This (nearly retro) performance is from Johnny’s early career at iEAR studios, Rensselaer. Composed and performed in 1996, 33 1/3 involved drawing a series of scores onto paper strips wrapped onto cylinders. The drawings were spun on a standard turntable and tracked with video analysis, converting the drawn gestures into MIDI data to create sound. Johnny also mixes found audio collage and effects on a 2nd turntable. This is one of the earliest known examples of using live video tracking software to create music. The software used was STEIM’s Big Eye (shortly after its release) running on a PowerPC 7200 AV. Other gear used: Kurzweil K2000, 2 Technics turntables, Mackie 1202 Audio Mixer, Korg Modular effects pedals, ink pens and of course paper. Video documentation was shot at an MFA performance at Bennington College, mixed live on a WJMX-30 by John J.A. Jannone. (projected on stage during the performance)

Originally recorded on 3/4" SP Tape, later digitized to miniDV, now remastered for 720p.