Welcome to Friday. The end of the week. This week, it’s also the end of the month. It’s also leap day. Once every four years, or something like that. The pickin’s was kinda slim for this week’s mixtape, and I had to really forrage around for some new stuff to post. In the end, there is stuff from artists I’m pretty excited about before, but after a few listens each, I’m not sure about these new tracks. I guess that’s what the mixtape if for- a week’s worth of listens sometimes improves my disposition on a song. Anyway, I’ve got nothing else to comment on, so I’ll just get to teh point: the Friday Mixtape.
In a move that really surprises no one, it seems the RIAA and the record labels it represents have been holding out on the artists that the labels themselves are supposed to be representing. Hundreds of millions of dollars in legal settlements have been paid out to the RIAA, but some artists claim they haven’t seen a cent. Read more here and here.
Described as: Surreal retelling of the Bluebeard fairytale… only creepier… This video if from 2005, but I just stumbled across it today. I’m posting it because of the fairytale reference. I like fairytales- especially the macabre ones.
Norah Jones can sing, Norah can play piano and punk-rock guitar, and now we know: Norah can act.
She’s currently starring in My Blueberry Nights alongside Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman. She plays disenchanted young woman encountering many different kinds of relationships while crossing the country rather aimlessly. The soundtrack stretches across genres, with Cat Power, Amos Lee, Ry Cooder, Otis Redding, and… Norah Jones appearing. An insteresting side note to it is the EPK Bluenote records put out recently to promote the soundtrack. In it, Jones talks about how she came to get the lead in this interesting film, and has some interesting behind the scens views on the soundtrack.
Overall, I thought it was a good film, and Jones holds her in the cast. The brightest point in the film by far though is Natalie Portman playing a slick, distrusting gambler.
Another band recently had it’s touring van/trailer broken into, and lost all or most of their gear. This is a recurring phenomenom that breaks my heart every time I read about it happening to another act. Back when there was this really cool music venue in town called the 585, the door guy came up with a great idea for bands that travel with a trailer… one which he’ll share with everyone now.
The problem is simple, bands put their gear in the trailer after loading out and may return to the venue to chat to fans, have a drink, or perhaps the trailer is parked outside the hotel while a band rests. Either way, it’s a big, obvious, easy target for any theif. Just break the lock, load as much equipment as you can into another vehicle and get away before anyone pays any attention. Just like your home or car, and alarm greatly decreases the amount of time a thief has before someone notices. “But most trailers don’t come with alarms…” Correct. Most homes don’t come with them either- they’re installed later. Same deal with your trailer, bands.
Many websites now offer simple, remote activated, battery-powered alarms. Look at the products on safetyandsecuritycenter.com- they have them with keypads or wireless remote, door triggers and motion sensors. Take this simple device:
If this were mounted at the back of a trailer, it would certainly draw some attention to the crooks trying to haul off gear from inside. And it’s only $60! Hopefully, you get the idea. SO, if you are in a band, or know a band touring with a trailer, just go out and get something like this. You don’t have to wait until you can order online- they’re available at Home Depot and most hardware stores.
And, if you’re a fan of Atlanta’s own Winston Audio, you can help them out by donating to their “all our gear got stolen” fund or by buying a CD or merch from them by visiting their myspace page.
Awesome! Great performance, wonderful song, excellent film, and kudos to John Stewart and the producers for bringing Irglova back out to make her acceptance speech.
So, this marks the 100th official SquirrelFood.net Friday Mixtape I’ve posted. Nearly two years of posting a mixtape every Friday, with at least 1,000 tracks (I didn’t count, just extimating that figure). Last week was post number 500, this week, Mixtape number 100. Another week, another milestone.
This mix seems to me a bit on the mellow side, with acts like Adam Merrin, Paddy Casey, and Tift Merritt. A new track from The Feeling’s new album, Join With Us, which I has gone soft-rock-radio after their debut, but give it a try anyway. Picking up the pace a little are tracks from the new Mike Doughty (posted earlier this week), the Courteeners, and a couple of the bands featured this week at The Devil Stole The Beat here in Atlanta: Wild Sweet Orange (played last night) and Modern Skirts (playing tonight at Smith’s… just $6). As usual, if you like something, let me know in the comments.
Wow-wee-wow, this video of Ronson’s performance from the Brits last night is awesome, with guests Adele, Daniel Merriweather, and Amy Winehouse (who didn’t look like she was completely cracked out).
Winners:
British Album - Arctic Monkeys
British Single - Take That Shine
British Group - Arctic Monkeys
International Album - Foo Fighters
British Female Solo Artist - Kate Nash
International Group - Foo Fighters
International Female Solo Artist - Kylie
British Male Solo Artist - Mark Ronson
International Male Solo Artist - Kayne West
British Breakthrough Act - Mika
British Live Act - Take That
It’s Brit Awards time! I’ve posted the noms, and now it’s time to predict some winners before the announcement this evening (UK time)…
British male solo artist
Toughest category here, with the like os Jamie T, Mark Ronson, Mika and Newton Faulkner. While I loved Ronson’s album Version, I’m picking Jamit T for this one.
British group
Arctic Monkeys won last year, and are nominated again this year- but I’m picking Editors
British Breakthrough
Kate Nash, Kate Nash, Kate Nash!
British live act
I think Muse should get this award two years running.
British single
I’m split on this one:
Mark Ronson Ft Amy Winehouse - Valerie
or
Kate Nash - Foundations
International male solo artist
I bet it’ll be Kanye West.
International female solo artist
Rhianna’s Umbrella was too big for her not to win here.
…and here’s another cover version just to prove the point: Mechanical Bride - Umbrella (Rhianna cover)
International group
Foo Fighters.
International album
Foo Fighters - Echoes Silence Patience & Grace
My name is Jamie, and I'm just trying to share my love of great new music. Files are for sampling purposes only, and intended only to promote music. If you are the copyright owner of a sound file and would like me to take it down, let me know and I'll gladly comply.
jamie on February 29th, 2008
Welcome to Friday. The end of the week. This week, it’s also the end of the month. It’s also leap day. Once every four years, or something like that. The pickin’s was kinda slim for this week’s mixtape, and I had to really forrage around for some new stuff to post. In the end, there is stuff from artists I’m pretty excited about before, but after a few listens each, I’m not sure about these new tracks. I guess that’s what the mixtape if for- a week’s worth of listens sometimes improves my disposition on a song. Anyway, I’ve got nothing else to comment on, so I’ll just get to teh point: the Friday Mixtape.
So, this marks the 100th official SquirrelFood.net Friday Mixtape I’ve posted. Nearly two years of posting a mixtape every Friday, with at least 1,000 tracks (I didn’t count, just extimating that figure). Last week was post number 500, this week, Mixtape number 100. Another week, another milestone.
