As Mika Miko would say, "Get Excited!" because this is the first episode of my new series "On the Guest List." We bring you backstage for interviews and concert diaries of the hottest artists. Our show is uncensored, so you'll witness all the fun and hilarious moments we share with the artists and their diehard fans. And now I give you Yelle (note - I also write for a publication called North By Northwestern, and this is what I submitted for them):
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Solo Decemberist Colin Meloy Rocks the Park West
After parking four blocks away from Park West in Chicago, my photographer and I speed-walked to the Colin Meloy show on Monday and arrived during the opening set. I stop by will call, slap on my photo pass, and eventually find my way to the front of the stage. Before her last song, indie singer/songwriter Laura Gibson commented on Colin Meloy and Decemberist fans’ better than average vocals, and joked that her set would help warm everyone up. My photographer may not have been the poster child of that sentiment, but regardless, the fans certainly had no shame when it came to interacting with the artists on stage. After Laura’s set, the dimming lights bred typical pre-show applause, and Colin Meloy, front man and lead singer of cult indie rock band The Decemberists, stepped up to the microphone and casually introduced himself. He then picked up one of four acoustic guitars on stage and started the set with catchy, but powerful Decemberist songs “Leslie Anne Levine” and “We Both Go Down Together.”
From Colin’s self-proclaimed worst song he’s ever written, “Dracula’s Daughter” (as featured on his latest solo album Colin Meloy Sings Live!) to “O Valencia,” every song stood out as a crowd pleaser, without one dull or somber moment at any point during the set. Even without a live band, Colin managed to engage the crowd and have fans vocally fill in the gaps. For instance, Colin stepped away from the microphone while the crowd humorously sang the high-pitched guitar solo in “The Perfect Crime No 2.” As a special treat, Colin brought Laura Gibson back on stage for a harmonized duet performance of Sam Cooke’s “Cupid.” Most impressive, by far, was Colin’s interactive finale, “The Mariner’s Revenge Song,” in which the members of the crowd sang falsetto verses, played drum rolls on the edge of the stage, and flailed their arms to impersonate a giant, angry whale. The story-based Decemberist songs couldn’t have worked better for a solo show— the crowd was as much a part of the show as Colin himself. Members of the audience had smiles on their faces the entire show, as Colin’s humor and knack for crowd rapport established an entertaining, but intimate mood.
And according to Laura Gibson, the “family feel” transcends the live show. After the conclusion of the body-swaying, foot-banging, Gogol Bordello-style epic, I caught Laura at the merchandise table for a quick interview. Contrary to what she might have expected, this being her biggest tour yet, Laura has found herself not only improving through her opening performances and on-stage duets with Colin, but she feels as though the tour bus is a home away from home. Laura explained, “With Colin, his fiancé Carson, and their two year old son Hank, it’s been so relaxed and very family-feeling. I’ve come away with this understanding of Colin not as a big rock star, but as a good dad. And they’ve been really nice.” A charming entertainer on stage and a good guy outside of his indie-rocker persona, Colin Meloy not only rocked Chicago, but he left us “Shit-towners,” as Colin facetiously mispronounced it on stage, feeling warm by the end of a chilly spring night.
Photos by Dan Harpaz / Chicago Avenue
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
One on One with Three
What do the Beatles, Prince, and Stanley Kubrick have in common? Well, if you’re checking out a band and you read a list of influences this eclectic, you’d probably expect some incoherent, bizarro Girl Talk mashup of sorts. But listen to the album “The End Is Begun” by progressive rock act 3 (yes— the band’s name is a number,) and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that these boys from Woodstock, NY take in all their influences and produce a unique sound that actually works.
If you’ve checked out my last blog post on 3 (see “...And Then There Were 3”), then you’ve probably gotten a taste of the music, as well as my own interpretation. But why take it from me? I had a chance to get the real story behind the band from the main man himself Joey Eppard. Before I get to the interview itself, you might be asking yourself why you just read about Stanley Kubrick in a music review. When I asked Joey about some of his eerier falsetto lines in the song “These Iron Bones,” we both freakishly jumped to the same comparison— it sounds like a scene straight out of “The Shining.” “I don’t know, it’s like a horror movie, you know? …To me, songs are like movies. And that’s what that scene is about,” Joey explained.
Writing and playing for 3 isn’t the only way Joey Eppard keeps things interesting. Always looking to break fresh ground, Joey’s kept busy with solo albums, a project with members of P Funk called “Drugs,” and quite possibly, a collaboration between 3 and Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree on the Woodstock quintet’s next studio album. For good music and tour dates, check out 3’s MySpace at: www.myspace.com/3. And make sure to catch the Chicago stop of the Progressive Nation 2008 tour in Rosemont on May 13th! Without further ado… here are the highlights of my one on one conversation with Joey Eppard of 3:
Interview with Joey Eppard (March 7, 2008)
Dan: Just to start off—if my voice craps out on me, I’m sorry. I woke up a little under the weather today but I’m holding up.
Joey: Right on, well we just finished a rehearsal, so my voice might cut out too (laughs.)
…
What was your most memorable experience from the PT tour?
I mean, there were a couple of cities that were just so amazing. Houston was just such a connection. The crowd in Dallas— Houston and Dallas both. It was like— somehow from the first note, they were with us, you know? When you’re the opening band, that doesn’t always happen (laughs)— to say the least. But I really felt this great connection with Porcupine Tree’s audience in particular…
…
I heard really great reviews from Steven Wilson. He said a really nice thing about you guys, like you guys were the best band that he’s ever played with?
Yeah, he just made some really amazing comments. We really appreciate that.
That’s awesome.
He was like, “Please keep me in mind when you guys make your next record, because I’d love to do it with you.” So we might get together on that depending on their schedule and our schedule.
…
Speaking of the Progressive Nation tour now, you must be pretty excited. I know Dream Theater and Opeth are huge, and Between the Buried and Me I actually just recently heard about. But is one band in that lineup, in particular, musically inspiring for you guys?
All three of those bands are really amazing bands. And we’re looking forward to the osmosis that takes place when you’re out on the road with other musicians. So there’s something really special that happens when you tour, so we’re looking forward to that. We’ll definitely just absorb things—and you might not even be conscious of it, but you’ll just absorb. And they’re all such great bands.
…
… I’ve also noticed that you brought a lot of really unique influences and techniques into your music that I’ve never really heard in the context of rock before. In particular, you brought in these flamenco-esque guitars and Middle Eastern style vocal techniques. How did that all start?
That’s just where sort of those beautiful scales are. To me, in Middle Eastern music, you have these scales where it’s almost like no note is a wrong note. Somehow they’re all right and it’s so beautiful. To me, it just takes melody to a whole other level…
It’s definitely very unique. And that’s what caught my ear the first time I heard it. It was just one additional aspect of the music that really attracted me to it, so I’ve really enjoyed it. And the Middle Eastern scales that you’ve been talking about kind of reminded me of more spiritual music… Do you think [Middle Eastern scales] add to the spirituality of the music?
Well, I mean, music is a spiritual thing to me. I don’t look at it like it’s some sort of cold product. For me, the process of writing and creativity—all of it’s a sacred process. Yeah, that kind of singing makes you feel spiritual, because it is. I’m not particular about any particular denomination or anything like that, but I guess music is sort of my religion.
I want to ask you a couple interesting things about the music. First question, kind of weird, but do you listen to Michael Jackson?
Michael Jackson? Oh, come on man, I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. Back in the day, I was like, eight years old (laughs.) Honestly, I’ll take Prince over Michael Jackson… But Michael Jackson… yeah man, that’s some bad ass shit!
Because whenever I listen to Diamond in the Crush, I always hear this split second part that really reminds me of Michael Jackson, and all my friends and coworkers think I’m crazy for it. So now…
…(laughs) You know what’s funny about that song? I spent an entire day working on the vocals for that song. Right? Like I put more work into than I had any other song. And then, the end of the day, I played it back and I listened and I was like, “Damn… this sounds like Chicago!” (laughs.) …So I actually got weirded out by that and didn’t put that song on “Wake Pig.” And then I kind of popped it on when we were looking for songs [for “The End Is Begun”], like what songs we were gonna do, and we heard it and we were like, “Oh man, we gotta do that song.”
…
…What is your ultimate goal in the music industry, and as far as your career goes?
Well, you know, obviously our goal is to break some rules and prove that those rules could be broken in a successful way. There’s sort of this whole umbrella of music that is around us and that we’re a part of, and I’ve always wanted to sort of take it all with me, and take it all to that level of where we could really headline any place in the world. That’s where I’d like to be…I’d like to see people realize that an artist can be multi-dimensional and that’s just something I’ve always been.
…
Anyway, thanks so much for your time…
-------------
Full interview will be available for public viewing soon! (Photo by Daniel McCabe / courtesy of 3)
- "The Real" Dan
If you’ve checked out my last blog post on 3 (see “...And Then There Were 3”), then you’ve probably gotten a taste of the music, as well as my own interpretation. But why take it from me? I had a chance to get the real story behind the band from the main man himself Joey Eppard. Before I get to the interview itself, you might be asking yourself why you just read about Stanley Kubrick in a music review. When I asked Joey about some of his eerier falsetto lines in the song “These Iron Bones,” we both freakishly jumped to the same comparison— it sounds like a scene straight out of “The Shining.” “I don’t know, it’s like a horror movie, you know? …To me, songs are like movies. And that’s what that scene is about,” Joey explained.
Writing and playing for 3 isn’t the only way Joey Eppard keeps things interesting. Always looking to break fresh ground, Joey’s kept busy with solo albums, a project with members of P Funk called “Drugs,” and quite possibly, a collaboration between 3 and Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree on the Woodstock quintet’s next studio album. For good music and tour dates, check out 3’s MySpace at: www.myspace.com/3. And make sure to catch the Chicago stop of the Progressive Nation 2008 tour in Rosemont on May 13th! Without further ado… here are the highlights of my one on one conversation with Joey Eppard of 3:
Interview with Joey Eppard (March 7, 2008)
Dan: Just to start off—if my voice craps out on me, I’m sorry. I woke up a little under the weather today but I’m holding up.
Joey: Right on, well we just finished a rehearsal, so my voice might cut out too (laughs.)
…
What was your most memorable experience from the PT tour?
I mean, there were a couple of cities that were just so amazing. Houston was just such a connection. The crowd in Dallas— Houston and Dallas both. It was like— somehow from the first note, they were with us, you know? When you’re the opening band, that doesn’t always happen (laughs)— to say the least. But I really felt this great connection with Porcupine Tree’s audience in particular…
…
I heard really great reviews from Steven Wilson. He said a really nice thing about you guys, like you guys were the best band that he’s ever played with?
Yeah, he just made some really amazing comments. We really appreciate that.
That’s awesome.
He was like, “Please keep me in mind when you guys make your next record, because I’d love to do it with you.” So we might get together on that depending on their schedule and our schedule.
…
Speaking of the Progressive Nation tour now, you must be pretty excited. I know Dream Theater and Opeth are huge, and Between the Buried and Me I actually just recently heard about. But is one band in that lineup, in particular, musically inspiring for you guys?
All three of those bands are really amazing bands. And we’re looking forward to the osmosis that takes place when you’re out on the road with other musicians. So there’s something really special that happens when you tour, so we’re looking forward to that. We’ll definitely just absorb things—and you might not even be conscious of it, but you’ll just absorb. And they’re all such great bands.
…
… I’ve also noticed that you brought a lot of really unique influences and techniques into your music that I’ve never really heard in the context of rock before. In particular, you brought in these flamenco-esque guitars and Middle Eastern style vocal techniques. How did that all start?
That’s just where sort of those beautiful scales are. To me, in Middle Eastern music, you have these scales where it’s almost like no note is a wrong note. Somehow they’re all right and it’s so beautiful. To me, it just takes melody to a whole other level…
It’s definitely very unique. And that’s what caught my ear the first time I heard it. It was just one additional aspect of the music that really attracted me to it, so I’ve really enjoyed it. And the Middle Eastern scales that you’ve been talking about kind of reminded me of more spiritual music… Do you think [Middle Eastern scales] add to the spirituality of the music?
Well, I mean, music is a spiritual thing to me. I don’t look at it like it’s some sort of cold product. For me, the process of writing and creativity—all of it’s a sacred process. Yeah, that kind of singing makes you feel spiritual, because it is. I’m not particular about any particular denomination or anything like that, but I guess music is sort of my religion.
I want to ask you a couple interesting things about the music. First question, kind of weird, but do you listen to Michael Jackson?
Michael Jackson? Oh, come on man, I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. Back in the day, I was like, eight years old (laughs.) Honestly, I’ll take Prince over Michael Jackson… But Michael Jackson… yeah man, that’s some bad ass shit!
Because whenever I listen to Diamond in the Crush, I always hear this split second part that really reminds me of Michael Jackson, and all my friends and coworkers think I’m crazy for it. So now…
…(laughs) You know what’s funny about that song? I spent an entire day working on the vocals for that song. Right? Like I put more work into than I had any other song. And then, the end of the day, I played it back and I listened and I was like, “Damn… this sounds like Chicago!” (laughs.) …So I actually got weirded out by that and didn’t put that song on “Wake Pig.” And then I kind of popped it on when we were looking for songs [for “The End Is Begun”], like what songs we were gonna do, and we heard it and we were like, “Oh man, we gotta do that song.”
…
…What is your ultimate goal in the music industry, and as far as your career goes?
Well, you know, obviously our goal is to break some rules and prove that those rules could be broken in a successful way. There’s sort of this whole umbrella of music that is around us and that we’re a part of, and I’ve always wanted to sort of take it all with me, and take it all to that level of where we could really headline any place in the world. That’s where I’d like to be…I’d like to see people realize that an artist can be multi-dimensional and that’s just something I’ve always been.
…
Anyway, thanks so much for your time…
-------------
Full interview will be available for public viewing soon! (Photo by Daniel McCabe / courtesy of 3)
- "The Real" Dan
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Do as I say...and as I do. Ok?
I'll be making an actual post about a band later, but for now I just want to update you all on the best shows happening in Chicago in the coming month or so. Also, all shows I will be at--in case you want to stalk me, I make it easy for you! You're welcome.
TONIGHT
Subterranean
8:00 PM
THE SLITS
The legendary Slits playing in Chicago! I've always wanted to see them live, and I sincerely will feel bad for you if you are not at this show. Because you are missing out on one of the most influential and incredible bands in my book. My Book of Universal Truths. Yeah, that one.
The Slits' Myspace
April 18
Martyr's
8:00 PM
SAUL WILLIAMS
Saul Williams is ridiculous. Completely. A couple of my close friends have loved him for quite awhile, and they're the reason a started listening (thanks Jaci/Katie/Jess!)....and now I'm jealous that I haven't been listening since forever. His newest album, "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust," is available as a download for FIVE BUCKS via his website. It's produced by Trent Reznor (if you know me at all, you know my deep, ridiculous, slightly unhealthy love for NIN) and the title alludes to my favorite person in history, so I mean, come on now. I am genuinely obsessed with this album at present--come up to me at any given moment during the day, and chances are it's playing in my headphones. I kind of want to talk about every song right now, but I'm going to restrict myself and just make a whole post about it later.
Saul's Myspace
April 22
Reggie's
6:30 PM
THE FALL OF TROY
THE DEAR HUNTER
I know it's a Tuesday and we're all super-adults with super-adult jobs and all but I promise it'll be a good time, so shut up and go. PLUS Reggie's is home to Recordbreakers, a fantastic "Oh Dear God Goodbye Paycheck I Barely Knew Ye" kind of record store. You'll love it. Fall of Troy reminds me of Mars Volta but with more screaming--and I do love a good scream. And HEY DORKS! They have a song on Guitar Hero III. But please listen to more of their music than just that, ok? The Dear Hunter is a band I've just been introduced to, but it's always fun seeing a band live that you don't know much about.
The Fall of Troy's Myspace
The Dear Hunter's Myspace
Remember, THE BEST PART about living in a big city like Chicago is all the incredible live music, so come to these shows with me and SUPPORT THE ARTISTS! And, uh...do me a favor and don't judge me for dancing like an idiot. I tend to lose my mind at concerts...what are you gonna do? You're gonna dance with me, jerks.
TONIGHT
Subterranean
8:00 PM
THE SLITS
The legendary Slits playing in Chicago! I've always wanted to see them live, and I sincerely will feel bad for you if you are not at this show. Because you are missing out on one of the most influential and incredible bands in my book. My Book of Universal Truths. Yeah, that one.
The Slits' Myspace
April 18
Martyr's
8:00 PM
SAUL WILLIAMS
Saul Williams is ridiculous. Completely. A couple of my close friends have loved him for quite awhile, and they're the reason a started listening (thanks Jaci/Katie/Jess!)....and now I'm jealous that I haven't been listening since forever. His newest album, "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust," is available as a download for FIVE BUCKS via his website. It's produced by Trent Reznor (if you know me at all, you know my deep, ridiculous, slightly unhealthy love for NIN) and the title alludes to my favorite person in history, so I mean, come on now. I am genuinely obsessed with this album at present--come up to me at any given moment during the day, and chances are it's playing in my headphones. I kind of want to talk about every song right now, but I'm going to restrict myself and just make a whole post about it later.
Saul's Myspace
April 22
Reggie's
6:30 PM
THE FALL OF TROY
THE DEAR HUNTER
I know it's a Tuesday and we're all super-adults with super-adult jobs and all but I promise it'll be a good time, so shut up and go. PLUS Reggie's is home to Recordbreakers, a fantastic "Oh Dear God Goodbye Paycheck I Barely Knew Ye" kind of record store. You'll love it. Fall of Troy reminds me of Mars Volta but with more screaming--and I do love a good scream. And HEY DORKS! They have a song on Guitar Hero III. But please listen to more of their music than just that, ok? The Dear Hunter is a band I've just been introduced to, but it's always fun seeing a band live that you don't know much about.
The Fall of Troy's Myspace
The Dear Hunter's Myspace
Remember, THE BEST PART about living in a big city like Chicago is all the incredible live music, so come to these shows with me and SUPPORT THE ARTISTS! And, uh...do me a favor and don't judge me for dancing like an idiot. I tend to lose my mind at concerts...what are you gonna do? You're gonna dance with me, jerks.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Cool as Frost*
What do you get when you keep a rocker cooped up in the studio producing pop hits for too long? "Milliontown" by Frost*!
Jem Godfrey, leader and mastermind behind the project, found success co-writing and producing hits in the UK for artists like Atomic Kitten and Shane Ward. Wanting to break free from the straight-forward, hit-driven mentality of pop music, Godfrey decided to put together a progressive rock supergroup consisting of guitarist John Mitchell (Arena, Kino), drummer Andy Edwards (of IQ), and bassist John Jowitt (also of IQ). The debut album is Godfrey's musical outlet and showcase for his talents outside production. "Milliontown" kicks off with the track "Hyperventilate," a melodic trip that features Godfrey's beautifully intricate keyboard playing. "No Me No You" is one of the two "poppier" tracks, but it only gets better as Godfrey's grand vocal harmonies lead to eerie twist, turns, and changes in pace. But it all makes sense, as the song is wrapped up essentially the way it started. "Snowman," the softest track, is somewhat reminiscent of "Strawberry Fields Forever" by the Beatles, despite its contemporary, "synthy" sound. "The Other Me," though catchy, is probably my least favorite track-- the second of the two poppier songs on the album.
Much more interesting in my opinion is "Black Light Machine," a hybrid track that combines ambiance with moderately fast rock. The synths combined with delayed finger-tapping guitar rhythms set the overall tone of the song, which features powerful guitar solos and rich vocal harmonies. About seven minutes into this ten-minute beast, a slower ambient section suddenly turns into a funky jam session. Even more beastly is the album's title track, a twenty six and a half minute epic. Words can't even express the awesomeness of "Milliontown"-- it's melodic, catchy, coherent, and the instrumentation is great (and even sounds a little "Dave Matthews" at times). And I stress coherent, because many songs of this length tend to shift directions and lose sense of the original theme (or they contain movements that are comparable to tracks on a full concept album.) Nonetheless, the title track remains interesting (and awesome) throughout, and definitely makes the album for me.
Here's a stunning "unplugged" (but not really... hence the quotes) studio rendition of the opening instrument track "Hyperventilate" ...
Make sure to look out for Frost*'s sophomore album, which should be finished up in May!
Jem Godfrey, leader and mastermind behind the project, found success co-writing and producing hits in the UK for artists like Atomic Kitten and Shane Ward. Wanting to break free from the straight-forward, hit-driven mentality of pop music, Godfrey decided to put together a progressive rock supergroup consisting of guitarist John Mitchell (Arena, Kino), drummer Andy Edwards (of IQ), and bassist John Jowitt (also of IQ). The debut album is Godfrey's musical outlet and showcase for his talents outside production. "Milliontown" kicks off with the track "Hyperventilate," a melodic trip that features Godfrey's beautifully intricate keyboard playing. "No Me No You" is one of the two "poppier" tracks, but it only gets better as Godfrey's grand vocal harmonies lead to eerie twist, turns, and changes in pace. But it all makes sense, as the song is wrapped up essentially the way it started. "Snowman," the softest track, is somewhat reminiscent of "Strawberry Fields Forever" by the Beatles, despite its contemporary, "synthy" sound. "The Other Me," though catchy, is probably my least favorite track-- the second of the two poppier songs on the album.
Much more interesting in my opinion is "Black Light Machine," a hybrid track that combines ambiance with moderately fast rock. The synths combined with delayed finger-tapping guitar rhythms set the overall tone of the song, which features powerful guitar solos and rich vocal harmonies. About seven minutes into this ten-minute beast, a slower ambient section suddenly turns into a funky jam session. Even more beastly is the album's title track, a twenty six and a half minute epic. Words can't even express the awesomeness of "Milliontown"-- it's melodic, catchy, coherent, and the instrumentation is great (and even sounds a little "Dave Matthews" at times). And I stress coherent, because many songs of this length tend to shift directions and lose sense of the original theme (or they contain movements that are comparable to tracks on a full concept album.) Nonetheless, the title track remains interesting (and awesome) throughout, and definitely makes the album for me.
Here's a stunning "unplugged" (but not really... hence the quotes) studio rendition of the opening instrument track "Hyperventilate" ...
Make sure to look out for Frost*'s sophomore album, which should be finished up in May!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
An All In One Nation
Hey, I know this is a music blog, but working in the digital department I figured I would talk a bit about technology.
“All in one, Nation.” We are a nation obsessed with having everything in one place--all of which is supposed to make life more productive and easier to manage. But I say it’s all a disguise. Amazon is now adding web hosting services to it’s line up of products to compete with Google and Microsoft.
Amazon goes on to explain how they will undercut the pricing on hosting and services for internet-based companies. This is very typical of Amazon, saying they are competing with everyone by cutting prices. Their most recent achievement was going for the Itunes market by offering a better quality download for ten cents cheaper. Now, they are going for the business market. My problem isn’t so much with Amazon, but they prove that our nation is obsessed with getting all of their needs fulfilled in one spot.
In the beginning, this always seems like a good idea--prices go down, quality goes up. It’s great for consumers. But then, eventually, the competitors consolidate, prices go up, and quality goes down. It’s happening with cell phones, it’s happened with cars, it’s going on every where. And what was all in one place actually hurt us more. Think of Wal-Mart. Everything you could possible need in one location. Food, clothes, doctors, dentists, cars, plants, home improvement everything except a church service. So what ended up happening is they now have suppliers backed in a corner. Wal-Mart has controlled their profits because they have to have low prices. Now manufacturers have to cut corners so they can keep up with the low prices. Not to mention the loss of community and local business. So did this make things easier? Not really. The economy is down, jobs are lost and people need cheep prices because they are in poverty now.
Another example is email.
Let’s examine the email chain. Where I work I have three emails, plus the two for my own company, and then of course my two personal emails (because Google is just too cool to pass up). Then they all go to my Microsoft Outlook which shoots them all to my blackberry--for a grand total of seven emails. Having this all go to one spot--my phone--seems cool.
Let’s for one second forget the social distress this creates for always being connected to work and think about how this was supposed to make my life easier. Well, any given day I receive about ten to fifteen junk emails per account, maybe one that is relevant and one that is really important. So that’s 119 emails a day that I have to filter through just in case a clients request got filtered in my junk mail. By the time I get to the really important email that was time sensitive, I’ve lost my window and now have to back track even more. This has not made my life easier at all.
So what can someone do in my position? Well, I have come up with some solutions: tell everyone if it’s really important, send a carrier pigeon, send a letter or give me a call. That way I’m not so stressed about the time I have to spend filtering through junk. As for the seven different emails, that’s an issue of being an entrepreneur. I have different clients with different needs, and I need different emails for them to contact me at. Plus, it’s not fun if my family and friends have to keep losing my email address because I switched jobs again.
So, my next move is to step away from the addiction to email and get back to talking to people like a regular human being. This won’t stop the junk mail; this won’t prevent the need of having many different emails. This will take the stress and dependency off of using email as my main tool of communication. This way my life won’t be all in one spot (like Wal-Mart). Not to mention, if the black berries go out again, I won’t commit suicide.
“All in one, Nation.” We are a nation obsessed with having everything in one place--all of which is supposed to make life more productive and easier to manage. But I say it’s all a disguise. Amazon is now adding web hosting services to it’s line up of products to compete with Google and Microsoft.
Amazon goes on to explain how they will undercut the pricing on hosting and services for internet-based companies. This is very typical of Amazon, saying they are competing with everyone by cutting prices. Their most recent achievement was going for the Itunes market by offering a better quality download for ten cents cheaper. Now, they are going for the business market. My problem isn’t so much with Amazon, but they prove that our nation is obsessed with getting all of their needs fulfilled in one spot.
In the beginning, this always seems like a good idea--prices go down, quality goes up. It’s great for consumers. But then, eventually, the competitors consolidate, prices go up, and quality goes down. It’s happening with cell phones, it’s happened with cars, it’s going on every where. And what was all in one place actually hurt us more. Think of Wal-Mart. Everything you could possible need in one location. Food, clothes, doctors, dentists, cars, plants, home improvement everything except a church service. So what ended up happening is they now have suppliers backed in a corner. Wal-Mart has controlled their profits because they have to have low prices. Now manufacturers have to cut corners so they can keep up with the low prices. Not to mention the loss of community and local business. So did this make things easier? Not really. The economy is down, jobs are lost and people need cheep prices because they are in poverty now.
Another example is email.
Let’s examine the email chain. Where I work I have three emails, plus the two for my own company, and then of course my two personal emails (because Google is just too cool to pass up). Then they all go to my Microsoft Outlook which shoots them all to my blackberry--for a grand total of seven emails. Having this all go to one spot--my phone--seems cool.
Let’s for one second forget the social distress this creates for always being connected to work and think about how this was supposed to make my life easier. Well, any given day I receive about ten to fifteen junk emails per account, maybe one that is relevant and one that is really important. So that’s 119 emails a day that I have to filter through just in case a clients request got filtered in my junk mail. By the time I get to the really important email that was time sensitive, I’ve lost my window and now have to back track even more. This has not made my life easier at all.
So what can someone do in my position? Well, I have come up with some solutions: tell everyone if it’s really important, send a carrier pigeon, send a letter or give me a call. That way I’m not so stressed about the time I have to spend filtering through junk. As for the seven different emails, that’s an issue of being an entrepreneur. I have different clients with different needs, and I need different emails for them to contact me at. Plus, it’s not fun if my family and friends have to keep losing my email address because I switched jobs again.
So, my next move is to step away from the addiction to email and get back to talking to people like a regular human being. This won’t stop the junk mail; this won’t prevent the need of having many different emails. This will take the stress and dependency off of using email as my main tool of communication. This way my life won’t be all in one spot (like Wal-Mart). Not to mention, if the black berries go out again, I won’t commit suicide.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Get excited!
This blog is sorely lacking in chick-punk-rock-pony-thrash. Don't worry, I've got it covered with one of my current, favorite bands: the ladies of Mika Miko.
These girls are insane in the best kind of way. Mika Miko is an all girl punk band who bring it back to bands like The Slits (one of my favorite albums is still Cut). They also have this habit of playing shows in the middle of empty rooms and not onstage, which--I probably don't have to tell you--is pretty ridiculously amazing.
I saw Mika Miko a few months back at the Empty Bottle, and the room was more packed than I ever remember a show at the Empty Bottle being. It was a nonstop dance fest and one of the most impressive live shows I've seen in quite awhile. One of the lead singers sings into a microphone shaped as a bright red, telephone receiver...it's a very interesting thing to see.
A friend I brought along who had NEVER heard of them before that night turned to me after the show and said, "I want to propose to all of them." Isn't that alone enough to intrigue you?
But declarations of love and proposals aside, the music really speaks for itself. It's fast paced punk-thrash that's as easy to dance to as it is to headbang to. The mix of the lead singer's voices compliment each other in a variety of ways--it's fun to hear the gutsy screaming of Jenna Thornhill mixed with the light, girly sing-talking of Jennifer Clavin.
One of my favorite songs is "Capricorinations":
And check out the video for "Business Cats":
See? They're talented, exciting AND adorable. Also? Please note that the drummer is wearing a SKIRT. Get it, girl!
Check out more of the ladies of Mika Miko at their Myspace.
And I encourage you to pick up one or both of their albums:
C.Y.S.L.A.B.F. (which contains Capricorinations and Business Cats) and/or 666 (the newest record) at Post Present Medium!
Sounds like pony thrash to me! And I like it.
These girls are insane in the best kind of way. Mika Miko is an all girl punk band who bring it back to bands like The Slits (one of my favorite albums is still Cut). They also have this habit of playing shows in the middle of empty rooms and not onstage, which--I probably don't have to tell you--is pretty ridiculously amazing.
I saw Mika Miko a few months back at the Empty Bottle, and the room was more packed than I ever remember a show at the Empty Bottle being. It was a nonstop dance fest and one of the most impressive live shows I've seen in quite awhile. One of the lead singers sings into a microphone shaped as a bright red, telephone receiver...it's a very interesting thing to see.
A friend I brought along who had NEVER heard of them before that night turned to me after the show and said, "I want to propose to all of them." Isn't that alone enough to intrigue you?
But declarations of love and proposals aside, the music really speaks for itself. It's fast paced punk-thrash that's as easy to dance to as it is to headbang to. The mix of the lead singer's voices compliment each other in a variety of ways--it's fun to hear the gutsy screaming of Jenna Thornhill mixed with the light, girly sing-talking of Jennifer Clavin.
One of my favorite songs is "Capricorinations":
And check out the video for "Business Cats":
See? They're talented, exciting AND adorable. Also? Please note that the drummer is wearing a SKIRT. Get it, girl!
Check out more of the ladies of Mika Miko at their Myspace.
And I encourage you to pick up one or both of their albums:
C.Y.S.L.A.B.F. (which contains Capricorinations and Business Cats) and/or 666 (the newest record) at Post Present Medium!
Sounds like pony thrash to me! And I like it.
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