My family is quite fond of wish lists.
We know each other well enough to determine if they will actually like a gift we get them, but it's so much more fun to give them something you know they want.
I've been making wish lists since I was a child. And now it's not only expected for every birthday and Christmas, it's kind of a tradition that I like to take part in for myself.
Who doesn't like shopping for themselves?
This year is a little different from my previous 20 years of life, only because of the age and the now legal substances I can ask for. tee-hee. But some things never change. I continue to add Threadless shirts, books and music to the list.
For my 21st Birthday I would like:
Every size bottle of Jack Daniel's. From the mini to the Liter.
Celebratory shot glasses. (One's that say 21st Birthday or what-have-you on them.)
Drinking money! ;)
Threadless Shirts (all in a Guys Large):
I'd rather play records.
Zombies only want me for my brains.
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.
Books:
Start and Run Your Own Record Label
The Business of Music Marketing and Promotion
The Future of Music
Bukowski in Love
Don't Hold Your Breath: The Art of Brian Ewing
Zombie Haikus
Music:
iTunes gift cards are really great for all my digital music needs.
But we all know I'm the vinyl child of the family and have some requests.
Portishead "Third"
The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
Brandston "Trying to Figure Each Other Out"
Two Tongues EP
CInematic Sunrise "Coloring Book"
Probably my favorite record of all time:
Brand New "Deja Entendu"
Huck-A-Puck Stuff:
Locket Necklace with magnetic tops
Hair Clips
Cute Necklace
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
New Music Hero: Paul McGuire
I had the chance to catch a new favorite band of mine at Chain Reaction back in December. You, Me and Everyone We Know. It was actually more like I knew about the date 3 months in advance and would not let anything stop me from going.
While I waited for the date to arrive, I checked out the other bands that would be playing that night. If I'm paying $10, I might as well get something out of it. And one of those bands was Karate High School. (Yeah, I like bands with pretty amazing names.)
Their music is a heavier pop/rock sound. It's fast, a little angry, high energy and gets you hyped. Their live show was amazing. I liked the music, but once I got the chance to experience it, it was all over. I was going to follow this band!
During the show, the lead singer, Paul, who we shall get to in a moment, started to tell a story about his dad and the Christmas he did not get the bike he had been asking for. He sounded very sound and everything in me just wanted the hug the guy. Not in a way that we'd cry or something, but just so that he knew someone was listening and cared. And so I pushed my way through the crowd to the front where he was sitting on the stage. I put my arms out to hug him and smiled as sweetly as possible and the guy screamed at me "Don't touch me!" I was taken aback, mostly cause he was loud and I did not expect to get yelled at. But he hugged me and said thank you and even pointed to me in the crowd later in the set.
After they finished their set, which was pretty amazing, he bumped into me and apologized for yelling and that it was just a joke. I explained that I was just trying to make friends and give him a hug cause he sounded like he needed one. I'm a hugger, what can I say? He was super nice and thanked me and my friends for coming out and such. I even got a pretty gangsta picture with him. hehe.
I had been waiting for them to return, but as fate would have it, just as they hit California, their guitarist, Geoff, was diagnosed with Skin Cancer. And of course they had to cancel the rest of the tour so that he can deal with his disease quickly and hopefully easily. You see, when a band member gets cancer or falls greatly ill, it doesn't just affect the band, but it filters down to the fans who feel very useless and scared for someone they care so much about. Of course, all the fans have been sending tons of support his way and hope that he gets better soon.
While leaving my tid-bit of love for Geoff, I stumbled across Paul's solo page. I knew he was the songwriter and obviously a pretty great singer, performer and storyteller, but I did not know that he is my new acoustic dream. He not only had an acoustic version of one of the band's songs, but a cover of some other band's song as well as some solo stuff. It all sounds amazing and I just fell for his voice. Some voices are made to accompany an acoustic guitar.
On top of his amazing talent with music, he has this great sense of humor that makes me think we'd make great friends. And feeling that way towards someone you barely know is a great way to feel comfortable around them the next time you see them. For instance, in an interview he stated this about his mother, who he listed as his major musical influence:
If I ever make a dollar from the music I write, I'm totally treating her to Taco Bell.
So the next time I see him, we can talk about Taco Bell and our mothers. So awesome!
Every blog he posts makes me fall more for this guy. And having role models like him really motivate me to continue with my career in the music industry. I don't want to just talk about it all the time, I want to be apart of it and get paid! But for now, I'll just write about it.
Paul McGuire and Me.
While I waited for the date to arrive, I checked out the other bands that would be playing that night. If I'm paying $10, I might as well get something out of it. And one of those bands was Karate High School. (Yeah, I like bands with pretty amazing names.)
Their music is a heavier pop/rock sound. It's fast, a little angry, high energy and gets you hyped. Their live show was amazing. I liked the music, but once I got the chance to experience it, it was all over. I was going to follow this band!
During the show, the lead singer, Paul, who we shall get to in a moment, started to tell a story about his dad and the Christmas he did not get the bike he had been asking for. He sounded very sound and everything in me just wanted the hug the guy. Not in a way that we'd cry or something, but just so that he knew someone was listening and cared. And so I pushed my way through the crowd to the front where he was sitting on the stage. I put my arms out to hug him and smiled as sweetly as possible and the guy screamed at me "Don't touch me!" I was taken aback, mostly cause he was loud and I did not expect to get yelled at. But he hugged me and said thank you and even pointed to me in the crowd later in the set.
After they finished their set, which was pretty amazing, he bumped into me and apologized for yelling and that it was just a joke. I explained that I was just trying to make friends and give him a hug cause he sounded like he needed one. I'm a hugger, what can I say? He was super nice and thanked me and my friends for coming out and such. I even got a pretty gangsta picture with him. hehe.
I had been waiting for them to return, but as fate would have it, just as they hit California, their guitarist, Geoff, was diagnosed with Skin Cancer. And of course they had to cancel the rest of the tour so that he can deal with his disease quickly and hopefully easily. You see, when a band member gets cancer or falls greatly ill, it doesn't just affect the band, but it filters down to the fans who feel very useless and scared for someone they care so much about. Of course, all the fans have been sending tons of support his way and hope that he gets better soon.
While leaving my tid-bit of love for Geoff, I stumbled across Paul's solo page. I knew he was the songwriter and obviously a pretty great singer, performer and storyteller, but I did not know that he is my new acoustic dream. He not only had an acoustic version of one of the band's songs, but a cover of some other band's song as well as some solo stuff. It all sounds amazing and I just fell for his voice. Some voices are made to accompany an acoustic guitar.
On top of his amazing talent with music, he has this great sense of humor that makes me think we'd make great friends. And feeling that way towards someone you barely know is a great way to feel comfortable around them the next time you see them. For instance, in an interview he stated this about his mother, who he listed as his major musical influence:
If I ever make a dollar from the music I write, I'm totally treating her to Taco Bell.
So the next time I see him, we can talk about Taco Bell and our mothers. So awesome!
Every blog he posts makes me fall more for this guy. And having role models like him really motivate me to continue with my career in the music industry. I don't want to just talk about it all the time, I want to be apart of it and get paid! But for now, I'll just write about it.
Paul McGuire and Me.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The New iPod Shuffle.
Apple just posted their new iPod shuffle on their website today.
What? No event featuring a turtleneck-clad Steve Jobs in front of a power point presentation of their latest gadget?
Just when you thought the iPod could not get any smaller, here it is, just shy of a AA battery.
It has more memory. 4Gs compared to the 2Gs in the previous models.
The click wheel is gone and a steam-lined device attached to the head phones controls the volume, let's you pause and skip songs and gives you the freedom to control your music, without taking the iPod out of whatever nook you've stashed it in.
Those tiny pockets in jeans now have a new best friend.
Some down side is the lack of visuals and playlist control. (Previous shuffles had the same problem.)
However, these new iPod Shuffles come complete with a VoiceOver system.
You simply hold down the play button and a robotic voice will come on and tell you the name of the song as well as the artist.
Continue to hold down that tiny button and it will tell you the playlist you are currently listening to followed by your list of previously selected playlists. When you hear the playlist you want to listen to, simply click the button again.
And voila!
Sounds like a great new toy for my father, who is happy listening to anything.
I once witnessed him listening to Styx and when the song changed over to "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast, he didn't een flinch. He actually sang along with a few arm gestures here and there for affect.
I'm sure there are plenty of other music lovers of this sort out there in the world who would love this new iPod.
But for those of us a little more serious and in need of greater control to what they listen to, this just shall not suffice.
Being part of the music industry, you need to be able to present your product in a way that is professional.
I've experienced plenty of bands at Warped Tour especially who want you to listen to their music, but have only brought an iPod shuffle and a dinky pair of headphones. They stumble to unravel their headphones and can never seem to find the one song they ant you to listen to.
There are the ones who have older versions of the regular iPod and they can not only find the song they want to share with you in an instant, they can also play you videos of them live and how photos of their album or of the band when they are cleaner and less musky. it makes the world of difference to a fan and potential purchaser.
Apart from the business aspect of it, there is the daily usage. I have playlists for different moods, situations, events and even just specific artists that I'm loving at the time. So in a moment I can change my music just as my mood or situation changes.
Being able to flip through pictures and videos is also a great upside to the regular iPod. You never know when you need to show off a picture of your latest rock star run-in.
It's all just a matter a preference. And that's why iPods are on top of the music playing devices. They give you options. Not just in size, shape or color. But in how you experience your music. How do you top that?
What? No event featuring a turtleneck-clad Steve Jobs in front of a power point presentation of their latest gadget?
Just when you thought the iPod could not get any smaller, here it is, just shy of a AA battery.
It has more memory. 4Gs compared to the 2Gs in the previous models.
The click wheel is gone and a steam-lined device attached to the head phones controls the volume, let's you pause and skip songs and gives you the freedom to control your music, without taking the iPod out of whatever nook you've stashed it in.
Those tiny pockets in jeans now have a new best friend.
Some down side is the lack of visuals and playlist control. (Previous shuffles had the same problem.)
However, these new iPod Shuffles come complete with a VoiceOver system.
You simply hold down the play button and a robotic voice will come on and tell you the name of the song as well as the artist.
Continue to hold down that tiny button and it will tell you the playlist you are currently listening to followed by your list of previously selected playlists. When you hear the playlist you want to listen to, simply click the button again.
And voila!
Sounds like a great new toy for my father, who is happy listening to anything.
I once witnessed him listening to Styx and when the song changed over to "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast, he didn't een flinch. He actually sang along with a few arm gestures here and there for affect.
I'm sure there are plenty of other music lovers of this sort out there in the world who would love this new iPod.
But for those of us a little more serious and in need of greater control to what they listen to, this just shall not suffice.
Being part of the music industry, you need to be able to present your product in a way that is professional.
I've experienced plenty of bands at Warped Tour especially who want you to listen to their music, but have only brought an iPod shuffle and a dinky pair of headphones. They stumble to unravel their headphones and can never seem to find the one song they ant you to listen to.
There are the ones who have older versions of the regular iPod and they can not only find the song they want to share with you in an instant, they can also play you videos of them live and how photos of their album or of the band when they are cleaner and less musky. it makes the world of difference to a fan and potential purchaser.
Apart from the business aspect of it, there is the daily usage. I have playlists for different moods, situations, events and even just specific artists that I'm loving at the time. So in a moment I can change my music just as my mood or situation changes.
Being able to flip through pictures and videos is also a great upside to the regular iPod. You never know when you need to show off a picture of your latest rock star run-in.
It's all just a matter a preference. And that's why iPods are on top of the music playing devices. They give you options. Not just in size, shape or color. But in how you experience your music. How do you top that?
Sunday, March 1, 2009
I Know A Thing Or Two About A Thing Or Two.
It has been brought to my attention lately, that I actually know what I'm talking about (for the most part) when having discussions with band members and other such employees of the music industry. I tend to finish their sentences and receive surprised looks when it was exactly what they were planning on saying. I don't do this for attention or admiration, I do this because I just know.
The last 5 years have been a constant learning opportunity. As if I enrolled myself in Music College and certain events I've attended have been my classes.
Promotion 206. Booking 103. Band Member Recycling 112. Fan-Girl 402.
The events have given me the learning material I need to understand how the industry works and the people I have met give me the insight on specific details of the business as well as, the showmanship side of music. The opportunity to learn something new from every person I meet or show I see or conversation I have, is taken full advantage of. If this is going to be the industry I want to be apart of then I need to pay attention now and be prepared for the future.
Of course, there is still lots to learn and always will be. Since this industry is in the midst of a huge overhaul, where vinyl sales are up, record sales are down and digital music is taking over. Soon CDs will be as obsolete as 8-tracks. But until then, I want to know everything I can about how CDs go from blank pieces of plastic to pieces of art.
On top of the in-person learning experience, I've been reading a lot about different aspects of the music industry. I'm currently reading "Everything You Need To Know About The Music Business (9th Edition)" by Donald Passman. There are notes in the margin and plenty of underlining of topics I'd like to know more about and such. I've loved it thus far, even though it is geared more toward an entertainer looking to build a career. But it has given me plenty of information that I know will come in handy.
Some other reading materials I plan on adding to my pile are:
The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution
Start and Run Your Own Record Label
And I'm sure I'll find more to read. But I'm a slow reader and I tend to forget to read. (It happens.)
What the point of all this was that I don't want to be a paper pusher or a retail sales person, because I don't know anything about that. What I do know is music and how the scene has been evolving and what to do with band members and bookers and what venues are best for certain bands. And I would like to use this knowledge. I would like to work in the music industry, somehow. Some jobs I've pondered have been:
PR Assistant at a Record Label.
Booking Agent Assistant
A&R Scout
Promoter
Music Booker at a Venue
Band Manager
Contributing Writer for music magazines/websites
The last 5 years have been a constant learning opportunity. As if I enrolled myself in Music College and certain events I've attended have been my classes.
Promotion 206. Booking 103. Band Member Recycling 112. Fan-Girl 402.
The events have given me the learning material I need to understand how the industry works and the people I have met give me the insight on specific details of the business as well as, the showmanship side of music. The opportunity to learn something new from every person I meet or show I see or conversation I have, is taken full advantage of. If this is going to be the industry I want to be apart of then I need to pay attention now and be prepared for the future.
Of course, there is still lots to learn and always will be. Since this industry is in the midst of a huge overhaul, where vinyl sales are up, record sales are down and digital music is taking over. Soon CDs will be as obsolete as 8-tracks. But until then, I want to know everything I can about how CDs go from blank pieces of plastic to pieces of art.
On top of the in-person learning experience, I've been reading a lot about different aspects of the music industry. I'm currently reading "Everything You Need To Know About The Music Business (9th Edition)" by Donald Passman. There are notes in the margin and plenty of underlining of topics I'd like to know more about and such. I've loved it thus far, even though it is geared more toward an entertainer looking to build a career. But it has given me plenty of information that I know will come in handy.
Some other reading materials I plan on adding to my pile are:
The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution
Start and Run Your Own Record Label
And I'm sure I'll find more to read. But I'm a slow reader and I tend to forget to read. (It happens.)
What the point of all this was that I don't want to be a paper pusher or a retail sales person, because I don't know anything about that. What I do know is music and how the scene has been evolving and what to do with band members and bookers and what venues are best for certain bands. And I would like to use this knowledge. I would like to work in the music industry, somehow. Some jobs I've pondered have been:
PR Assistant at a Record Label.
Booking Agent Assistant
A&R Scout
Promoter
Music Booker at a Venue
Band Manager
Contributing Writer for music magazines/websites
Friday, January 30, 2009
A Must Have and A Must Fix.
First off... I need this to add to my vinyl collection. And I need it soon, or else it goes away forever!
Cinematic Sunrise is a band that is friends of friends of mine. I love their stuff, but I really want this for the album artwork.
I have this thing with Huck-A-Pucks and Zoo animals.
On a sad note...
My turn table decided to stop turning.
At first I thought it was a cool sound effect.
The slowing followed by silence.
Then I realized that it had stopped all together.
Did the usual check list to see what was wrong.
Turned it on and off again.
Checked underneath for any blockage.
Even dusted it a bit.
Still nothing.
I believe that the motor has died.
It's an old turn table that I received from my grand parents, so who knows when it was last fixed.
The plan is to let it sit for a while.
Then try again. If it still doesn't rotate, then I'll take it in to get looked at.
I'm super sad since I just got hold of a few 12 inchers that I'd love to listen to.
An Robert Plant solo album from the 80's and a Depeche Mode remix album.
Cinematic Sunrise is a band that is friends of friends of mine. I love their stuff, but I really want this for the album artwork.
I have this thing with Huck-A-Pucks and Zoo animals.
On a sad note...
My turn table decided to stop turning.
At first I thought it was a cool sound effect.
The slowing followed by silence.
Then I realized that it had stopped all together.
Did the usual check list to see what was wrong.
Turned it on and off again.
Checked underneath for any blockage.
Even dusted it a bit.
Still nothing.
I believe that the motor has died.
It's an old turn table that I received from my grand parents, so who knows when it was last fixed.
The plan is to let it sit for a while.
Then try again. If it still doesn't rotate, then I'll take it in to get looked at.
I'm super sad since I just got hold of a few 12 inchers that I'd love to listen to.
An Robert Plant solo album from the 80's and a Depeche Mode remix album.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
A Show Journal.
I am the kind of girl who keeps journals. Not diaries.
The pages are never front to back.
There's no "dear diary" at the beginning of every entry.
They are dated and sometimes named if there's a specific event or holiday that day.
I'm very specific about people these days. My journals from middles school and the beginning of High School have names and sometimes last initials, but I can barely remember who they belong to.
Topics change as often as the page turns.
And if my mother ever read it, the only thing I'd be ashamed of is my hand writing.
(And sometimes my cursing. I anger write a lot.)
Sometimes I have several journals at one time.
One personal one for whatever.
Another for day-to-day writing.
A poetry keeper. And a binder for single sheets.
A journal that I started last year was my show journal.
I kept the dates of every show or concert I attended.
From my very first of the year to the last.
I wrote down the day, the bands and the venues in a list at the beginning.
Then I made a page for each show.
It includes a small summary of the event, a picture or two, maybe a ticket or wristband and sometimes a memento of sorts.
I haven't made it very far with the page summaries.
I think I've outlined all the way through March.
But only a few are completely done.
My goal for the year was to go to 50 shows.
See at least 10 brand new bands I've never seen before.
Go to more than one Warped Tour.
Take someone to their first show.
See the same band more than 10 times.
Go to a venue I haven't been to before.
Make friends at the shows.
And I did accomplish those goals.
Except I only went to 48 shows.
I had two get cancelled last minute.
What makes me super happy though is that I went to a lot of shows during the 6 months that I was living off of $100 a month.
I went to 18 shows, including 2 Warped Tours and had a pretty amazing time spending the cash I did have on the one thing I know I will always love.
I may get tired of the scene or of going to shows constantly, but I will never tire of them completely.
I will always love the rush I get when my favorite band hits the stage.
The fun of being surrounded by people who love the same music you do.
Meeting new and amazing people. Hanging out with your friends.
And just having fun!
I have yet to get a new journal for this year.
Which is ok, since I haven't gone to a show yet.
But I have a goal left for this journal.
I want to have it finished before I start the next one.
My first show is scheduled for the 10th as of now.
So I have a few days to get it outlined at least.
If I can't finish it completely, I want it to at least be outlined.
That way I don't have unfinished projects sitting around.
The pages are never front to back.
There's no "dear diary" at the beginning of every entry.
They are dated and sometimes named if there's a specific event or holiday that day.
I'm very specific about people these days. My journals from middles school and the beginning of High School have names and sometimes last initials, but I can barely remember who they belong to.
Topics change as often as the page turns.
And if my mother ever read it, the only thing I'd be ashamed of is my hand writing.
(And sometimes my cursing. I anger write a lot.)
Sometimes I have several journals at one time.
One personal one for whatever.
Another for day-to-day writing.
A poetry keeper. And a binder for single sheets.
A journal that I started last year was my show journal.
I kept the dates of every show or concert I attended.
From my very first of the year to the last.
I wrote down the day, the bands and the venues in a list at the beginning.
Then I made a page for each show.
It includes a small summary of the event, a picture or two, maybe a ticket or wristband and sometimes a memento of sorts.
I haven't made it very far with the page summaries.
I think I've outlined all the way through March.
But only a few are completely done.
My goal for the year was to go to 50 shows.
See at least 10 brand new bands I've never seen before.
Go to more than one Warped Tour.
Take someone to their first show.
See the same band more than 10 times.
Go to a venue I haven't been to before.
Make friends at the shows.
And I did accomplish those goals.
Except I only went to 48 shows.
I had two get cancelled last minute.
What makes me super happy though is that I went to a lot of shows during the 6 months that I was living off of $100 a month.
I went to 18 shows, including 2 Warped Tours and had a pretty amazing time spending the cash I did have on the one thing I know I will always love.
I may get tired of the scene or of going to shows constantly, but I will never tire of them completely.
I will always love the rush I get when my favorite band hits the stage.
The fun of being surrounded by people who love the same music you do.
Meeting new and amazing people. Hanging out with your friends.
And just having fun!
I have yet to get a new journal for this year.
Which is ok, since I haven't gone to a show yet.
But I have a goal left for this journal.
I want to have it finished before I start the next one.
My first show is scheduled for the 10th as of now.
So I have a few days to get it outlined at least.
If I can't finish it completely, I want it to at least be outlined.
That way I don't have unfinished projects sitting around.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Being a Barista.
I have been working at the coffee shop for about 4 months now and it has changed quite a lot in those few months.
I used to have a set schedule every week with a good amount of hours and was generally happy with how things were going.
Then new policies came into affect and employees were either being driven to quit or fired for no apparent reason.
All I am going to say about the new owners is that they do not appear to know what they are doing. Which affects the rest of us more than they know.
Other than some minor problems with the owners, I love working there.
It takes me less than 15 minutes to get there.
I can wear basically what I wear every day anyway.
The customers are sweet, especially the regulars.
My co-workers are good people and some are even friends that I've known for some time.
The store hours make it so that I never have to ask for nights or weekends off, which I used to.
I love the smell of coffee and having it at my fingertips.
The hard work keeps me busy and motivated, yet not drained.
Sure, I could use a few more hours each week and some job security, but those are complaints any part-time employee would have these days. So overall, it's a good job and I enjoy it there.
I used to have a set schedule every week with a good amount of hours and was generally happy with how things were going.
Then new policies came into affect and employees were either being driven to quit or fired for no apparent reason.
All I am going to say about the new owners is that they do not appear to know what they are doing. Which affects the rest of us more than they know.
Other than some minor problems with the owners, I love working there.
It takes me less than 15 minutes to get there.
I can wear basically what I wear every day anyway.
The customers are sweet, especially the regulars.
My co-workers are good people and some are even friends that I've known for some time.
The store hours make it so that I never have to ask for nights or weekends off, which I used to.
I love the smell of coffee and having it at my fingertips.
The hard work keeps me busy and motivated, yet not drained.
Sure, I could use a few more hours each week and some job security, but those are complaints any part-time employee would have these days. So overall, it's a good job and I enjoy it there.
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