Archives For Music

What’s Up Vevo?

February 8, 2010 — Leave a comment

First, WTF is Vevo, right?

Unless you’ve been looking for a music video by an artist sign by one of the few record companies that have signed deals with Vevo, chances are you haven’t even seen the Vevo logo.

Vevo started out with a celebrity packed opening, yet bumpy. Some of the musicians that day were Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Mariah, Taylor Swift, and even Justin Timberlake… but nobody cares if your platform is buggy. Users complained of slow “buffering” times, wondering why it was buffering instead of streaming. International users were shown a big splash saying they couldn’t use Vevo because it was only for US residents, however, some US users were also given the big splash for no apparent reason.

In short, very few people like Vevo for one reason or the other.

Some can’t use it, some others hate the waiting, others hate the buggy player, others hate the loading time, others (those who get to use it) hate the music collection… you know, since there are no indie labels.

Then, YouTube began using specific Vevo links, which seems to work for non-US users. However, loading times are still an issue. Add to that that it seems to be very random when it decides to not let non-US users watch videos. For example, I can watch some videos on my WinXP computer, but I can’t wtch them on the Vista I’ve got at home. Both are same location, and same internet connection. What gives?

Vevo: What’s the Deal
5 Tips to Make Vevo Better

Add to that International viewing.

Fight illegal downloads, and be cool!

via Wildgrounds.

Yes, yet another downloads, distribution and torrents post. Why? Because it is important to discuss this issue as many many cases of people who download are brought to court.

It is important to point out the different types of uploaders/downloaders. First, the uploaders — there are those who upload to share and spread their interest so they find someone they can share a common interest with. Someone to talk to about this piece. However, they are often confused with the people who upload to get hits and possibly ad revenue… meaning, making a profit.

This is why so many fansubbing groups are against streaming, many streamers (unless they are authorized) upload videos that don’t belong to them (they don’t even sub stuff themselves!), since streaming is easier than download they get more hits and become more popular from other people’s work.

Continue Reading…

Grammy 2010 Afterthoughts

January 31, 2010 — 2 Comments

Well, color me surprised twice this weekend.

Taylor Swift just won Record of the Year, which doesn’t really upset me… but really? I enjoyed it, but that’s it. But to be fair with the Grammy, the album was the biggest selling hit last year… and to an industry that’s struggling with physical album sales, that’s possibly a LOT.

I wasn’t really supporting any particular artist this year, as I kept my year listening to Asian music. However, I really respect Lady Gaga’s live performance, despite my not really enjoying her albums.

As for Swift’s performance, she picked a bad day to sound bad. However, she wasn’t the only one with a weak performance. Right after a very strong beginning by theatrical queen Lady Gaga with some piano by queen Elton John, and pretty good performance by Beyonce — I mean, that Alanis cover did give her some extra points — the show pretty much went on the average road.

I was really disappointed with Pink’s performance, not because it was bad. It was technically fine, and not many would sing in-tune while spinning a la Cirque du Soleil. The performance, however, lacked any energy to pump the audience there or at home…

Moreover, the Grammy Awards have proved that there’s no Michael Jackson tribute without Janet. I must admit that Celine, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood and Usher sounded vocally great, but the performance was nothing but lacking as a performance. Add to that pimping the performance as a 3D act, which wasn’t really 3D for viewers, but for people there — which prompted a 3d-glasses-wearing Beyonce, and others included Rhianna — but I doubt all the people there had 3D glasses at hand.

I wasn’t a big fan of Green Day’s 21st Century album, but the performance was okay-ish, since I do like musicals. However, I doubt old school GD fans appreciated it.

And there was too much Bon Jovi.

MTV owned Grammy’s MJ tribute, but MJ’s kids were kinda cute.

Music in the west was weak overall.

Check back next time…

Aiya They Didn’t reporting that Chinese fusion singer Sa Dingding and Chris Lee were topping World music downloads on iTunes UK, Switzerland and Belgium prompted me to look them up on iTunes Canada.

And color me surprise, they’ve got the first 3 albums (sans EP) by Bibi! I was also able to find Chris Lee, Han Hong, SHE, Eason Chan, Leehom Wang, among others~~~

Continue Reading…

There’s no gain without Wayne, or there’s no pain without Wayne. I know it’s something like that. It’s been years since I first heard Wayne Isham saying that on one of those episodes of MTV’s Making the Video, back when making a video was very important for MTV.

Wayne Isham was another name that really popped up when I spent all day watching MTV. If I could describe Isham’s music video style with one word, it would be “woosh!” even though that’s not a word. His videos captured a very energetic vibe with fast cuts and, what I call fade-in wooshes — it’s when Isham would be focusing his camera on the singer/group and there would be a fade-in from one shot to the next one that made it seem like pushing in or away from the subject in a very funky way.

Of course, the best way to understand that woosh concept is to see it in action. For instance, those fast cuts are very prominents on Metallica’s video of I Disappear (from the Mission Impossible II OST) xD Continue Reading…

By Chinese, I mean as a language…

I’ll let Aiya They Didn’t explain…

Taiwan is considering setting up a theme pavilion at MIDEM, the world’s largest music industry trade fair that is held annually in Cannes, France, an official said Tuesday.

Three groups from Taiwan — the Panai-led aboriginal band Message, a band led by award-winning singer and composer Crowd Lu, and 100% rock band led by Mavis Fan– performed at the event Monday night, which was designated as “Taiwan Night.” Describing the groups as marvelous, Lu said that when they performed at the fair for the first time on Jan. 22, the venue was packed to capacity with an audience of about 300. He said the Taiwan Government Information Office (GIO) , which organized the show, may have to find a bigger venue next year.

Of course, I wholeheartedly agree.

In fact, more Asian music should be spread…

In fact, you can start pimping your Asian music with Ellen. Obviously, I had sent my suggestion last week… that turned out to be Crowd Lu’s Oh Yeah! xD I want Ellen to dance to Crowd Lu’s happy music.

And I know Julz want Ellen to be as gay as ever with her fave k-girls… LOL

Silent Cinema Redux

January 27, 2010 — Leave a comment

I just ran into an interesting project from TheAuteurs.

Taking footage from early cinema and silent films, SILENT CINEMA REDUX invites musicians to create new soundtracks and audio-visual remixes: recorded live and on the fly with minimal post-production work, each group, band or solo artist will perform a 5-20 minute piece with their film projected behind them.

sorry, couldn’t help myself.

Anyway, I read some of the people were thinking of working with The Birth of a Nation, I wonder what music they will use for this redux… I’m looking forward to it!

Anyway, if you are interested in participating, head over here.

If you liked Up… or if you didn’t, this track/MV mixed by YouTube user Pogo is still awesome. Mixed from the chords, bass notes and vocal samples of the film, only for our enjoyment!

check out Pogo’s Alohomora. Makes me want to pop my Harry Potter DVDs. LOL

Surprise!

Continue Reading…

YAY!

EW is reporting Glee is currently shooting the Madonna episode, which includes 10 Madonna songs (heavy!). Apparently, Sue Sylvester will be singing Vogue~~~ and Nicole Julian should totally visit that scene saying “thank-you” like no one but Nicole Julian can…

Also, since Glee is casting the part of 3 characters… you’d better be a guy because Kurt is getting a boyfriend! And also be a prima donna because Rachel is getting an Eve, but she’s really getting some fun with Puck because “Rachel’s a hot Jew, and the good Lord wants Puck to get into her pants” right?

And LOL! At more celebrities wanting to be on Glee… and the J. Lo the Lunch Lady comment.

via EW.