See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me, Play Me

We seem to recall Laurie Anderson pwning similar tech in the 80s, but The Lab (that nifty art/performance space in the Mission) is going to be showcasing some cutting-edge audio performance equipment that feels like it's straight out of a sci-fi novel. Michael Waisvisz and Robert van Heumen of STEIM (an Amsterdammish audio-performance-concocting center) demonstrate LiSa X and JunXion, software that creates "a sound field in the computer, where the performer can record and manipulate multiple sound streams on the fly," and "supports gestural input," and can turn basically any input device into a musical instrument. Sounds like they're breeding "TRON" with "Rez," minus the personal vibrator.

Also performing: Pamela Z, a local composer-performer-sound artist (sound clips are available on her site, but for some incomprehensible reason some of them are in Shockwave format); Joel Ryan of STEIM; Laetitia Sonami, who performs with a Nintendo-power-glove-esque device; and local composer-performer Roddy Schrock, with whose blog we've just fallen madly in love. Usually, the words "electro-instrumental improvised music" are enough to make us run screaming in the other direction, but the thoughtful quality of these folks' prior work, coupled with the incredible coolness of their gizmos, make us cautiously optimistic. Plus, it's free; so sign us up.

It's all going down Friday, April 8, at 8pm. The Lab is located at 2948 16th Street in a big blocky civic-looking building.