Today I cried.
I love DJ Shadow.
It's a fact.
Entroducing.......changed the way I listen to music. I bought the CD when I was a junior in high school and have since owed it on vinyl as well as the 10 year anniversary deluxe version. The album doesn't need any more praise then its already got. Either you know it or you don't. Unfortunately, the majority of his output since 96' hasn't come anywhere close on the awesomeness scale sans a few mix tapes and his recent box set of his early material(which doesn't count since it was all recorded before 95').......whatever.
I was flipping around the Internet the other checking for SXSW reviews when I came across a disappointing tidbit of information. DJ Shadow is now going to be the face of the Activision's new Guitar Hero spin off "DJ Hero." WTF!!! I couldn't tell you how the game is going to be played or what songs are going to be featured but I tell you to keep your eyes peeled for the game's release sometime in June.
I gotta admit, I'm at a loss for words. In all honesty, I shouldn't really care about this at all. The music business is rough, everybody is taking a hit. You gotta start thinking outside the box(or in the box), and I guess that's what he's doing. Something about this screams sellout though and that's the disappointing part. It's a sad day when you see one of your favorite artists cross the line and start working with the man. To his credit, Shadow has incredible foresight, he was right when he told people why Hip Hop sucked in 96', the same reason holds true today.
On a more positive note, anyone interested in the future of musical instruments should check out a recently published article at Wired.com highlighting the first annual Guthman Musical Instrument Competition held at Georgia Tech University.....pertty cool stuff.
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mods/multimedia/2009/03/gallery_instruments
p.s. Phish @ the Clifford Ball = amazing
Monday, March 23, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Ok Ok Ok.
Let's see what is new.
1) Phish played their first shows in just about 5 years last weekend. I don't really know what to say. They ruled my life for a long period of time, I should be excited, but I couldn't care any less. Listening to the tapes that the band gave away for free(pretty cool move) made me feel nostalgic at best. Correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe they ran through pretty much every song they usually play live over the weekend, kinda cool actually. Hearing the band fumble their way though tunes that they once could pull off with surgical precision at the drop of a dime made me want to vomit. That band meant so much to me at one point in time. They were, for almost a decade, a phenomenal group. Then things changed. They stopped caring. And thus I stopped caring. Something happened to Trey, most likely drugs, and he forgot how to play guitar. After that, the songs just sounded empty. No vigor, no zest, no aggressiveness. It was almost like they were, and still are, just going through the motions. And the worst part? People eat their shit right up. I could say a lot more but it's not my place to judge how and why people dig music.
2) I'm making an honest attempt at learning Ableton live 7. I've got a 27 part tutorial that I'm slowly working though just in case I need the help. I've got a fascination with software. There is no real reason why I should learn another DAW. I've got an MPC, I use Logic, but something about Ableton's look and concept just seems appealing. Getting used to thinking in Clips or Scenes is going to take some time but I can now understand why so many people use it in a live setting, hence its name. The program really makes things easy, almost like cheating. You could pull off a perfect mix tape without even thinking, no headphones required, just pick the right songs and you've got a finished product.
3) My skis are almost 10 years old. Salomon TenEighty's that Shidey sold me awhile back to be exact. They get the job done in every condition but struggle slightly with crud and deep pow. I've been looking to get a new pair for some time but never know what buy. The other day I was at Meadows on a lift when it dawned on me......Telemarking. It's the obvious choice for someone looking to get more out of the downhill experience. It just looks so satisfying........and bad ass. Perhaps the most versatile method of getting down any slope. Plus it just looks fun. I don't really know much about the discipline but I'd like to learn. Any one out there have any advice or experience?
P.S. Mind the grammar mistakes, horrible sentence structure and unfinished thoughts. I'm too lazy to proofread:)
Let's see what is new.
1) Phish played their first shows in just about 5 years last weekend. I don't really know what to say. They ruled my life for a long period of time, I should be excited, but I couldn't care any less. Listening to the tapes that the band gave away for free(pretty cool move) made me feel nostalgic at best. Correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe they ran through pretty much every song they usually play live over the weekend, kinda cool actually. Hearing the band fumble their way though tunes that they once could pull off with surgical precision at the drop of a dime made me want to vomit. That band meant so much to me at one point in time. They were, for almost a decade, a phenomenal group. Then things changed. They stopped caring. And thus I stopped caring. Something happened to Trey, most likely drugs, and he forgot how to play guitar. After that, the songs just sounded empty. No vigor, no zest, no aggressiveness. It was almost like they were, and still are, just going through the motions. And the worst part? People eat their shit right up. I could say a lot more but it's not my place to judge how and why people dig music.
2) I'm making an honest attempt at learning Ableton live 7. I've got a 27 part tutorial that I'm slowly working though just in case I need the help. I've got a fascination with software. There is no real reason why I should learn another DAW. I've got an MPC, I use Logic, but something about Ableton's look and concept just seems appealing. Getting used to thinking in Clips or Scenes is going to take some time but I can now understand why so many people use it in a live setting, hence its name. The program really makes things easy, almost like cheating. You could pull off a perfect mix tape without even thinking, no headphones required, just pick the right songs and you've got a finished product.
3) My skis are almost 10 years old. Salomon TenEighty's that Shidey sold me awhile back to be exact. They get the job done in every condition but struggle slightly with crud and deep pow. I've been looking to get a new pair for some time but never know what buy. The other day I was at Meadows on a lift when it dawned on me......Telemarking. It's the obvious choice for someone looking to get more out of the downhill experience. It just looks so satisfying........and bad ass. Perhaps the most versatile method of getting down any slope. Plus it just looks fun. I don't really know much about the discipline but I'd like to learn. Any one out there have any advice or experience?
P.S. Mind the grammar mistakes, horrible sentence structure and unfinished thoughts. I'm too lazy to proofread:)
Friday, March 6, 2009
I GET TO FLY DOWN A MOUNTAIN WITH STICKS ON MY FEET!!!!!!!
Over 50 inches of new snow in the past four days at Mt Hood. I haven't been skiing all year. This is long overdue. WoooooHoooooo.
........
Portland is fucked up. But good fucked up. Everyday I meet new people that confirm the fact that Portland is fucked up. But good fucked up.
.......
I haven't really made a solid attempt to listen to dubstep. Burial is great. Most things i've heard from Skream are pretty good. DJ Rupture is enjoyable. But those dudes represent the end of the line. I'd like to expand my knowledge further. Only reason I say this is that the dubstep scene here is really starting to pick up and I should at least make some effort to try and immerse myself a bit. Got any suggestions?
...
Gotta go ski.
........
Portland is fucked up. But good fucked up. Everyday I meet new people that confirm the fact that Portland is fucked up. But good fucked up.
.......
I haven't really made a solid attempt to listen to dubstep. Burial is great. Most things i've heard from Skream are pretty good. DJ Rupture is enjoyable. But those dudes represent the end of the line. I'd like to expand my knowledge further. Only reason I say this is that the dubstep scene here is really starting to pick up and I should at least make some effort to try and immerse myself a bit. Got any suggestions?
...
Gotta go ski.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Yikes
So I installed a hit counter the other day. I was curious to see if anyone was lame enough to read the bullshit off the top of my head. After two weeks of 'hit counting' my suspicion proved correct: my gospel's and astute theories on the meaning of life were falling on deft ears. Then a geriatric friend of mine posted a note about my page on a popular social networking site. Low and behold! A giant spike in page hits! Thanks little buddy! Your the best! You still owe me 80 bucks but i'll grant you some leeway for giving me a boost by not crushing your skull between my massive bicep and forearm.
Lets see whats new in the world of music: The Woodstock Festival happened 40 years ago this August. Can you believe that? 40 years ago. Now, Michael Lang, the promoter of the original Woodstock Festival is thinking about doing it all over again to commemorate the occasion. This time around he wants to plan festivals in two locations, here in the U.S. and one in Berlin Germany. Is this a good idea? Considering the last two attempts at recreating the 69' fest ended in corporate bullshit, rape and utter and complete destruction of anything in sight, I'd say this is a great idea. Is it going to work? It shouldn't, shame on Michael Lang for trying to do this in the first place. The original Woodstock served a purpose and was the pinnacle for a generation. I find it unfortunate when people's sole motivation for doing something is in search of a profit.
Moving along....
I'm the proud owner of a limited edition vinyl copy of Boris's live collaboration with noise legend Merzbow "Rock Dream." Yes, I know, you're so jealous. You should be though. 3800 were released on Southern Lord. 1000 in black, 1000 in red, 1000 in purple, and 800 in marble orange. This goes on record(no pun intended) for this 2nd most expensive LP i've purchased. It's funny, I was always the thrifty record buyer, passing up copies of dope shit becuase I knew if I kept on looking, one day i'd find it for cheaper. I've taken a different approach as of late. Maybe I shouldn't go digging when i'm stoned anymore.
I hate Kelsi Beck.
Lets see whats new in the world of music: The Woodstock Festival happened 40 years ago this August. Can you believe that? 40 years ago. Now, Michael Lang, the promoter of the original Woodstock Festival is thinking about doing it all over again to commemorate the occasion. This time around he wants to plan festivals in two locations, here in the U.S. and one in Berlin Germany. Is this a good idea? Considering the last two attempts at recreating the 69' fest ended in corporate bullshit, rape and utter and complete destruction of anything in sight, I'd say this is a great idea. Is it going to work? It shouldn't, shame on Michael Lang for trying to do this in the first place. The original Woodstock served a purpose and was the pinnacle for a generation. I find it unfortunate when people's sole motivation for doing something is in search of a profit.
Moving along....
I'm the proud owner of a limited edition vinyl copy of Boris's live collaboration with noise legend Merzbow "Rock Dream." Yes, I know, you're so jealous. You should be though. 3800 were released on Southern Lord. 1000 in black, 1000 in red, 1000 in purple, and 800 in marble orange. This goes on record(no pun intended) for this 2nd most expensive LP i've purchased. It's funny, I was always the thrifty record buyer, passing up copies of dope shit becuase I knew if I kept on looking, one day i'd find it for cheaper. I've taken a different approach as of late. Maybe I shouldn't go digging when i'm stoned anymore.
I hate Kelsi Beck.
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