An Ode to the Random
While I still love the experience of a well-crafted album played front to back (preferably on vinyl in a dimly lit, acoustically balanced room), an 18,000 song library set to random shuffle is one of the great joys of living in the 21st century. Here’s to the modern age.
“Passion” and the New Economy
It’s safe to say that the Economy is on everyone’s mind these days. Money is getting tight, credit is getting tighter, and everyone from CEOs to the lowliest mailroom employee are looking for ways to cut back and save money.
Music is something that transcends the economic situation because for most of us, it’s not just another item to be “consumed”. We eat, drink, sleep, breathe, and swim in it. Music makes our lives richer, it fulfills our need to create, and for most of us it’s a big part of who we are as human beings. It is Passion.
So I guess I’m curious. How is the new economy affecting your musical life? Are you finding it necessary to scale down, or are there certain things you can’t live without despite the economic situation?
No commentsNIN Sets Stage Ablaze With “Lights in the Sky”
If you are one of the unlucky few to have missed Nine Inch Nails rolling through town recently, I highly recommend you carve out some space in your schedule to catch the band as they head out across the US for the second leg of their “Lights in the Sky” tour.
Trent Reznor has created a mind-blowing, technology-enhanced stage presentation with the help of a massive computer controlled lighting rig and the addition of several light sensitive LED mesh curtains that add an incredible visual element to the intense and energetic show NIN are known to deliver. If this sounds too much like science fiction, Reznor would agree; but when the stage is completely obscured by digital static which is then peeled away to reveal the band performing one of the instrumental tracks from the recent Ghosts record, it is difficult to avoid the hyperbole that this is, quite possibly, “the coolest thing you have ever seen”.
You can check out some of the clips on youtube, and if NIN is going to be anywhere within a few hundred miles of you, don’t miss it.
(In related news, Robin Finck, guitarist for Nine Inch Nails, has been using the Reunion Blues merino wool straps on several of his guitars. His guitar tech Chris Whitemyer contacted us several months ago to track down some straps, which at that point were not on the market. He explained that Robin had insisted on Reunion Blues since this was the best strap he had ever used. Chris and Robin were very helpful in the re-introduction of the strap so it was great to see it in use on stage. Thanks guys!)
