Live Loop Audio Recording

So, I think I accomplished everything I set out to do today. Yay me! Also got over twice as many work hours as I was expecting. Forgot to write down hours and get my paycheck, though. Oopsy. So, I've going to write about live loop music this evening. But first, a break for food. I have not eaten dinner yet, and it's 10:01.

Okay, it is now 10:48. Dinner complete :P

So, as I was saying, live loop music performance. I believe the most popular example is Imogen Heap's Just For Now. She tends toward the almost tribal, vocal harmonies, with basic percussive rhythm. On the other end of the spectrum we've a guy by the name of Dub FX, who uses beatboxing combined with a decently impressive range to create a more electronic feeling song, titled Love Someone. Then, somewhere inbetween, you have KT Tunstall's Black Horse & the Cherry Tree, which uses actual instruments, in additional to vocals, for yet a third completely different sound. These three styles are all created from similar equipment. It seems to me that the live loop performance has created the ultimate platform for solo musicians. Whether multi-instrument-gifted, or just a singer, any independant musician can create a riveting performance with pedals and buttons.

So, Imogen Heap. She, unlike the other two I mentioned, starts with chords. She sings one part at a time , until you start hearing luscious, rich harmonies. Then she puts in a little bit of clapping here, some snapping there, varied rhythmic backup vocals. After all of this has been put into place, she starts the melody. Now, what I like about Just For Now is that Imogne Heap makes great use of removing the parts to make room for variations. This prevents any indivisual section from becoming too busy, overwhelming, or just plain crowded. Her result is very sweet, smooth, full sound.

Now Mr. Dub FX takes a different approach. The main difference is that, as he is a street performer in addition to a recording artist, he describes what he's doing as he's doing it. This way, since he has a much more random audience, anyone can at least partially understand what he's doing. Also, instead of starting with a note, FX starts with the beat. He builds up, in a more predictable way, to an equally impressive song. He uses a completely different style, with different tone quality, but the same equipment.

Now lastly, there is KT Tunstall. She is the only one in this grouping who uses any instruments, in this particular case guitar and tambourine. Like Dub, KT starts with a beat, though hers is made on the body of the guitar, then with muted strumming. Then she builds the basic backup, basic "ooh"s, in thirds. Then she does the guitar pattern and sings the melody. This results in, however, a more folky, bluesy style. Yet still, the same equipment is being utilized.

So all 3 artists, in these songs, are doing live performances with live looping audio recording. While each is in a completely different style, all of them provide a certain sense of creation. The aduience gets to watch and listen to a song being essentially built from the ground up. It also allows for the same free-forming which comes with live performance, but a solo artist can perform the whole song, all parts included. I fthat doesn't create opportunities, I don't know what does. Besides, I'd totally use that equipment. It seems like the perfect way to convey exactly what's in your head, instead of trying to communicate it to band members.



So yes. Holy crap. I just wrote an essay.

Oh, and happy 50th post on the (relatively) new blog to me!