Month: May 2008

While I know there’s a number of issues with myspace, and some see it more of a hassle than anything else, I’ve found it to be a wonderful tool for discovering a lot of great music.

I’ve been a bit busy of late, and the friend requests have piled up quite a bit. Usually, you can spot the obvious spam requests, but I don’t really get too many of those. I finally got around to checking through a bunch of them. Most are bands/musicians trying to make a connection. Some might be friends of friends’ bands or friends with a new band, but many are just seemingly random. Some are entirely way off base of what I like, but my profile doesn’t really reveal much in music style other than I love music, so I can’t really complain about the requests from bands who’s music just doesn’t quite do it for me. The thing is that I do actually listen to the music of every single band/musician that sends me a friend request, which is why they can pile up if I don’t keep on top of them. If I’m not totally paying attention to the songs playing, then I will hold off adding or denying the request.

I was very pleasantly surprised to listen to Jenny Doveson’s songs.

http://www.myspace.com/jennydoveson

She’s from Sweden, her page doesn’t reveal much more about her except a performance video on youtube:

I’m looking forward to hearing more….

http://www.myspace.com/500kin365

http://www.500Kin365.org

For over 10 years singer songwriter Katie Reider has inspired the
hearts of thousands with her music and genuine personality. Just as
she was reaching the peak of her career in January of 2006, a tumor
developed in her upper left jaw that progressed into her sinus, skull
base and left eye orbit. Over the course of one year (2007-2008), this
rare tumor has taken away her sight in one eye, her voice and most
importantly, her ability to perform.

500Kin365.org was created with the help of Katie Reider’s loyal fans
to reconnect Katie to her audience while she undergoes treatment.

Start listening to her songs by downloading katie’s Voice (9 original
songs written and performed by katie over the last 10 years) for $1.00
donation to her cause. Help us continue to spread Katie Reider’s music
over the next year by linking ONE more to 500Kin365.org.

a few weeks back, I was able to switch my schedule at work and go
downtown to the Goethe Institute for their “Hear Now” program
http://www.hearnowradio.org/ featuring Simon Elmes, Creative Director,
Features and Documentaries, BBC

it was a bit strange sitting in a small theater with a screen ahead,
without watching anything. the event was showcasing some radio
programs from BBC radio but also served as an exercise to focus on
listening to sound samples to see how it creates an environment
visually on our own as opposed to images, still or moving, provided
for us.

I was really glad I got to go and it’s been something that’s triggered
a new excitement in regards to radio and sound. He didn’t get to play
all the clips he wanted to, but he did provide the outline of the
program he was presenting to us that night. all the clips he played
for us were great, but a few stood out for me, but I really liked this
one:

The Refuge Box- part of the Between the Ears series
it aired on Radio 3 in 2007 and sadly isn’t available for online
listening anymore.
the synopsis:
Half way between Holy Island and the mainland of Northumbria, a flight
of steps leads to a wooden cabin on stilts.
It is the Refuge Box, built to save people cut off by the tide from
being swept away and drowned.

This is the focus of a new radio poem by Katrina Porteous, whose
poetry, recorded all over Holy Island and in the Refuge Box itself,
is interspersed with other voices, including island fishermen who
remember rescues and tragedies, the coastguard and lifeboat crew,
the bird warden, the Franciscan vicar of Holy Island, and a refugee
who fled her West African homeland to seek sanctuary in Britain.

Beyond the human voices is the poetry of the place itself, the seals singing,
the wheeze of swans flying over Holy Island, sudden jet fighters
protecting this sanctuary yet violating its peace and, always, the
wind and the sea.

listening to the program made me want to visit there:
http://www.lindisfarne.org.uk/

looks like an interesting place, and they make their own Mead!

here’s some photos I found online:

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne

At the Black Cat backstage, on June 30 (it’s a Monday night)….
it’s my birthday and I get to see Frightened Rabbit!

Mon June 30- OXFORD COLLAPSE, FRIGHTENED RABBIT $10 Backstage 8:30 (on sale May 16)

perhaps seeing them will take the sting away from getting another year older?!

anyone care to join me?

not sure what else I’m going to do, but I am definitely going to the show!

tonight it’s absolutely lovely outside. it’s about 78 degrees with an amazing breeze blowing.
it’s nights like tonight that really make me miss home, and the ocean.

on a day like today back home, I’d get myself to the beach to soak up some sun (with sunscreen of course, my fair skin burns so quickly), maybe wade in the surf, and go for a walk….

if I try hard enough I can smell the salt air, and almost imagine as if I’m home.

sigh.