I emerge from the darkness.

I emerge from the darkness. I’m finally done with the huge CD project and I’ve delivered yet another project. I’m a bit behind on yet another project as well! The current CD has a web software demo on it. I found an interesting program called Flashcast from Multidmedia which, unlike capture programs in the past, actually captures changes in mouse position and in the screen. These grabs are compiled in to one file which can be edited extensively. This file can then be exported as a SWF file. I think that this is a pretty new approach to software demos, but the software is at a very immature stage in it’s development. There is another program, RoboDemo which also exports to FLA format with an add-on module, but this solution would cost around $500. Flashcast is only $120. While this project was intended for Director, I think that I will be using Flash exclusively on this project.

Last Monday I was a guest speaker at Creative Circus for a web design class taught by Kathleen Turaski of Point of Vision. I was honored to be asked to do this. It seems that she might think I know what I’m talking about! Anyway, I guess I did okay with it.

Last night Joyce and I went to see Broadcast with Manitoba and Hawk and a Hacksaw at Echo Lounge. First I have to say that you all need to STOP SMOKING! The smoke was so thick that we could taste it! And it’s not as if Echo Lounge has any ventilation either.

To start with, Hawk and a Hacksaw is Jeremy Barnes one man band. Jeremy has worked with several bands such as Neutral Milk Hotel (from Athens, GA), Bright Eyes, and is currently drumming for Broadcast on their tour. He came out with an accordion (hands), a little kick drum with a tambourine (right foot), a small gong (left foot), a bird whistle (mouth), and a hat that had jingle bells on it and a broken drum stick taped to it that he could use to hit a cymbal that was next to his head. This was quite a spectacle to begin with. He played an Arabic influenced music that at times leaned into a Jewish flavor. He could really play, but it got old after about 3 or 4 songs.

Manitoba, what can I say. They were very good. Three guys, each with masks on, two drum kits, guitars, keyboards and whatnot. The music took on a stronger dynamic than on the latest album “Up In Flames” and they utilized DVD playback of video on the backdrop which consisted of fun videos of furry animals and puppets as well as the remainder of the blips and beeps to fill out the music. Other than the video there was no lighting. Although I don’t know much about Gerling beside the “Deer In You” single, I felt the same sort of fun in Manitoba’s music.

Next out was Broadcast. This was a different story. I find many of their songs interesting, and my friend Steven Venn loves their recorded work, but live they were a bit lackluster. Like Manitoba they didn’t utilize any lighting other than projection on the backdrop. Unlike Manitoba, the video was drab and not very bright or colorful. It also didn’t really add to the music at all. With the style and voice of singer Trish Keenan and the video, I got the feeling like I was watching a poor attempt at the Velvet Underground with Nico. It was getting late so we left about six or seven songs into the set.