Saturday October 19th
was the day that I got the opportunity to expose the collaborational project I
started more than a year ago, with members of the My Breath My Music foundation,
at this annual electronic music event.
With only one
track for each of the students as base (featured on our recent “Sessions 2012”
release, as the result of the session we did back in August 2012). I had to
compose new tracks for a full performance (of 45 minutes). Containing one new
solo track, as well as another track with one of the Magic Flute players.
During the
day we did three performances. One of the students representing one set. Due to
health issues Korneel Oskam couldn’t join us unfortunately. So Glenn Nugteren,
Christian Gouweleeuw and Karin van Dijk got the opportunity to show their
skills.
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| Set 1: With Glenn Nugteren. |
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| Set 2: With Christian Gouweleeuw. |
Then, three
hours of waiting before the next gig could take place. Due to the late ending
of the concert on the main stage, we started about 20 minutes later. Christian
Gouweleeuw made his appearance. He also didn’t seem to cope with nerves or so,
which also resulted into a very smooth performance during the second set. Unfortunately
not all seats were taken, but (as known) 17-18:00 isn’t the most comfortable
time for a performance, because of dinner-time. So be it!
The
beginning of the final track, the volume of the choir produced with the Magic
Flute started a bit too loud, but very soon I already forgot this happened. Looking
forward also hearing back the recordings of this set. |
| Soundcheck for set 3: with Gert Emmens, Karin van Dijk and Ruud van der Wel. |
The 20-minute opening track was followed by an energetic sequencing solo track, joined by Gert
on drums.
Once this
track was finished, the situation occured that one of the E-Live crew members
asked me - while I was playing - about the remaining length of my set. Which
was not a very proper way to handle in my opinion. While this question could
have better be asked to my sound engineer, it already got me out of my
concentration.
Secondly
the organisation was known with the length of my sets (max. 45 minutes per
concert), and should have known better.
Then... 90%
of the present audience (and it definitely was a full room) left all of a
sudden,, like a herd, after the second track was finished. Still one to go... The audience noticed
what just happened, and apparently found it more important to be the first to
enter the main hall and get their front row seats. Leaving 5 minutes before the
hall doors actually opened. So we could have easily finished our remaining 15
minutes without any of this have happened, as in the end there where at least 5
minutes left before the headlining concert was actually about to start.
Afterwards,
festival organiser Ron Boots told me that - due to this situation – he decided
to open the doors of the main hall 10 minutes later. Only problem was that the spectators
of our concert weren’t aware of this, which yet resulted into the sudden departure
of most of the audience.
Thanks to
the driven Karin, I decided not to abrubtly end the gig, but to complete the
remaining part. Which felt like an eternity to accomplish... So actually I
don’t have any idea what it sounded like, as from the moment of disturbance on
I had not a single clue what I was doing but pressing some white and black
keys...
After the
regular programme I’ve had a good talk with Ron Boots to empty my thoughts
and get things clear. Although we didn’t agree on all points, it was all o.k.
in the end.
Nevertheless
I still have a bitter aftertaste, but my anger has already cooled down on this day after.
Just for
your information: with my plea above, I will not make any offends or start
another discussion, but I felt the need to tell the situation the way I
experienced it yesterday. Mainly because we didn’t come to E-Live ‘just’ to
play some music, but to share a part of our lifes and emotions with the audience.
It sounds sentimental, but it is just the way I experience it. notwithstanding
it concerned an upper room concert, and not the main stage. You should know
that this was my fourth appearance at the E-festivals (and I hope this
definitely wasn’t the last one), which I see as an absolute privilege. But despite the upper room is mainly used for 'newcomers' or 'less known' artists, I expected a slightly more careful treatment. Again, things have been spoken out, so for now, for me, the discussion is closed.
In the end it’s always easy to let negative issues overrule the positive
things. When resuming the whole day, we could only agree that all of us had
a great experience, which was received very well by a lot of people.
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| Musicians and crew. |
Big thank
yous go to the organisation of the festival. Thanks to Ron Boots (who gave us
the opportunity to expose this project to a larger audience, which is definitely highly appreciated very much), All present
audience and people who supported My Breath My Music by buying the “Sessions
2012” cd. Thanks a lot for your interest and for all your positive and motivating
reactions.
And despite
the fucked up ending, I especially want to thank all of you who did not
leave the room 10 minutes before the end, and had the respect and patience to
stay with us until the very end of the show. You didn't give a fuck to just take the seat behind the one you could have seated when having joined the rest of the herd to witness the concert of ARC. Thanks to you we were able to
finish our set (although it felt like one of the longest 10 minutes in my
life...). This meant a lot to us! So much appreciated!
And last but not least: this project couldn’t have taken place without the help, support, assistance and cooperation of Ruud van der Wel (My Breath My Music, sounds and musical assistance), Wouter Bessels (sound, mixing, technical assistance) and Paulien Bouw (sales and assistance). And most important, the musicians: Glenn Nugteren, Christian Gouweleeuw, Karin van Dijk and Gert Emmens!
Enough for now! The coming
days I will concentrate on one of my other passions: computer gaming! And
then... reloading for some very interesting other projects to get involved into.
First of all preparing my solo concert at Theater De Wegwijzer.
And getting busy with another event I am going to organise myself at a very special
location. More information soon...Above featured additional photos were taken by Paulien Bouw, Karin van Dijk and Erwin Wolters.
