I should admit right away that I don’t play video games. I think they’re a silly waste of time and I often stereotype gamers as pale dorky recluses who probably have poor social skills and sometimes sad little lives. Harsh? Well, at least I’m honest.
How in God’s name, then, did I find myself at a Video Games Live concert on a soggy Saturday night? And what’s more, actually enjoying the spectacle?
Video Games Live is a captivating cocktail of sounds, lights, and visuals, with a competition thrown in here and there for good measure. Video games are projected on a giant screen set above musicians frantically bowing and blowing and thumping and trying to keep up with the story above. As Riley noted in his review of the Seattle show earlier this year, “A few of the musical offerings were unexpectedly affecting in their orchestral beauty, at times almost transcendent.” This event was an ideal opportunity to highlight the magic of the Oregon Symphony (and the Portland Youth Choir) to community members who, and perhaps I’m being presumptive, would not otherwise have ventured into the gilded Schnitz. Transparency, one of my favorite words and something to which I aspire in work and relationships, was approximated here as the veil of video game music was lifted and the audience was given a peek into what hard work it really is to create all those boinks and bonks.
Highlights of the Portland show included: Civilization IV; Legend of Zelda; WarCraft; the ping pong video game from the 1960s, Martin the blindfolded pianist, the itsy bitty Zelda who won the costume contest; and, last but definitely not least, Perry the guitar hero champ.
DOWNLOAD: Video Games Live - Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra - Castlevania (MP3) or Follow us for more Video Games Live MP3s (Twitter)
Kelli Shaefer’s songs get stuck in my head non-stop. Every other day I find myself waking up with one in there. And that’s a good thing, she’s a talent!
by Siri on Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 04.37 pm from the entry: Artist Profile - Kelli Schaefer (Portland, OR; Winter, 2010)
Probably johnston has wrote a excellent article for the readers and are excellent photographs and thanks for sharing your thoughts
by fake tattoo on Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 10.03 pm from the entry: The Reverend Horton Heat + Nekromantix – Wonder Ballroom (Portland, OR; Jul. 9, 2009)
ha, yes! the photogs in the front row were drooling throughout the entire set…
by chris on Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 01.05 pm from the entry: Washed Out + Small Black - Mercury Lounge (New York, NY; Mar. 7, 2010)
nice pics Chris. Don’t you love it when the artist brings some cool light. It’s a bunch of low hanging fruit after that.
by colin on Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 12.53 pm from the entry: Washed Out + Small Black - Mercury Lounge (New York, NY; Mar. 7, 2010)
WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP
by BASSHEAD on Tue Mar 9, 2010 at 04.02 pm from the entry: Ginuwine's "Pony" Deconstructed Through Dubstep (Remix)
James,
E-mail me: info@jaredfroiland.com
Thanks!
by Jared Froiland on Tue Mar 9, 2010 at 12.37 am from the entry: State Radio - Showbox (Seattle, WA; Jan.19, 2010)
Check out a sick interview back\slash Magazine did with LMFAO about how they blew up in a down economy, the struggles of entrepreneurship, and getting high.
Here is the link: http://www.backslashonline.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=317:lmfao-entrepreneurship-interview&Itemid=56
by Mike McComack on Mon Mar 8, 2010 at 10.24 pm from the entry: Photo Feature! Black Eyed Peas + Ludacris + LMFAO - TD BankNorth Garden (Boston, MA; Feb. 26, 2010)
