It's time for a blackberry or sidekick. Treo, it was a nice run but I'm finally over you. I put the qotsa image here b/c it's a beautiful beautiful thing. Watching this QOTSA dvd made treo hell meaningless. Josh Homme, you are elvis. A dvd for smart people, right here.
iPod and iTalk (thanks to Sam Levin of Griffin Technology) - no man (or woman) can compare. truly. and happy thanksgiving. Thanks to Griffin Technology, i was able to take some oral histories from my family tonight. Thanks Griffin, and thanks Sam.... See you at the next sf meetup!
we'll miss you sony.
....or will we...
digital music news highlight of 11/22/05
Texas Sues Sony BMG Over Copy-Protected Discs
The messy fallout for Sony BMG continued Monday when Texas attorney general
Greg Abbott filed suit against the label. The lawsuit alleges that Sony BMG
violated a new Texas law that prohibits the dissemination of spyware
(Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware Act). Meanwhile, Abbott
pointed the finger at Sony BMG for creating other serious security breaches
on consumer computers, including vulnerabilities related to outside viruses.
"Sony has engaged in a technological version of cloak and dagger deceit
against consumers by hiding secret files on their computers," Abbott said in
a statement. "Consumers who purchased a Sony CD thought they were buying
music. Instead, they received spyware that can damage a computer, subject it
to viruses and expose the consumer to possible identity crime."
Adding fuel to the action was the discovery of several XCP-protected discs
in various Texas retail outlets, even though Sony BMG has put a recall in
motion. That raises the thorny question of just how many retailers will
actually comply with the recall, especially considering the gaps in product
that will result. Separately, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has
announced a lawsuit of its own in the Los Angeles County Superior Court,
accusing Sony BMG of not addressing the issue thoroughly enough. Part of
that action will include SunnComm, which also delivers content protection to
Sony BMG. "Sony BMG is to be commended for its acknowledgment of the serious
security problems caused by its XCP software, but it needs to go further to
regain the public's trust," said Corynne McSherry, an EFF staff attorney.
"It is unconscionable for Sony BMG to refuse to respond to the privacy and
other problems created by the over 20 million CDs containing the SunnComm
software." The EFF action is part of a growing level of scrutiny surrounding
SunnComm MediaMax discs, though so far it does not appear that the company
has created any serious security vulnerabilities for consumers.
I truly have no issue with the existence of the "PMN" or it's ability to sustain. But as a representative, an accidentally self proclaimed Music Defender and a longtime armchair philosopher in the case of media revolution, it's impossible not to use the word "eek" when referring to the PMN. Somehow in all of this, the indy labels have been vilified by the misconception that the only real independent music is that which is loaded into podsafe or even cdbaby.
I haven't drawn full conclusions yet about the expo, i learned a great deal. So without soap boxing before i've synthesized the information to my own satisfaction, here is a list of some points floating about my mind, usually when i'm on a run...now it's a blog.
1. mobile technology is the shit. i mean, really. we're in motion, it's about motion. simple stuff. sick software. hardware catching up...i'm looking forward to working from amsterdam or alaska. what if i took a call from mt. mckinley but not til after i recorded my audioblog from my treo or blackberry or sidekick to let my mom know i summitted. it could happen. the only thing stopping that situation is me, and not being fit enough to get up the mountain. which would never happen.
2. Digital media does not equal the elimination of a human element. "New Media" is about the human element, but taken up a notch. Consumer is king. And this is why podshow renders an "eek" from me. While every spokesperson has every freedom to lead and play the role of pied piper, I believe i am smart enough to know the difference between the creation of a corporate media in the digital world versus the other option: to embrace all indy media. to accept the revolution as it happens, not take advantage of it.
that's a bit vague. I'll get clearer.
In fact, it's time for specifics.
check this out
the "un expo" immediately capitalized on this bogus vein of marketing - that the underground is anti.....everything. if the expo charges for booths (which happens at ALL conferences) then let's have an "un" expo. if an audition sounds scary, we'll call it the Podshow "un" dition (but how is it not an audition? it's american idol for podcasters....which is neat...but how is it not an audition?) isn't that sorta....perpetuating the problem in general american media today - Keeping The Public Dumbed Down.
digital media and subscription based communication (and portable media), is a multi tiered platform where information is exchanged, synthesized and recycled. the beauty is that there is choice, and i'm proud to defend indy labels - some are definitely operating like assholes. douchebags, even. but that's just business. I've always supported indy art and representing the indy label is part of that support.
The added spin from podshow of a sentiment exuding this is the real indy network reminds me of, well, mtv. and mtv is not what indie music was ever about. Doesn't everyone remember? why are they getting curry's autograph when he hosted a very contrived barely indy headbanger's ball?
the (possibly inadvertent) result of the PMN marketing campaign is the vilification of many indy labels, and therefore indy artists, who worked hard to push their career in the indy music environment and are now embracing a new world of zeros and ones.
I've met some amazing people who are associated with podshow and i respect them, look forward to exchanging ideas and notions and music. I am not opposed to good music. at any time. ever. My preferences run the gamut. When i meet a new person it's usually the first thing i ask them about. So this is me, and somehow i've become the music defender for a living. Defending indy labels to the community who finally has a chance to bubble up ALL indy content, to the exclusion of no other. Please check out The Sundresses on CD Baby, a band i happily managed! without a label! and please please also do yourself a favor and learn about Birdman Records. All at the same time. Evolve. Don't Perpetuate The Problem.
holy cow cc chapman found my cynical cynical cynical, mostly hidden i had hoped, bloggin blog! um. what do i do now. i think i need to start a podcast and be done with it. or host a party or something. maybe i should take words like "douchebag" when alluding to professional situations out of my entries.
I'm on the stern model i guess.
Subscription based communication is infectious. I'd forgotten what a buncha smarties i was dealin' with. And thank goodness for that.
Not sure how i feel about this new template on my blog without photos, it's awfully white, but who has the time or gumption to post a photo of ontario. I've seen enough blackmail material on flickr to satisfy me for at least 2 weeks.
Ontario, CA is almost as big a shithole as Los Angeles, except without the VIP lines or even the bars. which makes it worse. I have no idea why there's an airport in Ontario, but it makes an ok place for a conference in that the attendees are forced to communicate with one another lest they forget they are there for a reason. Sure, SXSW is the best conference (in the USA) ever, but that's Austin. Ontario made a good home for the podcast and mobile media communities.
Between the all night train (it reminded me of South Carolina, where a train passed by my dorm every night at all hours) and the lion head of adam-douchebag-curry it was a weekend i'll not soon brush off.
Met some great people and reached some fine-ass semi-conclusive philosophical opinions about podcasting and digital media in general. Got lots on my mind regarding the topic. But after getting a shitload of free griffin gear, i think i may record my thoughts and post them quite soon....
next year in jerusalem. or ontario. either or.
well, shoot, ok here's one pic. well, two. me w/ CC Chapman of Accident Hash podcast i'll make it even harder, you have to copy and paste the url. you must work for the love. work for it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cc_chapman/62821956/in/set-1337822/
update: that was really lazy to just put the url up like that. this i do know.
corey and marisol: http://www.flickr.com/photos/madpod/63191339/
Eff disney, but still.....
ABC Bolsters Digital Presence, Offers "Lost" Podcast
ABC has just launched its official "Lost" podcast, just weeks after making
videos of the hit TV series available through the iTunes Music Store. The
podcast will feature exclusive interviews with cast members, and is anchored
by series creator Damon Lindelof and executive producer Carlton Cuse. Each
weekly podcast will tease fans about what's coming next in the series, and
answer questions from "Lost" viewers. The first episode features Josh
Holloway (Sawyer) and Daniel Dae Kim (Jin), who'll discuss what happened
when they filmed the raft scenes. Initially, the podcasts will be available
directly from ABC.com, but will also be available starting November 15th on
iTunes.
The move adds further strength to the seemingly growing relationship between
Apple and ABC/Disney. ABC is so far the only major media firm to agree to
sell TV shows - including "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" - through
Apple's digital media service. However, recent reports have suggested that
CBS is discussing similar plans. Separately, CBS and NBC will soon offer
99-cent downloads of top shows, though the programs are only viewable for a
finite period of time, and are confined to the television.
Story by news analyst Jonny Evans.
please dont take a break please dont take a break please dont take break please dont take a break
from Pitchfork:
QOTSA's Josh Homme Discusses Future Plans
Caroline Bermudez reports:
Wouldn't you want to take a break if you lost two friends, underwent knee surgery, got sued, coughed up blood, and were about to have a kid? This year has been, shall we say, memorable for Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme. After nine full-throttle years, Homme will finally take a break in January and February of 2006 to concentrate on being a father to his unborn child with fiancée Brody Dalle of the Distillers.
In a phone interview with Pitchfork last week, Homme also revealed that there will be two more Queens shows in Los Angeles to cap off the year, as well as one more "renegade" gig, possibly in Toronto. He will also drum with side project Eagles of Death Metal for a few shows. Furthermore, Homme said there are plans to release live material from the band's self-titled debut, Rated R, and follow-up, Songs for the Deaf, online.
Hoping that "next year will be about creating instead of being a salesman," Homme enthusiastically expressed a wish to work with producer extraordinaire the RZA and electro raunch maven Peaches, whom Homme says, "rocks harder than almost every guy I've ever seen." Maybe a new genre can be born out of all this: stoner metal dance-hop?
Homme admits the band's latest album, Lullabies to Paralyze has been "divisive," referring to his acrimonious split with founding member and bassist Nick Oliveri. On his relationship with Oliveri, Homme said, "I love Nick, but I am not on good terms with him." When asked if there was a chance for a reunion, Homme replied that it was only possible if there was "any chance of his head getting together."
As previously reported, the Queens' first DVD/CD, the live set Over the Years and Through the Woods, will be out November 22. The package contains no overdubs and was filmed in London. Homme says that the UK was the first country to embrace QOTSA because of its "dry sense of humor." For a band that describes its music as "equal parts stupid and cerebral without pretension," dry humor is a must. That and lots and lots of, um, substances.
Comparing the band to Ween, Homme described QOTSA's modus operandi like so: "I don't know where it's going, but it's going to where it's supposed to go." Confucius couldn't have said it better.
We do know where they're going for the next week or so, and that's on the final stretch of their current tour with Nine Inch Nails. Here are those dates, one more time:
11-08 Boston, MA - Fleet Center *
11-09 Boston, MA - Newbury Comics (renegade show)
11-10 Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Center *
11-11 Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre *
11-14 Winnipeg, Manitoba - MTS Centre *
11-16 Edmonton, Alberta - Rexall Arena *
11-17 Calgary, Alberta - Saddledome Arena *
11-19 Oakland, CA - Oakland Arena *
* with Nine Inch Nails, Death From Above 1979, Autolux
* Queens of the Stone Age: http://www.qotsa.com/
