tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-275430842024-02-08T13:33:34.688-05:00Chazzsongs InterviewsFree Video Interviews With Artists And Performers.Chazzsongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832406704954147954noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27543084.post-1146767662717176652006-05-04T14:34:00.000-04:002006-12-31T03:55:12.596-05:00Innovative Artist Interviews:<div class="center">
<h2>Artist DJ <span style="color:#C00000">Ahwoo</span></h2>
<p>The first DJ to spin with a computer.</p>
<p><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6437/2732/400/922013/ahwoo.gif" alt="Artist DJ Ahwoo" class="entryphoto3" /></p>
<p><a href="http://chazzsongsinterviews.blogspot.com/2006/05/dj-ahwoo.html">Enter DJ Ahwoo's Interview</a></p>
<p><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6437/2732/400/599001/lines.gif" alt=""></p>
<h2>Artist <span style="color:#C00000">Kal Spelletich</span></h2>
<p>The Man and his Fire Machines.</p>
<p><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6437/2732/400/362278/kal.gif" alt="Kal Spelletich" class="entryphoto3" />
</p>
<p><a href="http://chazzsongsinterviews.blogspot.com/2006/05/fire-and-chaos.html">Enter Artist Kal Spelletich's Interview</a></p></div><br /><br />Chazzsongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832406704954147954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27543084.post-1146776793810236212006-05-02T17:05:00.000-04:002007-02-23T11:41:34.480-05:00DJ Ahwoo<p><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6437/2732/400/565144/ahwoo.jpg" alt="DJ-Ahwoo" class="entryphoto3" /></p>
<h3>Interview with DJ Ahwoo</h3>
<p><b>Denver's Top DJ Spins With A Computer</b></p>
<ol>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: We have been good close friends now since
'94. We were introduced by our good friend, and future computer
guru, Scot. You and he were partners in developing Dot Coms at
the time.<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Yea, Gambling software for Casinos. Scot told me
about this guy <b>Chazz</b> he knew at the Market Café
that was mixing music on this little machine and he made some
incredible songs and arrangements with it. It was then that I
wanted to meet you.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: Ever since, we all shared the love of
computers, music, art and friendship. How did you fall-into
becoming, and revolutionizing DJing with a computer?<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Four years ago, while I was working as an
internet consultant, I developed many personal relationships
with people all over the world. Some of them shared my interest
in intelligent dance music such as Psytrance. Later, when
file-sharing came along, we began exchanging mp3's and samples.
My friendships grew through the file sharing, and eventually I
began learning the names of the bands in which I liked. I began
contacting these bands either by their websites or by email
after hearing their mp3s, and I would request their CD.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: So it all just happened by chance or should I
say mutual interest….friendships.<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Yes, and my CD and mp3 collection began growing.
I have a passion for GOA and Psytrance in particular.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: As a personal friend, I also enjoyed the
music that you were receiving. I had never heard music tracks
like that before.<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: That's because the tracks are from all over the
world and are mostly not available in the US. The artists were
ecstatic that an 'American' took such an interest in their
work.</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: So how did the DJ thing come into play from
just being a collector of Psytrance music?<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: As my collection began growing, I began thinking
of ways in which I could mix some tracks to my personal tastes,
to develop my own mixes. I began downloading freeware and
shareware software and began trying them out to see if it would
fit my needs.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: I remember that! You tried using two Winamps,
and even bought an extra soundcard to try to get it to
work.<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Yea, I tried, but it fell short. Actually, all
of the software programs fell short of my needs and what I
wanted to accomplish. They were either too restrictive or there
was just too much of a learning curve to make a finished
product.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: So what did you do?<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: One day, in my plight to finding such software,
I came across a newly released program called Mixmeister. It
was still in beta, so I downloaded a trial version which
excited me. I thought that this program had great
potential.<br />
<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: I remember that, again! Didn't you become a
beta tester for the company?<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: I immediately contacted the company and
complimented them as to where they were going with this, and
they offered me to be a beta tester. In turn, they gave me a
free copy of the software to use.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: I remember when you began playing with
Mixmeister; you were like a kid looking under the Christmas
tree on Christmas day.<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Hahaha, I became very excited because I could
see the light at the end of the tunnel in what I wanted to
accomplish. However, the software was very limited at the time.
Thus, I began making suggestions to the company about what I
wanted. I must mention to your reader's, that it was only with
the help of your DJing and mixing knowledge that helped me
convey it to them.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: Thanks! Did the company listen to you?<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: The people at the company were very nice and
open to all my suggestions. The emails were going back and
forth, and eventually the software began improving. They
implemented most of my wishes. They even flew a developer down
for a large gig I was doing at PURE for Afterdarkkmedia to see
how I worked with the program in a live setting.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: So we can safely say that you were apart of
the growth of Mixmeister from a user point of view.<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Yes, most definitely! Although I am sure others
also either contributed or had similar suggestions, but I
believe that I had an important role in its user development
and hope to continue to do so!<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: You made me a copy of your first real mix on
Mixmeister called blue Xmas. I still have it, and it did have a
few rough mixing edges in it, but it sounded great.<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Yes, that mix was the first mix I played in a
club.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: Tell my reader's about that. How did you
eventually begin spinning in a club with Mixmeister and your
computer? You actually revolutionized the industry. Tell the
folks how that all came about.<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Well! As I was experimenting with the program
using the Psytrance music that I collected from all around the
world, people were passing by my warehouse loft and began
yelling out to my open window to ask if they could have a copy
of my music. They would say that they had never heard songs
like that before. I couldn't give them any copies at the time,
but instead, I took their telephone numbers or email addresses
and told them that I would eventually contact them. I threw a
big party at my place with my brother Dan, and we invited
everyone we knew including the phone numbers and emails that I
had collected. At the party, I spinned my music with the
computer and everyone had a blast. There were a few promoters
at the party who were flabbergasted with the music and sound,
and one of them invited me to spin at the Denver club called
Rock Island around Halloween.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: I came and stood by you on stage during that
first performance to be a support. I had fun working the
lighting system for you. Your sound and music blew the other
DJ's away.<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Yea, that became a problem. The other DJ's began
resenting me. It was then that I first learned about the
politics of DJing. The club event was successful, but
afterward, a few days later, the DJ's all ganged-up on the
owner to stop me from playing at the club in the future. One DJ
told me, "It took me years to learn how to spin records. You
came along and replaced us with a computer." I thought it was
inaccurate and funny, but it started a feud.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: You asked me for advice about how to handle
that. How did it resolve?<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Actually, I decided to ignore everyone, but the
owner of the club appreciated me. He hired me again to spin
with my computer at the club a month later.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: How did that go?<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: It was great again, but, I started catching a
lot of bad vibes from some of the same DJ's. But not all the
DJ's shared the same attitude. Among the crowd were quite a
number of local DJ's out to see what all the fuss was about.
They thought my sound and music was awesome and took the time
to compliment me as well as the people in the club. No one has
ever heard music like this before. You must understand none of
this music is available in Denver or the USA.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: Your music is fresh and alive. Not the same
old stuff. The people enjoyed hearing something new. Besides
the music, your sound is incredible. Your sound is so crisp.
You can hear all the instruments in the music clearly as well
as the crisp sound of the driving bass. How is such a sound
possible?<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Well it's my expensive sound cards which are
24bit. There's a lot more headroom for the music to swim around
in. However, after my first two gigs spinning, SoundBlaster
came out with a fantastic external 24bit sound card, which I
bought immediately. Now I can spin with a laptop and my
external sound card and that's it!<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: Do you have the songs on your hard drive or
do you bring along a few CD's?<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Both actually. I make short segments of music
tracks that I can add in on the fly. I make many of those
beforehand. Depending on the mood of the crowd, I can change
the mood in a flash. I only bring about two CD's for the night.
They contain about 20 albums worth of music.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: That's wonderful Ahwoo, I'm so proud of the
progress you made in revolutionizing computer mixing. You had
many write-ups in the press and everyone knows you in the
industry here in Denver. You made a lasting impression.<br />
<br />
<b>Ahwoo</b>: Thanks! Actually I owe a lot of it to you for
helping me learn about mixing and DJing for the crowd. You
explained all the music terminology to me. You stood by me on
my first night spinning and worked the lighting system while
giving me comfort, positiveness and enthusiasm. Your help is
beyond explanation.</li>
<li><b>Chazz</b>: Thanks Man! You are a good friend and a true
talented artist and thanks for sharing your story with my
reader's.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><b>Ahwoo</b>: Later!<br />
<br />
</li>
</ol>
<h3>Description:</h3>
<p>The name 'ahwoo' is Hong Kong slang for
'monster' (The Bogeyman). Ahwoo plays and produces dark trippy
and sexy dance music in the style of psytrance. He currently
performs worldwide at national fetish events
(www.afterdarkkmedia.com) where his efforts have been mentioned
in Skin Two Magazine (UK). In addition, ahwoo loves open air
events (such as Burning Man). Ahwoo loves to supplement his sets
with live performance arts (live instruments, live vocals,
skits,etc.) and video.<br />
<br />
</p>
<h3>Studio/Equipment:</h3>
<p>Too numerous to mention...however, at a
minimum, I perform with several X86 machines and 2 LCD
projectors. A couple of Midiman O2 8's and a Tascam midi
controller. Oh, and girls...there is always lots of unexpected
interaction with the crowd.</p>
<p class="center"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6437/2732/400/469430/rockisland.jpg" width=360 height=240 alt="Chazz Entertainment Credits for DJ Ahwoo Exclusive Live Performance Video at Rock Island, Denver" class="entryphoto3" /></p>
<p>See the DJ Ahwoo Video Live at Rock Island <a href="http://chazzsongsinterviews.blogspot.com/2006/05/dj-ahwoo-live.html">Here</a></p>
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<br />Chazzsongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832406704954147954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27543084.post-1146777236757528702006-05-01T17:13:00.000-04:002007-02-23T11:43:19.257-05:00Fire and Chaos<p><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6437/2732/400/16786/fire.jpg" alt="fireshow_image" class="entryphoto3" /></p>
<h3>Interview with Kal Spelletich of SEEMEN</h3>
<ol>
<li>So is this the first SEEMEN U.S. tour?<br />
<br />
No, we have done 2 other smaller ones, but this is our biggest
so far.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>How's the tour running --interactions with "the man..."
[police]<br />
<br /><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6437/2732/400/139857/kalandchazz.jpg" width="171" height="154" alt="Artist Kal Spelletich and Chuck "Chazz" Harris after the filming" class="entryphoto2" />
OK, he's always pretty confused when he shows up, kinda funny
really. Kinda stressful!<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>Upset landlords?<br />
<br />
Not so bad.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>Female companionship?<br />
<br />
OK. New friends and "dates?" in every city, tough on loved
ones back in SF.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>Any audience participation related incidents?<br />
<br />
Had some nakedness in Denver with the fireshower, guys takin
off their shirts, lots of children volunteering in KC and the
all ages show in St. Louis, some drunk guy mounted the El
Toro/BULLFIGHT machine, didn't know what he wanted to do on top
of it, boys will be boys with bulls i guess. People in general
have stampeded to run things. It has felt really really good
with the audiences, people definitely need a release and want
to run stuff that challenges there reality and there safety.
This black woman full on threw down and PERFORMED with the
fireball shootin strap on, just fantastic moves, in KC.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>So... any large financial carrots dangled in front of your
face lately? Inquiring minds want the dirt.....<br />
<br />
Too much, nothing i want to give away my shit for though, I
don't build my machines for other people to have so , nah, not
ready to get rid of stuff. I'm broke but happy. Funny how that
works. No wonder rich people are such assholes.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>How are you funding your work these days?<br />
<br />
A wing and a prayer and lotsa odd jobs. A few visiting artists
gigs at colleges.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>So how many people are working on the Seemen work right
now?<br />
<br />
20ish.<br />
<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>OK... Suspend your disbelief here... If you knew only 5
things 10 years ago that you know now (building your work,
putting on shows, financial, ethical, whatever... ) what do you
wish they were.<br />
<br />
- BE PATIENT! good ideas and skills take years to
develop.<br />
- Ignore the trends and media.<br />
- Forget "laws" and insurance.<br />
- I've wasted a lot of time with rich fuckers asking me to
submit budgets for their lame festivals/lollapalooza/rock
concert crap and then they chicken out.<br />
- Follow your heart.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>So what's the "great motivator."<br />
<br />
To change peoples' reality or their preconceived notions of
what reality is/what art can be. To go somewhere with my work
that I don't even really understand. To keep myself interested
in the journey, not the prize.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>So where's your work headed... What's got your attention
these days...<br />
<br />
My version of carnival rides, machines people climb in or on
and operate. To give the audience an experience so far out of
their norm they are left stupified, or at least i aspire to
this. That and food, beer, my garden, and women.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>As a related question... There must be one "granddaddy"
piece you have in mind that just kind of hangs out in your mind
and teases you with the notion of constructing it.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I wanna do like 200 versions of my whirling dervish all
running at once with 200 people operating them.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>Say you were starting with a totally clean slate for tools
and materials. And you had 500 bucks in your wallet to spend on
these items. What would they be? and, of course, why?<br />
<br />
The same stuff I already have for about the same amount of
money, a welder, drill press, some hand tools, you don't need
much, machine shop tools are way over rated-- a real wanker
crowd that tool hoarding scene.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>So San Francisco has been known to be the hot bed of
machine/tech art for quite some time now. Is it still holding
up to it's title? it's fading fast. Who's keeping the flame
burning out there? Who?<br />
<br />
Me i reckon. I'm the only one who tours and shows all the
time. I kinda work in a vacuum. Matt Heckertt is pretty damn
brilliant and inspirational. We are able to keep it pure cuz
there isn't a big commercial market of evil scum trying to buy
their way into our world. Let NY and LA have that.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>So this whole internet boom thing has caused one heck of a
population wave into San Francisco (and most other urban
areas). This is turning, I would assume, most cool warehouse
spaces and scrapyards into yuppified "loft" spaces... Any
thoughts on how or if that's affecting folks, such as yourself,
who live in those areas.<br />
<br />
I will have to move soon, SF sucks these days, its like a
giant frat party when you go out, no more artists moving there,
just cyber-idiots, everyone old- school hates them. Oh well,
everything changes. Its OK. Life's a journey, who knows where
it will take me. I don't wanna know. I shouldn't have a
preconceived notion of how my life should be. It costs a
fortune to rent a place, only an idiot would pay those prices
they are getting.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>So how's that weird shit that was in my fridge but is now
in your stomach doing? (Kal ate the weird stuff in paper bags
on the bottom shelf of my fridge. The stuff had to be like,
<i>poisonous</i> it was so old...)<br />
<br />
Seems to be digesting. I still have an iron tummy I guess. Its
the vitamins and a positive outlook. <i>Editors Note. Kal has
about 100 bucks worth of vitamins and elixirs with him on
tour.</i><br />
<br />
</li>
<li>So... a topic among a lot of "surplus technology"
artists... Granted few people are ever totally one way or the
other but.... Do you go out to the scrapyard, find something
really cool, and make a piece out of it.<br />
<br />
Rarely, but occasionally. 5%.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>
or..... do you have this idea for a piece and go out to find
what will work to implement it.<br />
<br />
95%<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>So do you have a current "favorite" machine?<br />
<br />
STRETCH feeding on the crawlin YUPPIE<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>Do you ever revisit a work. I mean like "It would be better
if I did <i>this</i> with it" as opposed to general maintenance
or do you just run with the original concept as it stands when
its complete and concentrate your efforts on newer stuff?<br />
<br />
Sure, not often but sometimes.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>I think that's it.<br />
THANKS A TON for the interview. Much appreciated.<br />
<br />
No prob, good questions.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</li>
</ol>
<p class="center"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6437/2732/400/692732/kalcredits.jpg" width="449" height="303" alt="Chazz Entertainment Credits for Kal Spelletich Exclusive Video Interview" class="entryphoto3" /></p>
<p>See the Video of Kal's Show and Interview <a href="http://chazzsongsinterviews.blogspot.com/2006/04/artist-kal-spelletich-of-seemen-live.html">Here</a></p>
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<br />Chazzsongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832406704954147954noreply@blogger.com0