Canadian-born designer Wesley Chau got his latest inspiration from the 1986 concert film Home of the Brave. The fim which highlights various artists, provides an element of percussion almost entirely derived from the body. The result of his inspiration is a unique and highly wearable set of electronic percussion pads.
His project, Drop the Beat, is made of piezo sensors that are embedded into neoprene drum pads, which are then held firmly to the vest using velcro. The beats are connected to audio software that then plays the music through a computer or other external device. Chau’s project aims to “elevate the stage presence of digital musicians and DJs.” He tells Fashioning Tech;
“As a drummer in high school and an admirer of performance art, I wanted to create a customizable garment that could elevate the stage presence of digital musicians/DJs…I see this piece being used not only in live concert situations but also in collaborative dance/performance work.”
The next step in his vision is to advance the product so that it includes WiFi features to make the instrument more portable. Drop the Beat is a perfect example of when passion meets innovation.
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