Common words, perhaps, but for me, it's quoting the title of a song by Semisonic, one of my all time favorite bands - you remember "Closing Time," right?
I'm an artist at heart (singer, songwriter, audio engineer, writer and visual art hobbyist) sharing random thoughts as I wander my cities trying to figure out what I want to be and how to get there and try not to be the one stopping myself from going after my dreams. ;)
I love this!
“Immature people falling in love destroy each other’s freedom, create a bondage, make a prison. Mature persons in love help each other to be free; they help each other to destroy all sorts of bondages. And when love flows with freedom there is beauty. When love flows with dependence there is…
Musicians in NYC, (most of whom are friends of mine) are lending their talents and music in an effort to raise funds to help those affected by the flooding in Upstate New York due to Hurricane Irene. Please share this and keep an eye out for more news about the compilation and clean up/ relief efforts in Upstate New York and beyond.
Hi everyone.
Stories and photos are streaming in from Upstate NY, particularly in creekside towns north of the Gilboa Dam in Schoharie County, NY… and the devastation can only be compared to what happened with Katrina.
CNN, Fox News, the major networks and other news outlets aren’t racing there…
I saw two really not so good buskers during my commute yesterday. One was playing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, the other a distorted electric guitar in the subway car. It wasn’t horribly loud, but it wasn’t good at all and then the guy comes around telling people that he hadn’t eaten all day, etc, etc. And I’m sitting there thinking, “Dude, you just made half the train hate you by playing inside the subway car AND you’re not even good.” You probably would have been better off just asking people for money, or Crazy concept, trying to find a way to actually earn some money. I know the job market sucks and all that but there are so many people who make it work. Or, if you want the busking thing to work for you at least play things people can get into, especially if your going to play in the subway car. Anything that has the potential to cause hearing damage or sounds like it could be something wrong with the train - Probably not a good idea.
Oh and back to Mr. Hallelujah - Learn the words and rhythm!! People know that song, you can’t just decide to put the second half of a verse where the first half should go - unless you’re doing it for some kind of dramatic effect and in that case you’d better have something good to sing when that second half comes around. Sidenote- I love that song and learned to play it reasonably well, so it’s particularly upsetting for me to see someone ruin it.
Anyway, I felt like Simon Cowell in a bad American Idol audition, except that I, of course, said nothing and went on my way. :/
Agreed! :)
(via foiblesandfables)
“Don’t breathe too deep, don’t think all day. Dive into work, drive the other way. That drip of hurt, that pint of shame, goes away just play the game. You’re living in America at the end of the millennium. You’re living in America, leave your conscience at the tone. And When you’re living in America at the end of the millennium, you’re what you own…. What was it about that night? Connection in an isolating age. For once the shadows gave way to light, for once I didn’t disengage.”
Just these parts were running through my head tonight. Still one of my favorite songs.
So, I’m kind of a Gleek. I definitely have my issues with the show - hi, can we use a little more Auto-Tune or other pitch correction in a show that’s supposed to be about singing? But I do like the characters and at this point it’s hard to look away.
Anyway, Lea Michele sang this song by Paramore on this weeks episode and I was blown away by the song. I think it’s just beautiful and now I kinda want to check out the latest Paramore album. I wasn’t really sure if they were worth my time before, but this song is great and makes me want to go back and give them another shot.
What a horrible tragedy?! How can people be so cruel and insensitive? :(
I’m glad the It get’s better project is working to prevent such tragedies in the future I hope some will take comfort in what others have to say and believe that it really does get better.
A sad way to end September.
Please anyone reading this don’t forget Tyler and others like him. This isn’t a story that is a one time thing this is happening MORE and MORE. This is why we need to STAND up for injustice, spread Tyler’s story.
There was an awesome accordion and clarinet duo playing in the Bedford L station tonight. They made the fact that i just missed the train and the 20 minute wait actually enjoyable. The accordion player played a few songs from Amelie, which is one of my favorite movies and then they played a few tunes together that I recognized but couldn’t tell you what they were. Anyway, they were a lot of fun, besides I’m a big nerd and think the accordion is such a cool instrument. :)
Then I got in the train and this guy was playing a mini steel drum - INSIDE THE (reasonably crowded) SUBWAY CAR - so not cool! Loud high frequency sounds in a tiny space = not fun. I like the sound of steel drums, in general, its a not something you hear everyday and because of the timbre of the instrument, even sad songs don’t sound so bad when they’re played on a steel drum. However, that’s when they’re played outside or in a large space that can handle the sound and where i can stand more than 3 feet away from it. I don’t think people should be playing any kind of musical instrument in a subway car, unless you and your friends are the only ones in that car. And especially something as potentially grating to some ears as the steel drum. So, needless to say, I was not such a happy camper waiting for the PATH, and it was so uncomfortably hot in the station. I think I even audibly grumbled when a non-passenger train passed by.
Conclusion: If you want to share your music as a busker, please do so in a station or park, somewhere people can stand near you and listen if they wish or step away if they’re just not in the mood. I’d be much more likely to share some money with you if you give me the choice of whether or not to listen to you and the chance to decide whether or not I think you deserve my attention (and extra cash). :)
Does everyone/ anyone feel like this? I want to do so much all the time and in my life in general, I really wonder - 1. if it’s possible to get/do all of the things you want and 2. if there is enough room in my head for it all. My brain has been going nonstop lately. Mostly I’ve been thinking about someone - shocking, i know. :P But even that’s about lots of different things and for different reasons. But I digress… Beyond that, I just have so many things I want to do and see and learn. Do normal people want to have 2-3 careers and fall in love and learn everything there is to know about music and art and some sciences and the history of the world and see every bit of it that they can jam into one lifetime? And if so, how do you go about making as many of those things happen as you possibly can?
I finally bought my Ukulele. And I grabbed a new guitar book while i was at the music store. :D
