postscript

“you’ve got a squeezebox on your knee…”

squeezebox is crazy cool.

Amplive’s Rainydayz Radiohead Remixes

I’m thoroughly enjoying Amplive’s Rainydayz Radiohead Remixes. (In case you are unaware, Amplive is the DJ half of Zion I – a talented Bay area crew who work hard to keep real hip hop nourished and alive.) Particularly his rendition of Weird Fishez. Its spellbinding..one of those songs I sort of wish never had an ending..especially right around the middle with the harmonizing in the background and the beat in the foreground.

Keys to New Orleans

I didn’t have the opportunity to see Allen Toussaint last time I was in New Orleans, regrettably. But I’ll definitely be making an appearance at Keys to New Orleans – UCSB Arts & Lectures. I’m glad to know that, even though I’ll soon be living even further away from my beloved New Orleans, I’ll still be able to think about her and see little glimpses here and there. Even back out west.

Kaki King in Austin

I’m ridiculous excited to be seeing Kaki King tonight at Antone’s. Am hoping she plays my two favourites – Carmine Street, off her first CD years ago, and Bone Chaos in the Castle.

Woot. I’m taking my good friend Adrian with me whom I’ve just exposed to King. Happy birthday, you!

Notes

I’ve been fixated on having a piano around me again like I had when growing up. I miss being able to sit on a bench in front of wood and keys and make music that’s right in front of me.

I started playing piano before I ever touched a guitar when I was little. As far as music goes, it seems like I have some sort of facility for it. Prodigy? Not even close. But I admit to having an easier time picking up instruments and learning songs on them than others.

This piano being advertised is old and from France. Quality is probably not stellar but all a piano ever really needs is some tuning and a dusting…ugh..tempting.

The “oldies”

They aren’t really considered oldies just yet. Though it always seems to trip me out lately that some of my favourite songs have been around for 15+ years. Its odd because I can even remember the feeling I had when I first heard some of these songs. It some ways, it really does serve as a musical timeline of sorts for my life.

Listening to: Try Honesty by Billy Talent

Through the Glass

It’s been a while since I’ve actually heard this song. However, my friend Andy did a bit of karaoke at the Spotlight with this song and it reminded me of how much I used to like this song. I tend to be one that pays attention to melodies and harmonies first. After that, my ears tend to listen into it for the words (being a person that enjoys writing and singing). Honestly, there are some big and poetic verses in here for a metal band.

I’m looking at you through the glass
Don’t know how much time has passed
Oh god it feels like forever
But no one ever tells you that forever
Feels like home sitting all alone inside your head

How do you feel? That is the question

But I forget..you don’t expect and easy answer
When something like a soul becomes
Initialized and folded up like paper dolls and little notes
You can’t expect a bit of hope
And while you’re outside looking in
Describing what you see
Remember what your staring at is me

Cause I’m looking at you through the glass…
Don’t know how much time has passed
All I know is that it feels like forever
When no one ever tells you that forever
Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head

How much is real? So much to question
And never dare make up the mannequins
Contaminating everything
When thought came from the heart
It never did right from the start
Just listen to the noises
(No more sad voices)
Before you tell yourself
Its just a different scene
Remember its just different from what you’ve seen

Im looking at you through the glass…
Don’t know how much time has passed
And all I know is that it feels like forever
When no one ever tells you that forever
Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head

And its the stars
The stars
That shine for you
And its the stars
The stars

That lie to you..

I’m looking at you through the glass…
Don’t know how much time has passed
Oh god it feels like forever
But no one ever tells you that forever
Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head

‘Cause I’m looking at you through the glass…
Don’t know how much time has passed
All I know is that it feels like forever
But no one ever tells you that forever
feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head

And its the stars
The stars
That shine for you..
And its the stars
The stars
That lie to you..

And its the stars
The stars
That shine for you..
And its the stars
The stars
That lie to you..

My Steelo Boys

My boys! A.Uno & Bobby K. known as Steelo are THE artist duo to check out here in the Pacific Northwest or anywhere. Yes, they are both extremely great friends of mine (and I also do a lot of their press photography like the one seen here) but they are responsible for the realest hip hop and r&b you’ll hear. Some of you may know that I’m always complaining about contemporary hip hop right now. Ice, chains, cars ain’t where its at. But these two, they produce music that just makes you feel damn good. Not only that, but they actually manage to speak meaning into their work – something you don’t see a whole lot of these days.

Anyway, I’m extremely proud of them because they’ve also made as an undeniable force over at SeaSpot. Check them out! And then if you are one of the millions that have a Myspace account, then check out their MySpace site. I’m proud of you. More proud than you both will ever know.

Music and other goods

Do you ever get into those moods where you hop onto your computer and for the next several hours, you do nothing…and I do mean nothing besides discovering delicious new music and productivity tools?Lately, I’ve discovered the newest Madeleine Peyroux‘s cd, Half the Perfect World. Oftentimes, I get the most out of jazz-infused genres during a live performance. I love listening to the chaotic pattern of that music; the way it adds cadence to a person’s walk, sway, voice. Peyroux’s newest offering makes me appreciate it outside that realm. I enjoy it at home (and I like it much more than her first).

But the thing that’s got my heart all a twitter and ticking is Corinne Bailey Rae‘s self titled CD. Its outstanding.

Its no secret that my favourite type of music – the type that most speaks to my soul, engages my mind, and snatches my heart – is real, true hip hop. But even better than that is the type of hip hop that finds new ways to surprise me. Fusions of jazz, rock, funk, old school beats, soul – you name it. If its got a fusion like that, I’ll give a listen. Hell, I might even love it.

If you haven’t heard Rae’s music before, you’ve got to give it a listen. Beautiful voice (maybe like a softer Macy Gray), slow beats, and lots…lots..of cadence. Got iTunes? Here’s her store.

Sleep is generally good

There’s something in everyone’s mind that tells the subconscious “hey! its perfectly fine to go to sleep at 1am when everyone knows you need to be awake by 5am!”I often hate myself.

One of the worst things about my corporate day job is this. Friday morning meetings. It isn’t because they’re held so early (though that definitely does play a factor) but its because I have to get up early to be in a corporate environment in which there’s likely not anything of use that leads to improvement, thought, etc. As a matter of fact, I think its highly likely that most of th people who “head” those meetings just like to hear themselves talk and feel important wearing a tie and nice slacks because there isn’t anyone else in their homelife who likes their appearance as much as they do.

Harsh? Likely. But it is the one thing I’ve really learned about some corporate workers relatively high up on the ladder. They really do enjoy hearing themselves speak. It might explain why they hardly ever say anything of value to anyone else.

The corporate environment is difficult for me to swallow. I know its a little different for smaller companies that don’t have to micro-manage as much as this one does. I’m talking about being a part of a billion dollar company. This corporation is extremely large. They are nationwide and so ridiculously large that our database must be divided according to region. They claim to be able to see and understand the business side without forgetting the people. However, as time moves on, their actions speak much more to the side of gaining the extra dollar (for themselves and pinching it when it came to employees) rather than taking care of their people.

For whatever reason, its difficult for them to understand that happy people can truly make happy employees who stay to work a lot longer than grumpy ones.

The only thing keeping me from just handing in my two weeks notice? The people I work with are some of the best people anywhere, the pay is ridiculously good which pays the bills, gives me a little extra, and helps me save money towards my ultimate dream. That’s it. After I find I’m getting this close (makes BIG Puerto Rican hand gestures with her arms) to getting where I want to be, I’m saying goodbye to them. For good.

Listening to: Travellin’ Man by Mos Def – one of the only emcee’s keepin it true hip hop.