In the Kootenays, electronic music is quite popular. The region is known for festivals both big and small that feature countless DJs playing beats on epic sound systems. But despite this culture, there are many electronic music detractors who complain about the lack of musicianship or showmanship in EDM.
Those people have never heard of Live Electronic Music, which is electronic music that performed by music producers without DJ tools. Instead of DJing, performers utilize a variety of electronic instruments (e.g. synthesizers, sequencers, samplers, vocal processors, loopers, etc.) to weave sonic worlds in real time.
Later this month, Kaslo and Crawford Bay will host a pair of Live Electronic Music showcases. These daytime events are funded by Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance community arts grants and are all ages so that kids and families can come dance and learn about this novel art form.
The shows will begin with an overview of live electronic music. Additionally, each artist or band will give a short talk detailing their creative and technical processes prior to their performance. This way, audience members will understand what they are witnessing in each performance.
All the showcase artists are Kootenay-based music producers, and each act performs completely different genres. The shows will feature improvised electro-jazz fusion, glitchy lo-fi funk, ethereal downtempo, interactive hip-hop and freestyle rap, and more. There’ll be space to sit and space to dance, and if you get hungry, you’re in for a treat with homemade burritos and soup cooked by a Nelson-based Mexican chef (gluten free and vegetarian options available).
Tickets for the event are available on a sliding scale from $10 to $30 at www.inventorlive.ca.
The Kaslo showcase will take place on Saturday, March 16 from 3:30-to-8:30 p.m. at The Langham’s gorgeous theatre (tickets also available at Sunnyside Naturals in Kaslo).
The Crawford Bay showcase will take place on Sunday, March 31 from 3-to-7 p.m. at the Harrison Memorial Cultural Centre, a beautiful church that’s been converted into an arts centre.
Inventor Live curates at the intersection of live electronic music, improvisation and interactive arts. All events produced by Inventor Live weave education into the shows.