blog: This Is What God Thinks
My favorite clip on YouTube (part 1)
July 15, 2008
A series of things in this video from summer 2006 unleash so many emotions: The lo-fi audience recording certainly adds to the appeal. The way it pans to the amphitheater big screen a couple times is wonderful. And seeing two masters from my two favorite American bands (umm… or two favorite bands -- that's more accurate) playing together, conjures up a lot of feelings and memories from a deep place.
But, I think what grabs me the most is how it captures the musicians, naturally, in the moment. Look at the way Joan is dancing. Check out the grin on Rob Barraco's face while he's comping out on the keys. Trey is in his spot, looking towards the back row of the venue and not holding anything back. While it's flowing out of him, Phil gives a nod to drummer John Molo to keep it going. Then Trey digs deeper, and Phil does that head shake -- the kind that comes when it's so good, you just have to ride it out. The big smile on Phil's face after that is a smile you can tell only comes from a brotherhood in music.
And then, the runner-up:
No way.
Radiohead Make Camera-Free Video
July 14, 2008
What? I don't even know what every other word of this means... But it sounds cool....
"House Of Cards" Clip Created Exclusively Using Geometric Informatics and Velodyne Lidar Technology
World Premiere Early Next Week at Google
Data Made Available To Enable Fans To Create Their Own Short Clips
In keeping with their decision not to make conventional promotional music videos for any of the tracks on In Rainbows‚ Radiohead used absolutely no cameras in the making of its new "House Of Cards" clip‚ which can be viewed at Google.com
Instead‚ "House Of Cards"‚ directed by James Frost of Zoo Films‚ was created utilizing two technologies: Geometric Informatics and Velodyne Lidar. The Geometric Informatics scanning system employs structured light to capture detailed 3D images at close proximity‚ and was used to render the performances of Radiohead's Thom Yorke‚ the female lead and several partygoers. The Velodyne Lidar system uses multiple lasers to capture large environments in 3D‚ in this case 64 lasers rotating and shooting in a 360 degree radius 900 times per minute‚ capturing all of the exterior scenes and wide party shots. Geometric processed their own data while 510 Systems processed the Velodyne Lidar data. The data was then manipulated by Union Editorial and the Syndicate to create the final result.
Google will premiere the video early next week at http://code.google.com/radiohead Additionally‚ the band will be making available the data used to create the video for fans to manipulate into their own unique short clips. A short documentary detailing the unique process used to create the video will also be available via this link‚ as will 3D renderings of selected scenes.
Of Radiohead's decision to eschew cameras for the "video‚" Thom Yorke commented‚ "I always like the idea of using technology in a way that it wasn't meant to be used‚ the struggle to get your head round what you can do with it. I liked the idea of making a video of human beings and real life and time without using any cameras‚ just lasers‚ so there are just mathematical points--and how strangely emotional it ended up being."
Check it out here. There's also a making-of video.
Maria Taylor's Gear Stolen. Don't Just Sit There -- Help!
July 10, 2008
Maria Taylor‚ who shared the recipe for "Maria Taylor's Famous Cabbage Soup" in the Aug/Sep 07 issue of State of Mind‚ has had a turn of bad luck: while on tour, in San Francisco‚ her van was broken into and her and her band's gear was stolen.
Why oh why does this happen to musicians?!?! It breaks our hearts. The good news is‚ more than a few times we've heard about at least some of the goods making their way back to their rightful owners. Here's hoping the same goes for Maria's gear. Here's a list of it‚ stolen in San Francisco‚ and here's where to contact in case you help track some of it down -- info@saddle-creek.com -- perhaps in a pawn shop‚ on eBay or‚ you know‚ no questions asked. Ahem. Not like we're accusing you; it's just that crowd you run with...
Left-handed RED Gretsch Tennessee Rose Guitar
Left-handed Martin Acoustic Guitar
Left-handed WHITE American Fender Precision bass (w/ green pick guard)
Right-handed PURPLE Fender Jazz Bass guitar
Right-handed 1976 BLACK Les Paul Deluxe
Right-handed Alvarez acoustic guitar (Hand painted white w/ black swirls. Guitar strap is nailed on)
Boss Tuner Pedal
Boss distortion Pedal
And when you're done there, Nancy Drew, check out Maria's site. She has a new EP out.
M Ward's Transfiguration of Vincent Re-released on Vinyl
July 10, 2008
Jealous Butcher Records has re-released M Ward's lovely third album‚ The Transfiguration of Vincent‚ on 180-gram (of course) vinyl‚ of which a limited run of 500 copies are translucent sky blue. Hello!
Merge Records originally released this wonder‚ and you can head over there to download the vinyl bonus tracks. Demos. Three‚ for free. Yay.
Surprise Me Mr. Davis and Big Light Hitting the Road
June 30, 2008
This is good stuff. Check it:
The poignantly artistic collaboration known as Surprise Me Mr. Davis‚ comprised of The Slip and Nathan Moore‚ will be kicking off their West Coast run at High Sierra Music Festival over 4th of July weekend.
Born out of chance‚ Surprise Me Mr. Davis has been capturing the hearts and minds of audiences around America since their inception in 2003. The band offers up a musical journey unlike any other. With two studio releases under their belt- and 5 years worth of memorable performances‚ the Mr. Davis repertoire & live show has blossomed in recent years. Surprise Me Mr. Davis delivers a road show full of magic tricks‚ blazing guitars‚ and dressy clothes- not to mention some of the most lyrically potent songs you will hear.
SMMD will be bringing out on the road San Francisco's Big Light for their California tour. Having been joined by Nathan Moore at their inception makes this a very serendipitous and much anticipated billing. Big Light will be touring in support of their first self-titled EP released on June 26th.
Surprise Me Mr. Davis Tour Dates:
07/04/08 Fri High Sierra Music Festival Quincy‚ CA
07/05/08 Sat High Sierra Music Festival Quincy‚ CA
7/8/08 Wed Spaceland Los Angeles‚ CA (w/ Big Light)
07/09/08 Thurs Soho Santa Barbara‚ CA (w/ Big Light)
7/11/08 Moe's Alley Santa Cruz‚ CA (w/ Big Light)
07/12/08 Sat Cafe du Nord San Francisco‚ CA (w/ Big Light)
Big Light Tour Dates:
07/04/08 Fri High Sierra Music Festival Quincy‚ CA
07/06/08 Sun High Sierra Music Festival Quincy‚ CA
07/18/08 Fri Little Fox Theater‚ Redwood City‚ CA (supporting The Mother Hips)
07/31/08 Thurs 12 Galaxies San Francisco‚ CA (w/ Charles Gonzalez)
08/28/08 Thurs 12 Galaxies San Francisco‚ CA
09/25/08 Thurs 12 Galaxies San Francisco‚ CA
10/30/08 Thurs Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead III Groveland‚ CA
10/31/08 Fri Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead III Groveland‚ CA
11/01/08 Sat Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead III Groveland‚ CA
11/02/08 Sun Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead III Groveland‚ CA
Visit Surprise Me Mr. Davis
Visit Big Light
My favorite clip on YouTube (part 1)July 15, 2008
But, I think what grabs me the most is how it captures the musicians, naturally, in the moment. Look at the way Joan is dancing. Check out the grin on Rob Barraco's face while he's comping out on the keys. Trey is in his spot, looking towards the back row of the venue and not holding anything back. While it's flowing out of him, Phil gives a nod to drummer John Molo to keep it going. Then Trey digs deeper, and Phil does that head shake -- the kind that comes when it's so good, you just have to ride it out. The big smile on Phil's face after that is a smile you can tell only comes from a brotherhood in music.
And then, the runner-up:
No way.
Radiohead Make Camera-Free VideoJuly 14, 2008
"House Of Cards" Clip Created Exclusively Using Geometric Informatics and Velodyne Lidar Technology
World Premiere Early Next Week at Google
Data Made Available To Enable Fans To Create Their Own Short Clips
In keeping with their decision not to make conventional promotional music videos for any of the tracks on In Rainbows‚ Radiohead used absolutely no cameras in the making of its new "House Of Cards" clip‚ which can be viewed at Google.com
Instead‚ "House Of Cards"‚ directed by James Frost of Zoo Films‚ was created utilizing two technologies: Geometric Informatics and Velodyne Lidar. The Geometric Informatics scanning system employs structured light to capture detailed 3D images at close proximity‚ and was used to render the performances of Radiohead's Thom Yorke‚ the female lead and several partygoers. The Velodyne Lidar system uses multiple lasers to capture large environments in 3D‚ in this case 64 lasers rotating and shooting in a 360 degree radius 900 times per minute‚ capturing all of the exterior scenes and wide party shots. Geometric processed their own data while 510 Systems processed the Velodyne Lidar data. The data was then manipulated by Union Editorial and the Syndicate to create the final result.
Google will premiere the video early next week at http://code.google.com/radiohead Additionally‚ the band will be making available the data used to create the video for fans to manipulate into their own unique short clips. A short documentary detailing the unique process used to create the video will also be available via this link‚ as will 3D renderings of selected scenes.
Of Radiohead's decision to eschew cameras for the "video‚" Thom Yorke commented‚ "I always like the idea of using technology in a way that it wasn't meant to be used‚ the struggle to get your head round what you can do with it. I liked the idea of making a video of human beings and real life and time without using any cameras‚ just lasers‚ so there are just mathematical points--and how strangely emotional it ended up being."
Check it out here. There's also a making-of video.
Maria Taylor's Gear Stolen. Don't Just Sit There -- Help!July 10, 2008
Why oh why does this happen to musicians?!?! It breaks our hearts. The good news is‚ more than a few times we've heard about at least some of the goods making their way back to their rightful owners. Here's hoping the same goes for Maria's gear. Here's a list of it‚ stolen in San Francisco‚ and here's where to contact in case you help track some of it down -- info@saddle-creek.com -- perhaps in a pawn shop‚ on eBay or‚ you know‚ no questions asked. Ahem. Not like we're accusing you; it's just that crowd you run with...
Left-handed RED Gretsch Tennessee Rose Guitar
Left-handed Martin Acoustic Guitar
Left-handed WHITE American Fender Precision bass (w/ green pick guard)
Right-handed PURPLE Fender Jazz Bass guitar
Right-handed 1976 BLACK Les Paul Deluxe
Right-handed Alvarez acoustic guitar (Hand painted white w/ black swirls. Guitar strap is nailed on)
Boss Tuner Pedal
Boss distortion Pedal
And when you're done there, Nancy Drew, check out Maria's site. She has a new EP out.
M Ward's Transfiguration of Vincent Re-released on VinylJuly 10, 2008
Jealous Butcher Records has re-released M Ward's lovely third album‚ The Transfiguration of Vincent‚ on 180-gram (of course) vinyl‚ of which a limited run of 500 copies are translucent sky blue. Hello!
Merge Records originally released this wonder‚ and you can head over there to download the vinyl bonus tracks. Demos. Three‚ for free. Yay.
Surprise Me Mr. Davis and Big Light Hitting the RoadJune 30, 2008
The poignantly artistic collaboration known as Surprise Me Mr. Davis‚ comprised of The Slip and Nathan Moore‚ will be kicking off their West Coast run at High Sierra Music Festival over 4th of July weekend.
Born out of chance‚ Surprise Me Mr. Davis has been capturing the hearts and minds of audiences around America since their inception in 2003. The band offers up a musical journey unlike any other. With two studio releases under their belt- and 5 years worth of memorable performances‚ the Mr. Davis repertoire & live show has blossomed in recent years. Surprise Me Mr. Davis delivers a road show full of magic tricks‚ blazing guitars‚ and dressy clothes- not to mention some of the most lyrically potent songs you will hear.
SMMD will be bringing out on the road San Francisco's Big Light for their California tour. Having been joined by Nathan Moore at their inception makes this a very serendipitous and much anticipated billing. Big Light will be touring in support of their first self-titled EP released on June 26th.
Surprise Me Mr. Davis Tour Dates:
07/04/08 Fri High Sierra Music Festival Quincy‚ CA
07/05/08 Sat High Sierra Music Festival Quincy‚ CA
7/8/08 Wed Spaceland Los Angeles‚ CA (w/ Big Light)
07/09/08 Thurs Soho Santa Barbara‚ CA (w/ Big Light)
7/11/08 Moe's Alley Santa Cruz‚ CA (w/ Big Light)
07/12/08 Sat Cafe du Nord San Francisco‚ CA (w/ Big Light)
Big Light Tour Dates:
07/04/08 Fri High Sierra Music Festival Quincy‚ CA
07/06/08 Sun High Sierra Music Festival Quincy‚ CA
07/18/08 Fri Little Fox Theater‚ Redwood City‚ CA (supporting The Mother Hips)
07/31/08 Thurs 12 Galaxies San Francisco‚ CA (w/ Charles Gonzalez)
08/28/08 Thurs 12 Galaxies San Francisco‚ CA
09/25/08 Thurs 12 Galaxies San Francisco‚ CA
10/30/08 Thurs Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead III Groveland‚ CA
10/31/08 Fri Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead III Groveland‚ CA
11/01/08 Sat Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead III Groveland‚ CA
11/02/08 Sun Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead III Groveland‚ CA
Visit Surprise Me Mr. Davis
Visit Big Light
new to state of mind
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
random awesomeness
Blog: From the Grateful Dead to Furthur: The Show Always Goes On (Even if Bobby Face Plants)
Shows: Gathering of the Vibes 2009
Shows: Gathering of the Vibes 2008
Features: Conversation with Nels Cline
Blog: Song of the Day: Benevento/Russo Duo - "Becky"
Shows: Lotus
Features: State of Mind: Best of 2008 Video and Staff Picks
Magazine: State of Mind - August 2005
Shows: Wicked Knee and Mago
Shows: Phoenix
Blog: From the Grateful Dead to Furthur: The Show Always Goes On (Even if Bobby Face Plants)
Shows: Gathering of the Vibes 2009
Shows: Gathering of the Vibes 2008
Features: Conversation with Nels Cline
Blog: Song of the Day: Benevento/Russo Duo - "Becky"
Shows: Lotus
Features: State of Mind: Best of 2008 Video and Staff Picks
Magazine: State of Mind - August 2005
Shows: Wicked Knee and Mago
Shows: Phoenix