Jack Conte covers Feel Good Inc.

I wont lie. I really like the Gorillaz. Maybe it has to do with me growing up watching cartoons like Josie and the Pussycats and the Monkees. So, when I found Jack Conte's videosong cover for Feel Good Inc., I was pretty excited. I really appreciate the effort people like Jack put in to creating music this way.

So what is a videosong? Its a video of musicians making the music that you hear with 2 rules:
1. What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).
2. If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds).

Watch and you will understand.




http://www.myspace.com/jackconte
http://www.youtube.com/user/jackcontemusic

Beardyman Monkey Jazz

Thanks to Imogen Heap, @imogenheap, I just found out about Beardyman. This guys music goes beyond beatboxing and into an area I have never seen before. He samples himself beatboxing and then loops layers upon layers to create some great music.

His gear includes a Korg Kaoss Pad. Its a touchpad MIDI controller, sampler, and effects processor that would make some one the perfect birthday or Christmas gift. By some one I mean me. ;-)




http://www.beardyman.co.uk/

It can be so easy to get caught up in the traditions of our instruments. In music class, I was taught how to read music, play other peoples work and always follow the conductor. I taught myself guitar by following the examples of the musicians I idolized. I play the harmonica the way I have heard it in countless blues songs.

We are taught that a guitar should be played with fingers or pick, a violin with a bow and our voice to sing.

What happens when we break away from tradition and try something new? We get things like Jimmy Page and a violin bow solo, Artis the Spoonman using spoons as an instrument (Soundgarden Spoonman), and what Sxip Shirey does with his breath.

Some will discredit what Sxip is doing and that's ok. Creativity and innovations are frowned upon more times than not. Just remember, some people thought that cars, TV and the internet were just a fad. Now go grab something and make music with it.









http://sxipshirey.com/

I love me some TED

This is a quote from the TED site. "TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader."

I have spent hours on the site listening to 18 min talks. I listen to one and then find another of interest. Its constantly taking me in different directions but all have been very enjoyable.

I have found at least 5 different people on TED that I plan on posting about over the next couple weeks.

Phil

Building a Music Library

One of the first things I've decided to take on is building a music library. Over the years I have had the privileged to listen, watch, record and play with some great Ozark talent. The problem is that there isn't a archive to preserve what these people have done. This is where MoAMP comes in.

I'm working on collecting the recordings of local bands and musicians for MoAmp to preserve. How am I going about doing this? Well, I'm getting in touch with the bands I know. I'm hoping they will feel like donating their recordings to MoAmp. To go along with the recordings, I'm looking to get copies of their fliers, posters, stickers...... Anything that will help represent the band in the future.

What am I going to do once I have it? Nothing, for now. Just build the library before more artist fade out of memory.

So, if you happen to be in a local band or would like to help with this project, let me know.

Phil

Ben Miller Band @ Patton Alley Pub

I was invited to Patton Alley Pub for a going away party this last weekend. Turned out the Ben Miller Band was playing that night. I had heard the name before but I had no idea what kind of music to expect. Good thing too. I wouldn't have been as blown away buy these guys if some one told me about them in advance. This threesome is by all means a musical diamond.

These guys aren't afraid of breaking the rules. Can you honestly tell me the last time you watched a band with an electric washboard running through a series of effects pedals? How about an autoharp being played like Jimmy Hendrix at Woodstock? Perhaps washtub bass with a sweet groove? Only if you've seen these guys.

I'm not going to keep going on and on about these guys like some Apple fan boy talks about his iPhone. I'll just say you better make see these guys next time their in town.

http://www.myspace.com/benmillerband

Show etiquette on MOrawk

I was spending some time on the MOrawk site and read the post "A thread about show etiquette… as suggested by Jason Spell". This isn't a perfect list but it sure does give some insight into what a new band needs to do. If you've played enough live shows you'll probably be able to relate to Jason and S-FOIL. I know number 6 was a real point with Rob and me when we played out. We took pride in how we were able to set up and tear down in just a few minutes.

This is the link to the post: MOrawk show etiquette