new music? whatcha listening to?

MichaelKeys wrote: [quote=pitu]...what I really REALLY want is some reliable radio dj with eclectic tastes to throw new stuff at me. Vickie Starr had a weekly show like that on WBAI that stopped ten years ago (or something like that) . . . DJ Red Alert on Saturday night in the early 90s when I had a car and would be driving somewhere on a Saturday night . . . any equivalents to suggest?

I listen to that Soundcheck guy on WNYC, but he annoys the crap out of me.

Damn, I gotta get back on the airwaves...somehow...

Do any of you guys listen to satellite radio, btw? I don't have access to it, but I'm curious.

Satellite radio, in Zipcar a few times. Meh. Or no luck.
More accessable/interesting, PODCAST! Except I haven't sought any of them out . . . you?

Drano wrote: The cool thing is that the internet takes a lot of risk out of the whole affair. You can almost always listen a bit before you pony up good money for the music - come to think of it, though, some of the stuff I end up liking best is not stuff I would have liked on that first listen. So maybe risk is a healthy part of it; I know there were a few albums/CD's I bought as a teenager almost strictly on the strength of the cover art that really paid off - Zen Arcadeand Atomizer come to mind. Sometimes it will come to you, but more often you need to get out there and sniff around a bit, talk to people whose taste you trust, etc. I intend to check out some of the stuff discussed here.

Back in the late 70s I also bought albums just based on the cover art ... but at a certain point in the late 80s I realized that there were a lot of great designers out there making great-looking graphics for bands I already knew I didn't like, so I figured I couldn't trust that any more.

But yes, thank god for the Internet ... I was just talking with my bf recently about when you would buy a whole album for just one song. And, working at home, I rely on the net a lot for recommendations on music, books, etc. ...

MichaelKeys wrote: A buddy of mine buys whole albums online almost exclusively, not so much for price reasons, but because ever since the death of vinyl on a mass-consumer level, the smaller size of CDs don't do it for him cover/artwork-wise. "So, fuck it. I'll just get the music," he says. I don't necessarily share his point of view but I find it valid and quite interesting. What say you?

I've been going through a bit of thing because I moved to a much smaller apartment, and after my Dell died I switched to a mac. So I thought, great, I can get rid of my zillions of CDs. But there are too many CDs I love the artwork for ... actually I've come to prefer the small size of CD artwork. I like that scale ... Polaroids, Tarot cards ...

Boygabriel wrote:

Like half of all great reggae bands & singers were almost ruined by 80's styles. The genre itself barely recovered (and I'm not talking about dance hall).

amen.
and when combined with Paris production, keeeeeled plenty of African artists.

MichaelKeys wrote: A buddy of mine buys whole albums online almost exclusively, not so much for price reasons, but because ever since the death of vinyl on a mass-consumer level, the smaller size of CDs don't do it for him cover/artwork-wise. "So, fuck it. I'll just get the music," he says. I don't necessarily share his point of view but I find it valid and quite interesting. What say you?

I really like to have the whole package - even at CD size - but sometimes I'll download albums online. It doesn't save me much money, though, because if I really love the album, I often feel compelled to own it physically so I go out and buy the CD.

pitu wrote: and then there's Pandora
http://www.pandora.com/

I went through a heavy Pandora phase but found it more irritating than not and the whole "music genome" idea left me unconvinced. I think I have pretty catholic tastes, it's always some emotional content that either appeals to me or not for whatever unexplainable reason. So feeding me stuff that has the same type of finger-picking guitar or whatever ... eh.

Drano wrote: if I really love the album, I often feel compelled to own it physically so I go out and buy the CD.

Yes, it's just nice to have!

pitu wrote: [quote=Boygabriel]

Like half of all great reggae bands & singers were almost ruined by 80's styles. The genre itself barely recovered (and I'm not talking about dance hall).

amen.
and when combined with Paris production, keeeeeled plenty of African artists.

Yeah, a lot of African music got cheesed out once the artists moved to France.

laura wrote: But I love the 80s ... and I play synth.

Do you really? Now I feel like an ass. :oops:

I actually don't have anything against synth itself or the genres born in the 80's. What pains me immensely is musicians of pre-existing genres who thought snyth was the future of music and they tried desperately to shove it into their music, regardless of whether or not it fit.

Also, Pitu, on the subject of eclectic DJs and finding new music, I strongly suggest podcasts and internet radio stations (which are really easy to connect to straight through iTunes). I couldn't name many off the top of my head, but I have a few friends who swear by them.

One show/DJ I like is Nic Harcourt's Morning Becomes Eclectic

laura wrote: [quote=Drano]if I really love the album, I often feel compelled to own it physically so I go out and buy the CD.

Yes, it's just nice to have!

Which is why I've been contemplating doing that 600 CDs-for-an-80GB-iPod trade--for space issues, of course--but haven't passed the contemplation phase...

pitu wrote: More accessable/interesting, PODCAST! Except I haven't sought any of them out . . . you?

Not really. But I want to familiarize myself with them and then possibly start one of my own.

Boygabriel wrote: [quote=laura]But I love the 80s ... and I play synth.

Do you really? Now I feel like an ass. :oops:

I actually don't have anything against synth itself or the genres born in the 80's. What pains me immensely is musicians of pre-existing genres who thought snyth was the future of music and they tried desperately to shove it into their music, regardless of whether or not it fit.
No need to feel like an ass ... I totally agree with that. It was pathetic and embarrassing.

Boygabriel wrote: on the subject of eclectic DJs and finding new music, I strongly suggest podcasts and internet radio stations (which are really easy to connect to straight through iTunes). I couldn't name many off the top of my head, but I have a few friends who swear by them.

One show/DJ I like is Nic Harcourt's Morning Becomes Eclectic

Yeah, great show . . . must remember to listen to it more! Thx for the reminder.

Ooooo, who knew Chavela Vargas is on the Babel soundtrack!
(The director is on Morning Becomes Eclectic today)
Her 80-year-old self was . . . a force of nature at Carnegie Hall.

pitu wrote: [quote=Boygabriel]on the subject of eclectic DJs and finding new music, I strongly suggest podcasts and internet radio stations (which are really easy to connect to straight through iTunes). I couldn't name many off the top of my head, but I have a few friends who swear by them.

One show/DJ I like is Nic Harcourt's Morning Becomes Eclectic

Yeah, great show . . . must remember to listen to it more! Thx for the reminder.

Ooooo, who knew Chavela Vargas is on the Babel soundtrack!
(The director is on Morning Becomes Eclectic today)
Her 80-year-old self was . . . a force of nature at Carnegie Hall.

Chavela Vargas is the shit. I fuckin' love her music.

MichaelKeys wrote: [quote=erikka] re: Joanna Newsom (there's two kinds of people in this world--people who like her and people who can't f'ing stand her. I am the latter)

Ha! Yeah erikka, I'm with ya. Oh so twee and precious...I mean, I can dig "sweetness and light" but jeez...

you forgot ELFIN!


I think music blogs are definitely the best way to find new music, as are podcasts (NPR has all song considered, MPR has a program as well). Anyway, here's some sites I like:

http://elbo.ws/tracks/
www.cocaineblunts.com
http://www.prefixmag.com/media/1
http://hype.non-standard.net/
http://www.fluxblog.org/
http://gimmetinnitus.blogspot.com/

Nadia--I think Barlow is still recording. I found a recent track of his online not too long ago...

thanks erikka
i just listened to neko case covering f*cking stevie nicks (thank YOU fluxblog)

starting friday, scarred . . .

MichaelKeys wrote:
Which is why I've been contemplating doing that 600 CDs-for-an-80GB-iPod trade--for space issues, of course--but haven't passed the contemplation phase...

I got Mr. S an 80gig one for Christmas. Aren't I a good wife?

MichaelKeys wrote:
A buddy of mine buys whole albums online almost exclusively, not so much for price reasons, but because ever since the death of vinyl on a mass-consumer level, the smaller size of CDs don't do it for him cover/artwork-wise. "So, fuck it. I'll just get the music," he says. I don't necessarily share his point of view but I find it valid and quite interesting. What say you?

I actually do agree that the vinyl album art made much more of an impact on me--sometimes more than the music. When I was under 10, I spent a lot of time staring at my parent's records, particularly the ones that had "gimmicks" like Live at the Leeds, Their Satanic Majesties Request, and Physical Graffiti. I didn't really listen to a lot of those records heavily until the last 5 years!

On the other hand, I have never done this with a CD. But I still buy them. I still think the sound quality is better than AAC.

erikka wrote:
I think music blogs are definitely the best way to find new music, as are podcasts (NPR has all song considered, MPR has a program as well). Anyway, here's some sites I like:

http://elbo.ws/tracks/
www.cocaineblunts.com
http://www.prefixmag.com/media/1
http://hype.non-standard.net/
http://www.fluxblog.org/
http://gimmetinnitus.blogspot.com/

Nadia--I think Barlow is still recording. I found a recent track of his online not too long ago...

Thanks for suggesting these! Clicking through them, I realized that one thing did kind of replace vinyl album art for me...band website art!

Plus, I think the blogs may be a better way to go than my current method of checking out new local bands which involves a lot of random myspace music searching.

caaahyoko wrote: [quote=MichaelKeys]
Which is why I've been contemplating doing that 600 CDs-for-an-80GB-iPod trade--for space issues, of course--but haven't passed the contemplation phase...

I got Mr. S an 80gig one for Christmas. Aren't I a good wife?

He beat me to you!
Seriously, all the good ones are taken. :sad:
But at least my boys have got 'em!

OK, I need to chill with the "emos"...

caaahyoko wrote: I still buy [CDs]. I still think the sound quality is better than AAC.

By far.

speaking of iPods and such, a lot of my music is recorded at different levels, so the volume will be fine for one song and painfully loud for the next (without my touching the dial). Is there anything that can be done for that?

erikka wrote: speaking of iPods and such, a lot of my music is recorded at different levels, so the volume will be fine for one song and painfully loud for the next (without my touching the dial). Is there anything that can be done for that?

Shoot - I'm not sure. I know in iTunes on your computer you can set the levels (broadly speaking, it's not terribly precise though it certainly helps). You can probably do it thru iTunes when your 'pod is connected to your computer but I've never tried.

erikka wrote: speaking of iPods and such, a lot of my music is recorded at different levels, so the volume will be fine for one song and painfully loud for the next (without my touching the dial). Is there anything that can be done for that?

There is a setting on ipods called "sound check". It fixes the problem somewhat, but its not perfect.

MichaelKeys wrote:

He beat me to you!
Seriously, all the good ones are taken. :sad:
But at least my boys have got 'em!

OK, I need to chill with the "emos"...

Aw, shucks :oops:

If I actually had any female friends, I'd hook you up. ha!

caaahyoko wrote: [quote=erikka]speaking of iPods and such, a lot of my music is recorded at different levels, so the volume will be fine for one song and painfully loud for the next (without my touching the dial). Is there anything that can be done for that?

There is a setting on ipods called "sound check". It fixes the problem somewhat, but its not perfect.
Unfortunately, I've found the Sound Check feature to be mostly useless. It's the one thing iPods REALLY need improving on, in my book.

I don't think Swan Lake is pretentious. a little artsy, yeah, but not pretetious. I agree, I don't like any of the other Wolf bands, but think Wolf Parade makes some really good music, and they do have talent.

I mean, is Deerhoof pretetious, too? They have one of the best drummers I've seen in a while. Stephen Malkmus? How is pretentious defined?

Whatever, to each is own.

alafairnadia wrote: [quote=pitu][quote=Boygabriel]on the subject of eclectic DJs and finding new music, I strongly suggest podcasts and internet radio stations (which are really easy to connect to straight through iTunes). I couldn't name many off the top of my head, but I have a few friends who swear by them.

One show/DJ I like is Nic Harcourt's Morning Becomes Eclectic

Yeah, great show . . . must remember to listen to it more! Thx for the reminder.

Ooooo, who knew Chavela Vargas is on the Babel soundtrack!
(The director is on Morning Becomes Eclectic today)
Her 80-year-old self was . . . a force of nature at Carnegie Hall.

Chavela Vargas is the shit. I fuckin' love her music.


Chavela Vargas is still alive? And performing? Wow...good for her. And her fans.

MichaelKeys wrote: [quote=alafairnadia][quote=pitu][quote=Boygabriel]on the subject of eclectic DJs and finding new music, I strongly suggest podcasts and internet radio stations (which are really easy to connect to straight through iTunes). I couldn't name many off the top of my head, but I have a few friends who swear by them.

One show/DJ I like is Nic Harcourt's Morning Becomes Eclectic

Yeah, great show . . . must remember to listen to it more! Thx for the reminder.

Ooooo, who knew Chavela Vargas is on the Babel soundtrack!
(The director is on Morning Becomes Eclectic today)
Her 80-year-old self was . . . a force of nature at Carnegie Hall.

Chavela Vargas is the shit. I fuckin' love her music.


Chavela Vargas is still alive? And performing? Wow...good for her. And her fans.

not sure if she's still alive or if her music is just being used.

live show you can't miss: mercedes sosa. bombtastic

alafairnadia wrote: [quote=MichaelKeys][quote=alafairnadia][quote=pitu][quote=Boygabriel]on the subject of eclectic DJs and finding new music, I strongly suggest podcasts and internet radio stations (which are really easy to connect to straight through iTunes). I couldn't name many off the top of my head, but I have a few friends who swear by them.

One show/DJ I like is Nic Harcourt's Morning Becomes Eclectic

Yeah, great show . . . must remember to listen to it more! Thx for the reminder.

Ooooo, who knew Chavela Vargas is on the Babel soundtrack!
(The director is on Morning Becomes Eclectic today)
Her 80-year-old self was . . . a force of nature at Carnegie Hall.

Chavela Vargas is the shit. I fuckin' love her music.


Chavela Vargas is still alive? And performing? Wow...good for her. And her fans.

not sure if she's still alive or if her music is just being used.


she LIVES!
Almodovar found her and feted her and introduced her to new generations and new audiences (like me)
The Carnegie Hall show was two years ago...a Carnegie debut at 80. Her voice is shot but awesome still. A massively powerful performance. The whole place erupted, and sang along unprompted by the end. It was shattering.
Vargas also has a bit part in the Julie Taymor "Frida" film with Selma Hayak. She is credited as Death (! or something like that) She sits at a table in the cantina, looking quite androgenous. She sings a duet with Lila Downs in that scene...

she was like half of the frida soundtrack. but that's awesome to know - I need to see that movie again. I can't count the number of times I found my mom sitting in the living room listening to chavela at full blast, sipping on a vinito when I was a kid. angsty hispanics.