The Rest is Noise

Been dipping in and out of this all Summer long...

I.7

If only for once it were still.
If the not quite right and the why this
could be muted, and the neighbor's laughter,
and the static my senses make-
if all of it didn't keep me from coming awake-

Then in one vast thousandfold thought
I could think you up to where thinking ends.

I could possess you,
even fro the brevity of a smile,
to offer you
to all that lives,
in gladness.


-Rilke

Hauschka

I'm really into this lovely band, my internet isn't good enough to do a bit of research but so far I've been enjoying their Prepared Piano album and Ferndorf. Playing November 19th in The Sugar Club, must buy my ticket soon to avoid the Grizzly Bear disappointment situation.

Summer's Over

Let's remember it in songs:





What a great Summer!

It's Very Very Good

Hobo

With hot ideas - Harry Partch documentary - Behold!

Fighting Words

This place seems pretty cool! Inspired by long-time-love Dave Eggers, Fighting Words is a centre for creative writing, focused on giving children and adults one-to-one time with teachers, writers, poets and creative types to develop their writing skillz...
The man himself explains it better:

Kawaii!

Watch Out!

Song to the Moon

I keep hearing this on the radio - don't need to explain how beautiful it is but the old heart does a flip flop when she lands on the B...

NEW CLOTHES!

Final Countdown

Only hours away from my performance of the above for assessment...nightmare. The piece should be a lot faster than that, and significantly lest affected. The only other youtube I could find was an eight-year old playing it perfectly but prodigious children do not belong on this blog, thank you very much. I have a hard time with those repeated notes, my fingers just clam up. At least I don't use the pedal in a piece of baroque music like Biscotti up there.
My other piece for this part of the exam is Muszkowski's Pensée Fugitive from 10 Petits Morceaux, worryingly I can't find a recording for that anywhere (and I mean Anywhere). Perhaps it was a bad choice, but too late now I guess.

Also I take back what I said about Deerhunter possibly being my fault - they can take the blame for playing a crap and lifeless show, I have nothing to apologize for!

Add to List

Want to see.
Yikes, procrastination is taking hold again, not good.
Deerhunter failed to inspire and awe me, but perhaps it's my own fault?

Friday Night

Well Deerhunter is tomorrow. Got my ticket, little brother is coming with.
But the NSO are playing Mahler 2 in the concert hall, and I'd rather go to that.
Hi ho.
This time next week I'll be just one step away from finishing my course. Then it's time to re-evaluate.
In the mean time, enjoy the colours:

This Kinda Shit

Maybe I like it.

Superman

Gonzales attempting to break the Guinness world record for the longest concert!
Ten hours to go and he looks pretty exhausted, and I'm not sure what his hand position was like before but he's not bending his knuckles at all, he must be wrecked!
Do I ever feel bad for complaining about my note-taking writer's cramp...after two hours of studying.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/World-Record-Attempt-in-Paris

He's playing Material Girl now...

Good luck Gonzo!

I'm All Out

Quick!
Somebody buy me some new Chanel already...

What's It All About?

MUSIC FOR NOW!

YO, Check This Out - Ergodos Festival starts tomorrow, it should be good! Nine days of new music, with Irish and International composers presenting works that fall in between categorization, lucky us! It's great to see a space like the National Concert Hall get used for contemporary music so I'm looking forward seeing Gamalan there on Saturday and Sunday. Also, the Unitarian Church on Stephen's Green seems like an appropriately ghostly setting for Intimate Rituals next Friday. Tickets are cheap too - 10/6 euros for each concert, depending on your scholarly status...program available on the rather unpretty website.

NOTORIOUS

Guess what: he dies in the end.
Good movie, even for a rap incognizant as I.

EDIT: Watched this again last night on the last bus home with my housemate and a sneaky bottle of wine and have to conclude that it is a little boring...some good moments, but so many of the scenes are set up like a cheap sitcom. Hey ho.

FUCK!

pro⋅cras⋅ti⋅nate

   /proʊˈkræstəˌneɪt, prə-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [proh-kras-tuh-neyt, pruh-] verb, -nat⋅ed, -nat⋅ing.

–verb (used without object)

1.	to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

–verb (used with object)

2.	to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

---

Origin:
1580–90; prōcrāstinātus (ptp. of prōcrāstināre to put off until tomorrow, equiv. to prō- pro- ¹ + -crāstināre, deriv. of crāstinus of tomorrow; crās tomorrow + -tinus suffix forming adjs. from temporal advs.); see -ate ¹

Related forms:

pro⋅cras⋅ti⋅nat⋅ing⋅ly, pro⋅cras⋅ti⋅na⋅tive⋅ly, adverb

pro⋅cras⋅ti⋅na⋅tion, noun

pro⋅cras⋅ti⋅na⋅tive, pro⋅cras⋅ti⋅na⋅to⋅ry adjective

pro⋅cras⋅ti⋅na⋅tive⋅ness, noun

pro⋅cras⋅ti⋅na⋅tor, noun

Belated

I'm a lucky girl! Just as I was slipping into a further essay-related depression, I received the lovely birthday presents to the left, to the left...that sure has dragged me out of the dumps! After next weekend I can reclaim my Saturdays, go and visit my parents (haven't seen them since Christmas, the shame!), and after next month I can reclaim my social life or build one in Dublin, if that's even possible. It's all going to be good!

Bothered?

Ondes Martenot

Thom Yorke looks particularly feral here, doesn't he?

Lidell Bit of Feel Good

Meant to say, J Lidell was great last week!
I felt a bit swizzed that he sang all the stuff from Jim to a backing track, but he did lots of electronicy layering, sang up a storm and he's still rocking the stripy pajama bottoms look so he's OK in my book.

Photo that I couldn't be bothered cropping and post title courtesy of (robbed from) Ellie, thanks dear!

Possession

Consolation No. 3 played on Liszt's own piano...

Risky//Lovely

Deadly track and video from an unusual collaboration (to my mind).

Practical Musicianship

I have to do a repertoire study for my Practical Musicianship class and write about the features of a piece of music for my instrument from two contrasting musical periods. I'm thinking something from the Well Tempered Clav and something Messaien, probably from Vingt Regards.

It Doesn't Matter Where You Go, It's Getting There

Marvellous!

I'm pretty hooked on Radioactive Man's 'Nothing At All' feat Dot Allison...desolate pop vocals, jarring harmonies, dancefloor beat and a nice wee spoken part at the end to break our hearts...checkit out on his myspace or download from here... he was playing the Black Box in Belfast last night, I'd hazard that it was a banging night seeing as the internet is a ghost town this Sunday morn.

How To..

This old interweb...I often resent it for reducing my social interactions to 1s and 0s, but sometimes it comes up trumps. I started my night searching for games to play with my class tomorrow to reinforce the concept of dynamics in music. I think when you wind up watching this kinda (to be fair, rather innocent) crap on youtube at quarter to two in the morning it's a pretty sure thing that productivity has ceased for the night and it's time for bed.

Gut Spill

Just so you know -
Things aren't great right now.

Wise Words

It's been a while since I posted an interview so as a neat follow-up to Naked City, here's the highly intelligent mumbler Pedro Rebelo interviewing the tremendously talented Fred Frith (guitarist from Naked City) in SARC, before his concert with Chris Cutler in the Sonorities festival in 2006. They talk about the demise of the orchestra, notation, compositional techniques, sound design, Naked City, improvisation, influences, and much beyond and in between!

Naked City

This is some really pleasant stuff from Naked City, from the very middle of their run (1990, according to the banner in the background).

SKip Your Habit of Laying Low

Happened upon this tonight, which reminded me to dig out some Jon Brion, to watch this curious Punch Drunk Love once more, and to think about calling some old friends...

Thinking Forward Backwards

Coming to an End

Surf Dudes, With Attitude!

Shit guys, remember this?
Tiffini was my childhood idol...That Hair! And Jake...what a dreamboat!
But really, I should never have been allowed to watch so many happy endings.

Anyways, California Dreams is being released on DVD on March 31st...excited? me? Absolutely!

Got Your Number

Hang Time

DO WANT! Only 2 guys in the world make this Swiss instrument and you have to be very special to obtain one...maybe they could take me on as an apprentice. Does Mr. Frog Pocket have one of these? Must investigate..

Smoosh!

This blog is so uncool...

Georgia on my Mind

One of my all-time favourite songs, and so few interpretations I approve of. I guess it's a pretty cheesy tune, so it's real easy to overdo it, and I reckon the melody doesn't really lend itself to embellishment, it's way nicer just to leave it the way it is, let the instruments fill in any space.

These two are passable, although I kinda wish Ray didn't rock out at the end, and that the Band didn't use that silly synth sound.

There's a fucking insulting take from Jamie Foxx and Alicia Keyes knocking about, they should be ashamed of themselves.

Isolée

Last year I was pretty good at going to things on my own but something seems to have shifted this year, and I can't stand the thought of going to see some music and not sharing it with someone familiar. I guess the longer you leave it the harder it gets or something. Anyways, I'll probably be much cosier listening to this sweet song by School of Seven Bells in my room. But if you and your posse run now, you'll still catch the whole show. I really liked On! Air! Library!, so School of Seven Bells give me a nice dreamy, nostalgic feeling for 2004...



I guess the gigging companion situation is not going to improve by the weekend, so hopefully I'll overcome my little issue in time for the EAR Collective's Ear-Plugged Festival in the Lab. ALL EVENTS FREE! What a rarity. And it looks great, not nearly enough of this kinda thing going on in Dublin as far as I can see. Roll on weekend...

Let Me Out

I'm a bad blogger I know. Things have been mental for the past few weeks, but I'm starting to see an end to all this work, counting down the weeks til I get my Saturdays back, only a couple of months until it's all done, and have resolved to work hard for the last push - looking forward to that Summery feeling of freedom, even though I'll still have my day job (hopefully...kinda hopefully...).

Well I haven't been to any really exciting music for ages now, so I was looking forward to Deerhunter in March. Went to get my ticket on Friday only to find they've postponed! Bugger and blast! But Deerhunter, if you break this date on the 22nd of May, I swear, this whirlwind romance will grind to a halt!
Oh go on then, charm me one more time:



Side note: I was going to say here that I have really never gotten dance as an artform, but when I thought about it, I realise that I completely get it, I'm just very uncomfortable with it.

Sick Day

Well y'all, I'm way sick, so no work for me tomorrow. Instead, I'm going to lie in bed until my sinuses stop feeling like they are launching missiles into my left temple, and I'm finally going to have time to read Kafka on the Shore, reformat my ipod, update my links bar, listen to all the albums I've downloaded and ignored, do lesson plans for the next 2 weeks, decide on a topic for my psychology paper,tidy my cables box, do my hand-washing and choose my performance repertoire. Maybe brush up on my figured bass if I finish all of the above!

Dontcha Know....

My birthday weekend was nice, slightly marred by developing illness, but most of the best people were here, cocktails, dubstep, chinese, lightwaves and sunday evening pints and crisps were had. Last minute change of plans had me down and out for a while, but whats meant to be, etc. Look Out Mountain, Look Out Sea is truly wonderful, I'm kinda kicking myself for not getting into it last May, and now the Jews, they are no more...

Wiped Out

After a long day at work, what could be more soothing than a 40 part motet?

Cutting Ice to Snow

Colourful video from my Beloved, Efterklang. Hope there's real snow in the city tomorrow.

Some Buck

I've never really been a fan of Schumann's Traumerei, but cripes, Horowitz's poignant performance of the piece as the encore on his return to Moscow is nothing to be sneezed at.

Just Can't

So, went out on Friday night to avoid doing my essay, got tipsy, lost my purse and my memory, wasted yesterday wishing I was dead, now I have no time left to do said essay, the self-loathing is overwhelming.

Enough about me, this video is by Swod. Their album Gehen, which is the German verb 'to go' (see, I am learning a little!) was my first Swod experience, and it's sublime. The first time I listened to Gehen I was walking through the park to meet a friend for lunch, and I felt this weird sensation just behind my nose, like something was scraping or buzzing in there. Naturally I thought I was dying and completely freaked out, until my headphones fell out and I realized it was the tiny, high-pitched electronic whirrings...it's the strangest experience, although I think the more you become aware of it the less receptive you are to the little tingle. Swod's soundworld is a beautiful combination of piano and electronics, with the occasional spoken gesture. It's spacious but intense, and always leaves me with a feeling of loneliness, which is no criticism.



Must face the gloom now of canceling credit cards and Sunday night essaying.

Damn Island

Fleas and Dragons

Going to try to pick myself up a wee bicycle at the Dublin Flea Market today, and then on to the Lucky Dragons - seem they're only letting the first 65 people in, so must try to get there early! Woop for the last Sunday in January - be gone depressing month!

Crush No. 2 - John Lurie

Had a Jim Jarmusch day today, watched Down By Law, Stranger than Paradise and Permanent Vacation, respectively hilarious, empty and terrifying.

Here's a fun little clip from Down By Law, to remind us why we love overalls and lo-tops.

Greig's Piano Concerto...by Greig

It's a classic.

The Style Club

As a post exam treat (extrinsic motivation, if you will), I went for a chop chop hair cut in The Style Club this eve. While I was at it, I had got the old locks dyed, and am now sporting a head of browny-red hair...it's a little strange, but I think I like it! For my first ever dye job, it was less of a big deal than I expected...the guy who bestowed me with my new look, was very attentive and knowledgable about the process, and didn't scare me once, which is quite an achievement! The chit chat was fine, and sitting in the salon was like sitting inside a birthday cake - the decor is mental busy, even if the salon was not booming with custom.

I have only a little gripe - for the past 2 years I've gone to 5 different branches of Peter Marks and in every single one I have been given the Exact same haircut. Without Fail. Now, I'm well aware that if I want a different style I should say so, but does anyone remember the days when a hairdresser made suggestions for your look, what would suit you, how to change things up a little bit so you don't look exactly the same as the you you were two years ago...? When walking out of the hairdressers was like walking into your new life? Getting the same haircut every time is like getting 65% in every single exam...it's not terrible, it's just a bit...average. That said, the massage chairs are reason enough for me to make a return to The Style Club, I could do with one of those permanently in my life.

One last thing - tipping. I apologize to every hairdresser I have never tipped, but really, I don't know how. How do you tip without being patronizing ("here's a bit of pocket money, love!"), how much, when, where, tip the washer, tip the stylist, tip the blow-dryer...it's too confusing!

Come Thursday...

head's a mess..

image from today and tomorrow

The Time is Pnau!

Someone's Alone

Cheers P for introducing me to something else to break my heart over.

Outings

Well, I'll probably not be outing as my procrastination has left me with only a matter of days to learn enough to ace my exams, but the award-winning Somadrone is playing in Whelan's on Thursday at 8, for the very reasonable sum of 15 euro. Maybe going to this wouldn't be procrastination...



Lucky us, Lucky Dragons are playing in the Joy Gallery on the 25th of January, and joy of joy of joy, it's BYOB! Looking forward to visiting this place, I've heard only good things (and one bad thing - apparently it's some trick trying to locate the place - I've got my map prepared already!)

Time Keeping

Got me a metronome today...only 99 more to go.

Microsoft Locked in the Closet

Glow in the Dark Towels - are they serious?

Natural Sound

These ice instruments are all well and good, but what happens when your lips stick to the ice? I like and can relate to the idea that the 'big emotional moments' happen at small festivals as opposed to large festivals...and I'm curious as to why some ice sounds and other ice doesn't...must investigate.

Saturday Listening

Today while I should have been studying, I was:

1. Checking out Elektramusic's January playlist, to see what the folk from the CEC list get up to when they're not dueling with Kevin Austin over the hyphenation of electroacoustic/electro-acoustic.
2. Reading articles in the guardian about overconfident bints.
3. Listening to Champagne Diamond/The Brilliant Light's podcast at Caff/FLICK.
4. Playing with my new melodica and my new microphone (which I'm looking forward to taking for a walk after exam time.)
5. Lusting after things I can't really afford.
6. Drinking a nice beer and thinking about how I'm consciously lowering my grade to a 2.1 and not doing anything to stop myself. Damn.

Guess tomorrow I'll do some real work.
My, it's windy outside.

Rachel Unthank and the Winterset

Can't decide if I have the patience for them, but Rachel Unthank and the Winterset are playing in the Douglas Hyde Gallery on February 3rd.
The Douglas Hyde Gallery are also hosting a series of films on music entitled 'Some Musical Films', starting Feb 19th, featuring Norweigian, Turkish and Brazilian music. Speaking of the Turks, their adaption of the Wizard of Oz is nothing short of bizarre. Check out this little excerpt:

Interview of the Week

Arnold Schoenberg on Painting and Composition



And my lesson of the day - this Weihnachtsmusik is Christmas music...I've never listened to it as Christmas music so I don't care that it's not Christmas anymore, listen and enjoy, while I consider learning a bit of German.

Most Definitely, Penderecki

Wishlist

Two things I want:
a. A big brown leather satchel, boy style, with two pockets at the front, that will fit my laptop, a couple of books, and not make me look like a big man if I wear it to work. They had lovely ones in Urban Outfitters before Christmas, but now they're gone, and I can't seem to find one anywhere. Heartbreak.

b. A scarf/hood type item that i can wear around my shoulders for the Spring, something like the one in this sketch from Garance Doré. Does this exist in real life?

Coming to Town

Jamie Lidell - Andrew's Lane Theatre, March 13th - singing in the summer!


Benga - Crawdaddy, Feb 6th - night before my birthday, this could be messy :)


Max Tundra - Crawdaddy, Jan 21st (night before an exam, will definately not be messy)


Side note, I'm way more into 'Parallax Error Beheads You' now than I was before Christmas...guess it's a grower.

Acid Fire! Acid Fire!

Haven't see this since the good old days, but it's still a cracking video. God only knows why I was getting all hysterical in my dreams over an acid fire, I should take some laid back tips from LV.

Luke Vibert - I Love Acid

Allow me...

not to be the first to point this out, but the new Animal Collective is supreme!
Roll on March 27th/28th! Dublin/Belfast? With their record for turning up to Dublin gigs, I guess a ticket for both would be good insurance...I'll be damned if I miss them this time round.

Here are the wee pets themselves...

Gestalt Principles

Gestalt fur Orchester - Hamel

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Linguistics

I have brain-melt from learning about language development...
Ali G and Noam Chomsky breaking it down for me:

Two Smug Men

And sure why not?

Just look at Gonzales cross-legged at the piano...what is he like?

His Solo Piano album has been getting at least a weekly spin (on the ipod) since i came across it in 2005, and it really is a masterful work. The recording is flawed and warm, the mood is low and intense, and the music spans from nervous tic to overwhelming melencholy. The nicest thing about the album is it's inherent 'Frenchness' - you can feel Satie and Ravel's minimalism in practically every note.




And here he is playing around with Mr. Soul himself, J Lidell.



Enough of this procrastination, back to the books.

One Last Thing...

...before I go to sleep - my housemate is watching The Diving Bell and the Butterfly downstairs and it just reminded me that the theme Paul Cantelon wrote for this is beautiful.



Bon Nuit..

Jazz is People!

It's been a good night on the internet, from Aimard to R Wagner through that big old queen Bernstein, via Ives.



Some courting from Fred and Cyd while we're at it...

Crush No. 1 - Pierre-Laurent Aimard

Jordan & Aimard: Offstage at Barnes & Noble