By Anonymous
The first thing I did today after a terribly boring day at school was hurry to my mailbox. It's something that has become rather habitual. And, to be quite honest, I never know when my check from WMG will arrive. Most of the time I'm disappointed to find a cable and internet bill from Charter or an unusually high electricity bill from Madison Gas and Electric. Today, I found neither of those. When I opened my rusted mailbox I discovered a beat-up copy of Rolling Stone.
The standard protocol is to flip through all the pages until something especially compelling catches my eye. I was lucky, as Taylor Swift was ever-so kind to grace the cover. What a babe!
I noticed the usual ads promoting the newest and coolest 18-blade Gillette Razor and how Turbo Tax will make my taxes so much easier. I even stopped to smell Diesel's fragrance (dag!).
Damn, doesn't that quarter-pounder with cheese look [oh-so delightful.]
As I continued to thumb through, I also dealt with the most frustrating thing of my day -- my copy of Wii Sports failed to load. I continued to insert the disk while simultaneously flipping pages. And, in true mundane fashion, the process was repeated for the next five minutes.
I passed over the Taylor Swift cover story, missed out on a new blues prodigy, and cruised past a very interesting article about the decline of the auto industry. Just as it seemed I could dedicate all my effort towards virtual sports, I see a man that I happened to talk to last week! Donald Cumming and his band The Virgins were rocking pages 64-68 with some nice photos and some very sexy ladies.
The Virgins were featured in the fashion section of the issue, and photographer Theo Wenner did a stellar job capturing the rock stars looking like nothing but. The photos that capture our attention serve as a perfect introduction to many eager music fans across the globe. The world we live in spins so fast that oftentimes we can't even slowdown to read more than a couple paragraphs at a time -- shit, maybe even in a day.
A compelling introduction will most definitely keep the reader's attention throughout the entire article. This article may have appeared to some like another Calvin Klein ad – without the semi-nude adolescents, of course – but after a closer look you're quickly captured by a wonderful story about an up-and-coming band that very few have been exposed to.
An interesting tidbit I've learned through a fascinating class in my final semester of school is that exposure is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for processing information. Rather, in order to have that information processed you must capture one's attention.
This article immediately caught my attention, it will catch my peers,it will catch my friends. And there is no doubt in my mind that it will catch millions of others readers racing through their own beat-up copy of Rolling Stone. Whether their copy of Wii Sports loads, however, remains to be seen.
--
Zachary
By Kristin
I knew nothing about Watchmen until I heard we were promoting the soundtrack. When I looked it up, I knew it wasn't my thing but I was definitely into the soundtrack. I thought it was like X-Men and all the other comic book stuff that I'm not into...but apparently I was wrong. From the folks I've talked to, there seems to be a very devoted (and extremely excited) fan base, a completely oblivious crowd, and then some people who are very against this film for some reason. Like they're offended.
Anyways, I wanted to ask everyone what they're doing to push this album and film in their markets? As I mentioned before comic books and stuff aren't my thing and aside from comic book stores, I don't really know how to reach fans of this film. I know it's more about the music on the soundtrack for us but I was just wondering what y'all were doing.
By Anonymous
I don't know if this will be considered a blog, but I found this on Facebook and really wanted to give it a try. . . A little insight about my music style and some great facts about me. Right? : /
. : . Enjoi . : .
RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Have Fun!
IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
Hey That's No Way to Say Good Bye - Nickel Eye
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Loser - Cute is What We Aim For
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Hospital Bed Crawl - The Hush Sound
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Ares - Bloc Party
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Mix Tape - Brand New
WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Your New Twin Size Bed - Death Cab For Cutie
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Bend and Not Break - Dashboard Confessional
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Shadowplay - The Killers
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
From Here to Eternity - Frank Sinatra
WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Daisy Duke - Rooney
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Rejections Cold - Unwritten Law
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Sway - Lostprophets
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
S.E.X. - Nickelback
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Strawberry Swing - Coldplay
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Work Me - The Black Keys
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Good Times Bad Times - Led Zeppelin
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Bang The Doldrums - Fall Out Boy
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Private Affairs - The Virgins
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
My Best Friend - Hot Hot Heat
WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Holy Roman - The Get Up Kids
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Scarecrow - Beck
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Street Lights - Kanye West
If you find yourself completely bored some day please try this and leave your results in a comment! Would love to see your answers. Sometimes the results can be pretty funny.
Farewell!
Zachary P. Chapman
By Anonymous
I came across this article the other day on Kings of A&R (somewhat similar to the velvet rope, but not updated as frequently; also not a forum).
The article talks about how Quincy Jones (legendary, Grammy winning producer) is yet another musician turned journalist. The article goes on to talk about how is the current slump of the newspaper world, more and more people are getting their news elsewhere before reading it in the newspaper.
Basically, the "entertain"-ment columnists (not literally though) are starting to write columns for very notable & successful papers like the Chicago Tribune, about topics that transcend their musical endeavors. Also as a way to spark interest once again (kind of stirring the pot if you will). Check out the original article from
Reuters and the topic link for
Kings of A&R.
I think it's interesting to see guest writers like this. Actually, its not that too old of a practice to see guest columnists from a different media background venture into the journalist/columnist world. I often remember reading "Ask Vinnie" in revolver, where readers could send in their questions for advice, or reading about a musician or actor's favorite recipe in a local paper or magazine.
By Anonymous
I had the chance to be interviewed for the local paper about the resurgence in vinyl just recently. Talking about why and what customers are buying, future of, etc. (this was apart of my job working at the indie record store).
It was an interesting discussion about how over the holiday it was a huge seller for the store where I work at. Not like a few pieces over the course of the week, but a dozen a day going out the door. Watching people dig through the bins for that lost album they had as a kid or discovering something completely new like the "Figure 8" 180 gram repressing from Elliott Smith, a picture disc for "Sgt. Pepper" by the Beatles, or that super deluxe Metallica "Death Magnetic" 5 LP set with CD combination...oh heaven.
What's even better was noticing more and more younger kids/adults buying vinyl this year. And I'm not talking like teenagers or 20 somethings picking up a stack here and there but 8 & 10 year old kids walking up to the counter with stack of gems like Marvin Gaye, the Smiths, Toby Redd and others. It' simple sets me back in awe. Sure, some are buying to collect them, others to play. Whatever the case, it's just amazing to see the pickup in vinyl increase steady every year.
Me, I love vinyl. Everything about it. I collect it. I play it. I marvel at the shear greatness and sound that simple piece of plastic-vinyl material produces every time I drop the needle down. Playing vinyl is a zen moment for me. With a CD, you just pop it in and press play & then forget about it. But vinyl is such a tediously loving project of flipping from side to side, placing the needle down on the track you want to hear, and protecting the record with plastic dust sleeves and shelves. It's become something to respect and love for me.
I find it great reading articles and see stories about vinyl. Watching all the attention that this once forgotten medium is getting now. Seeing how vinyl sales were huge this year, up 50% from reports I read, it doesn't look like it's going away any time soon. If anything, I only hope that it can continue the trend of people going out and buying a record pressing of the favorite artist or album.
My favorite quote that I've read about vinyl sums it up best: "You can't roll a joint on a download".
By SirFaunty
http://video.forbes.com/fvn/tech/km_ludacris010809
I knew that it was only a matter of time before the supposed physical "replacement" to the CD would come, but will it be enough to overcome the ground that digital downloads have gained in the last couple of years? Like any new technology, only time will be able to tell whether the idea of HD Sound recordings will catch on with the general public.
For many of us, I think its fairly easy to appreciate what superior sound quality can do for any listening experience, but until I hear what one is like, I won't be placing any bets on it (this coming from the kid who thought that Mini Disc's were the next "it" thing haha) I definitely feel that with time, like Blu-Ray, there could be a market for it, the question is whether it will be large enough to make a difference.
By BrianSTL
Visiting stores since the holidays has been a pretty depressing activity. With all the leftover Cd's and vinyl who weren't chosen as a holiday gift this year as well as the both jaded and bored employees waiting for someone to walk through their store's door, man January sucks. Does it have to though?
I have talked to several employees over the last week and a half, and they all seem agitated that record labels don't release substantially exciting records over the weeks following the holidays. They feel that a big release will bring in more traffic and people might be looking to use their gift cards or holiday money at their stores. Apparently, the stores have been making their feelings known about this issue for years, but to no success. How big of a risk would it be for a major label to release one of their bigger releases of the year during this time, when the other labels are quiet? It is true that many kids have iTunes gift cards, store gift cards, money from grandma and grandpa, all waiting to be used on the first thing that hits them after the holiday. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to make a big splash during a quiet time?
By Anonymous
I watched Pee-Wee's Big Adventure a few days ago and my friend commented on how appropriate the music was for the movie. Pee-Wee was the first major-release that Danny Elfman composed the soundtrack for, although now his name is ubiquitous with film. Since then (1985!), he's done a lot, but nothing as interesting as his latest work.
The soundtrack to the upcoming film Notorious has a little unexpected surprise in its track listing. After songs featuring Lil' Kim and Jay-Z is "The Notorious Theme", written by Elfman. When I think of his past work I think of The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Simpsons Theme, and Oingo Boingo. Never in a million years would I expect to see his name on the soundtrack to a biopic of a legendary rapper.
Does the song work? Yeah, and you'd never know it was him. It's just too bad Biggie isn't rapping over it.
The Notorious Theme (Composed By Danny Elfman) - Notorious B.I.G
