Live electronic music. It almost seems like an oxymoron. How can electronic music be “live” when it consists of a series of sequenced drum programs and synthesizers. You could literally press play on your laptop and walk away from the stage.
Musicians do play electronic music live and until fairly recently it’s been a dull affair. The usual live experience is to see a one or two dudes on stage leaning over their laptops looking as if they we’re earnestly answering an email. But that’s been changing. More and more artists are incorporating analogue gear into their repertoire. The hardware and software is increasing adapting itself to improvisation and it’s not uncommon to see tradition instruments playing alongside their digital brethren.
I’m particularly enamored with live electronic music because I’ve been around long enough to see its development. From synthpop to hip hop to industrial to glitch, each year the experience becomes more and more organic and exciting.
From time to time on solipsistic NATION I’ve featured live electronic music from such artists as Deru and Robert Rich. In the near future solipsistic NATION will feature live performances from Hol Baumann and Nalepa.
On today’s show we’re going to talk with Maer of the Dub Beautiful Collective and play select tracks from bands and musicians who have performed for the Dub Beautiful Collective. Dub Beautiful Collective is a production organization in San Francisco that presents live electronic music events. Over the years Dub Beautiful Collective has put on shows with some amazing talent such as Welder, Adham Shaikh and Ishq from such diverse genres as IDM, ambient, downtempo.
If you enjoy today’s show, head over to Dub Beautiful Collective’s Net Label or Dub Beautiful Radio to download or listen to more live electronic music. And always remember to support you local artists by going to shows in your city!
- Nalepa “Live (December 3, 2005)”
- gasp “Live (March 30, 2003)”
- Dr. Toast “Live (November 5, 2004)”
- Ebbnflo “Live (June 3, 2001)”
- Solar Fields “Live (July 17, 2004)”
- Zygote “Live (July 17, 2001)”
- Phutureprimitive “Live (June 18, 2005)”
- Alchemy “Live (November 16, 2002)”
- Aes Dana “Live (April 10, 2004)”