Sunday, September 27, 2009

More hysterically weird LP covers

These circulate every so often. This one has some LP covers that I've never seen before, like the most extraordinary one featured above.

Check out this list of the weirdest but most enticing album covers of all time.

Which one is your fav?

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Green Day's 'American Idiot' at the Berkeley Rep: I'd shave my head for this show


“It’s like watching someone else making out with your girlfriend” said Green Day drummer TrĂ© Cool to the women in front of us at the bar, with his trademark bleached blonde hair spiked up about three inches. They had asked about what it was like to watch someone else play his music in the new Berkeley Rep’s production of American Idiot.

The after party of the Berkeley Repertory Theater’s 2009-2010 season was the night for punk hairdos of all types. Along with food and drinks, the Levi sponsored event included a photo station with costumes and a hair salon. Guitarist/vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong even shaved one guy’s hair to a fine looking mohawk (See photo and slideshow).

For a few minutes I was tempted to track Armstrong down and ask him to shave my head, that’s how inspired I was by this production of American Idiot, and I’ve never had punk tendencies. I'm more of a hippie if you must know. After recently seeing the Tony nominated Rock of Ages and Tony winning production of Hair (and thoroughly enjoyed both), read that article here I am convinced that American Idiot will easily slide onto Broadway and do very well there. This is not the last you’ll be hearing about this show.

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BLOG! There will always more to hear


Over two and a half years ago I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Master's degree in Ethnomusicology. After years and years and years of thinking, talking and writing about music I felt a deep void in my daily life as I went out to find "normal" work. After months of sending out emails and emails and emails of cool videos, I started thinking about a blog to spare my friends from spam.

In celebration of Always More to Hear being one year old, I've put together a top 10 list of my and your favorite entries. Click on the link to enjoy:

In no particular order:

1) Tenacious D at Outside Lands Festival photo essay - I did not mean to blow your mind.

2) The Story behind "Tequila": The Champs, Danny Flores and Pee-wee - such a great story, and such a great scene.

3) "Single Ladies": The choreography of Beyonce and Gwen Verndon - I didn't start the debate, but I might have been one of the first to notice it. The videos might be wonky, youtube shut most of them down!

4) Interview with Battlestar Gallactica's composer Bear McCreary - This interview was serendipitous as it was my first examiner.com article.

5) Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 Look Around LP cover collage - Love this LP cover. I think I might frame it one day.

6) The fabulous MJ vs. Beatles debate - I still don't think most people really understood what I was saying. There was also quite a debate among those that commented.

7) Why the women of the world need more Susan Boyles - Her album is coming out!

8) Always More to Hear is used as a teaching tool at the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp

9) The Accolade and Souad Massi: Muslim Women making music within and without Islam - these women are inspiring to me.

10) Sonseed: "Jesus is a Friend of Mine" - Just watch it.

A special thank you to Greg Laswell for finally getting me motivated to actually start this blog after coming home from his show one year ago. Here's his video "How the Day Sounds"

And 'cause it's my blog and I like it, I give you Eddie Holland's (of Motown) "Jamie":



Thanks for reading everyone! And look forward to another year of postings. I look forward to writing them.

Nobody's Token: sketch comedy at its brownest

Nobody's Token is: Robert King, Tanisha T. Long, Keith Cornell and Keisha Zollar

Americans have never really forgotten about race and racism. Individuals in the media try to persuade us that it's getting better here in the United States, but sorry folks, it's still a huge problem. At this moment, turn on your tv, race and racism is at the forefront of the news. Obama shakes it off, dealing with it like the pro we knew he'd be.

Personally, I'd like to see him shake some of these idiots. I'd be happy to do it for him myself.

READ MORE OF MY ARTICLE HERE

The Sould Glo Project: Featuring Improv Sketch Comedy group Nobody's Token

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Always More to Hear one year anniversary!


Always More To Hear turns 1 year old on Thursday!

What have been the best posts? What have you likes? Dare I say what you haven't liked?

I'd love to post a "best of" on Thursday. So please do tell me!

I write this blog for my sanity, but I really do this for you. So I take your suggestions very seriously.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Electronic music everywhere, all the time: Burning Man 101

Opulent Temple at Burning Man (photo probably from last year)

The question on the tip of my tongue as I decompress from my first Burning Man experience:

Just because Burning Man is very much based in rave culture, why do all 45 thousand attendees have to settle for electronic music reigning supreme? You’d think that a bunch of creative people in the middle of the desert could get it together enough to make their own music with actual instruments!

What I learned about electronic music from my first Burning Man experience:

READ MORE OF MY ARTICLE HERE

Duck Pond DJ Jan Sobel photo by Robin Guido

Duck Pond DJ Kok Chong Photo by Robin Guido

There are more photos on the way, don't worry. I brought my old 35mm point and click camera (there was no way I was bringing the digital), so I'm getting the photos developed today. I'll post them here. Don't get too excited though, I was having far too much fun to document everything.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

My favorite Gospel recording: "Sit Down Servant" by the Staple Singers

I was singing this song to Serena at GrassRoutes Travel last night and figured I'd post this video here since it is probably my favorite gospel recording.

The first minute or so of a young Mavis Staples gives me chills everytime; the way her voice groans and cries and FEELS. This nice Jewish Girl loves her some jesus music sometimes :)

Collective of San Franciscan pop this Thursday: Blue Rabbit, Kirk Hamilton and Conspiracy of Venus


My best friend from elementary school made this collaged poster/flier for this show coming up on Thursday, I love it. She's a member of The Conspiracy of Venus chorus that sang with for a few months when I first moved to the Bay Area. Read the article here.