The other day for class we were asked to come up with a list of 2-3 musicians blogs that we loved. I poked around the internet for awhile, searching for some of my favorite artists' musings, but to little avail. Then I realized-I already read music blogs!
A few years ago, back when I was really, really, now I mean really, really into Radiohead I checked the band blog every day. I still love them, but am no longer devoted to reading the blog. I checked back on it, and came to discover that it was largely the same. Each member post a blurb or two every so often, and Thom will regularly say something mysterious. I do remember him saying something four years ago before I saw him at Bonarroo along the lines of, "Bonarroo tomorrow! So excited!" I died.
That's kind of the nifty thing about some of this blogs, is you get to feel closer to the manufacturers of the heavenly sound. It was mentioned in class the idea that sometimes, when listening to music you can forget that an actual human created it. Reading their words, learning that they do human things can be inspiring and awesome. It also ties you to the music in a new way. (see NYT a few months ago http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/29/arts/dance/29ballet.html?scp=1&sq=ballet%20twitter&st=cse).
The article talks about how twitter allows laypeople to access dancers like never before. Ballet and music are clearly different, but I think a similar concept still emerges. Something strange happens when you can access and artist through a unique media than what you are used to. In my mind, musicians are more individually expressive that ballet dancers (obviously I know nothing about ballet), so you can arguably gain insight into their person, but not in the private way that the internet provides.
At least, in most cases.
By far, one of my favorite bloggers (and absolute favorite Twitterers) is Kanye West. In contrast to with Radiohead and the ballerinas, where the reader gains new insight, Kanye West's blog (and especially Twitter) reflects exactly what I would assume about him. I do think that this phenomenon is a function of his visibility and pop personality, however. This persona may force him to blog and tweet in a certain voice, but I like to think that he really is what he tweets. For example, the ego that took the microphone from Taylor Swift, "I might bless the city today with an all white suit ... why not." He also dispenses knowledge and advice on the live of being Kanye West. "You can't look at a glass half full or empty if it's overflowing." His blog is more often than not in all caps chalk full of run-on sentences. And I love it. He often says things that make know sense such as "Tell everyone at the label only use Gothic or Helvetic fonts for email blast unless I otherwise approve." From his comments it is visible what the life of such a crazy person/superstar entails. As far as his music is concerned, not much is revealed as far as where he gets his inspiration or ideas, but I would argue that his music is commensurate to the quality and characterisitics of his blog and twitter. Not that he cares what I think anyway, his blog is titled KANYE UNIVERSE CITY.
Also, sort of unrelated, but hilarious. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/03/kanye-west-new-yorker_n_668894.html
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Music blog?
Sure, I've blogged. As far as I am aware, it is essentially obligatory for anyone studying abroad these days to create an online venue for purging photos, tall tales and overly exhausted descriptions of the "sites." So I've blogged, but not with any purpose. Who cares what I write?
Not to be cynical about the endeavor, I do think that it is clutch to get the thoughts or whatever it may be down, its simply the fact that the blog not only everywhere, but its for anyone. I'm a little self-conscious, or perhaps not egotistical or maybe not brave enough for the blog that consists of more substance than a rundown of my days' events while living in China. I certainly think it something to think that any of your old thoughts merit distribution. At least, say, if I did write, or if I was writing "back in the day (?)" I would forced to muster up a bit more courage or ego or learn to squander my over zealous timid side. I don't know much about the publication process, but it seems to me that you really have to fight and advocate for yourself in order to get your first few words in print. (also, is the second person even acceptable in blogs?) For me, I would have to garner quite a bit of confidence about my work to go through the process. Whereas with this blog, oh, cursed blog, anything I think up can be public with a click of the ominous "publish post" button.
If I wasn't in enough of a crisis about simply publishing my actual thoughts, anxiety is compounded by the fact that I am writing about music. Don't get me wrong, music and language as both things that can rouse a passion in me, but the thought of applying language to music mystifies me. A large portion of my time is allocated towards studying the complexities of language, particularly foreign language. When I start to poke around a new language I do notice a musicality to it, but never would I necessarily find language in music. The best way for me to judge a piece of music is tailored specifically to my body and I've never even flirted with the idea of transferring the sensations to words.
When I hear or play or somehow experience a new piece of music I sometimes get the chills. Actually, if the music if halfway decent I get something of a chill and if it is life changing my whole body is aware. When a good piece of music hits me it starts in the base of my spine and spread up and out through my ribs, eventually reaching my heart and circulating through my body, usually to my arms and, in extreme circumstances, all the way through my finger tips, my toes. I suppose the trick will be to unpack what happens and to slow down the process to fit words. And of course, to learn to articulate what is not happening that prevents me from getting the chills.
Where to begin? Perhaps a chill-o-meter? We shall see.
Here's to the journey,
Megan
Not to be cynical about the endeavor, I do think that it is clutch to get the thoughts or whatever it may be down, its simply the fact that the blog not only everywhere, but its for anyone. I'm a little self-conscious, or perhaps not egotistical or maybe not brave enough for the blog that consists of more substance than a rundown of my days' events while living in China. I certainly think it something to think that any of your old thoughts merit distribution. At least, say, if I did write, or if I was writing "back in the day (?)" I would forced to muster up a bit more courage or ego or learn to squander my over zealous timid side. I don't know much about the publication process, but it seems to me that you really have to fight and advocate for yourself in order to get your first few words in print. (also, is the second person even acceptable in blogs?) For me, I would have to garner quite a bit of confidence about my work to go through the process. Whereas with this blog, oh, cursed blog, anything I think up can be public with a click of the ominous "publish post" button.
If I wasn't in enough of a crisis about simply publishing my actual thoughts, anxiety is compounded by the fact that I am writing about music. Don't get me wrong, music and language as both things that can rouse a passion in me, but the thought of applying language to music mystifies me. A large portion of my time is allocated towards studying the complexities of language, particularly foreign language. When I start to poke around a new language I do notice a musicality to it, but never would I necessarily find language in music. The best way for me to judge a piece of music is tailored specifically to my body and I've never even flirted with the idea of transferring the sensations to words.
When I hear or play or somehow experience a new piece of music I sometimes get the chills. Actually, if the music if halfway decent I get something of a chill and if it is life changing my whole body is aware. When a good piece of music hits me it starts in the base of my spine and spread up and out through my ribs, eventually reaching my heart and circulating through my body, usually to my arms and, in extreme circumstances, all the way through my finger tips, my toes. I suppose the trick will be to unpack what happens and to slow down the process to fit words. And of course, to learn to articulate what is not happening that prevents me from getting the chills.
Where to begin? Perhaps a chill-o-meter? We shall see.
Here's to the journey,
Megan
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