Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Monday, June 27, 2005

Music to My Ears LXVII

I just created a new iMix: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Soundtrack. It's a collection of music and musicians mentioned in Hunter S. Thompson's novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Friday, June 24, 2005

Vinyl Solution

Since I moved to New York two Januarys ago, I've not been listening to as much music for some reason. I don't listen to music at home, I'm not to going as many shows, and I'm not buying as many records.

Most recently it's because my turntable hasn't been working properly. Isolating the problem in the old turntable's cables, I bought a new turntable not long ago -- and much to my dismay. I'm just not satisfied with my new Audio Technica AT-PL50 belt drive turntable. Not only does it feel cheap by comparison, I don't like the tone arm's action, and the stylus appears to be shot -- straight out of the box.

So I've ordered an upgrade kit from LP Gear. Hopefully the different stylus -- and belt, which I'm not sure I'll use -- will make all the difference.

If not, I bought the wrong turntable -- and older is better than newer.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Blogging About Blogging LXXX

I got my Odeo invitation today. Biz Stone's welcome message is a hilarious bit of brevity, and I've downloaded a couple of sample podcasts to taste tonight. The Synchr app is pretty sleek, and I like the Flickr-like mouse-over prompts on the Odeo site. Lookin' good, Robin Hood!

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Music to My Ears LXVI

I just created a new iMix: Tampa Burn Soundtrack. It's a collection of music and musicians mentioned in Randy Wayne White's novel Tampa Burn.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Music to My Eyes XXVIII

As part of last weekend's Handstand Command anniversary show, members of the collective displayed an exhibit of photographs taken throughout the group's history. Now that photographic history is available online.

Monday, June 20, 2005

Event-O-Dex XVII

Saturday, June 25: Grand opening reception for the new Giant Robot New York store on E. 9th Street.



I hope to be there, dressed up as a toaster. Or something.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Trylons, Assemble!

I'm in a new band, but not really. While the Anchormen are on a prolonged geographic hiatus, I've been tinkering around with several friends in New York. We call ourselves the Trylons after the Philip Johnson folly that's part of the Chrysler Building.

Roll call: Myself, Deb Klein of the Mary Reillys, Mike Faloon of the Kung Fu Monkeys and Egghead, and Mike Yannich of the Ergs and many other musical groups. We're on a bit of a hiatus ourselves, what with the Ergs going on tour and all.

Here are some rough, rough tracks from a practice earlier this year:



I think the volume's a little low on the sound files, but check 'em out and let us know what you think. We've yet to play out or record properly, and if you're interested in booking a show or putting out the forthcoming "Knockout, Oklahoma" EP, don't be shy. The Trylons have arrived.

Monday, June 13, 2005

Event-O-Dex XVI

Saturday, June 18: Handstand Command anniversary show in Somerville, Mass., featuring what might be the Operators' final performance, Scrapple, Asian Babe Alert, and Anchormen Karaoke. That means I'm not singing with the band; I'll be somewhere else, unfortunately.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Surprising Delights

I'm in a hotel room, a three-hour flight from home, and poking around online to kill time before hitting the hay. Imagine my reaction when I realized that iTunes had picked up not one, but two Shared Music options. Thanks to jblazinny, I'm sampling alien music.

Here's a snapshot of the 100-plus song library: 50 Cent, Akon, Audio Slave, Backstreet Boys, BB Mack, Bowling For Soup, Brian Doerkson, Eagles, Eminem, Green Day, Gwen Stefani, Howie Day, Jadakiss, Jennifer Lopez, Jet, Kelly Clarkson, the Killers, Lindsay Lohan, M.I.A., Mark Schultz, Phil Collins, Rage Against the Machine, Switchfoot, and Usher. Jblazinny also has a bunch of songs from the various Wow Worship compilations, which I'm now listening to.

Googling "jblazinny," it appears that my benefactor is a fellow named Jonathan Moy. With a defunct blog, a more active Xanga site, and a hand in Just Jared, Moy likes "Bball, tennis, reading, working out, chilling with friends, good and insightful conversations, swimming, hanging at the beach," and seems to be in New Orleans for a sales meeting. He's also active in church.

Fascinating. Thanks, Mr. Moy, for sharing your music. You get a punk point, while this Silver person -- who also shows up in the hotel network but isn't sharing -- gets a demerit. And props to the hotel for networking its guests.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Music to My Ears LXV

Two sounds that absolutely please me: birdsong and Gregorian chants. I could listen to either in the background all the time.