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ASCAP Daily Brief

2009-04-03T13:33:00.004-04:00

The Future of Music: The Celestial Jukebox

By: Douglas Wolk

It's only a matter of time before we're able to access our entire music library through our mobile devices. Already we see sites such as Pandora, that are built for the purpose of helping users find other music they may be interested in. Whether the RIAA or artists want it to happen, it will.

What we need to do, in order to make everyone happy is try to come up with a way that musicians and artists can still be compensated for their work while users get complete access to what they want. Some sort of blanket fee should be charged to anyone who chooses to access an all encompassing music library. If the RIAA or those involved with the copyright issue don't act fast then they will be facing serious issues.

We are ready to move onto this idea of an all-in-one music world, and regardless of if the RIAA wants to move forward we will. If they take the first shots, they will have a much easier time making everyone pay the blanket fee. However, if they wait for the users to make the first move, it will be much harder for them to gain any income at all.

It's interesting that in such a short period of time we've moved from hand-held walkmans to ipods and now an all encompassing piece of technology that will once again drastically change how we find and listen to music.

You can't stop him!

2009-02-12T23:53:00.002-05:00

Who's going to? Honestly????

Gregg Gillis aka Girl Talk really hit it big with his latest album, "Feed The Animals" released in the fall of 2008. His work consists of mashup style remixes featuring incredible amounts of samples. Gillis' work has been cited as "a lawsuit waiting to happen," by New York Times Magazine.

While I'm sure there are a ton of artists who are just dying to sue him for "stealing" their work, I don't think any of them will go through with it. None of them want to tarnish their names for suing the guy who was just trying to promote their work and make everybody dance. As an avid Girl Talk fan, I know I'd be disappointed to see someone take him to court. As far as I'm concerned his album only helps promote other musics. I think Gillis' style and mashup technique is fair use and he shouldn't be brought to court for it. If listeners hear the album and notice a particularly interesting sample they are likely to figure out who it is and then download the music. How does that hurt the artist?

I think the inudstry and certain artists need to take a step back and look at where we are today with music. You can go on about Girl Talk breaking copyright regulations, but I think it's foolish. While Gillis isn't completely creating his "own" music he still has to be creative and expressive in the way he mixes up the samples and finds different ways for the music to work with each other. He is a talented individual and I don't see him fading out anytime soon.

Beat-by-beat breakdown of "What It's All About" off "Feed The Animals".....

Check it out!

Live Nation Ticketmaster...???

2009-02-06T16:38:00.002-05:00

Wired
Live Nation Ticketmaster

Interesting post about the merging of Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
Personally, while I think it's great to have smaller companies start to appear in the ticketing industry it will be interesting to see if the convenience fees will be done away with. Most of the shows I go to run about 20-30 dollars, so with the extra fee added I don't mind that much. However there are some bands, Dave Matthews Band especially, that I'm already paying approx. $65 for the ticket, plus the convenience fee knocks it up to around $75....and that's not including all the money I have to spend to get to the show and whatever else. I know I won't stop going to live performances, but it would be great if fans didn't have to spend such extraordinary amounts of money to see their favorite bands. I'm a little weary of the merging however, just because the Live Nation / Ticketmaster duo will be in charge of so many aspects of the industry.

Top Album of 2008!

2009-01-27T17:28:00.004-05:00

OKAY....

Let me just be completely honest here....I despise picking top albums/songs/bands/etc.
It's far too tolling....
Nothing can ever TRULY be my number one album...
I just can't commit, it's that simple...

That said, here are some wonderfully constructed musical works from 2008 provided by artists and bands who I happen to find enthralling...

(in no particular order)

TV On The Radio 'Dear Science'

Fleet Foxes 'Fleet Foxes'

Man Man 'Rabbit Habits'

Pace Won & Mr. Green 'The Only Color That Matters Is Green'

MGMT 'Oracular Spectacular'

I guess.......for the sake of the class...I could.....pick a favorite album of 2008....

Why? 'Alopecia'

I was introduced to this band through my friend's MySpace blog. He made a post where he created a mixtape based on his friends....here, just check it out....

Shawn's Blog

In the blog Shawn describes it as "rappy," "whiny," and "badass," and I must say that I absolutely agree. I love the fact that the lyrics are sort of spoken and sung at the same time. The vocals are similar to that of a rapper or freestyle artist. It doesn't sound as though they are planned to be sung over the music. The percussion is driving and droning at the same time. The percussion adds this slight tension throughout the album. Sometimes it feels as though the music is eager to reach the end and other times it feels as though it's lagging. Ok, I think I'm just going on and not really explaining it that well, so just listen...

Video 1: "Song of the Sad Assassin"
Video 2: "Good Friday"
Video 3: "The Hollows"
("Video 1" is the only official music video)

I think the lyrical content as well as the lyrical style are more than enough for this to be a top album of 2008. 'Alopecia' has a hybrid musical sound and is rhythmically driven. 'Alopecia' is similar to Fleet Foxes album in that it also has elements of simplicity. It isn't an album that is completely ground breaking or innovative but it's raw and realistic. Why?'s, 'Alopecia' is most definitely a captivating album of 2008 that was overlooked.

TOP 3

2008-12-11T23:32:00.008-05:00

At this point in my life I've been to somewhere around 100 or so live performances of different bands. I've spent an infinite amount of money on concert tickets. I have an entire dresser in my room that is home to 50 or more band t-shirts. And I don't even want to know the amount of money I've spent on gas over the past years to get to all these shows. I can't say I've been to a bad concert though. Every time I go it's exciting in it's own way. Recently my good friend Shawn and I were discussing some of our favorite shows (I usually attend all concerts with him.) Shawn is a graduate from Ramapo College. We went to high school together and share the love of music together. Needless to say, after we were talking about all the shows we'd been to, I really wanted to pick my top 3...so here they are...

Coming in at a solid 3rd place

Dave Matthews Band
Live @ Madison Square Garden
Saturday December 10, 2005

Now...it was hard enough just to pick a favorite DMB show as I've seen them over 20 times. But this show has always stood out for me. It is the only Dave Matthews Band show that I've seen in the winter. All other DMB shows I've gone to have been during the summer. Aside from that the band played a song I had been wanting to hear live for years..."Halloween!" They usually don't play the song live because Dave has to scream most of the lyrics and his voice just isn't what it used to be...but they pulled it out! The rest of the setlist was just outrageous too...

Pantala Naga Pampa
Rapunzel *
What Would You Say
#41 *
One Sweet World *
So Much To Say *
Seek Up
Hunger For The Great Light *
Minarets
Dream Girl
Linus And Lucy *
Stand Up *
Jimi Thing *+
Smooth Rider *~
Louisiana Bayou ~*
__________________

Christmas Song
Halloween
Ants Marching

Show Notes:
* Rashawn Ross
+ Mike Doughty
~ Robert Randolph

indicates a segue into next song

Rapunzel, #41 and Minarets were all strong points of the show! It was overall something I'm truly glad I got to experience.

Taking the number 2 spot and receiving the silver medal is....

Arcade Fire

Live @ Irving Plaza

February 2, 2005

I know I've referrenced this show in a previous post, but my past blog entry really sums it up the best...

From the small cramped venue, to Win jumping into the audience, to members smashing rusty, ripped up cymbals on everything in the room...It was just the best. It was such an intimate and personal show. While I love going to see big bands perform, there is something to be said for being smashed up against all the other fans in a

hot, tiny auditorium!

AND THE WINNER.....

Radiohead

Live @ All Points West - Liberty State Park

August 9, 2008

01. Reckoner
02. 15 Step
03. The National Anthem
04. Kid A
05. All I Need
06. Nude
07. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
08. Where I End And You Begin
09. The Gloaming
10. Faust Arp
11. No Surprises
12. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
13. The Bends
14. Bangers and Mash
15. Everything In Its Right Place
16. Exit Music (For A Film)
17. Bodysnatchers

Encore 1
18. Pyramid Song
19. Videotape
20. Airbag
21. Fake Plastic Trees
22. There There

Encore 2
23. House of Cards
24. Planet Telex
25. Idioteque

Maybe it's my absolute favorite show because they played 25 songs, maybe it's my absolute favorite because the closed with Idioteque, maybe it's my absolute favorite because the lighting was the most beautiful thing i've ever witnessed, maybe it's my absolute favorite because I sat around in the blazing sun for 8 hours waiting to see them, maybe it's my absolute favorite because no band could ever come close to putting on such an elaborate and intimate show, or maybeeee I just love Thom Yorke more than any human being in the entire world.....I haven't decided just yet.

Shawn and I arrived on the festival site around 11am. As the day went on more and more people began to pack the main stage and mark their territory. I watched both Kings of Leon and Chromeo perform from that stage. Once the Kings of Leon's set was over I began to get very tired and couldn't stand being smashed up against everyone else. It was disgustingly hot and humid. My feet were aching and my spine felt as though it would surely snap in half at any given moment. I was tired, hungry, aggrivated...the list could go on. I told Shawn I couldn't wait anymore. I had to go to the back of the lawn and sit down. "I don't even care if I'm close to the stage...I'm fucking tired man, I'm leaving. I'll watch it from the back!" Shawn was persistant though, he wouldn't let me leave. "Jen, you'll regret it. Just stay up here!"

He was absolutely right. I'm so glad I stayed up at the front of the stage. As soon as the band walked out, all bad feelings from my body slipped away. Nothing even mattered anymore. I felt like I just ate a 5 course meal, someone could have very well just given me a foot massage....everything was perfect. Being that close to the band brought me complete and utter joy. I had goosebumps for the entire time they were on stage. I had never felt so fufilled in my entire life. Everything about this performance was right!

Terrible sound quality and visual quality in both...but just to give an idea how AMAZING the lights were....

"The National Anthem"

"Planet Telex"

Brown & Class

2008-12-11T23:01:00.004-05:00

They're coming back to Jersey! After doing a lot of shows in the D.C. area, Mic Brown and A-Class will be back in New Jersey to do a show sponsored by Red Bull. The show is on January 10th 2009 at 8pm. It will take place at Mt. Creek in Vernon, New Jersey.

This is definitely something you can't miss! It's been over 2 years since Mic Brown has played in Jersey!

Scope out their label....

Brake Fast Records

Mic Brown

A-Class

Animal Bikes - Promo Video

2008-12-11T17:16:00.004-05:00

Sifting through some flicks on YouTube...came across this Animal Bikes promo featuring an olddddd Pace Won joint! The first song on the video is by Cymarshall Law and Pace is right after that (The Eye Of A Needle).

Keep an eye on 'em!

2008-12-11T16:38:00.005-05:00

Without a doubt...these are 3 of my favorite artists from this year.

Fleet Foxes

Why?

Bon Iver

None of these artists are that experimental or unique. They have however, created music that is very personal and inviting. I think the singers from each of the listed bands have really warm and intriguing vocal styles. Fleet Foxes have a fairly common acoustic sound. Their songs aren't that complicated or layered, they're fairly straightforward. This can be very comforting for listeners though. I think Bon Iver also exemplifies music that is simple but really reaches out to listeners. Why?'s sound is slightly more edgy. I also think they're sound pulls from some hip-hop influence as the lyrics sound as they are being rhymed over the music.

In 2007 I generally feel as though music was slightly more experimental. I think some artists are going back to basics. Focusing more on lyrical content, giving something more personal to audiences.

I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw

2008-12-10T15:41:00.005-05:00

These boys can't be stopped!

I remember seeing MGMT back in 2004, they opened for Of Montreal at some grimy venue in Bronx. After the show I tried to find some of their music online...completely unsuccessful! Now...now I can't escape their indie stardom! They are everywhere! In stores such as H&M, Forever 21, Old Navy, American Eagle and restaurants such as Panera Bread, Applebee's, Chili's and even Burger King! 80's wannabe teens run rampid on the streets blasting MGMT from their iPods! I can't complain though, they're catchy! Their video for "Time To Pretend" is arguably better than the song itself!

MGMT- Time to Pretend from ▲HOWLCARNAGE▲ on Vimeo.

For whatever reason the option to embed "Time To Pretend" videos has been taken away on both vimeo and youtube? Here's a link to the video on youtube. The sound quality is poor as well as the video quality...

Time To Pretend

You're a hipster, Charlie Brown!

2008-12-10T15:37:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty sure everyone of my friends has called me a hipster at least once...but I'm also pretty sure that everyone of my friends is also a hipster.....

too good!!!

New York Cares

2008-12-09T11:29:00.007-05:00

Two nights ago, December 8th, I attended a show a show for charity at the Knitting Factory. The show was put together by Nick Diamond, the lead singer from the group Islands. All proceeds from ticket sales went to New York Cares and concert goers were encouraged to bring old winter coats to donate. Diamond got together a bunch of comedy acts as well as some musicians to fill the 3 levels of the Knitting Factory.

The night began at 7pm. In a ploy to get the hipsters to come out early, the finest of beers was given out for FREE for the first 2 hours...Pabst Blue Ribbon! Marnie Stern and Conrad Keely from Trail Of Dead also played short sets. Nick Diamond and some other Island members also played later on in the night. Comedy skits included Str eet Carnage, the X-rated duo featuring Gavin McInnes, founder of Vice Magazine and Derrick Beckles as well as Eugene Mirman, who was frequently apart of "Flight Of The Conchords."

Mirman does a lot of his own stand up comedy but he also does tons of interviews for the website, www.236.com

Here's an older Mirman skit from 23/6 News...

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

One more Mirman skit from 23/6 that I really like...

Of course, the main draw for this show was undoubtedly David Cross. Cross hasn't been doing as much stand up in the recent years and it was beyond a treat to hear he would actually be coming out for the show. Cross went on around midnight and had about a 45 minute set. Had me in tears the entire time! Quick flick from my cell phone...

I've even had the pleasure of meeting him at a Modest Mouse concert about 2 years ago with my friend Shawn....I always thought Cross kind of looked like he was from the wax museum in this photo...but whatever, it's really him!

Now if only Arrested Development were back on the air......

Pace Won & Mr. Green drop new video!

2008-12-07T23:14:00.002-05:00

"Children Sing"

This is the 3rd video from Pace and Green's album, "The Only Color That Matters Is Green." It was released just about a month ago. It features some street riding by Dave Margeri and Jeff Kocsis.

Pace and Green have been preparing some tracks for their next album, "The Only Number That Matters is Won." There is no talk on when the album is expected to be released...I'm sure we still have awhile!

Older video joints...

"Hip Hop"

" The Eye of a Needle"

This NEVER gets old!

2008-12-07T22:06:00.004-05:00

Honestly, at least once a week I play Arcade Fire's video for "Black Mirror" from their album, Neon Bible. I can't get enough of it!

Black Mirror

Using numbers 1-6 on your keypad you can alter the sound of the song. Numbers 1 & 5 are vocals, 2 is percussion, 3 is distortion, 4 is guitar and strings and 6 is alternate string parts. Sometimes when I'm watching the video I'll mess with the numbers throughout the length of the song. Other times I'll turn off percussion and one of the vocal switches and just listen to the entire song like that. Every time I watch the video it's like listening to a completely different song every time!

While this is not the official video for the song "Neon Bible" it's one of my favorites!

I've been a huge fan of Arcade Fire since mid 2004. I fell in love with their debut album, "Funeral" when it came out. While it's rather old now, here's a concert review I posted on my MySpace blog in 2005 after I saw them live for the first time. Still to this day one of the BEST live performances I've ever had the pleasure of attending!

The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace

2008-12-07T21:26:00.002-05:00

Much of my time this semester has been dedicated to the memorization of Karl Jenkins' masterpiece, The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace. The Ramapo College Chorale worked alongside the direction of Lisa Lutter and Itay Goren to bring forth the performance of this piece. The Armed Man was commissioned to mark the millennium. It explores the dynamics of war and peace in today's multi-cultural society.

The Ramapo Chorale was created by Lutter only 3 years ago. The chorale started with a group of only 10 students but is now comprised of nearly 70 Ramapo College students. The Ramapo Chorale is a non-auditioned choir with many non-music major members. This is the first time that the Ramapo Chorale has ever performed such a masterful work. Lutter is proud to have brought the chorale to such heights in only a short span of time.

It was more than pleasing to be apart of such a historic Ramapo Chorale moment. The mass featured an orchestra complete with violin, viola, cello, piccolo, oboe, trumpet, percussion and keyboard. Behind the chorale video artist Shalom Gorewitz's work was projected onto a silk screen. Gorewitz has been a member of the Ramapo faculty since 1982. He teaches video art and video culture courses at the college. He's worked with famous video artist's such as Nam June Paik, Allison Knowles and others.

I look forward to my final semester at Ramapo this spring and whatever Lisa has prepared for the Ramapo Chorale!

Here's a video of the man himself, Karl Jenkins, conducting "Sanctus" from The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace.

Bern & The Brights

2008-12-07T20:44:00.004-05:00

I've had the great pleasure of seeing Bern & The Brights 3 times just this past month. The band has been playing extensively this fall season. With the release of their EP, Wartime Lullaby, just this past October, the band enjoys touring and having a break from the studio.

Bernadette Malavarca fronts the band. Her sultry vocals and driving electric guitar riffs add great intensity to the overall sound of the band. Catherine McGowan backs her vocals and plays acoustic guitar. Nicole Scorsone adds another level of mystique with her passionate voilin solos. Shawn Fafara adds a unique groove with his bass playing and Jose Ulloa plays percussion for the band.

Friday November 21st, Bern & The Brights played at Clash Bar in Clifton, New Jersey. Their set consisted of 8 songs. They opened with "Out Of The Haze," a fan favorite! The band also played at Lucky 7's in Jersey City, New Jersey the following day. The bar was packed and everyone really seemed into their music. There was lots of dancing and clapping amongst the audience. On December 6th the band played at Kenny's Castaways in New York City.

While the band has only been frequenting Jersey and New York bars, they've been getting a very good response. Nearly every show 4 or 5 people purchase the EP and tons of other audience members ask to be added to the mailing list.

Here's a video of the song "China"
It only features Bernadette, as it was filmed before the band came about...you can catch the song live at their next show...
December 16th 9:00pm @ Lucky 7's in Jersey City, New Jersey
Enjoy!