#musicmonday: Marvelous Mashups

So everyone and their mama downloaded the Girl Talk album and yeah it is pretty awesome. But what I think is even cooler than employing fair use to its fullest extent to create art, is that mashups are just one indicator of how art is being made in whole new ways thanks to technology that has become relatively cheap.

Girl Talk's album inspired a film maker to want to make an epic 71-minute video casting previously unknown dancers to show off their own style. But, you know "cheap" technology is a relative term, and you still need to pay for transportation and feed people. So, he turned to the internet (the same place you download All Day) and his Kickstarter goal was not only meat but nearly tripled. Sweet.

But, while Girl Talk gets all the hype, there are lots of other people making mashups too - including your little cousin thanks to Garage Band. I am particularly fond of the long running Bootie DJ's. You can download their Best of 2010 here.

If you are in the Bay Area, however, I would highly recommend actually attending Bootie, because there you'll see Smash-Up Derby - a live mashup band. They are amazing musicians and performers. If you want to dance your sweaty butt off alternating between jumping up and down to Nirvana and grinding to Cher (in the same song) go down near the stage. If you want a little more elbow room I recommend the balcony. Either way, I promise you will not be disappointed.

Your Friday Awesome: Who Said Marching Band Wasn't Awesome?

I love how much these kids are rocking out with tubas and flutes. I really wish they had video of how they performed it though - just how do you head bang in formation?

Your Friday Awesome: Corgi!

You know what is not awesome? Having a cold when you are pregnant. You never know just how awesome Nyquil is until you are stuck with only tea and saline spray to try and keep the snot and aches at bay.

Luckily, I have awesome friends who like to surf the internetz and find gems like this:



I watched that about ten times since anything more cute and exciting has me convulsing into a ball of snot. Yeah, its not pretty.

#musicmonday: My Grammys Recap

Justin Bieber DID NOT win Best New Artist. Esperanza Spalding did, proving that there is hope for this world.



I have a soft spot for banjos after living in Austin. I however do not believe that it is any more appropriate to groove out by humping your banjo as it is to do the same with a guitar. Not okay. I also still do not like Bob Dylan.



Oh and Gaga decided fashion is out. Creepy body modifications are in.

Oh, and THIS happened.

Your Friday Awesome: The Youths

At 31, it would be pretty easy to get disillusioned with the state of our youth if I was just exposed to mainstream popular culture. But, MTV and Clear Channel just push what they think the youth of today want so they can sell them (and those of us who might be older but still youthful) crap - they don't represent what the kids are actually up to. And what the kids are really up to is pretty damn awesome.

Recently my husband's band played a show at a local all ages club and his iPod, which they use to play some backing tracks on, was stolen off the stage. Now, he's gotten a lot of gear stolen in the 15 or so years he's been playing music, but off the stage while you are playing to a packed room of kids all of whom (besides some a-hole) are totally enjoying themselves? That's pretty brutal.

Well, the kids in that room who were having an awesome time (and many of whom were not at that show in particular), would not let injustice prevail. See, they are part of an burgeoning (or perhaps re-burgeoning) local independent music community that is all about just that - community. They are creative and talented and have a great time making stuff, whether it is music or zines (Yes, zines! In the age of the internet!) and they support others who do the same.*

So, last weekend during a "memorial show" for the pilfered iPod, my husband was presented with a brand new iPod that was purchased by the community. A bunch of people giving $5 or however much they could afford not only replaced the technology, but our faith in community. And that is totally awesome.

If you want to see a couple of these great bands, including my husband's, come out tonight to the aptly named new venue, The Future:

*At 31 and pregnant, my definition of kids is pretty loose so we are talking about anyone from 15 to probably 28, but that is even more heartwarming since they are all part of the same supportive community.