#15 TopLap Barcelona – Creating music through coding!

TopLap Barcelona: Revolutionizing Music Creation with Code

 

Episode fifteen of the Blowing in the Wind Podcast is Live! 

Welcome to a new episode of the Blowing in the Wind podcast! In this episode, we explore the exciting world of live coding. This is a creative practice where artists write and change code in real time to make music, visuals, and other digital art. It blends music and programming, allowing for spontaneous and interactive creations that anyone can try. 

In this episode, we had the opportunity to talk with Lina and Roger from TopLap Barcelona. They shared insights into what live coding is, how music and art are created through coding and programming, and the origins of the project in Barcelona. 

 

What is Live Coding? 

Live coding is a fascinating and dynamic practice where artists write and modify code in real-time to create music, visuals, or other digital art forms. This innovative approach brings together the worlds of music and programming, allowing for spontaneous and interactive creation. One of the most exciting aspects of live coding is that anyone can do it. You don’t need to be an experienced programmer or a trained musician to get started. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to learn and explore. Live coding is accessible to anyone interested in experimenting with code to create art. With the right tools and a bit of discipline, you can engage in this creative practice and start making your own unique digital art. 

For Musicians Live coding opens up a new door of musical creativity. Instead of relying solely on traditional instruments or pre-recorded tracks, musicians use code to generate sounds, melodies, and rhythms on the spot. This real-time coding allows for improvisation and experimentation, making each performance unique and engaging. Musicians can adjust sound parameters live, construct intricate musical compositions, and interact with their audience in an entirely new way, creating a dynamic and immersive experience. 

And for programmers, live coding is a creative application of coding skills. It involves writing and executing code that directly influences the performance, whether it’s generating music, visuals, or other media. This practice requires a solid grasp of both the programming language and the artistic medium, encouraging programmers to think creatively and adapt quickly. Live coding showcases the coder’s thought process and problem-solving skills, offering an exciting and transparent look at how digital art is made. 

 

The TopLap movement 

TopLap is an international community focused on live coding as a form of artistic expression. It emphasizes real-time coding performances where artists write and modify code to create music, visuals, or digital art spontaneously. The community values collaboration, experimentation, and the autonomous use of laptops in performances. TopLap organizes events, workshops, and conferences worldwide to promote and explore the creative potential of live coding, fostering a dynamic intersection of art and technology.

 

TopLap Barcelona  

TopLap Barcelona grew from a mix of diverse practices and communities that had already been established before its official founding in 2018. It brought together academics, DIY enthusiasts, and independent music and tech lovers who collaborated on developing tools, hosting workshops, and organizing concerts. Their explorations covered a wide range of sound and visual arts, with many using computer coding as a form of artistic expression. People from various backgrounds came together, forming the core of this new community. 

These gatherings laid the foundation for the TopLap Barcelona residency at Hangar, a center for art research and production. In these events, alongside live coders creating music and visuals, enthusiasts also experimented with modular synthesizers, contributing to the collaborative and experimental spirit of the community. 

From this podcast, we also learn that If… you’re curious about live coding music, Mercury is a fantastic place to start. Its intuitive interface and real-time feedback make it super easy to see how your code changes affect the music immediately. This instant feedback helps you quickly learn and understand the impact of different coding techniques on your sound, allowing you to experiment and refine your musical ideas on the fly. 

Mercury supports multiple programming languages, giving you the flexibility to choose one that suits you best or is popular in the live coding community. Its visual tools help you see the structure and flow of your musical code, making the learning process smoother. Plus, Mercury™s collaborative features let you create music with others in real-time, which is not only fun but also a great way to learn from others. With its user-friendly design, rich educational resources, and focus on real-time interaction, Mercury makes diving into live coding music both accessible and exciting for beginners. 

TopLap Barcelona Blowing in the Wind episode

We have also recorded the podcast on video so you can see it on our YouTube channel. Enjoy this interview on Soffiare nel vento , an inspirational podcast to debate music and innovation

 

ASCOLTA ORA ON SPOTIFY

In essence, live coding breaks down the barriers between creation and performance, providing a window into the artist™s creative process. It blends technical skills with artistic expression, creating a unique and captivating form of performance art that resonates with everyone, regardless of their background. Whether you’re a musician, programmer, or simply someone curious about exploring new forms of creativity, live coding offers an accessible and exciting way to express yourself digitally. 

If you’re feeling the music, join the vibe by subscribing on:  Ivoox, Podcast di Google, Spotify y Podcast Apple.

Thank you for listening. Cheers & music!