Showing all posts about music
Easy On Me, new music from Adele
16 October 2021
After a six year recording hiatus English musician Adele releases a new single, Easy On Me. The track is lifted from her album, 30, which is scheduled to be released on Friday, 19 November, 2021.
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The Man Himself, new music from Gang of Youths
9 October 2021
The Man Himself, new music from Sydney based Australian music act Gang of Youths, I won’t say no to that. A third album is reportedly on the way, but no word yet as to when it’ll arrive.
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On final approach: Forever, the new Flight Facilities album
7 October 2021
Seven years after the release of their debut Down to Earth, Sydney based Australian electronic act Flight Facilities lands on Friday, 12 November 2021, with their new album Forever. I’ve been queuing up their new singles – including the title track – on Spotify for weeks now… let the countdown to 12 November commence.
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If You Say The Word, Radiohead
25 September 2021
If you feel you’re trapped in a dead-end office job, then maybe English rock band Radiohead’s latest offering, If You Say The Word won’t be for you. On the other hand, this is Radiohead, how could you not like If You Say The Word?
Even though the track premiered yesterday, Friday 24 September, it’d been sitting – in one form or another – in the recording studio for near on two decades. The single is included on Kid Amnesiae, which is a re-issue of Radiohead’s 2000 album, Kid A, and Amnesiac, a year later.
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A countdown of the fifty best debut singles
17 September 2021
Scoring a hit with your first musical release… that has to be an achievement and a half. What a great way to start a career. Tomorrow from midday, Saturday, 18 September, Double J will countdown what they rate as the Fifty Best Debut Singles.
That’ll be a show and a half. I couldn’t possibly guess at a number one, so instead here’s the video clip for Crave you, the 2009 debut single by Sydney electronic act Flight Facilities, which I’m hoping will be included somewhere in the fifty.
Update: here’s a list of the top fifty singles that made the cut. If you have a lazy five hours, stream the countdown here.
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ARIAs to end gendered award categories
16 September 2021
The Australian Recording Industry Association, aka ARIA, will no longer distinguish Australian musicians by gender, instead making award categories for the annual ARIA awards gender non-specific:
The time for separating artists based on gendered categories that exclude non-binary artists altogether has passed. The music industry is demanding a more equal, inclusive, safe and supportive space for everyone and ARIA is working hard to achieve that across the ARIA Awards and everything we do.
Good job. Why on earth should the work of anyone be differentiated on the basis of gender? The ARIAs will be streamed on YouTube on Wednesday 24 November 2021.
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#VaxTheNation so we get back to seeing live music
14 September 2021
Triple J, purveyor of finest new and independent Australian music, is getting behind the #VaxTheNation campaign, so we can all get back to live music events. No one likes the current lockdowns, and the other restrictions to our usual movements, but COVID is far worse.
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Something that really cooks: Michael J Fox replays Johnny B. Goode
17 November 2011
Michael J. Fox who played Marty McFly in Back To The Future, recently re-performed Chuck Berry’s 1958 hit Johnny B. Goode at A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson, an annual event staged by his foundation that supports research into Parkinson’s disease.
Fox’s, or rather McFly’s, rendition of Johnny B. Goode at the Enchantment under the sea dance in 1955, is one of the (fictitious) historical events I’d like to witness. It’d also be an opportunity to be a dance floor innovator/early adopter, by showing 1950’s dance-goers a whole new way to trip the light fantastic.
Originally published Thursday 17 November 2011
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film, legacy, Michael J Fox, music, video
Analysing the music of Daft Punk with help from HTML5 and CSS3
17 May 2011
Sydney based Web Technologist Cameron Adams has put together “Anatomy Of A Mashup” a mashup/data visualisation of Daft Punk music with HTML5 and CSS3 (no Flash…), using the canvas and audio elements, plus transforms and transitions.
In order to explain the layering and interplay that goes into something like a Girl Talk album or The 139 Mix Tape I decided to take my own mashup of Daft Punk’s discography — Definitive Daft Punk — and reveal its entire structure: the cutting, layering, levels and equalisation of 23 different songs. By dividing up the sound data for each song and computing its appearance in realtime, the resulting visualisation gives you an understanding of the unique anatomy of this particular mashup.
While Adams recommends viewing the mashup with Chrome, I found it worked quite well with Firefox 4.
Originally published Tuesday 17 May 2011, with subsequent revisions, updates to lapsed URLs, etc.
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Daft Punk, legacy, music, technology
Classical recital etiquette protocols? Thought you’d never ask
22 February 2010
Classical, or chamber, music recitals were not events I went along to a whole lot until I was introduced to the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) last year.
Going to see a band, either in concert or at the local pub, seems — to me — like something that requires no thought it’s so natural, but what about a classical music performance, isn’t that, you know, different?
Aren’t there dress codes (top hat and tails?) and other protocols to be observed? Or, you’ve been asked to go along to a show with the company’s CEO, have no idea what happens, and are keen not to distinguish yourself for the wrong reasons?
I’m pretty sure I’m not the only person to have ever wondered about such things, so here we go, a guide and some tips to the etiquette and protocols of attending classical music recitals.
What’s the dress code, what should I wear?
This seems to be the main concern of many first time recital-goers, and I’m pleased to report that top hat and tails are generally not necessary.
For me though, someone who only wears a suit once in a Blue Moon, dressing up is part of the fun of going along to a recital. I don’t usually bother with a tie though, I only wear those once every couple of Blue Moons, but at the very least think “smart casual” if wondering what to wear.
Be punctual, there’s nothing worse than being shut out
The best idea is to plan to arrive early.
There’s an important difference between going to a movie and being late, and a recital and being late, the recital is a live performance.
Unlike their big screen counterparts, live performers find it a lot harder to ignore the distraction of latecomers trying to find their seat, which is invariably at the front of the house.
Then there’s the matter of trampling on the toes of audience members sharing your row, and blocking the view of others behind.
In all likelihood though, if you are late, you’ll be barred from entering the auditorium, until there is a significant break in the music, or at intermission.
So, arrive early, have a drink at the bar, and acquaint yourself with the show program, while you wait for curtain up.
Applause, when do I clap?
While pauses during a song or composition are common to all musical genres, classical music is replete with silences and breaks. This can often confuse those unfamiliar with the music being performed, who often think it is complete, and start clapping.
You don’t want to be that person. Unless you are well acquainted with the music, wait until everyone else is applauding before you join in.
Also watch the performers for end-of-play cues, members of the ACO for example usually raise their violin or cello bows above their heads at the conclusion of a piece.
Photos, recording, and mobile phones
Taking photos and video recording during a recital are generally a big no no. A few snaps of the concert hall, and empty stage, before the performance may be ok though, but the check show program, or ask someone, before you pull your camera out.
Needless to say mobile phones should be switched off or set to silent mode.
Take some time out at intermission
Most recitals have an intermission break after about 45 minutes, which tend to last for about 20 minutes. If you need to go to the bathroom, or return an urgent call from the boss, intermission is the time.
It’s also a good idea to get up and stretch your legs, the show will be a little more enjoyable if you don’t feel restless.
How long does the show usually last?
While it depends on the pieces being performed, recitals tend to run for about 90 minutes with a 20 minute intermission about half way through, so all up, about two hours. The show program should have the exact times of the performances.
Read the show program
I’ve mentioned the show program a few times, and trust me, it’s a good idea to read through it, especially if you are not a regular recital goer. They usually include details of recital and intermission times, and of course information about the music being played.
There’s nothing like looking as if you know what you are doing.
Originally published Monday 22 February 2010.
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