Bradford Cox Soundtracks New Doc On Teenagers

Bradford apparently has contributed an "original score" (according to Pitchfork) for the upcoming Matt Wolf doc Teenage...about, teenagers.  Really this makes a lot of sense- Cox's music has a lustful, yearning, sepia toned dream-like quality to it...exactly what I think of when I take a moment to think of teenagers from eras past (which I do a lot).  Unfortunately, the trailer above highlights music Bradford has already released as Atlas Sound.  I have a feeling most of the new material will be on the textured, ambient side of things- definitely not complaining there!

Mount Eerie: One 7", Two Sides, Two Entire Records

Mount Eerie has released a 7" containing both of the records he released in 2012 - Clear Moon and Ocean Roar.  One record per side.  Each side of the release contains every song on each LP layered on top of each other, creating a maxed out sound mash.  Yes, this does sound gimmicky, but there are beautiful sections to it...If nothing else, it has given me inspiration and recording ideas.

Urban Air

While there are certainly similar urban green initiatives, Urban Air is interesting in the fact that it transforms billboard space into bamboo gardens...a welcome site for Los Angeles commuters stuck in hours of gridlock.  This project needs money to be piloted and will be scalable and can have similar applications in other locals.

Studio Roosegaarde on TED

I'm really into the work these guys do -  They are able to connect their technology concepts to make sense in progressing and rethinking our world - a focus on sustainability and efficiency while making our world more pleasant.  Their best example of this is the "Smart Highway" concept which will be tested in 2013 in the Netherlands.  Awesome stuff.

Jason Lytle @ NPR

Sounds pretty spot on to me!

Harmony Korine, and How He Thinks About Film

Collected Harmony on Nowness.com.
Not completely surprising, and completely hard to pin down...Harmony Korine leads the direction of his films by feeling...not dissimilar to some musicians.  Hard to explain, easier to show.

Peter Saville Describes the "Unknown Pleasures" Cover Design

Check out graphic designer Peter Saville describe the iconic imagery he created for the cover of the Unknown Pleasures LP. 

Beck Remixes Philip Glass: "NYC 73 - 78"

This is an absolutely spectacular collage of some of Philip Glass' work that Beck remixed for the Rework - Philip Glass Remixed record.  You'll want to listen up close and in the background, multiple times.  Impressed.

Scott Walker: "Bish Bosch" Preview

Wow.  My primary interest with Scott's recent work is how he comes to record the sounds on his punishingly morose records (see The Drift)...I can't listen to him too much, but I am certainly very interested in his process.  If he didn't scrape these songs from the edge of some dark abyss, in some unlivable location, then he probably made them using knives, barking dogs and ancient instruments made from something which was once alive (or a rack of meat as he did on previously mentioned The Drift).

Brian Eno, Innovator..."Scape"

I'm actually kind of interested in this tool from Brian Eno and Peter Chilvers.  It's an interesting application in the sense that it appears that it takes little to no music playing ability to use, but the real art here would be the user's sense of texture and idea...the algorithm apparently composes the music (generative music)- this means that the curator of the sound has little to no say over the composition as the music plays, but can certainly change the inputs.  As the user gets more familiar with the tones and "scapes," more are unlocked- I like this idea.  It's tempting to just move on to the next option when there are so many, and easy to get overwhelmed.

 I'm warming up a bit to things like this.  Going only from the demo, the tones are excellent, and odd...lonesome in the sense of retrofuturistic film or mid 70's science documentaries- sounds I've always been a fan of.

Brian.  Eno.  

I(pad), Robot

Double by Double Robotics - Pre-order Now from Double Robotics on Vimeo.

I figured it would come to this. I'd dress mine up like me.

Old Spice: "Believe In Your Smellf"

I don't even know what to say...this is one of the greatest ad campaigns I have ever come across.  Well done Gold Spice, well done.

(Wieden + Kennedy, please take note of my pun in the above statement:  I want to be a part of your team.)

Jason Lytle: "Get Up and Go"

You can do it...everything's gonna be all right.  J.Ly keeping it inspirational.

Tim Hecker, Daniel Lopatin: "Uptown Psychedelia"

Check out this pretty interesting merger of Tim and Daniel's work which actually makes a lot of sense.  New record, Instrumental Tourist, out November 20.  LP art here.  Ok, cool.

"Zammuto - Shape of Things to Come"

Check out this excellent micro doc on the Books' Nick Zammuto.  Beside the fact that this makes me want to pack up and live his life for a while, check out a taste of how he produces some of his percussion sounds.

John Clayton, Slayer Fan.

Oh man, I would have killed to have been on the creative team that put this together!

New Jason Lytle Video: "Your Final Setting Sun"

Super stoked to check this new JL cut... and it's is the fastest tempo stuff I've heard from him since Grandaddy.  REALLY looking forward to this record in October!

I'm Changing: The Analysis of a Career Changer

[I've decided to start a mini-series of posts based on my current plight in life...CAREER CHANGE.  My motivation for doing this is mostly selfish in the sense that I am hoping that it will help define my mission, highlight my progress and help me to identify and validate where I'm going...but I also hope that it may help anyone who may read this.]

Growing up?

(Point of view taken from up until 2000, dating myself and assuming that not all that much has changed.  Also note: these are statements on public school- I am fully aware that privileged private schools may be different; however a majority of people do not have this as an option.)

 

There's something inherently wrong with our public education system, grades 0 - 12.  It's rigid and far too based on "core curriculum" with not enough opportunity for personal discovery. You've got your standard math, english, science pathways with some elective-like courses thrown in here and there (I'm looking at you middle school band, home ec (WTF), and if you didn't grow up in a small town in Virginia, maybe computer science). Yes, I'm exaggerating to some extent on course diversity, but I do feel feel strongly that this is no way to introduce students to discover what they are passionate about, excel at and how they may be able to contribute.  Sure, I excelled in school and graduated from a major university with a biology degree.  How did I get to that point?  My mom,who also graduated with a degree in the biological sciences, was a partial influence.  Other influences were classes I enjoyed in high school.  But not really.  I would have rather had 10 creative writing/film classes as compared to my courseload of organic chemistry, calculus, biology, etc...  I took these classes because I had to- literally.  Unlike college, there was no flexibility in creating a "major."  I took a course path based on what the state of Virginia thought I should take.  OK, cool.  I was 18 and kinda just accepted that because I thought that was "the way" or something.

Enter college and beyond:

The way our system is set up, every class, test, standardized test (lame) a student takes leads up to making a decision on a college, and even finer in detail, a major/minor.  Because I thought I excelled in biology, I landed on a biology degree at the University of Georgia...which I really enjoyed once I got the "core curriculum" out of the way and jumped into the biology stuff.  OK, cool. I excelled, graduated and now was expected to go out and find a job.  I landed at a major biotech firm in SF which was a great experience, moved to NYC and landed another gig at a major pharmaceutical company...but something wasn't adding up.  This 'something' I began to identify back in college.  As time passed, I realized that my personality may not be the best fit for the discipline I now had spent the last 10+ years involved in.  As more time passed, I began to sincerely despise the work and industry I was involved in.  There could have been multiple reasons for this, but the major issue could be summed up in one question and answer: WAS IT FULFILLING?  NO!  The area of work I had chosen was not fulfilling. The people I worked around were nothing like me.

...and then an amazing thing happened: I was laid off!

Next Post:  Big. Scary. CAREER CHANGE Part 1:  The Initial Concrete Internal Analysis.

No Excuses, Smarty Pants

Information should be free...and it is. Anyone with access to the internet has the potential to learn pretty much anything. No, this is not your mom telling you to "stay in school" or your third grade teacher playing the inspiration card. It's stating the obvious. We are at the point where asking a friend, acquaintance or other type of human for hard information can come off as lazy. Resourcefulness is an expectation. All of this seems painfully obvious, and I kind of feel silly typing the preceding 6.59 lines, but it's a lead- ok? We are at an amazing time right now where, if you want to learn some serious material, taught by instructors from top tier schools, you can...for no monetary cost. I say "monetary" in the sense that the cost will come in the form of your time- just like school. Enter Coursera. Coursera is a company that has tapped major universities to provide web-based courses on subjects ranging from the biological sciences to business to technology and design among others AT NO COST TO THE STUDENT. These are serious courses and their rigor is to rival sit down classes similar to those taught at the parent university. I see Coursera being part of the beginning of a new paradigm in education. Anyone with internet access will be able to learn without being restricted by cost and geography. I've enrolled in a course on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). It is slated to take 9 weeks at ~20+ hours of work per week. There will be video modules, homework and quizzes and a course long project I must complete at an 80% acceptance level. I don't expect it to be easy in the least, but I do expect my investment to pay off. No Excuses, Smarty Pants - go learn something and contribute.

Gram Parsons - Fallen Angel

Well, this one sure doesn't end happy but an excellent story on the short, underknown life of Gram Parsons. The juxtaposition of Gram's personal life with the music he created/pioneered creates a remarkably odd picture.

New Earlimart: "97 Heart Attack"

Super stoked to learn about a new Earlimart record (System Preferences) out this fall! I'm not sure how I feel about this lead off track, but here's to hoping good things for the record.

Happy Birthday, Elliott.

Kill Rock Stars is sharing an alternate take of "Alameda," one of my favorite Elliott Smith tracks, in memory of Elliott's would be 43rd birthday.

Liars: "Brats" Video

Pretty much everything these guys do makes me smile.

Jason Lytle: "Dept. of Disapearance"

It's about damn time! Check it: "Dept. of Disappearance"

Bleeker Bob's

Check out this really great quick doc on the West Village's Bleeker Bob's record store. Make a point to get there before they shut their doors!

Bradford Doin' A Little Shopping @ Amoeba

I love this guy.

The Shins: "It's Only Life"

By far my favorite track off the latest Shins record gets an interesting video.

Blur: "Under The Westway"

New Blur. Right on.

New Dino Jr.: "Watch the Corners"

I just got real excited...like shopping spree at Burger King excited! Check out the first single from I Bet on Sky: "Watch the Corners."

Tame Impala: New LP Preview

Catch a whiff of the new Tame Impala record, Lonerism...heeeaaddyy.

Dino Jr.: "I Bet on Sky" Interview

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiick. Good work, Jim!

Preview: Mono "For My Parents"

Here's a trailer for the new to be released Mono record- Seems like this one is a bit more focused on orchestration but it also appears to contain signature elements of reverbed guitar plucking and massive crescendo builds. This is emotional stuff. Cinematic. "Epic," I guess. With that being said, I'm looking forward to it.

Mission of Burma: "Second Television"

This new Burma cut is sure pretty worth.

NEW DINOSAUR!

SEPTEMBER 18.

D-School

The concept of a degree focusing on UX, design and business makes so much sense to me- it's hard for me to believe that this field hasn't gained popularity quicker.

The Sounds of "Prometheus"

Check out this featurette on some of the mixing, editing and sound design which took place to create the sound world in Ridley Scott's "Prometheus."

"The Ventriloquist"

Purling Hiss Does Work for the "Shaking Through" Series: "Lolita"

Check out a bit of Purling Hiss' recording process for the "Shaking Through" series as they are enlisted to write a song and take it through the final mix in only two days.

Ken Burns on Storytelling

Here's a short piece on Ken Burns, explaining how he views storytelling and how he aims to affect people.

Another Liars Promo

Here's a short video the guys posted giving us a little look inside of their LA studio. I'm basically going to post anything Liars related until the record comes out...

The Art of Film and TV Title Design

Check out this spot PBS did on the art of the opening sequence to film/TV series. It's interesting to see the thought process that goes into a sequence as it aims to set a lasting tone and familiarity of the presentation which follows.

Liars: "No. 1 Against the Rush"

It took me a little while to comprehend this one and now I think I'm ready to talk about it. The visuals have nothing to do with the mood of the track (sonically at least)which makes this whole thing so much radder. These guys make great videos, and creep me out in just the right places.

The Walkmen: "Heaven"

There's nothing particularly complex or even that unique about this new Walkmen track- it just sounds really good.

Do It Yourself - The Story of Rough Trade

This is a really great doc about the superb Rough Trade record shop/label in London...and by the way, Williamsburg, Brooklyn USA will be getting one later this year!

Tim Hecker: "Suffocation Raga for John Cale"

Check out this great sounding Tim Hecker piece he did for a John Cale remix album to be released for RSD 2012.

New Yuck: "Chew"

Yes! Keep 'em comin'.

Ty Segall and White Fence: "Scissor People"

I CANNOT wait to see these guys. Rip.

David Byrne Sound Installation: "Get It Away"

David Byrne spent a few days staying at London's A Room for London installation and recorded the sounds of the city as which were presented to him during this time...then he compiled the various sounds and mixed them into the above piece.

According to David, the sounds he used in the piece come from the following:

Strawberry seller: Borough Market
Train: Southwark
Woman Evangelist: Spitalfields Market
Organ: Southwark Cathedral
Jackhammer: near Waterloo
Footsteps: mine, embankment
Thames waves: near Surrey water

LiarsLiarsLiars!

1. First promo photo for new record: March 26, 2012.
2. New record: June 05, 2012.

It's going to be a close call as to which of the above will be better.

Nardwuar (the Human Serviette) Did a TED Talk

Nardwuar on TED!

Ty Segall and White Fence: "I Am Not a Game"

I've been waiting for this for a while! ...First single off of the Ty Segall and White Fence record to be released in April.

Listen: "I Am Not a Game"

Sigur Ros: "Ekki Múkk"

Sigur Rós - Ekki múkk from Sigur Rós on Vimeo.

Here's a slab of new Sigur Ros music which serves as the first new sounds to be heard coming from the new record (!) out in May. "Ekki Múkk" recalls the group's ebb and flowy texturalized material from earlier records and pretty much put me to sleep on first listen (this is my barometer for a good SR record). ...Typically great album art as well...

New Beck: "Looking for a Sign"

Beck plays to his strengths here on a single from the Jeff Who Lives At Home soundtrack. Pleasant all around.

American Juggalo

This is absolutely amazing.

Beach House: "Myth"

Check out this pretty incredible new Beach House track. These guys just keep getting better.

Lee Ranaldo

Lee's upcoming solo record is sounding like it's gonna be a burner...

Google

Google offices, NYC.

Gorillaz for Converse: "DoYaThing"

For some reason or another, I kinda stopped paying attention to the Gorillaz thing a while ago but this video is pretty right on.

:)

Willis Earl Beal: "Evening's Kiss"

New Spriritualized!

This Must Be The Place: "Prime Burger"

PRIME from thismustbetheplace on Vimeo.

It's important to have something that's a part of you, that keeps you going - forever. Check out this really great short from This Must Be The Place on Prime Burger in Midtown.

John Stewart...PaF

Check out John Stewart raging hard at a DK show in Virginia (William and Marry) sometime in the early 1980's. Damn.

Cloud Nothings: "No Future No Past"

Cloud Nothings - "No Future / No Past" Official Video from Urban Outfitters on Vimeo.
This is pretty rad...and to me, the format of this video embodies a classic music video style where we follow one subject for the duration of the video but we don't really know what is happening until possibly the end I'm still not sure what is going on after watching this one.).
...The new record is pretty good as well.

Lee Ranaldo: "Off the Wall"

SY Lee's got a solo record out 3/20 on Matador. Check out the new cut below:

Lee Ranaldo: "Off the Wall"

Brian Wilson - CNN Interview

I guess I've never seen an interview with Brian Wilson before- especially a recent one. As uncomfortable as he seems, he has a lot of interesting things to say about his music and life. CNN?

Behold:

The design of this season's indoor soccer jersey. Excellent job, Nick. Just excellent.

Trash Talk: "Slander"

Whoa. This is really rad.

Christine Sun Kim

Todd Selby x Christine Sun Kim on Nowness.com.

In sound and music, there can and should be an emotional context based on what the listener hears. There is also an element of physical feeling produced by sound- how the body and brain perceives vibrations caused by the sound's owned wavelengths. Go to a drone or noise show and this will be clear. Physical feeling is all that Christine Sun Kim has to go with- she is deaf. Above is an interesting short doc about how Christine, a sound design/performance and visual artist, interprets sounds as it relates to how it makes her feel just from feeling it and seeing it.

Zoo Kid (King Krule): "Out Getting Ribs"

There's something oddly affecting about this track/video. For me, it has mostly to do with the simplicity of the visuals and the reverb effected guitar build. It's imperfect - which is necessary here.

Sparklehorse

I've been on a pretty big Sparklehorse kick of late... Mark Linkous' songs fall in the between space of accessible and just weird enough (especially regarding production) to limit the popularity of his project. Give it a try.

MOGEES (Mosaicing Gestural Surface)

MOGEES, which uses "realtime gesture recognition with contact microphones," is a recent technology that could have interesting applications for audio performance among other sound design situations.

According to the developers, MOGEES utilizes:

physic modelling, which consists in generating the sound by simulating physical laws;

- concatenative synthesis (audio mosaicing), in which the sound of the contact microphone is associated with its closest frame present in a sound database.

This basically means that the microphone senses a vibration and turns that vibration into a waveform which a computer can turn into a sound, or trigger another sound (similar to MIDI).