By Laura Pleasants / For Do Savannah Posted Jun 4, 2020
Like many of you, I am sick of hearing and reading the phrase “In these are uncertain times.” But somewhere between media–bred fear tactics and reality, the truth is there.
By now, Do Savannah readers should know about the Quarantine Concert Series happening at the Tybee Island Theater and (mainly) online. We’ve been following Michael Gaster and his team of dedicated individuals throughout the past couple of months. Do Savannah contributor Laura Pleasants caught up with Gaster recently via email to get the scoop on how they operate
IF YOU WATCH
For more information, please visit the following links:
www.quarantineconcerts.org
https://vimeo.com/quarantineconcerts
https://www.facebook.com/Quarantineconcerts/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/qconcerts/
Do: What’s your background in live sound?
Gaster: “I started working for a regional sound company when I was 14 in 1991, went from not knowing anything to working my way behind the consoles in months; in 1995 went on the road with an 18-piece corporate show band (which is a freakishly fascinating story), came back to Savannah to be the production manager and technical director for the Savannah Civic Center in 1996, (then) left there in 1998 to work as the audio specialist for a regional company designing audio systems; started my first company in 1999 providing audio and lighting services for both live and installed applications; partnered up with another area business in 2010 after the recession and now (since 2014) doing the same (plus staging and other related services) under my current banner Michael Gaster + Associates. My niche within the live audio world is actually in orchestral sound, doing most of my work with the Charleston and Hilton Head Symphonies as well with a few other regional orchestras.”
Do: Top 3 favorite performances thus far?
Gaster: “Oh this is tough, as the shows have been so diverse; many with unique aspects that made them really stand out like the DJ Serch show with the visual graphics blended in with Jamie from Stardust Pixxies dancing and Eric’s creative punching on the video and crazy camera work; then the Andrew Sovine improv show with AJ doing a live painting (which you can hear him paint in the music as I had a mic on him). I know I have watched the Bero Bero show at least a dozen times, and Voodoo Soup was non-stop badassery, Jason Bible’s performance, and damn, Isaac Smith’s may have brought a tear to my eye; I could name something about each performance that could make them a favorite.