Blink Twice
EP Smith uses live electronics hooked up to the Twitter stream to create ‘Blink Twice’ a unique piece of improvised electronic music, performed live in Bristol University at the BULO spring concert
Using Python programming language and Live OSC with Ableton Live EP Smith’s code listens to Twitter. As the stream of Tweets flow through Twitter particular keywords trigger samples in Ableton Live. The main melody you’re hearing is being played by people sending Tweets on Twitter (they are unaware their Tweets are doing this). The keywords the code listens for is streaming in the background on the large screen in the video.
As well as the code playing the melody, Twitter is speeding up and slowing down the music. Interestingly this was a lunchtime concert (13:00 GMT), but all the rehearsals were done in the evening. This had a great impact on the piece as there wasn’t as much activity when the actual performance took place so the track didn’t speed up and slow down as expected.
EP Smith 2016
That's What I Said
EP Smith uses live electronics hooked up to the Twitter stream to create this second piece ‘That's What I Said’ a unique piece of improvised electronic music, performed live in Bristol University at the BULO spring concert.
This track starts with audience participation as audience members start the loops off. At 1:43 you'll notice the data stream speeds up as he changes the code used and streams all of Twitter.
As the stream of Tweets flow through Twitter particular keywords trigger samples in Ableton Live. The main melody you’re hearing is being played by people sending Tweets on Twitter (they are unaware their Tweets are doing this). The keywords the code listens for is streaming in the background on the large screen in the video.
EP Smith 2016