The Jam Space Craft Journey

The Jam Space Craft began in a little country cafe called Feast 'n' Farmin' in Stanthorpe, Queensland in 2017.  Feraliza was originally going to host it entirely acoustically because she had no audio equipment apart from her guitar, but a local audio engineer Andrew Wilmott of Soular Music Services showed up on the first Saturday and donated a PA system to keep in the cafe and use for the jams. Feraliza was over the moon, but didn't know the first thing about how to use it, so Andy gave her the first lesson she ever received in running a sound system.

When Feraliza came across the ditch to Aotearoa she was invited to host a Jam Space at the Mix Festival and then at Autumn Arena and she has hosted them at each event since.   

These Jam Space Crafts are not just any Sunday afternoon chill session!  The journey lasts for between four and five days and nights.  The nights from dusk until dawn are reserved for open slather jamming, a free for all involving many of the professional musicians from the festival as well as anyone else who shows up and wants to jam.

Daytimes are filled with workshops about diverse aspects of music and music technology, hosted by musicians performing at the festival.  These have traditionally included workshops by Ari Freeman, aimed at teaching everyone from a total newbie to a seasoned pro who hasn't improvised much, how to make improvised music in a group that sounds good. You don't even need to understand any music theory.

That sounds like a tall order until you realize that Ari Freeman is an ordained Wizard!  You can find some of his magical teachings here and hear some of his musical magic with psychedelic funk band Rhomboid,  here.  The wizard doesn't come with the Jam Space Craft, and his various services must be negotiated separately, but his epic previous contributions are very noteworthy here. 

Based on the feedback from participants in this musical adventure, the magic works!  People who never considered themselves musicians have suddenly found a love for it.  People who were anxious about performing in public have overcome their inhibitions and allowed the creative energy to flow.  Professional musicians have found new inspiration in this environment of spontaneity, harmony and chaos.  

A Jam space craft could bring all these benefits to the creative community at your event!  Contact us using the form at the bottom of this page to enquire about how to make it happen.

Above: The Jam Space Craft at The Mix Festival 2018-19. Captured by Feraliza in a delightfully chilled moment from her default position behind the Mixing desk.

​Below: The same Jam Space Craft, at the same festival, from the same default position, later at night

Above: The entrance to the Jam Space Craft at Autumn Arena Festival 2019

Below: The Jam Space just before opening at The Mix Festival 2019-20

The Jam Space Craft Mission

The mission of the Jam Space Craft flight crew is to extend time and space to every one of all ages and abilities to come together and collaborate musically in a safe and supportive environment.  
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​Jam Space Craft Kaupapa
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Whakarongo mai!
​Listen carefully!
In music, just like in any conversation, the best experience and learning comes from listening first.  When we tune in to hearing all the different sounds that make up the mix, we naturally find the spaces to express ourselves without competing with others... 
From this place of listening and conscious awareness of each other and the space, flow naturally the following core values which create the necessary environment to fulfil our mission.
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Aroha 
Love
​When we are creating together on a heart level, the melody is pure and true!  Appreciate, encourage, express and enjoy!  
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Manaakitanga
Respectfulness
For each other, the space and the equipment brings the peace and harmony to our collaboration. 

Kotahitanga
​Unity
All the instruments plugged into our cosmic mixing desk are united by the rhythm.   We all have hearts that beat and pump the blood through our bodies.  We create unity among diversity by focusing on what we all have in common.
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Whakapono 
Trust
The foundation and the bass.  We trust the creative energy flowing through us and we trust each other to embody all the other values above.  
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​The Jam Space Craft Flight Crew

The role of our Jam Space Craft flight crew captained by Feraliza, involves:
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• Listening and maintaining a high level of awareness.  
• Ensuring that everyone’s contribution to the mix can be heard.  
• Welcoming people to the space
• Assisting with plugging in instruments and provision of microphones
• Ensuring people, instruments and equipment in the space are safe and respected ​​
• Maintaining a tidy space - relentlessly meticulous cable management is essential in an environment in a state of continual changeover
• Doing all of the above while appearing to be doing not much at all
• ​Having fun

If you are Interested in being part of the Jam Space Flight crew at our next event, use the contact form below!  You don't have to have much experience and you don't have to do all the things listed above by yourself!  It's a great place to learn about live sound and the meaning of life.
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