Social Systems for Improvisation in Live Computer Music

Abstract

The portfolio accompanying this commentary comprises seven works which are presented here in chronological order. The works can be summarised as follows: a work for laptop ensemble which explores the result of shifting the balances of power within the ensemble; a live score with electronic accompaniment for impro- vising acoustic ensemble which maps data relating to world politics to parameters in the score; an instrumental score exploring aspects of distributed decision making as human algorithmic processes; a system for large scale telematic laptop ensemble using machine listening as a mixing method; a sound installation which generates a soundscape out of speech samples and synthesis from political tweets; a mixing system for live coders which simulates voting behaviour of a decentralized, flocking population; a performance system for solo live coding, using algorithmically gener- ated code and EEG monitor to interact with the state of the system.
Most of the above works employ visual representations to communicate the function of the underlying algorithms to audience and performers. Although di- verse in realisation parameters, the works all share a common theme of exploring the dynamics of improvisation and collaboration, particularly where technological communication systems and algorithms are involved in the sound production pro- cess. The underlying political, technological and social themes driving this explo- ration are discussed in the commentary which follows.