Music 'N' Stuff

      So, I adore music. I don't know if you guys realized this, but it's pretty much awesome. I like it nerdy, smooth, in computers and cars, digitally and in records, and all fashions in which it exists. So, this is my list of current favorites across a few genres. Enjoy!

I Fight Dragons

      Of all the geek bands out there, I love these guys the most. Aside from making amazing music that combines chiptunes from NES video games with modern stuff, they also just have a really cool ethic and nice following. Here's what I mean: If you go to www.ifightdragons.com, you can not only download their full album "Kaboom!," but if you click on the Community link, it'll take you to the Advanced Guard in which fans of IFD can make their own pages, do band-promoting quests to earn points, earn rank advancements, and earn merch/songs that you can't buy anywhere. They also have an awesome E-mail list to which they send free songs and specials, which you also can't generally find for purchase. Also, the music video for their song, "Save World, Get Girl," was shown by Nintendo on the 3DS. Any band that's endorsed by Nintendo in any way wins. Epically.



Jonathan Coulton

 

 

      Notice anything about this guy? He's a nerd! Very astute. Anyways, he was a brilliant software engineer who graduated from Yale and is still involved in all of that business. His music writing career started with his podcast series titled "Thing A Week," in which he'd throw down a new song each week. His music has grown to be known and hailed amongst all of those who ascribe to the geek life. His song, "Still Alive," was the song played for the end credits of the popular and critically acclaimed video game "Portal." He writes about zombies, scientists, world domination, and awesomeness. Look him up. Go to www.jonathancoulton.com Do it.

 

 

 

 

Hanggai

 

 

      At this point you may be asking yourself, ".......?" To which I would respond, "Why yes, yes that is a group of Mongolians and Chinese men wearing traditional Mongolian garb and wielding traditional Mongolian instruments." Don't let their traditional appearance or their traditional first album fool you though, they fuse the old ways of Mongolia with modern Chinese punk music to make awesomeness happen. Don't believe me? Well, there aren't any good websites for them. They have a myspace page and other stuff, but none of it really delivers Hanggai to an audience the way listening to their albums does. I found them at my local library, so you can check there, or run to youtube and try to find a not crappy recording of their music. But, I would highly recommend this band to everyone, and not in a lame "Let's All Expand Ourselves And Acquire A Taste," kind of way, but in a genuine, good music kind of way. So, check them out.

 

 

 

      That's it again! Please check these guys out, and if not, feel free to post some of your own favorite music here on the blog! If you do like what you hear here, tell your friends! Beauty and music and all of that jazz (or classical, whichever you prefer) are meant to be shared!

Autumn & Cartoons

I'm not sure that there's a better pairing in the existence of the universe. Here's why:


Autumn:


      1. Fall is beautiful. And wet. And just makes me happy. This picture was taken at Butterfield Canyon, where Taylor and I went because we thought it would be cool. We were right.

 

      2. Someone randomly decided that a swing would go really well up on that hill, and we just so happened to stop on the spot that had it. Taylor could be sad, nostalgic, pensive, or simply beaming with joy and the clear air, slight chill, and breathtaking scenery would fit her mood well. Also, fall means we get to wear jackets, coats, scarves, hats, and everyone wears pants, which are the best.

 

      With all of that, it must also be understood that what I'm describing are merely side facts of Autumn, while what I really love is Autumn-ness. It's the art of the season and the way it reflects on my emotions that really captures my attention. It causes me to look back across my life, to look inward and attempt to solve the eternal riddles of self-definition and self-exploration. It also causes me to step out and be with my family, to revel in their happiness or to experience a conjoined sadness with those who could use my comfort. There's just so much emotion in Autumn, and so many things that bring it about. I love it. It's beautiful.

 

 

 

Cartoons:

 

      Let me explain what I mean to say when I use the word "Cartoon." There are very few things made within the last four years that I would ever call a cartoon, even if they are a 2d animation commonly known by that name. The issue is this: almost every modern cartoon has lost each principle of what made old cartoons good. With the exception of such diamonds in the rough as Phineas and Ferb, modern cartoons don't have any true humor, they don't mimic popular culture in quirky ways, they have very little of the slapstick humor of older cartoons, and they stand for very little. They target older and older audiences and sometimes even try to apply the same things to younger audiences. Where has the innocence of cartoons gone? Nowadays, they just try to be as strange as possible, or they try to catch the audience off guard in some way. Old cartoons could have the same plot in every episode and build up such a strong devotion and love!

I drew a picture to help illustrate what I've been trying to say:

 

 

 

      You see, Gendy Tartakovsky is the greatest, and he hasn't truly left the business. He still directs cartoons and animations, for example, Hotel Transylvania, which I think is out, is his work. Here's a link to its web page if you want more info. Anyways, the reason why I say he "left the business," is because he no longer makes old style cartoons. He's still great and I love his work, like The Clone Wars,  which was simply an amazing series, but it didn't carry any of the nostalgia of childhood. Also, Cartoon Network, which contained most of my absolute favorites, has completely changed its approach. It makes some live action shows for crying out loud! How can it be Cartoon Network if it has non-cartoon programs? Also, I miss Cartoon Cartoon Fridays. They were happy.

 

 

Unity

 

      The reason why I have these two paired together is because they have some similar effects on me. They evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and introspect; they make me incredibly happy and outwardly so, but they bring me a small sense of sadness and pull me into myself at the same time. I love them both for that. Happy Autumn everybody. Find something you love this season.