Hello Everyone! I would like to take this moment to
thank all who have read my blog. This was pretty sweet. I enjoy what I do and respect all the comments
that I receive. Through my blogging, I was given a vehicle to drive my
interests, which is a combination of music and writing.
During this experience, I made connections with
other fellow bloggers from various communities. I have been inspired-creatively
by all of you. The individuality of blogging is unique to each. I saw everyone’s
personalities shine through their interests.
Next year, I hope to see some familiar names
remaining active with their blogs. I will continue to share concerts I attend,
and fun times along the way using the same blog.
I bid all farewell, and a Healthy, Happy New Year!!
Since the holidays are lurking around the corner. I
decided to leave you all with some gift GIVING suggestions. I exaggerate on the
GIVING because I know me and during the holidays, I always manage to shop for myself more than others. SO, I came up
with a few (affordable) ways to surprise your musical friends this holiday.
First, the portable vinyl carrier is perfect for
your friends or family who has records but no record player. So, this holiday
is perfect for the Vinyl Killer. Vinyl Killer is a portable record
player made in Japan. You no longer have to spin the record, nor do you even
need a turntable.
This is a portable way to bring your favorite vinyl
tunes everywhere! Although they do not project the best sound and might kill a vinyl if often used, they are still a fun gag gift. Most vinyl killers come in the form of cars: VW buses,
Beatles, etc. They are perfect for the hippie at heart.
Second, if you have a little to spend, you can purchase an MP3 player at various afforable prices. Then, after you score an amazing deal, you can download a personalized playlist that is specific to the one you are gifting. Maybe include a few new songs they wouldnt normally listen to.
Burning CD's is also a good way to share music. It's cheap and you can find fun ways to package
the homemade inspiration discs. Just check out Pinterest for new ways to use materials you have at home to design pre-made quality.
Back to the vinyls. If you know someone who has a record collection that is being used only to collect dust, take the ones that are still visibly entact, and put them into frames. The vintage appeal of vinyl art will make a unique wall decoration. ( Below is a sweet example).
This is not my wall but I am hoping to get a few frames for my vinyls to do the same thing!
Whatever you choose for your musical friends, it's the thought that counts.
It seems to always sneak up on you. We all know the sound
of Christmas when we hear “SilverBells” harrassing you in the grocery store as
you pick out your Thanksgiving Day turkey! The tree, shopping for presents, and
spending time with your family all feels like the holidays, but the music
resonating from the gas stations and your car radio sets the mood. Most of the
time, I listen to a song to reflect my current mood and it’s the holidays so
what the heck, lets "Jingle All the Way" into the New Year.
I bought a tree last night and it was the first in
two years. The smell of that Fraser Pine was all the Christmas songs, hot
chocolate and wrapping paper infused into the scent of this tree. I smelled
Christmas, and since we know the classic songs sung by Perry Como and NatKing Cole (Grocery store Christmas tunes), I found some Christmas Ballads
with as fresh of a sound as the tree.
We don’t have to let the oldies (but goodies) define
the sound of Christmas. I got really excited when I found The Knife’s – “ChristmasReindeer”.I started listening to
The Knife a few years ago when I heard this electro-pop brother and sister from
Sweden. They have a dark, ambient sound that is exaggerated from their accents.
The next frost bitten indie artist who decided to
inspire the needy is Passion Pit with the song, “All These Trees”.They have a really great song (unrelated to
Christmas) titled, “Sleepyhead” that I have on my shuffle list. This American
indie rock band incorporates synthesized beats for their electro-dance style
music. The five members were schooled in rock while they all attended college
for music allowing them to create greatness with a learned structure.
The band, LCD Soundsystemproduced the song “Christmas Blue”.The
band broke up but not before they created this electronic Christmas song for
the world to get jolly.
Whether you are having a holiday gathering or
picking up friends and family from the airport, give their ears a break from
the tired, old Yuletide Carols and throw in a new tune.
Sparks of lyrical madness create an aura around Thom
York of Radiohead. I could write forever about the many ways he inspires me,
but my focus today is to share his ongoing project, Atoms for Peace.The 2009 Experimental rock –electronic super group
consists of some well-known names that many of us have experienced on their
own.
“Put Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Nigel Godrich, drummer Joey Waronker, the
Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea and percussionist Mauro Refosco( who has also
recorded with the Chili Peppers) into a
studio for three days, and you know the sound coming out of that session is
going to be otherworldly .” (CNN)
The nine-track album “AMOK” is set to be released in
early 2013, according to the magazine, and has been in the works for a few
years. (Rolling Stone Magazine)
I didn’t even know that the few songs I have "Eraser" and "Cymbal Rush" are from the first Atoms for Peace album. As I researched
more from this band, I got a little history lesson. I discovered, "Atoms
for Peace" was the title of a speech delivered by U.S. President Dwight D.
Eisenhower to the UN General Assembly in New York City on December 8, 1953.
“I feel impelled to speak today in a language that
in a sense is new – one which I, who have spent so much of my life in the
military profession, would have preferred never to use. That new language is
the language of atomic warfare.”—Eisenhower
(Left: "Lotus Flower")
The first line to this speech spoke to me,“I
feel impelled to speak today in a language that in a sense is new.” I thought
for a moment, that Thom York whisked up this name to his side project after
paying homage to this titled speech. Sometimes, when I listen to Radiohead I
feel like I am hearing the unexpected time signatures for the first time. Like,
I have never heard "Lotus Flower" or "Gagging Order"? That would be a sad, sad world for me. So, I’ve drawn a connection to
our late President, and the great Thom York, innovator of speaking to his
audience in a digital language that commands your nerves attention.
Although there are a lot of Radiohead songs that I am obsessed with, I wanted to share these two,because they are both different tones but can equally move you. Enjoy everyone!!!!!!!!!
I'm sorry I lost all your Cd's when I was younger. I still hear you say, " I wonder what happened to all my Pink Floyd CD's?"I loved listening to The Wallon your Cd player, and twirling around the living room. I'm sorry that I found your NirvanaNevermindalbum and brought it to Amy's house...then left it in her boombox.
I'm sorry for feeling like the car was sometimes turned into a purgatory. I remember you would sing out loud in the car, and I would be pressing my face against the window. At that time, I thought it was embarrassing. At eleven years old, I loved Duran,Duran and R.E.M. , the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd.
All of these musicians have had an impact on my selective ears. Finally, I am sorry mom. Sorry that you had what I think is exceptional taste in music, and indirectly giving me access to epic tunes.
The balloons were quickly inflated with excitement after Kim (from Matt&Kim) invited herself into the crowd handing out limp rubber and instructed them to be blown up and alive for the next song.
Matt&Kim are the notorious, high energy couple that has continued to lure their fans on the most recent album, "Lightening". Although I was working, I was able to see why this band is a such a vision. I'm not a dancer, I "sway". My sway is more like my head grooving around with a sound that I am totally in touch with. I was MOVING. Feet off the ground, hands in the air, pulsating with every synthesized beat from Matts keyboard and kicking with every bounce off Kims drums.
The backdrop that normally would illustrate an image of the album cover, was transformed into a digital billboard that was projecting a close up of their faces. I could see the beads of sweat dripping down Kims face, as she maliciously beat her drums while demanding the attention from the endeared audience. At one point, Matt was standing on his keyboard, nailing each key with his hammering finger tips.
This melodic, experimental pop-duo has an infectious sound and personality that is sure to have a song that will find its way to your ears.
I remember hearing Matt & Kims video for "Daylight" playing in a store I used to work at a few years ago. I really had no clue who they were, but the song was catchy enough for me to remember the artists. Tonight, the boy and girl Indie duo will take the stage at The Ritz in Ybor city along with the opening act, Oberhofer to continue with the Lightening tour. Hope some of you can make it!
