This research period will focus on the development of a solo performance piece that uses one of my alter egos (The King of Pop) as a guide through a visceral universe that references iconic pop culture sights and sounds. The viewer will have access to the surreal, nonlinear narrative of a brain that has been shaped and warped by constant aural and visual pop music stimuli. The King of Pop sifts through the library of pop music sounds looking for that elusive ingredient that creates the magic of pop, the magic of a hook. Is there a perfect snare sound? Is there a mathematical equation to generate the perfect melody? Is the perfect pop sound something produced in a million dollar studio or on a cassette 4-track?
With this project I am combining my sound sampling practice with my work as a musician, video artist and performer to create a 30 minute performance piece that deals with issues of identity, fame, obsession, distraction and the futility of chasing the dragon to find that ‘perfect’ pop sound.