New Favourite Band: Opeth

Doom Metal meets Blue Oyster Cult meets classical and folk music? I believe it's called progressive metal, although no-one seems to agree. Whatever, it's good. They're from Sweden.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opeth
http://www.opeth.com

And while we're here, check out the hilarious video interpretation of Slayer's Angel of Death. Thanks Tatjna. "Hey, Johhny Depp!"


listening to Opeth | Serenity Painted Death

My favourite boy in all the world

... is DJ Rich D Rich.

He's a very generous chap. He's lent me his nice new DJM600 and 2 X Technics 1200 Mk5 's for a while. He offered, I didn't ask. You rock dude.

With my crappy old belt drive pitch controllable turntable i now have three decks + non-pitch control CD/MP3 player. Three vinyl decks simultaneously is increasingly becoming my default option, I just can't do enough with only two.

May the gods of blessing rain... er... blessings on you. Except i don't think you believe in gods. Come to think of it, neither do i. For those who care, I am still a theist. Not atheist. And if you don't like it, #%$! off :)

Another thing that makes me happy: Going through my fairly sizeable record collection, discovering tracks i've never listened to, or haven't heard for ages. And organising everything so i can find them again. Happy happy joy joy.


listening to Joel Armstrong | Silver Moon (Derek Howell remix) ON VINYL!!! IN SPACE!!! (Burning Man peeps might understand that in-joke) And now i think i might know Joel Armstrong. Hmm...

Musick

Today was a good day, sunny and fun. Had a good catchup with Designerlady and did a wee bit of IT consulting/training. I've been bery productive musicwise in the last few days. I have four tracks I'm working on - a slow breaks one, some psy trance, my 'Seasons' drum 'n bass track and I've just whipped up a pounding Techno stormer with a killer bassline in the last few hours. They're in various stages of completion and all are showing promise. Yay.


listening to Lemmy | Hi Tech Soul [one of mine! yaaay! :) ]

More Music Doom

Two articles that confirm what I've already posted some time ago:

http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/obpost/pi_obpostid/39
which in turn references
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117444575607043728-DA_Xj6UYVkdAlYagcxinszyQOKE_20070420.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

Essentially, CD sales are beginning a death plumment, and artists who want to make a living from music will have to play live and sell merchandise to make a living. I wonder if live venues realise this yet? Will NZ culture change so that people go out and see bands 2-3 times every week instead? And then go out and hear DJs later in the night?

NZ band guy Blink reckons midweek band nights in NZ need to start early and finish early like they do in Aussie, so that people know they can go out and party on a school night and still get to bed at a reasonable hour.

Tatjna put me onto this rather cute article http://kimihia.org.nz/how/raving/ Apart from wondering about the innocence and trepidation with which some people approach the world, it contains this immortal line

The mark of being in a club or a rave is that the person playing the music has (at least) two turntables and spends a lot of time bent over them to get them mixed together without gaps between tracks. If there is a guy pulling out CDs and taking requests then you probably aren't in a rave.

Go the vinyl!

Strangely, vinyl could be a small exception to the plummeting sales of CDs and lukewarm digital music sales. I don't know what the actual figures are, but they probably aren't good. Those, like myself, who still prefer vinyl over CD/digital at least show that we support the artist/record label by purchasing their product.

I'm very suspicious of the number of people I see playing off CD these days. I do wonder how many CDJs actually pay for their music. I recall a minor wannabe DJ in Wellington a few years ago proudly telling me how many thousands of MP3s he had available for a set. Most of which he hadn't even listened to. All acquired without giving anything back to the artist who created them. I left him feeling angry and sick. Interestingly, he swopped to vinyl a while later. Maybe he realised he had no credibility.

With CDJs and tools like Tractor and Ableton Live becoming so much better in the last few years, it's no wonder some DJs are changing formats. It's purely for practical reasons - the weight of large numbers of tunes on vinyl versus MP3s, and those producing their own tunes choosing to play them out in digital format rather than putting them on acetate. Carl Cox reportedly played only off CD in NZ recently. Et tu Carl?

The challenge will be, with so much 'help', to separate out the good DJs from the merely blend-one-tune-into-another DJs. The DJs who push the boundaries, use the new features and create something unique that you can't get simply by queuing MP3s in Winamp. Mind you, whether their audience actually notices how innovative they are is another thing.

Most of the old school DJs I speak to still prefer vinyl for the playing experience. Hence Final Scratch, and the reportedly much superior Serato Scratch (a New Zealand product) will probably be the way I go MP3 wise, in order to retain that vinyl feel. I play CDs when I have to, but only on good CDJ setups like the Pioneer CDJ 1000s. The others are @!$#!.

Big ups to NZ Musician too, it's a damn good mag which has been slogging away for years and consistently publishes worthwhile stuff.

See also http://xhile.blogspot.com/2007/03/stealing-music.html and http://xhile.blogspot.com/2005/08/sounds-like-stealing-to-me.html




listening to Erik Prydz vs Pink Floyd : Proper Education (on vinyl)

Stealing Music

I'm still sick, my back still aches. Blah. I'm staying home tonight and sleeping. And 'cos my brain is tired, i'm simply gonna steal this from teh blog of Bassnectar. I totally support what he's saying.

wah wah wah

(cue heartwreching violin strings)

hello!!!!

and thank you for joining us for another episode of YAN CAN COOK!

Today Yan will be divulging a rarest Californian recipe for: how to totally rip off an artist!!!!

ARE YOU READY!!??! ok, lets go!

First, come across a full length version of unreleased music. Mix that up with some excitement.
Next, rip that music to your computer. Mix that up with a few doses of technical savy.
Now toss it in the oven and set to bake.
Remove and put up the music for FREE download on some file sharing programs.
Send links to your friends.
(careful becuase some people will hear about this, and just go do some basic searches on their own, and they too will find it!)

...next, send out some emails telling people about the album being available for FREE.
Mix that up with playing it at parties, and burning it for friends.

And PRESTO!!!! You've potentially ruined someone's career!


So a word to the wise friends, in the age of entitlement and A.D.D., if yu enjoy music, SUPPORT the musicians, go without a lattee for 3 days and save your 15$ for their CD. DONT burn it and DONT download it for free. Dont support people who do, and spread the word.


Its one thing to illegally distribute someone's OLD music, but whoever thought it was cool in any way to post those links up and offer my brand new, unreleased, 3-year-in-the-making record for free, did something VERY wrong. As for the several hundered people who i KNOW downloaded it.

Shame On You in a deep way.


Let me break down the conundrum:

A record label MUST get press to support their release.

Press needs a full copy of the release 3-4 months in advance for adqueate coverage.

Press does NOT want clips or samples, they want the FINAL CD for review.

So when OM RECORDS sent out 400 select copies to press around the world, somehow, somewhere, someone took one of those copies and not only stole it but PUT IT UP FOR FREE DOWNLOAD!!!!!!!!

And the album isnt even out yet.

This kind of action can result in the creative death of an artist.

Let me say this is not about me making money.

I dont want to sell units to cash in, get rich, and sip bichz and roll 'roun inna benz. or whatever.

I want my LABEL to sell units, so that it is worth it for them to invest more time, energy and money into promoting, circulating, distributing and SUPPORTING my art (and the messages inside my art) worldwide.


So by simply buying a CD for yourself, or buying it for a friend, its not "Oh cool, im giving some cash to Lorin, who i like to support"...cuz if that was the case, id be taking donations for personal money.

Its about supporting this dope label OM, which has been working with me doing back breaking work for a year to make this release huge, so that it can be a springboard for the NEXT release, and the one after that, as well as what we are hoping will be a new Bassnectar record label, and lots of other stuff in the works.


PLEASE DONT STEAL MY MUSIC>
PLEASE DONT STEAL OTHER PEOPLE'S MUSIC
PLEASE DONT LET OTHER PEOPLE STEAL MY MUSIC (it hurt so bad to look online and see my own friends had downloaded the cd!)
IF YOU DONT LIKE ME OR MY MUSIC, thats fine, just leave me alone.
IF YOU DO: SUPPORT.

that means if you DO burn someone's CD, and you like it:
find them on myspace, or the web, write them a letter, send them a donation, offer to help the record label with street team or promo when the artist tours, line them up a gig, or USE YOUR OWN ADULT BRAIN to figure out how to support, but dont just go around sucking people's life force.

im serious. i dont wish to preach or bich... i wish to educate first hand so you understand HOW IT FEELS TO BE ME.

well first off, it feels great, i am constantly meditating on things that are going well in life, and loving the spring weather, and feeling soo inspired to do the work i am on this planet to do!
:)
FULLY!

but, i gotta call a spade a spade.

And that goes for DJS, in 2007, putting out mixes digitally or on CD with their name on it, but no tracklisting...come on folks, support.


I would rather not waste precious bandwidth of your attention span on trivial matters like this, when there is so much more going on.

but my career is in jeopardy if people don't support.

And the careers of thousands of mindblowing artists who are alive right now and probably in their studios working, think about them, send them a prayer, and show them your love.

not just now, but from now on.

NOTE: this applies to all artists you like. and anything you like. VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLAR.
And in reference to file sharing and CD Burning PLEASE dont think i am hypocritically judging anyone.

i mean come on, its 2007, i am realistic. i have burned CDs, i have traded music, etc. On one hand, i feel more justified because i am in the bizness, and i support artists so much. But on the other hand, as i have grown, i have understood how sensitive this issue is, and how fundamentally dangerous it is to creativity (and all that creativity brings: inspiration, emotional health, social change, new thought, empowerment) for piracy to become normal. Not only has is stopped being a personal practice of mine, but i feel obligated to voice this all publicly.


THINK ABOUT IT NEXT TIME YOU DO IT.

You want that music cuz it feels so good.

Well if it feels so good, its probably is good, and its worth your support.

And if you cant afford it, then wait till you can and enjoy it that much more.

Support artists.

Im open for discussion, hit me.

- Lorin

listening to that stupid milkshake song, it's stuck in my head, aaaaagh!

NOFX shut down in Wellington

The promoter emailed me this:

Hi everyone,
I heard about what happened last night in Wellington from my Dynamo peoples plus the NOFX road crew/tour management as I'm currently in Australia.
I wanted to give you guys the facts so you hear it straight from us and not some chinese whispers rumour about what happened at the Wellington NOFX show and why it turned to shit and people were shut out...

We were instructed that Victoria University Student Union Hall had a certain capacity (as per any show we do anywhere) BY Victoria university... This is what I set the ticket allocation @ ticketek to (which sold out), midway through the night the building owner arrived and decided that we had "over-sold the show" (despite there being a whole ton of room at the back of the room). We sold the same amount of tickets as Pennywise did (a little less even), we were instructed as you guys saw on here to release a further 25 door sales on the night... Which didn't happen.

The venue owner after a running battle with us decided she was going to shut the doors on the show and shut us down, we told her that in doing so - it would cause a riot... And sure enough it did.

I want you guys to know that I/we had NOTHING to do with shutting the doors, nor did we do anything wrong in our ticket allocation. We sold out the show to the capacity instructed to us by VUSA, I've busted my balls for nearly 10 years now booking shows often footing the bills out of my own pocket, I'm proud of the reputation that I/we've built in NZ as a legitimate touring destination with trustworthy and honest promoters.

I would hate for someone else's bad calls to affect my reputation and I'm sure that in this case that's probably exactly what will happen.

I can't refund tickets as the agreed capacity and ticket sales related to it have been accounted for, contracted and forwarded to NOFX and the various people involved in booking this tour - nor should I have to do when I have done nothing wrong.

Once again - I apologize to those who were stuck outside and missed the show. If you do want to try and get your ticket refunded I would suggest contacting the VUSA as it was at their end where the capacity was set and at their end where the show was needlessly "shut down".

Please pass this on to the dozens and dozens of pissed off NOFX fans who may not understand what happened and won't read this...

Unfortunately I doubt very much we'll be sending bands the size of NOFX down to Wellington, unless an appropriate venue pops up which sucks for all of us.

- Dave McDermott
Dynamo Promotions guy

listening to White and Dean | Out of Knowwhere

Kiwiburn, Pink Moa and lovely people

I've been on holiday for the last week.

It's been great, truly re-recreational although perhaps not very restful at times.

Kiwiburn was absolutely beautiful. I met so many wonderful people. I can't really describe it, but i am now on the executive committee and will be helping making next year's happen. All i can say is, if you can possibly make it in February next year, do. You will never regret it.



Pink Moa went OFF!! Good sets by all. Big ups to DJ Dee and Nat for making it. Big ups to Sam (it's his photo) for being the backbone of Pink Moa setup. You rock, dude.

I played several times, but the highlight had to be my 4 hour set on the night of the burn, which was incredible in terms of crowd response and my own performance (especially considering my back was severely playing up that night). I played "Seasons", my Xhile industrial dnb track which was very well received. It's still very unfinished, so i will be finishing it this week for Club Bizarre on Saturday 24th.

And tonight, I play an outdoor party at the Massey Memorial in Wellington for the Wellington Dance Collective, the fluffiest loveliest people i've met in a while. Life is good.


listening to Boards of Canada | Triangles and Rhombuses

NZ Independent Music Marketing

An industry body representing dozens of independent music labels expects hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of licensing deals to flow to local artists through the formation of a global group to represent them.

Independent Music New Zealand joins similar trade groups from a dozen countries in joining Merlin, which will negotiate music licensing deals on behalf of its thousands of members with music download sites like Apple's iTunes.com and mobile phone service providers.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10422741


listening to Anti Kati | He Seemed To Have a Lot of CDs

Slayer Are Coming

I saw them at the town hall about 10 years ago and they are overpowering live. Also Mastodon are touring with them, who are the trendy new thing in metal. St James, April 21.

woohoo!

==

Edit: Talios has kindly let me know that Lamb of God are also playing at the Power Station on April 25. Thanks dude! April's gonna be a ROCKIN month.

listening to Primus | Professor Nutbutter's House of Treats

Decisions Decisions

Back at work for day three. One of my goals this year is to save more money - I did pretty well last year, bought a car out my savings. Long term savings will be for a property methinks, but I also need some money in the bank if I'm gonna pay my remaining debts, promote any events and travel overseas this year too.

So I'm thinking... Big Day Out is coming up. And more and more, the only bands I really want to see are Tool and Trivium. So maybe I'll skip it and save $100. I've already been taking bus/train to work consistently which saves me big $$ each week.

I potentially have four events I will be running in the next 3 months. That's what happens when I get passionate about the music I'm involved with. My private party this Friday 12th (easy). Club Bizarre - industrial/ebm/goth - on Feb 23 (easy-ish provided I get some helpers from CB). Pink Moa at Kiwiburn Feb 9-12 (major mission). BLISS pre-launch party on March 23 (a significant amount of work). I will learn from past enthusiasms though. I want to be ready to drop the middle two lest I take on too much.

Deadline is fast approaching for Pink Moa at Kiwiburn too; if I don't get enough volunteers to help and to contribute money in another week, Pink Moa will be extinct until next year. I will still go to Kiwiburn, just as an ordinary camper and hope to meet some potential campmates for next year.

===

oh, and a nice blast from the past for me. Someone on a dance music forum posted asking about Wonderland (the last one was 3 years ago now). "I never got to go to Wonderland but am still hearing alot about it." Nice to think something I created made an impression.

listening to Tool | Sober (live)

Twisted Sister?

OK. I admit it. I was a Twisted Sister fan when I was 15. They were everything a 15 year-old boy could want in a band. They were loud. They were rebellious. They wore funny clothes. They were the first ever live concert I went to - and are STILL the loudest. I can vividly remember my chest shuddering when the drummer thumped the kickdrums.

They eventually split up, and Dee Snider did some interesting stuff with movies, and appears to be a fairly intelligent guy. Although this latest episode makes me wonder. Unbelievably, they seem to have reformed and made - wait for it - a Christmas album. Sadly, they sound worse than when I was 15. And whoever edited their song and video needs to recall the phrase "less is more". Still, they are a legend in my own mind.
Check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De47fjH6RKY

listening to Twisted Sister | We're Not Gonna Take It (in my head)

The Best Films of 2006 - Porn, Zombies and War

I was thunking about all the good movies I've seen this year, so, in no particular order, here's my top 13 for 2006:

As It Is In Heaven
A romantic, uplifting, redemptive film from Sweden. I especially related to the theme of being burned out and losing your creativity, as that's what happened to me over two and a half years ago. And the idea of finding your own voice... magical and healing.

Lord of War
Lord of War deserves an oscar. Why it came and went so quickly with barely a mention belongs in the realm of conspiracy theory, in spite of having Nicolas Cage starring. Perhaps one of the big film studios is financed by an arms company. If the world is anything like this film, we live in scary, scary times.

Brick
Man. What an amazingly good film. If you're a fan of 40's film noir, detective thrillers, murder mysteries or California youth culture see this. Great acting, great story, great filming, satisfying ending. The only imperfection I spotted was it's filmed on video instead of 35mm, hence grainy on the big screen. But that's being really picky.

Paradise Now
A movie about two Palestinian Arabs preparing for a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. This is not a documentary and the film is sympathetic to their cause without promoting suicide bombing as the only answer. Very thought provoking, highly recommended for all to see no matter what political or religious persuasion you are, in a world where political fundamentalism has made it's mark.

Solaris
Solaris came out a few years ago, but is the best Sci-Fi film I've seen in ages. A psychological thriller investigating the nature of love, the alien and of humanity. A major reason I like this is for the soundtrack. It's beautiful, and the space photography is beautiful, evoking scenes from 2001.

Together
A Swedish comedy-drama about a commune trying to relate and keep it together. Especially relevant as I live in a tiny intentional community, so perhaps I found it funnier than others would. You'll only find this one in Videon, but it's worth hunting out.

American Hardcore
Documentary shown in the Film Festival featuring members of Blag Flag, Cro-Mags, Minor Threat, Bad Brains and many more. What was most poignant was the perspectives of various bands on the end of the 80's US hardcore movement. As one member says, 'punk is dead, hardcore is dead. The bands of today are a shallow copy of something that is no longer around.'

Princess
A violent Norwgian cartoon looking at the effect of the porn industry on one man, his sister and her child. Sobering, tragic and hopeful all at the same time.

Cabin Fever
Ah, yes. My obligatory zombie movie. Well, not exactly a zombie movie, more a moral warning about being nice people. Good gory effects, believeable story, obnoxious characters you WANT to see die, and an environmental subtext.

Akira
I saw it at the Bridgeway years ago when it first came out and watched it again not long ago with Felyne. Perhaps the first, and arguably still the best of the Anime movies. It has a story you can understand, characters you can empathise with, and the animation still stacks up. Plus lots of weirdness and ultraviolence.

An Inconvenient Truth
I was already a convert, but now I'm a follower of the gospel according to Gore. A little too US-American in places, particularly the hype at the end. But that's the audience he's trying to reach - the US, so in context it makes sense.

Thankyou For Smoking
The funniest movie of the year is not a hollywood canned laughter flick featuring Chevy Chase or the Winan brothers. No surprise there. TFS features moral ambiguity as comedy, is well acted and scripted. A wry laugh for hypocrites, and fans of hypocrisy, like myself.




listening to the Solaris soundtrack, in my head

Pink Moa Wants You!

Wow! There is a Burning Man-inspired festival on Waitangi weekend next year! Check out
www.kiwiburn.com

I am so there! I'm organising a theme camp:

Pink Moa

We aim to make a lush, comfortable space with everything in pink - preferably fluoro pink. Surrounding this will be our tents/dwellings.

We aim to have music - lots of house, uplifting trance and psy trance music, some industrial/ebm (by DJ Xhile) but other music/bands may be welcome - we have the amazing DJ Dee (Auck), DJ Maslow, DJ Helix (ex Welly) and DJ Qua May (Wellington) booked already.

We aim to give gifts to all who attend, we will dance, and generally be nice people.

We aim to dress up in fake fur, spangles, way-out hair, body paint, piercings, tattoos, and sexy costumes. As much pink as possible, of course.

We aim to welcome all who enter our magical pink space.

If you'd like to join us and camp together, post here, ask questions... or email jon.beza [at] ya hoo [dot] com


thinking about NIN | Closer

Crazy World

You may have heard the Prodigy song Fire and wondered where the sample came from. It's from The Crazy World of Arthur Brown's song Fire released in 1968.

"You fought hard and you saved and earned
But all of it's going to burn"

I like the way it brings reality to our chase for material possessions, it's one of the things i miss about the oh-so-brief hippy movment.

I am the god of hell fire, and I bring you
Fire, I'll take you to burn
Fire, I'll take you to learn
I'll see you burn

You fought hard and you saved and earned
But all of it's going to burn
And your mind, your tiny mind
You know you've really been so blind
Now 's your time, burn your mind
You're falling far too far behind
Oh no, oh no, oh no, you're gonna burn

Fire, to destroy all you've done
Fire, to end all you've become
I'll feel you burn

You've been living like a little girl
In the middle of your little world
And your mind, your tiny mind
You know you've really been so blind
Now 's your time, burn your mind
You're falling far too far behind

OOhhh

Fire, I'll take you to burn
Fire, I'll take you to learn
You're gonna burn, you're gonna burn
You're gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn, burn

Fire, I'll take you to burn
Fire, I'll take you to learn
Fire, I'll take you to bed

listening to Faithless | Bombs (Benny Benassi mix)

End

It's the end of the week, the end of busy-ness, and the start of sleep. Yay!

I've just come home from the Deicide concert. It was good. Incomprehensible, but good. They created a wall of sound with deep grunting and screaming; I got thoroughly satiated with loud crunchy music. Bandmeister Glen Benton was mostly amiable, as were the rest of the band, smiling and interacting with the crowd. In fact, Benton looked a lot like Billy Connelly, which made it hard for me to take him seriously. I ended up beside the sound engineer and had a good chat to him between songs.

The highlight of the night was wandering past the ex-mercury theatre afterwards, hearing house music and wandering in. I got chatting to DJ FamilyGuy who was very nice and let me play a couple of tunes. We exchanged numbers and will be in touch again.


listening to The Cure | Lullaby

Decide - Deicide?

Wandering back from the train this arvo, I noticed again the sticker on the pole

The week before this Christmas
Christ Will
Die Again

At first glance i thought it was probably some weird christain sect's propaganda. But no - it's the venerable Glen Benton and the new version of his pals, Deicide, coming to our town to do their oh-we're-so-scary satanic death metal show. Given that I narrowly missed going to see them in Atlanta last year, I'm tempted (sic) to go.

Before I do, I want to read up a little more on them. (One can always start with our friend Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deicide_%28band%29)

Bands that do the Satanic thing both fascinate and bore me. They're kinda like teenagers who haven't grown up. And, for the record, I do know quite a bit more about Satanism than the average joe schmo.

They want to be taken so seriously. "We're so baaad, maaaaaan. We don't believe in god so much that all our songs are gonna be about hating his followers." Hmmm. If that isn't a religious obsession, I don't know what is.























Still, could be a fun show. Wonder if I can get myself kicked out?


listening to Deicide | Homage to Satan

U2 photos at last

We were sitting in that stand ("sitting in a stand"???)

This is from when i'd jumped the fence

The view - believe me it looked MUCH better than this

Lemmy says 'U2 roooooocks!!'











listening to Coldplay | Talk (original version)

Moby Moby Moby

Ever since buying an early mix CD and then hearing "Everything Is Wrong" I've liked Moby. (Although not so into his more recent output.)

Just read this on the NZWW this am

Moby: I want gay kids

Moby has declared that if he has children, he wants them to be gay. “They are less likely to get into a fight and less likely to date-rape people,” the musician explains, adding, “I’m straight but I’ve grown up around gay people and gay clubs. They are superior to straight people. If you have a gay child you’re more inclined to be a prouder parent.” The dance maestro, who was involved in a lengthy feud with rapper Eminem, also says he is bemused by the ribbing he receives from other celebrities. "I don't know why I am so loathed. There was a point when it seemed everyone hated me. I don't know why. It boggled my mind why I seemed to be the most hated person in the world. All I did was talk about politics. Maybe if I acted more like a d*ck and misogynist, I would be a press darling." [7 November 2006]

AND

friend David Hazey in CA posted this to the blj forum the other day - three FASCINATING mp3 interviews with Moby, well worth a listen. (Thanks David!)

http://www.beliefnet.com/blogs/godspolitics/2006/10/moby-audio-interview-everything-is.html

http://www.beliefnet.com/blogs/godspolitics/2006/10/moby-audio-interview-everything-is_12.html

http://www.beliefnet.com/blogs/godspolitics/2006/10/moby-audio-interview-everything-is_26.html


listening to my workmates whinging

How to Write Industrial Lyrics

This link will only be funny to those who've listened to a few industrial music acts. How to Write Industrial Lyrics

My favorite is "Angst", which displays that "I'm cooler than thou" attitude i despise, so prevalent in many music devotees. Sadly, these are typical things that I've heard industrial fans say.

Not sure what "Industrial" music is? Think Nine Inch Nails or maybe Marilon Manson's "Beautiful People" track, which are easy to find though many hXc (hardcore) industrial fans would spit. Industrial bands include Front Line Assembly, Skinny Puppy, KMFDM, Wumpscut. By contrast, EBM is "electronic body music", which is basically like 80's synthpop (eg Depeche Mode, Erasure, Tears For Fears), more melodic and less harsh with proper singing. EBM bands include VNV Nation, Namnambulu and Seabound.

For the record, Canada's Front Line Assembly is one of my alltime favourite bands. See the excellent Mindphaser site. The folks behind FLA are also "Delerium", the 'techno/dance' act and several others. It's partly their openness to other musical styles and versatility which makes me respect them, which i've tried to aim for in my own music and DJing. But mostly because they make absolutely kickin' tunes.

listening to The Boo Radleys : Wake Up Boo

Spidergreat

I think Spiderbait is my new favourite band. For today, anyway.
At times a bit glam like T-Rex, fuzzy guitars, punky, melodic, hooky, quirky. Comparisons with Garbage might be appropriate, but they are much more than that as they have a male singer as well. Proves good things do come from our Australian cousins. Fave tracks: F**ken awesome (from Tonight, Alright), Shazam! (from Grand Slam).

listening to: As above