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.
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 Kohns on February 27th, 2008
