In researching this, I came across several articles that used the subject as discussion points for the industrialization of popular music.  Who knew! 

I still can’t find out the exact answer, but found a New York Times article dated back in 1990 (yes, 1990) that has some insight on lip-synching or pre-recorded music.

If anyone has an answer, please share!

For you viewing pleasure….and especially since it is supposed to rain all weekend…

The Pinhook is pretty cool.  Art-deco, alternative, a little dark and mysterious….but still friendly with good beer selections that are reasonably priced.  Anywhere you can get a good brew for about $4 and then a PBR for $2 is okay with me!  We actually ran into another friend of ours that has been telling us to come hang out in Durham….so we killed two birds with one stone.

It was exciting to hang out with one of Mike’s buddies (pre-me) to see some of his past.  They acted like they had just hung out the week before.  So that is a good friendship!  His buddy was surprised to see Mike especially without his ponytail and a wife.  My, how things change.

The Physics of Meaning is a really unique band with a really cool sound.  I had only heard from their myspace page but it was pretty cool.  They are very talented and the front man plays the violin which gives the music a really awesome feel.

So, here is my video from the Friday.  It also includes video from Oyster Destroyster and Lemming Malloy.  I never thought I would be shouting sea shanty’s!  Lemming Malloy is also a local band that has a unique sound..check out his homemade instrument!  (keytar?)

Click Here to Watch!

It’s pretty clever.  You have to choose between some of the top musical geniuses and bands of all time.  Who will win?  Beatles or Doors, Dylan or Hendrix, Talking Heads or Nirvana?  Those are hard ones for me.  But there are some easy choices as well including Whitney Houston vs. Maxwell,  Prince vs. TLC, R Kelly vs. Janet Jackson (seriously?).   I’m still determining whether I should choose based on most music history/industry significance…who made a bigger impact on society or who I like the most?  Any suggestions?

So if you need a break from the b-ball, try this out for some fun.  I am!

U2 is finally coming to Raleigh!  Rumor is that it will be NCSU’s Carter Finley Stadium.  October 3rd is the date….and yes I will be purchasing tickets.  Rumor also has it that the band will be releasing some tickets at $30/piece.  I’m not holding my breath on that one!  Tickets go on sale the first week of April….so man the phones lines and internet connections!

Wahoo!

They are big enough and have enough money to do the marketing that they have done this week!

• New Album
• Naming of a NYC street
• Appearance on David Letterman ALL week  (click here to see)
• Appearance on Good Morning America - Friday Morning
• MySpace - before the release of the album (this week) you could listen to the new album in it’s entirety on MySpace.  And if you are into that type of thing, you could always steal it….
• Rumored to be coming to the Raleigh/Durham area on tour….I’m pumped.

So, in a matter of 5 days…..the name U2 should be stuck in your head, whether you like it or not.

I found this article (that asks….could Bono brand the USA?  With the wave of the internet, viral and social marketing…..this article is interesting since it was published back in 2005….4 years ago!

Take a read!  For the full article from triplepundit…click here

Some highlights:

If social marketing is the planning and implementation of programs designed to bring about social change using concepts from commercial marketing, U2 singer Bono might be the master of it.

Corporate America can help achieve social justice in the world with its technology, its pharmaceuticals, its firepower, among many tools. If Bono turns out to be as successful targeting the business groups as he was with political and religious groups, then we might see significant social changes.

For those of you who know me, I am a huge U2 fan.  I have always loved them, but back in 2004 I had the opportunity to see them in concert….at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  I flew to Vegas for really no other reason than to see them.  I did go hiking once and did a little bit of gambling. It was their Vertigo tour and I don’t think I’ve been that excited since (well, maybe when I saw R.E.M. (see earlier post or click)  in concert or ran a marathon), but I acted like a teenager seeing NKOTB for the first time. 

Anyway, my favorite U2 song is “Where the Streets Have No Name.”  Well this week it does!  According to U2.com, Catch the band with Mayor Bloomberg for the naming of ‘U2 Way’. The temporary renaming of part of West 53rd Street as ‘U2 Way’ takes place at 1.30pm at West 53rd Street and Broadway, Southwest corner.
The Mayor and members of the band will be on hand to mark the event. 

When I was writing this, I thought this could be the streets where the noted video for the song showcases the band on top of a building performing.  BUT, the video is in downtown Los Angelos, California?  Either way, it is so cool.  In some ways, I wish I was in a band and could do this.  I doubt it would take the same effect in Raleigh?

I may have thought of a different name, maybe Bono Blvd, We Rock Way, We are an Awesome band Blvd?

Walking in the theatre we saw a mix of blue jeans, cowboy hats, 30 years old , and pretty much the rest were over the age of 45.   It was an interesting crowd.  Not know what to expect from Willie and Asleep at the Wheel….we sat and waited admiring the theater.   Asleep at the Wheel came on to perform a vareity of the western -swing classics (on their new album Willie and the Wheel) which was really enjoyable.  Plus, the fact that there was a 14 year old young lady on the stage playing a violin/fiddle was really amazing.  

Willie came out about 30 minutes later….pigtails and all.  He looks old, but sounds the same.  It was so cool to hear some of those old classics in person.  It’s one of those things I will remember and I’m happy to say…I saw Willie Nelson in concert.   I grabbed a small video with my tiny video cam.  Once I can figure out how to get it posted….check back!

I know about online music sources, video players (got to LOVE pandora.com), but I haven’t heard of A Last.fm.  Pretty cool site.   Internet Radio.   It’s similar to Pandora.com in the fact that they suggest music to listen to based on your favorite music.   This site offers more information about each performer, with profiles regarding last album, biography notes, etc…  It even suggests events in your area as well as suggested music based on the type of music that you like.

If you are a music lover, wouldn’t you just love to have the job of actually listening to music?  Figuring how one song relates to another based on sound, instruments, flow, artists, etc.   I guess it would be more technical than you would want it to be……but you would be kicka** on some trivia shows!

I think I’ll stick with Pandora if I’m just interested in listening to music rather than learning more about particular artists. 

Check them out for yourself….but …..Please….don’t stream at work.

Okay, you have to be a fan of both or at least either of these artists to find this appealing.  It’s definitely unique so you have to give them props for thinking out of the box!  Jaydiohead

On another note, what would be those artists that would be the worst “mash-ups?’

Willie Nelson and Britney Spears

Liza Minelli and Eminem

Jonas Brothers and Beastie Boys

Ideas??

For the last few days, I have been walking around like I’m on the outside looking in. One of my friends is going through a tramatic experience which I will not go into, but it really makes me feel hopeless. I kind of feel like I’m in a nightmare and I can’t wake up…but I am awake. It is an experience that I hope I never have to go through but wish that I could take some of the pain away from her. There have only been a few situations that have occured in my life that I have felt like this.

How do you get through it and more importantly, how do you help those that need the help the most? A ton of questions with very few answers.

You realize how important family and friends are in your life. Whether far away or close by, they are all still important to you and you love them the same.

In the past few days, I have communicated with over 10 of my college friends some that I really haven’t spoken with in months/years….but still they are my friends and they will always be my friends. Trust me, we went to college together so they have a ton of blackmail pictures that I do not need to be posted or used on me! HA! (yes, I laughed)

I tend to turn to music to help me laugh, cry, think, dance, etc….so in times like this I try to find a song or good thought to get me through the day/minute without being sad.

In the words of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (from Find a Dream):

Life is uncertain
Life is unknown
Life is a shot in the dark
Life is a curtain
Always unfolding
Life is an ember and a spark

What gets you through tough times? Any suggestions? Thanks for reading. I promise, the next post will be less depressing!