I would like to take a moment to chat with everyone about a little thing called "auto tune".
I understand that the purpose of auto tune is so that people that don't regularly sing in tune may now do so. As an effect, I don't have a problem with it. People have been adding the electric style sound to their voice for years. If you listen closely to Britney Spears' - "Stronger" or you can hear a hint of that electro-modified sound.
It's when rappers claim they can now sing that I have problems. In the industry of music, it's fairly obvious that many people are marketed for a specific purpose. We have enough truly talented artists out there struggling to make it in the industry; therefore, we don't need a rapper claiming he/she can sing. Although I admit it has done wonders for Fergie's voice, which I now prefer under the scope of auto tune.
Jay Z has probably taken the most criticism this, but he's not the only one. Not even close! So many rapping/R and B artists are using it. It's almost the new "in" thing to do. I admit I enjoy really catchy top 40 tunes while driving in the car especially in the morning before work. The music "pumps me up" so to speak. But I'm finding myself turning more to the indie station because I don't want to hear the electronic voices. I would guess that 7 of the 8 songs they play on high rotation feature artists using auto tune. The problem I find most is the auto tune only lets the artist sing about 6 notes. Which in itself isn't a great range and makes the music less interesting. I think I would rather listen to the artist rap over an 80's one-hit-wonder music sample. Which is a whole other genre of dislike I can't even get into today.
I also guess they haven't mastered this for live use because if you hear Sean Kingston's - "Fire Burnin'". You know he uses auto tune for his in studio mix. But if you hear him live.......let's just say it sounds alike a teen trying to sing karaoke after a few wobbley pops.
I guess in the grand scheme of things I just want singers to sing and rappers to rap and then we can use auto tune for it's purpose. As an effect for the voice to use sparingly.
I'm fairly certain that anyone or anything these days can be make into a song. Just listen:
AUTO-TUNE in the NEWS #3
Maybe I could become an R and B star!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Why Twitter is ruining my blog and other things to rant about...
So,
I'm pretty sure that Twitter is ruining my blogging experience. Before Twitter (BT), I would save up all my little "gems" and post them all at nonsequential times. But now, I don't have to do that because With Twitter (WT), I can just post those little "gems" when they happen. I'm not complaining, I'm just stating that my lack of blog posts is because of what you see on the right -->
Now on to other stuff.
I'm getting a little annoyed the the overuse of the following words:
Word #1:
EPIC:
Which in many ways has replaced the word AWESOME. If I think something is awesome, it doesn't also necessarily mean it is Epic. The definitions of Epic are as follows:
From the google dictionary:
very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
I don't mind if you use the word, just don't over use it for example, I heard this the other day.
"Nice headband, it's totally epic".
No offence, but a pink head band with a bow is not epic. Unless of course you think that pink headband surpasses any other pink headband you have ever seen EVER........which I don't think it does because later that day I hear you say: That movie was totally epic. People in 20 years are not going to say "Marley and Me" was an epic movie. NOT EVEN CLOSE......
Word #2:
RANDOM:
Yes there are things out there that are random, but seriously, this word is way over used.
Definition:
lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance; "a random choice"; "bombs fell at random"; "random movements"
Incorrect uses of the word random I have heard lately:
"hey look, what a bunch of randoms" - WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??? Does it still make sense if I say "hey look, what a bunch of non sequiturs".
" That was a totally random assignment". Now perhaps it could have been a random assignment, if I had given a trigonometry problem in the music class, but no; it was a music theory assignment, and considering that I teach music and theory is apart of the course; this assignment cannot be random. I planned on giving you this, therefore, not random.
And lastly and of course my favourite:
"OMG look at that random bird in the tree" Now maybe if you saw a penguin or a chicken up in that tree, you could say: "hey what a random bird in the tree" Because as we all know it's quite difficult for chickens and or penguins to get in trees because they can't fly. But other birds that fly being in trees is not particularly random. Not random at all.
In all, I don't mind if people use these words for the definitions that are intended. Just please limit your use of the words to fit the actual description.
Rant over.......
AD
in other non sequential news:
Check out this website:
http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/
You'll be glad you did....
I'm pretty sure that Twitter is ruining my blogging experience. Before Twitter (BT), I would save up all my little "gems" and post them all at nonsequential times. But now, I don't have to do that because With Twitter (WT), I can just post those little "gems" when they happen. I'm not complaining, I'm just stating that my lack of blog posts is because of what you see on the right -->
Now on to other stuff.
I'm getting a little annoyed the the overuse of the following words:
Word #1:
EPIC:
Which in many ways has replaced the word AWESOME. If I think something is awesome, it doesn't also necessarily mean it is Epic. The definitions of Epic are as follows:
From the google dictionary:
very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
I don't mind if you use the word, just don't over use it for example, I heard this the other day.
"Nice headband, it's totally epic".
No offence, but a pink head band with a bow is not epic. Unless of course you think that pink headband surpasses any other pink headband you have ever seen EVER........which I don't think it does because later that day I hear you say: That movie was totally epic. People in 20 years are not going to say "Marley and Me" was an epic movie. NOT EVEN CLOSE......
Word #2:
RANDOM:
Yes there are things out there that are random, but seriously, this word is way over used.
Definition:
lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance; "a random choice"; "bombs fell at random"; "random movements"
Incorrect uses of the word random I have heard lately:
"hey look, what a bunch of randoms" - WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??? Does it still make sense if I say "hey look, what a bunch of non sequiturs".
" That was a totally random assignment". Now perhaps it could have been a random assignment, if I had given a trigonometry problem in the music class, but no; it was a music theory assignment, and considering that I teach music and theory is apart of the course; this assignment cannot be random. I planned on giving you this, therefore, not random.
And lastly and of course my favourite:
"OMG look at that random bird in the tree" Now maybe if you saw a penguin or a chicken up in that tree, you could say: "hey what a random bird in the tree" Because as we all know it's quite difficult for chickens and or penguins to get in trees because they can't fly. But other birds that fly being in trees is not particularly random. Not random at all.
In all, I don't mind if people use these words for the definitions that are intended. Just please limit your use of the words to fit the actual description.
Rant over.......
AD
in other non sequential news:
Check out this website:
http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/
You'll be glad you did....
Thursday, April 16, 2009
FAIL!
So,
See if you can spot where my student went wrong:
We had a live rehearsal and concert last night from 6:30pm - 8:15pm.
Students were well informed of this rehearsal/concert well in advance.
One of my students left the rehearsal after only 5 minutes in attendance, never to return.
When questioning him about the previous days events he told me the following information.
1) The concert ended at 8:15. West Vancouver isn't that big; it doesn't take 2 hours to get to your appointment
2) The city of West Vancouver pretty much shuts down after 6pm. No respectable orthodontist is open that late
3) The student in question doesn't have braces.
AD
See if you can spot where my student went wrong:
We had a live rehearsal and concert last night from 6:30pm - 8:15pm.
Students were well informed of this rehearsal/concert well in advance.
One of my students left the rehearsal after only 5 minutes in attendance, never to return.
When questioning him about the previous days events he told me the following information.
- He had to leave because he had an orthodontist appointment in West Vancouver at 8:30pm.
1) The concert ended at 8:15. West Vancouver isn't that big; it doesn't take 2 hours to get to your appointment
2) The city of West Vancouver pretty much shuts down after 6pm. No respectable orthodontist is open that late
3) The student in question doesn't have braces.
AD
Friday, March 27, 2009
About Dang Time: Highlights/Lowlights of SXSW
So,
It's about dang time that I post a highlight/lowlight reel of my visit to SXSW. Some of this won't make sense to you, some of it will.
Wednesday March 18th.
Canadian Blast
- FREE FOOD AND DRINK (okay that's the only time I'm writing that, it happened allot
- Two Hours Traffic (the Band): I was eating so I didn't pay that much attention, sorry
- Arkells: I would definitely see them again when they come to a city near me, I would watch out for them in a few years, they are at least going to be big Canada style
- BEAST: I know I saw them, but I don't really remember much about them
- Mother Mother: really cool, defers to pick up this disc. Really original and interesting
SESEC Lounge
- Princeton: their drummer didn't show up and they aren't really the type of band to play at a lounge audience seated kinda place, but the band was fun and they did their best. Totally a nerd rock band :D
- Meiko: LOVE HER. It was a lovely little concert and she played some new stuff :D
Random showcase at the Independent
- I figure this venue was a little difficult to find and as a result there weren't that many people there. No matter
- meeting the "hot" firefighter and his friend. Nice gentlemen, It was then I was sad I didn't have a cell with me.
- (some pre-show band I can't remember the name of) - and that is all I have to say about that
- The Aimless Never Miss: I went to see them. Too bad they have too many people in the band with too little to do.
- The Sleepover Disaster: I would check this band out if you like rock and you like an instrumental focus. That said, their drummer needs to have a more pleasant look on his face, he truly looked totally mad the entire performance.
- Lights FM: totally disappointing
- The Happy Hollows: Kick Ass, there lead singer is a total firecracker and she can shred like no other.
- Or, the Whale: I really enjoyed this performance. There were really great live. 4 part harmonies at times, but you have to like folk to appreciate this group.
Thursday March 19th:
- awoke to really sore feet and legs (I can't stress sore enough here, and I was wearing really good shoes)
Sounds Australia House Day Party
- met some really fun ladies from Ohio or someplace. There were really into the music. Which made my bopping around seem normal
- Dappled Cities: Check them out, I promise you will like it
- Andy Bull: lovely, lovely, lovely
- An Horse: fun and totally upbeat
- Lenka: a highlight of the trip. It was a pleasure to see her and her backing band perform. There were excellent.
Sounds of Spain:
- Some band that totally SUCKED, so I left........
- Trade show time - LOTS AND LOTS OF FREE STUFF (I'm the proud owner of several new CD's and Pens and magazines :D and it was the block party, which meant free beverages double :D
Sounds Australia House Showcase
- Closure in Moscow: this band was a little insane. That said, they were the most passionate group I saw perform. The lead singer jumped off the stage at one point stating that the stage wasn't f@#king big enough, but overall, if you really like hard music, I would check them out.
- The Fumes: this band was cool if you are into blues inspired rock
- Birds of Tokyo: very good, I liked them
- Red Riders: Not memorable, sorry
- The Boat People: Highlight of the night
- leave the venue only to walk home with two gentlemen from Austin that I met in the venue. Hardware developers, sound gentlemen.
Friday March 20th:
- although my body is convinced it cannot walk at all any more ever. I get up, go shopping on south congress, buy some delicious cupcakes and then head into town for some more music
Sonicbids Day Party:
- Some country group - needless to say this was a lowlight,
- bail on this party with the cool goody bag
Berlin Music Commission:
- saw a group that was TERRIBLE, left another party, tried an interesting german beer.
- went back to the trade show for round two of free cool stuff.
BAT BAR:
- Shiny Toy Guns - I hit this venue purely to see this group. I had heard rumors that the band was better with there other female singer, and I tend to agree. The other thing that was very annoying about the venue, was it was brodcast live, and I'm pretty sure that most of the people were there to be on TV, not to see the band, which is kinda sad.
Scotland Arts Council Showcase
- Camera Obscura: LOVE
- GlasVegas: I could talk about this performance for about 5-7 more paragraphs, but I will keep it brief 1) they play well as a band together, but their drummer totally blows, and they need a new one that is capable of playing an entire kit, not just a tom, snare and cymbal, seriously it looked pathetic and she messed up a bunch of times. 2) I think the main guy is a little full of himself, cuz there was like a section which included him playing a solo for like ever, all I could think was, "seriously dude, just play a one chord and lets move on to another song".
- Primal Scream: good but I didn't LOVE it, but of course for some reason I had never heard of them, so really what can you expect.
- Met some lovely gentlemen from the Scotland area, and in fact they are in their own band (The Strands) you can check out their music HERE
Saturday March 21st:
- My legs and body hurt so badly I cannot move, I go back to sleep and miss the day party I had intended to see :(
Chop Shop Records Showcase
- The Asteroids Galaxy Tour: I would watch out for this band in the future. They are fun, entertaining, and all around a blast (no pun intended)
- The Little Ones: I would watch for them too in the future, they were all adorable and tried super hard to entertain the audience.
- Anya Marina: Lovely little Russian singer, cute little anthems, I would see her again
- The Republic Tigers: So much better live then on their recordings.
- Youth Group: Good
- Your Vegas: SO AWESOME, I still can't figure out why they aren't mega huge yet.......
so that's about it. As far as my highlights/lowlights go. Hope to go to this thing in two years time if it works out.
AD
Sunday, March 22, 2009
SXSW: Part I: Myths and Truths
So,
Today is Sunday and SXSW: Music is over. I am currently sitting in my hotel room remembering all the truths and myths I heard from the festival.
1. You won't find all the venues: MYTH: I found all my venues and they weren't hard to find either. Perhaps if you have no sense of direction, the venues would be hard to find. But frankly 92% of the venues are all on one street. I could see you getting lost if you didn't plan or use an online map, but here at SXSW not finding a location, kinda sad........
2. Wear good footwear: TRUE: I followed this advice to the best of my ability and my feet still hurt. Why? the answer is simple. It isn't really the walking around that gets you, it's the constant standing in one location. I stood on Wednesday for about 12 hours. That's a long time. That's a really long time. I stand a lot at my job, but this totally took it to another level. My feet/legs/back hurt so much I actually didn't even want to stand on friday. At the day party. I sat down on the ground. This pain well exceeded that time on the KVR re: the bike seat issue......oh and open shoes is a bad idea, esp with jumping people and liquor spillages. EW that was one mistake I won't make again.
3. A Badge is the only way to go: TRUE/MYTH: this really depends who you are. I needed a badge because I was paying for the full meal deal. If you have a place to stay for free or you live close, I can see you take your chances. I met a number of people that just paid per venue. That said, each venue cost them between 8 - 30$ (depending on the night and venue), they couldn't go to any day parties, and they (unlike me) aren't really guaranteed any entrance. If the venue fills up with badgies and wristbandies they are SOL. That said, I I lived in austin, I would likely get the platnium pass: interactive, film and music: hello.........
4. The badge get you lots of "free" stuff: TRUE: okay I know my badge wasn't free but for my badge price I got: tons of free gifts like frisbees and t-shirts and pens, about 20 magazines, 28 CD's to sample new stuff, a pack of guitar strings to try out, free food at every day party I went to and beverages. I hear that in the past this free stuff has been more abound and that this year there wasn't as much, but lets be honest I also got to see a ton of bands. So it was well worth it for me.
5. Get to the venue early: MYTH: everyone said get there early, but I never had a problem getting in to any venue at any time. It might be because I had a badge. Or because there was just one of me. I also had no problem with standing in the front. Which was great for my eyes.
6. earplugs are a must: TRUE: nuff said.
7. Believe the rumors you hear: DEPENDS: If you heard it from a Badgie, usually true; from a wristbandie, parts of it might be true and if you hear it from a random local, no chance in hell. ie: Metallica is playing at Stubb's for a VIP private party: The badgie knows this, the wristbandie thinks he/she can get in and waits outside the venue only to be disapointed, and the common person on the street thinks they will move the concert to the park so everyone can see it. I just went to see Shiny Toy Guns/Camera Obscura/GlasVegas/Primal Scream instead of wasting my time with that business.
Stay tuned for part II: The Recap of my festival experience.
AD
Today is Sunday and SXSW: Music is over. I am currently sitting in my hotel room remembering all the truths and myths I heard from the festival.
1. You won't find all the venues: MYTH: I found all my venues and they weren't hard to find either. Perhaps if you have no sense of direction, the venues would be hard to find. But frankly 92% of the venues are all on one street. I could see you getting lost if you didn't plan or use an online map, but here at SXSW not finding a location, kinda sad........
2. Wear good footwear: TRUE: I followed this advice to the best of my ability and my feet still hurt. Why? the answer is simple. It isn't really the walking around that gets you, it's the constant standing in one location. I stood on Wednesday for about 12 hours. That's a long time. That's a really long time. I stand a lot at my job, but this totally took it to another level. My feet/legs/back hurt so much I actually didn't even want to stand on friday. At the day party. I sat down on the ground. This pain well exceeded that time on the KVR re: the bike seat issue......oh and open shoes is a bad idea, esp with jumping people and liquor spillages. EW that was one mistake I won't make again.
3. A Badge is the only way to go: TRUE/MYTH: this really depends who you are. I needed a badge because I was paying for the full meal deal. If you have a place to stay for free or you live close, I can see you take your chances. I met a number of people that just paid per venue. That said, each venue cost them between 8 - 30$ (depending on the night and venue), they couldn't go to any day parties, and they (unlike me) aren't really guaranteed any entrance. If the venue fills up with badgies and wristbandies they are SOL. That said, I I lived in austin, I would likely get the platnium pass: interactive, film and music: hello.........
4. The badge get you lots of "free" stuff: TRUE: okay I know my badge wasn't free but for my badge price I got: tons of free gifts like frisbees and t-shirts and pens, about 20 magazines, 28 CD's to sample new stuff, a pack of guitar strings to try out, free food at every day party I went to and beverages. I hear that in the past this free stuff has been more abound and that this year there wasn't as much, but lets be honest I also got to see a ton of bands. So it was well worth it for me.
5. Get to the venue early: MYTH: everyone said get there early, but I never had a problem getting in to any venue at any time. It might be because I had a badge. Or because there was just one of me. I also had no problem with standing in the front. Which was great for my eyes.
6. earplugs are a must: TRUE: nuff said.
7. Believe the rumors you hear: DEPENDS: If you heard it from a Badgie, usually true; from a wristbandie, parts of it might be true and if you hear it from a random local, no chance in hell. ie: Metallica is playing at Stubb's for a VIP private party: The badgie knows this, the wristbandie thinks he/she can get in and waits outside the venue only to be disapointed, and the common person on the street thinks they will move the concert to the park so everyone can see it. I just went to see Shiny Toy Guns/Camera Obscura/GlasVegas/Primal Scream instead of wasting my time with that business.
Stay tuned for part II: The Recap of my festival experience.
AD
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
My SXSW Schedule
So,
If you are living under a rock somewhere, or haven't been paying attention, you wouldn't know that I'm going to SXSW: Music in about a week. With the time counting down, it was time to pick the events I want to see. Thankfully there was a very helpful site (albeit unnofficial) to help me.
Sched*SXSW
It basically tells about everything scheduled during the festival. Film, Interactive, Music and anything Unofficial stuff too. Which was extremely helpful. The SXSW official webite has a great program called my.sxsw (I'd link it, but without a badge, it's pretty useless), but it of course doesn't tell you about all the unofficial things happening in town.
So here is my working schedule. As I have been informed no matter how optimistic I can be about everything going smoothly; it won't, and lots of things change at the last minute.
Wednesday March 18th:
Vermillion Lies
Amanda Palmer
Shout Out Out Out Out
Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains
Mother Mother
Beast
Two Hours Traffic
Arkells
Meiko
The Aimless Never Miss
Or, The Whale
Thursday March 19th:
Lenka
The Boat People
An Horse
Andy Bull
Birds of Tokyo
Red Riders
Melissa McLelland
The Kin
Good Old War
Kraak & Smaak
Friday March 20th:
The Bloodsugars
Wheat
Razorlight
White Lies
Supersonic
The Moog
Josiah Wordsworth
Big Sam's Funky Nation
Saturday March 21st:
Katie Costello
Gregory Douglass
Melissa Ferrick
Seth Glier
Amy Speace & The Tearjerks
Rachael Sage & The Sequins
Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles
Sara Haze
The Little Ones
The Republic Tigers
Ra Ra Riot
The Hold Steady
Youth Group
Your Vegas
And then on Sunday I'm going to the conference center to see if I can get myself a new to me guitar.
I have over 40 to see there. Wish me luck.
AD
If you are living under a rock somewhere, or haven't been paying attention, you wouldn't know that I'm going to SXSW: Music in about a week. With the time counting down, it was time to pick the events I want to see. Thankfully there was a very helpful site (albeit unnofficial) to help me.
Sched*SXSW
It basically tells about everything scheduled during the festival. Film, Interactive, Music and anything Unofficial stuff too. Which was extremely helpful. The SXSW official webite has a great program called my.sxsw (I'd link it, but without a badge, it's pretty useless), but it of course doesn't tell you about all the unofficial things happening in town.
So here is my working schedule. As I have been informed no matter how optimistic I can be about everything going smoothly; it won't, and lots of things change at the last minute.
Wednesday March 18th:
Vermillion Lies
Amanda Palmer
Shout Out Out Out Out
Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains
Mother Mother
Beast
Two Hours Traffic
Arkells
Meiko
The Aimless Never Miss
Or, The Whale
Thursday March 19th:
Lenka
The Boat People
An Horse
Andy Bull
Birds of Tokyo
Red Riders
Melissa McLelland
The Kin
Good Old War
Kraak & Smaak
Friday March 20th:
The Bloodsugars
Wheat
Razorlight
White Lies
Supersonic
The Moog
Josiah Wordsworth
Big Sam's Funky Nation
Saturday March 21st:
Katie Costello
Gregory Douglass
Melissa Ferrick
Seth Glier
Amy Speace & The Tearjerks
Rachael Sage & The Sequins
Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles
Sara Haze
The Little Ones
The Republic Tigers
Ra Ra Riot
The Hold Steady
Youth Group
Your Vegas
And then on Sunday I'm going to the conference center to see if I can get myself a new to me guitar.
I have over 40 to see there. Wish me luck.
AD
Monday, March 02, 2009
More SXSW
So,
SXSW: Music is coming up fast. I am nowhere near prepared. I have a lot of music to listen to, I have a schedule to figure out, decisions to make on who I will see and I still have to figure out how I get an invites to all these RSVP parties everyone keeps talking about. I think by simply having a badge I'm invited but you can never be too sure.
Thank goodness someone posted the SXSW unnofficial listening list. It gives you a sample song from each band that is at this point scheduled to perform. You better have a torrent client for that or you get nothing. Oh and just a note: It's Independant artists, not indie music as a genre; so you are going to get everything from the crappiest crap to the goodiest good. So good luck, cuz theres about 5GB's of stuff total there.
Okay I have to be getting to bed. I have more report cards to write tomorrow.
AD
SXSW: Music is coming up fast. I am nowhere near prepared. I have a lot of music to listen to, I have a schedule to figure out, decisions to make on who I will see and I still have to figure out how I get an invites to all these RSVP parties everyone keeps talking about. I think by simply having a badge I'm invited but you can never be too sure.
Thank goodness someone posted the SXSW unnofficial listening list. It gives you a sample song from each band that is at this point scheduled to perform. You better have a torrent client for that or you get nothing. Oh and just a note: It's Independant artists, not indie music as a genre; so you are going to get everything from the crappiest crap to the goodiest good. So good luck, cuz theres about 5GB's of stuff total there.
Okay I have to be getting to bed. I have more report cards to write tomorrow.
AD
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