A trio of amateur, Vancouver performers are making music in the palms of their hands.
Thanks to the plethora of smart phone and computer tablet applications available in today’s digital universe, the group has put down their drums, piano and guitars and use iPads as instruments to craft their electronic sound.
Fittingly, the band is called Killer Apps, and they are bringing their unique compositions to Richmond April 10 for a performance preceding the second of Richmond’s three annual Lulu Series: Art in the City program at Richmond City Hall.
“We’re all musicians who have day jobs, and about three years ago we decided to explore this new way of making music,” said Michael Boyce who along with wife Sandra Dametto and Trent Noble form the group’s core. Using the app called Bebot which uses the touch screen to create a variety of sounds they have produced 37 distinct “albums.”
Boyce said the style is akin to artists such as Brian Eno — who produced U2’s 1980s chart-topping album The Unforgettable Fire — Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk.
Those artists and performers were among a group at the cutting edge of electronic music using equipment —synthesizers such as Moog and Korg — that cost thousands of dollars and had to be packed into large cases.
“Now, 30 or so years later you can have something more capable of producing different tambors (tone quality) for $3,” said Boyce who was trained in classical percussion.
“And it becomes an instrument you can hold comfortably in your hand.”
Originally, the trio used music apps on their iPods, then switched to the larger iPad because they were more comfortable to use.
“We started to play and had such a good time doing it we continued on a regular basis,” Boyce said, adding recording their work came next.
Today, their collection of music is available for listening online at: https://myspace.com/thekillerapps/music/songs.
The Lulu Series: Art in the City events are free and start at 7 p.m. at Richmond City Hall Council Chambers, 6911 No. 3 Road. Seating is limited.
To reserve seats email [email protected].
