Peter Project @ NXNE 2009

Wrongbar

Toronto, ON

on Jun 18 2009

Evan Dickson (CHARTattack)

06/19/2009 1:37pm

Background/ Composition:
This one-man sample project makes soundtracks to old movies you wish existed.

Grade: 87

Comment:
Even starting late at 9:20, poor Peter Chapman had to kick off the first night of the fest to maybe 10 people skirting the edges of Wrongbar's spacious dance floor. It was one of those "Is this still sound check?" moments. Nine p.m. is too early for Wrongbar. That place is pure night life.

Dutifully, Chapman set to work on his moody hip-hop sample mixes. People trickled in, hit the bar, and then somehow found their way to the front of the stage where they stood mesmerized. Without a flashy stage presence or any rock star fashion costume, Chapman's beats sunk under people's skin and into their heads. His domination was subtle, cultish and total.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: S
Pronunciation: S
Stage Presence: G
Stage Banter: S
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
"I'll tell you right now I won't make any eye contact," Chapman confided in me before his set. Fair warning.

Why would we want to watch his eyes when his hands were so much more interesting. Displayed on two small screens on the stage, we could see the precision and dexterity behind every scratch and sample. A third screen showed a '60s Japanese sci-fi flick that seemed perfectly synced to the music.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: G
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: G
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: G
Sound: E
Composition: E
Songs: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Chapman had a good reason for focusing all his attention on his tunes. He's a craftsman. His bricks are old film soundtracks, spooky sound effects, and retro rap and spoken word samples. His mortar is funk rhythms and hip-hop beats. The end result sounds like the soundtrack to a collab joint between David Lynch and Spike Lee. Assembling this stuff on the fly takes concentration.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: S
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: G
Sexiness: G
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposable Fashion: G
Cool Equipment: E
Level Of Inebriation: G
Actual Ability: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
The Peter Project turned out to be a surprisingly effective choice to open the night. Normally I think an opening act needs to really get in people's faces in order to involve the crowd. The understated beat professor showed me another way.