New IMN Podcast and the 8-Bit Guitar
The new IMN Podcast is up - download it or listen at the site or on WFYI HD2, Thursdays at 4pm.
We've already tackled the computer in the amp earlier this week. Now, it's the computerized guitar, done DIY-style. What's the difference between this and a keytar? Aside from the difference in sound, your DIY cred deflects any potential abuse you might take for playing a keytar. Because really, haven't we finally moved beyond even the ironic keytar?
Apple, Meet Orange
Will computer geeks lust after 30-year-old sticks of RAM the way some guitarists seek out new-old-stock tubes for their decades-old Marshall heads? I'm assuming it's easier to distract the computer folks with new gadgets and faster devices, but this new Orange amp brings the two sides closer than they even have been before. Orange's new offering actually rips out the amp guts, tosses in a Windows 7 PC with amp emulation software, and routes it to a speaker. Just plug in your guitar (and a monitor) and go.
How is it different than modeling-based-software amps like Line 6? Uh, you can play games on it? How is it different than a regular Orange amp? Uh, it's got absolutely no traditional amp guts in it, beyond the case and branding?
Vintage Orange fans probably gave up on this new product line awhile ago ("It's just not the same, man!"), but it's an interesting idea. Until your amp gets the Blue Screen of Death in the middle of your solo.
New IMN Podcast and Call to Action
The new IMN Podcast is up - download it or listen at the site or on WFYI HD2 Thursdays at 4pm.
Speaking of outlets that benefit the public (did you make your NPR pledge yet?), Fountain Square is in danger of losing its branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. Budget cuts or something. Now, since we probably won't be opening a branch in Lucas Oil Stadium or Conseco Fieldhouse, that leaves the Central Library as the closest outlet for this neighborhood. The only problem is that the library doesn't just represent an outlet for books and knowledge for the folks here (which, if you think about it, isn't a bad thing to be for a neighborhood). It also provides a central location for meetings, training, and education that goes far beyond just checking out a book (which, again, is a pretty great service).
Maybe it's just that I practically grew up in a library, I dunno. Mom is a librarian, and Dad used to drive to Indianapolis just to go to the library. Yep - he'd pay for the out-of-county library card and everything. A good library is worth the resources you put into it, and Indianapolis has a pretty spectacular system. I've gotten books, recordings, sheet music, and taken in wonderful performances and speeches at our library branches. Keeping it in the neighborhoods means keeping it in the forefront of the public mind, and that means more use. Take it away, and some people simply can't or won't make the trip to the Central library. That's a huge loss all around.
As much as the education of children and the retraining of the unemployed weighs on society right now, you'd think it'd be a no-brainer to keep library branches open. Alas, this city may not see it that way - but there are still options to try and save it. Attend two public meetings, May 10th and 12th at 6:30pm at the Library Services Center, 2450 N. Meridian St. We've got enough to support the city for a one-time huge sporting event or three - we should be able to find the resources to keep books and information available to the public. They're more than just a stop to pick up tax forms.
John Paul Jones Kinda-Bass Porn
Photo from CNET by Scott Ferrara/EMG
For a mainstream tech site like CNET to take notice of a bassist's instrument, something must be wacky, geeky, or in the possession of somebody famous. The custom instrument John Paul Jones is using on the Them Crooked Vultures certainly qualifies on all counts - it's a custom Hugh Manson lap steel with bass strings worn over-the-shoulder. Then, toss in a touchpad to control some stage lights as part of the show. 'Cause, you know, he's not busy enough as it is. I guess when you're JPJ, you get control over whatever you want. It'd be an experience to hear what he'd do with this whilst collaborating with Diamanda Galas.
New IMN Podcast and Big Car Music Content
The new IMN podcast is up - download it or listen at the site or on WFYI HD2, Thursdays at 4pm and whenever they want to rebroadcast, too.
Big Car is putting together a music contest for those locals who are musically-inclined (or who just want to make noise by banging on thrift store objects). I'll let the press release address that matter:
Thrift Store Music Competition offers unusual challenges
Musicians will create original songs using only instruments found at second-hand shops
INDIANAPOLIS – April 4, 2010. The nonprofit cultural organization Big Car has created an experimental twist on musical competitions with Thrift Store Music happening at Central Library later this month as part of the Made for Each Other series of interactive, community-building programs.
On April 28, teams will draw random thrift stores where they’ll shop for the instruments used to create original songs. Limited to budgets of $25, teams will likely be challenged to get creative in choosing items to play. Maybe they’ll get lucky and find an old Casio keyboard or out-of-tune toy guitar. Or maybe they’ll find no regular instruments and have to bang on glass jars or shake baby rattles. Either way, the musicians will take a few days to write new songs and then perform them in 10-minute sets at Central Library on May 2. Winners will be chosen that day — with prizes going to top performers.
Interested bands or individual musicians must be present on April 28 at 7 p.m. to draw their thrift stores. Single musicians will be randomly paired to form teams as needed. Bands can have up to four members with a minimum of two. The competition is limited to 10 bands. Neutral music experts from the community will serve as judges with audience vote factoring into the final tally.Quick calendar Info:
What: Thrift Store Music Competition
When: 7 p.m. on April 28 for drawing; 2 p.m. on May 2 for performance
Where: Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
How much: Free for the public to attend; $25 per team for instruments
Info: www.bigcar.org; (317) 450-6630
Have at it and have fun making noise, folks!
New IMN Podcast and Recording Details
The new IMN podcast is up - download it or listen at the site or on WFYI HD2 Thursdays at 4pm.
5 songs in about 5 hours (including setup time) - not a bad recording session for the Playboy Psychonauts. It helps that all of the tracks were recorded live (two or three tracks per song), but I think we've got some good material. Now we mix and master and add pixie dust and such to see what happens. How much is pixie dust these days, anyway?
Yes, there is cowbell.
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