THE METHOD PRESS LAUNCH
25TH April 2007 11.00 am (GMT)
We arrived at Eel Pie (Oceanic Studios) around 10.45. There was a small group of Press people standing in the car park. They had no clue what this press launch was about. In the reception area of Eel Pie we where greeted by Ms. Rachel Fuller. Looking well in her high heel red shoes. (Gosh, they looked as they might hurt, after a few hours.) Attending the launch there where the usual people-Pierre Peron, Danny Clifford the photographer, David Stark, etc. As for Pete's people, Nicola Joss, Alan Rogan, Paul Bonnick, Robert Rosenberg, Helen Grittiths and others. We where introduced to Robert Lee, the chap who runs The Who.com. Pete laid on a very fattening breakfast of french pastries and huge cups of coffee. Rachel and I, looked past the pastries as they where tempting and very, very fattening. About 11 a.m., we had been told to go into the studio.
Pete walks onto the stage about 11.10, dressed in a white shirt, black trousers (keys dangling from a belt loop) and black trainers with white laces. He needed a shave-ala Pete. Pete started speaking about how he was influenced by Harold Cohen a professor of his in art school. Pete spoke about the early days of feedback as duped by the head of the art school Ray Ascot.
Pete than spoke about gathering data for this program. Pete used Rachel's golden retriever as a prototype for the experiment. Pete said "I might listen to the way it breathes, I might touch it and see how it feels, I might listen to his bark, I might look at the rhythm of his running." He than explained that a musical DNA portrait will be established by the sitter. The portrait will compose of four equal compositions a digital photo, a rhythm, a voice and a sound. The software will process all this information and the music data will be heard. It will last approx. 5 minute and 02 seconds.
The method was partially developed by mathematician/composer lawrence Ball and the software was developed by Dave Snowdon. Pete said that the composer (sitter) is king. It should a metaphysicial/reflection and the sitter should sit with a good heart and don't just expect and say that the software should work for me.
The music that was used in the soft program was rock/electronic and classical extracts. Scales from different cultures and there are lots of perforations in the sounds.
The Who song Fragments was also played to the journalists on 16 speakers. It all based on Stockhausen's experiments. Pete said that the tune had a 15 bar cycle. As well as lyrics that relate to the Method music.
Pete also said that the sitter has the legal copyright and have the right to audit the company. At least a third of the music copyright was added. At present, it's only in the English language software. Sitters will not be able to hear other sitter's compositions on this site. The music will be able to be downloaded on MP3. The user will be entitled to three, free 'portrait sittings' until the 31 July 2007. Then after a subscription will be applicable. Pete also mentioned that maybe in three years time that there will be listening party of sorts. THE PUBLIC LAUNCH WILL BE TUESDAY, 1ST MAY 2007 @ lifehouse-method.com.
best regards to all,
Melissa & Gary Hurley
P.S.: Lawerence Ball was the guest speaker. Telling his side of the project. Very similar to Pete's answer's. There was also John Pidgeon, the BBC producer for Pete's Lifehouse radio show. John was basically, Pete's guinea pig and he was the one who had his profile gathered to enter into the program to get the music. Pete, John and Lawerence did a short Q&A. The press launch lasted approx. 90 minutes. Then Pete laid on a lovely spread for lunch.
The Who.com aired the conference that day and loops that day.
