wire to the ear

In the above interview Jason Lytle the lead singer of Granddaddy tells us what the secret of songwriting is. This video has been going around for a while but it’s definitely worth watching so I reposted it. I wish this band did not break up. I saw them live at Irving Plaza and they were superb. One of my all time favorite bands. Here are ten great Grandaddy songs:

1. The Crystal Lake
   
2. Jed’s Other Poem (beautiful ground)
3. So You’ll Aim Toward The Sky
4. Hewlett’s Daughter
5. Lost On Yer Merry Way
6. A.M. 180
7. Nonphenomenal Lineage
8. Underneath The Weeping Willow
9. The Final Push To The Sum
10. Rear View Mirror

Do you like Granddady? What’s your favorite from them?

Today is Thanksgiving in the USA. So here is my official thank you for reading this blog and more importantly thank you for listening to my music. Without peers and fans with ears for us there would be little point. We would all just be making music alone in the dark. I don’t let on that I actually care what anyone thinks about my music but I do.

What else can I give thanks for? Fast computers that don’t crash (ok Apple!), Ableton Live’s Session View, The Moog Voyager, Sound on Sound magazine, Matrixsynth, Berlin, Mario Kart, Animals and the promise of a perfect future.

photo credit: Elevated

We all love blogs because they give us a quick fix of hot info. A little more than a blurb a little less than an article. A break from the sequencer and comping vocals. Yes we all take too many of these breaks but hey it’s fun and sometimes we actually learn something! Do you know about music blogs? MP3 blogs? Blog labels? Honestly I’ve just been turned on to these in a big way. This is where the hip cool people hang (I think?!). I’m not going to delve into copyright stuff here because it doesn’t take too much time viewing any of these blogs to realize you can steal the music off the sites easily. If you want to get into that discussion head over to my post titled “What if music should be free?“.

A great example of a hip music blog is missingtoof.com. Bright graphics, flyer’s for events where everyone is on cocaine and DJ mixes compressed so loudly your teeth hurt are the norm here. At first the lingo will make you wonder if it’s an English speaking website. Despite that, keep reading because these are music lovers sharing with you! I’ve discovered more new music here than searching Amazon.com by a long shot. I also now have a never ending supply of said DJ mixes for the gym.

Want something more indie? Stereogum.com is the place. It’s basically the Austin, Texas, Seattle and any other cool rock town music scene in blog form. The writers here always Read “An introduction to the wild world of music blogs.”

Here’s a little tip on how to find new music on the iTunes Music Store. The front page on iTunes has the popular stuff. However, I’m not really into Kanye West or Carrie Underwood. I used to go to the iTunes Music Store and look at the main pages of the genre I wanted to explore (like electronic) to see what’s new. Rarely would I find something I like. Sure, I can search an artist I already know but I already know about them so what’s the use?

I found a way to explore iTunes and find new music. First, search your favorite artist. Click on your favorite release by that artist. Now see the reviews below? Find someone who agrees with you. You see “Jackrabit99″ is saying very similar things to what you would say about this release. Click on his name. Now you get a list of all the records he reviewed. Already you see releases you may like and you see things he highly recommends so go and listen. This maybe all obvious but I found countless great songs this way.

Here’s an example. One of my favorite albums is “Geography” by Front 242. On the iTunes Music Store there is a review that says “Groundbreaking Industrial Classic” and the reviewer named Psinex gives the album 5 stars. I agree with Psinex 100%. I click his Read “A tip to explore and find new music on iTunes.”

It’s very important when talking music tech and production to remember that the finished song is the most important thing. For those of you who know the band The Magnetic Fields read no further because you already know what I am about to say. Stephin Merritt is one of today’s most prolific song writers. His solo work and his productions with his band The Magnetic Fields are darkness divine.

Mr. Merritt writes downer music which is right up my alley. He’s a short thick set New Yorker who’s demeanor is not far off from comedian Steven Wright. People often believe he is being facetious in his song writing but I whole heartedly feel he means every overcast word. From a production standpoint The Magnetic Fields are not afraid to use synthesizers, drum machines, mandolins, household items and spring reverbs. His music has appeared in television commercials (Volvo), films (Lemony Snicket) and several theatrical events.

Here’s a few of my personal favorite songs by Stephin Merritt and crew. You owe it to yourself to listen to the audio samples, be blown away and then buy everything they ever recorded.

Underwear - The only description for this song is “wicked”. The first verse is like a flame thrower and when the second verse hits you the world explodes. This song has a twisted surprise. Check out the lyrics to find out what is it.

The Book of Love - This is fast becoming the number one song played at weddings. Beautifully romantic without the cheese. You will play it over and over and wish you were the one who wrote it.

Smoke and Mirrors - Be warned this song will make you want to go to a bar and drink. If your in AA don’t listen to this. “… a little fear a little sex that’s all there is behind the tears”. Oh Stephin I want to stalk you and kill you for releasing this song into my life.

All My Little Words - Sometimes you fall in love with someone that will never love Read “The Magnetic Fields and Stephin Merritt.”

Today around the internet you will see many blog posts about the environment because today is Blog Action Day! It’s a simple movement where bloggers pledge to write a post related to their field yet about the environment. Here is my top 10 ways a musician can help the environment:

1. Make a song about saving the environment! We need action people. If the artists of the world won’t stand up and scream a message then who will? Sing for a tree or a bird or the sun.

2. Turn off your studio equipment at night.

3. Don’t buy anymore Compact Discs. They all end up in a landfill.

4. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. What? Are you crazy? We need mood lighting man! Yeah? You don’t need forests?

5. Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently. Cordless microphones, guitar pedals, midi controllers.

6. Take your record collection out of the recycling boxes delivered to your house by the government and start using them for recycling again. Read “10 ways a musician can help the environment.”