Charlie Dorf
Arts and Entertainment Editor
Since the invention of the commercially produced synthesizer in the 1960’s, electronic music has expanded exponentially, from the new wave dance pop of Depeche Mode and New Order to more contemporary artists like Daft Punk and Girl Talk. Today, Friday, May 28, the live electronic band D-Numbers will be holding a concert/workshop in the auditorium during A and B periods.
Formed in 2002, the band’s members include NCHS Class of 1997 graduate Ben Wright on guitar, Brian Mayhall on bass, and Paul Groetzinger on percussion, while all members contribute to the live generation of loops.
Special Education Department member Barbara Wright, Ben’s mother, explained the band’s performance structure. “They have all their instruments, but they generate loops while performing, so it’s still like a band. When you see them, the stage is covered in wires as well as instruments,” she said.
Instead of relying solely on pre-recorded sounds and loops, the band mixes traditional instrumental performance with digital music. “They are more band-like than most techno bands. They want to maintain that live piece of the music,” Ms. Wright said.
Based out of Santa Fe, D-Numbers has a substantial following in their base town, as they contribute to the town’s music scene. “They conduct a nightlife in Santa Fe. They combine with friends who do light shows to set up raves out in the canyons,” Ms. Wright said.
The band has been tour the country for the past two months, performing in Santa Fe, Oregon, Asheville, and Maryland. They are touring alongside Vice Verse, a Serbian electronic band, through an international exchange grant. After performing here and in Stamford, the band will be heading up to preform in Montreal at Mutek, or the International Festival of Digital Creativity and Electronic Music. “To get in the line up is a feather in their cap. Ideally, they would be traveling around the globe, from festival to festival,” Ms. Wright said.
Music Technology teacher Anna Mase explained what to expect in terms of the specifics of the performance and workshop. “They are going to perform for the audience and then talk about how music technology is applicable to what they do,” she said. “This is the first time we have ever had a performer who uses this kind of technology. A lot of it is new age, trying to create a distinct sound opposed to a simple melody from an achostic instrument. The students are very excited to see it live opposed to recorded.”
