Chopin Flowers

The Spring Break Music Fix

For me, relaxing and music go hand in hand.  So, naturally, I spent quite a bit of my spring break using the art to lull me into as relaxed a mood as I can get into.  Here are a few highlights from the week, and, no, Coachella isn't featured.  This New Yorker has stayed on her own coast, catching the desired performances on good old YouTube.

 

 

Grunge Beginnings

Me with Eric Erlandson of Hole

The set-up in Brooklyn's Book Court

Mark Yarm's book

Eric Erlandson and Mark Yarm discussing grunge topics

I'm a grunge woman.  By that I mean some of my favorite bands of all time hail from the era, and I love to wear plaid.  So when my fellow grunge-loving friend asked me if I'd like to go to Brooklyn to see former Hole guitarist Eric Erlandson discuss his book Letters to Kurt (yes, that Kurt), I presented her with an enthusiastic "Yes."

The crowd at Book Court in Brooklyn Heights was modest but filled with a palpable energy.  Mark Yarm, former senior editor for Blender and author of grunge-stars story filled Everybody Loves Our Town, soon introduced Erlandson. They began by discussing Letters to Kurt, a book of prose poetry inspired by Cobain's suicide twenty years ago and the grunge scene.  Yarm then questioned the rocker-writer about his lifestyle in Hole and his lifestyle today.  Yarm and the audience threw around the questions concerning the "real" Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain.  Erlandson, now a practicing Buddhist, replied sweetly and humorously to these questions.  "Do you really want to know what Courtney's like?" he responded to an audience member, and we in turn guffawed.  He chose to focus on her high points, like her being an example of a strong woman storming through the business.  We could tell that she very well is probably what we'd expect her to be like.  A few days later, we were treated to news of her latest Twitter madness.

Eric Erlandson and Mark Yarm inspired me with their ability to combine passions for music and writing, passions I share.  I must mention that they were both very pleasant men to meet as well.  The night was definitely a successful venture.  I look forward to reading both of their books.

Below, I present you with a quick grunge playlist I put together of just some of my favorite songs.  I would encourage music-lovers to listen to the entire discography of these bands.

 

Spring Cleaning

Okay, so perhaps it isn't the most relaxing event, but sometimes a break is the only time you have to clean house.  What better way to get it done than by singing your little heart out as you do?  This isn't Cinderella.  No birds were coming along to help me scrub the floors, but jamming out does seem to help the time fly by.

One of my prime artists to clean to this break was Nerina Pallot.  Never heard of her?  Do yourself a favor and listen to as much of her catalog as you can.  The British singer-songwriter's music is well-constructed and catchy.  Her lyrics are effortlessly beautiful, and she can do some wonderful things with her gorgeous voice.

I hope everyone's spring break was as relaxing and musical as mine was.  Now it's back to the grind.  There is work to be done...and there are albums to be listened to!

  

Music- Even Better with Friends

One of the greatest things about my relationships with my friends is that we all share a passion for music.  Depicted in the podcast and slideshow above is one of my greatest musical adversaries, my friend Jess.

Jess and I have been friends for a number of years, and one of the components of our friendship I treasure most is our love for music. We sing together every chance we get.  We sing  in the car or during full blown friend sing-a-longs with harmony and guitar.  We go to shows together, like the Duran Duran show Jess and my friend Maria surprised me with for my birthday.  We also hit up local shows of every genre, including the musical theater variety.

Feeding off of Jess's love for music has allowed me to broaden my scope of musical appreciation.  We tell each other of new music we've discovered.  She began throwing disco-themed parties and increasing my love for that genre. 

Jess is one of the many friends that I know shares my passion to a great extent.  We support one another's musical ventures, and we will continue to do so until we perish.  I love the girl, and I know fellow music lovers would too.

The Mash-Up Minute

Here is the result of my first venture into the world of podcasting!  Needless to say, it didn't go as well as I originally fantasized, but it was definitely a fun experience.  Not to mention it was an opportunity for music, which is rarely a bad thing.  Let this serve as an example.  You may not be able to perform to the best of your abilities at a designated time, but that's no reason not to try!  If anything, you've produced music in your own "voice," and that is worthy of your self-praise.  


Play on, my musical minions!

My Sister - A Profile

Nicole grew up the middle child in a wacky family.  Like me, that family helped foster creativity and a love for sarcasm and a sick sense of humor.  Unlike me, she is more reserved and quiet in the public eye.  She takes on a more docile nature, but behind that facade lies a screaming talent.

This girl is a writer, and a damn good one at that.  She's the type of person that can whip a piece (or paper) up in a half hour and have it sound like it could be published on the spot.  The words she writes will work themselves into you brain and your heart.  She is ridiculously intelligent, but not pompous about the fact.  As a creative writing major, she works hard for what she wants.  Nights are spent perusing literature and writing writing writing.  

As if she didn't all ready sound lovable enough, Nicole is the type of person who doesn't know how beautiful she is.  She doesn't seem to be able to acknowledge how talented she is yet, either.  When you work your way into her heart, she gives all of it to you.  As a friend and family member, you couldn't ask for a more dedicated, helpful, and loving person.  Not to mention that this girl will make you laugh.  Whether you need cheering up or not, she has a slew of faces, witticisms, and secret impressions up her sleeve.  

My sister is on her way to a successful and, more importantly, full and happy life.  She deserves nothing less.  She may have driven me nuts for the last 20 years of my life, but she's driven me sane more than enough times to make up for it.  We will compliment one another's personalities until we perish at a ripe old age.  We'll probably tease each other until that point, too.  What's important to me, however, is that we remain we.  

Now, this post wouldn't qualify for this blog without a little music, would it?  Nicole and I consider plenty of songs "ours."  Nicole loves music like I do, and thus we have shared many songs in our lifetime.  I have no idea how the following one became our song.  That's what it's like when you share a life with somebody; there are tons of inside jokes with origins you'll never be able to remember. It's awfully funny to see Nicole and I jamming out to this one.  We scream-sing along and bang our heads like the best of them.  We also frequently greet each other by shouting "OFF TO NEVER-NEVERLAND!"

Music To My Eyes

It was a beautiful day here in the land that winter forgot.  Spring is steadily approaching and the temperature has risen into the mid 50's.  I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it.

Imagine my delight when I got out of class early today and found I had time for a walk around campus.  My university's campus is particularly beautiful, as you can see from the above pictures.  I was pleased to be able to enjoy a walk in this weather and view the assorted foliage, sculptures, and koi ponds.  Okay, so there's only one koi pond and only one koi, but that's all I need.

The soundtrack I chose for this walk was Radiohead's latest album The King of Limbs.  It's dark, throbbing, artfully eclectic sound is the perfect accompaniment for an art/nature walk.

As an avid Radiohead fan, I encourage you to listen to the album.  Yes, it is different from Radiohead's earlier work, but that is what makes Radiohead so great.  They keep experimenting with the types of music they put out and they keep excelling at it.  Can you tell I love this band?

I mean, come on.  Imagine taking a walk like this and listening to the most famous track from the album, "Lotus Flower."  The combination of aurally and visually provocative images is a relaxing escape from life's stresses.

If you've yet to, you might want to watch the music video above.  Look at that Thom Yorke dance!  Don't pretend you don't lip-sync and dance like a mad-person when no one's around.   

The King of Limbs also happens to be just under 40 minutes.  That is a good amount of time for a lengthy walk when you can manage one.

So I wait for spring ready to find more time for tiny "adventures" like this.  A beautiful day, a little exercise, good music...could you ask for a more perfect way to relieve stress?

Guitar Practice Through My Eyes

I begin by gathering my notes and studying some of music theory.

Mel Bay's book for a "Grade 1" novice like me has been quite helpful thus far.  I'd definitely recommend it to those looking to begin studying guitar.

Here we find the dreaded - I mean, beloved - Cycle of Fourths.  As you can see, it says that I should "write this out a couple of times."  This will help me with the task of remembering it.  As my guitar teacher says, "True musicians have this shit memorized."

Ah, here's my trusty pick!  I know what you're thinking - is it really called "Big  Stubby?"  Yes, it is.  Don't let the funny name fool you.  Due to the thickness and space for your thumb, this pick is perfect for learning and playing.  I dread the day I lose it.  

There's the beast!  Okay, so maybe it isn't the sharpest and fanciest guitar, but it suits this beginner just fine.    I chose my Yahama 4G700S because of the stellar reviews it was given. and I don't regret it.  It has a beautiful sound and it is perfect for guitar newbies like myself.  I'll work my way up to a beautiful Fender or Ibanez someday.

Now it's time to put it all together!

Practicing sight reading, or determining what notes to play and how to play them just by looking at the music.  It's a daunting task, especially in the beginning.  Fortunately, I have some knowledge of sight reading from singing throughout my adolescence.  It gets easier the more you practice.  Yes, I'm reiterating the cheesy line "Practice makes perfect."  It's cliché but true.

So on I play for about an hour (almost) every night.  Sometimes it's hard to make time, but I feel so much better when I can.  The joy of making music - even as crappily as I am at this level - is so rewarding.  The challenge is definitely worth it.