---
title: "Virtual Reality (VR) and the Metaverse With Max Horwich (Live from the Void, Pt. 1)"

description: "I'm joined by Max to discuss our work on Live from the Void, after releasing our first video 2020 Is Over and the trailer. With more 3D-rendered music worlds on the horizon, we thought the time was right to dig deeper into the VOID."

status: complete

date: 2021-12-13

kind: guest

guestSlugs:
  - max-horwich

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Virtual-Reality-VR-and-the-Metaverse-With-Max-Horwich-Live-from-the-Void--Pt--1-e1bj0rg"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/virtual-reality-vr-and-the-metaverse-with-max/id1567355195?i=1000544808382"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Xy6vrqyzCtkotgVAtO6a3"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Music production"
  - "Collaboration"
  - "Creativity"
  - "Satire and absurdism"
  - "Creative process behind *Live from the Void*"
  - "The future of live music in the metaverse"
  - "Technical aspects of VR production"
  - "Unity as a filmmaking tool"
  - "Absurdism in digital art"

hostNote: |
  **Max Horwich** is the director behind *Live from the Void*, a 3D-rendered concert world where you're watching a live performance inside an environment that doesn't physically exist. He's also been teaching kids to make video games in an after-school program, which turns out to be a useful frame for the conversation: the tools that build games and the tools that build immersive music experiences are increasingly the same tools.
  
  We get into the concept and production of *Live from the Void*, what it actually takes to make something dynamic and engaging rather than just visually novel, and how Unity (the industry-standard 3D rendering engine) works as a filmmaking and music platform. Max has a clear-eyed critique of VR too, a lot of it still feels like a waste of the technology: and that honesty shapes what makes the project worth doing.
  
  The broader thread is what these 3D spaces actually enable for music storytelling: not just better concert visuals, but different relationships between sound, space, and audience that haven't been figured out yet.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "Max discusses teaching video game development to students."
    startSec: 92
    note: "Max shares his current work educating kids on video game creation."
  - label: "Behind the scenes of *Live from the Void* concept."
    startSec: 261
    note: "The creation process and initial concept of the project is highlighted."
  - label: "VR production challenges and solutions."
    startSec: 419
    note: "Max describes the evolution of their VR project and the dynamic visual elements."
  - label: "Experiences with Unity game engine."
    startSec: 501
    note: "Discussion around using Unity for music and film projects."
  - label: "Thoughts on technological advancements in VR."
    startSec: 926
    note: "The convergence of music and new technology in creating immersive experiences."
  - label: "Historical perspective on media evolution."
    startSec: 1021
    note: "Exploration of how past technologies influence current media formats."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "I've been teaching a lot lately mostly with like sort of early education younger kids doing like an after-school program teaching kids how to make video games right now..."
    startSec: 105
    reviewed: true
  - text: "And to give the listeners like a little bit of insight into what this is, this is like a 3D rendered world where you're seeing a live concert."
    startSec: 260
    reviewed: true
  - text: "What else can we do with this? And how can we turn this into something that's dynamic and engaging?"
    startSec: 418
    reviewed: true
  - text: "One of the things that I've been using a lot is this game engine called Unity... it's one of the industry standard default 2D or 3D rendering engines."
    startSec: 506
    reviewed: true
  - text: "I think a lot about a VR technology... for the most part... it feels like a waste of technology."
    startSec: 1949
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "What is *Live from the Void*?"
    answer: "*Live from the Void* is a multimedia project that combines live concert elements with immersive 3D-rendered environments."
  - question: "How does virtual reality impact live music performance?"
    answer: "Virtual reality offers a new dimension for live music, enabling artists to create dynamic experiences that transcend traditional concert settings."
  - question: "Who is Max Horwich?"
    answer: "Max Horwich is a creative professional focusing on innovative projects that blend technology and art, particularly in virtual environments."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---