so it seems like there's been some push back on the creativity front lately.
did anyone see the grammys? not only did thom yorke and johnny greenwood steal the show with the USC marching band (one word for that: amazing.), but there was some actual talent laying it down on stage all night.
all is not wrong with the world of popular music. jt killed it, al green was still magical, and some crazy british girl with an angel's voice (adele) stole my heart.
i have a feeling people are going to start feeling pressure to fight back against the despair and impersonality that has characterized this generation. especially with the way the economy is going... sure, president obama (still feels good to say that) will change things, but its going to take time. for now, artists will actually feel what it's like to hurt. people might feel what its like to struggle, or to have the strength of character to persevere in the face of a challenge.
i don't wish bad things on anyone, but our generation has such a strong sense of entitlement that it might be time we fought our own battles - rather than paying homage to those that have been fought before us.
i know robyn thicke and weezy's performance may not have been on top of everyone's list, and new orleans might be in the back of everyone's mind. but when the dirty dozen brass band came out and marched through the crowd in a tribute to that fallen mecca of creativity, it gave me hope in the future.
i'm running from my problems and i can see the clouds are starting to break.
feet, don't fail me now.
------------------
in the headphones:
when the levees break - led zeppelin
Friday, February 13, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
(#_44) barack_obama
power to the people waving flags and shit
its another generation heading north
marching strong past hatred racially united
as divided as a nation on the fourth
its the simplicity of a clenched up fist
it’s the futile implications of the fight
and when we all got together seemingly excited
we decided there’s no color in the night
the sun comes up
the music blares
the windows down
in hope we stare
cause its time. we’ll finally be fine.
on a cold plain day on the steps of change
stand refreshed because our confidence is wealth
fuel the fire with desire its the progress in our minds
the time is ripe for him to nurse us back to health
and when tomorrow comes we’ll speak our minds
feeling pressure from the rising tide of hope
just as the river cut through rock, we walk in footprints from the past
good morning.
hope this headache doesn’t last.
-----------------
in the headphones:
young jeezy - my president is black
"my president is black, my lambo's blue, and i'll be goddamned if my rims aint too"
its another generation heading north
marching strong past hatred racially united
as divided as a nation on the fourth
its the simplicity of a clenched up fist
it’s the futile implications of the fight
and when we all got together seemingly excited
we decided there’s no color in the night
the sun comes up
the music blares
the windows down
in hope we stare
cause its time. we’ll finally be fine.
on a cold plain day on the steps of change
stand refreshed because our confidence is wealth
fuel the fire with desire its the progress in our minds
the time is ripe for him to nurse us back to health
and when tomorrow comes we’ll speak our minds
feeling pressure from the rising tide of hope
just as the river cut through rock, we walk in footprints from the past
good morning.
hope this headache doesn’t last.
-----------------
in the headphones:
young jeezy - my president is black
"my president is black, my lambo's blue, and i'll be goddamned if my rims aint too"
Thursday, January 22, 2009
one_ one_
we're putting the final touches on the album. it's gonna be ready in a few weeks.
before that happens, i have to use this blog to talk about vinyl records, because one of the tunes on the EP is about the rise and fall of this resurrecting media.
one of my buddies got a record player in his spot and we've been spinning records for a few months now. we've all stolen records from our parents, we've bought them used for $4, and we've spent hard cash on new ones (ya, we're broke too... but it's so GRATIFYING). but the sound of a vinyl record... that warm, vintage, crackly authenticity is what has been turning my world around for the last few months.
in this "digital age," we're used to getting our music in mythical files called "mp3s," that we can never actually see. they come out of our crappy computer speakers or shitty earbud headphones, and we trade them freely over networks.
i fucking hate it.
at the record store, i buy ACTUAL RECORDS that i can take home with me on the recommendation of some old dude who smokes a lot of pot (he knows what's up, by the way... as do 95% of record store dudes). after i come home from the record store, i listen to a work of artistic talent... not just a randomly arranged collection of singles on an ipod.
it's too bad pressing vinyl is so expensive. i promise, if we sell enough digital copies of our new EP, we'll print vinyl before we ever make a CD again.
-------------------------
in the headphones:
vinyl sound - the project
too bad you guys can't yet hear this track. it's about this dude named "Mr. Recordman." he's born, he's mine, then he dies - and it's our fault. the way the music listening community is headed, the "record" as we know it might be dead. but we're hopeful... we're trying to make people aware that a revolution is necessary. if the purchasing public demands more creativity and thought before they buy music, then the bands and record companies will be forced to change.
this is our cause. when the EP comes out, support it.
even if you don't, though. do yourself a favor and go listen to your favorite band on vinyl.
before that happens, i have to use this blog to talk about vinyl records, because one of the tunes on the EP is about the rise and fall of this resurrecting media.
one of my buddies got a record player in his spot and we've been spinning records for a few months now. we've all stolen records from our parents, we've bought them used for $4, and we've spent hard cash on new ones (ya, we're broke too... but it's so GRATIFYING). but the sound of a vinyl record... that warm, vintage, crackly authenticity is what has been turning my world around for the last few months.
in this "digital age," we're used to getting our music in mythical files called "mp3s," that we can never actually see. they come out of our crappy computer speakers or shitty earbud headphones, and we trade them freely over networks.
i fucking hate it.
at the record store, i buy ACTUAL RECORDS that i can take home with me on the recommendation of some old dude who smokes a lot of pot (he knows what's up, by the way... as do 95% of record store dudes). after i come home from the record store, i listen to a work of artistic talent... not just a randomly arranged collection of singles on an ipod.
it's too bad pressing vinyl is so expensive. i promise, if we sell enough digital copies of our new EP, we'll print vinyl before we ever make a CD again.
-------------------------
in the headphones:
vinyl sound - the project
too bad you guys can't yet hear this track. it's about this dude named "Mr. Recordman." he's born, he's mine, then he dies - and it's our fault. the way the music listening community is headed, the "record" as we know it might be dead. but we're hopeful... we're trying to make people aware that a revolution is necessary. if the purchasing public demands more creativity and thought before they buy music, then the bands and record companies will be forced to change.
this is our cause. when the EP comes out, support it.
even if you don't, though. do yourself a favor and go listen to your favorite band on vinyl.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
pearl jam's first album_
ahhhh. that's it.
the feeling of having created something. i mean, anyone who's taken freshmen shop class in high school, who's had to do some stupid paper mache project, or even doodled a picture should know what i'm talking about.
the guys and i essentially locked ourselves in a room a few weeks ago and played until some real music came out. then we took it home and worked on it: our sound has REALLY COME TOGETHER on this album. the tracks are all done, and they range from straight up funk, to acoustic-driven compositional stuff (that is oh-so-much-more-mature than we used to write), to pop songs with an edge. we go from indie to herbie (hancock) to groovy in five short songs.
we were talking with the (super talented) mix engineer about our sound. we all agreed this album should be super personal.
we want to re-introduce ourselves to you all.
the listener should feel as if they were sitting in a room in between the five of us, grooving to some music. the lyrical themes that tie the thing together - love, people fucking up the world, music saving the world, the downward spiral of pop music, etc. - echo the statements and emotion of the music. it's chill, but it can kick your ass if you aren't careful.
the album comes out in january.
download it legally (support the revolution).
download it illegally (as long as you promise to listen to EVERY note).
i hope you all get sweet presents for the holidays.
------------
in the headphones:
spoon - don't you evah
i recently unearthed spoon. this song is off their most recent LP "ga ga ga ga ga." this and 2005's "gimmie fiction" are some of the most unbelievable examples of modern production and unique songwriting. it's beck with a little cake mixed in - its heaven.
britt daniels might possibly my hero of the month. stay tuned for more...
the feeling of having created something. i mean, anyone who's taken freshmen shop class in high school, who's had to do some stupid paper mache project, or even doodled a picture should know what i'm talking about.
the guys and i essentially locked ourselves in a room a few weeks ago and played until some real music came out. then we took it home and worked on it: our sound has REALLY COME TOGETHER on this album. the tracks are all done, and they range from straight up funk, to acoustic-driven compositional stuff (that is oh-so-much-more-mature than we used to write), to pop songs with an edge. we go from indie to herbie (hancock) to groovy in five short songs.
we were talking with the (super talented) mix engineer about our sound. we all agreed this album should be super personal.
we want to re-introduce ourselves to you all.
the listener should feel as if they were sitting in a room in between the five of us, grooving to some music. the lyrical themes that tie the thing together - love, people fucking up the world, music saving the world, the downward spiral of pop music, etc. - echo the statements and emotion of the music. it's chill, but it can kick your ass if you aren't careful.
the album comes out in january.
download it legally (support the revolution).
download it illegally (as long as you promise to listen to EVERY note).
i hope you all get sweet presents for the holidays.
------------
in the headphones:
spoon - don't you evah
i recently unearthed spoon. this song is off their most recent LP "ga ga ga ga ga." this and 2005's "gimmie fiction" are some of the most unbelievable examples of modern production and unique songwriting. it's beck with a little cake mixed in - its heaven.
britt daniels might possibly my hero of the month. stay tuned for more...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
no in german.
shane laid down all of his leads last night. talk about a transformation. the kid is an animal... but his riffs have, like the band's music, just matured so much. it seems like yesterday we were in my sophomore dorm room writing "three step drop" thinking music couldn't get any better than that...
anyway. this album is really coming together. the only stuff we have left are sham's key parts and the vocals. jon sage, a fantastic engineer and microphone master, has been doing a PHENOMENAL job producing and engineering these sessions. here is a track listing for those of you keeping score.
keep in mind, the order and titles of the tracks are still tentative:
1. love & music
2. graffiti
3. man can't fly
4. neighbor's wife
5. vinyl sound (mr. recordman)
hopefully you guys recognize a few of these... and hopefully some of them are brand new to you. most of all, we hope you like them once they're released.
one love,
andrew
------------
in the headphones:
after the rain - little dragon
this is a sick track. the female vocalist reminds me of M.I.A. with a little Feist in her. she's a chameleon, though... there are a few tracks where she brings the soul, the funk, and everything in between. the little middle eastern flourishes in her voice kick ass and the backing beat is driving, but dynamic. things are flying everywhere, but it never seems gimmicky. you could dance to this at a party, or kick it at the library with it in the headphones. check their debut self-titled album.
anyway. this album is really coming together. the only stuff we have left are sham's key parts and the vocals. jon sage, a fantastic engineer and microphone master, has been doing a PHENOMENAL job producing and engineering these sessions. here is a track listing for those of you keeping score.
keep in mind, the order and titles of the tracks are still tentative:
1. love & music
2. graffiti
3. man can't fly
4. neighbor's wife
5. vinyl sound (mr. recordman)
hopefully you guys recognize a few of these... and hopefully some of them are brand new to you. most of all, we hope you like them once they're released.
one love,
andrew
------------
in the headphones:
after the rain - little dragon
this is a sick track. the female vocalist reminds me of M.I.A. with a little Feist in her. she's a chameleon, though... there are a few tracks where she brings the soul, the funk, and everything in between. the little middle eastern flourishes in her voice kick ass and the backing beat is driving, but dynamic. things are flying everywhere, but it never seems gimmicky. you could dance to this at a party, or kick it at the library with it in the headphones. check their debut self-titled album.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
ate.
so we have drums, bass, rhythm guitar, and a few leads laid down on this new EP.
it sounds phenomenal. we're working with a fantastic mix/tech engineer and we sound as good as we ever have before. we're finishing up lyrics, and shane and sam are going to lay down some leads/keys tonight. sam's gonna play only his vintage rhodes... i'm so excited to hear how it sounds on "tape."
i guess that's it for now. we'll get back to you with another report from the studio soon, but for now keep on keepin on.
------------
in the headphones:
bob dylan - mr. tambourine man
it sounds phenomenal. we're working with a fantastic mix/tech engineer and we sound as good as we ever have before. we're finishing up lyrics, and shane and sam are going to lay down some leads/keys tonight. sam's gonna play only his vintage rhodes... i'm so excited to hear how it sounds on "tape."
i guess that's it for now. we'll get back to you with another report from the studio soon, but for now keep on keepin on.
------------
in the headphones:
bob dylan - mr. tambourine man
Monday, December 15, 2008
sevone.
so its studio time.
we've grown up. we're writing more mature, more meaningful music right now. the new lineup is full of guys who know how to really lay it down - in the studio or in a club. the songs are ready to be laid down - there are two brand new ones and a few you all might have heard before, if you were listening carefully.
we're getting a party planned to release this bitch in january. there's gonna be booze. and members of the opposite sex. and probably some illegal narcotics. but enough about what'll be going on backstage...
we think we're gonna charge you fools to buy this record. cause it's gonna sound like it's worth it. we've given away all our live shit for the last year and a half, and we're definitely going to keep on with that. if you dig the music, let your buddies back home know what's up. send em to the site to check it out and see whether they dig it for themselves. trust me, stumbleupon is only giving us so many website hits per month haha.
this track (head to the site for a free download) is a sneak peek as to what our studio effort's gonna sound like. its a new take on a song that we first recorded about two years ago. its free.
ya. $0.
i gotta say. i love playing music. it's tight that some of you people like to listen.
peace, love, & rock,
andrew
------------
in the headphones:
hate it here - wilco
we've grown up. we're writing more mature, more meaningful music right now. the new lineup is full of guys who know how to really lay it down - in the studio or in a club. the songs are ready to be laid down - there are two brand new ones and a few you all might have heard before, if you were listening carefully.
we're getting a party planned to release this bitch in january. there's gonna be booze. and members of the opposite sex. and probably some illegal narcotics. but enough about what'll be going on backstage...
we think we're gonna charge you fools to buy this record. cause it's gonna sound like it's worth it. we've given away all our live shit for the last year and a half, and we're definitely going to keep on with that. if you dig the music, let your buddies back home know what's up. send em to the site to check it out and see whether they dig it for themselves. trust me, stumbleupon is only giving us so many website hits per month haha.
this track (head to the site for a free download) is a sneak peek as to what our studio effort's gonna sound like. its a new take on a song that we first recorded about two years ago. its free.
ya. $0.
i gotta say. i love playing music. it's tight that some of you people like to listen.
peace, love, & rock,
andrew
------------
in the headphones:
hate it here - wilco
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