someone who's doing some things
Things are going on all the time!, This category is about things I’ve been to or sometimes would have liked to have been to. Also, it’s about events I’m a part of or have had some hand in running.
I think I’ve probably posted all of the individual posts I’m going to now about the Play Space. It was an amazing day and I think it well really well overall. Hopefully we’ll do something like this again in the not too distant future.
If you want to see all of the post about it you can click on the tag SoundLab (just click here).
I’ve known about SubPac for some time. I think I saw them at a Roli event I was speaking at last year. I thought it was a great idea but I’d never had a chance to try it out, that is not until the SoundLab Play Space event. I have to say that I was really impressed with it. It feels amazing, totally amazing. I think it’s really had to put into words what it’s like as it is really a feeling and an experience and as such it’s difficult to translate it into words.
However, if you ever get a chance to try one out then I’d strongly suggest you do.
OMD are playing the Royal Albert Hall next May, and I’ve got tickets. They’re going to play Dazzle Ships and Architecture and Morality too. Dazzle Ships was one of their more experimental albums but actually one of the ones I liked the most. I thought it was a really interesting album and I’ve always enjoyed it.
So I’m looking forward to seeing them live again, but it’s a long time to wait.
I’ve mentioned the Ototo a number of times before, I’m a fan. I really like it. I think that Ototo is a really useful, and a really fun piece of equipment. So it was great to have the Ototo from Dentaku at the SoundLab Play Space. As usual we got it hooked up to a bunch of fruit, which, whilst fun to play with, kind of doesn’t show just how much it can do.
Personally I think that the Ototo excels when used with its interesting range of sensors. Of course, the other thing that you can use the Ototo with is conductive ink. Yep, that works, and works well too. I should post some of the interactions that are possible using the Ototo, and will do soon.
I don’t know what Dentaku have planned for the Ototo, but I do hope it keeps going and moves forward. Anything else would be a shame.
The Pop Up Band has been a main stay of SoundLab for well over a year now, so of course we had to use it in the Play Space too. In fact we used it for the band to perform and also for our audience to take over as well. It went down a storm, but what else would you expect from SoundLab and a set up with Thereminis and an AlphaSphere?
I love being involved in working with Heart n Soul on events like the Play Space. The downside for me is that I don’t get to be a visitor or an audience member at these events and I don’t get to participate in that way. It’s a shame as there’s always stuff going on that I miss, and with the Play Space there was huge amount that I missed.
One area I would’ve really like to have been at was the Chat Zone where Justin talked to some really interesting people on a range of topics around accessible music. I think it was recorded and I’d love to hear that recording if possible.
If I can get my hands on it I may even get it posted somewhere too.
I went to see the Selector last Friday at the Clapham Grand. It was an awesome gig. I was never a massive fan of their stuff although I liked the singles “On my radio”, and “3 minute here”, but it was great to hear them live. They had so much energy and enthusiasm and the crowd loved every minute of it.
I haven’t rushed out to buy their stuff or anything, but I’m glad I went to the gig and saw them. It was well worth it.
Only a few days left to get ready for the SoundLab play space next week. I’m looking forward to it, but there’s still a lot to do and prepare, and that’s what I’m trying to do today.
I hope it’s going to be an amazing event and that everyone who attends gets a real sense of the huge creative possibilities from it. That’s the plan anyway!
I am Ashley Elsdon 