The VJ Loops project seems to be eatting up most of my freetime as well as my new joint venture with Sean from VJ Vault. Our latest project VJ Network is our 24/7 streaming online VJ TV channel. Still in it's beta phase. More on that in the near future. Since I do manage to get out and get the one off gig here and there I guess I should give a report. My last performance put me along side DJ Pascal Kleiman in Eindhoven, Holland.
Pascal and I were invited to perform at ElectroCute club night taking place at Club Effenaar.
This would be my first time in Eindhoven which was about an 1 hour and 30 minutes from the airport. Suprisingly the weather was great and upon arriving to Amsterdam International Airport (Schipol) you get the surge of excitment that can only come from being inside this massive airport. After all it's an international hub and your gateway to all the big cities around the world. I shudder at the thought of spending time in most airports and I have been to quite a few in my travels. Schipol is like a city inside a city. The shopping, restaurants and deco make for an interesting few hours spent during a typical layover.
Pascal and I were greeted by our promoter Monte who worked with Mirwais. The two were responsible for hosting ElectroCute night and also the promoters of Latin Brutality, a succesful Latin and Electro music collective in Eindhoven.. Monte drove us to Eindhoven to Club Effenaar so we could do our sound and visual check.
photo credit: Rob Hart
photo credit: Bart van Overbeeke
Upon arriving at the club we were greeted with friendly and professional staff. I can't stress enough how Holland has always exceeded my expectations with hospitality, professionalism and talented people. After an hour and an error free setup we headed to the restuarant located inside the club. I will admit I didn't expect the quality to be that good but I was too quick to judge. The food was excellent! If your in town do yourself a favor and stop by for a drink or make a dinner reservation.restaurant@effenaar.nl or call: 040-239 36 57
photo credit: Bart van Overbeeke
Earlier in the week I had contacted a few local visual artists via VJ Forums to see if they wanted to meet up for a drink or stop by the club. It's a good way put faces to the online names. One of my VJ Loops artists named Ivo Slaats who performs under the name STIVO for STV Visuals said he would come meet me at the club and hang out. MJ from the VJ Forums and a visual mapping guru said he would be working as an LJ (lighting technician) on the second stage at Effenaar. Small world eh!
Since high baggage fees were commonplace I kindly asked Ivo if he wouldn't mind bringing his V4. What can I say more Dutch hospitality! Stivo drove to Eindhoven with his kit and met up with Pascal and I in the restaurant for a quick chat before he set up his gear. I decided to share the stage with Stivo inviting him to VJ along side me for the night. Afterall he was bringing a pivotal piece of kit crucial to the VJ. Thanks Stivo!!!
Here are a few pics from the night.
VJ Stivo working the V4 Video Mixer and the MAudio Triggerfinger. A great companion for his Modul8 software. The 16 pads allow you to select your loops on the fly with a quick tap.
VJ Kyle Lyons and STIVO on the mini cam while the DJ Diablo jumps like a madman around the stage.
DJ Don Diablo (Holland) local dj superstar
Picture left to right: VJ Kyle Lyons, VJ Stivo, DJ Larry Tee (USA)
Above: DJ Larry Tee (USA)
Pictured left to right: Our MC, VJ Stivo & DJ Pascal Kleiman in front of Stivo's cutom test pattern.
DJ Pascal Kleiman with Larry Tee visuals in the background.
Our MC for the evening. Didn't catch his name.
DJ Larry Tee spinssssssss
VJ STIVO ZOOOOM
After a long night and lots of Heinikens Pascal and I headed back to our hotel. Stivo invited us out to a boat party on Sunday afternoon. Pascal and I not having been to any boat parties ever were more than eager to spend a Sunday afternoon crusing the canals on a party boat listening to some grooves.
On the line-up was one of Stivos close friends Jeroen Effing.
Our host and one of the DJs Omeo with Pascal Kleiman
DJ Omeo inside his make shift DJ booth that he constructed in the the ships lifeboat.
Typical scene along the canal. We headed towards belgium but from what I was told turned around after seeing local police patrols. Better to be safe than sorry. :)
A not so typical scene along the canal, none the less it was interesting to look at.
A nice set of red locks which brought back memories of my hometown Lockport, New York which was famous for it's 3 sets of locks along the Erie Canal.
I have no idea!
DJ Jeroen Effing on the decks.
DJ Pascal Kleiman
Dutch people sure know how to party! This boat was pushing a 4 color laser!
So as the boat ride ended so did our adventure in Holland. We slept and prepared our bags to head to Schipol for some last minute duty free shopping. Pascal and I managed to spend an obscene amount of money on trinkets and food. Dutch cheese by far one of the best I have ever tasted and delicious caramel waffles known as Stroopwafels that we buy in bulk everytime we visit. One has to stock up as you never know when your next visit may be.
Leave it to the Dutch to make waffles the perfect size to fit over a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocoloate. Can't say I've seen this done with any other deserts. Heating up your Stroopwafels on your steamy beverage before makes them so much better! mmmmmmm
After stocking up on delcious food items we headed to another cool shop. The Gadgets shop!
By far one of my favorite shops. It's chock full of things you know you probably don't need but want. Maybe I'm just suffering from some gadget OCD. I ended up buying a green laser pointer and a cat shaped pencil sharpener for my girlfriend. The green laser is by far my favorite because not only is green my favorite color but it gives off a kaleidoscopic light show. Retinas watch out!
The "Cat" pencil sharpner pictured below makes a wonderful screeching meow when a pencil is inserted into its anal cavity. Notice the included kitty liter shavings tray. Ahh the joys of sharpening a pencil. The perfect gift for a girlfriend who loves cats. Don't you agree?
So back in Valencia and waiting for yet another chapter of my forthcoming autobiography about my adventures and experiences as a multimedia performance artist! I will use these random blog entries as an audio visual outline that will hopefully be printed someday. I hope people enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing/experiencing them.
Kyle......
