The 2009 dB Conference
Presented by The Seattle Art Museum, Ableton and Native Instruments
As part of the 6th Annual Decibel Festival happening September 24th through the 27th, 2009 in Seattle, Washington
Held at The Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
The 2009 dB Conference invites an exploration of assorted audio and video technology, featuring workshops with acclaimed producers, screenings of dub and electronic music documentaries, a lecture on sound installation in public places, and a panel exploring the challenges facing the digital arts in North America and how better utilize emerging technology to build a stronger community.
The conference takes place in two rooms within the Seattle Art Museum, one of the Pacific Northwest’s long-standing leading visual arts institutions. The dB workshops will be held in the Simons Board Room, and all other events are in the Nordstrom Lecture Hall. To top it all off, the conference is completely free and all ages, as Decibel believes in encouraging education and creativity.
Here’s all the details:
:: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH ::
6pm – 9pm
Seattle Art Museum
FREE Admission
Workshop 1 : “Livid Ohm64: Getting the most out of the latest from Livid Instruments”
Hosted by Peter Nyober (Livid)
6pm to 7pm
Simons Board Room
Peter Nyboer of Livid Instruments will be giving a comprehensive overview of their new MIDI controller, the Ohm64. Highly flexible, and stylishly encased in a hand-finished wood body, we’ve been working hard to create what we call a “living instrument.” Fully programmable, extensively documented, and provided with open-source (and open-minded) software and examples for audio and video, we encourage people to shape this controller around their ideas, rather than conform their art to their controller. I’ll be showing the basics of programming the controller, some a/v examples in Max/MSP/Jitter and Ableton Live, (and hopefully in Max For Live), and trying to make it all relevant for the mass of creative ideas that will be swarming at DB!
About the host: Peter Nyboer is a partner in Livid Instruments, a small company that started out selling VJ software and a strange sort of controller called the Tactic. A long-time Max/MSP user and experimental musician, Peter slowly turned into a programmer and tool maker. Livid is a “geographically distributed” business that could only exist in the era of streaming video, skype, and email. Business (Jay Smith) is located in Red Bank, New Jersey, Programming (Peter Nyboer) is in San Jose, CA, and Manufacturing and Assembly (Travis Redding) is in Austin, Texas.
Workshop 2 : “Multi-touched” (A workshop on multi-touch interfaces)
Presented by Fashionbuddha Studio, Randy Jones, and Let’s Go Outside
7:30pm to 8:30pm
Simons Board Room
Multi-touch technology is rapidly evolving into something useful, creative, and affordable. “Multi-touched”, presented by Fashionbuddha Studio, Randy Jones, and Let’s Go Outside at this year’s Decibel Festival, sets out to showcase the latest and greatest of the multi-touch world with an emphasis on the very real possibilities of adding these amazing interfaces to the performing electronic musician’s arsenal. Fashionbuddha’s Creative Director, Todd Greco, will show how the studio built their own multi-touch display for under a grand and all the creative things you can use it for once its running. He’ll also provide a brief overview of multi-touch technology and point the audience towards the resources they need to start making their own devices. Orac Records label head Randy Jones will talk a little about his research into control of physical modeling and bring his prototype multi-touch controller, featured on Gizmodo, Make Blog and Create Digital Music, for a hands-on demonstration. He’ll also give a preview of some of the upcoming hardware from Madrona Labs. Stephen Schieberl, better known as Soma Records’ artist Let’s Go Outside, will be demonstrating his DIY multi-touch MIDI controller. He’ll be explaining the advantages of using a multi-touch screen for music performance and inform participants how to design their own controller with little or no prior programming experience using his Flash-based application, as well as give people the opportunity to try it out themselves.
About the presenters:
Todd Greco (Fashionbuddha Studio) Fashionbuddha Studio creates world-class animations and interactive experiences. Fashionbuddha has a unique studio setup that pairs artists, musicians, animators and programmers to develop award-winning projects for clients and the creative community. Fashionbuddha Studio is featured in Communication Arts Design and Interactive Annuals, How Magazine, and won Best of Show at the 2009 Webvisionary Awards.
Randy Jones (Madrona Labs / Orac Records) Randy Jones is a composer and designer whose work explores new systems for audiovisual expression. He has performed and lectured at festivals including Cimatics (Brussels), MUTEK (Montreal), the Festival de Música Electroacústica (Havana), Decibel (Seattle), and New Forms (Vancouver). He was a co-developer of Jitter, the video and 3D graphics processing software published by Cycling ‘74. At his new company, Madrona Labs, Randy and his colleagues are on a mission to design and build electronic instruments that are as expressive as acoustic ones.
Let’s Go Outside (Soma Quality Recordings / Slant Records) Stephen Schieberl was born in Milan, Italy and is now living in Portland, Oregon. He established the moniker “Let’s Go Outside” as he began DJing and producing electronic music as a teenager. He was picked up by Glasgow-based Soma Quality Recordings in 2006, receiving support from luminaries such as Andrew Weatherall, Laurent Garnier, Ivan Smagghe, and more. 2008 saw the release of his debut album on Soma, pairing that with a successful European tour performing for sold out crowds at venues including Fabric, The Loft, The Arches and Sub Club. He has now started his own imprint, Slant Records, and is set to release his second album on Soma, “Conversations with My Invisible Friends,” this October.
Screening 1 : “Dub Echoes”
Featuring Q&A with The Mad Professor (Ariwa Records / Tempa Records – London)
Moderated by Patti Schmidt
6pm to 8:30pm
Nordstrom Lecture Hall
“Dub Echoes” is a documentary that traces the origins of the Jamaican dub music and it’s influence on the development of hip hop and electronic music. The film shows how the Jamaican invention called dub ended up influencing much of the music we hear today, from electronic music to hip-hop, transforming the studio in a musical instrument and giving way to all sorts of sonic experiments. “Dub Echoes” was produced by a Brazilian crew, in Kingston (Jamaica), London (UK), NY, Washington, LA (US), Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (Brazil). Key names, from both reggae and the electronic music world, talk about the birth of this genre, how it helped to change the way we perceive music and how it’s presence can still be felt today. Just follow the bass lines!
After the film, there will be a question and answer session moderated by Patty Schmidt, featuring UK dub innovator Mad Professor:
The Mad Professor (Ariwa Sounds / Massive Attack collaborator) Mad Professor has championed traditional dub from his London studio for decades. Not only has he worked with reggae legends as well as famous artists outside the dub domain, but he has also been instrumental in transitioning the genre into the digital age and staking the UK’s premier claim on exposing dub to the world. Known for original productions as well as remix work, the prolific Mad Professor has had his hands in over 200 albums and an immense “old school” impact on modern breakbeat culture.
:: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25TH ::
12pm – 6:30pm
Seattle Art Museum
FREE Admission
Workshop 3 : Designing Process
With Christopher Willits (Ghostly International / 12k – San Francisco)
2pm to 3:00pm
Simons Board Room
Christopher Willits presents ideas and techniques around the use and evolution of customized signal processing, and software tools Ableton Live and a special preview of Max for Live.
About the Host:
Christopher Willits has been instrumental in redefining the guitar in the digital age, defying genre distinctions while still defining a sound of his own. His productions showcase guitar lines folding and weaving into each other, creating complex patterns of interlocking rhythm, melody, and texture. With over 15 music releases over the last 7 years, Willits’s passion is obvious. Every release sees him taking chances and expanding his creative vision. In addition to Willits’ solo work, a vast range of music collaborations, sound installations, and film/video projects compel him, all from his own unique viewpoint on sound and art.
Workshop 4 : Native Instruments Traktor and Maschine Masterclass
Hosted by Drumcell (Native Instruments / Droid Behavior – Los Angeles)
4pm to 5:30pm
Simons Board Room
Native Instruments Traktor Scratch Pro is the premium system for DJs spinning digital tracks on vinyl and CD, and NI Maschine is the first instrument combining sequencer, sampler, multi-effect and a full blown hardware controller into an inspiring and easy to-use system. In this workshop, renowned producer and label owner Drumcell will be demonstrating how to combine one of the best DJ tools in the world with one of the best drum machines.
About the host:
Founder of Droid Recordings and co-founder of Droid Behavior, Drumcell has been one of techno’s greatest allies in Southern California. A graduate of the Musician’s Institute and a long-time performer, Drumcell was influenced by music from his earliest years. By later combining his Production, DJing and networking skills he quickly established himself as one of the major players in LA’s growing techno scene. Drumcell has been known to keep on the edge of technology. When performing, Drumcell can be seen blurring the lines between a live and a DJ set by utilizing tools such as FX processors, samplers, drum machines and other devices to weave a thick blend of acidic techno and aggressive but funky minimalist groove.
Lecture : “The Grain of the Auditory Field”
By Kim Cascone (Raster-Noton / Anechoic / Cycling74 – San Francisco)
12pm to 1:30pm
Nordstrom Lecture Hall
Field Diffusion (Abstract version of “The Grain of the Auditory Field”)
By Kim Cascone
A talk exploring the intersection of public space sound installation, cinematic sound design and acousmatic presentation. Field recordings presented in concert settings do little to induce enchantment because of the linear environment and hence the setting of expectations on the part of the listener. In my talk I propose using a spatial-oriented environment rather than a temporal-oriented one in order to resurrect the inner qualities that draw us to interesting acoustic spaces.
Panel : “Emerging Networks in North America”
Moderated by Patti Schmidt
2pm to 3:30pm
Nordstrom Lecture Hall
This panel brings together a top selection of curators, organizers, creators, and directors in the North American electronic music scene for a discussion about how to work together and improve as a community, finding strength in joined resources and shared information. The conversation will include challenges facing digital arts and new media curators in North America, and how various organizations are evolving through technological advances.
Moderator : Patti Schmidt (Montreal – MUTEK / CBC Radio)
Panelists:
- Alain Mongeau (Montreal – MUTEK)
- Andrew Lochhhead (Detroit Underground – Toronto)
- Bryan Kasenic (Beyond Booking – Brooklyn)
- Kate Lesta (Communikey – Boulder)
- Naut Humon (Recombinant – San Francisco)
- Susan Langan (Gray Area Foundation for the Arts – San Francicso)
About the Panelists:
Alain Mongeau (Montreal – MUTEK) Alain Mongeau founded MUTEK festival in 2000 and has directed the development of the organisation and its related activities ever since. Over the years, MUTEK has become an essential North American reference point for exploring the intersection between electronic music, sound research, and digital creativity. In his past, Alain has also directed the New Media division of the Montreal International Festival of New Cinema and New Media, and ISEA95 Montreal, the International Symposium of Electronic Arts. His functions within ISEA permitted him to better comprehend the stakes at hand in the globalization of digital creativity and artistic networks. A Doctor of Communications, Alain has also lectured on computer-based communications and developed numerous new media projects that were presented and prized in various international festivals.
Andrew Lochhead (Detroit Underground – Toronto) Andrew Lochhead has worked in the International electronic music and arts community since 1998 organizing events, workshops and installations, first in his hometown of Windsor, Ontario and later Detroit, Chicago and Toronto. During those years he has been affiliated with Detroit Underground, DEMF, Traum/Trapez/MBF, Bpitch, Substatic, Perlon, Shitkatapult, Sleeparchive and Background/Yore Records, acting as a road manager and tour driver in addition to his booking duties. Lochhead also holds a Masters Degree in Visual and Critical Studies and continuously plays an active role in producing events and building community within the North American scene.
Bryan Kasenic (Beyond Booking – Brooklyn) Bryan Kasenic (aka Spinoza) is known in the electronic music world for throwing many successful parties, playing adventurous DJ sets, launching an influential newsletter, and starting Beyond, his own booking agency. His DJ efforts have taken him to clubs around the world, from top venues to smaller underground parties. Besides performing, he has put most of his energy into The Bunker since January 2003, eventually turning it into the premier techno weekly in North America, which morphed into a bigger monthly party in 2009. Bryan is also known for the Wolf + Lamb and House-n-Home loft parties, and his latest endeavor, the Beyond Booking Agency. The agency is helping to build the electronic music scene nationally, already boasting an impressive roster of friends and allies.
Kate Lesta (Communikey – Boulder) Kate Lesta was raised in the theater by a creative entrepreneur from Manchester, England who relocated to Boulder, Colorado. A nontraditional education as a home-schooler, and living in Ibiza as a teen, gave Lesta the foundation to form her first artist’s cooperative at age 16. Lesta has been producing electronic music and new media events ever since, facilitating over 100 events in the last 10 years, with Communikey being the 4th organization Lesta has founded, bringing acts from around the globe to Colorado. Lesta is driven by a passion for participatory systems, education reform, and creative environments as a vehicle for personal growth and community building. She is currently the Creative Director for Communikey, Development Assistant for Decibel Festival and Program Director for the upcoming children’s program at Unsound NYC.
Naut Humon (Recombinant – San Francisco) Naut Humon is most known for being the Director of International Operations for Recombinant Media Labs, Asphodel Records and AV curator for select portions of the annual ARS Electronica Festival in Austria. For over 20 years he has staged underground events that blur the roles of audience and participant. He was the primary catalyst, producer, arranger and performer of Rhythm and Noise and later went on to form Sound Traffic Control. Recombinant Media Labs is a culturally coherent enterprise, hosting a dynamic range of visual artists, producers, designers, curators, and organizers from around the world. It has also become a research & development network for the experiential engineering of Surround Cinema & the immersive arts, working with artist residencies around the world.
Susan Langan (Gray Area Foundation for the Arts – San Francisco) Qzen is the voice behind John Tejada’s “Sweat” and “Sucre,” as well as “Don’t Turn It Off,” a track made with the 40 Thieves, her frequent production partners. From 2005-2009, Qzen was also the voice of the dance and electronic music sections of the iTunes Store, working as their sole dance/electronic music editor. In that position, she also curated events for Apple around the US. She left in April to focus on artistry full-time and is currently working on an album with the 40 Thieves as well as producing her own material and rustling up songs with other collaborators. She debuted a live set in June 2009 and is joyfully exploring the challenges of this new performance experience.
About the Moderator:
Patti Schmidt (Montreal – MUTEK / CBC Radio) Patti has been heavily involved in Canada’s independent music community, from running labels to performing in bands. She began her radio career with CKUT, the McGill University radio station in 1987, and later joined CBC Radio 2 in 1991 as a researcher and producer plus radio host of Brave New Waves. The show aired internationally and nightly for 23 years, presenting a universe of music and culture from the fringes and the future. She is currently the host of Inside the Music, a program that presents biographies, and also explores the trends, the history and the context of music in Canada and internationally. Patti also began a graduate degree in Art History and Communications in the Fall of 2009.
Screening 2 : “Speaking in Code”
Featuring Q&A with director Amy Grill and film subjects The Wighnomy Brothers
4pm to 6:30pm
Speaking in Code is a personal journey through a world where people give up everything to be lost in music. A techno lover (and the director’s then husband) risks it all to change Boston from a rock town into a techno city. A jet set journalist moves from America to Barcelona seeking a more complete techno lifestyle. An East German DJ duo struggle adapting to the pressures of unexpected celebrity. A rising Berlin-based producer group face the most nerve-wracking and important performance of their career. While making the film, the director herself gets lost in music, as she puts everything on the line to finish Speaking in Code. It’s an alternately heartbreaking and lighthearted documentary following a handful of people who make electronic music…. their lives
Starring: Modeselektor, Wighnomy Brothers, Monolake, Philip Sherburne, David Day & Amy Grill. Also featuring: Ellen Allien, Tobias Thomas, Marc LeClair AKA Akufen, Wolfgang Voigt, Michael Mayer, Reinhard Voigt, Sascha Ring AKA Apparat, Sascha Funke, Mario Willms AKA Douglas Greed, Miss Kittin, Dan Paluska AKA Six Million Dollar Dan, Mike Uzzi AKA Smartypants. Featuring music by: Modeselektor, Wighnomy Brothers, Robag Wruhme, Ellen Allien & Apparat, The Field, Monolake, Michael Mayer, Gas, Jonas Bering, SCSI-9, Gui Boratto, Superpitcher, Steadycam, Dettinger, The Rice Twins, Reinhard Voigt, Oxia.
After the screening there will be a special question and answer session with the film’s director, Amy Grill, and The Wighnomy Brothers, two of the many artists in the film.