PSYBERPIXIE turns Visuals into Chaotic-Bliss

By: Marla Warrington

Not only can this self-taught Miami-based VJ perform with the big guys (including Tïesto, James Holden and Infected Mushroom) but she has also established herself in video, creating and editing DVD content. Marina Rao, aka Psyberpixie, strives to create a medium that emphasizes live visual shows. Currently, she is producing DVD visual mixes with artists such as Electric Skychurch, TARUNA and Larry McCormick, aka EXZAKT.

At a time when music careers explode like fireworks then fizzle out just as fast, the professional life of Psyberpixie truly stands out. She has been performing and remixing video for almost ten years. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and raised in the notorious neighborhoods of Miami, Psyberpixie cut her teeth performing stateside and internationally to steadily become a talented VJ artist.

She has an intriguing list of gigs under her belt. The Miami resident has appeared at festivals such as Ultra Music Festival, Earthdance and Bang Fest. Her videos can be viewed online—currently as part of a weekly residency—at web-broadcasting powerhouse www.thewomb.com. Her shows consist of fast moving mixes of colorful videos with highly creative effects—perfectly suitable to accompany hardcore, electronic music.

Psyberpixie took her time developing a career. She majored in Television and Media Production at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. It was at Zen Fest in ’97 where she saw her first live visual-performance. “I saw thousands of different facial expressions [on people],” she remembers, “and they were absolutely mesmerized by the movements on the large screens.”

“I was amazed by how many people just stood there, and for how long! I knew then, that I wanted to provoke thoughts with imagery. By creating visuals, I thought, I could make a positive impact without saying a word. Ultimately, turning visuals into chaotic-bliss.”

Psyberpixie creates visuals that can be storytelling; other times eye candy. “The visuals are there to enhance the mood of the environment,” she distinguishes. Mobilizing VJ culture wherever she can, she pushes the visual aspect at events by asking promoters to provide stage placement such as risers and DJ stands to play on.

“Clubs are beginning to see the need to give [patrons] a more intense experience,” she elaborates. “This helps the audience make synch that there’s someone triggering the visuals in real-time. So it makes it more interactive and I get much more response from the crowd.”
 
By becoming more in involved with upcoming tracks and having more input in the pre-production of the shows, Psyberpixie feels this could ultimately mesh the best of both worlds on stage. Collaboration and communication are essential precepts in the creation of a sound music, visual and artist presentation.

“Life, people, nature and technology,” she explains, are her inspirations. “What keeps me motivated is technological innovation and smiles from the audience. I am still taken back by the latest developments in technology and how they play such an important role in our everyday life.”

Tech-junkie? Perhaps. But for that reason, Psyberpixie is pushing her capabilities and presence to the front of the growing VJ movement. All at once, the pixie flutters her wings, exclaims and suddenly makes her determination very clear: “We are in the age of self-instant multimedia control. Just push the button; create-remix-share. The visual revolution is taking off!” Enchanted? Indeed.

Tune into Psyberpixie’s weekly VJ show at www.thewomb.com.
To view a schedule of her upcoming performances and to interact, please visit www.psybervision.tv.

    - Getting To Know Psyberpixie -    

Onbeat - What keeps you motivated?

Psyberpixie - Innovation—to not get played out

Onbeat - Do you find it difficult to be a female in what is considered a "male-dominated industry?"

Psyberpixie - I haven't really noticed J. But one thing I have noticed, is the visual revolution presently taking-off at this time. Definitely, the Superstar VJ is on the rise!

Onbeat - Where would you like to see the relationship between a VJ & DJ heading?

Psyberpixie - More communication, definitely. It would be nice to pre-plan the sets and definitely see more VJ/DJ performances. Also, to collaborate on more audio-visual DVD Mixes with DJs.

Onbeat - Tell me about your process of putting the images together?

Psyberpixie - 1. Gather media (shoot/ acquire footage)
2. Edit/remix (add effects/ make loops)
3. Load loops in VJ Applications/ record DVD Mixes.

Onbeat - How does your VJ setup look like?

Psyberpixie - I use ArKaos and Grid Pro—software VJ programs—with MIDI Controllers: M-Audio Trigger Finger, Alesis Photon X25. A Mac G4 Laptop, Edirol V4 Video Mixer, 3 Portable DVD Players, DVcams and Pioneer DVJs if they are available.

Onbeat - How long are your VJ sets?

Psyberpixie - It varies from show to show. A minimum, 2-hours 

Onbeat - What is your preferred genre of music to work with?

Psyberpixie - All electronic music! Mostly, I enjoy electro, breaks, psy-trance and techno.