Live or Death

“We record nearly all of our shows because every performance is a unique one-off and we want to capture the magic,” says bassist Larry Vernec of Blue44. All three albums by the Encinitas band were recorded live in concert, with no tracking or overdubs. ’re centered around improvisation, so the live setting is a key ingredient in the music. Audience energy influences the mood and direction the band takes – from a key change to a shift in feel.”

Vernec says true jam bands suffer when recorded without an audience. “A studio environment is much more one-dimensional and, in our view, imposes a measure of control; it’s the antithesis of live performance.…

“There’s an element of risk with live recordings that’s frightening and exciting, which heightens the senses and fuels creativity. There are as many reasons things can go wrong as there are people in the room. Drawbacks are that the recording fidelity isn’t as good, the sound of laughter or breaking glass may insert itself at an inopportune moment, and the mix and volume levels can be less than perfect.”

Blue44’s three albums — So It Goes, Unfiltered, and The Vault — are all single-take “pure” concert performances, the latter recorded at On Broadway, downtown.

“The building used to be a Home Federal Savings and Loan, and the space includes a room in the lower level that used to be the bank vault.”

Blue44 appears Thursday evenings at Epazote’s Z Bar in the Del Mar Plaza.