The Argument of Electronic Music

I think it's crazy that every music festival these days has to throw a DJ in their lineup to draw a completely different crowd and ultimately make more money (Bamboozle, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Coachella, Summer Jam, etc). Is this where live music is heading? I love electronic music as much as the next person, but I feel many music enthusiasts go to these festivals to escape those kind of crowds, unless it's an electronic festival of course. I used to go to rock festivals in high school to feel accepted and to feel like I belonged within a part of a movement that none of my classmates could relate to because they were too busy listening to their auto-tuned bullshit. At music festivals nobody judged me for what I listened to and nobody was too drunk to recall what they witnessed the day before. It was just a group of extremely open minded individuals, all there for the love of live rock n' roll.

Since when do acts like Afrojack share the same bill as Radiohead? How do musicians feel about this? Live music to me is all about the human element and the talent a musician has perfected in their own individual style to be able to free style live and give people what they paid for plus more. There is nothing like the raw sound of a live guitar and the feeling knowing every show will be a little different, not just the same track playing from a DJ's computer. Seeing "trendy" college girls overdosing on drugs wearing ridiculous neon outfits convinces me they aren't going for the live music aspect but to hear the same tracks coming from a computer in an altered mind set. -__-

Although I do think some DJs and electronic artists are extremely talented and not everyone can just pick up LogicPro with a Massive plugin and know how to create something listenable, I just feel like the music scene is changing. For example, the producer Skrillex (who originally is a vocalist, composer and guitarist), is obviously a talented creative individual. But when he plays for live music festivals that draw in thousands, he is expected to play his biggest songs as well as remix the Top 50 at the time to keep his crowd pleased. There are also fans complaining that on his newest EP, Bangarang, there are no big "bass drops." My only reasoning for this is that the "fraternity bros" who I am forced to share the crowd with enjoy the bass because it is "so filthy" and because when you're rolling (on ecstasy or molly) feeling the bass is like nothing other. Are these the people I truly feel like sharing the experience of live music with? When they don't care about the musicianship, or the live remixing but just about a bass drop? Who don't realize that Skrillex is a modern version of Aphex Twin and Squarepusher?

This is why I am not a big fan of this scene. However when Skrillex plays smaller venues, shows in Europe and after parties, his sets are insanely tasty and artistic and lack the pop music and hits that he is expected to play. What is that telling us? Are artists not allowed to express themselves in the way they like if it will not please their fan base and their record labels? Shouldn't artists take creative risks in what they feel is right?

The "Skrillex" I knew back in in 2004 was known as Sonny Moore. I first knew him as the post hardcore frontman of my favorite band, From First to Last. He then came out in 2008 with an EP Gypsyhook which was made of Japanese Electronica tracks. His EP was completely torn apart by the critics and he was dropped from his label because it was so experimental and so Aphex Twin-esque. However when I saw him perform live, the intimacy and understanding I felt within the crowd of only 24 people and him was unlike anything I've experienced with him as "Skrillex" playing for thousands behind a big box of computers and equipment. The talent I saw him possess playing percussion and guitar (for song songs), singing and screaming is so much more powerful than what I am allowed to hear today from him. It's things like this that makes me question the direction live music is heading. Hoping I'm not the only one alone in this predicament ..

Here is my favorite song from Sonny's old days in From First to Last (with him as the frontman)

Here is a song from Sonny's unreleased EP, Bells.

Here is an acoustic version of Mora from Sonny's EP, Gypsyhook

Compare this to the songs with the "heavy bass" noted at 1:17- onward he is expected to play now.

Live Classic Rock at the Ziegfeld!

For any classic rock fans around the NYC area, the Ziegfeld Theatre is holding an entire week of live concert footage & old school movies. Being a die hard Zeppelin fan, I HAD to go to see The Song Remains the Same tonight because of the theatre's extraordinary acoustics. Although I own this dvd (and watch it religiously), it was worth every cent because of how amazing the sound was. The schedule for the week is as followed:

5/1 - Shine a Light (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) 5:30 pm
Tommy (Oliver Reed, Ann-Margret) 8:00 pm

5/2 - The Last Waltz (Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell) 8:00 pm
Led Zeppelin The Song Remains the Same 5:30 pm

5/3 - U2 3D (Bono, Adam Clayton) 5:30 pm
Stop Making Sense (Alex Weir, Tina Weymouth) 8:00 pm

5/5 - Yellow Submarine (The Beatles, Paul Angelis) 8:00 pm

5/6 - The Beatles: The Lost Concert 2:00 pm, 7:30 pm

This is such a great opportunity! If I lived in the city, you better believe I'd be going to see EVERY MOVIE and rock out the entire time! For anyone who has never been to the Ziegfeld, it is the last operating movie "palace" in Manhattan and it is absolutely beautiful inside. Here are some pictures of the space!

This is my favorite part of The Song Remains the Same. The live concert footage of "Since I've Been Loving You" from the Garden in 1976. Jimmy Page shreds so hard in this song ... I don't think he's human.

Fashion Statements at Festivals?

Its funny how lately fashion seems to be big publicity at festivals. Big name bloggers and magazines have been posting all week about the celebrity fashion at the Coachella weekends. From Katy Perry to Paris Hilton, these celebrities are all over the internet with their brightly dyed hair, flowly gypsy clothes and their peace-love attitude praising their live music. From the photos I've been viewing, if you want to be noticed as a fashionista concert-goer any interesting trend will do the trick. I wish I could rock these looks but unfortunately I am in the crowd either crowd surfing, getting crushed from the barricade or jamming out.

If you're unlike me (who likes to wear Converse and an old band tee bound to be ruined that day) here are some interesting fashions bound to get attention (good or bad?) at these festivals!

The Jeffrey Campbell Popo Sandal Platform Shoes

Flower Crowns

Pastel Lips

Brightly Colored Hair

Patriotic Wear

Unique Sunnies

Diamond Supply Co. Snapbacks

Maxi Skirts

Chain Head Wraps

Tupac's Alive?!

If you haven't already heard of this crazy phenomenon that occurred at Coachella this weekend, Tupac appeared onstage in a hologram form. He rapped along with (the real) Snoop Dogg onstage and they jammed for a bit before he disappeared in the air. Everyone was very taken back it and it was said to have cost millions of dollars.


According to RapFix on MTV, it was quite the opposite. Tupac was actually being projected through a 19th century illusion titled Pepper's Ghost. The image is usually portrayed using a piece of glass but in this case a Mylar screen angled (so the audience could not see it) and dark lighting worked wonders.

All I have to say is, when are they bringing Biggie back?! And I can't even imagine the concert-viewers who took narcotics prior...talk about a bizarre experience.

Outside Lands Music and Art Festival 2012

For anyone living in or visiting the Bay Area, Outside Lands Music and Art Festival is definitely a good buy. Not only are you right in the Golden Gate Park for three beautiful summer days, but the headliners reach through to multiple genres including acts like Skrillex, Metallica, Stevie Wonder, Jack White, Foo Fighters, Beck, Justice and City and Colour.

Normally the 3-day pass is $165 which is very well priced for what you're getting. But now since the festival is coming up (August 10th-12th) tickets have been raised to $225. I think it's still worth it if you're 21 considering they have a lineup of local wineries to try, comedians all three days and curated artists' work all over the festival grounds.

Here are some pictures of the festival. My favorite is the windmill that greets you when you enter the festival!

The Winery Section!

The layout!

The Entrance

Stereomood

Although this is not music festival related, I found the coolest emotional internet radio! Stereomood lets you choose your emotion or action at the moment and they design a playlist based on what kind of mindset you are in. They have a huge list to choose from, the most popular being the biggest wording and they also have a search bar if they don't have your current emotion. I have been listening to the "Studying" and "Relax" playlists the most.

It's a great way to find a large variety of new music you normally wouldn't have found on your own!

Currently listening:

Rave Clothing Guide For Guys

So for those who have never gone to a electronic music festival or rave, here are the basics for what you need to wear to enjoy your time and make some friends.

A typical outfit for a guy:

1. Vans Footwear 2. Rave Candy 3. DGK The Haters Sunglasses 4. Vans V56 Fit Covina Pants 5. LED Bracelets 6. Neon colored tank top

1. For boys AND girls, bright colors and comfort is a must. You will be dancing all night and need clothes that will not distract your time.
2. Guys- wear tank tops. You will be so overheated from being packed in with this huge group of people; chances are you will take your shirt off. Common tanks include ones with neon colors, clever sayings or bright graphics.
3. Raver "candy" is very popular. A lot of ravers make their own and trade or give them away at shows. The more eccentric your outfit is or how friendly you are, the more likely you will attain some.
4. LED gloves are HUGE. If you want to make some friends, put on a light show for people! More people will come and will sit memorized by the colors whirling around.
5. Many venues do not allow LED bracelets/necklaces to be brought in, but somehow they always make an appearance. Bring a container of 50 and pass them out to people.

GIRLS GUIDE WILL BE NEXT!!

Really digging Dada Life lately! The Swedish duo are playing Ultra on March 23rd and Coachella on April 22nd!