I wanted to do something VERY private, hopefully making it easier, to get through the material. I think it actaully made it harder. I did start to feel comfortable after the Ixtab wich is near the end. It was exhilarating and scary, and for a little over an hour, the drama was real! I was determined at that point I would definately going to do this for real.
May 15 2014 - The Art Center Prince Albert - With Continuum Flux
The days leading up to the show were filled with this ominous dread that I wouldn't get everything done in time. I was right. I was creating a video to go along with the show, and started rendering it in the morning. After 4 hours and only 1/3 of the way through the computer crashed and the idea of doing that evaporated. I forgot that without it I would need an MP3 player to do the bits inbetween the songs so that ended up no happening either. Mike helped as much as he could to cart the multitude of crap I needed for the Bėker show up the horrible stairs. Mike by the way is Continuum Flux who so graciously opened the show. He had alot of problems as well, but this is my blog. The turn out was dismal, but there was enough people to call it a show. In the end I made a very acceptable effort. I made a myriad of mistakes but didn't let that slow me down. I felt fairly confident after Nexus which is only about 5 songs in. There was one further problem when I hit Unthinkable, it turns out I forgot to hook up the S-220, so there was no sample for the solo. I took a minute to fix this before Ixtab. To be honest, moving a big set-up like this I am surprized that is the only problem I had. While I was quite disappointed about the turnout, it was a good step forward, and while I don't want to move my equipment up and down those stairs again, I DO hope to try this again. With video and with people!
Equipment:
Roland MC-50
Roland JX-3P
Roland EP-11
Roland U-20
Roland MKB-200
Roland S-220
Roland S-550
Roland MKS-7
Roland M-120 (mixer)
Roland GP-8 (effects)
Yorkville LP-608
2 x Yorkville LP-304
1 modified Yorkville LP-304
8 MIDI cables
10 instrument cables
6 Mic cables
several power extention cables
4 powerbars
Miscellaneous lighting
Black backdrop
April 6 2018 - The Mann Art Gallery Prince Albert
The Drama Compendium
Although I was much more prepared for this show, there were still alot of problems. The biggest was simply getting everything there and set up on time. It didn't happen and that created a few problems. Nothing too huge or horrible, although when I realized the keybaords were too far apart in Make it Real I was panicing! No the problems that caused difficulty were things I didn't expect. But let me go back a bit. I had to do some last minute things and when I returned my uncle was at the house and I couldn't run away without a quick visit. All said it put me about one and a half hours behind, then Todd was unable to get there till 6, so I had no help, and less time to setup in. Jordan was a big help, as he arrived before Todd. The big problem was all the people who said they would be there, weren't. There were so few people I could have done this in my basement again. So part-way through the first set, the u-220 cuts in and out, I am rattled but continue on and finish the first set. Then in the second set after the first song, Todd says the front end isn't on. After pissing around I decide to skip the EQ and there is the front end. So the EQ isn't working. I had to pause the video for this and kind of lose my pacing a bit. The the U-220 cuts out for good. Again short story, the channel died on my M-120, so when I have the time I have to replace ALL of the op-amps in there. I quickly put it into a channel on the M-12E but I had to stop the video again. after this I had a relatively good set. Only forgot a few words and a few mistakes here and there. The first set was a bit worse, but I do think it was because I was so rushed. Then I had to break it all down and take it home. 2 days later I am still bring things in. So this time I had video, but still no people. Today I am working on a DVD of the night. So although not perfect I can still watch it without cringing too much.
Equipment : Mics: Sure SM58 x2 // Keyboards: MKB-200, MKB-300, EP-11, JX-3P, JUNO-106, V-256 // Rack1: S-220, S-550, MKS-7, MKS-10, MKS-30 // rack2: DEP-3, GP-16, M-12e, M-120, A-880, VP-70, GP-8, MKS-50, D-110, U-220, JV-880 // rack3: LP-504 x4, LP-304 (modified) // rack4: power conditioner x2, cable tester // Lights: LP-608 x2, LP-304 x2, white flood light, radio shack disco light, UV light x2, Beker rope light, specialty UV light x2, mini gobo light x2, specialty LED light x2, regular white bulb, fake fireplace // Stands: mic stand with boom x2, 3 tier A frame leyboard stand, X style keyboard stand x2, homemade backdrop stand // pa system: yorkville elite max 2000 tops, yorkville single 18" subs, audio pro power amps x2, yorkville crossover, QSC power amp, yorkville 12" monitors x2, alesis EQ, peavey EQ // misc: black backdrop, white backdrop for video, video projector, dvd player w/ remote, about 10 miles of XLR, 1/4" & MIDI cabling
8 March 2020 - Private Show
Houseparty1
After making the show smaller and then a new show that was smaller yet. I had prepared a guerrilla style set-up and unleashed it at this private show. I wasn't feeling the greatest but was already getting the feeling that I wouldn't be able to do this show later. I had been practicing quite a bit so the show went well, my voice held up, and I was actually quite happy with it all. Unfortunately only one of the video cameras recorded and it ran out of batteries about 15 minutes before the end. I was hoping this success would embolden me to do more shows, but then the world closed. Hopefully I will get the courage to do this again when the world opens again.
Equipment : Mics: Sure SM58 // Keyboards: Juno-di, RS-5 // Lights: 5 mini lights // Stands: mic stand with boom // pa system: Yamaha Stagepas system, Hartke a-70 // misc: black backdrop and stand
17 May 2020 - Streaming Show
Artificial Live
I wrote another album and decided to try playing it live. It wasn't the greatest mostly because the technology didn't work that well. I played OK considering this was all new music. I tried to record it with 2 other cameras but only 1 recorded. Anyway if it wasn't for the camera freezing up, this would have been a good show.
Equipment : Mics: Sure SM58 x2 // Keyboards: U-20, aJuno-1,Juno-di, RS-5, MC-50 // Lights: 5 mini lights // Stands: mic stand with boom // pa system: Yorkville Audiopro 512 with YM-120 monitor // misc: black backdrop // streaming equipment: OSB studio, Sportcam XHD, My PC
20 May 2020 - Private Show
Houseparty1
I was a bit worried about being in front of people again, and when I found out there were more people than I had expected, I was quite worried. I think it will all work out fine, I guess at this point I still have to wait a week. Anyway I did transport the little show into someones basement, and it was actually a kinda fun. While certainly far from a perfect show it was pretty good, the people seemed to like it and overall I think it all went well. My friend Todd wanted to try out his new smoke machine, and that was a fun surprise! I thought I could add Within (from artificial) without the vocoder, but it was just too high and I don't think I will do that again. Anyway it has definately made me want to do more shows, but I think it is still, a bit premature to mingle with too many unknown people.
Equipment : Mics: Sure SM58 // Keyboards: Juno-di, RS-5 // Lights: 5 mini lights // Stands: mic stand with boom // pa system: Yamaha Stagepas system, Hartke a-70 // misc: black backdrop and stand
13 March 2021 - Jam Street Prince Albert
Auntie Addendum
Lots of work went into this presentation and I think it showed. The only real problem was something similar to the Drama Compedium Show of 2016. And that it was just more stuff than I had time to set up. When I was bringing things upstairs I started to realize this was a lot bigger than I had thought. It was mostly the lights, but to be fair I think if I had to do a few shows after this, I would have been able to streamline the set up, and reduce the amount of time it took. As it was I didn't have time to set up the fogger and the laptop, I had to change and play. I also forgot to bring the USB wall adapters for my cameras, so I just used one of my flip cameras and hoped it would catch most of the show ( I missed the first song and then the batteries died after about 60 minutes missing the last 5 1/2 songs). I played really well! My biggest fear was forgetting lyrics and overall I did well. Of all of the songs to mess up was Relax, I missed a section and had to repeat the chorus. Really happy with everything. I just wish I had left a bit more time to set up (so I had a few minutes to relax), and then I would have had time to push the programs. None sold, kinda disappointed about that. So a small but appreciative crowd (because of COVID restrictions), but again really happy with the show.
Equipment : Mics: Sure SM58 // Vocal Effects: Electro-Harmonix V-256, Boss DF-2, DOD Tec 4x, Samples from my phone // Keyboards: aJuno-1, U-20 x 2, MC-50 // Lights: Yorkville LP-304, LP-608 x 2, LP 504 x 3, 10 mini lights, 4 fake fire lights, 4 UV lights, 4 Par 64 cans, Beker rope light // Stands: mic stand with boom // pa system: Yamaha Stagepas system // misc: 4 black backdrops, folding backdrop stand x 2, Cardboard porthole
5 June 2021 - Jam Street Prince Albert
Antigone
Again I worked really hard to put this show together. For some reason I didn't feel as good about it. I think I played well and everything. I can't put my finger on it. Anyway it was a similar set-up to the previous show, I did have to rush to get it all set up. There were a few things I left behind, like the cardboard port hole. Oh and I changed one of the backdrops to have a Bėker sign in it and painted it like the Antigone cover. Recorded this show as well but this time the camera was too close to the speaker and the audio is really distorted. I want to try this show again, with some changes and improvements.
Equipment : Mics: Sure SM58 // Vocal Effects: Electro-Harmonix V-256, Boss DF-2, DOD Tec 4x, Samples from my phone // Keyboards: aJuno-1, U-20 x 2, MC-50 // Lights: Yorkville LP-304, LP-608 x 2, LP 504 x 3, 10 mini lights, 4 fake fire lights, 4 UV lights, 4 Par 64 cans // Stands: mic stand with boom // pa system: Yamaha Stagepas system // misc: 2 black backdrops, folding backdrop stand, folding backdrop stand with Bėker sign and Antigone cover.
6 June 2022 - Private Show
Houseparty0.5
I wanted to do this show at Jam street but ended up just doing another private show. Probably for the best as there was a poor turnout. I shortened the Houseparty show and took it down to one keyboard. I did add an excerpt from Alterneath, a song I never thought I would play live. I really enjoyed this show and hoped to play it again before the year was up, but that was not to be. It was fun and quick.
Equipment : Mics: Sure SM58 // Keyboards: Juno-Di // Lights: 4 mini lights, red rope light, 1 Par 56 cans // Stands: mic stand with boom, keyboard stand // pa system: Yamaha Stagepas system // misc: 2 black backdrops
16 September 2023 - PAVED arts, Saskatoon SK
Houseparty0.6
As always I ran out of time. I was doing things that should have been done, on the day of. There was a slow leak on the tire I fixed on the van, and the cash box I bought had no keys. So the day got worse, plus I was late. Once there, Phil, Clay & myself started loading in the equipment. Because it is on the second floor, it is a bit of a pain but it did go quickly. I got the PA set up, and Clay set up his stuff. My keyboard was easy, it was the back drops and backstage that took a minute. Phil was a huge help that day. The turnout was poor, but the show went well. The Houseparty show was almost fun. I just stress out too much. Then it was time to load out. That was no problem, I was just worried about setting the alarm properly, but no one called me, so it must have went well. I think I am ready to do this again.
Equipment : Mics: Sure SM58 // Keyboards: Juno-Di // Lights: 2 red lamps, 1 white desk light, 1 UV light, 1 butterfly light // Stands: mic stand with boom, red keyboard stand // pa system: Yorkville Elite system // misc: folding backdrop stand, folding backdrop stand with Bėker sign and Antigone cover.
17 November 2023 - Spice Trail, Prince Albert SK.
Houseparty0.6
As always I ran out of time. It's a running theme. Luckily I had less to do. I didn't have to set up the PA system. The opener cancelled the day of. Concise had a nice set. For me it was just all of the people who swore up and down that they would be there and didn't show up. I was actually quite mad, and not sure it came through in the playing, but it was a difficult thing. I played well enough, but I didn't take many chances either. My voice wasn't feeling that great. I had All Change and End of Summer ready but decided to skip them. Finished with Brick. So what could have (and should have) been a fun gig was marred by again the lack of people. I guess I have to start to think about just packing this in.
Equipment : Mics: Sure SM58 // Keyboards: Juno-Di // Lights: 2 red lamps, 1 white desk light, 1 UV light, 1 butterfly light // Stands: mic stand with boom, red keyboard stand // pa system: Theadbare Productions // misc: folding backdrop stand, folding backdrop stand with Bėker sign and Antigone cover.
