Lucky 13

Skill. Luck. You need both, plain and simple. Without skill, any luck you have will turn bad eventually. Any skill you have needs a little luck or nothing happens. I find that most bands who have a lot of skill may seem like they don't need a lot of luck but I'm sure that they do/did. Take Metallica, they have been around for a long time and they will always have a mass of fans, but think back to when they first started. They probably needed to be lucky finding people that liked what they did. Vice versa for bands bands like Pussycat Dolls, they had a lot of luck to end up where they are today, but without some cetain amount of skill they wouldn't have made it at all.

For almost all bands(ex. Hardcore metal bands) they are all lucky that they had the band Death pave the way for them, or else they might not exist today. MIGHT being the oprative word. I'm sure some band would have made it but it sure would have been harder nowadays. The same thing goes for a lot of rockbands and pop bands. Their genre wouldn't exist if it hadn't been for jazz bands back in the day. So thats a lucky break for them. So, in my opinion if your gonna be great you do need a certain degree of luck, but without skill, well lets just say there is such a thing as bad luck to. And those are my thoughts on luck and skill in the music industry.

The Second Slap On The Snare

This rant may sound a lot like Caitlin's but I really need to get this out of me and into the atmosphere. People who say certain music sucks. I have a few choice words for those people and I'm going to say them in the most school and age appropriate way I can right now. You motherf$#* sons of #&%* a#@holes can go f$#* yourself with your conservative a#@hole attitude and inconsiderate regards and comments. Just because you don't enjoy that music does not mean that you have the right to verbally bash it in front of someone who enjoys it. If you want to sit at home and mutter to yourself about how much you hate it go right ahead, in fact I encourage it, it's healthy to vent that stuff out. That doesn't mean that you should go ahead and say it in public in front of people who might actually enjoy it. For example, I like listening to Goo Goo Dolls. I like listening to their music and I like their sound. Then someone comes along and says, " Wow , what is this $h!%, turn it off". Being the person I am, I'll turn it off but it really hurts when someone says that one of the things I love most in this world is $h!% (not saying I love Goo Goo Dolls the most in the world) It really hurts and I don't think that it's cool to hurt people. There are exemptions to that statement but I won't get into that. And that's my rant. It was a little shorter than the last one but I did swear a lot more in this one so it compensates.

More Thoughts on Music Technology

Alright then, what has it been? 4 months in this class? Time for me to spill the beans about it guess. To start off, since the last time I wrote a blog about music tech, my attitude has changed a bit, which might skew the results but that's the way it goes. When the bell rings for lunch to end and everybody (everybody being people who care about their education) scurries off to their 4th block class. If it weren't for the fact that I'm already in the classroom I would be the one scurrying to class. In otherwords, I like music tech. It's fun, interesting, I learn new things each day and I get to hang out with the coolest people ever..except Janel :P. JK Janel, your cool. For the first bit of the class it was kinda lame always setting up the PA bands and then sitting there for half the class checking their sound to make sure they sound good. But ever since the PA bands have been working on their original music it hasn't been so bad.

The one new thing I really like about class right now is the lack of disturbance. It's nice to be able to sit down at the computer and master a track without people coming in and bouncing off the walls like they're on some kind of substance. I feel better now about cubase since the last time I wrote this style blog. I've got more acquainted with it. I know some more stuff about it and I feel comfortable with it. The computer on the other hand...well we just won't speak of that which shall not be spoken of. But otherwise I like working in the office.

These blogs are still pretty fun to, the trouble I have with writing them is I have trouble getting started. I usually try to sit down at the computer and do them but then I'll get distracted and walk away, but when I do get into them there's no distracting me. The newest assignment that we have is the Myspace page for each band. I don't mind making the page, it's pretty fun. The thing I don't like is Myspace itself. It's hard to work with when you've never used it before. Otherwise I like it. Our first concert was pretty good too. Somethings didn't go as planned but that's the thing about a concert, things never go the way you want them to. I still wish people would have been more into it and not so "cool" but there's not much you can do about that. It's almost entirly up to the musicians to get people active. The lights were well done by Logan. The guitars sounded well tuned as far as I know and made well more convient because of Janel. The sound was incredible thanks to Caitlin, especially since she hadn't worked with 3 of the bands since that day, and I think I did an alright job with managing the stage. I probably could have done better but oh well. The bands pretty much knew what to do without my help anyway.

Well, there you are. That's what I think of Music Technology now.

The Chronicles of Music and Me

OK. Here we go. I guess to start off I'd have to say, I use music A LOT! I use it to work. I use it to sleep. I use it to get places. I use music to learn. I use music to help concentrate. I use music to help ward off unwanted thoughts. In all honesty, I think I use music more than it uses me.

If I didn't have music playing at Co-op constantly, I'd probably go insane. If there wasn't any music playing at Co-op..well there just wouldn't be any Co-op, it would be burnt to the ground from me going insane(jk jk). But honestly, that's how much I need music. Hold on, that's how music uses me. Music keeps me happy and when I'm happy, I make a better worker. Those clever executives. That's probably why they play all variations of music, to keep everyone happy and satisfied, which makes them better workers. It all makes sense now. The music also distracts me from the fact that I'm doing work, which seems to make things go a lot faster.

Whenever I go to bed at night I always make sure my radio is set to a good station and played at a volume loud enough to interprite yet quite enough to lull me to sleep. The music they play on the radio is pretty good considering I'm in the middle of the canadian prairies. Perhaps the way music is using me when I sleep is perhaps as soon as I'm asleep, the radio station starts sending out subliminal messages of some sort. If that's the case they're just as clever as the Co-op executives. But If it weren't for that music it would be so much harder for me to sleep. I suppose it's because it blocks out all other noise and all other thoughts that race through my mind preventing me from shutting down. Lol, thoughts are like spam and pop ups.

When I say that music gets me places, that statement is interpreted in countless ways. First off, theres me listening to music when I drive. It keeps unwanted distractions in my mind and keeps me concentrated on driving while still having a good time. Then theres music getting me places when I walk/jog/run with my portable music player. It keeps my mind off the fact that I'm actually excercising and doing something healthy. Scary thoughts I know. I also use music to get places careerwise. Everyone loves to see musician on a resume. If all go's right music will take me places I will love. And no I don't mean head supervisor at Co-op. I'm talking about playing in bands, composing music, technically manipulating music. Stuff like that.

Hold up. Theres something familiar about these uses. It seems that in all the things I use music for, the music is distracting me from something that I don't like. I suppose that is how music truly uses me. Maybe I was wrong, maybe music uses me more than I thought. Maybe music is evil...pffftt lol just kidding. Music is the greatest thing in the world. Without it nothing would happen. Nothing would get done. Music is good. And I don't even care that It uses me, use me all you want music. I don't care.

Controversial Figure in Music

Alright, this figure is typically used and is probably made fun of the most..and I'm gonna defend him. Micheal Jackson. Micheal has gone from being the coolest ladies man musician in the known world to the laughing stalk of the universe. I guarantee there are small tribes in South America making fun of Micheal for the things he's done, but I think he needs to be givin a little slack. Yes, I agree that the things that Micheal has done and the things he's been acussed of are horendise, but that doesn't excuse the fact that he's made some great music.
Mel Gibson has done some pretty bad things himself, yet you ask anyone and they'll tell you that "Braveheart" was the greatest movie ever made. Then you ask someone about "Thriller" and they'll tell you that Micheal Jackson is gay. I'm pretty sure there is something wrong with that picture. "Thriller was the biggest hit of its time and then as soon as the acussations were made the song was unofficially anounced the worst song ever. WHAT!?! HOW DOES THAT WORK!?! "Braveheart" was anounced as the worst movie ever so why should that be any diffrent for music.
Although many people won't admit it, they dance to "Thriller", "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" when no ones around. And to go ahead after and say that stuff is gay is just wrong. Yes, he shouldn't have had slumber parties with young children and hell yes, he shouldn't have had them sleep in his bed with him, but that doesn't excuse the fact he's a good singer and performer. As for Micheal Jacksons face, ya, it's messed up but come on. It's not completely his fault. Perhaps he does have some kind of chemical unbalance, but please don't let that take you away from enjoying his music.

You Know What Really Hits My Drum?

Oh boy! This has been on my mind for a while recently and is really starting to bug me. The thing that really hits my drum is people ragging on bands and judging their music on account of their history and not because of what they sound like. I swear, if I hear one more person say "Thriller" or "Beat It" is gay because Micheal Jackson is accused of being a homosexual I'm gonna lose it. It shouldn't matter if Micheal Jackson was accused of that, people loved those songs before the accusations so why should that change their passion for the songs. I could really care less if My Chemical Romance is an emo band, I love their song "Famous Last Words" and that should be the same for everyone.

I steer clear from being one of those people by trying not to watch music videos. Part of enjoying a song for itself is by making your own music video in your head. If I were to watch music videos it would change my perspective on that song and then I couldn't make it my own. For example, when I listened to "The Beautiful People" by Marilyn Manson I thought it was a pretty good sounding song..then I watched the music video..bad decision on my part. Now whenever I listen to that song all I can see is Marilyn in that weird body suit. Although time has healed that wound in my mind, the scar of Marilyn in the suit remains, but I am more able to interpret it my own way again.

When I hear people argue about songs and their makers, it makes me kinda mad . The kinds of songs I'm talking about is songs like "American Woman", "Another Brick In the Wall", "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", "Black Betty", "Ghost Riders In the Sky", etc. These kind of songs have been tossed around and played by so many bands playing what is exactly the same thing with what appears to be the same kind of sound. Some of the songs you can distinguish between the two but otherwise they are the same. Most people can't tell the difference anyway until that one person has to speak up and say, " classic such and such playing blank". Then some other person speaks up and says" HEY!! Such and such didn't originally do it, it was that other band with the goofy hair". Then there becomes a large argument about it and nothing ever gets settled. GUYS!!! IT'S THE SAME SONG!!! IT DOESN'T MATTER!!! Just listen to the song and interpret it the way you want. It's not that I don't beleive in giving a band props for their art, it's very important for bands to be recognized for their work, but don't go to war about it.

If you're a fan of a band for its music and its image then props for you. There is nothing wrong with that. I'm a fan of Relient K's music and I like their band image. So..ya..nothing wrong with that. So, from one music lover to another, please don't let band images influence your love of a sound or song.

Music? A Career?

When I get up in the morning, getting ready for work, I think, "I sure wish I didn't have to go do something that means nothing to me, I wish I could listen to music all day." Saying that, I suppose music would be a career for me to have. I love music, I'm very passionate about it, so why not get paid to do it. The real question comes down to what kind of music related career is right for me. If I had to pick just one full time music career to take over my life it would probably be making music, either through orchestral, small ensemble (and when I say small ensemble I mean either small jazz group, small group of concert style musicians or a rock band). This kind of career would really let me express myself in a positive way and I'm sure would be really fun. And if your thinking, "OMG, the only reason he wants to do that is to become rich, travel the world and get all the ladies". Well, to be honest, those just happen to be perks of the job (:P). But in all seriousness, those things don't mean anything if I'm not happy, and by gosh I'd rather be happy.

If there was a career I'd have to have if i couldn't have one of those dreams come true would be a roadie, musical technician, working in a music studio or something along those lines. To be a roadie would be wicked awesome. Yes, i said wicked awesome, what are you gonna do about it. To be able to travel along with bands and set up their easel to paint their masterpiece(metaphorically, not literally) would be pretty fun and interesting. I'd get to see new sites, experience different things (no drugs though), meet new people and learn new things along the way. When it comes to working a studio making music, I think it would be sweet to compose, mix or make music for films. That way, I could add a component to something that would entertain hundreds or thousands of people. I wouldn't even need to make music for films, I would be happy enough just helping to get a great sound from some band who's recording in a studio.

The one thing that I will definitely love about having music as a career is waking up in the morning and saying, "Well..*yawn*, time to go make music and money at the same time". Though the money won't be a big deal for me, it is nice to have. The thought of getting up and doing something that makes sense to me and being good at it really gets my truly happy.