Showing posts tagged music
I fell in love with Neon Trees when I heard “Your Surrender” on their “Habits” album. Their latest, Picture Show, has yet to leave my rotation since it dropped mid-April. At least one song is on every spin mix. For those of you who are tired of pop and way-out-there alt rock, you’ll love their modern rock, energetic sound.
Songs to download first: Lessons in Love and Moving in the Dark. Listen on itunes here.
Per my riders’ requests, here are my last two spin mixes.
I’ve actually been getting a lot of my music from listening to the Hits 1 Sirius station in my car. That’s where I found “Ray Charles” by Chiddy Bang and “I’m a Goner” by Mike & Sue.
Hope these are “provocative” and “get you movin’.”
My rainy day soundtrack. So fabulously sappy.
Gabe Dixon must be the sweetest man on earth. He’s like an optimistic Matt Nathanson with a piano and heavier drum beat. Me likey.
Download or Rdio:
- Strike
- Even the Rain
- Release Me
- My Favorite
My absolute favorite Gabe Dixon song is from the “Live at World Cafe” Ep called “Five More Hours.”
New Atomic Tom album! AWESOME as expected. And only $3! Just download it and thank me later.
Going to fuel my upcoming spin mixes with this bad boy.
CANNOT WAIT to rock out the new tunes live. (I’m one of those crazy fans who jumps around. hehe.)
My first spin mix on Rdio!
I’ve been using Rdio for a while now (did you catch it on The MTM Top 10 for August?) and loving the unlimited music! And I haven’t even really explored the “radio station” and social aspects fully yet.
It’s taken me a while to get comfortable enough with the interface to make mixes quickly. Tonight, I spent a couple of hours. Needless to say, I love the fact I can find new music, download it without cost, and incorporate it seamlessly.
As for my selection of music, I try to make my Sunday classes more mellow and upbeat - not so pop and hip-hop heavy. Especially with today being 9/11, I want people to leave feeling like they were able to grab onto the things they love about life, not the crap they deal with every day. Whatever is weighing them down, they always know they have the opportunity to purge it in my class.
My boys at Atomic Tom have done it again creating another awesome song. Listen to the first public release of “Break My Heart Around You” - an acoustic version. I can’t wait to hear them rock this one out in concert.
And btw, today is singer Luke White’s birthday!
If you’re not already, follow these guys on twitter for upcoming shows and tumblr for ridiculous videos that work wonderfully for procrastination purposes.
Wake up this Wednesday by rocking out to Atomic Tom’s new video!
Even with their viral youtube video, I probably wouldn’t have discovered Atomic Tom without the intro from Lindsey, the resident MTM indie rocker. Her suggestions are always dead on!
Now I’m totally head over heels for this band. (Did you see the pics I posted from the concert?) And the fact that they’re ALL great guys makes the romance so much more fun.
In the wake of the Facebook smear campaign against Google, this video seems even more controversial. I’m waiting for The Economist to fully articulate what went on there…but it makes you wonder, will people care that Facebook went to such lengths to degrade Google and not just simply stand on its own? Or do people expect such tactics after watching Social Network? Hmm…
Either way, the video is great, the song is awesome, listen for yourself!
Add these 5 new songs to your playlist and get that butt in gear!
- Steel Your Heart - Augustana
- Like a Bird - Modern Paranoia
- Up and Down - Brittany Spears
- Get It Get It - Girl Talk
- I’ll Be Your Breeze - Andrew Belle
BTW, The new Augustana ablum is awesome. The WHOLE thing.
You’re gonna love me for this ….
I can say that with confidence because I’m head over heels with techie who showed me. He prefers to remain nameless to protect his identity. Yep, it’s that good.
The Application: Expod
The Cost: Free
The Function:
Exporting all of the music off an iPod and downloading onto your computer!
Simply:
- Click here to download the application
- Create a folder on your desktop where you’ll store the music
- Hook up any iPod or iPhone
- Highlight a couple hundred songs that you want (don’t choose 1000′s at once or it will crash)
- Drag the songs into your iTunes library.
Unfortunately all of the songs might not play on your computer if they’re from someone else’s iPod, but when you sync them onto your iPod, they’ll work.
ONE MORE TIP:
If you’re downloading new music, try shopping at Amazon Music. The albums are cheaper and come in MP3 format so you can share them easily with friends.
Rock out tonight, this summer, every day, at the gym, whenever!
If you haven’t already (because Lindsey and I have both written about them recently), download the Atomic Tom album. There is a song for everyone who appreciates alternative rock. I’m not sure if you know this, but I hate bands that scream at me. So let me assure you, that even though these guys are loud, they’re articulate and play solid music. Just want to clarify that.
My favorite songs:
Take Me Out (their single you will be jumping to in no time)
Play That Dirty Girl
The Moment
This Is How We Like To End, You Always Get What You Want, We Were Never Meant To Be, Let Let Go Tonight….actually, I like the whole album now, but I started off with the first three.
They are touring like CRAZY, so if they hit up your town, you’re in for an awesome show. And DO NOT hestitate to say hello afterwards.
The best way to find them is on twitter @atomictom.
Check ‘em out before they get big (it’s always more fun to watch your favorites in small venues, ya know).
MY INNER GROUPIE IS BUSTING OUT AGAIN!!!! - The Sequel
I love being a groupie! Can’t help it. I am a fiend for passionate (and talented) musicians…well, the music….only sometimes the musicians ;)
I’ve never met this guy Matt, but he’s a friend of James, which means he must be cool. And his music is truly captivating. Acoustic pop rock with a rough(ish) voice singing sweet melodies. Kinda like a Sour Patch kid - addicitvely sweet, deliciously salty, and a little gooey, leaving you craving more. Matt, we want more!!!
Right now I’m listening to “Memories” and getting chills.
Click the link and check out The Sequel.
A little music to get you through the end of the hump-day
WOLFMOTHER UNPLUGGED - NYC, JULY 31,2009
Wolfmother unplugged at The Griffen was pretty amazing. They’re probably one of the most “hard core” rock bands I like only because I fell in love with them when I saw them perform at TenJune a few years ago. Andrew Stockdale has one of the most unique and captivating voices, and the music is so nostalgic of some of rock’s greatest talents.
Listen for 20 seconds, then you’ll watch the whole 5 minutes.
Concert courtesy of Absolut.
THE INTERSECTION OF ART AND COMMERCE - from the Artist’s Perspective
(ABSOLUT PANEL 1 OF 2)
Last week I heard 2 panel discussions sponsored by Absolut that focused on brand integration and content distribution.
The Artist Panel:
- Danny Clinch, Photographer
- Sebastian Errazuriz, Artist and Designer
- Paul Pope, Graphic Artist and Designer
- Evanly Schindler, Founder of Blackbook and Tar, President of Interview
- Andrew Stockdale, Lead Singer of Wolfmother
A little background
Absolut is currently sponsoring Wolfmother to promote their new Anthem campaign. Danny Clinch was hired by Absolut to follow the band and document “the moments no one gets to see.” (The pics are awesome)
Paul Pope is known as “The Jim Morrison of Comics” and has collaborated with DKNY and Diesel.
Evanly Schindler is a mastermind of niche magazines and daring to be different in a the very traditional world of publishing.
From The Artist’s Mouth*
“This is not the day of selling millions of records. I think it’s fine if you’re involved with a good brand…you go to an art gallery and see brands and banks on the invitation.” — Andrew Stockdale
“It’s a good means of promotion…to get people to hear the music.” — Danny Clinch
“Benneton was the first to say we don’t have to sell sweaters, we want to sell the concept or idea.” — Sebastian Errazuriz
“Originally is becoming hard to decipher…what is natural…even kids…it’s all coming from a marketing perspective.” — Evanly Schindler
“So like a loss of innocence?” - moderator Kurt Anderson
Andrew Stockdale did not agree and said “it’s a return to the artist, to creativity.”
“DKNY isn’t hiring me, I’m hiring them…there is an ethics to it. You do things honestly, and you have to be aware of the shadow you leave.” — Paul Pope responding to whether or not he would turn down working with a brand
“Ideally what you want is for the commerce side to support the artist side without hindering the art.” — ES
“They want your freedom…Hopefully they should not want you to compromise because that’s why they want you.” —SE
“It’s always ok as long as you’re honest.” — SE
“Absolut paid for our band photos. They’re wicked. We would have had to pay for them anyway.” — AS
“It takes a mutual respect. For you to respect the brand and they have to respect what you do.” — PP
My Takeaway
Artists have always struggled with the “business” of selling art because money isn’t their motivation. But today, they are playing a new game in a time when money is tight. Corporate brands are looking to be unique in saturated markets. If you can marry a brand with an artist who projects the same tenets, it’s a win win for everyone.
In terms of their “Anthem” campaign that says doing things differently leads to something exceptional in an Absolut world” the integration with Wolfmother is the perfect synergy. As you’ll see in this new commercial and the documentary-style photo above, they are focusing on the organic nature of the product and music. Andrew Stockdale’s music is genuine, inspired, and not over-produced as most is today.
Paul Pope was really the only one who understood how to find a seamless integration between his art and sponsoring brands. He has worked within every possible medium - print, digital, retail, design, etc - to distribute his work without compromising his vision.
However none of them truly seemed to grasp the implications of art and feedback in the digital space. Feedback interests them less than money. I feel like artists were the first “take it or leave it” profession. And you know what, good for them. But in today’s world, the web is their best means of distribution, and that comes at a price sometimes.
Andrew Stockdale has no concept of the web. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he might not know how to turn on a computer. Part of me loves that about him. His focus is his passion as it exists organically. Let the suits decide the rest. But how much ignorance really is bliss? Shouldn’t you want to control the fate of your life’s work?
As for Schindler who has made a fortune creating a hip niche in the publishing world, he might survive offline as well. I don’t believe people are ready to give up the paper pages with edgy editorials and articles that don’t tirelessly write in punch lines and alliterations (that would be me).
Well, at the end of the day the digital prominence isn’t the bottom line for these artists. The dollar didn’t use to be either. But when no one is buying tickets, paintings, sculpture - will brands be their new savior? The artists seem to agree they will. You know my vote is yes. And despite the integration, as long as it’s authentic, then there should be no shame in getting paid for your work.
(Photo by Danny Clinch)
* I typed out the quotes on my iPhone as accurately as possible. My fingers are pretty quick, but not perfect.
A friend of mine made this playlist for me.
FINALLY good music to listen to while I work.
I’ve now played it 3 times in two days. Loving every song.
In other words, download this stuff asap….but then again, most of you are a little more hip than I am when it comes to music. @virtualoliver I think you would even approve of this list.
