Admin's blog

This week we ran the first test of the full-body gesture-driven audio and visual performance system, downtown at our warehouse space.
The concept is a performance involving live music, video and lighting, controlled in real-time by an improvising dancer.
We're basically turning Forest's body into an instrument, expanding the range of her dance performance from movement into music and video art.

We've developed a number of customized instruments to support the very dynamic Moodorgan live show.


Moodorgan has a frontman who sings, plays a keyboard and has to trigger loops and sequences in Ableton Live. Conventional equipment can place some restrictions on movement in such a situation and tends to be bulky (blocking the audience's view of the performer). As Moodorgan is a dynamic, high-energy live band, we developed some equipment to address these issues. First, we integrated a small VGA monitor and keypad into a MIDI controller keyboard. In combination with MIDI footswitches, this allows complete control over the sequencer (running on a Mac hidden in a remote road case) with a very minimal amount of (visible) gear. A few hidden LEDs behind an exoskeleton of perforated aluminum panels add a cyberpunk aesthetic (it's tough armor, too!). The stand is spring loaded, allowing the entire rig to move with the performer - giving a the singer/keyboard player the ability to move as a guitar or bass player might. The result is a performance that is much more expressive and live than would usually be expected from a electronic/sequencer-driven band.


Of course sometimes a full range of motion on stage is necessary. This strap-on remote MIDI controller (aka "keytar") began life as a Roland AX-7, a very functional but damn ugly piece of gear (a white plastic monstrosity styled vaguely like a submarine). We addressed the aesthetic issues (with more flat black perforated aluminum) and rebuilt this piece like a tank - while keeping it lightweight. Red LEDs on the inside (visible through the perforations) add to the effect. The infrared ("D-Beam") controller was also moved to a more ergonomic position.

prv2 is now available in stores and iTunes!
The new record includes club remixes and new songs by Moodorgan and bonus tracks by Catalog and black.empathy.box.
Lyrics and liner notes are at moodorgan.com/prv2.

Time for new merch! Creating t-shirts, stickers and other items ("hmmm ... what else could we print on?") for moodorgan's prv2 release is a creative process for us. The screens are designed to be manipulated and masked to create an infinite number of original designs: typically no two of the resulting pieces are exactly the same.



Washing and drying the new screens.



The printing process and some final products.

images from Bar Sinister's Dark Christmas (Winter Solstice) event

Live band: Peter - synths, vox, ableton; Scott - drums; Bryan - bass; Garrison - guitar; Ysanne - violin Production, styling lead: Forest Carver Photography: Laurel

A Memorial Day weekend dance performance by Forest with a soundtrack by Peter at the Malediction Society Aristocracy Ball ... loosely based upon a story involving Pierre Ordinaire, questionable goings-on in Baroque-era France, a flight to New Orleans, a subversive Gatling gun dealer, and the end of the world.

Sounds strange? The mysteries may be revealed by Forest, one of these days ...

[ soundtrack mix 192kbps mp3 ]