a solo show performed 1996 – 1998
(directed by Chris Willems)
Kevin is a Roadie, a sound checker, “… one, two…one, two……”
Every gig is different…different town, different venue, different audience, but Kevin is a constant, the one part of the gig that remains the same – reliable, detached…a pro. But there’s something about Kevin that not many people realise – more to him than meets the eye – or ear.
The gear he’s lugging – is it really what it appears?…or does Kevin know better? Does he know things about the microphone stand, the gaffer tape and his bunch of keys that the rest of us would never imagine?
Kevin will take you on tour…on the road…and share with you the secret musical lives of the band’s gear – secret lives, hidden sounds, that not even the musicians themselves know about.
“Knocking On Kevin’s Door” is a show that brings music out of the mundane – that takes the band’s set up and sound check to ridiculous and delightful musical extremes, giving the audience a peek behind the scenes at what the gear might sound like if only the band had the same imagination as Kevin their roadie.
Kevin shows us that there is music in everything, and just how rich and evocative that music can be.
“Knocking on Kevin’s Door” is a solo show devised and performed by Linsey Pollak. Linsey, through his character Kevin, creates a symphony in 14 movements with a complex layering of sounds using a bunch of keys, drink bottles, microphone stands, music stands, gaffer tape and a clarinet (not to mention a bit of digital wizardry).
By “Knocking on Kevin’s Door”, Linsey blows apart our preconceptions about music, instruments, and Roadies – Kevin’s door opens to reveal a whole new world of sound.
The Philosophy of the work
“Knocking on Kevin’s Door” is about not making assumptions, or taking all things at face value. People may not be what they seem to be on the surface, and “things” too for that matter.
In this show “Kevin the Roadie” turns out to be quite different to what we may expect from his outward tough exterior. The objects that he uses also take on an unexpected life of their own.
The Music
Composition – The audience actually observes the process of a musical piece being created. Each piece of music is constructed on the spot using digital technology to immediately record what is being played. The audience can therefore see each layer being added until the piece is complete.
Found Objects – Apart from a clarinet all the music is made on objects that “Kev the Roadie” finds on stage such as gaffer tape, drink bottles, microphone and music stands, and even a bunch of keys. Many of the instruments are wind instruments, using a tube that is already present in an object.
Digital Technology – At the other extreme from the “Found Object” approach is the use of digital technology in new and creative ways to both instantaneously record the music (as already described) and create new sounds.
