Credit: Arturo Homes/Getty Images for Meta
Miami Art Week recently witnessed a revolutionary combination of technology and music as Austin Millz, recognized as not only a prolific artist/producer but also a true pioneer of his craft, collaborated with Meta for the Meta Sonic Listening Party alongside ten-time Grammy-nominated artist Victoria Monét. This dynamic event, aligned with Meta's “It's your world” campaign, provided a unique and immersive experience that left the city buzzing.
Austin Millz is incredibly talented both on stage and in the studio, especially on keyboards, which is part of what made this so special. During the event, Austin demonstrated the capabilities of Meta Quest 3 by teaching Victoria how to play the piano using the innovative PianoVision feature. This live demonstration added an interactive element to the experience, creating a first-of-its-kind mixed reality jam session that blurred the lines between virtual and real.
Following the success of last year's viral Meta House experience, Meta transformed Miami Art Week into a mixed reality playground, providing a platform for emerging artists, musicians and creators to redefine the future of creative expression. The “It's Your World” campaign brought together a diverse range of talent to showcase the limitless possibilities of mixed reality through various experiences across the city, so it was only fitting that Austin would be involved.
We had the opportunity to chat with Austin about this experience and what's coming up, check it out below!
Collaborating with Victoria Monét on an impromptu mixed reality session is an innovative approach. How did the idea for this come about and what excites you most about fusing technology with live musical performances?
Austin Millz: I think fusing live music with technology is the future, whether you're collaborating in the studio or collaborating in real time and in real life. I think what happened last weekend was the first of its kind. I believe it will pave the way for new events of this nature and push the boundaries of creativity. Meta had the right idea with the Meta Sonic Listening party and this experience. It was great.
During the session, you used PianoVision in Meta Quest 3 to teach Victoria Monét how to play the piano. Can you share more about the creative process behind incorporating virtual reality into a live music experience and how it enhances the learning and collaboration aspects of performance?
Austin: Safely. Knowing how to intertwine and really knowing how to navigate technology is a useful thing. But Meta Quest and the PianoVision technology are so easy to use that, honestly, it's half and half, the technology is so amazing that it can really allow the user to feel comfortable. It gives that real IRL effect of having someone in person helping you, but technology is so amazing that having a person there too is not essential, but it helps to have someone there just for that real life aspect. This new technology is so captivating and innovative that you can really get to work.
He Meta Sonic Listening Party is part of “It's Your World” by Meta. campaign, which celebrates the creative expression of the next generation. How does your collaboration with Meta align with this campaign and how do you think technology will influence the future of music and art?
Austin Millz: I think Meta is really pushing the boundaries in terms of innovation. For me, I use Meta every day, whether it's Facebook or Instagram, and it really allows me to get my music out into the world. It allows me to reach different audiences and take my creativity to new heights. I'm very excited about the new technology, because I think it will take it to a whole new level. The “It's your world.” The campaign has allowed me to create my own world with Meta.
As a creator, how do you personally leverage Meta's products or immersive technology in your creative process? And how do you think these tools can inspire and help other artists push boundaries and explore new avenues in their work?
Austin Millz: I'm really excited to see what I'm going to do with them. I already have so many different ideas, even with the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, I will definitely use them during my live shows. I can capture content and really make the user, the audience or the people watching my content feel like they are at a live show. That's something I really want to do. There's also a lot of things in terms of apps that are in Meta Quest 3 that you can really get hands-on with, make things really accessible, and really be able to learn things that you never thought you could before, because Meta will let you get down to business. With technology. Whatever age you are, it will allow you to feel like you are getting there. I think Meta is allowing the average consumer to be really hands-on with whatever they want to create their own world.
How do you think events like Meta Sonic Listening Party contribute to the intersection of art, technology, and music, and what impact do you hope these experiences will have on the creative community at large?
Austin Millz: I would love for it to expand people's thoughts. There are people who are still on the fence about using this technology or AI, and I hope that the Meta Sonic Listening Party experience can bring people one step closer to expressing their thoughts and really living a little, and taking the risk of allowing themselves to embrace . this new technology. That's the way of the future, so I feel like Meta is really leading the force with this next wave of technology. I hope that users who had doubts about its use can now say: “You know what? Let me accept this and accept the future.”
What role have Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses played in your everyday interactions or creative processes?
Austin Millz: Honestly, like I said before, it's something I really hope to use in my live shows. It's an easier way to capture content for something I could have been using another device for, but instead I can just have the glasses on my face and record live. Like I said, it's an easier way to use technology in a way that hasn't been done before.
Anything else you would like to share with YourEDM readers?
Austin Millz: Yes. I will be doing a headlining tour in 2024 from the end of February to June. Get your tickets at AustinMillz.com and yes, I want to see you all at a show soon! Happy new year!
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