Elvis puts another nail in the CD’s coffin

By David
March 21st, 2008

As perhaps a sign of things to come, Billboard is reporting that Elvis Costello’s new album, Momofuku, will only be released on glorious vinyl and as a digital download. Okay… now here are two things to ponder: is the compact disc dead and…. Momofuku? Read More…

No Comments »

The festivals are upon us

By David
March 18th, 2008

With the hot days and warm nights of summer approaching, the concert season is also coincidentally heating up. Not only are the standard configuration tours hitting stadiums, sheds and arenas, but the US is now seeing an explosion in the number of big festival dates which are attracting the biggest names in music today. Read More…

1 Comment »

Taste is the common sense of genius

By David
March 17th, 2008

That quote came via Victor Hugo, the French writer, as channeled through between song banter Saul Williams delivered during a rare acoustic performance he gave at the tail-end of the South by Southwest Festival. While taste is something which is clearly subjective, is taste and genius co-mingled? I have many acquaintances with fantastic taste, but the genius trait is a stretch. Read More…

No Comments »

It’s The Beginning of the World As We Know It

By David
March 14th, 2008

In many ways, the gloom & doom associated with music these days is unsubstantiated. Here at SXSW, you have artists & THE MAN behind them spending thousands of dollars each to attend, eat and lodge here in lovely Austin (as I was told yesterday, a dot of blue in a sea of red). There’s much talk about new business models, freedom for artists and more & more revenue & publicity streams. Read More…

Comments (2)

Where have all the rockstars gone

By David
March 13th, 2008

To see R.E.M. very late last night was a reminder of what the rockstar is. The word is not easily definable and cannot be summed up by a simple description or visual or video. Michael Stipe on stage is captivating… you cannot easily take your eyes off him. You could argue that he does not hold one of the great singing voices… so what is it? Read More…

Comments (10)

PhD in Soul

By David
March 13th, 2008

Lou Reed just gave the keynote at SXSW and the coolest man alive did not live down being Lou Reed. He would utter something in the most dead pan of ways and would then have to scream “JOKE!” and people delivered nervous laughter. He may be cool, but you could easily imagine him punching you in the face. Read More…

1 Comment »

Driver 8, meet Client 9

By David
March 12th, 2008

A story broke earlier this week concerning the idea that various new flavors have been appearing in the US water supplies, such as “the sedative Diazepam, the mood stabilizer Carbamazepine and estrogen”. In some ways we can be grateful for this news… it finally explains why the NBC show “Friends” was so popular. Read More…

Comments (2)

Auservations

By David
March 11th, 2008

What started out as a Seattle-meets-London day turned out very nice indeed weather-wise here in Austin and still at SXSW. Some other observations from today… Read More…

No Comments »

Elliot Spitzer sex tape

By David
March 11th, 2008

Someone else was caught tapping his foot recently. This time in Room 871. And we have it all on tape. The video, if you chose to watch it, is quite disturbing and not safe for work, or maybe even home. You may have to watch it in your car outside a fast food restaurant which leaks WiFi into their parking lot. Read More…

Comments (2)

The Egosystem

By David
March 10th, 2008

During a panel today at SXSW interactive entitled “Gossip - Britney leaks iPhone upgrade on Facebook. w00t. Gossip or News? Do we have time for facts?” a member of the audience was speaking passionately about a point made towards the panel only to have the moderator say “did you say ecosystem or egosystem?”. Considering the barrage of ammunition cementing the thought of “everybody will be famous for 15 megabytes” there could not have been a better new term coined today. Read More…

Comments (2)