I forgot to post this last month, but I was over in Seattle and forgot about it when I got home. A few weeks ago I was featured Australia-wide on printed newspapers and on their subsequent online services with both a written and video interview.
You can check out the interview here.
“Carpe Zythum”, a performance with Elise Richards (Vocals) and Chris Vik (myself controlling the organ with the Kinect) along with a pre-composed piece written by both Elise and I. It was performed in November 2011 at the Melbourne Town Hall. This is the full video of the performance. If you’d like to see a video explaining how it works see last weeks video Controlling a 4-story organ with the Kinect
I’ve created my own software Kinectar, which allows the use of the Kinect to control MIDI devices, ie. playing notes through simple gestures and motion – I hooked this up to the organ.
For more information on my gesture-based music projects, see my blog I love the Future
Video produced by Unkle Nicnac Films
In this video I briefly explain and demonstrate how I used the Kinect to control the massive Melbourne Town Hall Organ. It contains a short excerpt from our performance “Carpe Zythum” November 2011.
I’ve created my own software Kinectar, which allows the use of the Kinect to control MIDI devices, ie. playing notes through simple gestures and motion. The Melbourne Town Hall Organ got a referb in the late 90s adding the ability of MIDI messages to active the notes… this happened.
The company that provided the control system to allow the organ to be played via MIDI are Solid State Organ System.
Co-composition and Kinect performance and programming by Chris Vik
Co-composition, lyrics and vocals by Elise Richards
Video produced by Unkle Nicnac Films
Full performance out next week!
I’m doing a short Kinect electronic music set at Transitions (BeatEngines) next Friday [24/02/12] @ Royal Melbourne Hotel. I’ll be following up the set with a short talk/demonstration of my software “Kinectar”, where you’ll see the nitty-gritty of how I go about putting instruments together using the Kinect as a MIDI controller.
It’s free from 9pm until 10pm (when the psy starts), I’ll slot somewhere in that time-frame, so be sure to get there by 9pm if you want to catch my demo! There’s heaps of other stuff going on that’s definentely worth checking out, check out the facebook page for more details: http://www.facebook.com/events/213576515398677/
Once again, I’ve been challenged to use my Kinect system to control a massively over-sized instrument. And they just keep getting bigger…
The Melbourne Town Hall Organ is the next on the agenda, in another opportunity through RMIT’s Fine Art Sound course. This beast has been retro-fitted to accept MIDI, just how I like it.
Come down and watch another world first of Kinect controllerism, where I use my soon to be released Kinect system (KiNECTAR) to play this organ using my hand gestures. The organ has kilometers of piping, looms 4-stories over the audience and has the power of over a thousand panthers.
The piece I’ll be performing has been co-written by myself and Elise Richards, who’s also gracing us with her angelic vocal talents. Featuring poetry and operatic wailing… the story is a Greek tragedy of my favorite topic…. BEER!!!
This performance will be recorded in full HD video and superb Ambisonic audio and will be on YouTube for those that miss out. Stay tuned.
Fine Arts Sound graduates come together with a dwindling grip on sonic reality beautifully showcasing the misuse of technology and broken symphonies. A once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the future of emerging sonic artists presenting their carefully constructed sounds. The 13 artists will present a diverse range soundworks that will show a glimpse into the future of music performance, composition & presentation. A show not to be missed and never to be repeated.
When: Monday 7th November, 8pm
Where: The Toff in Town
Cost: $5
Here’s the last 2 minutes of my half hour live Kinect set @ Red Sky (Brown Ally) 24/06/11.
It’s got me jamming along to HBO’s “Game of Thrones” theme.
Chris Vik 