New Apollo 17 Landing Photo Clearly Shows Lander, Flag [Gizmodo]
Good timing for that article, as last night I watched the documentary 'For All Mankind', a film about the Apollo program with footage from all six lunar missions, stitched together to make one story. It's that footage, plus interviews with the astronauts, no narrator. Absolutely breathtaking. A must watch.
Oh, and did I mention Brian Eno did the soundtrack? That's also a must-listen, especially the piece "Always Returning", which is used to great effect in the film.
Here it is on YouTube:
2009-10-31
Weird Al: Still Funny. And weird.
Yankovic still 'Weird' after all these years [CNN]
Thanks to my Dad for the link.
Note to the CNN lady: A two-disc compilation is not a 'box set'. I love Al's comment on Coolio too... "...back when this was news." Nice.
Thanks to my Dad for the link.
Note to the CNN lady: A two-disc compilation is not a 'box set'. I love Al's comment on Coolio too... "...back when this was news." Nice.
2009-10-30
2009-10-29
Google continues its world takeover
My dad sends me this link: Google opens OneBox music service [BBC News]
The best business model for bands?
It's the 1000 true fans approach.
Of course, there's the counter argument, against the very same thing.
---
A very interesting idea. Gone are the days of major label supremacy, where bands like Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails develop cult followings through the very same mainstream channels that they try so hard to swim against. I doubt we'll see many artists able to create these types of massive fan bases again.
Case in point: The seemingly perpetual re-selling of Michael Jackson material.
Of course, there's the counter argument, against the very same thing.
---
A very interesting idea. Gone are the days of major label supremacy, where bands like Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails develop cult followings through the very same mainstream channels that they try so hard to swim against. I doubt we'll see many artists able to create these types of massive fan bases again.
Case in point: The seemingly perpetual re-selling of Michael Jackson material.
Labels:
article
Basement music podcast #4 is live!
Hallowe'en/devil-themed podcast is up from Basement Arts. Produced by yours truly.
It's a pretty good show with some interesting commentary. This one's also the longest yet, lots of threads and interesting insights on rock music and its devlish dance with the occult.
It's a pretty good show with some interesting commentary. This one's also the longest yet, lots of threads and interesting insights on rock music and its devlish dance with the occult.
Labels:
podcasts
Top 100 DJs in the world
Daft Punk seems mighty low, but then again, I'm not that deep into DJ culture so I will leave the evaluating to the good folks at DJ magazine. I don't recognize about 85% of the list.
Labels:
article
2009-10-28
World's Largest Pedalboard
Pretty awesome... but how will it function?
[Musformation]
Poke around the site when you visit, lots of cool stuff there.
Labels:
awesomeness,
links,
pro audio
2009-10-27
More songs in trailers
According to the Google analytics, my most popular post continues to be the one where I mentioned the name of the song in the latest Terminator movie.
In an effort to pander to the almighty Google, I'm going to try more of posts like that.
So, just to let you know, the Gentlemen Broncos trailer features Zager and Evans' "In the Year 2525", and the Shout Out Louds' "The Comeback".
In an effort to pander to the almighty Google, I'm going to try more of posts like that.
So, just to let you know, the Gentlemen Broncos trailer features Zager and Evans' "In the Year 2525", and the Shout Out Louds' "The Comeback".
Labels:
music in trailers,
rock on film
A most unwelcome return
Run for the hills, Creed is back. And with a song pompously titled 'Overcome', no less. Here's a sample of their lyrical gems:
How can that be, when they sound exactly the fucking same as before? I think Scott Stapp is taking the Jesus-resurrection thing a bit too far.
Check out the video that looks like it was shot for the money they stole from their church collection plate:
And the 'Tube commenters couldn't be any dumber.
jstryker77 writes:
The apocalypse is upon us, the end is nigh.
===
In the words of David Cross, "I'd rather hear the death rattle of my only child than have to listen to that fucking shit." True say, David. True say.
Don’t cry victim to me
everything we are and used to be
is buried and gone
How can that be, when they sound exactly the fucking same as before? I think Scott Stapp is taking the Jesus-resurrection thing a bit too far.
Check out the video that looks like it was shot for the money they stole from their church collection plate:
And the 'Tube commenters couldn't be any dumber.
jstryker77 writes:
All I can say is...HOLY CRAP!
I am completely blown away by the new album.
I was excited when I heard about the reunion but I wasn't expecting this great of an album...sorry I underestimated you guys!
Creed was probably the first band that I listened to religiously...and even though my taste in rock music has completely changed, Creed will always be a major inspiration and influence in my life and music.
God bless you dudes!
FREAKIN AWESOME!
The apocalypse is upon us, the end is nigh.
===
In the words of David Cross, "I'd rather hear the death rattle of my only child than have to listen to that fucking shit." True say, David. True say.
Labels:
people are idiots,
worst things ever
Google and I
I have some Google search competition with another Matt Speirs from Brampton, a hockey player. Although at this point I'm still the top result, my doppelganger has more hits in general, and I'm not talking the hockey kind!
At least I've got the domain mattspeirs.com, this should be a bit of motivation to finally get that damn site going.
At least I've got the domain mattspeirs.com, this should be a bit of motivation to finally get that damn site going.
Labels:
random
Kind of a dumb idea
Not sure why anyone who actually cares about sound would ever be interested in such a thing, but here's a table with speakers built in.
It reminds me of a George Carlin joke, something about "If you nail two things together that have never been nailed together before... some shmuck will buy it from you."
It reminds me of a George Carlin joke, something about "If you nail two things together that have never been nailed together before... some shmuck will buy it from you."
Labels:
people are idiots
2009-10-25
2009-10-24
20 worst bands of the 2000s
Very tough to argue with most of these:
The 20 Worst Bands of the 2000s
I can't say I've ever heard of the Pigeon Detectives, but I'll bet they're as bad as their name suggests. Most of the bands/groups are from the UK, but it's still fun to read about horrible bands.
The 20 Worst Bands of the 2000s
I can't say I've ever heard of the Pigeon Detectives, but I'll bet they're as bad as their name suggests. Most of the bands/groups are from the UK, but it's still fun to read about horrible bands.
2009-10-23
Happy belated Canada Day!
Here's my Stompin' Tom interview from July 1 this year. Forgot to post it, for obvious reasons.
Labels:
interview
2009-10-20
2009-10-19
Music headlines
If you're a fan of music, I suggest you include The Daily Swarm as part of your daily surfing ritual. Kind of like Huffington Post for music headlines... without the annoying pundits.
Labels:
links
Bert and Ernie Ante Up
Mashup from this tune:
Thanks to whoever posted the above video with *all* the necessary lyrics...
2009-10-18
Single of the year?
Maybe...
From the Blueprint 3... unfairly tarnished by Pfork, loved and adored by the Dean himself. The album is at least worth a listen.
From the Blueprint 3... unfairly tarnished by Pfork, loved and adored by the Dean himself. The album is at least worth a listen.
Labels:
audio,
best things of 2009,
tracks
2009-10-17
2009-10-16
Rock docs
Trailer for a pretty wicked looking doc about the Muslim punk genre, 'Taqwacore'. The film premieres this weekend!
The director is the brother of one of the guys on the music podcast I've been working on.
The director is the brother of one of the guys on the music podcast I've been working on.
Labels:
rock on film,
video
Matt produces podcast
Here's the new blog for a podcast I'm pushing the buttons for. Fun!
Still in the early/rough stages of the blog, but we're three shows deep now with the fourth one coming in the next couple weeks. The idea is to do a show a month, though it's been every other month up until this point. Check it out, let me know what you think!
Still in the early/rough stages of the blog, but we're three shows deep now with the fourth one coming in the next couple weeks. The idea is to do a show a month, though it's been every other month up until this point. Check it out, let me know what you think!
2009-10-14
More cool links
Musformation is a great site that has a lot of helpful music links. Check out this link roundup.
Labels:
links
2009-10-13
A glorious dawn
The response has been overwhelming!
Everyone I talk to about the recent Carl Sagan auto-tune video loves it. Myself, I've gone to YouTube and watched the entire 'Cosmos' series... I vaguely remember watching the show in public school. It's amazing to think of how much scientific discovery has occurred since the show first aired in 1980: the discovery of microbes on Mars, the news last week that there is another, infrared ring around Saturn, and so on. Even still, the series is both awe-inspiring and humbling, and I am instilled with a profound sense of wonder.
Plus, according to Wikipedia, Vangelis did the score for the show! That's the guy that did Chariots of Fire, among other terrific musc!
The great thing about the song and video is the way it touches on the key points of Mr. Sagan's work while updating it for the contemporary pop medium with healthy doses of technology, irony and humour. I've had the damned catchy tune in my head for a couple weeks now.
My dad sends me this cool link, featuring lyrics and commentary for the video/song. Check it out... although I think some of the commenters are a little confused as to what "auto-tune" and "irony" actually are.
Everyone I talk to about the recent Carl Sagan auto-tune video loves it. Myself, I've gone to YouTube and watched the entire 'Cosmos' series... I vaguely remember watching the show in public school. It's amazing to think of how much scientific discovery has occurred since the show first aired in 1980: the discovery of microbes on Mars, the news last week that there is another, infrared ring around Saturn, and so on. Even still, the series is both awe-inspiring and humbling, and I am instilled with a profound sense of wonder.
Plus, according to Wikipedia, Vangelis did the score for the show! That's the guy that did Chariots of Fire, among other terrific musc!
The great thing about the song and video is the way it touches on the key points of Mr. Sagan's work while updating it for the contemporary pop medium with healthy doses of technology, irony and humour. I've had the damned catchy tune in my head for a couple weeks now.
My dad sends me this cool link, featuring lyrics and commentary for the video/song. Check it out... although I think some of the commenters are a little confused as to what "auto-tune" and "irony" actually are.
Labels:
best things ever,
links
2009-10-05
Albums in paperback
Awesome gallery of a few albums rendered as classic Penguin paperbacks. These are really well done, the covers look worn out and well read, lots of character.
Flickr set
Flickr set
Kraftwerk audio doc
Alex Kapranos narrates this documentary about synthesizer pioneers Kraftwerk, featuring a bunch of interviews. Cool stuff.
2009-10-04
Harper rocks out
Classic, if only to hear Harper say "I get high with a little help from my friends"... not a bad voice actually. The whole thing is kinda surreal though. Check it out...
Labels:
article,
strange but true,
video
2009-10-01
Not even close to being sick of MJ
My friend Matt got me a copy of "In the Studio With Michael Jackson" by Jackson's engineer/producer Bruce Swedien. Awesome book, some great stories about the studio as well as MJ's approach to music.
Check out this track by track breakdown for a taste of what the book is like.
Check out this track by track breakdown for a taste of what the book is like.
Labels:
article,
awesomeness,
pro audio
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