Loop.us is the live DJ band without the vinyl
Mixing beats, riffs & digital with live instruments and sound
The band consists of computer, guitar, electric bass and drums. When performing live riffs are grabbed from each instrument, looped then and throwed back into the mix for the band to work with, creating texture for interaction/improvisation. A live set performed by Loopus is always evolving and can be over one hour long, moving from groove to groove, riff to riff as one continuous flow. For festivals and venues with screens available, Loopus combines with visualist Jaymis who attaches micro cameras on instruments and surroundings, creating a live videoscape as the band plays.

My name is Andrew Gibbs and for the next few months I’ll be working at The Edge as a catalyst. Audiovisual things excite me. My background is largely in audiovisual performance, VJing, filming, editing, sound design, music production and animation.

Through my awesome other job I’ve also been fortunate enough to facilitate creative arts workshops all over this state, from Longreach to the Torres Strait. I’m passionate about using the creative arts for community building and I love getting together with creative people and geeking out.

I also get way too excited about creative enterprise and business development; I like to see things turn from ideas into reality and I think creativity is the only reason anything has ever really happened.

When I think about The Edge, my mind starts to melt with the possibilities. I’m really looking forward to collaborating with the other Catalysts and other crew that utilise this space.

I’m also looking forward to kicking off Plug n Play in Brisbane on Saturday the 27^thof March from 4-6pm with my good friend and fellow Catalyst – Jaymis. Plug n Play is a national audiovisual jam phenomenon. Basically if you’re interested in VJing, audiovisual performance, mixing, filming, animation this is the gig for you. It’s an impromptu jam space where you can plug in your equipment and contribute to the mix, ask some questions, learn some skills and meet some great people. Come along, bring your laptop/camera/tablet/phone/super8 projector!

We’ll be running Plug n Play as a semi regular event so keep your eyes peeled.

That’s it from me for now, if you wanna get in touch with me contact The Edge or comment below.

Yay.

Our afternoon began with music from Andrew Curnock piped into the auditorium. Andrew is a sound artist and Catalyst who lends himself to digital media, spending his time designing game soundtracks and the like. He works under the moniker of Beat Therapy and we were treated to some of these creations while we warmed up to the event.

I, for the duration of the event, filled the position of Master of Ceremonies (or MC for those born later than the 1950s).  At The Edge I’m the journalism Catalyst but unfortunately journalism isn’t a particularly engaging performance art, so I ended up as MC.

Now before I get into the afternoon’s performances I feel obliged to describe the rather eclectic scene we created within the space. We had Jaymis, Catalyst and visualist extraordinaire, set up with laptop, a vast array of cables and interfaces, and several tiny cameras. He produced some pretty awe-inspiring projections throughout Show Pony using just these tiny cameras and an array of effects.

Show Pony Number 1 from The Edge on Vimeo.

Catalyst Sandra, a kinetic sculptor and artist, arrived with a box of clockwork toys and a map of the world to a crowd of bemused faces. She set up and explained how her background in physiotherapy fed her passion for kinetics (movement) and her creativity helped her explore some very original applications of wind-up toys (i.e. toy soldiers marching on a map of the world from the US to Asia to create a narrative play space). You can play with this idea at her upcoming workshops.

Catalyst Sandra, a kinetic sculptor and artist, arrived with a box of clockwork toys and a map of the world to a crowd of bemused faces. She set up and explained how her background in physiotherapy fed her passion for kinetics (movement) and her creativity helped her explore some very original applications of wind-up toys (i.e. Toy soldiers marching on a map of the world from the US to Asia to create a narrative play space). You can play with this idea at her upcoming workshops.

Time for the performances.  Writer, academic, musician and Catalyst, Ian Rogers, kicked us off with some drone metal. Ian’s special blend of noise and rhythm is created using Abelton Live software and some clever patching. If you’re intrigued by this poor explanation of Ian’s practice come along to one of his workshops at The Edge; he’ll show you exactly how it’s done.

Andrew Gibbs was up next. A Catalyst and an audio-visual performance artist, his music usually resides in the glitch, break-beat style but we had him performing an ambient set. While it was his first ambient gig you would have never known, as he pulled it off with the poise and grace of a seasoned ambient professional. He even whipped out some impressive visuals to match.

The evening wrapped up with two-piece local act, Card House, dishing out an energetic display of electric indie pop. Even mid-set technical difficulties couldn’t dull their energy and they brought the evening to a fitting (and lively) conclusion.

And that’s that. The first-ever Show Pony wrapped up and the crowd dissolved away. Don’t worry, this wasn’t a one-off. These events are happening every Saturday in The Edge Auditorium and we’ll have performances from all kinds of Edge partners.  Check out the calendar for more info.

4–6pm Saturday 13 March 2010
Who: The Edge’s new Catalysts
What: quite a lot of showing off
Cost: FREE

Ride on down to The Edge this Saturday afternoon for the first ever Show Pony—The Edge’s own creative mash up.

Check out some of the weird and wonderful things our Catalysts have been up to over the last couple of weeks and find out how you can help them take over The Edge.

There’ll be live music by Catalyst Ian Rogers (AKA Ambrose Chapel), a showcase of participants from Musicadium’s upcoming workshops, as well as the debut performance by Hologram Carver (AKA Catalyst Andrew Gibbs).

Live visuals will be produced by Catalyst and Createdigitalmotion.com co-founder Jaymis Loveday including footage from The Edge Opening Event.

Catalysts Sandra Landolt (sculptor) and Stephen Stockwell (journo) will also be around if you have any questions about upcoming workshops at The Edge.

Kick back with a coffee and a muffin and see what The Edge Crewis up to (sign up for an Edge account first to get 10% off your coffee). This will also be a great time to sign up for free workshops (learn everything from cardboard engineering to music software) and check out the space.