PROMO: Canadian Dates:
THE EXCHANGES:
Saturday Nov 6th @ Lee's Palace, Toronto, ON w/The Populars, Minque + 1 more TBA.
Nov. 16th @ The Elixir, Kingston ON w/A New Decade and The Polytones.
November 19th @ Rancho Relaxo, Toronto, ON w/ San Francisco Treat and The Patients.
Chek: http://www.theexchanges.ca/ for more deets.
MINX: Chek http://www.myspace.com/minx/ ta keep on top of Nicole Hughes' (Scratching Post) new band. Or just dig myspace.com - a site where folks can promote, discuss or just be.
Musicians - send your promoteables (dates, merch, site info, etc...) to: info@themusicalrevolution.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. THE DANCE MUSIC HALL OF FAME: Opens in N.Y.C.
2. CHARLIE WATTS BEATS CANCER: Atta boy!
3. MARK DAVID CHAPMAN: John Lennon's killer up for parole.
4. Y2K4 INTERNATIONAL LIVE LOOPING FESTIVAL: What the? Czech it.
5. BAND AID 2004: They still don't know :(
6. JOHN BUTLER TRIO: #1 without a record label.
7. STUDENT SONG SWAPPERS SUED BY U.S. RECORDING INDUSTRY: 6000 and counting.
8. WHO CARES? - "Incubus", Ozzy, Nicky Hilton, R.H.C.P., They Game, Ashlee Simpson, like whatever...
www.themusicalrevolution.com ~ info@themusicalrevolution.com {Nov. 2004. Edition #2.}
EDITORIAL:
Inspired Ideas
Since its inception just over a month ago - TheMusicalRevolution weblog, has seen a LOT of traffic. The States, Canada, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Hungary, even the US government have czecht in to make sure we're not up to no good. Hilarious! Now, traditionally, a blog is meant as more of a personal diary, but as far as "Inspired Ideas" is concerned this is not the case. Consider themusicalrevolution.com as an electronic street corner. In this scenario, the blog represents the spot in front of the CD/music store where interested folks are spittin' out all the crazy ideas that will mould music future. The CATEGORIES on the right hand of the main page represent the general info breakdown:
Announcements: The newspapare headlines.
Promotions: The posters on the walls.
Revolutionary Ideas: The buzz!
Fellow Revolutionaries: The regulars.
Gear For Sale/Trade/Loan...: The street venders.
Works in Progress: The demos exchanged.
Lyrics/Poetry: The beatboxers and street MCs.
Tales From Back in tha Day: The flying bullshit or as some may call it - ledgend.
Reviews: Opinion.
Conspiracy Theories: Concern.
Ranting and Raving: Fear/Hope.
This space is for you!
Want a new category? Send your idea ova to: weblog@themusicalrevolution.com
Got something to say that falls under the above categories: weblog@themusicalrevolution.com
Don't like something? Anything? weblog@themusicalrevolution.com
Just wanna throw in your two cents? Use the Comments button at the bottom of any of the entries. Anonymous entries are welcome but if you represent you get the respect you deserve.
Othawyze, keep reading, ALL of you. Check back daily. Hear the buzz. Promote your shows - no matter where they are (the internet IS global). Information is power. As far as I'm concerned, this weblog is just a foothold. YOUR interests will determine where the revolution goes.
Big Love,
i220
NEWS:
1. THE DANCE MUSIC HALL OF FAME: The end of September saw the opening of the Dance Music Hall of Fame in New York City. 'bout time!
2. CHARLIE WATTS BEATS CANCER: The 63 year old "Rolling Stones" drummer has won a bout with throat cancer. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are already talking about a new album. Hmmnn, 6 weeks of chemo - I bet Charlie feels like 'playing drums'. Rest well CW!
3. MARK DAVID CHAPMAN: John Lennon's killer has been denied parole again. Justice? Well, he is eligable for parole again in 2006. Strange world.
4. Y2K4 INTERNATIONAL LIVE LOOPING FESTIVAL: 45 artists including names like Sunao Inami, Robert Zorzi, Michael Klobuchar, Bernhard Wagner, Brian Kenny Fresno, Kitundu and Rick Walker all gathered in Santa Cruz, early October to celebrate "Looping". All artists performed for free. An optional $10 donation was all that was asked of patrons. Suite Joose. Check www.loopersdelight.com or www.looppool.info to find out more.
5. BAND AID 2004: Ian Youngs, Dido, Noel Gallaher, Damon Albarn, Coldplay, The Darkness, Keane, (and on and on) have all signed on to re-record "Do they Know It's Christmas?" which was a smash hit in 1984 and sold 3.5 million copies in the UK alone to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief. Look for an early December release.
6. JOHN BUTLER TRIO: Australia's "best male artist" (as awarded by that country's Recording Industry Association) John Butler has done it all without a record deal! In all fairness they did come a knockin' after he'd sold over 30,000 copies of his debut album but by then it was too late. His first full length album debuted at #1 down under - the first independently produced release to do so. Ass backwards :S
7. STUDENT SONG SWAPPERS SUED BY U.S. RECORDING INDUSTRY: The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is taking legal action against 750 computer users believed to be distributing music illegally over the internet. Since September of 3003 American record companies have sued over 6000 "law breakers". The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) followed the US lead earlier this month, announcing it was taking legal action against 28 file-swappers. Hundreds of cases have also been launched across Europe in a bid to halt the tide of copyright infringement.
8. WHO CARES? - Britney's married, pregnant maybe, wants to "...let all of the other overexposed blondes on the cover of Us Weekly be "our" entertainment," by taking a break from the industry. Hey, don't let us stop you. No, really!... First Cat Islam, now Brandon Boyd. Seems the "Incubus" singer was arrested for carrying a switchblade onto an airplane and singing songs that hate on George Bush. JK... Eminem releases another album that sounds like the last one. Its name - "Encore", too easy... You too can tour with "Ozzy Osbourn". All you have to do is be his latest reality TV bitch... Did anybody know that Nicky Hilton got married? Annuled... Elvis may not be alive but his bank book sure is. Cat made $40 million last year. I say he should upgrade to the deluxe coffin... Tommy Lee ("Motley Crue"), Anthony Kiedis ("Red Hot Chilli Peppers") and Dave Navarro ("Jane's Addiction") have all released books based on their lives. Score one for literature... Yes! "Limp Bizkit" is back. Wes is back. Now can we just do something about Fred Durst... "The Game" - No it's not the latest playstation release. Not the newest R Kelly joint either. He's the newest Dr. Dre protege not to equal Easy E... Outkast are the first ever group to be certified platinum as "Hey Ya!" is legally downloaded over 400,000 times (200,000 = platinum). Well maybe someone does actually care about that one... Mary Kate's back at school ;) Wonder what she brought for lunch... Ashlee Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, Ashle... Did anyone do the "Monster Mash" this Halloween? Apparently "it" claims Halloween's #1 song status. Apparently it's a graveyard smash too... L.L. is back at it and succeeding proving once again that shit's so watered down out there that even a 36 year old father of four can get into the top 5. Yeah ;)
Resources: http://www.muchmusic.com/ http://www.pulse24.com/ http://www.rollingstone.com/ http://www.thestar.com/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/ http://www.mtv.com/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/ http://www.socan.ca/
Catchyas next month, meanwhile...
- Keep checking the site for weekly updates. Participate - every idea you have is the future.
- Musicians - send us your promoteables. This is a growing group of "interested" people.
- Refer us to others. Searching for music enthusiasts.
- and finally - Got something to say that we should know about? email to: info@themusicalrevolution.com
www.themusicalrevolution.com ~ info@themusicalrevolution.com
Edition #1.
PROMO: Musicians - send your promoteables (dates, merch, site info, etc...) to: info@themusicalrevolution.com
Fri. Oct. 1 - The Flat Planets @ Reilly's (3rd floor), Downtown Toronto. The Flat Planets are Anthony Giambrone * Sal Guzzo * Enzo Suppa * Adriano Vitale. The Lineup: 9:30pm - The Flat Planets, 10:15pm - The Formula, 11:35pm - Franklin's Fault.
Sat. Oct. 16 - Minque @ Sneaky Dee's, Downtown Toronto. A "Ramone's Tribute Night" with Evil Doers and Pinhead (Ramone's Tribute Band). Showtime: 10:00pm. http://www.minque.ca/
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. SAVE CANADIAN MUSIC - No more FACTOR/Musicaction grants? http://www.savecanadianmusic.com /
2. SONGS FOR SUDAN - Big Names! Download from: http://www.bignoisemusic.com/
3. MSN MUSIC - Microsoft's answer to Apple's iTunes.
4. JOHNNY RAMONE - R.I.P.
5. GRAND MASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE - Nominated to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
6. FREE AUNG SAN SUU KYI - http://www.uscampaignforburma.org/
7. REMEMBERING RAY CHARLES - All-star concert called "Genius: A Night To Remember".
8. TORONTO AIDS BENEFIT CONCERT -Ricoh Coliseum , November 29, 2004.
9. WHO CARES? - Nipplegate, MJ payoff, Another American Election, Outkast vs. Rosa Parks, Cat Stevens, Phil Spector, Britney Spears, Smile; overhyped - who the fuck cares anymore?
www.themusicalrevolution.com ~ info@themusicalrevolution.com
EDITORIAL:
TheMusicalRevolution.com. Damn! TheMothafuckin'MusicalRevolution.com people!! I'll be ova in this corner shittin my drawers - one second - O.K. thanks, that's it ... and... done.
Done like this website. Done like the western leg of my (Corporate Cash Cow...) Cross Canada Tour. Done diddly un like Nipplegate was before it even started. Uhm yeah, I'm excited.
Now that the wheels are in motion, I'm sure that there's more than one person out there wonderin' what the fuck all this is about? Big stankin' deal, another promotional website, woooohhhh stop the presses, call in the national guard, email your congressman. For those synical bastards (welcome to the club :) Here's the Paris Hilton (skinny).
Klik Website - Klik Weblog - Read Ideas - Get ideas - Post responses - Email inspired ideas to weblog@themusicalrevolution.com - revolutionize music. [or]
Klik Website - Klik Weblog - See show promotion - Go to show - Respond promoting your own show - Email show dates and details to weblog@themusicalrevolution.com - Turn like-minded people onto your shit - revolutionize music. [or]
Klik Website - Klik Weblog - Dig someone's ideas - Meet someone - Get together and - Revolutionize music. [and on and on and... "no more and then!"]
Why do I know that this is the future and that you want to be a part of it? 1. Ideas. The beginning is ideas. As interested people join maybe a comprehensive band/musician list might be required, maybe an Mp3 library, maybe an internet radio station, maybe an online record company, whatever, but it all starts with ideas. 2. Me. I ain't got anything else to do. I was born to do music, otherwise I'm a big pile of dumb. The industry is a get rich/get out scheme - I'ma do music my whole life. 3. and finally. Purpose. The only purpose this website has is to expose music/musical ideas to interested people. Other factors will come into play but I'm confident that if it can stay true to purpose, themusicalrevolution.com will continue to be successful.
All that said, chek the new face of themusicalrevolution. The .com is added - big love to my boy Scotty! This newsletter is refreshed - czech the NEWS secion for info that you can actually use. The group is growing - welcome to all those across Western Canada who have valiantly jumped in here with us - I hope that you can add a more national feel to the group as you kno as well as I do that Toronto is NOT the center of the universe! LOL!! Lastly but not least - cheers, thanx and biggest love to Kristi, my partner in crime here at revolution headquarters who has done her best to hold me up during this final knockout blow!
Big Love,
i220
NEWS:
1. SAVE CANADIAN MUSIC - March 31, 2005. That's the date that the Canadian Government's agreements with "FACTOR" and it's sister organization in Quebec "Musicaction" are set to expire. So far the current government hasn't agreed to renew. FACTOR and Musicaction have provided tens of millions of dollars in funding for Canadian musicians - http://www.factor.ca/ Check http://www.savecanadianmusic.com/ to find out what you can do.
2. SONGS FOR SUDAN - REM, Jet, The Futureheads, Primal Scream, Roots Manuva and Badly Drawn Boy have all contributed tracks to the new album "Songs for Sudan", an Oxfam charity album which will benefit the people of the strife-ridden African nation. Check http://www.bignoisemusic/ for more details.
3. MSN MUSIC - A hundred thousand tunes, a 99 c/song pricetag and the promise of a library increase (a million songs) ensure competitiveness, but MSN Music is still only available in the States.
4. JOHNNY RAMONE - John Cummings died in his sleep on the afternoon of September 15th after a five year battle with prostate cancer. Johnny was a founding member of "The Ramones" and is often described as being a driving force behind their success. He leaves us after only 55 years. God Bless.
5. GRAND MASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE - The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, Patti Smith and yes, Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five have all been nominated this year as potential inductees into the Rock and Roll hall of fame. GMFatFF are the first rap artists to be nominated.
6. FREE AUNG SAN SUU KYI - U2, REM, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Talib Kweli, Bright Eyes and Avril Lavigne are among others to be featured on a double disc release entitled, "For The Lady: Dedicated to Freeing The Courageous People of Burma". The collection is in support of Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights activist who has been under house arrest in Burma for the last 14 years. For more info visit: http://www.uscampaignforburma.org/
7. REMEMBERING RAY CHARLES - A concert will take place in Los Angeles, October 8, 2004. The moniker for this gala event - "Genius: A Night To Remember". An all star line-up featuring Usher, Mary J. Blige, Mos Def and Jamie Foxx will be on hand to honour his "Rayness".
8. TORONTO AIDS BENEFIT CONCERT - November 29, 2004. "UrbainAIDS Concert" @ Ricoh Coliseum, featuring: Alicia Keys, Keshia Chante, K-OS and Swollen Members.
9. WHO CARES? - F.C.C. fines C.B.S. $710,000 over nipplegate - that's like me losing a nickle in my shoe, big whoopty shit!.. MJ paid an accuser 2.5 million in the early nineties - Duh! Uhm Yeah... MustVote.com; free music for any American who registers to vote. I don't know what's worse, that they have to pay people to vote now or that they're actually offering up good music for those two... Who's the gold diggin' (sonufa)bitch draggin' Rosa Parks into a legal battle with "Outkast". The poor lady's suffering from dementia for God's sake... Cat Stevens/Yousef Islam has been deemed a terrorist threat by American homeland security. "Morning has broken, like the first morning..." Sounds like the unibomber part 2 to me... Phil Spector, Phil Spector, Phil Spector... Britney Spears. Is she married? Pregnant? A stupid redneck slut who is getting old real fast? Whatever... Brian Wilson says that he rates "Pet Sounds" a 7 out of 10 and his new album, "Smile" (which has been shelved for 40 years) a perfect 10! He'll be singing out of the other side of his ass in 3 months; guaranteed*.
*This is a George Bush, "We're going to stop terrorism" guarantee not a Usama bin Laden "We're going to get the States" type guarantee.
Resources: http://www.muchmusic.com/ http://www.pulse24.com/ http://www.rollingstone.com/ http://www.thestar.com/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/ http://www.mtv.com/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/ http://www.socan.ca/
Catchyas next month, meanwhile...
- Keep checking the site for weekly updates. Participate - every idea you have is the future.
- Musicians - send us your promoteables. This is a growing group of "interested" people.
- Refer us to others. Looking for music enthusiasts - those interested in MUSIC.
- and finally - Got something to say that we should know about? email to: info@themusicalrevolution.com
www.themusicalrevolution.com ~ info@themusicalrevolution.com
www.themusicalrevolution.com
weblog@themusicalrevolution.com
Sept./2004.
Edition (l)
Ladies and gentlesorts!
September, 2004 is a monumentous time for themusicalrevolution. Within this month, everything changes. I, i220 sincerely hope that this evolution will become an ongoing trend!
This monthly newsletter:
In an effort to increase credibility and usefulness to all those interested, the newsletter will become absolutely information based. In light of this - the PROMO section will remain intact - forward anything promoteable to: weblog@themusicalrevolution.com
The EDITORIAL will remain, but in abbreviated form and serve only as a guide to those in query.
All other sections will be deferred to themusicalrevolution.com [Freedom (weblog) section] which is slowly clawing its way into existence as this newsletter flies.
Filling this void will be a NEWS section - noteable developments and trends that affect the music enthusiast. My hope is that this will be interactive and that YOU will contribute to this section by passing on any noteable information so that WE all can benefit. Education is power! Send pertinent info to: weblog@themusicalrevolution.com
themusicalrevolution.com
In short, we are looking to Oct./04 as the official launch month of the website - the one year anniversary of the groups conception. As is revolution practice, we will launch to minimal hoopla but formidable content. The aim has been to create a specialized web presence for those who are enthusiastic about music - those who love it and all its inspirational constituents. That being said - upon launch, criticism and feedback will be more than welcomed. Time/technical/money constraints will defer any immediate improvements but ALL suggestions will be taken into account and improvements WILL happen! Big love and thanx to Scotty for his continuing work in the development of this web environment!
Big Love,
i220
www.themusicalrevolution.com
weblog@themusicalrevolution.com
www.themusicalrevolution.com
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Aug./2004.
Edition (k).
PROMO:
The Independent Musician Cross Canada Tour Pt 1 featuring solo acoustic musician - Corporate Cash Cow...
Jul. 17/04 @ Mitzie's Sister, Toronto, ON w/ Minque
Jul. 29/04 @ Downtown Bar, Sault Ste Marie, ON
Aug. 5/04 @ Cactus Pub & Grill, Picture Butte, AB
Aug. 6/04 @ The Silver Buckle, Medicine Hat, AB
Aug. 7/04 @ Dudley's Pub, High River, AB
Aug. 14/04 @ Dusty's Bar & Grill, Whistler, BC
Aug. 16/04 @ O'Byrne's Irish Pub, Edmonton, AB
Aug. 17/04 @ Lydia's, Saskatoon, SK
Aug. 18/04 @ The Spadina Freehouse, Saskatoon, SK
Aug. 19/04 @ McNalley's Tavern, Regina, SK
Aug. 22/04 @ The Lakeview Lodge, Thunder Bay, ON
Aug. 24/04 @ The Townehouse Tavern, Sudbury, ON
Aug. 26/04 @ Wylder's Music Hall, North Bay, ON
Damn!
IN THIS ISSUE:
Bars/Pubs across Western Canada that support live music: If you live in any of these locals visit any of these venues and support independent live music. If you are a musical performer and are thinking of booking your own Western Canada tour use this list to narrow down your search.
E2)
inch by inch we form
the details of our
own existence in haiku
O2)
i hold onto your arm
as i would in the dark
not knowing the way
Copyright: Zoë Zagg, 2004.
EDITORIAL: (Better early than never)
One of the great things about being an independent is that you have total control of your own destiny. That being said, total control of your own destiny also means that you have to do ALL of the work. As you can see by the above promo listing, I (as Corporate Cash Cow...) am in for a heavyass month. But, I am looking forward to discovering half of this great country of ours, re-connecting with some great friends and playing some "fuckin'" shows man!!! Yes I am excited. Yes I will have stories and pics when I get back. Yes this can be done.
INSPIRATIONS:
ONTARIO
North Bay: Wylder's, 100 Georges.
Sudbury: Townehouse, 100 Georges.
Sault Ste Marie: Loplops, River Rock's, New American, Nicolet, Downstairs Bar.
Thunder Bay: Roxy's, Element's, Newfie's, Intowner, Porto, Riley's, River Rock, Lakeview Lodge.
MANITOBA
Winnipeg: Tee-Off, Club 43, Buffalo Bills, Central, Picadilly.
Brandon: Houston's.
SASKATCHEWAN
Regina: Bartleby's, McNally's, Manhattan, Gaslight, Pump.
Saskatoon: Winston's, Spadina Freehouse, Lydia's, Bud's, Riley's, Dublin's.
ALBERTA
Medicine Hat: The Silver Buckle, Mainliner, Captain's Cabin, Palm Pub, Alabama.
Lethbridge: Dudley's, Cactus, Grand Union, Coaldale.
Banff: Wild Bill's, Magpie & Stump, The St. James Gate.
Calgary: Sal's, Molly Malone's, Morgan's, Dicken's, Ceili's, Joyce on 4th.
Edmonton: Sidetrack Cafe, Druid, Blind Duck, Ridgeway, O'Byrne's.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Kelowna: Rose's, Doc Willoughby's, Blue Gator, O'Flannagan's, Pheasant & Quail.
Kamloops: Coast Canadian Inn, Kamloops Inn, Magnum's, Black Bull, Rock 'n Firkin.
Whistler: Tapley's, Black's, Dubh Linn, Boot, Dusty's.
Victoria: Sticky Wicket, Steamer's, Swan, Logan's, Cambie, Blue Peter.
Vancouver: Brickyard, Funky Winker Beans, Metropole, Doolin's, Morrisey, Bimini's, Pumpjack, Comox, Princeton.
Whew. I do promise to include a more comprehensive list when I get the site up and begin my tour documentation. Look for "big" changes with the revolution in the fall ;)
Email me with any ideas, promotables or musical noteables.
Catch your asses on the road.
Big Love,
i220
www.themusicalrevolution.com
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
www.themusicalrevolution.com
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Jul./2004.
Edition (j).
PROMO:
Minque:
Jul. 17th @ "Mitzi's Sister" - Toronto, ON w/ Corporate Cash Cow...
Jul. 23th @ "Rib Fest" - Mississauga, ON.
Jul. 24th @ "Rancho Relaxo" - Toronto, ON.
The Changes:
July 21st El Mocambo (464 Spadina)
w/ The San Francisco Treat and others TBA
July 17th The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St West) Around - 9:30 pm
w/ Beethoven Freeze and Square Root of Margaret
July 1 Rivoli (334 Queen St W)
Canada Day Bash Evening w/ Wack Mc's, Canary Mine and High Water Mark
Matinee includes:Cam de Laat, John Rowley, Kim Jarret, Nick Porter, Rosita Stone, Jimmy Dowling, Dean Drouillard and Jay Shore (amongst others TBA)
Guest Selector Deejay Scootz
Web Sites:
www.thechanges.ca - The Sweet One (Al) has finally found his calling in managing Canada's next big thang. Check out The Changes' website.
www.minque.ca - Finally the boyz are online! Czech it.
www.grandpoobah.com - Help these cats win the Ernie Ball Battle of the bands:
1) Go to: http://www.ernieball.com
2) click on Battle of the Bands 8 or BB8 icon
3) under RELATED LINKS click CHECK OUT BANDS
4) type in GRAND POO BAH
5) scroll down to search results and click on GRAND POO BAH
6) then A GRAND POO BAH poster will appear (don't be distracted you are on
a mission) above the poster it says vote for GRAND POO BAH click on that
and fill out some info. Done!
This request comes from my boy Andrew Fortune. At the very least, check out the site - the music is absolutely stellar!
IN THIS ISSUE:
Internet Host Sites:
www.ampcast.com
www.mp3.com (back up - all new)
www.iuma.com
www.vitaminic.com
Online Retailers:
www.cdbaby.com
www.garageband.com
www.amazon.com
V)
escape unnatural landscapes
a feeling is a chore
worn as covering for eyes
X)
one can build a world
in a universe of thought
in a momentary silence
Copyright: Zoë Zagg, 2004.
EDITORIAL:
Adventures, adventures, adventures... Last September, I remember being at a hip hop summit with my gurl Kristi (revolution newsletter Oct./04). We were front row center listening to Chuck D inspiring. It was an absolutely life enriching experience! These experiences are few and far between and often can be quite unexpected. That being said, this past month Kristi and I found ourselves knee deep in another awe-inspiring event.
So we show up to the distillery, east downtown, Toronto. We had spent the last hour searching for the Betty Olimphant Theatre. No-one in the area seems to recognize its existence. 411 is a bust. So, hey - we decide to check out an old brewery, why not? Kristi spots a sign on a door - "Samarpana Dance Academy, Gunsaleen". Sounds familiar to me. Hmnnn... Why not check it out? So we go through the door, up the stairs, around the corner, around another corner - detour to the bathroom - down a hallway, around still another corner and there's a man with glasses at a table. I notice a stack of papers, ask him for one. I scan the paper's contents:
Pushpanjali
Sabdam
Janda
Kirtanam-Natanam Adinaar
Devastuthi
Swarajati-Raravenu
Mallari
Kirtanam-Idadupadam
Thillana
Dances, but who? Then I notice Farahana's name. Yes. Triumph is ours! We have found our dance recital. We enter the studio theatre. It is crammed with families, friends and interested parties. Where will we sit? A lady, 3rd to back row/center, motions us to sit beside her family. We take our seats, prime viewing/first class. The recital starts, on cue, as if they had waited for us to arrive. INCREDIBLE!
I have absolutely no idea what I am watching. (Farahana has since educated me). I immediately take note of the Eastern music with its tablas and other exotic (to me) instruments. A man dressed in white is sitting cross-legged on the floor just SW of the dancers. He is striking a bell/percussion type instrument in time with the music (maybe cuing the dancers?) I assume that he is their teacher (Goona). Immediately I notice the intense foot work (stamping with bare feet/ bells around the ankles). As the dances progress though, I start to realize that there is much more to these performances - positioning, hand placement, body and head movement, eyebrow and eye, and on and on...
Mistakes are made. Highlights many. Farahana's group is especially interesting with her (2nd Generation African (from Rwanda, family is originally from Gurjat)), Bob (Hungarian), IChing (Chinese?) and Andrea (West Indian). They perform a Bharatnatyam dance (traditional, for courting, story telling). As for the other dances, some of the girls look barely school age, but manage to perform with skill and discipline. I am floored!
Two of the girls, Thejasvi and Shamini (Farahana tells me that they are 10 years of age) perform three of the dances including the penultimate and finale. As uneducated as I am in the discipline of dance, I can't help but be blown away. Each dance is between 5 and 10 minutes long. The choreography is relentless and ever-changing for each. To say that the dances are diverse is definitely an understatement. The precision and style that these girls exemplify is far beyond my uneducated grasp. I can say this - I know music and they are locked in!
As I sit in the crowded studio I think, "What is it that brings people out time and time again for these events?" These dances have been performed for hundreds of years. What is it that's so exceptional about watching these two particular young ladies perform? Why watch any of the dancers? Besides tradition, what sets these artists apart from the 20 or so rock/funk projects that I've been involved with? Throughout this recital I realized one HUGE difference. Discipline.
Last sunday I witnessed hundreds of years of discipline channeled through a 10 year old girl. The more than 20 performers represented thousands of hours of practice. More like hundreds of thousands! The dances themselves have endured enough interpretation to make Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower" a trivial musical footnote in comparison. The scope was/is beyond me.
This to me is music/culture incarnate. We need NEVER forget that.
INSPIRATIONS:
In an attempt to further educate myself in the ways of home recording I have ventured to the library (how out of character you might say) and begun research. A book that I've been wading through as of late is "Home Recording for Musicians" - it is a "For Dummies" book - Perfect! The final chapters are dedicated to promoting music on the internet. Author Jeff Strong lists a few host sites and a few online retailers that might interest the independent music enthusiast. Check out these sites - they can help you discover some really decent music with little or no cost.
Internet Host Sites:
www.ampcast.com
www.mp3.com
www.iuma.com
www.vitaminic.com
Online Retailers:
www.cdbaby.com
www.garageband.com
www.amazon.com
Some sites I've mentioned before but are well worth re-iterating.
I am very fortunate that I have friends that invite me to such events as Farahana's dance recital. If you have an event forward it to me - I'll be sure to pass it on. I mail out once a month so be sure to think ahead.
Maybe we can all be inspired?
Big Love,
i220
www.themusicalrevolution.com
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
www.themusicalrevolution.com (tempsite)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Jun./2004.
Edition (i).
PROMO:
Jon Coe on CHRW: every Friday morning at 11:am - www.chrwradio.com or 94.9FM if you live in the London, ON area. JC's show features house, electro, tekhouse, nu-jazz and miscellaneous. Czech it!
ELEPHANT BAND shows:
NXNE showcase - Thursday, June 10th at 10:00pm at the TRANZAC club, Toronto.
Opening slot w/ KIM MITCHELL - Saturday, August 7th at the JUS JORDAN arena, Iroquois Falls.
If house music is your flava then here are a few sites you NEED to check out:
MUTEK festival - www.mutek.ca
John Acquaviva - www.jacq.com
Richie Hawtin - www.plastikman.com
Big ups to my boy JC for passing these along.
IN THIS ISSUE:
I've spent the entire month wading through search engines and phone lists to find bars/pubs that feature live acoustic music from Toronto to Vancouver. If you dig live music in pub surroundings then check the sites IN THIS ISSUE.
L)
only a tear
and nothing more
for death is only knocking once
M)
our factories are built
with manpower songs
steam- stacked and abrasive
Copyright: Zoë Zagg, 2004.
EDITORIAL:
All I can say is that this has been one hell of a month for myself and the revolution. Actually, that isn't all I can say. If it was then I wouldn't be the ramble-on-blow-hard that you've all come to know and love/despise :) All self-effacing aside, this month has plain kicked my ass. Every project and experiment that I've been working on for the last two years has come to a head.
themusicalrevolution.com - honestly folks, it's on the virtual drawing board as we speak. I just handed it over to my boy Scotty a couple of months ago knowing that he was already up to his neck in musical projects (see thefairmonts.com), a full time job and last but not least his own web related solo projectS (check ineedmorecowbell.com). All this and we won't even mention his debilitating medical condition that occasionally finds him drinking copious amounts of alcohol and calling his old buddies at 4:00 AM to yell, "yOoohlhhhh FfuuLKerrrrrsssss" at their answering machines. LOL!!! I think his condition is closely related to Tourettes... All joking aside, this site is very close to my heart and I intend it to be my life's work, continually evolving, documenting my own failures and successes as well as (and most importantly) helping others discover and promote music that they truly believe in. Since Scotty knows me better than most, he really is the best/only man for the job.
Corporate Cash Cow... - Those in the know, know that this is what I call myself when I've been a "naughty boy" *jokes*. Actually, this is myself playing cover tunes on acoustic guitar/singing solo. Locally, it's been a BITCH!! Booking in TO is difficult to say the least. The competition is stiff, everybody has a demo and their own P.A. system. That being said, I'm a resilient bastard and where there's a will*...
Provincially has been better. This "Canadian Idol" promo thing going on in area bars has been a little bit annoying but, whatever. Brian with the G.S.T., now Ben... Fuck 'em! Those Mulroneys.
Nationally. Yeah fellow babies - I'm takin the Cow national! I've begun canvassing bars/pubs in Western Canada and hope to play my way to Van City (drink up wi my girl Pauls and my boy Hud) and back. Late July and most of Aug. Check the INSPIRATIONS section of this newsletter for some Canadian pubs worth visiting, online at the very least.
*will - in this context means stubborn, ugly, annoying, slightly greying but refusing to believe that I'm still not 21...LOL! Mark my words though, once I'm in, I'm yanking everyone else I can along with me!
Busking for Cash Cow... - Yeah, I got my Toronto busking liscence. I went down to 112 Elizabeth St. (Bay and Dundas, Toronto, ON), paid my $31.71 (total) and now I can play anywhere in Toronto until March/05. Broke it in the other day at the beaches. Sun, bathing suits, me, my guitar, 45 songs, s'all good... and I got dinner to boot! Why? The reason is threefold. One - to hone the songs for the road. Two - dinner. And three - to build up confidence in myself that I can singlehandedly entertain anyone, anytime. This is by far the most challenging.
Demo - I've set up a tempsite at www.themusicalrevolution.com
The site is in no way representative of the revolution other than I'm its proprietor. I set it up so that I can book shows out west without wasting precious resources. Check it out if you want to. There are a few amateur covers/demos on there - nothing too spectacular. Because of this I am working on a full scale acoustic demo. This one will be ALOT better. I've only just begun this project so there isn't much to tell but I will keep you posted and all songs will be represented on the revolution website as finished.
Blah blah blah, ME blah Me blah... I know. The main reason that this is all so important is that if any of it works out, maybe some of the steps that I took will help others succeed in their like ventures. Mainly I share because I haven't had time for much else this month :P Most importantly, I promise to document it all once the site hits and hopefully my failures and successes will both prompt and warn. If I can find a way to tour across Canada on a song, create a webspace where one musical person can meet another and they can share ideas about our musical future, book an actual paying gig in Toronto or just help eveyone to hate Ben Mulroney just a little more then, "it's aaaaalllll good!"
INSPIRATIONS:
This is very much a work in progress and some of these pubs/sites may have burned down in "accidental" insurance fires since I acquired the addys but give 'em a hit, especially if you're likely to be in the area. Generally, these places put a lot more stock in who they feature than the traditional concert bars and tend to have actual patrons who regularly visit and expect to hear decent talent.
North Bay: www.100georges.com
Sudbury: www.100georges.com
Sault Ste Marie: www.loplops.com
Thunder Bay: www.roxys.ca
Winnipeg: www.wiseguys.mb.ca
Brandon: www.royaloakinn.com
Regina: www.thepumproadhouse.com
Saskatoon: NA
Medicine Hat: NA
Lethbridge: NA
Calgary: www.ceilis.com - www.joyceon4th.com
Edmonton: www.ceilis.com - www.obyrnes.com -
Banff: NA
Kelowna: www.bluegator.net - www.rosespub.com
Kamloops: NA
Vancouver: www.purpleonion.com - www.fairviewpub.ca - www.bar-none.ca
Victoria: www.cambiehostels.com - www.swanshotel.com
Whistler: www.whistlercrabshack.com
Discover and Promote. It's good for the soul.
Big Love,
i220
www.themusicalrevolution.com (tempsite)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
www.themusicalrevolution.com (on deck)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
May./2004.
Edition (h).
PROMO:
May 2, 2004. "Minque" - Round 3 of the Emergenza Festival (Toronto Faction) - @ The Opera House, Toronto, ON. Yes, the boyz prevailed again, with flying colours I might add - "First" in a landslide. Now, on to a bigger concert with the chance to stay alive. Best of luck!
www.boundether.com - "Bound Ether" - Metal with a female singer. Joe from werk scored me a coupla free discs - not bad... If you're into the "Evanascence" vibe you should check these cats out.
This month I've been trying to discover pubs in Toronto that offer live acoustic music. For the interested, here are a few sites that list such venues:
Dig It
IN THIS ISSUE:
TO DOWNLOAD OR NOT TO DOWNLOAD: http://www.pulse24.com/Business/Top_Story/20040331-002/page.asp
I)
dynasty bonsai
few have climbed the mountain
to the summit
J)
it was easier
when i formulated less
and felt more
Copyright: Zoë Zagg, 2004.
EDITORIAL:
Being the egomaniac that I am, it is a credit to my boy Lucas G that I am stepping aside this month and offering him my "editorial". That being said - he plain kicked my ass with the following so I just had to concede. Enjoy someone who is not me! Lucas:
On Da Folk Tip
I love asking people what kind of music they listen to. Unfortunately, most people inevitably say "Oh, I listen to everything". Being the smart-alec-dickweed that I am, I always find myself asking them what Zydeco, Backpack, or Klezmer bands they are into to find a perplexed look all over their face. Ideally, "everything" should be a little less vague of a genre but, due to genres like "Top 40", "everything" bares different connotations now.
Zydeco, Backpack, and Klezmer are all very location based and culturally specific styles of folk music. Based on last months article on Zydeco, I would like to delve a little into the wonderful world of Klezmer folk music.
Klezmer music was created around a hundred years ago in Eastern Europe, predominatly Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Lithuania, and Germany by the Roma (or Gypsies, as they would prefer not to be called) and the Ashkenazi Jews. Much like the North American Blues, it is based on I, IV, V progressions, mainly out of minor keys with flat 5ths and even more sharp 7ths, and always has an immense amount of improvisation by all musicians. Lyrically, most songs are in Yiddish (if they are not instrumental) but more modern, North American Klezmer bands prefer to do a lot of songs in English in order for their audiences to identify with them. Thematic ideas revolve around either humour or hardships of the people; very emotional and will make you weep or dance the Hora or Bulgar.
Three of my favourite North American Klezmer bands have great websites available for you to Czech out their free downloads and Tour info.
http://www.flyingbulgars.com/
http://www.klezmatics.com/
http://www.beyondthepale.net/
Aswell, when I was in Krakow, Poland 2 summers ago, I was lucky enough to see The Cracow Klezmer Band performing traditional Klezmer music with less of a jazz influence than North American Klez has. Free MP3s can be downloaded here aswell:
http://www.ckb.cracow.pl/
Enjoy it 'cuz music and culture is all around you to be appreciated.
Lucas Goldman
piece out.
For more Lucas, check out link:
http://poetry.com/Publications/display.asp?ID=W2260087&BN=999&PN=1
Just search his name.
INSPIRATIONS:
I saw the following article on the evening news - no, I don't just watch C.S.I. and cartoons! I thought that it was worth the entire "inspirations" section for this month because without freedom it is difficult to realize inspiration. For now, our freedom is protected! What we will do with that freedom is yet to be seen.
pulse24.com - Thursday, April 29, 2004.
Canadian Kazaa users grab your mouse – the music industry won’t know who you are. A federal judge has ruled the Canadian Recording Industry Association can’t get access to the names of computer users who download and share music off the Internet.
The industry group was looking to sue 29 people who made over a thousand songs available online, using programs like Kazaa or Grokster. But the judge decided they simply didn’t prove that the actions violated copyright, and that the process of downloading and sharing MP3 files doesn’t constitute copyright infringement under Canadian law.
“No evidence was presented that the alleged infringers either distributed or authorized the reproduction of sound recordings,” Justice Konrad von Finckenstein wrote in his 28-page ruling. “They merely placed personal copies into their shared directories which were accessible by other computer users via a P2P [peer-to-peer] service.”
He compared the process to using a photocopier. “I cannot see a real difference between a library that places a photocopy machine in a room full of copyrighted material and a computer user that places a personal copy on a shared directory linked to a P2P service,” he concludes.
The industry is aghast. “What we're talking about goes far beyond photo copying,” counters Richard Pfohl of the Canadian Recording Industry Association. “We have people making thousands of songs available to millions of strangers. It's devastated our industry.”
It’s an industry that was hoping to duplicate the actions of its U.S. counterpart. Courts there have compelled Internet Service Providers to reveal the names of users found guilty of sharing massive numbers of files, so that they can take legal action against them.
Hundreds of people have already made out of court settlements with the Recording Industry Association of America, after it threatened to charge violators thousands of dollars for every song found on their computers.
Music officials here had planned the same strategy, hoping to stop what they contend is millions of dollars in sales lost to the piracy. They've called the decision "stunning", and will lobby to have the laws changed, while seriously considering an appeal.
http://www.pulse24.com/Business/Top_Story/20040331-002/page.asp
Excercise your freedom: Opinions, projects, gatherings, let us know.
Big Love,
i220
www.themusicalrevolution.com (on deck)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
www.themusicalrevolution.com (on deck)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Apr./2004.
Edition (g).
PROMO:
Check these dates for the "Pete Kyrie Band".
Thursday April 1 @ Clinton's Tavern - Toronto, ON
Thursday April 22 @ Kathedral - Toronto, ON
Friday April 23 @ VIP Lounge - London, ON
Saturday April 24 @ Vip Lounge - London, ON
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. SWALLOW PUBLICATIONS: CAJUN MUSIC'S RIGHTFUL HOME. http://www.swallowpublications.com/
2. LOUISIANA MUSIC FACTORY: CAJUN LEARNIN'. http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com/
3. NATHAN WILLIAMS & THE ZYDECO CHA CHAS: THE NAME SAYS IT ALL. http://nathanwilliams.crazygator.com/
G)
only tired eyes can see
apparitions of dreams
under radar detection
H)
my last for now
will be my first later
under star-lit elephant trunks
Copyright: Zoë Zagg, 2004.
EDITORIAL:
So I sit here enjoying some of my girl Kristi's tasty spaghetti sauce gumbo and damn it, I think I am getting in the mood!
Time: Back when I was teaching high school:
Chip (on the shoulder) the snot nosed kid with something to prove: "So Mr. Wilson - you graduated from Western?"
Me: "Uhmm yeah." (Thinking: 'Here we go.')
Chip: "You ever heard of Smap-o-licious-boogie-woogie music?"
Me: "Uhh well... No... What the?"
Chip: (laughing and very satisfied) "You see it was invented in my great great great grampas uncles former roommates basement up in Chelmsford and..."
The fact is: For every region in every time period there is a folk (of the people, not Simon & Garfunkle) music with a way out there name and (often) equally simple approach! For one human to know them all intimately is impossible because:
1. There aren't enough hours in a lifetime!
2. Each "folk" music really requires that you have experienced the culture first hand to truly "know" it.
To quote a favorite movie, "You can't hear Jimi!"
The sweet thing is that ever since and even before Liszt and Bartók made it correct to be "ethnomusicologists" (Yeah - I was a Chip too), cats have been stealing from "folk" musics everywhere to create their own unique inspirations. Want current proof? Listen to all the Middle Eastern influence in modern day war protest songs - Linkin Park? S.O.T.D.?
This brings me to "Zydeco", Louisiana Cajun Music's city cousin. I found out about it's existence this month while reading an article in "Bass Player" (Nov. 2003, Ed Friedland and Terry Buddingh). I've since started researching it on the internet and thought that I'd let you in on the ground floor (or try and play a little catchup). Here is a description lifted directly from the "Music Factory" website:
"Zydeco is a music indigenous to southwest Louisiana and is now popular the world over. The word Zydeco was derrived from the the French word hericot which means "snap bean." The Cajuns have an old song called, "Les Hericots Sont Pas Sale," which means "the snap beans are not salty." Clifton Chenier once said that he called the music Zydeco because he learned it playing in people's kitchens and these party's they called "having a zydeco." Clifton changed the old tune to "Zydeco Sont Pas Sale" and by doing so coined the phrase Zydeco as a style of music. Zydeco combines cajun, blues, jazz, and r&b to create a unique dance music."
From what I can gather - the only way to really understand the hype is to go to Louisiana and drink in the vibe (so to speak). But, I have included links in this very email to give the interested a taste. Remember, it is a "folk" music so, the fact that it is based on two chords repeated is inevitible. But, Dr. Dre has fasioned an entire career using one chord so the Creole do deserve a little understanding here. My beloved funk is I, IV so I figure that Zydeco should be just my speed! Besides... It's called ZYDECO - C'MON!!
INSPIRATIONS:
1. SWALLOW PUBLICATIONS: CAJUN MUSIC'S RIGHTFUL HOME. http://www.swallowpublications.com/
Check out their history for a little jolt of inspiration:
http://www.swallowpublications.com/about_us.htm
This shit is music industry past, present and future incarnate!
2. LOUISIANA MUSIC FACTORY: CAJUN LEARNIN'. http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com/
Not printed in French - thank my lucky stars!
3. NATHAN WILLIAMS & THE ZYDECO CHA CHAS: THE NAME SAYS IT ALL. http://nathanwilliams.crazygator.com/
Damn site crashed my old computer... @#$!!!! But, I was impressed with the crazy-ass moniker and the picture of the accordian player in front of a marquee proudly displaying his(?) name; All "inside" a bowling alley - that's authentico! Note: "Bass Player" has a lot to say about this Nathan Cat's band so if you czech inti it prepare yourself for some wanky bass stylez - LOL!!
Coupla Coo factoids: My boy Lucas hit up the site - indiejukebox.com - after Tammy's recommendation in last month's newsletter. To his (and all of ours really) dismay he discovered that the site didn't recognize Hip Hop as a genre. Of course, Lucas contacted the guy and if you wanna know how it turned out, czech: www.indiejukebox.com
Big ups Cat!
Also, as indicated in March's newsletter, my boy Luc's band "Minque" performed in the second round of the Toronto division of the Emergenza International Battle of the Bands. They cleaned house again! On to the next round for the cats - Big ups!!
Ideas? Inspirations? Promotions? Performances?
Share - it's the only way to the next level.
Big Love,
i220
www.themusicalrevolution.com (on deck)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
www.themusicalrevolution.com (currently innactive)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Mar./2004.
Edition (f).
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. CORPORATE CASH COW: COVER MATERIAL FOR THE MASSES.
2. i220: PRODUCER EXTRORDINAIRE - YEAH RIGHT!
3. THEMUSICALREVOLUTION.COM: ALMOST THERE, HONEST.
www.themusicalrevolution.com (currently innactive)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Mar./2004.
Edition (f).
D)
languages do not break
barriers because actions
are too loosely formulated
E)
i have no motivation
for any except robots
reading scripts of ancients
Copyright: Zoë Zagg, 2004.
PROMO:
EVERY THUR: The Poacher's Arms - London, ON - The Fairmonts.*
http://thefairmonts.com
MARCH 6TH: Circus Room - Kitchener, ON - Elephant Band, Humshuttle and Rated R.** http://elephantband.com http://barcoderecords.com
MARCH 6TH & 7TH: Betty Oliphant Theatre - Toronto, ON - Gunsaleen Dance Co. Saturday@ 8.00pm & March 7th 2004 Sunday @ 2.00pm matinee BETTY OLIPHANT THEATRE, 404 JARVIS STREET (between Carlton and Wellesley on Jarvis) http://www.danceworks.ca/cw18.html
MARCH 13TH: Townehouse - Sudbury, ON - Rated R.
MARCH 14TH: Townehouse - Sudbury, ON - Elephant Band, semi-acoustic.
MARCH 19TH: The Reverb - Toronto, ON - MINQUE, the Emergenza B.O.T.B.
MARCH 26TH - The Poacher's Arms - London, ON - The Fairmonts.
MARCH26TH & 27TH: Wylder's - North Bay, ON - Elephant Band.
*The Fairmonts are and accoustic duo consisting of my boys Justin and Scotty, Guit/Vox and Djembe/Perc. respectively.
** Rated R is a new QOTSA cover band. The band is made up of veterans Marse Beckman (Comma, Salic Law, etc...), James Leacock (Zuul's Evil Disco and The Janice Effect) and Eric Soini (Elephant Band).
Sites:
http://www.ineedmorecowbell.com
A fun site that my boy Scotty set up. It consists mostly of a WEBLOG. Since he has allowed me posting priviladges, I have now started to post the newsletter up there monthly!
http://www-acad.sheridanc.on.ca/~lewchris
A fellow musician delves SERIOUSLY into the fine arts!
http://www.indecember.com/
My boy Kyle from work's band. They just released a C.D., Czech it!
http://www.indiejukebox.com
My girl Tammy sent me this link (Big Ups). Check it out. This is what the site's proprietor has to say: "If you're an unsigned singer/songwriter or band and you currently have a CD available then my site might be just the thing you need to start making back some of that money you spent on studio and manufacturing costs."
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. CORPORATE CASH COW: COVER MATERIAL FOR THE MASSES.
2. i220: PRODUCER EXTRORDINAIRE - YEAH RIGHT!
3. THEMUSICALREVOLUTION.COM: ALMOST THERE, HONEST.
EDITORIAL:
1996. I find myself on the losing end of a one night stand went wrong. Go for a jog (which takes a pathetic detour by her house... yech!). Over the duration of the jog, I write an entire song. It's one of the saddest bastardest songs I've ever written (and that's saying alot) but a song none the less. That afternoon, I record the song, start to finish; drums, bass, guitar and lousy vocals to boot! Two years later I take an afternoon, do a rewrite and turn the song into "Teleprompted Freak Show" the lead off single on "Mean Old Son of a Bitch", 1999, Strange Bargain. To this day, I can't explain it. The song just popped in my head; lyrics, melody, parts, everything! I like to think that it was inspiration. I also like to think that if Scooby Doo and Spiderman ever had a showdown that Scooby would win by getting Spiderman to succumb to the deliciousness of "Scooby Snax" and the body buzz would render him incapacitated, but, I digress. My point is: Inspiration good, Music industry - get some.
I want to entitle this edition of my laborious, I mean notorious newsletter (Freudian Slip) The "Promote the shit out of everything I can" Newsletter. I'm featuring 3 of my own projects and you will notice the extensive PROMO section - I hope that this will become a regular thang as I'm all about the love and for those of you who know me, the chest hair... again with the digressions!
BTW. Cheers to Zoë! Again, I fearture 2 of her micro inspirations (beginning of this newsletter) and again I am more than honoured. (Psst... that means that I have a woody... J.K.).
INSPIRATIONS:
1. CORPORATE CASH COW: COVER MATERIAL FOR THE MASSES.
A few people have been asking me what I'be been up to this last year. Besides working alot and saving my pennies (hopefully for a house), I've been quite busy learning songs; vocals/accoustic guitar. In particular, I've been trying to compile two sets of thirty songs for a solo accoustic show I'm entitling, "Corporate Cash Cow..." The first set of thirty revolves around the theme of classic story songs of the popular variety. The second set of tunes is a bunch of early 90'sish music that I'm dubbing, "the last stand of Rock 'n Roll." So far I have 45 down (30 set one/15 set two). Here's the set list in progress:
Signs - 5 Man Electrical Band
Shooting Star - Bad Co.
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
Cat's in the Cradle - Harry Chapin
Hazy Shade of Winter - Simon and Garfunkle
Walkin' the Dog - Willie Dixon
Stuck in the Middle - Steeler's Wheel
Wasn't that a Party - The Rovers
Lyin' Eyes - The Eagles
Casey Jones - The Grateful Dead
People are Strange - The Doors
Aqualung - Jethro Tull
Redemption Song - Bob Marley
The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
Mother's Little Helper - The Rolling Stones
Lola - The Kinks
Secret Agent Man - Johnny Rivers
Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations
Lido Shuffle - Boz Skaggs
Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell
For What it's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
The Weight - The Band
Rockin' in the Free World - Niel Young
Blackbird - The Beatles
Rocky Racoon - The Beatles
Let Your Love Flow - The Bellamy Brothers
Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac
Turn The Page - Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
Jet Airliner - The Steve Miller Band
Only the Good Die Young - Billy Joel
Heart Shaped Box - Nirvana
Them Bones - Alice in Chains
Interstate Love Song - Stone Temple Pilots
Banditos - The Refreshments
Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead
Enid - The Barenaked Ladies
I Wanna be Sedated - The Ramones
At A Medium Pace - Adam Sandler
Say it Ain't So - Weezer
500 Miles - The Proclaimers
What's the Frequency Kenneth - R.E.M.
Santeria - Sublime
Run and Hide - The Watchmen
Push - Matchbox 20
Drive - Incubus
Another Lonely Day - Ben Harper
Salesmen, Cheats and Liars - The Lowest of the Low
I've compiled a demo/package and look to start playing soon. My priority will be pub gigs and when I think the show is competent, I'm sure dates will start to appear in the PROMO section of the newsletter. Competent is the magic word here!
2. i220: PRODUCER EXTRORDINAIRE - YEAH RIGHT!
i220? The name is another one of my "so called" inspirations. The source of this inspiration isn't as mysterious as the origin of "Freak Show". When I was in university, I read Evgeny Zamyatin's "We". Half a dozen years later I came up with this "musicalrevolution" idea and the name, "i220". I traced the idea back to the book, reread it and have decided to run with the idea. Any "original" music and music creation projects that I'm involved in I intend to use the pseudonym "i220". Right now I'm working with some new recording gear. I have finished a mix of the song, "Lady Star" for Minque (my boy Luc's project) and intend to continue working on it, learning as I progress. I have also begun work on a song "Measures" for the hip hop artist "feat." (lyrics featured in the Feb. newsletter). I intend to feature finished versions of the songs on my website when completed (with the artists permission of course).
3. THEMUSICALREVOLUTION.COM: ALMOST THERE, HONEST.
The bulk of this last month has been spent compiling ideas and material for my website. My hopes are that it will be up within the next few months. I intend to launch to little fanfare. The site will be quite functional to begin with but I am looking for it to be a long standing project developing consistently as needs arise. Again, I am looking to appeal to those who are interested. This site will be for and represent music ENthUsiaSts. Meaning, if you just don't care, don't let the door hit your... I, personally, can hardly wait! Inspiration? Philosophy?:
Transaction
Night Gasps.
Faint last breaths echo across the hillside.
Mist.
Hovers like an expectant Father.
Waiting to embrace the landscape.
Defiant it stands.
A barn, nestled deep in the valley's throat.
Laughter bursting from its four walls.
They're all here.
The atmosphere thick.
Burning pipe, maybe two?
No one can tell.
Liquid sloshing.
Bread breaking.
A fire licks the air, playful but tentative.
Music pounds after racing hearts.
The last chord unleashes potential,
Kinetic, explosion, applause…
Overcome, she cries.
Asks a favour.
Makes a promise.
How it was done. How it will be done.
He plays on: for love.
Knocking.
"my barn is Your barn."
Welcome.
Copyright: i220, 2004.
If you have any ideas for the website, CCC, i220, or even this newsletter please don't hesitate to pass them on. Beware though, my technical expertise IS my Achilles heel.
If you have anything to promote - send it. I spend a lot of time bugging cats. That's cool, but, ultimately nobody cares as much about your stuff as you do - if you want to be represented right - you gotta do it!
Again, thanx for the interest! Pass it on.
Big Love,
i220
www.themusicalrevolution.com (currently innactive)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
www.themusicalrevolution.com (currently innactive)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Feb./2004.
Edition (e).
PROMO: If you wish to promote your musical endeavour send details to: themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. ZOë ZAGG: FLASHES OF INSPIRATION MATERIALIZE IN THE FORM OF HAIKU.
2. KRISTI ANN HOLT: PUBLISHED POET. http://poetry.com/
3. LUCAS "feat." GOLDMAN: POETRY THROUGH HIP HOP.
EDITORIAL:
They warned you it was coming, and it could be happening by early February. The Canadian Recording Industry Association is readying the first of just under 40 lawsuits, aimed at locals who download copyrighted tunes off've the Internet.
The C.R.I.A. has watched with no small interest, as the tactic was being carried out with great success in the U.S. And last month, it announced a similar effort would begin here in early 2004.
And it now appears it's almost ready to go. The Association is waiting for court permission to trace the Internet Protocol numbers of the users it's targeting, an arrangement most legal experts believe is a mere formality.
Canada has one of the largest downloading populations on the planet, as eager wired PC owners look to collect as many of their favourite tunes as they can. But the music industry, which has lost billions in CD sales as a result of the practice, is counting on the resulting publicity to make most have second thoughts.
That's what happened in the U.S., where the Recording Industry Association of America sued a variety of individuals, eventually reaching settlements of around $2,000 from each, and watched the use of file sharing programs like Kazaa deflate.
But it's not the fines they're interested in. It's the message. And that is that copyright makes copy wrong. The companies have set up several pay music sites they hope computer users will seek out instead. And despite the fact that Apple's iTunes has been a major hit, most of the other efforts have stalled, finding it difficult to challenge fee with free.
January 14, 2004
Link: http://www.pulse24.com/Business/Top_Story/20040114-002/page.asp
My boy Mike from work forwarded this to me. I had hoped to start the New Year off on a positive note with an in depth look at inspiration and the importance of fostering artistic ideas. Instead, I share these tidings. While I have a great many opinions on the above subject, none of them really matter now as it looks like the powers that be have taken matters into their own hands. It would appear that the future of downloading is mapped out. If you have any information or an opinion you might like to put out there please don't hesitate to send it over: themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Most importantly, society has lost another freedom.
In November's newsletter I mentioned the "Emergenza" festival (an international Battle of the Bands). A new Canadian round has begun. Our very own boys from "Minque" decided to enter the Toronto preliminaries. Good News - They Won their first round! Now it's on to the next round and if they remember to fill me in on the dates I'll be sure to pass the details on.
As an aside - I heard "High Holy Days" on rock radio the other night (Revolution Newsletter - Nov. 03). It would appear that their label is already getting their material out there. Congratulations to Marc and the boys. I wish you continued success.
Finally, while I will reserve my ideas about inspiration until March, I have still decided to include some poetic inspirations in this months newsletter for you to enjoy. Thank you to the artists who have let me pass on their fine work!
INSPIRATIONS:
1. ZOë ZAGG: FLASHES OF INSPIRATION MATERIALIZE IN THE FORM OF HAIKU.
Zoë and I are at my boy Luc's one night taking in a "Minque" practice. I notice that she is writing, ask, "whaz up?" A conversation about the nature of inspiration ensues. She tells me that she is currently on a "Haiku" fix. Among other attributes she enjoys the conciseness of the poetic form and informs me that she often finds herself writing many in one day. I ask her to forward a few over to the revolution - Here's a couple to start you off.
A)
abstract windows look
upon abstract hours
to notice the sun waving
Copyright: 2003, Zoë Zagg.
B)
my generation
has been tried for treason
to wake up dying for thirst
Copyright: 2003, Zoë Zagg.
Zoë informs me that she doesn't always adhere to Haiku's exact number of syllables, choosing to let inspiration lead and form follow. I listen and learn.
2. KRISTI ANN HOLT: PUBLISHED POET. http://poetry.com/
Wings Of Flame
Gasp of startled joy
Then a downcast look
Toward an idle release
A leisurely touch brings
Music with no sound
Rise together as one
Fall apart separately
Each wrapped
In their own thoughts
Own perceptions
Of the dance
Two fluttering spirits
Falling fast with
No end in sight
Downward spirals
Of glances and sighs
Wings of Flame
Beating back upwards
Toward the burning sun.
Copyright: 2001, Kristi Holt.
http://poetry.com/
There are many ways that a poet can approach publication. Kristi informs me that Poetry.com doesn't only offer web exposure but a chance for every poet to be published in print as well, if your material is deemed worthy which, apparently, this work was. I concur but then, I am just a little biased :)
3. LUCAS "feat." GOLDMAN: POETRY THROUGH HIP HOP.
Lucas is and always will be, "one sick MoFo". He has offered me the chance (I admit, I begged) to produce this track. "Measures" will mark my first hip hop production. I promise it will not be commercial, tonal or very good I suspect. It is my first after all. But, what it will lack in polish it will make up for in enthusiasm! Yeah! In the meantime, prepare to become twisted and feast your minds on this:
"Measures" by feat.
As if to circumcise the certain size
maintain the length as the crow flies
Absurdly and verbally disguise the vice like Pi's last digit
Intensely immense present tense or is it
post-poned and rigid lyrically immeasurable infinite
What's in it? Beyond rhetorical rhetoric
pleasurably measured by Imperial or Metric
Systems designated for Mass, Volume, Distance
Leisurely insistent
Lacking substance.
Well it isn't subversive verses
writing cursive curses
it's describing what's inscribed
personally to certain persons
when a situation worsens
get set yet beyond belief
with every Tertiary verse I carry query for relief
and try to see if
this prose flows in the lows to vibrate your clothes
subsonic pentatonic blaring through a megaphone
at such a great rate of KiloHertz and still it works
Incredible and memorable until a certain decibel
Or should I say a certain Decimal
Exa to the Peta to the Tera to the What?
to the Giga to the Mega to the Kilo to the What?
to the milli to the micro to the nano to the What?
to the peco to the femto to the atto
Must this be thus missed and spit in incessant quotation
and syllabically submerged with written message innovation
from a disclosed location
As a varicose vein claimed
so grows the phrase and rose raised ingrained to the proper occasion
Sustained Substance
Substantial Sustenance
so sadly sorting sentence structure sections spoils the significance of
sibilance
since symbolists seek safety subtly some say several sonnet stanzas
stuttering
so start something with an abundance of ample amplitude
initiated with the example of a trampled sample dude
cannibalizing as a culture vulture like Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup;
Mammal
food
Dude you're screwed if you think your style is larger than life
and it's true there aren't enough hours of day light at night
to assess the rate of evidence measurements
present in profound remembrance
the relevance is lost through the idiom
the speaker is the middleman to the medium
Save your criticizing of competing if you're beating him
'cause a critic's just a cynic that ain't with it to be a comedian
and treasure your lies
till someone measures your size
or you better just measure your own size.
Copyright: 2003, Lucas Goldman.
So far I think I've seen/heard a dozen commercials claiming that if we don't buy music it's going to go away...
Hmmm... Yeah.
That'll happen when Bush single-handedly ends world terrorism!
Support each other:
Promote.
Listen.
Give your opinion.
Share.
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Peace,
i220
www.themusicalrevolution.com (currently innactive)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Join the Musical Revolution Y'all: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/musicalrevolution/
Check out previous newsletters: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/musicalrevolution/messages
Below: My first newsletter posted to Cowbell. Enjoy!
Matty.
www.themusicalrevolution.com (currently innactive)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Jan./2004. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Edition (d).
PROMO: www.discoinfernolive.com - Check out my boy Richie's Disco Band. Maybe you might like to book them for your next corporate event ;)
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. DIG YOUR ROOTS: http://www.digyourroots.ca/
2. GARAGE BAND: http://www.garageband.com/
3. MP3.COM: http://www.mp3.com/
EDITORIAL:
O.K. Let's just call this edition of the "musicalrevolution newsletter" part 3 of 3 in an investigation into commercial radio. Quick review. In part one, my girl Paula raised some "concerns" about the corporate sponsors (one in particular) of radio contests. She exclaimed and I quote, "I won tickets to the Molson Canadian Rocks House Party... I have retitled the event to the Molson Canadian SUCKS "House" Party." Why Pauls felt the need to put the word "House" in quotes is an enigma but then... it is Pauls - she was probably high - LOL! In part two, yours truly got up one day at the ripe old time of 5 AM to further research the commercial radio/corporate marriage by analyzing a cross section of a listener sample of the highest ratings period of the winningest radio station of the worlds greatest web... In short - I'm a nerd/commercial radio is a corporate whore.
Of course - all this is pure speculation and probably illegal cause, "Da Man runs the system too yo!!" So here I type at you from my pink rubber-room jail cell in sunny Kingston thinking, "Hmmm... How can I implicate someone else now?" As an aside, I also face another dilemma - I'm starting to bore the shit out of you! So here I go - I will kill two birds with one stone. I will manage to put another in harms way while maintaining the interest of my dearest readers. I will interview someone with first hand experience at a corporate radio station - someone who actually knows what transpires behind those mirky, payola drenched walls - someone with more to lose than a job at Loblaws and a 4X4.5 foot basement apartment.
Ladies and Gentlesorts... I present to you my interview with Curtis the "former" Commercial Radio DJ. Ta-da!! "What the..." You say. Read on - it'll all make sense shortly... promise...
Personal Background:
i220: 1. What kind of musical education/musical experiences did you have growing up?
Curtis: Didn't have any real education in music it was more or less experience. Started playing the drums in elementary school and joined a band through high school. Always enjoyed music in any form............playing in the band, listening to music, going to concerts etc.
i220: 2. Who did you work for during high school?
C: Early years of high school brought on some pretty wild jobs. Did alot of factory work............ you know shift work that paid crappy - but hey I was a kid and it was money in my pocket! Once grade 12 came I did my co-op at the college radio station in North Bay. Then during my grade 14 year (loved playing hockey), I got my "big break" at a commercial station.
i220: 3. When did you decide to enter the radio profession?
C: I actually did a radio project in my grade 11 english media class with Benny. We had a blast and when we handed in the project, the teacher said "you really have a gift for radio". It was around that time when people started putting the pressure on me to decide what I want to do with my life, so it seemed like an easy fit. That's when I decided to do the co-op in radio and things just progressed from there.
i220: 4. What was it that attracted you to the profession?
C: Sitting around listening to music and getting paid for it. There wasn't really allot that attracted me, but that seemed like a pretty cool thing to do and get paid for. Oh yeah, there was always the free trips, free cd's and free concert tickets.
Educational Background:
i220: 5. Describe the steps one must take to get the education needed to apply for a D.J. position at a commercial radio station.
C: Well, the traditional steps would be to start volunteering during high school. Radio stations LOVE the word volunteering..... (that means they don't have to pay you!) Then you would look at going to college for radio broadcasting. It's usually a 2 year program. That's when you will want to look at putting together a demo tape and send it out to as many radio stations you can possibly find. Then you hope that someone likes your sound and brings you on.
i220: 6. Were you successful at college? Did you graduate?
C: Was I successful at college? Yes................when I went. Did I graduate? No.......I didn't need to. I was offered a full time job just into my second year so I thought of the OSAP money I could save by dropping out so I packed my bags.
i220: 7. How important is post secondary education in landing a job in the field? Why?
C: To be honest......not important at all! It's that way because radio is something you either have or you don't have. It's not like a doctor where, with the proper amount of intelligence of course, you can go to school and study and study and be really really good at what you do. Radio is a talent. You got it or you don't.
Professional Background:
i220: 8. Which radio station (and where) did you get your first job? What were your duties there?
C: My first radio job was at CKAT in North Bay. My duties there were everything. Setting up remotes, setting up promotions, operating the board and the overnight show announcer on "The Cat". That's usually where the new voices started.
i220: 9. In chronological order list all of the radio stations that you worked for, their locations and their musical formats.
C:
CKAT North Bay, ON Country
CIGM Sudbury, ON Country
Q92 Sudbury, ON Rock
THE WOLF Regina, SK Rock
THE FOX North Bay, ON Rock
THE HAWK London, ON Classic Rock
FM 96 London, ON Rock
Information about the Profession:
At a typical radio station:
i220: 10. What are the different departments? What are each responsible for? Comment on the power structure. Who is the boss, second in command, etc...
C: There are alot of different departments and to some extent all have their share of power. The easiest way of breaking it down is like this;
Management
Station Manager (GM) - basically runs the station. Budgets, rules that kind of stuff.
Sales manager - runs the sales team.
Promotions manager - oversees the stations promotions and involvement in the community.
Programming
Program Director - oversees the announce staff, music director, promotions dept. Makes what's on the air sound good.
Music Director - deals with the record labels, schedules music for airplay. Runs music meetings with the PD and basically decides what gets played on the air.
Announce staff - entertain! They are, in essence, what sells the radio station.
Production/Traffic
Production staff - create the commercials for airplay.
Traffic dept - schedule commercials into their proper positioning according to what the sales rep sells them.
Sales Team - sells the commercials for airplay.
that's the basic outline of the station. You also have your secretaries, remote set-up guys and that kind of stuff. The most power belongs to the station manager. The sales manager and the program director rank a close second, but that's basically the top 3 in the reign of power. Announcers have alot of power as well because an unhappy announcer means a pissy job of entertaining!!!!
i220: 11. Who decides what music to play when? How much control as a D.J. do you have over the music?
C: As mentioned above, it is usually the program director and the music director who have the ultimate say in what gets played. They will also tell you that "consultants" will help tune your station. These are usually overpaid people that haven't a clue about music, but because they are paid top dollars by the station to do this pitiful so-called job of research, program directors feel the need to do exactly what they say. As an announcer, you basically have no say in what gets played. If you are fortunate to work at a half decent station, you may get the odd call upon on your thoughts on a tune here and there.
i220: 12. How is income generated? How does a radio station acquire funds for radio contests?
C: Income is generated by the sales department selling commercials. They are done on a local and national level. also, remote broadcasts are sold to clients as well for a pretty hefty price. Radio contests are usually done through "contra". An example would be a travel agency giving a trip to the Bahamas in exchange for 4 weeks of 60 second commercials during the morning show. The dayparts also determine the price of a commercial. the morning show commercials are more expensive than the overnight commercials based of course on listenership. Also, the higher the station is in ratings, the more they charge for commercials. Radio stations always give away big prizes during ratings!
i220: 13. What is the wage structure for D.J.s? What do you make?
C: Most of the wages are spent on your morning show. That of course is when the listenership is the biggest. Then you move to your midday show, drive show, evening show and overnights. Depending on the market, usually the evening and overnight show are done by a computer which is called voicetracking. In my radio career, I did overnights, evenings, drive and middays and the highest my salary got was $32,000/year. this included work in 2 so called "major market" radio stations.
i220: 14. What are the perks that a D.J. enjoys? What was your favourite radio experience? What was your worst experience?
C: There were some cool perks. Free cd's are always nice. It was also cool to meet bands and hang out with them. My favourite experience would probably be the Molson Canadian Rocks blind date that I was sent on as a host. It was in San Francisco and it was the Foo Fighters. We got first class treatment and it was just a total blast! I actually got to hang out with the Foo's a couple months later when the came to Sudbury. The worst experience would have to be dealing with bands that thought because they were successful in the music industry that people should bow down to them!!!!
The Music:
i220: 15. As a commercial radio D.J. how much independent music do you get exposed to on a daily basis?
C: To be honest with you.......minimal. The only time that independent bands got played was if there was an on-air special or if there was a battle of the bands to open for a headlining band at a festival or something along those lines. Unless you were signed by a label, you really had no hope.
i220: 16. What do you feel is the best way for an independent musician to get their music played on commercial radio?
C: Unfortunately there is no best way. In most cases, a music director only looks at music that comes from the hands of a label rep. Walking into a radio station or calling a music director with your cd, usually means another one for the pile in the corner of his office, or if your real lucky, it may get used as a coaster.
i220: 17. Do you feel that the typical commercial radio D.J. is enthusiastic about playing independent music? Why or why not?
C: I totally tried to support indy bands when I was in radio. The nasty thing is that I believe DJ's would be enthusiastic about playing indy music if they only got a chance to hear it. As I mentioned, the only two people that are in a weekly music meeting is the program director and the music director. So maybe if the people that actually push the button to start the songs that actually go to air got a shot at giving indy music a chance, we wouldn't hear people like the Bare Naked Ladies 25 times a day.
i220: 18. Do you know the names any of the five major recording companies in Canada? Do you know the names of any of the other 404 labels?
C: Sony, Universal, BMG, Columbia and Arista are 5 I know of. As for the other 404 labels....no clue.
i220: Not bad - 3 out of 409, not that I could fair much better thats for sure! Columbia = Sony, Arista = BMG. The other 2 majors = Warner and EMI, I know - easy when you have the answers in front of you.
Follow Up:
i220: 19. Why did you finally decide to leave radio?
C: There were many things.......unappreciated, underpaid and especially (towards the end of my radio journey), it was never about what the listeners wanted to hear. It was all about budget and shareholders. Companies always wanted more out of you, but never wanted to compensate you for the extra stuff you did.
i220: 20. Who is your current employer? What is it that you do for them?
C: I currently work for a company that markets warranty and insurance.
i220: 21. Do you think that the skills that you acquired in the radio profession help you in your current line of work? How?
C: Working in radio did help me in some ways. It gave me a good knowledge on how to deal with people and how to handle different situations. I also built "thick skin" and have become good at handling criticism.
i220: 22. Most improtantly, did being a D.J. on a commercial radio station help you get laid? Stories?
C: Ah................no stories..........i'll leave that to your creative little imaginations! :o)
i220: So - there you have it folks, almost 100 lines of - not Me :) Interesting... and... informative... If you have any questions for Curtis email me and I'll pass 'em on.
And that wraps up my first real expose - in three parts no less - Pretty Fly for a White guy huh? Hmmm sorry. If you have any further comments you wish to chuck out about radio/corporate monies/how it effects the independent, send 'em ova, I'll be sure to share em with the group. So I finish that topic (for now) with a limerick from my boy Lucas. Check it:
FM RADIO
I have an FM radio but I never turn it on
Because I may like one arpeggio but never like the song
So if I sample you and use it
It's 'cause I like your music
But the rest I think went on a bit too long.
All that said and done, I've decided to start off the new year by taking a good look around me and check into what others are doing to shake things up a bit. Being that this IS the internet I thought that I might showcase other "resource" sites for independent music lovers/musicians.
INSPIRATIONS:
1. DIG YOUR ROOTS: http://www.digyourroots.ca/
I first heard of this site from Mr. Lucas G. Check themusicalrevolution newsletter - Nov./2003. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/musicalrevolution/messages
What this site offers is best summed up on their "about" page. http://www.digyourroots.ca/aboutdyr.html
From what I can gather, it appears that artists are encouraged to promote themselves and their music on this site. http://www.digyourroots.ca/howtosubmit.html
Who listens? Well, aside from the general public, it would seem that a panel of "esteemed" judges is also exposed to the material and they are responsible for deciding what artists get to be added to a nationwide compilation C.D. and virtual tour.
Who's in charge? The site says the NCRA (National Campus Radio Association). Who? Check: http://www.digyourroots.ca/aboutncra.htm
Who's really in charge (translation: who pays the bills)? The site's main page lists "Corus Entertainment".
http://www.corusent.com
And... Who in the hell are they? Well, Curtis could tell you because he worked for them on more than one occasion. They are, among other things, "Canada’s largest radio operator in terms of revenue and audience tuning.", as stated on their web page.
Personally, I can only recommend this site as a resource for someone interested in hearing some independent hip hop, spoken word or electronic dance (the presently featured genres). My lack of faith in the "industry" and distaste for compartmentalizing music lead me to believe that digyourroots.ca may not be a strong promotional tool for the independent musician.
2. GARAGE BAND: http://www.garageband.com/
I have had first-hand experience with this site and can recommend it to both the interested listener and independent music creator. G-Band does sort music by genres but at least there is a decent selection. Anyone interested in listening can do so in a variety of ways from free internet radio to buying compilations directly from the site. Listeners are asked to review new music. http://www.garageband.com/review
This is what makes Garage Band worth joining for both the listener and the artist. By rating music a listener can help sift out the shit and discover the true cream. At the same time the artist can get valuable feedback from his/her actual target audience, there are compilation C.D.s for top artists and there is a remote chance that they will sign you to their label. Musicians interested in joining need only have a bio, pic and musical sample for review. http://www.garageband.com/musicians
If you are a musician, however, be prepared to have to review a lot of music. This site holds the artist accountable by exchanging its promotional services for your musical expertise.
I also must note that it has been over a year since I used this website and I have noticed quite a few changes overall, most noteably in the management team: http://www.garageband.com/htdb/companyinfo/management.html
You will notice that the new staff boasts quite a bit of expertise. High credentials usually come with higher salaries. A higher payroll usually requires more revenue. Websites usually rely on their advertisers and patrons to provide that income... you know where this is leading...
3. MP3.COM: http://www.mp3.com/
Back in tha day - MP3.COM used to be the site. Artists were able to promote themselves and their music for free regardless of genre, haircolour, whatever. Listeners were able to scout around, listen freely, find out more about an artist if they so wanted, even purchase if the mood was to strike. Why the big deal you ask? Well, number one was the sheer volume of people on the site. Free music over the internet used to be a novelty and independents reaped some benefits through sites like MP3.COM. Another sweet thing was that apparently, if enough people showed an interest in your band the site would pay you money??? I personally never witnessed this phenomenon but that was the ugly rumour.
Today: Hit it up. They're promising a new and improved MP3.COM. Make your opinion known. Support. Sites like this are what keep the musical evolutionary wheel turning and churning. And - coolest of all - it's LEGITIMATE FREE MUSIC. These artists want and need your support. The music is good even though some cat in a $1500.00 suit hasn't realized it yet.
Disclaimer: I must note that the internet is still quite young and a constant changing medium. You may find that some of the information that I have provided is misleading or just plain flat out wrong. While I do apologize for this, I cannot be held responsible for fat greasy opportunists wanting to capitalize on what originally was a good idea. In short - if it is good, someone is eventually gonna ask you to pay!
The key is to keep sucking like me. No illusions of selling out here - need something to sell :)
If you are a recent inductee and enjoyed what you read here, check out some old newsletters.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/musicalrevolution/messages
You know the drill, pass this on, email me if you have anything to promote/contribute/whatever or just keep reading, s'all coo.
Peace,
i220
www.themusicalrevolution.com (currently innactive)
themusicalrevolution@yahoo.ca
Well,
The Finger is back in the haus.
Some people on the site have expressed a certain amount of dismay with regards to the modern day music industry.
It would seem that the whole "Wizzard of Oz" smokeshow just isn't satisfying a lot of listeners.
In light of recent defections (Elton, MJ) and record low sales figures in the industry, I'd like to suggest that anybody who signs a deal today becomes a part of this "smokeshow".
In the words of J5 - You're either, "Part of the problem or part of the solution - what's you're contribution to life?" (some irony here).
This leaves an aspiring musician in quite a bit of a predicament...
What to do?
Well for the time being let's just pen some really sardonic lyrics and have a laugh.
Check it.
Corporate Cash Cow
Just another Corporate Cash Cow.
A product of power hungry parasites,
I just might have time for ya
If you weren’t too busy smiling for the camera.
Damn ya!
(Baby, baby.)
Ladies and Gentlemen welcome:
Britney Spears, Madonna, Aretha!
It’s all the same.
Products of the corporate game of money and fame.
It’s a shame really.
Their accomplishments are bought
And their lives are sought after by stupid people.
C’mon!
Who wants to be a slave to society?
No amount of money is worth my freedom!
I’m pretty sure I feel sorry for them.
But if you still want to buy a Mariah scapegoat,
And float on your dreamboat in a technicolour coat
then pass me by you big pile of dumbass!
Nickleback, Default, Theory of a Dead Man?
These motherfuckers make me ashamed to be Canadian!
Courageous Men?
Blazing a trail for other artists?
Yeah...
Right down the middle of the road.
I think the biggest part of the problem is that they can’t get the corporate cock out of their
mouths long enough to write decent lyrics!
Fuck..k..k *coughing*...
Talk about, “Living a Lie”.
I must be, “Wasting My Time” trying to think of new ideas.
Instead, I should be pasting old clichés together,
Sitting back, dropping a few beers and waiting for the dough to roll in.
Strolling down Bullshit Boulevard.
Trading my soul in for some radio play.
Way to go eh - Dallas, Chad and whoever?
Your financial endeavor ain’t substantial.
You’ll never matter!
(tick...tick...tick...)
14:59.
You hear that?
I think it’s time to take the dick out of your ass and move on to pasture.
Last year’s fad.
The end of the trend.
Strap on your depends and pull up your lazyboy.
George, Rob and Hamma are coming over to laugh at some old videos...
Eminim. (What?)
Slim Shady. (Who?)
Marshall Mathers. (Ahhh....)
Not that it matters,
You fat cat ball of hype.
The biggest perpetrator.
Lyrical Masterbator.
Corporate push-over.
(Shove over!)
What?
You can’t hear me?
It’d be a different story if I was a manager, producer or choreographer.
Then you’d be salivating like a whore after dinner at the whitehouse.
Step into MY house!
C’mon, I think that secretly you’re just like me.
The only difference is that you have the balls to say whatever Dr. Dre says is OK
Like slamming the gay community then trying to pay for immunity by hugging Elton John.
I guess one Corporate Cash Cow deserves another.
Listen brother.
I just thought you’d like to know who your father is.
His name is Weird Al.
It’s just like you feared all along pal.
But, Hey, Look on the bright side.
You might be able to slide onto his next parody project.
You could probably use some charity after the hype machine rejects your next album,
“Really It’s the Real Slim Shady”.
The one that paid off his mother and wife to stay quiet
While he played out this charade and made out that both were suing him.
(Meanwhile back at the ranch...)
Debbie, Halie, Kim and Marshall are checking their bank accounts online to find that
societies sick obsession with gossip is making them rich.
No-one minds that it’s all just a joke!
Eminem, you’re a catalyst for the downfall of human kind.
(Time for another toke.)
Copyright: i220, 2002.
Big Finger entry number 2.
Since my boy Scotty has resorted to posting "helpful procedure tips" I figured I may as well throw out some more poetry on a slow news week...
I have always maintained an uneasy mistrust and disdain for all politicians. I've got to say, however, that I have found Canada's prime minister's actions and words as of late inspiring (how ironic he's leaving office?)
Opposing War?
Meta-awareness?
Daring to question the self-serving populous?
What politician does this?
In honour of Jean Cretien I post this - my favorite (personal) poem of late.
I hope you enjoy!
Matty
ps. Scotty - I am going to save the body of this posting in my cache - no worries :)
Emerging from this space-time continuum, a virtual visual vacuum akin to a kaleidoscope on valuum.
This reality isn't real.
It's a hoax premanufactured by me and my boy Scotty while telling jokes and sipping on rum and cokes.
(Elsewhere) "Another toke?"
*inhales* *coughs*
Ahhh yeah, I think I'm ready to philosophize.
"To be or not to be."
That ain't the fucking question.
i220 says it's an impossible pipe dream.
A declaration of independence? More like co-dependence.
The constituents are those with the financial resources to enforce these capatalist values of divorce, bogus educational courses and porous religious philosophy.
God/money.
It's a dichotomy, better yet, a full blown labotomy of one's cerebral cortex.
BAM!
I think I sold my soul to the financial institution on the corner of prostitution, phosphate and nitrate H2O pollution, patronizing the study of nuclear fusion and a deep rooted terrorist contusion on our society.
Do I have a solution?
No, but I do have a suggestion.
Listen.
Digest.
Read.
Educate yourself.
Ladies, stop blaming me and look inside.
Confide.
Empower yourself by widening your scope.
The love you posess encompasses hope for all of these not so gentleman, all too mental men, power hungry parasites not satisfied with dinamite.
You don't think they'd do it but they just might wipe us all off of this planet.
So, there you have it.
Understand it?
If you do I've got to hand it to you as I fade out to obscurity.
This supernova the epitomy of purity?
Thank you for your curiosity, sickening impulse to view the monstrosity, gorging yourself on animosity...
Lost city.
Copyright: i220, 2002.
A'ight...
So I finally get logged in.
Scotty has asked me to post my own "blogs" on his site.
I have been posting poetry, lyric and the such to the spearhead site,
www.spearheadvibrations.com
so I figure I will do the same here - bring a little culture to Scotty's weblog.
My pen name is i220 and I guess this is my inaugral post.
I hope you enjoy...
Matty
Purchase Responsibly
For every stock that you buy, an independent businessman will have to spend one more minute away from his family.
For every company that you absorb, another life is reduced to a number.
For every restaurant that you own, 220 meals will not be prepared with love tonight.
For every square foot of extra property that you have, another homeless person is gravitating toward the downtown core.
For every car that you drive, an elderly lady is dying of lung cancer.
For every dishwasher that you have installed, that is one less way a child can contribute to the family unit.
For every new coffee table that you pick up at a trendy furniture store, a tree is planted, nurtured and chopped down.
For every toy that you buy your daughter, that is one more hour you have to be away from her.
For every second that I spend with my eyes shut, there is an entire world that I am missing.
i220
Copyright: 2002.