Bob Wiseman at the Rock Can Roll Festival

I have been popping into various events at this year’s “The Rock Can Roll Festival” - on right now ( October 23 - 26.) Liz Pickard (Liz Band and Liz Solo) and the team have done a swell job of bringing in artists, musicians and some digital muckrakers to talk about their work. And the work is inspiring - especially for digital media peeps like me.

One thing that is definitely striking me is how many musicians are now dabbling in creating their own music videos or short films - some of it especially to accompany their music. If there were going to be something new in the music scene, I’d say this is it - the marriage of visuals to the performance.

What’s cool about it is that in this artist-centred business model now - you CAN do this. The price of the tools is now within reach. You can hire some media artists to do it for you, or you can do it yourself, like Bob Wiseman and Danny Keating are. Of course, the the two really like filmmaking - so that helps.

Bob Wiseman made some interesting points - he’s been making videos to accompany his stage shows during his performances. He says it serves a few purposes. It sets him apart from the kajillion other musicians out there, and that’s good - because there ARE a kajillion musicians out there and getting attention is difficult. The second thing that is good is that when performing, the video projections on stage actually make people stop and stare and listen. It’s something different. He is also interacting with the videos - they aren’t just background, so it’s part of the show - and it is funny.

The third good thing about his videos is they allow him to tour solo. Being in a band is tough. Being the band leader is even tougher - you have to take care of the people in your band. You have to make sure there is ample money for all, and foods and bed setc. You have to take care of them emotionally too - because you are the leader and asked them out.

Bob said this - which supposedly was echoed in earlier workshops - it’s better to be friends with the people in your band than choosing them for their musicianship. It’s a “tough gig” being in bands.

So touring alone with a projector, laptop and collapsible screen has become a viable option for Wiseman. He toured Europe last year this way opening for Feist.

I have to run now - The Rock Can Roll Festival evenings are filled with numerous shows in 4 different venues.

Danny Keating Info here.

Liz Solo and Liz band

Hope to see some of you tonight and don’t miss out tomorrow’s closing show for The Rock Can Roll Festival with Bob Wiseman’s digital show and The Subtitles at The Ship.

Down to the Dirt CD Soundtrack Release Party

This Friday October 10th, 2008 - don’t miss the Down To The Dirt Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Release party featuring Mark Bragg and friends. “Down To The Dirt” was  produced by Anna Petras & Justin Simms, directed by Justin Simms, and based on the celebrated Joel Hynes novel of the same name.

The album is comprised of twenty tracks in total and features instrumental music, guest tracks from Blair Harvey, Lizband, and Persona, plus six new Mark Bragg songs written specifically for the film.

Details:

Down To The Dirt Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
St. John’s CD Release Party
Friday, October 10th, 11PM
The Rock House on George Street
Admission $10 at the door $20 with CD purchase
(Regular cd retail price $15)

Bragg will be joined by musicians Brad Power, Curtis Andrews, Victor Lewis, and Luke Power for a grand Ho-Down with guest appearances by the movies musical cast and artists featured on the album, including Liz Solo, Jill Porter, Blair Harvey, Phil Churchill, and more.

Warming up the night are the Pathological Lovers, featuring Jody Richardson whose performance as “Francey” in the movie will really creep you out.

If you can’t make it - go buy the CD - it’s available at Fred’s Records on Duckworth!

PS. The Down to the Dirt film just picked up a few awards from the Atlantic film festival. Bravo. The big St. John’s Premiere is next week - it’s the gala opening film for the St. John’s film festival.

PSS. ya gotta come. I feel so close to this since I built the Down to the Dirt web site. Just saying.