An experiment in solo surf guitar

hlieboff59

Joined: Jun 27, 2008
Posts: 576
Marlboro, New Jersey
5 Download Pins

Posted on Sep 27 2013 12:36 PM

Best of luck and please let us know how it goes. Very interesting song setlist you put together. Great thing about that is you can go at your own pace, because just about everyone there probably doesn't know these songs of the tempo. Wish we all can be there for you for support.

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matt

Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 656
Boston, MA
6 News Pins

Posted on Sep 27 2013 08:57 PM

Kind of amazing serendipity, as I was actually going to post something related. A friend of mine started a website called concertwindow.com. the initial idea was that they put cameras in various venues (starting in boston, but I think they've branched out) and you can watch shows live for a small fee. money gets split between artist, venue & concertwindow.

now they've moved on to a thing called concertwindow OPEN, which is basically a live webcast that you do from your own computer. You set up a "show," let people know about it, and then anyone can tune in and watch from their own computer. It's a "pay what you will" setup, as you are watching you can "tip" the performer. There's also a chat function, so folks can make requests or what have you.

It doesn't really seem well suited to a whole band, just because of the webcam issues, but PERFECT for someone doing a solo set, and there are a few people I'd love to hear do it, and Ivan is certainly one! You just sign up at concertwindow.com and it's all pretty self-explanatory from there.

(note: I'll be doing a "show" on monday sept 28 at 7:30pm EST, but there will be nary a surf tune played, all Irish music. second note: you might notice in looking at their offerings that there are a lot of Irish musicians,this is because one of the founders is an Irish accordion player)

—

Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com

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matt

Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 656
Boston, MA
6 News Pins

Posted on Sep 27 2013 08:57 PM

(further note: I don't run the site or have anything to do with it; I just thought it would be an awesome chance to hear Ivan rock some solo guitar!)

—

Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com

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IvanP

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
United States

Posted on Sep 28 2013 01:48 AM

Thanks for all the well-wishes, everybody! It must have worked, since I played very well, and feel good about it after the fact. The whole event was very low-key, and there were only 25-30 people there, mostly chatting with each other and munching on pizza. It was a gorgeous day, mid-70s and sunny, and it was a lot of fun to be able to play outside, which is one of my favorite things ever! Something about having the sound flow into the ether I find very pleasing and even inspiring. I talked a bit between the songs, sometimes explaining something about a song, other times just cracking a joke or two, and I think the students enjoyed it all - though they did seem quite puzzled by it! I explained that this is music that usually has a full band playing and that they're getting a very partial picture of what it sounds like. I did have one student ask me if people dance to this stuff, and what exactly that looks like! I tried to explain the surfer stomp, but utterly failed. Still, I enjoyed it all, despite feeling VERY exposed and self-conscious initially. It seemed like every note had to be right, since there was nowhere to hide, but I think I pretty much achieved that. I ended up playing all but two songs from my planned setlist (I ejected Hot Doggin' and Ricochet). And afterwards I even sold four or five CDs, so all in all, not bad! I'm pleased. It was fun.

Alas, I don't think I saw any students recording any video of my performance - sorry. Matt, obviously too late to take you up on that offer, but maybe at some point in the future. Seems pretty cool, though.

Thanks again, everybody. I hope I get to do this again, and that maybe more of you give it a shot, as well.

—

Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube

Last edited: Sep 28, 2013 01:50:40

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Noel

Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
United States

Posted on Sep 28 2013 07:56 AM

Congratulations, Ivan! I somehow feel the kids let me down. First time I've ever heard of an entire group of them and none using their iPhone cameras to record something they were watching.

But you've crystalized a thought roaming around my empty head since you described your upcoming performance. And it's related to acoustic surf. I find it odd that something known as guitar music is so seldom played as purely guitar music. If you ever feel like recording one of your solo guitar performances of any of these songs, on acoustic guitar or the rig you used, and sharing it with us, I'll be delighted to hear it.

—

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

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CrazyAces

Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4053
Nashville, TN.
3 News Pins

Posted on Sep 28 2013 10:09 AM

There you go Ivan - A solo or duo acoustic record.
I'd be interested in hearing that.

The whole no iphone/video thing, part of me is just artsy enough to appreciate that your performance was an event that was shared by you and the people there only, and can't be broadcasted or reviewed.
There is something so singular about experiences like that, maybe because they are so rare these days.

—

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

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DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11076
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Sep 28 2013 02:33 PM

Hey Ivan, did anyone from The Independent Institute post the video from when you played in Berkeley?

—

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

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IvanP

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
United States

Posted on Sep 30 2013 10:11 PM

Danny, no, I haven't seen any videos whatsoever from that event, unfortunately.

Here are a few photos of my little experiment - very mellow....

—

Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube

Top

6V6

Joined: Nov 15, 2008
Posts: 284

Posted on Oct 01 2013 03:01 AM

Love the tilt-backs on the DR! I need those...

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tubeswell

Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
Antarctica

Posted on Oct 14 2013 11:58 AM

I trust you were using mains isolation Ivan (for all those students out there)

—

He who dies with the most tubes... wins

Surf Daddies

Last edited: Oct 14, 2013 11:59:05

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da-ron

Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
United Kingdom

Posted on Oct 24 2013 07:31 AM

He looks mainly isolated!

Seriously - well done for going through with it. I've often wondered about solo surf guitar, mainly from a busking (street performance) aspect.

We've often busked with small amps and minimal drums, but I've often wondered how solo guitar would sound - the tempation is to use backing tracks.

—

http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/

Top

hlieboff59 Joined: Jun 27, 2008 Posts: 576 Marlboro, New Jersey	Posted on Sep 27 2013 12:36 PM Best of luck and please let us know how it goes. Very interesting song setlist you put together. Great thing about that is you can go at your own pace, because just about everyone there probably doesn't know these songs of the tempo. Wish we all can be there for you for support. Top
matt Joined: Oct 18, 2010 Posts: 656 Boston, MA	Posted on Sep 27 2013 08:57 PM Kind of amazing serendipity, as I was actually going to post something related. A friend of mine started a website called concertwindow.com. the initial idea was that they put cameras in various venues (starting in boston, but I think they've branched out) and you can watch shows live for a small fee. money gets split between artist, venue & concertwindow. now they've moved on to a thing called concertwindow OPEN, which is basically a live webcast that you do from your own computer. You set up a "show," let people know about it, and then anyone can tune in and watch from their own computer. It's a "pay what you will" setup, as you are watching you can "tip" the performer. There's also a chat function, so folks can make requests or what have you. It doesn't really seem well suited to a whole band, just because of the webcam issues, but PERFECT for someone doing a solo set, and there are a few people I'd love to hear do it, and Ivan is certainly one! You just sign up at concertwindow.com and it's all pretty self-explanatory from there. (note: I'll be doing a "show" on monday sept 28 at 7:30pm EST, but there will be nary a surf tune played, all Irish music. second note: you might notice in looking at their offerings that there are a lot of Irish musicians,this is because one of the founders is an Irish accordion player) — Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo http://www.heatonsurf.com Top
matt Joined: Oct 18, 2010 Posts: 656 Boston, MA	Posted on Sep 27 2013 08:57 PM (further note: I don't run the site or have anything to do with it; I just thought it would be an awesome chance to hear Ivan rock some solo guitar!) — Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo http://www.heatonsurf.com Top
IvanP Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 10331 southern Michigan	Posted on Sep 28 2013 01:48 AM Thanks for all the well-wishes, everybody! It must have worked, since I played very well, and feel good about it after the fact. The whole event was very low-key, and there were only 25-30 people there, mostly chatting with each other and munching on pizza. It was a gorgeous day, mid-70s and sunny, and it was a lot of fun to be able to play outside, which is one of my favorite things ever! Something about having the sound flow into the ether I find very pleasing and even inspiring. I talked a bit between the songs, sometimes explaining something about a song, other times just cracking a joke or two, and I think the students enjoyed it all - though they did seem quite puzzled by it! I explained that this is music that usually has a full band playing and that they're getting a very partial picture of what it sounds like. I did have one student ask me if people dance to this stuff, and what exactly that looks like! I tried to explain the surfer stomp, but utterly failed. Still, I enjoyed it all, despite feeling VERY exposed and self-conscious initially. It seemed like every note had to be right, since there was nowhere to hide, but I think I pretty much achieved that. I ended up playing all but two songs from my planned setlist (I ejected Hot Doggin' and Ricochet). And afterwards I even sold four or five CDs, so all in all, not bad! I'm pleased. It was fun. Alas, I don't think I saw any students recording any video of my performance - sorry. Matt, obviously too late to take you up on that offer, but maybe at some point in the future. Seems pretty cool, though. Thanks again, everybody. I hope I get to do this again, and that maybe more of you give it a shot, as well. — Ivan Lords of Atlantis on Facebook The Madeira Official Website The Madeira on Facebook The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook The Space Cossacks on Facebook The Madeira Channel on YouTube Last edited: Sep 28, 2013 01:50:40 Top
Noel Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.	Posted on Sep 28 2013 07:56 AM Congratulations, Ivan! I somehow feel the kids let me down. First time I've ever heard of an entire group of them and none using their iPhone cameras to record something they were watching. But you've crystalized a thought roaming around my empty head since you described your upcoming performance. And it's related to acoustic surf. I find it odd that something known as guitar music is so seldom played as purely guitar music. If you ever feel like recording one of your solo guitar performances of any of these songs, on acoustic guitar or the rig you used, and sharing it with us, I'll be delighted to hear it. — This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. Top
CrazyAces Joined: Jul 31, 2012 Posts: 4053 Nashville, TN.	Posted on Sep 28 2013 10:09 AM There you go Ivan - A solo or duo acoustic record. I'd be interested in hearing that. The whole no iphone/video thing, part of me is just artsy enough to appreciate that your performance was an event that was shared by you and the people there only, and can't be broadcasted or reviewed. There is something so singular about experiences like that, maybe because they are so rare these days. — http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11076 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Sep 28 2013 02:33 PM Hey Ivan, did anyone from The Independent Institute post the video from when you played in Berkeley? — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac' Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
IvanP Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 10331 southern Michigan	Posted on Sep 30 2013 10:11 PM Danny, no, I haven't seen any videos whatsoever from that event, unfortunately. Here are a few photos of my little experiment - very mellow.... — Ivan Lords of Atlantis on Facebook The Madeira Official Website The Madeira on Facebook The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook The Space Cossacks on Facebook The Madeira Channel on YouTube Top
6V6 Joined: Nov 15, 2008 Posts: 284	Posted on Oct 01 2013 03:01 AM Love the tilt-backs on the DR! I need those... Top
tubeswell Joined: Sep 24, 2011 Posts: 1424 Wellington, NZ	Posted on Oct 14 2013 11:58 AM I trust you were using mains isolation Ivan (for all those students out there) — He who dies with the most tubes... wins Surf Daddies Last edited: Oct 14, 2013 11:59:05 Top
da-ron Joined: Jan 02, 2009 Posts: 1307 The original Plymouth, UK.	Posted on Oct 24 2013 07:31 AM He looks mainly isolated! Seriously - well done for going through with it. I've often wondered about solo surf guitar, mainly from a busking (street performance) aspect. We've often busked with small amps and minimal drums, but I've often wondered how solo guitar would sound - the tempation is to use backing tracks. — http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/ Top

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An experiment in solo surf guitar