[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SnZQt8If9k#at=122[/youtube]
The word “blog” normally conjures up images of an online site with text, photos, maybe some artwork. With increasing frequency, however, local bloggers are using video to express their creativity.
Embracing the power of the video camera, local blogger Kevin McGowan and Ottawa musician Steven Fouchard have launched The Revue, a new website that will showcase a series of video interviews with local musicians, as well as special out of town guests such as Vancouver’s Swollen Members.
“We want to do a talk show format, where we would have a pint and a casual chat, and then turn the camera on (the artist) and let them perform,” says McGowan.
While the site will contain many elements of a typical blog, such as written posts and photographs, the main focus will be on the video interviews, or episodes, with each new “show” being posted every two weeks. Each episode takes place at Zaphod Beeblebrox in the ByWard Market, and will consist of in-depth conversations, as well as featuring live musical performances by the artist being profiled.
As the site develops, the aim is to include other content such as album reviews, discussions on Canadian musical history, posts on Ottawa personalities, and even comic books. In fact, the plan is to not limit the site to music, but to also eventually cover other artistic forms.
Image of Shannon Rose and Steve Matylewicz from 1st episode of The Revue
McGowan came up with the idea for a video-blog through his work on Capital Revue, a podcast/blog that he runs for the Ottawa Citizen. One of the bands that he has featured on Capital Revue is The City Above, a local group in which Steven Fouchard plays guitar, bass and keyboard.
When McGowan put out a call for people interested in setting up The Revue, Fouchard answered by agreeing to shoot each interview and edit the footage. “We use two cameras for each interview,” says Fouchard. “A 30-minute segment takes me six to eight hours to edit.”
Working two cameras is not as difficult as it may sound, he adds. One camera is set up on a tripod, while the second is handheld “to get some cinematic variety.” The audio and questions are managed by McGowan, although the occasional interview will see Fouchard playing the role of interviewer.
The goal is to create a venue that gives artists a lot of time to fully describe their work. “Like Much Music 20 years ago, when it wasn’t just trying to sell cosmetics to pre-teens,” says Fouchard. “When they had longer and interesting interviews.”
While test posts started going up in April, the site officially launched this past week (August 12), with an interview with singer-songwriter Shannon Rose of Shannon Rose and the Thorns. You can see a clip of the opening segment above, or check out the site for future episodes.
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