If you were at our 2nd Anniversary, you would have been under the spell of these guys behind the visual controls. Midnight Shift takes a break from the music to find out a little of what goes on at the other side in the minds of co-pilots and VJs, Cymbal and Avneesh.

How did you start getting into the motion visual arts?
Avneesh: I've been involved the night scene for quite a while both musically and graphically. A few years ago, I was asked to create some visuals for to be projected into a client's nightclub. From there I've explored further into moving visuals.
Cymbal: I was from print background and during internship program in US is where I picked up motion graphics and joined several post houses for about 5 years.

Who are some of the video artists you respect right now?
Avneesh: Pfadfinderei, 1024 Architecture, AntiVJ and Singapore local, Brandon Tay.
Cymbal: I respect video artists like Nam June Paik, Marcel Duchamp and Bill Viola.

Can you give us some videos of inspiration?
Avneesh:

Moderat - Rusty Nails (video by Pfadfinderei)

AntiVJ Visual Label

AntiVJ is a visual label from AntiVJ / Joanie on Vimeo.

Light Line by Seeper

The LightLine of Gotham from seeper on Vimeo.

Cymbal:
Ryoji Ikeda's Test Pattern 

Kate Moross & Alex Sushon for Simian Mobile Disco

Merce Cunningham's Scramble

What is a common misconception among the people of your craft?
Avneesh: They think we are lightjockeys and mostly they don't understand the whole idea of synching the video to the music.

How do you go about preparing for a visual set?
Avneesh: I always check on the site/venue/setup first before proceeding to the visual content as I believe that the content should fit the given material/space.

What do you think about when you are working the room?
Avneesh: I focus on the music and ambience of the night. I try to tell a story throughout the night with the visuals.
Cymbal: I enjoy observing people's faces and see how they react to the music and visuals.

Dream show or set up?
Avneesh: I would either love be able to do visuals for outdoor festivals/large scale events or having the possibility to do a mapping installation, on a large scale once again.
Cymbal: I’ve been doing graphics to cater to public and the club so I would be interested to do a video "art" exhibition, something like Nam June Paik's global groove.

Most intensive production thus far?
Avneesh: Heineken Green Room Session for Gaslamp Killer + Tayo
Cymbal: Zoukout Festival 2010 for Cashmoney

Favourite music?
Avneesh: Hard to say a favourite music but it will be as eclectic as it gets, please visit the podcast for your reference: http://electrocaine.com/podcast :)
Cymbal: I listen to all kinds from synth pop – indierock, minimal/ hard tech. 

Currently I’m listening a lot to: 
Aerea Negrot – It's Lover, Love
Juno Download (Mp3/WAV) | Amazon (256kbps Mp3) | iTunes (256kbps AAC)
Fritz & Lang – Crash EP
Juno Download (Mp3/WAV) | Amazon (256kbps Mp3) | iTunes (256kbps AAC)
M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
Apparat – The Devil's Walk
Die Vögel – Fratzengulasch

What is your life motto?
Avneesh: Carpe Diem.
Cymbal: Do not turn hobbies into jobs.
http://vimeo.com/nonaligned
http://vimeo.com/electrocaine
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