This was an idea that came to me during the first COVID lockdown. It was really strange to have all live shows cancelled until further notice.I had just started presenting live streams from my studio via Facebook as a way to stay creatively active and connect with an audience. I was really enjoying it even though it is not quite the same as playing to people in the same space.
Not connecting with musicians in a live situation is one of the things I miss most. We all tried various ways of trying ‘iso performances’ and jam sessions but the technology is not quite there yet.
Then I came up with this idea of asking some of the musicians I have worked with over the years to record a video of themselves performing with a simple backing track I composed in their headphones. The only direction I have each one was to play or sing whatever you feel.
I have created a video instrument using VDMX5 and Ableton LIVE that allows me to trigger the various video clips at will while I play live on my instruments. Even though they are not technically live with me I can see them and hear them and each performance will be unique.
I plan to launch the first performance on August 25th on the Amanaska Facebook Live Page so I hope you can join me.
