This quick little video is something I think a lot of music commentary is lacking pretty severely. 1Live hosts an explanation of why Discovery is one of the best albums created in the last 2 decades. Aerodynamic is one of the better tracks on the album, and this explanation as to why. Baroque technical proficiency, added to disco beats and gesturing, instead of telling. Actual examples of musical concepts right there on the presentation, moving through time. This is tremendously useful for up & coming artists, especially those who haven’t had so much classical or theory training. Also, giving you a way to prove to your friends that Daft Punk is better than their favorite band of course.
Category Archives: News/Lolz
Cigar Box Juggling Is The New Thing. Needs LEDs.
Someone needs to bring this guy to some talent show or party in the USA. I had totally forgotten cigar boxes were a thing, but clearly, he has not. The smoothness of his performance and a whole lot of “wow” factor in his tricks mesh with the track perfectly. I’m always about new party tricks, and I feel like this could get really huge, especially if we put some blinky shiny on the boxes. Hey circus performers, glovers & jugglers, who wants to be the first person at a Brooklyn party performing light shows with these puppies? Great vid by Kuma Films.(via Laughing Squid)
A Jim Henson Show Explained How A Synthesizer Worked Back in 1989.
This is a retro delight. Thomas Dolby showed up on a vintage Muppet Creature Workshop by Henson & helped explain what samples, synthesizers and basic sampling technique is. This is way back when you got your sample’s info on an oscilliscope and there were no Macbooks anywhere in the studio. For those who don’t know who Thomas Dolby is, he created the nerdy classic track “She Blinded Me With Science.” This a fun, family friendly way to understand what’s going on when those stupendously talented 19yr olds do this with laptops, digital recording programs on their phones & free software. Man, what a long, strange trip it’s been. (via Open Culture)
The Festival Lawyer Helps You Protect Your Phone in Under 2 Minutes.
I don’t get into the legal realm very often, but this is important. The Festival Lawyer has put out a quick, easy to follow video with tips to make sure your phone is protected just in case the cops decide to ruin your day. Little things, like password protection, ways to speak to them that don’t inadvertently waive your rights, and even apps to download to help you record the cops. These little things are all presented quickly, easily & The Festival Lawyer totally has a great voice for radio. I’m definitely following all of the steps & subscribing to the new Festival Lawyer network, because that’s gonna be useful at some point. I can promise you that much. Get the video into your face & show your stupid friend, you know the one I mean.
Sonic Remix Sunday! Twin Remixes by Ben Briggs & PrototypeRaptor
If you need a break from the Coachella livestream & you had a Genesis, you’re going to like this stuff. I got the Sonic the Hedgehog theme music stuck in my head so I decided to dig around and throw down my 2 favorite remixes involving the Blue Blur himself. First up, PrototypeRaptor mixing a fun Electro remix of the Chemical Plant Zone in Sonic 2. Bumping, super high energy and authentic pad work really makes it come alive. This is one of the few video game remixes that I could see making it onto a legit dance floor. This was one of my favorite downloads at OC Remix. Apparently people liked it so much he dropped a VIP/extended remix of it, which is what you just listened to. Ben Briggs needs a huge amount of props about this. This kind of bouncey modern re-imagining of the Hydrocity Zone music in Sonic 3 is a prime example of what I think modern chip & VGM DJs need to sound like to remain relevant in the era where people are playing games on their phone as often as they are on their gaming consoles. The FX are totally authentic, the squelchy bass works great & the wait to pull you into the mega-sweet breakdown at 2:15 is executed masterfully. The drop pulls in synthy perfection that throws me back into playing the crap out of Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles locked on (who even remembers lock on technology?!). The sample is from one of the Sonic cartoons and could not be more at home. Now if I could just find a chili dog somewhere.
Johnny Cash At Folsom.
Really, if you don’t know the significance of this image, educate the mind. Johnny Cash, Folsom Prison, 1968.
Kids Dancing to Sitya Loss by Eddy Kenzo. Ugandan Dancehall?
This is a new one folks. Sitya Loss is a fresh sound coming out of Uganda. This combination between dancehall, dub, reggae & juke footwork is fantastic, and these kids couldn’t agree more. There’a little more information about these kids from the slums of Kampala in an interview they did with Ugandan TV. They were slated to appear on Ellen at some point but the kids were denied visas to travel to the USA. However, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the joyous & energetic work by Eddy Kenzo. I’m not the biggest fan of dancehall, but there’s a tremendous amount to like here. The vibe, instrumentation & production value is wonderful. Check out the official music video below as well. (via Metafilter)
Treehouse Of Horror Homer Simpson Trap. You’re Welcome.
In one of the better decisions ever made in the history of Trap music, Bombs Away, an Melbourne Bounce group decided to sample Homer Simpson. That’s right, an Australian bounce act took some of the best quotes from that Simpsons Halloween where they remade The Shining and turned it into a preview/tease. Thanks to Laughing Squid, I’m now of the opinion that this track now needs to come out. I’m sorry. It really, really does. The sample capture is perfect, the use is perfect and the synthetic beat created from Homer’s scream is how you say, Perfect. The last time I heard a competent Simpsons dance remix, it was 2003 and it was psytrance. (Yes, of course I linked it below, and it comes in around 4min, 21sec in)
Amanda Palmer Made Something Really Important. Again.
If you don’t know who Amanda Fucking Palmer is, check out the Dresden Dolls, her TED Talk & record-breaking Kickstarter. People hate the player, but she’s redefined the game, that one should be hating. Her dedication, commiseration & open communication with her fans is rare, deeply personal & stupendously effective. This debut release on her Patreon is crushingly beautiful. Dedicated to Anthony Martgnetti, Jeff Rusch, husband of the cellist, who died from cancer after initially being denied treatment and Jeremy Geidt, legendary teacher & actor.
It’s the little things that Mrs. Palmer focuses on, and as we all know, they make all the difference. A ukelele & cello are the only instruments in use here, besides Mrs. Fucking Palmer’s stunning voice. Amanda Palmer is able to get into the small little corners of your heart with the slightest word or the simplest chords. And nowhere is that on display better than here. The lyrics are not only perfect, but they’re also crucial. There are so many people suffering around the world, with many doing so in the pursuit of helping others. Depression, illness, existential stress, rape, child abuse, creativity, hope & resolve are all topics she flies through with the wink of an eye or a single shed tear. Listen to the track, support Amanda Fucking Palmer & Zoe Keating in this tremendous effort, and hug the people you love. We are all bigger on the inside.
“We are so much bigger on the inside,
You, me, everybody
Some day when you’re lying where I am
You’ll finally get it, beautyWe are so much bigger
Than another one can ever seeBut
Trying is the point of life
So don’t stop tryingPromise me”
Some Interesting Vinyl Counterpoint
That’s one reason I suppose.
Terry Gotham 