Now that spring break is

by | Mar 15, 2002 | Imported Entry

Now that spring break is officially here, I can take a minute and bring you BOTH Part’s 4 & 5 of my “electronic music rant.” So hold on tight.

Part 4: What Techno should be

It is my opinion, in case you hadn’t been paying attention, that techno music is an “art form” much in the way classical is. Sure, there’s obvious and glaring differences, and I wouldn’t attempt to assume techno is as great or greater in any technical “playable” (instrument) aspects. But think about it. What are the basics of those two music forms. Notes. Pure notes. On an instrument, there’s often open levels of interpretation. For example, in Jazz, improvisation is key, in rock its accepted (although the cord progressions are simpler) and in most other types of modern music, it’s simplified. But in classical, there’s notes. Pure, resounding notes, played on instruments that are designed to give those perfect notes. Now, flip the tables. What’s more perfect than a note produced electronically. Sure, there’s no “life” to that note, there’s no human blowing into a tube with holes in it, making that note. But they are notes non the less. The most non-vibrato, sharpest sounding, pure notes. Now, fast forward. These notes have made it onto a page of music that’s to be played at a concert. Or, these notes have been recorded in a pattern to be “played” (spun) at a concert. The DJ is the conductor and the records are his orchestra. Now, this might be stretching it a bit, but it illustrates my point. That techno music is just as much of a musical art form as any other of the musical genres we have. Just because the DJ isn’t using his hands to create the music doesn’t mean he’s not possessing skill or working just as hard as someone playing the flute in a concert hall. The point here is that techno music demands respect in the same way that any other music demands your respect. This segways into something I’ve already covered (idiots at shows) and I would probably go on and on about how these people aren’t there for the music, don’t respect the music, and should be removed from this planet. But I won’t do that. We all know who they are and that they’re idiots. I don’t need to repeat myself.

Instead I’ll continue with the other aspect of techno, it’s purpose. Now that we’ve established that it’s a music form and should be respected, we can talk about what to use it for, and that of course, is enjoyment. Just like 99.9% of all the other music in the world, techno was made to be danced to, listened to and enjoyed. I’ll stress again that drinking and being an asshole ARE NOT part of “enjoyment of music” so fuck those people. I digress. Techno was made to be played in a club, that’s where it started and that’s where it should stay. Maybe I’m jaded by bad outdoor concert experiences, but it’s club music for a reason. So we can at least “try” to keep morons and 14 year olds out. This led to the rave scene, where people that couldn’t get into clubs starting trying to have club like fun. Thats all good and wonderful for those afor mentioned 14 year old idiots, but if they ever think they’ll be respected as “fans” they’ve got a lot of waiting to do.

So, techno is for everything. It’s for dancing, it’s for enjoyment, it’s for any situation where you’d like to tap your foot to something while you work. It’s “exciting” music and has vast “energy” that can be used (or abused) to fit nearly any purpose. To me, techno is all about enjoying yourself and completely relaxing for a while. In the music you can get lost and when you concentrate on a single thing (the music) you aren’t thinking about all the other crap in your life, at least for a little while. Techno music should NOT be something you put on because your friend has it and you want to be cool. It should not be something you put on to get high or drunk. It should not played on the radio (by that I mean not in heavy rotation durring the drive hours, there’s obviously good points to it being played on the radio: ex: Essential mixes). It should not be stagnent (ie: don’t play the same songs for 3 months, they get old, move on to newer tracks). It should not be misused as an excuse for “teen angst”. The media loves that one. Techno is the new “devil worshiping hard rock” that everyone thought was terrible in the 80’s and 90’s. Well, it’s not, so get your damn news camera out of my face and learn what it’s all about. Arg.

Part 5: The point (i.e.: summing all this up)

The main reason I wrote all this is because I was pissed off. Pissed about 14 year olds “ruining the scene”, pissed about the music not being taken seriously, pissed about how it’s become the new trend because people don’t understand it, pissed about… well, you get the idea. I hope I’ve gotten most of this off my chest and explained a little bit about why music is so important, why is shouldn’t be ruined or taken advantage off and why I like it. To sum up: techno is an ever changing, always fresh musical genre that appeals to both the true fan and the idiot. Idiots like to get trashed and jump around, the true fans enjoy it for it’s more subtle qualities and it’s “presence” on the dance floor. We should all try to make sure the idiots are kicked squarely in the head and that we save this music for the people that truly enjoy it. It’s something special, something new and something that shouldn’t be “trendy” but respected. But, over the past week, I’ve said my piece. If you agree with it, that’s fine, if not, that’s fine too. Whatever makes you happy… and THAT IS THE POINT.

Another one bites the dust.

by | Mar 14, 2002 | Imported Entry

Another one bites the dust. Another semester down, a few more to go. I finished up classes yesterday with a critique in my 3:00 Studio class. It went well, the class seemed to like my work. It probably helped that the class was full of “friends” from the department. They’re not nessisarily friends I would hang out with outside of class, but everyone knows each others names and we’ve all been in each others classes before, so we know where each other is coming from and can offer some creative critisism. Which is always good. I’m pretty sure I pulled of a solid “A” in there so that should make it 3 strait years on the Dean’s List. Go me!

Today also marks the begining of spring break. Lauren is flying home tonight, Justin is flying in, and I’m gearing up for a week of absolutely nothing. With the possible exception of a concert next Friday night. There’s a possibility that Nagle and I (and whoever else feels like coming) will go check out Sandra Collins in Atlanta. For those of you who haven’t heard of her, she’s a DJ, a rather good one. I have a few Essential Mixes and mix CD’s and she’s always been on my “Top 20” list.

Speaking of Essential Mixes. I’ve been going a little nutty trying to find some lately. I think I’ve made it my next “collection” project. I found a nifty little server that records the show each weekend and so I can always get the new ones, but the real quest is for the old ones. No one seems to have any that date further back than 2000. Which is kind of disappointing since there were some really awesome mixes from people like Seb Fontaine, Tony DeVit, and other DJs that were really working the “1s & 2s” back in the 90’s.

Anyway. I’m justing hanging out today until Lauren gives me a call that she’s out of class. Then I’m going to be driving her and a friend to the airport for her flight at 6. I’m really going to miss her this week. I know I won’t be doing much around here, but it would still be nice to have my girl to sit around and not do much with me. I hope she has fun back home and that her Dad’s doing well (he broke his leg). I’ll miss her.

That is all.

Current Music: Essential Mix – 03-03-2002 – Gordon Kaye

2 down, 1 to go.

by | Mar 13, 2002 | Imported Entry

2 down, 1 to go. Yesterday I finished up my last History of Jazz class. Technically I’m supposed to go on Thursday but I don’t plan on it. I’m not in danger of having to many absenses, so I’m going to take Lauren to the airport instead. Something I’d much rather do than sit in a class room counting the seconds until I could leave. So, History of Jazz is “finished” and so is my Digital II class. All that leaves is Studio Photography at 3:00. All I have to do for that is show up. I finished the last assignment up a couple of days ago so all I have to do is turn it in.

So, what are my plans for spring break? Nothing. Pure and simple and wonderful, nothing. Most of the time I’ll be hanging around here, playing Counter-Strike, eating pizza, watching DVDs, that sort of thing. Our friend from freshman year, Justin, is flying down from NH and will be here tomorrow, so we’ll probably all be hanging out with him this week. Other than that, I really don’t have any plans. I’m not sure what we’re going to be doing to “entertain” Justin, but probably nothing that involves leaving the city limits. I might go see Sandra Colins in Atlanta next Friday as well, but that’s still very unofficial.

So, that’s about it. Tonight, Lauren, Brittney and myself will head out for a “belated multiple 21st birthday celebration.” Which basically means we’re just going to go get a Mudslide and then go home. But it should be fun anyway. I hope Lauren isn’t to stressed from her final last night. I stayed over her place for a good portion of the evening trying to help out with one of her projects. I hope I was more of a help then a hindrence. I believe in her and I know she did an awesome job on her finals. I’ll give her a call after class today and maybe I can convince her to let me buy her dinner as well as a drink.

Later.

1 down, 2 to go.

by | Mar 11, 2002 | Imported Entry

1 down, 2 to go. Classes that is. I have Studio at 3 and hopefully I can turn in my final portfolio today so I won’t have to come to class on Wednesday. That would be cool. Then all I have left is History of Jazz tomorrow and Thursday. I’m going to try my best to get out of Jazz on Thursday because I want to be with Lauren when she goes to the airport. Her plane leaves at 6 and I have class until 5:30. I’ll probably tell the teacher that I’m the one leaving at 6, so I can probably leave early.

Digital class went well. Everyone liked the Flash stuff. I’m probably going to take the intro animation down when I get a spare minute since I really don’t like it very much. But, the critique went well and so I’m fairly sure I did fine grade wise in there. The only things really left to do as far as the site is concerned is the portfolio sections. When I get a spare second I’ll scan in more color and studio work and that’ll be that.

That’s about it as far as whats going on around here. Tonight I’m going to go see Lauren and see if I can do anything to help with one of her projects. Other than that I just have to make a little colage in Photoshop tonight and I’ll be done.

Oh, last thing, if you can find it, download a copy of Deep Dish’s Essential Mix. They’ve done two although Tracklistings.org seem to think otherwise. The older one is from 12-07-98 and the newer one I have isn’t labeled. But they’re both friggin fierce! If you need some techno to get you moving, find these. Find them now.

Carry on.

Well kids. There’s Flash galore

by | Mar 10, 2002 | Imported Entry

Well kids. There’s Flash galore around here tonight. Check out the downloads page for the new cartoon and check out the main entrance for the new intro. I really don’t like the intro very much, so after tomorrows class, it’ll probably be taken down, so better check it out soon. (I’ll probably put it on the downloads page afterwards incase anyone’s interested in seeing it).

In other interesting news. Chris is back from spring break and gave me a call tonight. We had a chance to catch up and there’s a bunch of stuff going on.

On the top of the “breaking news” list is the fact that Jeff is getting married. I don’t know any date specifics but he’s apparently met a nice girl and after only a month or so they’ve decided to get married this summer. Apparently they want to do it in Ibiza which would add a reason to Chris and I going, rather than just a vacation. Chris has also played the “test drive” game and seems to have settled on a car that he likes. I’ll let him tell you more about all that once he updates his page.

We also tossed out ideas about the summer. This is actually a coinsidence because Lauren and I were having a similar discussion last night. It’s nearing the end of school for all of us (a bit closer for Chris) and it’s time to figure out what exactly we want to do with the rest of our lives.

My plans for this summer involve working and… um… working. Mainly to save up for a ring for the finger of my wonderful Lauren. (there’s a lot of talk about marriage huh?). But, Chris wants to break in the new car he’ll be getting so maybe we can swing a little road trip in there. I’ve always wanted to explore the country a bit. And doing so with one of my best buds would be even better. This all of course depends on the flexability of a summer job. Summer jobs usually aren’t very flexable and so all of this day-dreaming is probably never going to happen, but hey, it never hurts to dream.

After college my general plan involves life with Lauren, life in Boston and a life in Photography. The specifics of towns and job locations obviously are still a little blurry. All I know is that I want a life with my girl on one shoulder and my camera on the other. I don’t think thats too much to ask.

Anyway, time to get everything finished up for tomorrow and get some sleep. Later.