www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 25-31, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 37 MUSIC The Moog synthesizer transformed music in the 1960s and ’70s, particularly allowing progressive rock bands to launch into richly layered and lengthy arrangements. Now a local performer is again highlighting the interaction of music and technology. R.J. DeMarco has been playing saxophone for over 25 years and studied jazz music at Villa Maria College in New York. The Buffalo native found his way to Monterey in 2023. His signature is in musical production, which he layers live on stage as he performs. Using a laptop, and with a set of fully customizable pedals at his disposal, he takes one song and extends it with layers of other sound movements like keyboard synths, guitar riffs and the saxophone paired with DeMarco’s ambient vocals for upward of 20 minutes in a process called looping. “It’s definitely in the mad scientist territory,” DeMarco observes. He explains that he doesn’t like playing by himself, so he remedied that problem by building a “virtual” band using looping software, bringing in percussion and backup melodies for him to riff on. DeMarco is used to playing in ensemble settings, but he found live looping through inspiration from other artists. “It doesn’t feel like you’re alone,” DeMarco says. The technique DeMarco uses when playing live is called scripted live looping, meaning that the arrangement of music is predetermined. DeMarco wears an earpiece that has pre-recorded vocal cues that instruct him like a conductor to bring in the next movement. “It kind of acts like a Rube Goldberg machine,” he says. Looping adds to a creative process but also demands accuracy. If a cue is missed, it’ll continue to loop infinitely. This can be corrected, but DeMarco also doesn’t like going back to the computer. “I try to avoid being near my computer when playing because it kind of looks like I’m checking my email on stage,” he explains. His talents also landed him a job at The Panda Studios based in Fremont, where he gets to work with professional musicians. But he says he’s continuing to develop his looping skills, with a dream of touring with a full indie pop or synth wave band. R.J. DeMarco performs 7-10pm Friday, Dec. 26 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey. No cover. (831) 372-1234, hyatt.com. DANIEL DREIFUSS Listening Layers R.J. DeMarco performs and produces music live on stage using a technique called ‘scripted live looping.’ By Sloan Campi “It kind of puts the emphasis on performing accurately and making sure you got your parts locked down,” R.J. DeMarco says of his looping process. Carmel Tasting Room San Carlos & 7th • 831.626.WINE (9463) Estate Winery & Tasting Room 1972 Hobson Ave, Greenfield SCHEIDVINEYARDS.COM Enjoyfriends. sips. Pouring daily from 12pm OCEAN AVE 7TH AVE 8TH AVE MISSION ST Carmel Plaza Sunset Community & Cultural Center SAN CARLOS ST DOLORES ST
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