A Happy Place

A Happy Place- Katie Melua
I'm here to promote some of my favorite female artists of this year. They are fantastic and going places with their music. They all have very creative lyrics, meaning to their messages, a unique sound, and their music videos are wonderfully aesthetic. I'll name each one and then tell a little bit about why they're awesome.

Katie Melua http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E4-9yKTv_I&ob=av2e
Blues/Jazz/Folk Pop
Her voice is very calming, sultry, acoustic, and a little jazzy. The messages in her songs have meaning, and are more than just typical love songs.
The video clip I posted the link to is called The Flood. This song is about trials in life; they happen. In a great many cases, no-one is to blame, you just have to let the flood wash over you and move on. It has an exotic sound and changes tempos halfway through the song. It is very moving.

Janelle Monáe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s9iZFwUnqI&feature=artist
R&B/Soul/Funk/Motown
Her voice is clear, fun, and full of funky soul. She dances like Michael Jackson and has a very androgynous fashion. What I find most amazing thing about her music is in her production and story line of her albums. Listening to the album Metropolis, I was amazed at this sci-fi opera style of story telling. In order to have the best experience, you have to listen to the songs in order from beginning to end. I recommend listening to her album, available at http://www.jmonae.com/album

The Bird and the Bee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMy6X5cQul8
Indie/Synthpop/Alternative
Her voice is vintage and breathy. Her music is very vintage 60's and the production makes it have an all over quirky psychedelic sound. Fun fact, the man in all of the music videos is Greg Kurstin. He's a producer and keyboardist who has worked with Lily Allen (another great female artist,) Beck, Barenaked Ladies, The Flaming Lips, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. This dynamic duo makes a great sound. The lyrics are usually quite simple, but very interesting in describing life through different ways. Again and Again, the music video I posted, is about life's repetitions and how we as humans crave them and hate them at the same time. Very interesting.

La Roux http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk8eJh4i8Lo&ob=av2n
Electro Pop/Synth Pop
Her voice is powerful, electronic sounding and very much like a computerized version of Madonna. Also very androgynous in her fashions, she is certainly something to behold in her videos between her masculine fashions and wild make-up. Like The Bird and The Bee, La Roux is a duo of a group as she co-writes and co-produces with Ben Langmaid. This video, Bulletproof, is an exciting and empowering song about getting over a relationship. The shapes and visuals in this are quite amazing and very computerized. La Roux's music is fun, electrifying, and reminds me of my video game days in the 90's, growing up by having to blow the dust out of the game cartridges to get them to work.

These next 2 artists are local and well on their way to making their name in the music world. I love both of their sound and their ideas are very interesting a fun.

Stephanie Maybe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ALs-Mf5CE
Indie/Acoustic/Folk
Her voice is acoustic, folksy, and the way she phrases and emphasizes words is pleasantly unique. The majority of the music I've seen from her has been live, and it has been wonderful. She has a great stage presence and interacts well with the audience. The music she tends to write are witty and have a fun twist or an untypical story. For instance, the music video I posted above is about a comic book artist who works in an Office Max. Some other awesome songs of hers talk about Zombies and romance, and being the villain instead of the princess. She also plays an Omnichord. Her album, Wake Up Dreaming, is soon to come out about November-December.

Jenessa Buttars http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH86xIE4YR8&feature=related
Indie/Acoustic/Folk
Her voice is also acoustic, folksy, and very pleasant. Her sound has influences of Regina Spektor and Florence and the Machine. She plays the harp to accompany herself on some of her songs. She's even done a few covers on the harp of popular songs ( there's a cover on Youtube of Snow Patrol.) The lyrics to her songs are witty and clever. One I've heard her sing is called Dark Spotlight. She wrote it for a songwriting class and I absolutely loved it. I'm not aware of any albums yet, but she has done some music for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm excited to see where she goes with her music and her harp accompanying.

These are all female artists that I absolutely would promote and share with the world. I love their stuff and I have a feeling that they will be around for a while, doing the music they love.

The Steward of Gondor

Now this is going above and beyond. My short thought for this month is: 

Going above and beyond always makes whatever you have done more epic; however, is the time you spent on it used well, or wasted?

This guy was obviously bored. That amazing replica of Gondor is made completely out of matchsticks. Where do I even begin on the questions? How long did this take him? How many match sticks did he have to buy? Did anyone pay him?

In my opinion, this is awesome; but, unless he had some great purpose for it (pay, a museum, Peter Jackson is his brother) I think that this was not worth the time he had spent. I cringe thinking of the tedious hours of getting the mountain just right. This project is definitely an obsession.

I'll give an example now on the other end of the spectrum: I spent the last few days working on a Shakespeare project. It was a performance and so our group got together and decided to do a video web chat of the scenes from As You Like It. I volunteered to do the editing. So I filmed everyone, put it on my computer, and since I only had basic effects, I had to spend at least twice the amount of time making the film look good. Once the editing was done, I decided to go above and beyond. I added special effects, credits, and composed music for the majority of the 10 minute film.

Now, was it worth no sleep? Yes, it was, because it is a project I am proud of. It is not perfect, and there are so many more things I could have done to it to make it win Independent Film of the Year or something; however, I made the decision that I would go above and beyond, but only so much. There is a fine balance between an excellent product, and obsessing to the last detail for a 'perfect' product. The time I spent was well used and I don't think any was wasted.

Here is the my Shakespeare project:

She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb in the shape of an 'L' on her forehead

Smash Mouth sometimes says it best. Gotta love this song.
With my friends getting married left and right, marriage and wedding planning is constantly barraging my thoughts. I've been observing all the different styles and preferences that each girl(or guy) has wanted. Some I would really like to implement into my own wedding when that day comes. Mine will either be a Fall wedding or Spring. Winter is too cold and Summer is too hot. Plus, if you get married in Spring, you have all summer to be together and party and stuff. Music will be a big deal. I think an all out dance party would be perfect. Colors- probably blues and green, accents of red everywhere because I love that color. Food will be delicious, tons of fruit for sure. I would like something both inside and outside because I think both are great.
Now for the dress:

None of these will I EVER wear

I don't even know why anyone came up with these dresses and that they actually wore them. Gross! In any case, my wedding dress will look nothing like any of these, but I thought they were so ridiculous I had to put them up. Some I couldn't because they were pretty much naked. Who does that?! Commentary to ensue:

I've always thought of myself as patriotic, however, this has gone too far.

I hate it when you dream you're in your underwear... wait.

Two things: I don't think
this is the kind of glowing
a bride is going for. And
talk about fire hazard.

It's a garbage bag... dresses for under $5!!

Newspaper dress, fresh off the press. Get it now while it's still hot... not!

Recycled Baby Cradle

Balloon girl... I can't imagine all the time put into that dress.

Classy... I think she took her man's shirt and attached a curtain.

Poor girl, she doesn't even know she
lookes like a cake.

I want to jump on her massive train.

Mariah, who told you this was okay?

Peacock? It's the males, not the females that have those colors.

Hahahaha, no!

Worried the authorities will find you,
try the Camo/hunting wedding, a sure
fire way to make sure the wild-life
attend your reception.

I think she forgot the rest of her dress.

Last one which wins the award for 

"Classiest Wedding Dress" goes to the

politically-correct-hole-in-one-original

 

I hope to never see these dresses again. The end. Mine will look way good guys, don't worry. I have a pretty good idea already- I know what I want. Unfortunately for you, you won't be able to see what I have in mind till later. At least you know what I won't be wearing!

UPDATED! Here is my wedding dress. I think it stayed away from all of these terrible dresses and I'd like to think it's pretty classy.

Typical

Fun song by Mutemath.
Through the years, I've noticed a common trend throughout America. As I was discussing last night's concert and events with a coworker, I was reminded again of this observation and that is:

Band Directors are usually clarinet or trumpet players


Why that is, I have no idea, but one can speculate... me being that one (for Kelly.)

There are two kinds of teachers. Ones who teach because they know it the information, and ones who teach because they are good at getting people to listen/learn; one is the intellect, the other a leader. Some teachers are talented at dabbling in both, and I commend them as they are typically my favorite ones.

Now for the instrument part. As in my first official blog post, I opened up the idea that either the instruments choose the musician or vise versa. Now, if you read my observations on both clarinet and trumpet players, you would find that they seem to be completely different people. Interesting no? Clarinetists are generally intelligent for sure, which probably gives them an advantage to learning and being able to teach others to play. Trumpet players are generally confident so people are more likely to follow what they teach because of the seemingly proneness to taking the lead.

Trumpets lead because they think/act like they know it all, and Clarinets lead because they actually do.

This is definitely another generalization, but I think for the most part, it's true. The best teachers are those that can not only lead, but actually know what they're teaching and passing onto those musicians. Being truly talented in both is a rare gift and I've met a few teachers that have possessed this- two of them, I am happy to say, were my band teachers:

Mr. Depalatis (a euphonium player), Dr. Fullmer (a trumpet player.)
Thank you

Importance of Music

What makes music reach a person? There are songs that you can't help dancing to, and yet there are others that seem to say all the right words to explain how you're feeling. I've been brought to tears by some some, and seriously about the throw-up after hearing others. What is it about the grand opening melody of Star Wars that excites the audience and makes us all anticipate the awesome story about to commence?
Have you ever watched a scary movie with the sound on mute? It makes the film humorous. You laugh, because the usual atonal and nails-on-board tones are absent, and you have nothing but just visual to tell you something is scary. Music really creates the atmosphere. It takes you to a whole new level of experiencing the movie. Without the music, most films would be very average and forgettable. Does that make auditory experiences more memorable and influencial than visual? Could sound be better than image?

Random Thoughts I Think About

So within the past month since my last blog, I have been trying to find something I could deem worthy to post up for all to see. I realised the last few days, that I am always thinking about something; sometimes it is more than one thing and half the time it is a song I have heard or not yet written. I don't know if this is just a woman thing or if it includes all human beings. Here are somethings I have thought about the last month that hopefully anyone one who reads this has more to add and will act on it.

Caution signs: They are put up to keep pedestrians from slipping and suing, but that is not their only purpose. These signs are also put up to say, "Don't step here because it just got cleaned and the person who cleaned it doesn't want you dragging your muddy feet all over, making the mop job pointless."

Pedestrians: Two things here: If America changes the law so that pedestrians do not have the right of way, would we have less deaths and accidents? (Egypt has no pedestrian laws, and they also have few pedestrian deaths.) When learning to drive, it should include training on How To Drive Near BYU Campus. Maybe college campuses state wide, but my thought is that driving near BYU campus scares the crap out of me because pedestrians assume the right of way and that all cars will stop for them. That thinking works...with perfect drivers; it is just another accident waiting to happen.

Courtesy at low paying jobs: I don't know whether it is a sort of pride or caste system, but if you say you work at McDonalds versus working at a 9-5 office job, people will look at you differently. Is it human nature to stereotype or categorise someone? I think so. I try not to, but sometimes I find myself jumping to conclusions on who that person is and their potential.

Aging Backwards: What if everyone in the world had a 'Curious Case' like Benjamin Button and we all were born old only to die as infants. How different would this world be? Well for one, the coffins would be a lot smaller. At the same time, it may not be that different because generally people are taken care of when they are young and when they grow old it seems to be the same; unfortunately that includes changing diapers.

Transportation: I truly believe that we should have transporter devices like off of Star Trek that teleport us to places we need/want to be. It would solve a lot of problems like car/bus/plane emissions, decrease our dependency on oil to almost null, traveling time would be cut to a fraction of the time, punctuality would be easier to achieve, pedestrian would not even be a word and accidents would stop. One pressing problem I do see happening is a huge chunk of people in the world would lose their jobs. Transportation is a large part of everyday lives and to many people, it is their way of earning a living. Also, car people would hate me because driving would be a lost art, maybe it would be considered exotic. Just a few wrinkles to iron out really that's all...

Pitch in the Key of Dog: How much different would music, movies, everyday sounds be if we had the hearing of a dog? This thought alone could take days to discuss.

Moon: How different would our world/Earth be if our moon was a mile closer? 1 mile farther? Non existent?

These are a few things that I have thought about, some deeper than others. I enjoy thinking about things and unfortunately my sleep habits are affected by this. I have had a few moments in my life where I was thinking absolutely nothing, and it scared me. It was a weird feeling having nothing in my head and I hope that it does not happen too often. Anyway...
Until next month's blog, I bid adieu

Do Musicians choose their instruments or do the instruments choose the musician?

For my first official blog, I will discuss something that I am well familiar with: Marching band.
Indeed I have been in marching band and am proud to say so. There has been something that I have noticed throughout the years of being in band however, and that is every marching section has a certain personality to go along with it. This phenomenon is not just in my marching band, but marching bands all around. For those of you in a marching band, you will understand of which I speak; however, those who are not so familiar, I will point out the personalities for you. You can think of people you know who play these instruments and see if they fit these categories.

Flutes/Piccolos- Typically girls who have drama and/or get stressed easily who are usually smart and care what others think.
Clarinets- No extremists here, clarinet players are usually more reserved than the other woodwinds. Generally pretty smart, more laid back than the flutes but also can get stressed easily
Alto Saxophones- The highest percentage of good looking guys who a more charming and flirtatious compared to other wind instruments. Also typically intelligent.
All the woodwinds are usually a little more high maintenance and technical than brass. They all care more about what people think than the brass also, but don't you think it's interesting that their parts are also high maintenance and call for the most technique and dexterity between blowing, articulating, and fingering?

Don't be offended woodwinds, as a brass player, I know more about brass than I do you guys.

Trumpets- 'Who ever plays louder is better'... not true by the way, but that seems to be what they think. Usually competitive and ostentatious. If there are girls in it, they HAVE to prove themselves one of the guys and as good if not better. Confidence is their strength, their weakness is over-confidence.
French horns/Mellophones- Now these musicians are more reserved (a brass version of the clarinet.) Ambitious and seem to get along with anyone from any section, but prefer ultimately to be with their section. Also competitive in a different fashion than the trumpets. It is a passive competition that isn't spoken, but proven when the results of 'who is first chair' is placed on the table.
Trombones- 'who ever plays louder and bad is better'... When I mean bad, i mean the tone is gone and all you hear is a gross blaze that makes statues cringe. Between these guys (typically male) and the tubas, they have the ultimate marching band pride. Quite talkative and friendly and for those of you who have read the color personality books, the full spectrum of Yellow.
Tuba- 'Life is a party' I have yet to meet a boring tuba player. Like the trombones, they are talkative and friendly and the epitome of Yellow. Sometimes they love talking so much they are annoying, not gonna to lie. Usually tubas are the last type of person you would expect to hurt a fly. That rhymed- unintentional.

Drumline or Battery- Is the name 'battery' derived from the energizer bunny? If it is, it would work because the energizer bunny wears sunglasses to show how cool he is, and that is generally the appearance of drumline. The ladies on drumline are one of the guys and pretty chill. There are, however, subdivisions of personalities within the drumline of which I will hit on from what I have observed.
Snare- 'Shirts optional' ... these musicians are a combination of instruments. With the looks of a saxophone, mouth of a trombone, and confidence of a trumpet these guys enjoy being in the spotlight. They are also extremely flirtatious. They learn the drum lick and then proceed to play it as fast as possible. When it comes time to play with the marching band, they have a rushing problem. Why keep life as it is when you can take the faster road?
Tenor- Probably the most complex of the drumline, these musicians can play anywhere from two to six different drums in sequence. You can attach anything you want like cymbals or cowbell. Like walking percussion ensembles, they are excellent at multi-tasking. Probably the most surprising and quirky that I have met, they are not afraid to do hard things. However, these musicians are doomed to have back problems.
Bass- Also doomed for back problems, these are the most chill people I have met. Life happens, may as well enjoy it. They take their drumming seriously, but not serious enough to have drama over. The basses have to all work together to get the best sound too. The entire section depends on everyone playing their part right, so they are definitely team players. If I wasn't a brass, I would definitely have fun playing a bass.

The Pit- this includes timpani, guitars or electric basses if the song calls for it, mallet instruments like xylophone and marimba and anything else that the tenors couldn't carry. These guys practice and practice their parts till it's memorised as much as possible, and then that is it. They probably get the full effect of marching band the least, but I couldn't fully say. I don't know much about them because they were always distant. They must have the most boring time though because they are not out marching, but at the same time, they don't have to sweat as bad as everyone else.

The Colorguard- Dancers both in action and personality. These ladies (sometimes guys) have a bit of a gossiping problem. They are very aware of appearances and when ever they get together to practice and march it is like one big sleepover. They also tend to have the most radiant smiles. If marching band was a high school, colorgaurd would be the popular-flirty-boy-crazy girls and the drumline would be the popular-attractive-flirty-ladies-men who go after them.

Now these are all generalizations and throughout my years of marching band, I have met exceptions to the rule, but these are definitely the general personalities of band members whom I have observed. So here I pose the question:

Do the musicians choose the instrument or do the instruments choose the musician?

Now this is for marching band. Symphonic Band, Full Orchestra and Jazz Bands complicate and change things, but the underlying personality is still there. Why are there personalities that fit with the instrument? Is it a happy coincidence that an outgoing girl who cares about what others think picks a flute when she could have choosen to play a tenor? I think not. It's kind of like the chicken and the egg thing, which comes first?

Post any of your thoughts and ideas on the subject. I find this all very interesting