Video: Kim Gordon & Jutta Koether at South London Gallery
The etymology of the word 'karaoke' suggests it is a fusion of two words that make the evocative sounding oxymoron 'empty orchestra'. The term has come to be a catch all for an international cultural phenomenon based on many forms of ever evolving participatory sing-along technologies. Highly respected New York musicians Kim Gordon and Jutta Koether created an alternative experience for joining in musically, and termed it a reverse karaoke. In an artfully-made tent decked out with black paint strokes, silver stage decorations, and striped fake fur rugs a set up of guitars, synths, drum kit and microphones complete the environment for audience participation experimental Sonic Youth-style. The reverse of the karaoke norm comes in the opportunity to mix Gordon's (pre-recorded) vocals with your instrumentals -removing the familiarity of the hearty sing along, and encouraging application of that bedrock of punk ideologies do-it-yourself- devoid as you are of lyrics appearing by sub-title prompt. Independent principle is continued in the distribution ethic as you are given opportunity to record your own efforts and make the cover for yourself (leaving a version for Koether and Gordon's karaoke collection). Watch how the eminent musicians sound and behave in their own empty orchestra in this intimate glimpse of musical inventiveness.
The etymology of the word 'karaoke' suggests it is a fusion of two words that make the evocative sounding oxymoron 'empty orchestra'. The term has come to be a catch all for an international cultural phenomenon based on many forms of ever evolving participatory sing-along technologies. Highly respected New York musicians Kim Gordon and Jutta Koether created an alternative experience for joining in musically, and termed it a reverse karaoke. In an artfully-made tent decked out with black paint strokes, silver stage decorations, and striped fake fur rugs a set up of guitars, synths, drum kit and microphones complete the environment for audience participation experimental Sonic Youth-style. The reverse of the karaoke norm comes in the opportunity to mix Gordon's (pre-recorded) vocals with your instrumentals -removing the familiarity of the hearty sing along, and encouraging application of that bedrock of punk ideologies do-it-yourself- devoid as you are of lyrics appearing by sub-title prompt. Independent principle is continued in the distribution ethic as you are given opportunity to record your own efforts and make the cover for yourself (leaving a version for Koether and Gordon's karaoke collection). Watch how the eminent musicians sound and behave in their own empty orchestra in this intimate glimpse of musical inventiveness.
