Hey there,
It's probably pretty clear, given the lack of posting over the last 12 months, that I'm not as dedicated to Popped Hip as I once was.
Because of this, I started a new blog. It's called Two Notes Ahead, and you can find it over at http://twonotesahead.wordpress.com. I'm blogging about the future of the music business, a topic about which I can bring you both news-related posts and insight.
Please click over; I really think you'll enjoy it!
Thanks, and all the best.
I care about my family. I care about my friends. I care about myself.
I care about my grades. I care about the Lit. I care about the Follies. I care about everything else I do at school.
I care about complete strangers being mistreated; in wartorn foreign countries and on your local street corner.
But most of all, I care about music. It's one of those very few things in this world that has the power to change a person, a "scene", and the global climate -- all at once. It's an art form that, used properly, has shown itself to transcend minor personal quarrels and major societal issues. It has such immense power to heal, and we should all think deeply about how to use it right.
I see where music is going. I try, fail, and try again to develop new models that will help people create new music, sell what they have, and share their interests. I've discovered the first step.
You should care about music because it hasn't reached its full potential yet... And I'm the guy to get it there. Help me help the world.
Aidan Nulman says I Care.
From Wolfe Island Music Fest. After a late start to the day (and missing a number of the opening bands), I literally just stepped out of the car after a 2 and a half hour drive back to Toronto from Kingston.
All of the acts I managed to catch were awesome. Seriously, the lineup was solid... Walking in to witness the lovely Basia Bulat finishing her set, I got to see full acts from Born Ruffians (definitely the best surprise of the event... I had heard good things, but I was thoroughly impressed), Weeping Tile (back together for a NON-Christmas show???), Apostle of Hustle (I expected to have fun for these guys, but they almost beat out Born Ruffians for their sheer creativity and likability), and Holy Fuck (always a pleasure to see live, especially when they're just jamming for the majority of the set... their last song worked SO well).
Meanwhile, the reason why I'm posting this (and it's probably quite incoherent, as my eyes/mind/fingers are beginning to falter more rapidly with each passing second) is because of Wolf Parade. I know that they've more or less fallen off the radar these past few months, especially with the successes of both Sunset Rubdown and The Handsome Furs. But what I didn't realize is that they are, in fact, still together and going strong.
For the past 10 months, Wolf Parade has been busy writing what I'm not afraid to say is likely the best music to come from the Canadian scene. Ever. I wish I could say more, but I was just stuck at that show, jumping around, giddy like a schoolgirl, with a shit-eating grin on my face. Each new song they played was better than the last -- all culminating in a 12-minute long masterpiece to close the show (they didn't need to do that encore...) that I wouldn't have traded for This Heart's On Fire, You Are A Runner And I Am My Father's Son, and Modern World (three of their favourites that weren't played).
Okay, this post was significantly longer than I intended. I'm gonna go to sleep now, and I'll link things in the morning. A post about my run-in, drinking, and discussions with Craig, Franz, and Tad from The Hold Steady will be coming shortly.
And am working on a new concept/something new to do with this. More info as it comes along. Meanwhile, what have you been up to this summer? I've been:
- working full-time
- taking summer courses
- working on writing music
- organizing a couple of events for my college's Orientation
- doing student council stuff
Anyway, if you have any suggestions or words of wisdom, feel free to leave them. I love reading comments! You can also email me... I'm pretty sure my address is somewhere around here?
I know I've been a ba-a-a-a-a-ad widdle boy when it comes to updating this baby, but I'll try harder still. Anyway, as luck will have it, I woke up early this morning -- earlier than I needed to, at least. I now have 25 minutes or so before I actually need to leave my building to get to work (I still owe you photos of the new room...), so I'm going to rattle off a list of notable bands that I found hidden in my iTunes yesterday on the train while trying to trim the 42-odd gigabyte library.
The list shall go like this: Artist (Album) -- Three word description.
The Gun Club (Fire of Love) -- Old school rock.
The Lucksmiths (The Green Bicycle Case) -- Poppy Australian dingos.
khonnor (handwriting) -- Experimental... Still sane!
Heavenly (Heavenly vs. Satan) -- Twee's finest, re-released.
Hello Stranger (Hello Stranger) -- The new Metric?
Velcro Stars (Hiroshima's Revenge) -- Revenge = sooooo sweet.
Masked Superstar (Honey Holiday) -- Low fidelity hotness.
Hopewell (Hopewell & The Birds of Appetite) -- Not stupid psychedelia.
Woods (How To Survive In The Woods) -- Unpolished, pretty folk.
The Finches (Human Like A House) -- Powerful female folk.
el-p (I'll Sleep When You're Dead) -- Expect less? Def-Jux!
...
Oh, crap. Gotta run. I might be late after all!
Oh man, this is a BRILLIANTLY amazing ad. Seriously, if I say any more, it gives away the punchline.
I'm glad that XXXXX thought of this; I've never seen anything this fresh for XXXXX.
Found on Wired, while browsing at work (Yes, it's part of what I've been asked to do right now).
I heart indie rock, and awesomely amazing stories. Kudos to dimitrifrazao for making me laugh and care about Loop, an animated timbre.
Apparently, daily blogging doesn't mix well with exam cramming. Who'd'a thunk it. Anyway, instead of promising to write daily in this period of HOLY CRAP-ness, I will instead write at least every day that I finish an exam.
This post comes to you care of my residence don Jordan (aka Jor-Don). Take Away Shows is a series of live, one-shot concerts in various "unusual, urban environment[s]" produced by Blogotheque.
I've checked out the Andrew Bird performances and the Arcade Fire behemoth in my post-eco-exam catharsis; I plan on watching some more during other study breaks. In any case, these two alone would make a worthy post; the idea itself is absolutely fantastic and amazingly executed. Kudos to you, Vincent Moon et al.!
Wish me luck on Psych this Wednesday...
*Hanging my head in shame*
Okay, I've been gone for the past few days. I'm sorry, I've been incredibly busy, and trust me -- it hurts knowing that I'm failing at one of my personal objectives.
Anyway, in light of this lack of postage, some interesting things I've found these past few days while almost hiding from the intar-webs:
DIABETES... CURED!
Lost in the sea of Virginia Tech (sad news) and Anna Nicole (sadly news) was this interesting item, about 14 out of 15 individuals cured of diabetes -- 11 of which are still apparently insulin-self-producing.
Interesting Art Sale
A flyer for this appeared on my desk (at work) the other day. After looking into it, I decided that it's definitely worth a post. I've never heard of picture prints being sold this way before: 100 tickets are sold to an exhibit, 100 prints are given out with the order of choice being determined essentially by raffle. Check their "Events" section for more details.
Anyway, must be off... work (and more regular postings?) tomorrow!
Time to re-re-re-re-...-read Cat's Cradle and/or Slaughterhouse Five... Or anything else by Messr. V.
God Bless You, Mr. Vonnegut.
