One of my most exciting musical projects began emerging over this past long, cold winter. Sahara and I have, for many years, been dreaming about a globally-inspired dance-oriented show that we could share with listeners and movers around the world. And it’s finally come together as Worldbeat Underground.
Now that the technology for live integrated electroacoustic audio is reliable and relatively affordable, we can now perform the way we’ve always imagined.
Our setups each involve a laptop with Ableton Live software, a USB audio interface (we use Focusrite because they’re awesome), a MIDI foot controller to facilitate live looping control, microphones to capture vocals and acoustic instruments, and additional MIDI controllers – keyboards, mixers and Launchpads – for creating beats and melodies on the fly, and for processing real-time effects.
In addition, our two laptops use Ableton Link to time-sync them together. When one of us changes tempo, both machines respond. It’s organic, intuitive, and so easy to set up.
Technology aside (I know, gear talk….) this project has taught me so much about intuitive listening, and moment-to-moment musical communication. As a challenge for our first series of Fridays in March, Sahara and I prepared NO material beforehand – no songs, no bass lines, no beats. EVERYTHING for a continuous 90-minute dance flow was created live and in the moment. Amazing? Yes. Exhausting? Definitely!
This project is continuing to evolve. The next challenge for us is learning how to travel efficiently with all the equipment and instruments we need for a Worldbeat Underground show. We’re looking forward to sharing this music (for starters!) in Europe, in India, and across Canada.
In the near future, we have some summer gigs in Nova Scotia. You can follow our Facebook page for details, or join Sahara’s and/or my email list.