May The Force Be With Music

Book Analysis Summary

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:21:38 -0400

The books I chose for my analysis were The Peep Diaries: How We’re Learning to Love Watching Ourselves and Our Neighbors, by Hal Niedzviecki, and Camgirls: Celebrity and Community in the Age of Social Networks by Theresa M. Senft. Both books gave vastly different arguments about the topic of privacy and identity. Senft’s book discussed the reality of feminism being tied into the actions of many women who broadcast themselves in an effort to fight against the patriarchal traditions set in place. Niedzviecki instead argues against the societal behaviors that justify our need to share information in order to connect with other human beings. Both books offer a great insight into the complex nature of privacy and identity. Both are great reads and offer an in depth perspective on privacy in today’s world.

Jenna Roy: How Facebook Complicates Dating

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:41:31 -0400

Jenna Roy: How Facebook Complicates Dating:

I actually just encountered this earlier today, explicitly case study number 2. Even if you have moved past it, that faint reminder is always there. While it is definitely a two sided coin, I think facebook at least allows you to come to two conclusions. One: The past is the past. Everyone has to move on a some point. Two: It gives you the chance to learn a bit about prospective loves. It can definitely be used as a tool in a person’s lovelife. But you definitely have to remember to delete old pictures of you and your ex, especially when the new pictures of them and their significant other start showing up in your news feed :/

jroy9390:

Being Facebook friends with the person you are dating can complicate things. The article, “5 Ways Facebook Changed Dating (For the Worse)”, discusses how Facebook can have negative effects on user’s romantic life. The 5 ways Facebook is changing dating for the worse are:

1. Overanalyzing Will…

Untitled: Youtube Wants 3D Qualities Too?

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:33:00 -0400

Untitled: Youtube Wants 3D Qualities Too? :

They really are starting to get out of control with the whole 3D thing. Im so tired of movies being remade in 3D, of video games being created for the 3D purpose etc. Its all just a gimmick that the multimedia industries are trying to capitilize on. I just hope it is a fad that quickly fades away.

tremellg:

Over the past couple years, the quality of 3D television has become a big thing in America. Being more subtle in the early 2000s, it is starting to make their way into more movie theaters, people’s homes and now, on Youtube pages. In this article, this social networking site is starting to…

Revolutions and Retweets: Social Networks in the revolution

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:21:07 -0400

Along the lines of what we discussed in lecture, this article conveys a convincing argument that social networks are a useful tool in activism and social movements. This article refutes Malcolm Gladwell’s assertion that the next major revolution won’t be charted on a social network. Author Leo Mirani argues that this has already taken place in recent history. From Iran’s blogging revolution to the way Arab Spring culminated its digital resources, there is evidence that social networks have become a power player in the way protest and events are organized and executed.

I tend to agree with Mr. Mirani. There are so many examples of how social networking is used as a viable resource to communicate and organize its group of mass contributors. For example: Egypt. They utilized the power of networks like Twitter and Facebook to get their messages across their country and the world. Even when the governments cut the use of the internet, Twitter was still a resource. Protestors were able to simply text their ideas and messages to be shared across a network, even when their direct lines of internet communication was cut off. This is a huge occurrence that shifts the power of change into the hands of the people.

But social networking cannot work alone. There still must be action. The use of social media is simply a tool to create and share new ideas at the forefront of revolution. Sharing and planning is easier than ever before, but the steps to implement such action still have to be taken. Social change comes by force. Regardless of whether that force is intellectual or physical, there must be an active resolve to carry out strategies to result in a successful campaign.

There is some truth in Gladwell’s admission: that a revolution cannot be solely conducted within the online community. However it is a useful resource that allows communication within a campaign to prosper and work more effectively. By using the numerous networks available, people are able to send and transmit their messages rapidly and to a wider audience. This distinction shows that campaigns in the future will rely on the innovations in technology. These innovations are tools of communication and foster a vast network within a campaign or social movement.

The life of a Rose: The social media election of 2012

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:38:52 -0400

The life of a Rose: The social media election of 2012:

I think that social media most definitely will have an impact on the outcome of the election. Considering the Social Media sphere has grown since 2008, it will determine who the power player in this election is. technology’s advances have given us the opportunity to expand our ways of communication. The politicians would work best to utilize this to their greatest advantage.

roseyyybabyyy:

After class on Tuesday with our discussion about politics and political campaigns it really got me thinking about what to expect for this year. Its time for another presidential election so I want to see what it is like 4 years later. So I went to president Obama’s webpage. Which like the survey…

Untitled: The Facebook Obsession

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:41:32 -0400

Untitled: The Facebook Obsession:

That is an interesting point about the maturity of Zuckerberg to be holding on to so much responsibility. But perhaps he has come farther than his freshmen ideals. It will be amazing if he indeed develops a way to connect them into his Facebook framework. The man is definitely intelligent enough to come up with a creative and insightful way to pull China away from its restrictions. With time and effeort Zuckerberg could create new innovations for intercultural realtions.

noirmatrix:

In 2011 CNBC released a brief and engaging 45-minute documentary that covered the rapid rise of Mark Zuckerberg as an Internet visionary and the viral growth of Facebook. The short titled “The Facebook Obsession,” details how deeply engrained the website has become in today’s digital age….

To Regulate or not to Regulate

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:25:00 -0400

This is a very interesting article that is arguing for the government to step out of regulation of the internet. The author creates a convincing argument that insists that net neutrality is the only option that would make a sustainable and justified system. The article in question “Public Parts – The conclusion Who Will Protect Publicness?” describes the various ways governments have taken a stake in the use of the internet. China restricts almost every facet of the internet for its people, including specific sites and services that could be utilized by the greater public.

The argument in the article proposes that governments everywhere should take themselves out of their role as the gatekeepers of the internet. Instead that responsibility should be given to those who regularly use it as a device of communication and public forum. In this case the public. It raises examples that describe how rights to communication and access are against the ethics that should be used in the internet. Ethics that include alienating communities from connecting and communicating across the world about political situations and events. The fact that ideas are being filtered through this siphoning of the internet is an abomination according to many.

The principles of publicness state that we as a people have a right to connect, to assemble, to speak, and to retain an open institution of the internet. That is the internet is seen as an open source commodity. It needs to be distributed to all without discrimination. This idea of an equal source internet is seen as a right and an ethical crisis for its mediators. Net neutrality is a large concept within the internet regulation sphere, but in reality it calls for equality in an open resource that many utilize.

His claim has logical reinforcement. The web is a commodity like any resource or good. It is manufactured on a large scale and this sometimes calls for regulation. But in the case of the internet, free speech is a large component of what makes up its infrastructure. This is sensitive material that cannot be filtered without infringing upon the rights of the user generated content that makes the internet so interesting. I agree with the author’s principles. The internet is yet another device we can use to express our individuality and creativity. When the government tries to infringe upon these rights, it is only natural that the public should stand up for them. In this case we need to become the moderators in charge, to protect our rights.

Shirking Around: RIP Privacy and Identity--MCO 435

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:33:49 -0500

Shirking Around: RIP Privacy and Identity--MCO 435:

brittshirk:

After learning this week in class about privacy and identity, I found it only fitting to continue this discussion, and I would love to hear more about what everyone thinks about the topic of “keeping things private.”

While searching on Google, I came across a recent article by Ben Casnocha on his…

The issues of privacy really dont concern me. I trust in the fact that I can apply pretty strict guidelines on my various profiles to restrict who gets to see them. And I always live by the rules, don’t post anything you don’t want hanging around forever. There is always that distinct possiblity that it will come back to haunt you. So i try to stand 100% behind whatever finds its way from my desktop to web. I used to have professional profiles, but for the most part they have converged themselves into one. I primarily use them to promote my work, so it has not created any problems for me yet. I feel that you should be who you want to be on the internet. Just always be ready to stand behind that ideal at all times.

Charlie Joslin: Social Media and Journalism

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:27:59 -0500

Charlie Joslin: Social Media and Journalism:

charliejoslin:

Getting to work with a bunch of journalists almost every day has opened my eyes to another world of control and rules that are just asking to be broken. The traditional industry of journalism is steeped in prestige and talent. But it is starting to stumble with the shift to digital media and…

I agree that the coventions of traditional journalism are changing. If I want to find feedback about a band I’m into or the events of a music festival, the fact is I will probably be reading the pretentious hipsters of Pitchfork rather than something conventional like Time. I have never been under the impression that simply having a degree makes you the expert in something. There are exceptional and well-versed writers that just started their blog or website on a whim or simply a love of writing. The tides of journalism are changing, and honestly its about time.

Data Mining is Not Exactly Earth Shattering News

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:18:00 -0500

Data Mining seems to be the talk of the town these days. It’s no surprise that the great social media connoisseur Mashable has written a piece on describing some of the more positive aspects of the process. Erica Sandberg describes in the article how data mining is simply a way to tailor to the consumer and improve the online media experience for them. I feel like I am in the sea of neutrality on this topic. On the one hand company’s compiling behavioral patterns on my internet use is a tad big brother esque on the surface, but the truth is we agree to these terms when we sign up.

No matter the social media service, there is always the question of “do you accept these terms of service”, and most of the time people neglect to read the fine print. There is always a double edged sword. Though we gain the use of this free service, we end up bartering for it. In this case our information becomes the precious commodity. As the article explains, this pattern that we leave via the internet becomes important to the marketing team of a particular company. They can modify what information we get in order to tailor to our interests. Everything from products, ads, to even the search results we get, can be better refined to suit our own personal interests. On the one hand, this is done to make the internet more personalized to our needs. On the other, we may be missing out on stuff that could potentially lie outside of our box that would end up beneficial in the future. It’s a tough situation. But if it really bothered so many, I feel that they would drop the service. Out of all the more than 50 people I know, two have taken the steps to deleting their Facebook account. Two.

Clearly the benefits of networking tools like Facebook (both socially and professionally) outweigh the possible privacy infringements. While it is a bit intrusive to for companies to be compiling algorithms to create a specialized internet experience for each user, it might be taking the uneccesary fluff out of our web browsing experience. The article hints at utilizing our time on the internet and seeing it as a precious commodity not to be wasted on viewing unnecessary information.

The power is still in our hands. If it bothers a person so much they should take the necessary steps to eradicate the problem. If the trade-off is too great, then everyone has to learn to live with it. Maybe next time we’ll pay attention to those small letters in those seemingly unimportant terms of service window that pops up. Then at least it won’t come as that much of a “shock” to our digital systems.

Katherine McKeon: Study shows Girls are smarter than Boys (when it comes to mobile sites)

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:52:52 -0500

Katherine McKeon: Study shows Girls are smarter than Boys (when it comes to mobile sites):

katherinemckeon:

This article researched the demographics of mobile device users and their comprehension and use of mobile sites. They researched the use of mobile sites by gender, age, income, and education level. The results: women ages 25-34 were most mobile website savvy, people with a reported annual income…

This does make a lot of sense. It could be put into the context of some having more technological things available than others. Income creates barriers for technological development. This caste system never really goes away, because as new gadgets come out, the less financially sound finally obtain the toy that was “expensive”. Meanwhile the wealthy get the advanced system just released. The digital gap grows even more.

Untitled: Social Media and Smartphone Users Experiencing Increased Identity Fraud

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:47:24 -0500

Untitled: Social Media and Smartphone Users Experiencing Increased Identity Fraud :

tiredryan:

As we talked about in class many people have issues with their privacy and what they want to be public knowledge and what they want to keep to themselves. A lot of people have information they do not want out in the public for everyone to know, and personal things that are better off not shared…

That really is the terrible part, people are not even paying attention to what they are agreeing to. Most services through the internet have agreements that are long and wordy that make it difficult for most people to get through them. This seems to be a ploy from the company to do things the “right” way, but more importantly to fulfill their agendas.

The Power of Yelp and Other Consumer Driven Devices

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:39:00 -0500

After reading this article, I was driven to write a post about consumer based review services. As a frequent user of such services, I find them invaluable resources. How many times does a person find themselves wandering around an unknown city and wondering where they could get a delicious meal or a great beer at? This seems to happen more frequent than not, especially because I am fond of the weekend getaway on a regular basis. Radha Subramanyam, a media analytics expert from NM Incite, states in the article, it is all about the trust a person places in their peers.

I look at hotel reviews because I want a realistic feel on what to expect when I arrive. I do the same for restaurants because I want to see if it is worth the money I’m spending. I want to know what people like me (ordinary consumers) recommend about the product or service that may significantly affect me or my assets. But this would not work if there wasnt a blatant trust in my peers. For example Joel .L the infamous Crazy Amy target, was trusted by many people to give a fair and non biased review. That’s why he was considered an elite reviewer in the grand scheme of things. Sadly, that was the beginning of his troubles. he had so much influence that the mere thought of his bad review sent Amy into a psycho spiral of attack and destroy. She trusted that he would make other people avoid her restaurant, and thus a controversy began.

Later in the article mentioned above, the question of companies encouraging such behavior (of reviews or constructive criticism) comes into play. Subramanyam states that companies are beginning to embrace such ideals of putting the power into the hands of the many. This is a good point. Now more companies than ever are relying on word of mouth, some even offering incentives for review services like Urbanspoon or even Foursquare. the point is to share, good or bad it adds to the repertoire of a restaurant. The more clout, the more customers. So whether someone leaves a scathing review or a love letter dujour, companies must be realizing that all publicity is good publicity.

Turkey Tunes

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:24:13 -0500

Turkey Tunes:

Live and Otherwise: Turkey Tunes

By Gabby Marshall November 21, 2011 at 12:01 am Print This Post

Ahhhhhh, the sweet aroma of turkey roasting in the oven, mingled with the scent of sweet candied yams piping hot and ready for consumption. Thanksgiving is always the lovely (and filling) middle point between Halloween and winter festivities. Eating delicious food is always a plus and so are the humbling thoughts of what you truly give thanks for this year, which mixed between the family and friends, is another treasure: good music. Here’s a Thanksgiving playlist that’s sure to not disappoint as you slave in the kitchen or do the opposite: lounge on the couch and watch the parade.

Childish Gambino- Bonfire
His album is only a week old and people are in an uproar over Community actor Donald Glover’s fresh lyrical take on the hip hop scene. Definitely an eccentric hip-hop listen that is welcome in the sea of poorly utilized auto tune and Justin Bieber/Usher collaborations.

Florence + The Machine- No Light, No Light
This has to be one of the best tracks off her newest release Ceremonials. From start to finish it is a beautiful concoction of why Florence brings her own charm and originality to her music and performances. And it’s a good tune for when you’re pissed off about a love life situation and are in dire need a musical remedy. Hypothetically speaking of course.

Burning Hotels-Beard
Burning Hotels are one of those bands that appear to come up with the most bittersweet lyrics that reek of relationship ups and downs, but at the same time, deliver instrumentals that infect your senses with catchy rhythms and foot-tapping madness. This was a toughie, as Sound City is another personal favorite.

Lil Wayne Feat. Drake- She Will
There was whining in above selections about the wonders of auto tune, but Weezy is one of the few individuals who can usually pull it off, with a great deal of swagger no less, and a few more shreds of dignity than most. Plus blasting this song in the car just makes you get hyped up for whatever the destination, be it school or the club.

Twin Shadow- Castles in the Snow
The first time this song graced my hearing was at the Chromeo concert in between sets. I immediately texted my friend the lyrics (I have a no-internet-on-my-phone thing happening) to solve the mystery of this extremely haunting tune. But it had me interested at the first tragic, yet surprisingly catchy listen.

What’s your favorite song at the moment? Or maybe you have a thing or two to teach me about good music? Whatever your musical concern, let me know! Email me at gmarsha2@asu.edu, or follow me at @whimsicalwookie.

Need something to do?

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:01:25 -0500

Need something to do?:

Live and Otherwise: Take the Stage

By Gabby Marshall November 14, 2011 at 12:01 am Print This Post

There always seems to be show or two occurring somewhat in the vicinity of your house. When you are aching for something to do or to motivate you to get out on the town, live music is always a safe bet. But what happens if the only bands playing that night aren’t that spectacular or perhaps they drudge up unwanted memories of a person or embarrassing debauchery? Never fear! There are alternatives to a less than ideal concert experience. Phoenix is filled with nightly musically focused activities to amuse its city patrons. And the best part is the increased probability of finding such events near your inner sanctum. From Rockaroke to being a Rockstar DJ for 20 minutes, the alternatives will at least give you a great story to recount the following day.

Rockaroke With the Zen Lunatics
At the Tempe Tavern, situated nicely across from the light rail station off McClintock and Apache, Thursday night is the magical night when you can face your fears and sing your favorite tunes loudly with the accompaniment of a live band to boot. Make your rockstar dreams come true as people either begin to worship you or politely tolerate your perhaps inebriated rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”, or negotiate a rousing “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran. Songs from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s are the general pool which participants choose from (though I know that Duran Duran track is from the early nineties-I’m sure they would make an exception for the sheer amazingness of Duran Duran). Luckily the Zen Lunatics have been at rockaroke antics for years, so they probably can handle whichever song you’re absolutely positive will bring the house to their knees. Or their hands to their ears. Rockaroke is every Thursday at Tempe Tavern. Music starts at 9:00 p.m. There is no cover.

Open Mic Night at Yucca Tap Room
So what is there to do if you don’t want to live vicariously through your cherished classic rock songs? Maybe you have a couple songs you’ve come up with, or maybe you want to take the gold and glory for yourself and be the solitary musical mastermind on the stage. Whatever the reason the Yucca Tap Room located just off the intersection of Mill Avenue and Broadway Road in Tempe will give you your big break. This open mic night is for anyone and anything brave enough to shakily (or confidently) make it to the stage and give it their all. Or just make a silly fool of yourself in front of a decently proportioned amount of people. The fact remains that you were brave enough to try. Open Mic Night is Mondays at the Yucca Tap Room. Starts at 8:00 p.m. There is no cover.

Open DJ Tables at Revolver Records
Good DJ’s really impress me. I mean it. It takes a rare sort of talent to filter through thousands of songs and mix a playlist that will hype the crowd up to a massive level. For the entire night, no less. Then there’s the bad DJ’s who have as much originality in their spins as a tube of travel-size toothpaste. There have been times on various Mill Avenue adventures that I have been subject to this strange and unusual torture. “See If I were Dj-ing right now”…these words often fire across many a personal synapse as my ears become subject to unscrupulous sounds. Well, there is actually a bonafied opportunity to test my talents (and the rest of the Valley’s as well) at the art of the DJ. With actual vinyl, no less. With a 20-minute max set, Revolver Records in central Phoenix gives you the golden opportunity to test out your chops. No matter if you’re a professional or bored on a Thursday night, the tables are open to all. And with their awesome and diverse selection of music, your set will most definitely have more personality than toothpaste. Open Tables sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m., though show up early cause sets are only put on from 7-9 p.m. Open DJ Tables runs every Thursday 7-9 p.m. It’s free to participate or just be a witness to the greatness that’s sure to follow.

Are there any great music events happening in your neck of the woods? Or maybe you have a great and epic musical story you’d like me to share? Whatever your musical concern, let me know! Email me at gmarsha2@asu.edu, or follow me at @whimsicalwookie.

Independent Promoters

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:11:33 -0500

Independent Promoters:

Live and Otherwise: The Promoting Team

By Gabby Marshall November 10, 2011 at 9:29 am Print This Post

Photos courtesy of Stateside Presents, Steve Levine Entertainment, and Psyko Steve Presents.

What does it take to put on a great show? That is always the million dollar question racking many a brain. There are so many different components that fit together in that coherent and concise way great shows are made of. So who are these magicians working their magical folly of artists and venue collaborations? They are the concert promoters! Luckily, Arizona has a diverse network of independent concert promoters that work hard every year to secure that your favorite bands get their official Arizona exposure. Not only bands you recognize, but in many cases that great band that you’ve never heard of but were lucky enough to get dragged off to their show. While this is simply a small snapshot of the promotion community in Arizona, these three companies are definitely among the best:

Psyko Steve Presents
When asked how Psyko Steve Presents came into existence, owner Stephen Chilton’s reply was it “just happened.” The promotion company, which started off as Chilton’s hobby, quickly grew into a thriving business that pulls in terrific acts each year like Miniature Tigers, Polar Bear Club, and more locally centered acts like Small Leaks Sink Ships and What Laura Says. For over a decade, Psyko Steve has been a harbinger of good music, with many of the acts growing from relatively unknown beginnings. Chilton says that is one of the coolest things about what he does, that the band that nobody knows could make their way on to the stage, and be the next best thing. And how has Chilton observed the music scene change over the years? There has definitely been a culture shift, Chilton says, with a lot of music performances making its way to downtown Phoenix. This shift is no doubt a result of the new venues popping up over the Valley in the last few years, and the closing of some of the older favorites. The tides of the music scene seem to be changing, but it’s clear that Psyko Steve Presents plans to continue to bring great bands to AZ. To check out their list of upcoming shows, try Facebook.

Steve Levine Entertainment
Steve Levine’s attitude is why not have it all? Not only has SLE brought in killer DJ’s such as Afrojack, Paul Van Dyk, Morgan Page, Kaskade and Deadmau5 all in the timely essence of this past year. The fact remains that SLE also has its proverbial toes dipped in everything from its yearly Ghostball Halloween Event to the Sun Devil Tailgate Experience to charity events, and even last year’s auspicious Red Bull Soundclash held in Scottsdale. They are pretty much doing it all. It’s no surprise that SLE gets such talented DJ’s to showcase at their events. As Steve Levine puts it, the party has never really stopped. Beginning his career as a disc jockey and organizing events for his fraternity, it’s only natural that Levine’s paths lead him to that of an entrepreneur. Now with SLE as a full blown entertainment conglomerate, with a staff of more than eighty people, they are definitely expanding their party network. Their multifaceted approach to entertainment events only seems to increase their attendance. Within their variety of electronic music artists and quirky party themes, SLE is sure to catch your interest in some manner or fashion. For a list of their upcoming events, look here.

Stateside Presents
This has been a big year for Charlie Levy. The owner of Stateside Presents has not only run the company that has brought a slew of terrific Indie artists to our fair desert, but has also taken it upon himself to open a brand new spanking venue in the heart of downtown Phoenix (Crescent Ballroom, anyone?). Starting out by bringing live acts to campus for ASU’s Students Government, then eventually branching out to the now defunct Nita’s Hideaway, Stateside Presents became a reality along the way. This year alone Stateside has managed to pull in everyone from Best Coast to Odd Future, proving they pretty much pull from all shades of the aural spectrum. This variety is greatly appreciated, no doubt by the countless shows that have been sold out time and time again. Their acts come from all over: national, international, and local. The way Levy sees it, there really are no more strictly local music scenes. With a laptop and a microphone many are able to record an album within the confines of their bedrooms. The exposure is happening without the aid of a record label, Levy explains, and many locally based acts now have fans around the world with the simple integration of social media like Facebook and MySpace. This new personalized arena of promotion and distribution is a byproduct of the ever growing global technological network. But within this network Stateside Presents never fails to produce great acts in Arizona, or encourage concert goers to come back for more. For a list of upcoming shows visit their website.

Are there any great concert live music promoters that you think should be recognized? Or maybe you have a great story you’d like me to share? Whatever your musical concern, let me know! Email me at gmarsha2@asu.edu, or follow me at @whimsicalwookie.

Skrillex Returns!!!!

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:28:33 -0400

Skrillex Returns!!!!:

Live and Otherwise: School Crush Skrillex

By Gabby Marshall October 27, 2011 at 12:01 am Print This Post

I remember when I went through this phase back in junior high in which I thought screamo was the best invention ever. Luckily, style wise, it only influenced me to wear a large amount of eyeliner smudged around my eyes (none of that emo/scene kid nonsense). But throughout that pivotal eighth grade year, that tantalizing scream co-mingled with a harmonious vocalist was my nightly music jam session. One of these bands I listened to religiously? Why From First to Last of course. And who was my crush du jour? For reasons unknown to me, I was whole-heartedly obsessed with the angriest little man: lead singer Sonny Moore. I would obsessively Google his name for pictures, news etc., all the things young teenage girls dreams are made of. This continued until finally I grew up a bit the next year and realized I wanted more through the sweet sound of music than loud angry vocals and menacing guitars. Ninth grade was a much happier year. Ahem, alas let me continue. So years later, as I sat down on the couch in my foyer, I sifted through some random music magazine and lo and behold, I saw the name of some up-and-coming DJ on the dubstep scene: Skrillex. As I half-heartedly read the small blurb about him I nearly dropped the magazine. “REAL NAME SONNY MOORE” leapt from the page. What???? My junior high crush was a dubstep DJ now????? I quickly Googled it, and verified it as truth. A long way for an artist to come, indeed (he’s now even moved from casual side note to cover gracing)!

Skrillex is now one of the most popular DJ’s in the genre. Countless sold-out shows and hype passed on from concertgoer to concertgoer linger, wherever he tours. Now you say what is dubstep? Well, if I trust in Wikipedia, the wiki version is a brand of music which specializes in major bass lines and drum rhythms with samples to support the drops in the music. Fancy schmancy words for a great beat to bust out some moves on. That being said, Skrillex is one of the best. His unique take on the genre has amassed many a fan (myself included), and is a fan base which continues to grow. The last time Skrillex hit the valley was at the Venue Scottsdale to a sold-out crowd. This time, it’s a sold-out crowd at the Marquee Theater in Tempe. I’m proud to say I will be one of these lucky souls who get to witness this dance party live. Since I’m a first-timer, I have no doubt I will be able to simultaneously relive my amorous junior high days and get the up close lowdown on one of the most talked about artists this year. Sonny Moore in the flesh, my 14-year-old self would be joyous. Now that I think about it, my 22-year-old self is pretty excited as well!

My picks:

Skrillex will be performing at the Marquee Theater on Sunday, Oct 30. Doors open at 8 p.m. This show is sold out. Costumes are encouraged. By me.

Lamenting over the missed Skrillex opportunity? Or perhaps you have a whimsical concert tale you’d like to share? Whatever your musical concern, let me know! Email me at gmarsha2@asu.edu, or follow me at @whimsicalwookie.

Get into That Halloween Spirit!

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:44:16 -0400

Get into That Halloween Spirit!:

Live and Otherwise: Spooky Music Videos

By Gabby Marshall October 24, 2011 at 12:01 am Print This Post

One of the scariest music videos that I have ever seen wasn’t in itself supposed to be a scary/creepy song. It was a song about discovering yourself and being proud to be you. There was no real problem with Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”, and I even like the rest of the video’s imagery and the message behind it. But the beginning freaks me the hell out! I hate the whole Gaga Mitosis bit occurring (as a bio major I feel I can speak highly on these matters) and the fact that it lasts for just a significant amount to make you uncomfortable. Sheeesh! Scarred me for weeks! But alas though my quirks allow me to define this as one truly terrifying matter, I decided to have a much more conventional list of the best Halloween-esque videos out there.

Cue spooky music:

First on my list is the pleasantly spookylicious aspect of “Bones” by The Killers. It’s less terrifying than oddly sweet that two skeletons could find such happiness on a beach. All that passionate bone marrow pumping through their almost lymphatic system. Ahh true skeletal love.

The next creepy crawler is none other than “Lullaby” by The Cure. With Robert Frost making some interesting new friends (perhaps not by choice), and with creepy lyrics like “the spiderman is having me for dinner tonight” (and it’s not your neighborhood friendly one either!), you should watch this video if you dare. Or just do it anyways because it’s a great song.

Rob Zombie is always a maestro at the odd and disturbing, but this video really accentuates his delicate features and his appreciation for transparent flame and clown imagery. It works. And here is “Dragula” by the zombie himself.

I’d think that tripping out at a rave would be thoroughly frightening. But when you’re Deadmau5, naturally you would have to throw a ghost and a lot of running into walls very poorly into the equation. And the song is entitled “Ghosts N’ Stuff,” so that doesn’t tend to mislead either.

The last video on my list is of course the all ages classic masterpiece that is Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The intricacy of this video never gets old and is always entertaining to watch. The mischievous wolf glare at the end? Always a win.

What’s the scariest music video that has haunted your dreams? Or perhaps you have some musical brilliance live or otherwise you’d like to share? Whatever your musical concern, let me know! Email me at gmarsha2@asu.edu, or follow me at @whimsicalwookie.

Chromeo, o-oh! Read my Review about their Tuesdays performance at the Marquee!

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:04:02 -0400

Chromeo, o-oh! Read my Review about their Tuesdays performance at the Marquee!:

Live and Otherwise: Chromeo the Crowd Romeo

By Gabby Marshall October 20, 2011 at 12:01 am Print This Post

Who doesn’t appreciate the smooth and rhythmic disposition of an old school R&B jam? There are not many who would be able to withstand its seductive musical cues that either gets you in “the mood” or simply in the mood to dance. I treated this past Tuesday as one long upbeat jamming session of the old school variety. Montreal’s Chromeo performed Tuesday evening at the Marquee Theater, along with French Dj Breakbot, and Detroit’s lovely Mayer Hawthorne. They brought with their performance a hearty helping of funk, rhythm and blues.

Breakbot began the trip to “way back when” with a rousing collection of fast-paced beats and sampling from some old school tracks I hadn’t unearthed in years. With a rocky start mired with technical issues, the DJ soon developed an amicable repertoire from the crowd. People had developed an intense connection with his upbeat tempos and transitions. Or in more obvious terms, they started to do the non-dance shuffle, which gradually increased to full-on dance mayhem. The French DJ ate up the affection of the crowd and in turn amped up the hype factor in the crowd.

Next up was the harmoniously delectable Mayer Hawthorne and his band of excellent musicians. Filled with soul and swagger dripping from every sentence is Mayer Hawthorne. A scrawny dude from all the way from Detroit complete with wayfarer glasses, a great laidback feel, with the high tone voice of many a fantastic jazz and blues singer who loses none of his charm in the live arena. Performing tracks from his older material as well as the album he just dropped this past week, his energetic presence gave the concert a kick in all the right ways. With music that is reminiscent of a different era, his funky renditions perfectly set the stage for Chromeo.

Chromeo was on another level. While Mayer Hawthorne may have killed it, Chromeo took it up a notch still. Playing a mix of the songs from their Business Casual, Fancy Footwork, and She’s in Control releases, they had the crowd at their feet within those first few funky electric pulses of sound. Their determination to make sure everyone had a ridiculously fantastic time was not left unheeded, or ignored. Their first encore song even included a tribute to their recently deceased friend/ French producer DJ Mehdi with the performance of one of his cherished tracks and collaborative efforts. This show was definitely a successful trip back in time to days of smooth music and the irresistible urge to dance to the beat.

Photos by Gabby Marshall.

Ha!: Drunk Girl # 1 who pushed her way in front of everyone, and then asked someone to save her spot when she finally moved. Then Drunk Girl #2 who thought it would be nice to shove everyone as she danced wildly. Then Drunken Girl #3 who also thought it was a good idea to pick a fight directly behind me. The list goes on…

Yay!: A toss-up between Mayer Hawthorne teaching us the “Earl Flynn” (very important Detroit bred dance move apparently) and getting a high five from Dave One from Chromeo as he came down to meet the crowd mid set (it was awesome!)

The Crowd: Very Diverse. Dave One even commented on it. All shapes, sizes, and colors were in attendance. It was a good atmosphere of people coming together to have a good time.

Does Chromeo’s Old School take on music do it for you? Or perhaps you have a music concert tale you’d like to share? Whatever your musical concern, let me know! Email me at gmarsha2@asu.edu, or follow me at @whimsicalwookie.

Fall into Autumn

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:22:35 -0400

Fall into Autumn:

Live and Otherwise: Fall into Autumn

By Gabby Marshall October 17, 2011 at 12:01 am Print This Post

Fall has always been one of my favorite times of the year. With gorgeous cool breezes that seem to whip through the city, and the strong urge to wrap a scarf around your collarbone to guard against the chill, the beautiful melancholy of fall is a bittersweet tune to the many busy follies of daily life. Though Arizona might not be aesthetically traditional in its fall disposition, the mild temperatures that usually grace our fair state (it’s been uncharacteristically warm recently) are a beautiful thing to behold as our nightly adventures unfold before us. So what would add a pleasing harmony to such an invigorating and enticing change of the seasons? A soundtrack with a bittersweet feel that will complement the many new horizons of the fall semester, the plentiful new experiences still left to discover amidst midterms and social engagements.

My fall playlist:

The Airborne Toxic Event- Changing, All At Once
Not that I would ever applaud Gossip Girl for any significant contributions to society, but hey, at least they had this band on their show. Though I listened to them before their primetime debut, they definitely deserved the widespread exposure. With a terrifically strong sound that promotes some sort of dance movement, this song at least fits in with the “changing” of the seasons (metaphorically and literally).

M83- Midnight City
This song has been on repeat in my mental capacities all month. With a driving beat that makes me dream of all the adventures that I could undertake as I drive beneath the city lights, glowing with anticipation. Definitely one of my favorites from the musician pool in France, I am eagerly awaiting the release of the new album. The sax solo at the end gets me every time!

Lykke Li- Get Some, Wounded Rhymes
The combination of a don’t-give-a-f*&k tone of Lykke Li’s voice and the amazing break in the song’s chorus makes this another one that doesn’t want to leave my head so easily. Whilst you wander around in that sparkling new fall coat, Lykke Li’s catchy tune will give you all the confidence you need.

The Kooks- Junk of the Heart (Happy), Junk of the Heart
These British lovelies always seem to capture my heart, and it’s always appreciated. With infectious music that I have steadily purchased through the years, the new release increases my respect for them. This song was just the way to wrap up a breezy and catchy playlist to cost through the beauty and mystery of the fall season.

What Fall inspiring song would you like to share? Or perhaps you just have some ideas for some great music, live or otherwise? Email me at gmarsha2@asu.edu, or follow me on Twitter: @whimsicalwookie.