17
VUVUZELA my blog!!
If you’re like me, you’ve been glued to the screen as the World Cup in South Africa continues to thrill us in the greatest sport ever invented. And if you’re like me, you’ve found yourself absolutely enthralled by the visual and audible spectacle, wishing you where there, in all your facepainted glory, wearing your team’s colors, dancing like a “maaaaaniac on the phooooone…,” blowing a Vuvuzela in harmonious refrain with all the other “futbol” fans.
What’s a Vuvuzela, you ask? It’s the lovely, musical wonderment that the gentleman below is playing.
(Look out, Carnegie Hall!)
Well, reader… now you can.
Put your facepaint on and prepare to visit ANY website on the web with the excited sound of a football afficionado!!
Start here.
Then go here.
GOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!
19
My bags are packed and I’m ready to go…
Circling over where I should land.
I think this is why I don’t like packing to travel early. I’m evolved now, and procrastination is a part of my preparation.
I’m anxious. I want to go to the airport right now. But I don’t fly for another 48 hours. Maybe I can go early. What will I do without a freakout before TSA realizing I’ve forgot something?! And then realizing that I probably checked it, but don’t really need it anyway.
At least I have “check-in” to look forward to… Getting in line to be in line. Jockeying for overhead space. Its fun. But people are taking it too seriously these days. The last 4 times I’ve flown Southwest someone behind me in line has asked, “Are you B44? I’m B45. Am I behind you?”
“I’m A12.” I comply, trying to feign concern.
“A12?!” They gasp.
“Yes. So you are behind me.” I reply over my shoulder, in hopes they will pick up on my unwillingness to discuss it. This fails.
“But you’re supposed to be way up there! You’re supposed to be boarding right NOW!” In escalating tones.
“I know.” I calmly and firmly reply.
“Why don’t you tell someone?!!”
At this point I turn and face B45 and stare them straight in the eyes.
“If people tell you that you’re one thing, and you know you’re not, who are you going to believe? Are you going to do EVERYTHING you’re told? Well?! So for all intents and purposes, I’m B44 because you’re behind me. So you’re in the right spot. And I’m not going to bow to a number on a card. Do you understand?”
B45 looks at me and blinks.
“Besides,” I continue. “I like sitting in the back of the plane so I can make multiple bathroom trips, and steal peanuts.”
At this point B45 squirms in their Hawaiian shirt and double checks their number, trying to sneak a peak at mine. I fold it quickly out of sight, and wink.
At that moment line begins to move, and I hear B45 turn around to B46 and whisper, “He’s not supposed to be here. He’s not a B.”
I drop 3 Advil, swallow and sigh.
Do I have my ear buds?
Crap. I’m doing it already.
I guess I don’t need ear buds.
rb
12
Listening to Broken Bells “The High Road” today…
…and I’m thinking about the power of collaboration. (I’m currently searching for a Producer.)
A sum, greater than its parts is not always the case with music.
James Mercer of The Shins and Dangermouse (Brian Burton) of Gnarls Barkley, Gorillaz and Beck.
What a “collabo.”
The Singer-songwriter and the Producer.
Now I’ve always admired James Mercer for many reasons. His writing, of course. But also his less lauded delivery. So gentle, earnest and with a subtextual fire. I get tension undertones when I listen to him sing. The tannins of a fine wine. The responsibility of The Thinking Man.
And “the Producer”… The Mad Genius.
I once read that a good producer not only helps the sonic qualities of the music but asks the sometimes hard questions:
“Is that what you meant to say by that lyric?”
“This isn’t working. Can we rewrite this?”
But I never hear that in Dangermouse production. I know it’s there. But you don’t hear it. No edits. No unfinished Songcraft. All I hear is engineered excellence, experimentation, and a dedication to break the norm.
And I still hear the Shins influence. (Although, I have to admit I was listening for it.) I mean, how can the delicate and verbose tenor be heard in all that beautiful street noise? It’s one thing to wrap the enigmatic soul giant Cee-Lo in a funk noise orchestra, that man could sing a duet with a Space Shuttle. Or Beck, who can speak in metaphors and slang adjectives like white rock on an urban street. You can’t keep these Artists down. So how to dress the nimble, soft spoken poet? I guess the rest remains to be seen on March 9th, 2010.
With Gnarls Barkley he hit a Multi-Platinum single. Had most people ever heard of him before or since? Probably not. But he doesn’t stop. He works with the best and tries something new.
What a simple and admirable thing.
Hats off, Mr Mouse.
5
NAME MY PUPPY [pics] & FREE MUSIC (the best post EVER)
26
Thankful for Thailand
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you all are enjoying family, or have already enjoyed them (I have no idea what time or day it is, someone just informed me that Thanksgiving was today). I was officially sunburned today… not my proudest moment. But after yesterday's day in the sun, I thought my "base tan" would hold up. Needless to say, my Base Tan gave NO defense, and rolled over like a lobster in a pot, which is exactly what I look like right now. But thankful, I am. This place is so much easier to visit and enjoy with the smallest of effort, I can't believe more Americans do it. But that's the last I'll say about that… it's like Yelping about your favorite new haunt only to find it full of Marina kids with popped collars and their Ugg trodding counterparts within a week. Better left unspoiled. (That's my SF ref for the week.) More pics, videos, and journal jottings in an attempt to capture this life changing journey. I'm off to get a Aloe Vera Massage ($5) and join my fellow lobsters at a lounge… probably gonna eat some street food too. Agh… how will I ever return? Couldn't I just find a local gig and move here? Yes. I could. Will I? After my last show in Koh Phi Phi, I think I may have found my audience… the travelers, the thinkers, the good time opportunists, the believers… and most likely… You. I'm especially thankful that you read my notes. Much more to come. Thankfully,Roem p.s. I'll be home in days… and deep down, I'm ready. I miss you guys.