We’re getting images and videos sent in for the #mediafail and even a bag of audio cassettes (??!!) for recycling, please send then through ready for the live mashups!

We’re just hacking together the Twitterbug online ‘theatre performance’ platform which will be a mashup of Tumblr, Twitter and Google maps.

We’ve got the second of the biTjAM transmission radio show on 6towns radio this Sunday which as last time should be goofy; I wonder what the intro tune will be this time?

A late entry in the bITjAM digital sphere is….a newspaper!! Yes we have designed our first bITjAM newspaper focusing on what we are currently involved in. We love the idea of using retro to connect with peeps who are not yet plugged into the web. We’ve just sent a begging email to the printers to see if we can get the copies delivered in time for DATfest (only 20 so there pretty rare).

Thats it for now folks

Digital love

Carl and Ben…

We’ve been busy at bITjAM towers putting together plans for DATfest, running the new radio show Transmission bITjAM and running the regular live bITjAM at the Rigger.

There’s so much going on sometimes we don’t sleep!

We have set up the text service to update you on events and bITjAM activities while letting you you share your love…or ideas even just to ask us any questions!

We’re even going to play a text game over the DATfest weekend with hidden surprises across the city!!

We all know people that can’t get online so please share the bITjAM text number and we’ll get in touch.

To get in touch text: bitjam to 07786200690

Digital love…The bITjAM team!

#mediafail is the name of the bITjAM project running during the weekend festival. We are asking people to send us videos, photos even audio that would normally get deleted due to being out of focus or for some reason not being good enough to keep.

We will be collecting these little snippets of people’s unwanted media and during a workshops on 25th February 2pm-5pm at Hanley library (free entrance) where we will be showing you how to turn these bits of media into new pieces of digital art.

Then on the Sunday evening we will use these recycled pieces in a live audio/visual performance at Fat Cats bar Hanley 7.30pm (free entrance).

To send us your videos, photos or audio recordings either:

• Email them to datmediafail@me.com
• To send the media via MMS (text) simply text them with the words: MEDIAFAIL on 07786207695
• Bring them along to the workshops over the DATfest weekend

Transmission bITjAM will be 100% pure electronic soundscapes and chilled beats, no chatting, no CDs just pure improvised electronic love.

We are collecting failed pieces of media and recycling them in 2 worskshops before a one off live performance as part of DATfest.

Sending media files to us is EASY! Just click this link, upload your file and email to datmediafail@me.com SIMPLE….

It was a fabulous night lot’s of new faces and beautiful friends, thank you to everyone who came!

Many thanks for the performances (Robert and Sarah, Pete C, Matt on the deck, Noisy Ninja), the party accessories, the many many jars of (bIT) jam thanks to Charlotte, the photogs from Staffs uni, the wonderful Iona Makiola for gestural artwork via max/msp, the audience and Dudd for letting us make a mess!

Finally, a special message to my buddy Bigun for his massive input for last night and 4 years of commitment towards the bITjAM!

The guests are:

ROBERT RATCLIFFE

Composer and pianist, graduated from Keele University with a first class honours degree in Music and Music Technology, specializing in composition and performance. Subsequently, he was the recipient of an AHRC award to undertake a Master of Research degree in composition, which he passed with distinction.

A further AHRC award allowed him to undertake a PhD in composition at Keele (New Forms of Hybrid Musical Discourse), which he is currently completing under the supervision of Mike Vaughan and Rajmil Fischman. During this time he has continued to study the piano privately with David Fanning (University of Manchester).

His works are regularly selected for international concerts and festivals, including performances by Rarescale, Sarah Watts, and Susanna Borsch. Most recently, performances and selections have included: the Borealis Festival (Norway), the Breizh Entropy Congress (France), Esta Casa Esta Sonada (Spain), the International Computer Music Conference (US), NIME 2010 (Australia),  Sonic Art Oxford (UK), and Keele University (UK). Last year, his electronic piece, Phoenix was selected for the 60×60 2009 international mix, and is due for CD release on the Vox Novus label. His piece for bass clarinet and tape.

Wake up Call is also due for CD release, performed by Sarah Watts.

We have had so many great musicians, artists, rappers, poets, friends, dancing zombies and ghosts over the last 4 years.

Thank you we love you all in our special way.

So we want to celebrate the 4th birthday in true bITjAM by asking folk to collaborate on a number of things to make the evening beautiful.

Here’s a to do list:

• More musicians to provide err..music

• Visual performers and VJ’s

• Someone to (wo)man the jam stall (yes really)

• PR and getting in the news

• Video documentary of the evening

• Cake makers

• Flyers

• Facebook event

• Bring a friend

• Bloggers

• Photographers

Please comment and share ideas, volunteers will receive a reward in the afterlife where Daft Punk play all day long.

Thanks for making bITjAM one of the coolest things to come out of North Staffs apart from Porcelain toilets on a cold day.

Digital love…

Carl x