That is a picture of what Wikipedia sounded like when I screen-grabbed this from the Hatnote people. The idea is best described by them here:
Listen to the sound of Wikipedia’s recent changes feed. Bells indicate additions and string plucks indicate subtractions. Pitch changes according to the size of the edit; the larger the edit, the deeper the note. Green circles show edits from unregistered contributors, and purple circles mark edits performed by automated bots. You may see announcements for new users as they join the site, punctuated by a string swell.
It’s gorgeous and mystifyingly compelling. I found myself listening to it for almost half an hour while working. It’s surprisingly coherent, and while it probably punishes phone interfaces, I’d be interested in seeing this as a widget I could just turn on. Plus, then I can just listen to the internet directly, which, has to be an Xbox Live achievement or something.
This has been making the rounds around the blogosphere/reddit/facebookery. I think we need to stop kidding ourselves about exposure and faux reasons for exploitation. Pay musicians for their work, because, again, it’s their work. Reblog this far and wide, and let’s cut the shit when it comes to this. The model allows people to reward good artists, the marketing wing of humanity should be no different. Pay market rate or GTFO.
In this installment of Hometown Fire, I wanted to give a shout out to one of Brooklyn’s finest, tektite. This guy is one of the hardest working heads in the breaks business and is responsible for the longest running monthly breaks event in NYC. Vitamin B is a fantastic party that has been growing in size for years. He, Tim the Enchanter & Barney Iller bring in some of the quality talent from all around, with Tektite also spinning in parties all over the city. Check out this mix from over the summer that he did. There’s a smooth competency to match his ridiculously potent beats, transitions and fantastic track selection.
From the depths of the UK underground, Burial has risen once again to issue forth future garage gorgeousness. Burial is the only person on the planet that can drop a 3 track EP that lasts 29 minutes and no one will bat an eye. The work is dotted with positive, anti-bullying messages. The odd sample, foreshadowing, leading up to a tremendous quote by a very famous person (I’ll get to a little later) reminding us to believe in ourselves and not give into the haters. He actually sent a text to Mary Anne Hobbs, one of the Radio One aristocracy, discussing his inspiration (via NME)
“I put my heart into the new EP, I hope someone likes it. I wanted the tunes to be anti-bullying tunes that could maybe help someone to believe in themselves, to not be afraid, and to not give up, and to know that someone out there cares and is looking out for them. So it’s like an angel’s spell to protect them against the unkind people, the dark times, and the self-doubts.”
The stupendous production value is on display with the first track (same name as the album). Rival Dealer is a deep, driving but enclosed track, dotted with messages about support, love and bisexuality, tunnels through this space that only he can create. I’ll continue to contend that Burial can best be described as “music you listen to while wearing your favorite hoodie in the rain.”
“Hiders” starts with a vocal sample of “There’s a kid somewhere” evoking a very raw feel of the idea that there are children who fear for their safety and flee the light. The sounds are murky, but hopeful. There samples continue, keeping you guessing, and almost hoping things turn out ok.
“Excuse me, I’m lost” begins “Come Down to Us, the 13 min opus of the EP. It’s almost a ballad, with the shimmering vocals leaking out between the cloudy bass. Burial is also one of the only artists on the planet right now that can put more than one or two ideas into a track and not lose anything from them. The melodies and energy build gradually over time, even when the track seems to be turning into something completely different. Without knowing it, you’ve gone from dark to light and eight minutes in (that’s right kids, eight, and we’re nowhere near done) we’re in this triumphant, hopeful and sunny place, reminding you, that you’re not alone. This is capped off by a speech, one of the first obviously/overtly political samples in the entirety of his discography. Lana Wachowski discusses her experience of being transgendered and how she was able to remind herself of her inherent worth and value, even under the onslaught of bullshit from people.
The fact that this kind of message is coming from Burial makes me even more reverent of his work. He could literally say anything, but he chose a strong anti-bullying & trans-positive message, not the easiest position to take on these here internets. Kudos to you Burial. Can’t wait for my copy in the mail.
Julien Audigier drops an interesting concept when it comes to making drums interesting. The set up is generated in a host of different environments that provide varying acoustics. These different shots were cut together to produce a fun, mashed up, tune that gives the impression of being heavily mixed & reverb’d. But, it’s, you know, how we got reverb sounds before them new fangled computers. Watch it, then tell kids to get off your lawn 😉
McLaren has never been a car company that thought small, but it seems their most recent foray into luxury has led them into the realm of sound. As told to the Sunday Times (in the UK), the design chief at McLaren said they’re close to completing work on a system that will do away with wipers entirely. They’re essentially replacing the wipers with an ultrasonic tranducer that will send 30khz waves of ultrasound across the windshield to gently push away water. Apparently this would work for snow & even bugs. Which, considering the top speed of most McLaren autos, will be exceedingly necessary. Now I wonder when they’ll have the windshield wiper: dubstep edition (via CarsUK.net)
The Glitch Mob have been doing some quality work for years, with their last album and tour being one for the ages. The triumvirate of bass and sound and swagger reinvigorated the somewhat contrived genre, and their every move is tracked by a deep & loyal following. I’m nott sure how, but I didn’t realize they’d dropped a new track last week. It’s got the solid underpinnings of rock mixed with the signature resilient fusion of bass, synthy melodies and power chords. I really can’t be more excited for the album if it’s going to sound like this.
I can’t really overstate the significance of this performance. Yasin Bey (or Mos Def as many know him by) and Talib Kweli are quite awesome by themselves, but together, truly a sight to behold. The lyrical flow is tight and they’ve both done nothing but get better over time. This should be one for the ages, and tickets for either artist can cost as seeing both. Worth going out on a Tuesday. If you’re into EDM and have never really given hip hop a try, and you’re local, trust me on this one. One of the best places to be introduced to what is possible with words and beats. See below for the hotness from 1998.
This Tumblr just generally gets it right when it comes to picking the right quotes. Skewering geek culture, misogyny & general bad ideas, the memorable but simple drawings drive the point home. That point being, I need to shave more often. Check them out here.
Something I’d not really seen phrased properly. We seem too sure of ourselves, not because we are incompetent, but because we seek too few challenges. Your best qualities will be developed under fire. (original post)
Terry Gotham 