An interview with Arecio Smith

By Bert from Percussa

If someone would ask you what kind of music you make, what would you answer?

I don’t know. I play so many different styles in so many bands. But focused in the technological aspect it could be something like “atypical electronic music”.

Who is your main source for inspiration?

I’d say Jimmy Smith, Squarepusher, Deep Purple, Soulwax, MMW…

Can you give us a point of reference for your work?

I think the album “Desplazamiento” from my band Asstrio should do.

Do you have some other projects you’re working on?

Yes. In the last year i’ve made music for a couple of short films, for choreography and for TV.

In your music career, what do you feel is your biggest achievement?

I really don’t know, but maybe the prize of best catalan jazz group with Asstrio.

When did you start making music?

Maybe i was….5 year old?

Can you describe how your creative workflow goes?

When i go to the studio I always make a good pre-production, such that I have a clear idea in my head of how it’s going to be. But of course I have new ideas in the studio too, and then we try them there immediately.

When you make music, do you feel you miss an essential tool in the creative process? What would that be?

I think the most important tool is inspiration & work. If you have both of them you can forget the lack of other aspects.

When you first heard about AudioCubes, what attracted you?

The AudioCubes are very interesting because they offer visual feedback alongside the player. This is often missing in performing electronic music. The audience appreciates this visual feedback very much, enhancing our performance.

How was your first experience in using them?

Fine. They are very reliable and easy to work with.

How does technology influence your creative process?

The importance of technology in my development as musician has grown with the passing of time. I have spent many years playing the piano (classical & jazz) but now i have found that the using of technology can improve the possibilities of performing very much.

How many AudioCubes do you use?

I have a set of two.

In what situations do you use them?

Only in live situations.

What other hardware or software do you use?

I have different setups, depending of the situation.

My usual setup with Asstrio is: Nord Stage & Nord Modular from Clavia, MicroKorg & DSI Evolver, a Novation X Station as controller, RME fireface sound card & a Mac Book Running Ableton Live.

As a performer of experimental music: I usually use the AudioCubes, a wiimote & an iPod Touch as controller. Then I use TouchOSC & Osculator to control the wireless devices & Ableton Live receiving data from them & the MIDIBridge for AudioCubes from Percussa.

How many times did you perform using AudioCubes yet?

Between ten and twenty. I’m now starting to use them more and more.

Should the process of making music be fun, serious, technical, … ?

You can be serious and have fun at the same time!

Would you recommend the cubes as a live tool to other artists?

Of course. As i said, it’s a great tool that provides great feedback to the audience.

Links:

• http://www.asstrio.com/
  
• http://www.myspace.com/asstrio
  

The previous blog post about Arecio’s experimental work:

http://www.percussa.com/2009/03/06/audiocubes-vs-pedal-steel-guitar-by-libre-orkesta/