by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
What: MOCA’s Canvas of Sound II Warehouse Party
When: February 17 @ 9:00PM - 1:00AM
Where: Enter the warehouse through the street entrance of the MOCA
Last year, on the night Club Paris opened, the MOCA opened its doors for a dance party of their own, the highly successful Canvas of Sound. According to Troy Spurlin, Director of Special Events and Marketing at the MOCA, the idea of the art museum throwing a dance party came from the fact that they “had this cool empty warehouse.” The space was perfect for a kind of underground dance party. More importantly, it brought new people in to experience the art. Like last year, Canvas of Sound II will also promote the museum’s collection itself by keeping the galleries open during the first two hours of the event (till 11PM).
Three DJ’s and a VJ will be featured at the dance party. The MOCA will be working with DJ Catharsis and VJ Electrolush. Last year they had a crowd of 500 and they expect even more people this year. EU had a chance to interview Brett Chila, the VJ of Electrolush, who will be mixing it up with multi-media.
EU: How is the VJ experience different than the DJ experience?
VJ Electrolush: Well, I have never really DJ’d, but there are differences and similarities. A DJ mixes music (usually from track to track) in order to create a particular flow or vibe of sound throughout the night. What I do is similar, but I constantly mix video to match whatever the music is being played. Instead of mixing track to track, I constantly mix and arrange video, graphics, text, and other elements of visual media to compliment the music throughout the entire track and set. I try to match the beat, pace, style, and tempo of the music as to create a more cohesive multimedia experience. I use anything from crazy graphical stuff, to real life nature, city, and world scenes. Whatever I feel is going to blend well.
EU: Where do you play?
VJ Electrolush: Mostly small clubs, but I get the occasional concert and festival (mostly in Miami for the Winter Music Conference) I have performed at the Ultra Music Fest & Global Gathering Festival in Miami during WMC (about 40K people in attendance). I have mixed visuals for MANY of the biggest DJ/Producers in the world, including Paul Van Dyke, Paul Oakenfold, Deep Dish, Steve Lawler, Icey, Satoshi Tomiie (Japan) and MANY more!
EU: What’s your style like?
VJ Electrolush: Hard to explain. I would say very focused! I CONSTANTLY pay attention to the music as to blend with the music as best possible. I am there to compliment the show, not steal it! Its really all about the music. But in all fairness, video is gaining HUGE ground. Video or VJ festivals are becoming more popular in Europe. VJ’s over there are actually starting to gain the superstar status like some DJ’s have. Europe is a little ahead of the game as pertaining to general cultural acceptance than the U.S. when it comes to the electronic music industry.
EU: What equipment do you use to VJ?
VJ Electrolush: Some common stuff like mini DVD players with preview screens. I also use my laptop with special VJ software which allows me to play clips from my hard drive instantly and manipulate them in real time with no pre-processing. I play and it spits it out. I can even run a video camera through my laptop and manipulate that feed in real time. I ran all that through a video mixer and out to video projectors and screens.
EU: Can you tell us what last year’s event was like?
VJ Electrolush: Absolutely great, plenty of art, exhibits, great music, great people. Really great vibe and atmosphere!
EU: How will things be different or the same this year?
VJ Electrolush: Concept is basically the same (great music, art, and people), but I’m sure there will be a few minor changes like the art itself, the décor, etc… We just want to take a great evening from last year and improve on it, but not change it.
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