i love air guitar

Finland Here We Come! (Again!)

2008-08-11T16:56:00.003Z

The Air Guitar World Championships kicks off next week and guess who is going? I can't wait! I'm just devising some new questions now to ask competitors...

"A PhD in air guitar?! What is the world coming to..."

2007-05-20T12:51:00.000Z

...said Gordon Burns, former presenter of the Krypton Factor in the 80's, now 'serious' newsreader at BBC North West after I came in to give them some feedback on air guitar home videos that had been sent in as part of a competition.

Diane-the-weathergirl, previously thought of as queen bitch of small screen local news has now redeemed herself by responding with an enthused, "good girl!" in response to Gordon.

Can't think why the Jilted John song about another Gordon has been running round my head since then...

All the young dudes!

2007-05-11T15:26:00.000Z

The promo

2007-04-26T10:23:00.000Z

An embarrassment of richness

2007-04-10T22:35:00.000Z

So the Harvey Goldsmith / Saxon doc aired (no pun intended...no, really) tonight on Channel 4. I was a little bit anxious but luckily they didn't show the footage of me 'meeting' Mr Goldsmith, so I'll recreate the moment for you here. He entered a room, said "Hi, you must be Amanda? I'm Harvey Goldmith". I said, "How do you do?" and resumed my conversation with the man from the book of records. Ten minutes later, Le Harv approaches me again, "Hi, you must be Amanda? I'm Harvey Goldmith". I said, "How do you do?" but this time, I also pull a perplexed face as I ponder, "Is this man drunk?". Three days later, and having been calling Harvey 'Mr Goldfish' wherever I went , I experienced a dawn of realisation as I twigged that someone from his production company must have said, "Oh Mr Goldsmith, the mic wasn't working properly when you introduced yourself to that air guitar nutter - can you do it again?" Doh indeed.

Anyway, the promo for our very own baby is ready to roll now. So if you a high faluting commissioning editor whose appetite has been whetted then drop me an email: kiki_troupe@yahoo.co.uk

p.s documentary website coming soon!

"What ever happened to that documentary you were making?"

2007-02-14T17:38:00.000Z

Some people sometimes ask this. I say, it's coming along nicely. We've just employed artist Ed 'Superdead' Syder to do some graphics for us, and already he's done some work on turning the stars of our documentary into cartoon characters:

I've got a title!

2007-02-14T11:26:00.000Z

After months, nay years, of deliberation I've finally settled on a title for my PhD. I'm calling it "Air Guitar: Modelling Sounds and Sexuality".

Phew, now just the 80,000 word thesis itself left to do!

A tale of Sheffield, Saxon and a record breaking attempt that needed the uplifting encouragement of Roy Castle

2007-01-31T09:39:00.000Z

I'll bet you're wondering how the attempt at the world record for largest air guitar ensemble went aren't you? Well, suffice to say that it set a new world record, but mainly because they're wasn't an existing record. (Yes, I was surprised too. Apparently, though there has been a claim made the attempt wasn't witnesses and recorded by the Guinness book people so that doesn't count. Apparently.)

Anyway, let's look at the day in pictures (courtesy of my lovely producer, Eileen Hawkes) and I'll explain the story behind them...
Beaming Up Scotty
This is me picking up the director Scott Abraham and his equipment, and trying to get the vibe going!

Beating the Queues
Scott oversees the purchasing of the tickets. It's not that I need constant supervision, honest...

So this is Sheffield?
Its's nice, innit? Eileen and I were particularly impressed by the water features that greet you as you leave the station. And it was sunny - bonus!

However, not long after this picture was taken, we joined the taxi queue amongst the Sunderland fans heading to Hillsborough also and Eileen began to understand further my misgivings regarding attempting to get 30,000 football fans to air guitar to Saxon's new single. I was convinced they weren't going to go for it. Eileen, because she's a lovely positive person was very enthused and pooh-poohed my dark imaginings until we joined that taxi queue and had to listen to Sunderland fans singing daft, sick songs about Geordies. My stomach lurched, "Be calm," I thought to myself, "you're just there as a consultant - it's not like you've got to get up in front of that crowd to choruses of 'get yer tits out for the lads'..."

The briefing
On arrival we get whisked into a committee room so we can discuss how this attempt should go.

Round the table are the PR company, man from Guinness Book of World Records, Scott my director and Saxon.

Firstly, I decide to jump right in a query the rules for this record, one of which ordered that participants must air guitar for 5 whole minutes! "What nonsense!" I declare, "in competitions no one ever gets that long!" Within seconds it's decided that a record attempt can be undertaken during the length of the song that's used, providing it's over 3 minutes. "You're the expert here" explains man-from-Guinness. Secure in this knowledge, I begin to relax a little until....

The dawn of realisation
This photo was taken at the moment I realised that as the 'expert' I would be required to go out onto the pitch and lead the 'lesson' that was required under the Guinness rules. Crikey.

Yeah, but it's Saxon!
Looking around me I decided I wasn't the worst off in that room. Take Saxon, who had to go out there and mime to their new song, whilst being filmed for a documentary about impresario extraordinaire, Harvey Goldsmith, and how he can (or can't?) turn flagging creative businesses round. They were more nervous than I was (especially lead vocalist Biff on the right of this picture who just before this pic was taken had been arguing with Gerry, the guy stood up, from the PR company). The whole afternoon had a pleasant Spinal Tap-ism about it.

Half time hell
This is Barney the Owl (geddit?), me and Saxon heading towards the centre circle for the debacle that is to follow. Notice that head hanging down. I was almost overwhelmed by the feeling of wanting to be anywhere else, other than about to air guitar at half time in a football match. The things you do, eh, in the name of research?

Poor the Saxon
Here are Saxon when they still had some dignity in tact, before they whored themselves in front of over 20,000 people in a bid to increase sales of their new single to cries of "Who are you?!" from the baying crowd. And let's not lose sight of the fact that this was what the day was about - marketing a comeback single for a band with no budget for more traditional methods. This wasn't about the great, universal joy of a large group of people air guitaring to a song they know and love. No, it was cheap PR.

It's at this point that I'd love to be able to show you pictures of people air guitaring, but unfortunately, we don't seem to have any. You'll just have to take my word that there were some people joining in. I saw two young girls and a granny swinging their air axes but that was about it. A record was set, but I'm sure it must have been in the hundreds rather than the thousands. Anyway, here's the official certificate:

My New Book!

2007-01-19T19:15:00.000Z

Here's my new book, available in very select shops in 2013.

Myspace Layouts

World Record Attempt

2007-01-19T18:00:00.000Z

Tomorrow sees me and my film crew head to Sheffield as we bear witness to an attempt to beat the world record for most people playing air guitar at the same time (or ensemble air guitaring as I like to call it).

Local rock heroes Saxon will be providing the tune in the form of their new track "If I were you". This should prove interesting. I think nostalgia for the tunes you heard and moshed to in your childhood sometimes make the best tracks to air guitar to (cf the current world record - this was undertaken to Guns N Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine" - a classic!). I wonder if attempting to beat the record to a new, unheard song might prove too tricky for the participants? I have suggested to the organisers that a brief tutorial on some standard air guitar moves beforehand might be beneficial. So, will it work? Will Sheffield Wednesday fans embrace the idea and rock out like we know Northerners can? Or will there be less riff-shaped fingers and more rude gestures?? I don't know but I'm looking forward to finding out!

In all fairness, it's not airness

2006-11-17T10:09:00.000Z

I've been pondering long and hard all these news stories regarding the 'air guitar t-shirt' and have decided that in all fairness, that's not airness.

I've decided to establish some basic principals of air guitar:

1. Air guitar is not a virtual instrument.
2. Air guitar is an instrument that exists in its absence.
3. Air guitar playing does not mark the lack of an instrument, it traces the presence of an absence of an instrument.

The future, today!

2006-11-16T11:47:00.000Z

Hi-tech T-shirt turns air guitar into the real thing

Bobbie Johnson, technology correspondent
Monday November 13, 2006
Guardian Unlimited

Scientists have cranked it all the way up to 11 thanks to a new hi-tech take on the air guitar.
Engineers in Australia - the home of rock legends including AC/DC and INXS - have developed a new T-shirt which enables the wearer to play air guitar and create real noise in the process.

Richard Helmer and a team of researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, fashioned the "wearable instrument shirt" out of an ordinary T-shirt fitted with an array of sensors.

The built-in technologies measure the movements of the wearer, allowing them to "play" by moving one hand to mimic guitar chord patterns and using the other to pluck virtual strings. The shirt is hooked up to a computer that is able to read the signals and turn them into guitar sounds.
The researchers say it allows anyone to thrash out their impressions of Led Zeppelin without ever picking up a real guitar.

"It's an easy-to-use virtual instrument that allows real-time music making, even by players without significant musical or computing skills. It allows you to jump around, and the sound generated is just like an original MP3," said Dr Helmer.

Immortalised in movies such as Wayne's World, air guitar is a popular pastime among millions of rockers worldwide.

Guitar Hero, a videogame in which players strum along to a sequence of tracks, is one of the most popular titles currently available.

The CSIRO team say they plan to create variants of the T-shirt which can mimic other instruments.

It's been a long time...

2006-02-04T18:09:00.000Z

Yikes, a message from the 2005 World Champ, the Destroyer, reminded me of how long it's been since I last wrote. No excuses really, other than the usual boring ones about being too busy living and working (and of course, doing the odd bit of phd!).

The documentary is coming along slowly...Since our return we've been stymied by the fact that our director has had to work on other projects to pay the rent, but we're getting to the stage now where we'll have a short promo ready soon, so can start to tout it round and see what sort of response we get.

So what have I been up to? Well, I did a lecture on Sexuality and Gender in Air Guitar to Salford Uni undergrads, which was a good experience, and also prompted me to actually do some writing. I've also just finished performing in a modern version of Hamlet, called PRINCE with the rest of my Troupe girls. We've never really done a full-on theatre production before, as we previously have confined our public outings to gigs and clubs. I think we were all surprised by how horny actors are all the time!

Never work with children or ferrets

2005-09-07T21:20:00.000Z

Have just got back from London where I recorded some tv stuff for a CBBC programme called Xchange. Was interviewed by a puppet ferret who described me as a nutcase. Managed to hold myself back from pointing out that sticking your hand up a pretend ferret's ass was no less a crazy way to spend your time. I only agreed to do it because my friend and long-time air guitar collaborator The Goat of Mendes was going on and it seemed like it might be a laugh. Which it was. It culminated in an air guitar-off between 3 lovely girls from Edinburgh, the presenters and The Goat.

Back to the books now. I have some serious writing up to do...

Rockin in the free world

2005-09-02T23:21:00.000Z

I'm now back from my air guitar adventures in Finland. It was incredible. Met so many articulate, interesting air guitarists who have given me much to think about for the PhD. What really struck me was although all the competitors were united in their love of guitar music, they each had their own reasons for taking part, whether that was to promote peace or subverting stereotypes or just for the fun of it.

I arrived in Oulu on the Tuesday and quickly worked my way around this easy going city in the north of Finland, taking some establishing shots with the crew for our documentary. That night I finally got to meet Dan Crane (or Bjorn Turoque as he's known in air circles) and MiRi "Sonyk Rok" Park, last year's winner. Both are brilliant advocates for the art of air guitaring, and I had a wonderful time discussing all things air with them over subsequent days.

Wednesday saw me off to the air guitar training camp. Unsure of what to expect, I was delighted to be whisked off to the countryside to indulge in a day of lectures on the history of the competition and workshops on choreography. The camp was attended mainly by those who were competing, but a special mention must go to the Great Danes who came along just for the heck of it and who threw themselves into the fray. It was impossible not to notice that in the main, the campers were female and that this year's competition had unprecedented numbers of women taking part. The day ended with a sauna, sausages and some very welcome beers.

The 'dark horse' competition took place on Thursday evening, and I was looking forward to seeing some of my new friends compete, as well as observing the jury and their scores to see if they tallied with mine, in preparation for my role as a judge the next night. I have to say that in the main I agreed with their decisions but thought they were quite harsh towards Johnny Angel, a peace-loving purist air-player who I thought should have scored more highly. The night was rounded off with an Aireoke session, organised by Dan and it was great to see all competitors and organisers taking part, without the stresses of being scored. I even had a go myself, despite a whopping headache - I did '50 ft Queenie' by PJ Harvey.

Friday was chaotic - trying to fit in interviews with all those who we hadn't managed to catch so far. Then there were press conferences to go to and at 7.30 I left my film crew to make my way to meet the other jurors. We arrived at the venue - it looked like a massive air craft hanger and could hold about 2,500 people. Seeing that space for the first time was incredible - I had goosebumps and was really excited for all of those taking part. What an opportunity, to rock out on a huge stage in front of a cheering crowd. I wished I could hang out backstage with them to soak it all up, but was ushered to the rear to take my place on the balcony with the other jurors and a selection of VIPs. We were quite a way off from the stage and the atmosphere felt a bit sterile up there but once the contest began I soon started to enjoy myself.

It quickly became apparent that I was one of the more generous judges. Someone told me afterwards that was the mother in me - I'm not so sure about that, but I was the only female judge out of the five of us. Despite our differences though, I definitely think that we came up with the right result, with the top three - The Destroyer, Gizzy Guitar and Pelvis Fenderbender - all being amazing air guitarists in their own unique way.

The aftershow party was riotous and a fitting way to end our trip. Very rock n roll.

This year's winner - The Destroyer

It's the final countdown!

2005-08-18T10:57:00.000Z

We've booked our flights to Finland! We're leaving on Monday. Am just tinkering with my lecture which will interrogate whether competitve air guitaring is sport, spectacle, art or a combination of all three or even none of the above. Hmmm.

Even Crazier!

2005-08-05T14:47:00.000Z

I have just had the weirdest, busiest few days in recent memory. It all started when I sent out an innocent press release regarding my PhD and trip to Finland, in order to try and drum up some investment for the film that Superchat and I are hoping to make when we're out there. Since then, I've been interviewed so much I think my head is gonna drop off. Amongst others, I've spoken to The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mirror, BBC World Service, BBC Radio Wales, Newstalk 106 fm in Ireland, 3 radio stations in Australia and one in the U.S. I also appeared on the GM T.V sofa on Wednesday morning. Surreal is an over used word but I think I'm justified here...

Air Guitar Film Needs Backers!

2005-08-05T14:01:00.000Z

Amanda Griffiths is researching a PhD at the University of Salford in Air Guitar, and has been invited by the organisers of the World Championships held in Oulu, Finland to give a lecture on the finer points at an air guitar training camp on 24th August 2005.

Whilst there, and with filmmaker colleague Scott Abraham in tow, Amanda hopes to make the definitive air rock documentary. She says, “It’s an honour to be asked to lecture at what is the biggest event in any air guitarist’s calendar. People travel from all over the world to compete and I can’t wait to meet them and find out what it is that drives them to play!”

Amanda got the air guitaring bug after entering a competition in 2002 under the pseudonym Kiki Troupe and, to her amazement, winning. Following that, she was invited to talk on Radio Four’s Woman’s Hour and met fellow interviewee Professor Sheila Whiteley from Salford University who encouraged her to do a PhD on the subject.

The film will follow Amanda’s journey as she endeavours to delve into the psyche of the air guitar competitors. It is largely being funded by Scott and Amanda, but won’t happen unless they raise another £2,000 worth of investment before the trip. Professor Whiteley says, “This event is enormously important in terms of Amanda’s research and it would be a terrible disappointment if this film didn’t get made for lack of £2,000”.

Therefore, Scott and Amanda are seeking investment or sponsorship from anyone who would like to support this exciting venture. “Any level of investment would be most welcome at this stage. I’m very excited about this project and would love to see the film feature at several festivals worldwide,” says Scott, an experienced filmmaker who has worked on Coronation St, Phoenix Nights, Cold Feet, Clocking off, The Second Coming, Cutting It and has made pop promo videos for Alfie and Badly Drawn Boy.

If you feel you can help in someway, or would like more information, then please get in touch.

To hear Amanda and Professor Whiteley talking about air guitar on Radio Four's Woman's Hour then click here.

Still Crazy

2005-07-12T20:24:00.000Z

A friend pointed me to an article in this month's Good Housekeeping and an interview contained therein with Mr Bill Nighy star of stage and screen and Still Crazy. When asked what is his party piece he modestly replies,"I quietly think that I play air guitar better than anyone else in the world." I wonder if he's ever seen Satan Whoppercock, who was UK Champion for like a zillion years?

wowsers!

2005-05-16T16:01:00.000Z

I've just been asked to deliver a 'lecture' at the Air Guitar Training camp in Finland:
"A BOOST FROM THE TRAINING CAMP
The party starts already on Wednesday 24 August at the High Altitude Camp, which takes place on an island situated near the Oulu City Centre. The camp leads its participants to the basics of Air Guitar, for example through choreography studies and private lessons from previous Champions. Also music videos will be made for each of the Air Guitarists for promotional use. The camp ends on Thursday 25 August. The participation fee for the camp is 75 euros, including lectures and exercises, accommodation, sauna and meals as well as a final exam."

isn't that fantastically exciting?!!

we are the champions, my friends

2005-05-12T14:47:00.000Z

I've been in touch with Marika, the lovely organiser of the World Chamionships in Oulu, Finland and am most determined to get out there this August to see what, if any, are the differences between competing in the UK and on the world stage (though from an observational point of view - I don't think I've got the guts or the stamina to get up there myself). The variety of countries involved is surprising: the United Arab Emirates and Canada have signed up this year.

Having decided to make the trip, all I need to do now if find the dosh to pay for it as those Scandinavian countries are notoriously tough going on the purse.

action shot

2005-05-11T13:10:00.000Z

here's me practising what I preach

air buddies

2005-05-11T13:03:00.000Z

Have made contact with Dan in New York who is writing a book on air guitar. Am thrilled that I'm not alone in my obsession and that there's someone else out there who thinks it's worthy of examination. I'm guessing his will be a totally different perspective to mine - I'm in the UK, he's in the US; I'm female, he's not! etc etc...

all new to me

2005-05-05T21:52:00.000Z

Have decided to set up this blog, in the hope that it will spur me on to write about my phd as and when ideas come to me.

Did I mention I'm doing research into air guitar?