Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Erb.
Hi Andy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In March 2023, my friend Jawad told me about this little synth store in Cheviot that was hosting an “open jack synth jam”. Not really sure what I was stumbling into, or what an “open jack synth jam” even is, I walked into the door and saw a modular synth for the first time — and immediately I was hooked into it. I was like magnetized to this weird looking machine with colorful wires. Without really understanding what I was doing, I played around with it for close to 4 hours. I had never seen anything else like it, and my synapses were firing all at once. That is the day my journey began, and I was determined to figure out how I can perform music using my own modular synth. So many wonderful things began happening for me after that day: I started going by my stage name Camel Jam, I was asking for & receiving advice from synth YouTubers, and began to establish a new identity. A few months later, my friend Tim Miller of Burrito Boys Booking hit me up to perform my first ever show at The Comet on Black Friday of that year. At that point I was evolving my sound and the capability of performing my first 30 minute set. In a short amount of time I have opened up many new doors and found my people, and it was only the beginning. Now I am proud to say I have completed a whole residency at The Comet in February, only a year and a half after my first show. There are many other shows since then, and more to come this year. I hope to expand upon my sound and establish my footing in more spaces.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say there have been unique challenges to writing & performing that I haven’t anticipated before. As a soloist hardware synth guy with imposter syndrome, I often struggle wondering of the possibilities of what my music could be. My instrument of choice is highly customizable and has a bit of a different learning curve than a conventional keyboard synthesizer. Because of this, the possibilities of what you can do with a modular synth are equally daunting & rewarding. Therefore, I am constantly learning new things about the art of synth patching, which influence the decisions I make creatively. At the same time however, I get paralyzed with new directions to take my sound. Additionally, not every show has been particularly my best work, as I am tied to whichever PA is in the venue. The PA either makes or breaks my set. A weak sound system can result in a set that falls flat.
Lately I’ve been experimenting with vocals with my sets to keep things interesting and engaging. No two sets of mine have been completely alike. I like to think that while the art of synth patching has its limitations, there’s still a fair amount of thought and care put into what I am creating to make it interesting and fun to listen to.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an Animator & Designer here in town at a local production studio. The best aspect of my job is sometimes we do concert graphics and animations. Because of this, I have incorporated some of my own visuals into some of my performances. I have a goal someday to create a fully synchronized music piece with a visual aid. I am passionate about animation, and I have always loved going to concerts with sweet looking graphics behind the performers. It is such a particular art, and I have deep respect for the people who make it.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
There is a particular shift happening with graphics and the use of AI – whether it is a moral or ethical concern. Personally, I see it is not going to leave, and it is changing and advancing so fast that nobody really knows what it is going to provide until it is right in front of you. I don’t see art jobs disappearing however. I think generative AI at least can be a helpful tool in visualizing something.
As far as traditional computer graphics are concerned, I personally would love to see it gain interest. Right now in general it feels stagnant, but still an integral part of our electronically consumed society. I believe that forecast is here to stay as well, if not perhaps a lower barrier of entry for folks who are interested in creating things digitally. There is always demand for digital content & animation is here to stay.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cameljammm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561887008690
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CamelJam
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cameljammm
