the third crosswicks
--SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2004-
Once again, the Crosswicks Community House was transformed. This time, the band was set up "in the round," in the center of the room, and dual sound systems were used for a true quadraphonic experience. The few brave souls who braved the bitterly cold evening temperatures were rewarded with a rare experience!
Featured performer: Fringe Element
The four members of Fringe Element managed to set up their gear in an amazingly-short time!
Here's one picture of Ken's silent keyboard rig. He was supposed to warm up the pre-show audience with a few songs, but the complexities of setting up the 4-channel sound system had the sound crew scrambling right up to the last minute, and time ran out. Maybe next time...
The lights went down almost on time, and Fringe Element began to play.
The music emanated from a range of devices, both vintage synths...
... and the latest modern toys.
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Fringe Element's arsenal includes unusual controllers of both commercial and homebrewed origin...
... as well as an array of "traditional" synths.
No, the stage was not where it usually is.
The band embraced the challenges of playing "in the round," and thrived in this unusual arrangement.
No Cosmic Coffeehouse would be complete without the fog machine!
Fringe Element showed true mastery of their tools, coaxing evolving organic music out of wires and circuits.
What can not be seen here- but was heard by all- was the swirling rhythms and enveloping, dynamic soundfield created by speakers set in each of the four corners of the room.
Click on the above for three short QuickTime movies of the performance.
Learn more about Fringe Element at their official site.
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Postlude
For providing the challenging 4-channel sound mixing, special thanks once again goes to Van and Mike, by way of the amazing Stone Soup Band. Go see them, and support their spirited brand of original irish music!
Thanks also to all of the volunteers who served the coffee and snacks, and to the audience. Your contributions help to support the Crosswicks Community Association and the upkeep of the Crosswicks Community House, and encourage us to keep the Cosmic Coffeehouse going and growing. We hope you'll join us here again next time!