“It’s definitely a show that we’re going to remember,” says Fox Jaws guitarist and singer Daniel Allen. The band is set to showcase their diverse and intricate tunes tonight at Clinton’s Tavern, at a concert accessible to the deaf and hearing impaired.
The concert, presented by Ryerson University’s Center of Learning Technology and the Science of Music Auditory Research and Technology Lab, will feature vibrating emoti-chairs, closed-captioning, and interpreters, to expand and transpose the music for those who may not otherwise be able to fully experience a live show. The emoti-chair plays with the idea of vibrations, breaking apart the vibrations of the different instruments and vocals to make physical the auditory experience, imitating the subtleties and intricacies of a live performance.
The idea arose from Ryerson’s Alternative Sensory Information Displays project, a study devoted to finding alternative methods for reinterpreting and transposing sensory information—especially in the fields of music, background or environmental sounds, and vocal tones and intonations. Though the chair resembles something out of a classic monster movie—an imposing piece of equipment, with a high and angular support system, and tubes that wrap around the seated person—its purpose is to convey the emotional and visceral core of a musical experience.
“We’re kind of a mixed lot as far as the music goes,” continues Daniel. “I mean, we have your fast upbeat songs which are sort of anxious, and we’ve also got slow, soundscape songs. You get a bit of everything with us—but maybe it’ll be too much for people.”
Fox Jaws’ latest album, Goodbye Doris, is set at a frantic pace, with interlocking, heartfelt vocals, making Fox Jaws a prime example of musicians who tap into the visceral emotive quality that researchers at Ryerson want to evoke. And though there have been a few test runs, this concert will be the first time that the emoti-chairs are employed at a live musical venue, apart from a controlled scientific environment.
“It’s going to be a big surprise for everyone involved,” says Allen. “There could be backlash, who knows. But it’s definitely going to be interesting, and I think our music will be great for the experiment. We play around with different styles, so they’ll really get to have a buffet of sounds during our set.”
Hearing impaired or not, all are welcome to test the new equipment. “We’re going to go into it like any other show,” says Allen. “Ultimately, you just want to play the best you can, for everyone—those who can hear, and for those who can’t.”
Fox Jaws, Treestar, The Dufraines, Hollywood Swank, and more play the Concert for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on Thursday, March 5 at Clinton’s Tavern (693 Bloor Street West). Doors are at 8 p.m., and tickets are $5 at the door.
