I thought I'd post this in advance of the panel I'm moderating at Brian Zisk's always-interesting SF Music Tech Summit tomorrow. It's a panel about Live and Online and by happenstance this project I talk about below is something that I'm right in the middle of developing. --jon
Background
As part of ongoing digital strategy brainstorming for Joe Satriani and his new album Black Swans & Wormhole Wizards, I had all sorts of hopes for finally incorporating some cool social media aspects on the tour to keep the conversation that we began with the killer podcast series going. Things looked good in that a friend and workmate (video co-director) Arthur decided to take a break from his routine and go out and drum tech. I had images in my head of daily ticket giveaways to the first people to respond to tweets and show up at local cafe's and photo galleries (did I mention he did photography of Woodstock for Rolling Stone, too?), plus occasional on-the-road video podcast episodes.
But as we know, reality always comes home to roost. Anyone who has been involved with touring knows that they have a life of their own and tend to suck up all available time. This tour was no different, especially with two new band members (Mike Keneally and Allen Whitman) and starting in Europe with rented gear and a constantly evolving stage production. Arthur was completely swamped, and the only content that I was able to get was from going over there myself and shooting a few shows. I returned home a bit disheartened about the likelihood of being able to create something that lives in the road experience and keeps the fans connected throughout in a way far beyond fans just posting reviews and shaky video and blurry photos (though, to be fair, there are fans who produce *amazing* content).
