges in life with courage, and recognize and welcome good thoughts in life. The belief was that on this a strong individual, a strong family and strong society can be formed.
• In meditation, this very spot between the eyebrows (Bhrumadhya) is where one focuses his/her sight, so that it helps concentration. Most images of Buddha or Hindu divinities in meditative pose with their eyes nearly closed show the gaze focused between eyebrows (other spot being the tip of the nose – naasikagra).
• Swami Muktanand writes 'auspicious Kumkum or sandal wood paste is applied (between the eyebrows) out of respect for inner Guru. It is the Guru's seat. There is a chakra (center of spiritual energy within human body) here called Ajna (Aadnyaa) chakra meaning 'Command center'. Here you receive the Guru's command to go higher in Sadhana (spiritual practice) to the 'Sahasraar' (seventh and final chakra) which leads to Self realization. The flame seen at the eyebrow is called 'Guru Jyoti'. (From Finite to Infinite, by Swami Muktananda, SYDA Foundation, S. Fallsburg, NY, 1989, pp. 88–89)
• The encyclopedic dictionary of Yoga informs that this 'Ajna Chakra' is also called the 'Third eye'. This center is connected with the sacred syllable 'Om' and presiding it is 'ParaaShiva'. After activation of this center, the aspirant overcomes 'Ahamkar' (ego or sense of individuality), the last hurdle on the path of spirituality.