Source Audio Blog

Live Loopers

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Posted in: Artist / Heroes News

Since we've had the exciting news that Kid Beyond in using a wireless Hot Hand for his live performances, my mind has been buzzing with the art of "live looping".

In researching the roots of live looping, I came across this great interview with one of, if not THE original proponent of the art, Robert Fripp. http://www.elephant-talk.com/intervws/fripp-to.htm

Live looping performances have become so popular that there is a festival dedicated to it! http://www.livelooping.org

Guitar Player magazine had an excellent article on looping a few years back - discussing various techniques, pieces of gear and artists. http://www.guitarplayer.com/story.asp?sectioncode=5&storycode=13444

I remember going to see Robert Fripp in 1980 at Tower Records in Hollywood (remember "record stores"?), and his display of "Frippertronics" - his term for his inventive use of this one-man-band show. Yes, he had his black 3 pickup Les Paul Custom from the Crimson days, and a Revox tape player, and a fuzz pedal to create his organic, evolving soundscapes.  When Mr. Fripp added his looping to Peter Gabriel's "Here Comes the Flood", I was hooked on the capabilities and power of what a modern musician could do in this setting of self-accompaniment and arranging to enhance a great piece of music.

Providing our own accompaniment via technology in a live setting is a spellbinding craft - and with current artists like David Torn and Kid Beyond, the future is in good hands.

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