the interaural experiment

we are experimenting with
exploring new medias, sonic perception, levels of concentration, isolation as inspiration, and spontaneous modification
within a global community of eclectic culturejammers, curious engineers, instigators and self-sufficient sound artists.

listeners at the event plug into headphone amps [ approximately 60 output jacks ] provided throughout the venue.
the festival is also streaming a live audio/visual feed through
LE PLACARD to headphone listeners worldwide.


initiated in 1998 by parisian musician erik minkkinen
[pictured below]
who broadcast a performance from the closet in his apartment to listeners in japan,
LE PLACARD is a nomadic "festival within a festival" that fuctions under a mode of open program:
open for headphone people to create performance spaces where artists perform
using the inscription site to self-organize the global program.
there are both transmitting headphone concerts
as well as listening rooms where the transmissions are received as virtual headphone concerts.


LE PLACARD is remarkably free of corporate culture in both form and content.
there is no central authority,
only an automated scheduling site governs this phenomenon;
no rules exist, and all evolution of the original artistic concepts and technical conventions have occured organically.
this refreshing absence of hierachy quickly spills over into the general attitude toward performers,
and into the performances themselves.

this festival is a living illustration of decentralized self-organization, mutual aid and deregulation.


b.y.o. headphones!

tekspex:
no amps are needed for your performance
all source sound is sent to main board
main board is daisy chained to headphone amps
people plug into headphone amps throughout the venue
[30 + outupts]
monitor your set through your own headphones


audio/visual stream is sent via LE PLACARD serverto listening rooms worldwide
the live chat is easily accessible
and is an integral and entertaining aspect of the event



each set is 20 minutes
the performance area is divided into 3 tables which rotate contstantly
TABLE 1 - SETTING UP [20 MIN]
TABLE 2 - PERFORMING [20 MIN]
TABLE 3 - BREAKING DOWN  [20 MIN]

so that there is no dead air and the stream is constant


the program runs on a 24:00 hour clock
12:00 = noon
13:00 = 1pm
20:00 = 8pm
00:00 = midnight
02:30 = 2:30 am



please bring your own cables, adapters, equipment, etc
and arrive about an hour prior to your performance time


if you have headphone amps
you can donate
for use during the festival,
or would like to help in any way
please
contact
plugheadfest@yahoo.com



there will be tables for merch but you must self-manage your sales


we are not equipped for live drums
or spoiled brats so
please be as considerate,
low maintenance and
plug&play as possible~~!~~


this festival is free
it is organized by one person
who funds it with rent money
out of her own pocket
sorry--
she cannot pay performers
fifty bucks
to play


each year, the live stream receives over 1000 hits locally
plus an untold number of listeners via leplacard worldwide


plug is unlike anything else
and it's always fucking amazing