VJ-ing to music other then dance related

[Mucha]

VJ-ing to music other then dance related

I was Wondering If there are any vj's doing this... And how members on the board would react too music that has a in it-self has very strong content. For example singer/song-writer songs/concerts. And if there should be room for visuals at these more intimate kind of gig's. Considering that that the eyes will be focussed on the performers (emotions - movement etc).

I have been thinking about how this can be done without taking any focus from the perfomers but still being able too add to a concert.

[kommy]

how about abstract colors and textures that vibrate at the same speed as the music. and/or live camera feed of actual performer being effected.

[burstingfist]

I prefer doing shows that are not dance related. I feel they are much more gratifying because the audience is focused on the performers, and consequently, on your visual work. These types of performances allow you to do more subtle work (not just fast flipping a whole bunch of unrelated media). There is more pressure to really vibe with the musicians, because if you are not, the visuals can fuck the vibe.

[kommy]

yo dont listen to burstingfizzle, hes from oregon and those muthafukas are crazy ass lumberjacks out there
:confused: :confused:

[elbows]

Its what Im hoping to do, Im not an active VJ for multiple reasons, one of which si that the club-scene doesnt really float my boat these days. So far Ive got about as far as thinking that I would need to work very closely with the musicians, I would not like any kind of "us and them" barrier to form, or for there to be any politics relating to human egos occuring due to the visuals "overshadowing" an artists stage presense or whatever other heavy stuff I can imagine might go down if things arent nurtured.

I think making the performers part of the content via live video feed is certainly one approach that will work in some instances, and I think this is something that hasnt been exploited anywhere near enough yet. In terms of mainstream stuff, Im struggling to think of instances where Ive seen TV etc using live feeds and special effects with any greater sophistication than keying some trippy patterns onto the background etc.

I think there is loads of potential, Im at a continual loss as to why we dont see people pushing technology in strange directions that much in musical/band etc circles, or even in terms of live electronic musical acts.

For example, I think the concept of Gorillaz "the animated band" is interesting. Im intregued by the notion of taking it further in terms of live musicians controlling computer generated puppets whilst performing, stuff like that.

All the same, I have a funny feeling that good lighting rather than video will always remain the prefered option for many acts, if they want the focus to just be on them and the music then isnt video surplus to requirements?

[mandala]

i been working with ambient music a fair bit this year, and i dont think i will ever go back to doof doof now - chilled gigs are so much more interesting for me now - even the crowds are a lil more sophisticated, older and intellectually engaging/interested.. generally speaking.

[WordVirus23]

www.capturedbyrobots.com

[julez]

ive been doing some work with ambient electronical musicians who want to release dvds rather than cds.

I'd like to provide some backup visuals for large foyers of clubs with a cool dj as well, which people can look up before they enter. Seems like u can take a few more risks and be a bit more creative with this kind of stuff as promoters for the main room generally want something a bit more restricted

i think as mandala said the people who generally actually watch this kind of thing care more about production values and creativness rather than just a funky image

[ecin]

we did visuals for a fusion jazz group at a coffee shop this past weekend that went over quite well considering the small-town nature of the locals. i wonder if to even call it fusion jazz as these 7 guys had a ton of gear, toys, noisemakers and misc "things" that made noise. there was no beat to follow, and it made the visual aspect more free-form and less repetetive. we ended up using more live feeds of the musicians mixed with dirty imagery of run down spaces and abandoned buildings.

it was a very intimate setting that fit maybe 50-60 people at max. 1 quarter of the coffee shop was taken up by the bands gear and our gear. i have to admit, i was quite surprised to such a response on a friday night at a coffee shop. i hope to do more gigs like this, people consider us part of the performance when they can actually see what we are doing.

[Amukidi]

Yeah - ambient sets are the dog's bollocks - a seated (crashed!) audience and plenty of time to work, offset, of course, by the more demanding nature of what this brings - i.e. people are actually concentrating on what's on the screens, tempo is either slow or non-existant, meaning that fast moving or jerky clips are a no-no. Biggest problem over here in the UK is that 90% of punters wanna get totally mashed and dance! Bastards!!

[Mucha]

Ok what i mean t by non dance- related i was refering too non electronic music.... no thats not true.... hhhm ok singer/songerwriter genre best way i can describe it.
Songs where the people performing. And how a vj can play with the focus between his work(s) and the focus on the Singer*musician. I am gonna use a singer as a example cause lyrics bring with them their own very direct content.

I realise that in this case u can easily end up with creating video clips for the artist your working with. But there must be a different approach too this. Or i at least hope there is......

I also think that the rules get a bit more strict...
For example i dont think visual loops would work..
if ur dealing with lyrical content that in doesnt loop that much...