Nothing To See Here

I don’t usually participate in the ‘How ___ Are You?’ quizzes, but Laura said this one was good. I trust her world, so I gave it a shot. Here’s what my results were (which are pretty dead-on):

You’re A Mix Taper! [no shit]

You’re really enthusiastic about the music that you like. You attempt to discover your new favourite band every week. You continually try to get your friends into the music you like, which annoys the fuck out of them, but you don’t know it. At least you’re not arrogant about it.

In other words, I’m not all that indie. Damn.

1) Do you feel online sources covered the story better or worse than mainstream media? What are some sites you visit for “alternative” news coverage? As I said in my last post, I did turn to the web for a lot of personal accounts. I found the web to be a tremendous resource of information and reaction. There are far too many sites to mention, but a few alternative news sources are AlterNet, ZNet, The Independent Media Source and The Morning News

2) If you could say something directly to the terrorists, what would you say? Wow, that’s a toughy. I would ask why, first and foremost. I guess I just do not understand the hatred that they feel toward America, and the world-at-large. That’s a question though. I really don’t know what I would say to them. And I think no matter what I said, it would not make any difference. These are people that are set in their ways, for the most part. My instinct is to reason with them, but how do you reason with zealous lunatics?

3) Do you approve or disapprove of George Bush’s push to go to war with Iraq? How do you feel this relates to the events of Sept 11th? I disapprove of violence all together. I don’t think two wrongs make a right, but again, how does one deal with lunatics set on terrorizing the world? I don’t have a concise answer for this either. As far as how it relates to 9/11, I have yet to read about a definite connection between the two, aside from the fact that Saddam would love nothing more than to see America fall to its knees. I also do not think that most people are getting the full story from mainstream media outlets. Refer to my links above for some further intelligent reading.

Those are some really tough questions, Chris. Certainly something that I may revisit when it’s not 1:30am with a fair amount of alcohol in my blood.

I woke up this morning knowing that I would be reflecting on what happened a year ago. Despite my residing 3000 miles away from the World Trade Center, it impacted me a great deal. I don’t quite know what to say about it. I’ve avoided the television for the past few days, as I don’t watch much anyway. Most of the news and other commentary that I read is on the Internet, though I won’t deny being glued to the television a year ago. As I sat in front of the television, I was reading people’s words on web sites as well. I contacted a lot of people through email, checking up on friends and sending as much love as could put into words. I published my own thoughts over the days and weeks following the most tragic event I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.

I certainly had a feeling of uncertainty and fear. Living in Los Angeles, I thought that perhaps we could be next. Hell, any city could have been next. I just didn’t know. It didn’t matter how far away I was, it had a tremendous impact on me. It’s difficult to read about the memorial services and personal reflections without feeling sad and angry all over again. It has little to do with being American, and a lot to do with being human.

It’s important to remember how we felt a year ago because while that may have been a time of sadness and anger, it was also a time of love. Boundaries were rendered invisible. People loved one another and came together free of judgement. If you focus on anything today, let it not be the hate and fear, but rather the unconditional love. Remind people (strangers included) that you love them, but by all means look in the mirror and love yourself. Do it in whatever way is comfortable, but by all means do it. We are all one. Love to you all.

A minute after the lights went down, signaling the beginning of one of the best shows I’ve seen this year, Coldplay took The Greek Theater stage with amazing force. Bright white lights lit the entire stage as the band belted out a stunning version of “Politik.” In addition to getting everyone’s attention, it set a fine foundation on which to showcase new songs from A Rush of Blood To The Head as well as a fair amount of material from Parachutes. ‘Give me real, don’t give me fake,’ indeed.

“This is the first show we’ve played in the middle of a forest. Watch out for the bears,” Chris Martin announced.

The production only added to the stunning show. Digital projection screens on both sides of the stage were amazing, as were the four projection panels that were revealed after several songs. Cameras scattered throughout the stage provided the footage, and I found myself watching the screens just as much, if not more than the band.

Following a couple of familiar songs (“Spies” and “Shiver”), the band played one of the finest songs from AROBTTH, “Daylight.” Mixing beautiful guitar and vocal harmonies, this song made my hair stand on end. Guitarist Jonny Buckland has come a long way since the last album, as has the rest of the band. They clearly have much more confidence in front of a crowd, not to mention more material from which to choose. Hearing songs from both albums in the same set, it really does emphasize how much more full the new songs are. I’m not trying to take the piss out of their older material, but the new material hovers above the old, especially live.

Chris’ banter with the crowd was as entertaining. Like a second homecoming, he explained, Los Angeles holds a special place in the band’s heart. LA has been supportive of the band since the very beginning and Chris wasn’t about to let that fact slip by without a thank you to the people, even if, as he noted, almost no one who lives in LA, is actually from here.

Adding comedy to “Everything’s Not Lost,” Chris broke into Nelly’s “Hot In Herre” during the final chorus. Listening to him recite ‘I am gettin too hot, I wanna take my clothes off,’ made the crowd laugh and cheer. With the women screaming so loud around me, it’s a good thing I was wearing earplugs.

Seeing Chris and Jonny playing “Green Eyes” so close to one another, in such a casual manor was appropriate and endearing. The song begs for the camaraderie that was shown on stage between the two.

If I never hear “Yellow,” again, it’ll be all right with me. I can’t imagine the band enjoys playing it much anymore, but seeing them perform it with all the lights and the crowd singing along made it sound so good.

They closed the set with “A Rush of Blood To The Head,” and then came back to perform “Clocks,” “In My Place” and “Life Is For Living” for encores. I walked away with more confidence than ever that Coldplay are not only a tremendous band, but will be making wonderful music in the future.

I did it. Today was the day that I got rid of an entire collection of magazines. Yes, even three year’s worth of Rolling Stone and four year’s worth of Wired. Other recyclables included two years of Los Angeles Magazine, several issues of Wallpaper, Interview, Uncut, Q, and Scuba diving magazines I didn’t even know I had. I still need to dig in the closet for the 60-pound box of Rolling Stone magazines. I admit to keeping the yearbooks and special issues. Hell, I even kept some issues of Wired, but I now have an empty bookcase that will be sitting in the alley behind my apartment for someone to grab.

I also rearranged my office. This was another task that was long overdue. If I could rearrange everything in my apartment every year or so, I probably would. I get bored easy and if nothing else, it’s damn good exercise. The thing is, now I have all of this blank wall space in my office. I guess it’s time to break out the posters…WAIT…the Rolling Stones…I could do a collage! Kidding.

The next project is cleaning out the closets in my office. It’s like a technology graveyard. If anyone wants an old PowerMac 9500 (w/G4 upgrade), A SCSI Zip or Jaz drive or an HP LaserJet 5 email me a price. I’m probably going to end up donating most of it, so I’m not asking much for any of it.

I can’t tell you how amazing it feels to have gotten rid of all of those magazines. It was completely therapudic, and I highly recommend you fellow pack rats to part with your shit. Sure, people won’t think you’re as educated and well-read, but I think it’s a good price to pay for some space.

There’s nothing I like better than a good pissing match. What should show up in my inbox this morning, but an email from Heather, who runs the Friday Five.

====================

From: heather@phaeba.net
To: submissions
Subject: a note
Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:56:46

You are politely being asked to discontinue “advertising” your Thursday Three on the Friday Five. I normally wouldn’t have a problem with this except your only intention is to drive traffic to your site by degrading my questions and, in turn, the people who answer them. It’s not appreciated and any further attempts will be promptly deleted.

smattering.org

====================

Heather,

I never “advertised” the Thursday Three on your site, though I did link to it. If that’s your definition of advertising, we can argue definitions at a later date, if you would like. Actually, I didn’t have a sole intention. There are a couple of intentions, none of which were to insult you or the people who answer your questions.

1) Yes, I was using your site to drive traffic to the Thursday Three. Nasty as that seems on the surface, I have no problem admitting to it. And let’s be fair, I drove a lot of traffic to your site when I participated in the Friday Five. I just want the traffic back.

2) My intentions were never to insult anyone. I think your questions are, for the most part, lame. No need to take it personally. If you take anything personally, you should recognize the fact that Chris and I thought the model for the Friday Five was so good, we ripped you off to improve upon it. You should be flattered. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…or something like that.

No hard feelings, Heather. Perhaps you can even participate in the Thursday Three. We would welcome it with open arms. Thank you for providing the inspiration for the Thursday Three. Seriously.

House favorites, Travis have released “Love Will Come Through” for the Moonlight Mile soundtrack. While the track is only available as an audio stream for now, on November 15th the band will release the song as a downloadable track for a “minumal fee,” with all proceeds going to benefit the Spinal Injuries Association. This particular charity was chosen because of (drummer) Neil Primrose’s spinal injury, which he sustained during their recent European festival tour.

It’s always nice to find people that are as geeky and snobbish about music as I am. I stubbled across Braquage last week and was instantly a fan. I immediately emailed VP, having never spoken with him before, to let him know that I liked his site. As fate would have it, his girlfriend had turned him on to Jeans And A T-Shirt a while back and he was a fan. After some back and forth over email, I thought he would make for a great interview. The following interview was conducted over AOL Instant Messenger on August 4, 2002.

Brad: Let’s start out with some background. When and why did you start Braquage?

VP: I started the website back in 1999. Originally, some friends of mine and i wanted to start a magazine that flirted with the ideologies of the situationist movement. We just wanted to create something experimental. Put out perhaps 2 0r 3 different formats of the same magazine a few times a year, with photos, writings and band interviews

Brad: So it started as a print thing?

VP: Yes, exactly. Our intention was to create a fanzine that was almost like a book. something substantial. Eventually, people started to flake out on the idea, some good friends of mine were having trouble with their relationship. So they parted ways and I lost 2 more people who were into the concept.

Brad: What’s the story with the name of your site?

VP: Well, braquage is a strange little french word. We were sitting around a friend’s place back in fall of 1997 listening to the Stereolab album, Dots and Loops. The first track on the album is called “Brakhage,” after the filmmaker Stan Brakhage. But a french friend thought it was “braquage.” Braquage means “the act of making a sudden movement in the opposite direction,” “the act of being set against something.” it also means “an armed robbery.” I instantly became fascinated with the imagery that this one word could generate.

Brad: More people should put as much thought into their sites. Is it fair to assume that music is a major part of your life?

VP: Well, sure.. but then again… more people should have names for their sites that others can pronounce…wahey! Music is definitely a big part of my life. I’d say most important, probably. Many weekly rituals are built around music

Brad: Like Jeans And A T-Shirt

VP: Fantastic name. My attire of choice.

Brad: Tell me about who you are listening to as of late?

VP: I’ve been criticized often for not listening to too many new bands. I’m not too into this new wave of garage-y stuff that’s coming out. So I’ve started to rediscover stuff i listened to when I was back in middle school and high school in the late 80′s/early 90′s. So i’d say The Stone Roses, Ride, The La’s. Definitely The Smiths, and anything by The Jam or Paul Weller, in general. But new stuff…I definitely love The Coral, Electric Soft Parade, The Music’s new LP is great. The new Primal Scream…I could go on forever. There’s 150 albums worth of favorites on my iPod at the moment. Of course i must mention the new Queens Of The Stone Age… ha ha ha!

Brad: It should be noted that I did not put you up to saying anything about QOTSA. I am pretty with you on the whole garage-y thing. The Strokes are overrated *gasp*! If I have to sit through Meg Whites terrible drumming…just, someone get me a gun…

VP: Oooof..yeah…she’s pretty average…but i do quite like The White Stripes. I went to see Interpol last night, and afterwards people asked what i thought. “BETTER THAN THE STROKES.”

Brad: *Laughing* You think Interpol falls into the garage-y category?

VP: Nope, not at all.

Brad: Oh, ok. I was ready to argue…

VP: I just think they’ve got good taste in who they rip off.

Brad: Indeed.

VP: This band called The Stills, who opened for them, were brilliant too.

Brad: I like Interpol’s album a lot, and despite what I said about The Strokes being overrated, I liked their album the first hundred times I heard it.

VP: Yeah, the Interpol album is great.

Brad: Do you see a lot of shows?

VP: An offensive amount of shows.

Brad: Ha. Some would say the same about me.

VP: My girlfriend goes to more than I do though.

Brad: Wow, she’s a keeper.

VP: Ah yes, she is. I’m willing to take a day off here and there..

Brad: What’s been the best show you’ve seen this year?

VP: There have been so many. I’d have to say Oasis. 13th August 2002 at The Beacon Theater in NYC. Probably my favorite because I had front row seats to it. I’d put Doves up there, as well as Super Furry Animals and the South/Elbow tour.

Brad: You like the Brits quite a lot.

VP: Yeah. Brits and Swedes.

Brad:The Hives or ABBA?

VP: Umm, not The Hives so much. More like The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, another reason why I loved that Oasis show. What was your favorite show this year?

Brad: Who’s interviewing who, mister? Kidding. The Elbow/South tour was amazing, but The Hives at The Roxy was one of those shows I walked away from and was just smiling. I was so fucking happy…It was a totally infectious show. Seeing And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead was pretty fantastic as well. While it wasn’t my favorite show, seeing Chris Martin duet with Mos Def at the Aimee Mann/Beth Orton Amnesty International show was incredible. Oh, and Superdrag.

VP: Wow, all of those shows must’ve been quite amazing. I certainly left The Hives show smiling too. Seeing Chris Martin cover “Songbird” [from the new Oasis album] was excellent as well. I’m glad people still talk about Superdrag.

Brad: I think they are one of the best rock bands making records.

VP: FACT!

Brad: What is it about music that excites you? Like, why all the effort, money spent, etc?

VP: As much as I love the music itself (meaning the collection of sounds), I love the instruments, the imagery, the fashion, the packaging, the venues, the history and the culture. I love the change it can infect, be it political, social or simply on one’s moods.

Brad: Very nice, concise answer. How about some easy questions? First album you purchased?

VP: Ever? I think it was The Beatles 1967-1970 double LP. The first album I was ever given was rapper’s delight. (Ha ha ha. Absolutely no clue why.)

Brad: First concert attended?

VP: 1988. Run DMC/Public Enemy. The Front Row Theater. Cleveland, Ohio.

Brad: WOW!

VP: Yep. Plastic uzis and everything…

Brad: Top 10 favorite bands/artists of all time (in no particular order). Off the top of your head. Don’t think, just answer.

VP: The Smiths, The Jam, The Beatles, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream, The Stone Roses, Aphex Twin

Brad: 4 more…

VP: Radiohead, The Who…I’m missing one, right?

Brad: Yes, one more…

VP: Joy Division

Brad:Good list.

VP: That’s the toughest question you’ve asked.

Brad: Oh, c’mon…

VP: This just in from my girlfriend: “QOTSA at 20, thats really good”

Brad: As in billboard???

VP: Yep.

Brad: I’m telling you, they are going to change music…

VP: I hope it’s them and not The Strokes.

Brad: Amen. I think that’s a good note on which to end.

VP: Fantastic. Thanks brad!

Brad: Thanks for your time. Merci beaucoup.

VP: Je t’en prie.

Just a quick note to let all of you know that a new site has launched. It’s called Thursday Three. Why should you care? Well, because it’s a site I co-founded with Chris Sprouls from Neckdeep.net and it’s cool. Get involved and spread the word.

Thursday Three has officially launched. *phew*

1) Is the 7% drop in CD sales over the last year a result of people downloading music? I think that downloads have something to do with it, sure. I also think that consolidation in the music industry is to blame as well. Less music is getting to consumers and a lot of what is getting to them, they aren’t buying. In short, how about throwing some money at the developing artists. Take a few chances and cut Celine Dion’s budget by a few million and spend the money on development. I’m oversimplifying, but you get my drift.

A perfect example is Queens Of The Stone Age. Instead of charging even $15.99, Interscope (Universal) is selling the album cheaper to the stores, who then turn around and pass the savings on to consumers in the form of a new release by a developing artist priced at $7.99 – $9.99 (depending on where you shop). The result? The Queens Of The Stone Age album debuted at #20 on Billboard. Duh.

2) How much music do you download per month? How much do you buy? You’d think the number would be staggering. I actually think it’s such a pain in the ass to download music, that I don’t do it very often at all. Trying to find a complete album take too much time. I’d just assume skip a meal and buy the album. So, to answer the question more directly, I download very little and easily spend over $100/month on music.

3) Do you copy CDs for friends? Do you ever feel guilty about it? Yes, I copy CDs for friends, on occasion. 95% of the CDs I copy for friends are bootlegs and unreleased stuff that you can’t get in stores. If I copy an album for someone, I may feel a little guilty about it, but I’d like to think it will result in them buying something else.