Analog Aesthetics

2006 has kicked off with a bang. My apartment finally returns to normal after weeks of visitors, parties, and rock 'n roll:

You know I still find you dashing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!
HERZLICHEN GLUECKWUNSCH ZUM GEBURTSTAG, WALLY!

Ulrik! Besuch mich mal. Bring deinen Egoismus mit. Oder warte einfach, bis wir im Sommer die Berge zusammen besuchen.

Johannes is probably the most talented radio announcer I know. WSBF 5-7 p.m., Wednesdays.

I'd blow a kiss your way if I had a compass. E-N-E.





I have to say living the rock 'n roll lifestyle can take its toll. This week I went to two shows, Pelican and Sunn O))), only one of which was worth my time (just take a guess which!). Next week is: Death Cab for Cutie/John Vanderslice, Arab Strap, and the most hyped band of all time, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. But I suppose charming the pants off musicians and getting wildly informative interviews/research is worth all the late nights spent in smokey clubs, bars, and late-nite pizzerias. The consensus so far: musicians, as artists, feel they have an obligation to stay one step ahead of their public, one step off the edge of creativity, and in today's world that means utilizing available technologies. It means embracing myspace and redefining what it means to be "friends." It means we all need to appreciate music just that much more. It's a rather philosophical approach I can admire for its simplicity.

Digital Music News: "Germany has one of the most serious levels of piracy among the industrialized nations." From now on, I will be mailing people 7-inches instead of letters as a reminder of the long-lost quality of records; don't be surprised to find the new Goldenen Zitronen single in your mailbox. I just got my new German record player (Dirk says hello!), and I can't begin to express the warmth of an LP. There's absolutely no way to mimic it, despite all the arguments for FLAC compression.

Ringtones are the new radio single. Podcasts might save terrestrial radio. NPR shows us all there are things worth listening to beyond chatter and gossip over new television programs. Indulging in old memories of the beauty of old Polaroids.

I send my love to you/I send my hands to you/I send my clothes to you/I send my nose to you/I send my trees to you/I send my blues to you.
Get on the mic!