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Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Krimmas break starts here...

For those of you who signed up for the vanmega almanac, you'll be tickled pink to know that your respective copies of the disk are now in the mail. For those of you who signed up for the digital distribution version, you'll be getting an email ~~in the next day or two~~ before new years eve (sorry, I'm on the road, yo) with download details. Hurrah, for the free stuff, I say to you.

With that said, I fear I've slept on The Decemberists (specifically, their 2005 release Picaresque). I've never really cared for them, I've tried to like them based on a million recommendations, but I couldn't wrap my, uh, ears around them. That was until last weekend, where I heard the disk at a house party (granted, I was ankle deep in the Grey Goose). Either way, I'm now on the bandwagon. Here's a choice track:

The Decemberists - On The Bus Mall [mp3]

For those of you with obsessive compulsive or completist tendencies, feel free to consider the above posted mp3 as track 21 of the almanac.

On that note, Me and Tk are off to Calgary to get our Christmas on. Reminder: there's a big team vanmega lunch thing going down tomorrow at 11:45am. Call Wend for details if you're not up to speed. Also, I believe Gong's plans of casual Friday night drinks at his place is turning into a full on Kid 'n' Play-esque house party. Can. Not. Wait.

Bonus: One more track for the road (because all Christmas music sucks)...

Belle & Sebastian - We Are The Sleepyheads [mp3]

elsewhere

stars perform live & acoustic | christmas @ unencyclopedia.org

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Tuesday, December 20, 2005

bullets-a-plenty...

Fun fact: Tk made the above pictured gingerbread lady at her corporate Christmas party. Needless to say, she's now dusting off her resume.

Here are some early week bullets:

Weezer front-man, Rivers Cuomo, listed his "2005 top 20-ish songs". Apparently, Mr. Cuomo's career aspirations have shifted from being a rock star to becoming the stereotypical programming director found at every CHR format radio station in North America. Good for you, Rivers.
Jose Gonzalez gets cool-hunted by Sony and becomes the soundtrack for "250,000 multi-coloured 'superballs' bouncing down the streets of San Francisco." Actually, the result is kinda cool, who am I to be that jaded (for once)?
Everyone and their purse-size'd dog has been linking and raving about this sketch from the past weekend's SNL. I missed SNL this week (because, sometimes, I have a life) and can't watch the clip at work (no speakers, yo). Someone watch the clip and bring me up to speed. Kthanks.
Download Interpol's Black Sessions here.
Download Bloc Party's Black Sessions here.
Hey, Wilco has that new live album out... it's pretty rad. Have you heard it yet? *cough* *cough*
Cat's In Sinks - for all your cat and bathroom needs.
You Ain't No Picasso has 4 new CYHSY tracks. If that's your cup of tea.

In other news, I'm getting the almanac CD's back from the printers tomorrow, and I should have those bad-boys in the mail before Friday. Woot, etc.

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Saturday, December 17, 2005

Things we learn from watching that Season 5 of 24 prequel...

Over the past 12 months, Jack Bauer has grown the greasiest grossest mullet ever known to mankind. I really wish he would keep this monstrosity through out season 5... but we all know that ass-kicking good guys with mullets are never successful. Case in point.
Toyota has taken over the automobile product placement on 24 thing from Ford... which I'm really indifferent about... however, I have a sneaking suspicion that they have plans to abuse this. I mean, are we really to believe that a 4 door Camary which is driven in reverse at high speeds can out maneuver a tricked-out BMW? Automaker, please! Hey, isn't the key to effective product placement subtlety?

Regardless... words cannot express my giddiness for Season 5... which kicks off on January 15th. Those of you who haven't marrathoned though the freshly released Season 4 DVD's have less than a month to get that done.

elsewhere

best mash-ups of 2005 | worst album covers of 2005

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Thursday, December 15, 2005

podcasting and such...

Hey can those of you who use iTunes or generally into the podcast thing do me a favor?

I've been helping out Vancouver-based singer-song-writer buddy-of-mine, Rob Wilson, set up a podcast. I have nothing to do with the creation of the podcast content, but I did all the syndication, publishing, and iTunes related stuff... which I suppose isn't overly hard to do, but really I have quasi-minimal technical smarts, so it was overly hard for me to do.

Anyway - if you do use iTunes or are into the podcast thing, would you do me a favor and try and subscribe to the podcast? I want to make sure the thing works and their are minimal bugs before we go officially live with the thing. Don't worry, the actual podcasts are short - less than 15 minutes long - and are light on the talk and heavy on the rock, so to speak. I have a feeling you'll actually like the podcasts if you're into the singer-songwriter genre a la Ray Lamontage, or Jason Mraz, or ~~Metallica~~.

You can directly subscribe to the podcast via Itunes by clicking here. [link will open iTunes and do most of the thinking for you]
Or, if you use another podcast program you can access the xml feed here.
Or, if you don't do the podcast thing but are still interested, you can get the mp3's here.

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This brings me to my next question - do readers of this here interwebsite actually give a fuck about podcasts (yet)? Has it reached some form of critical mass yet, or is it still something for the early adopters and / or web nerds? Of those who do the podcast thing (i.e. listen to them), do you generally subscribe to them, or simply download them a la carte? What program do you use, and what device do you play them back on?

Comments and / or emails please.

For those who have no idea what the fuck this entire posting was about, I offer you the wikipedia entry for podcasting and / or an awkward looking picture of Elisha Cuthbert.

elsewhere

vice records has an mp3 blog | adamriff | this = worst

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Tuesday, December 13, 2005

fake newspapers chime in and create 2005 recap lists...

Dose is running a 2-page feature on all things loved and hated in music 2005. Apparently, this feature will run all week with different contributors everyday. Super.

Today's installment made obligatory references to indie-darlings The Arcade Fire and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and equally obligatory references to pop divas Gwen Stephani (she's like the new Madonna) and Madonna (she's like the new Cher... or something); I was planning to write this whole feature off as weak until I noticed a small side bar written by Aaron Brophy from Chart Magazine. And, I plagiarize:

Worst Music Trends of 2005

1. Blog rock attitude - The belief among lonely, opinionated bloggers that whatever obtuse act they're trumpeting is vastly superior to any other artist ever to walk the face of the earth. They're wrong.

2. Irony - There's still way too much of it and it makes me want to punch people in the face.

3. Mainstream hip hop - it's as embarrassing today as hair metal was to 1990.

4. New new wave - it's actually not a "worst" trend yet, which means we should probably get off the bandwagon before it all goes downhill.

5. Song-titles-that-are-purposefully-too-long-winded -and-pointless-and-are-usually-the-hallmark -of-turd-emo-bands-trying-to-be-witty -who-fancy-themselves-smarter-than-they-really-are.

While the blogger bashing sounds a bit paranoid coming from a magazine editor, and the loathing of irony was so 2004, the comment about mainstream hip hop is 'effing brilliant and so well put! So much so that I'm making my intention to use that quote where ever possible publically known. I've struggled to find a succinct way to express my perpetual disgust with the state of modern pop/radio hip hop, and this is it. Hurrah, and such.

If you need me, I'll be in my basement listening to my old Paris, Public Enemy, and Y'all So Stupid tapes.

elsewhere

Does anyone know a human being who has received a brand-new car for Christmas with a bow on top?

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Monday, December 12, 2005

assorted linky-dinky...

Here are some early week bullets, yo:

The RIAA bans telling friends about songs . It's funny because it's about 6 months away from being true. (via Quinn)
ILM has a massive thread where loads of DJ's have posted their mixes in mp3 format for download. Apparently, LCD Soundsystem, !!!, and Soulwax are "must includes" on every DJ's set.
You know that prequil for Season 5 of 24 that they're bundling with the just released Season 4 DVD box set? You can download it here via bittorrent. I haven't watched the prequil yet, but I hope and pray that it packs greater levels of viewer satisfaction and awkward use of the work "fuck" than the Season 4 prequil.
Speaking of previews and teasers and advertising passed off as entertainment, Comedy Central has just posted Chappelle's Show: Season 3 Preview.
Unencyclopedia: Ikea.
Vancouver concert listings - Just announced this morning: David Gray at the Orphieum, on Friday, March 17th. Are ya'll mutherfuckers ready to get your soft rock on?! I am. Tickets go on sale on Friday via ticketmaster.
Finally, sign up for the vanmega 2005 audio almanac has been bonkers (which is a good thing). If you want a copy, sign up up asap. I've got to receive your email/details by Friday if you want in. Kthanksandstuff.

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Thursday, December 08, 2005

free stuff: the vanmega 2005 audio almanac...

UPDATE: Offer has now closed. Thanks to everyone who wrote in for copies of the almanac. All copies have been sent out!

It’s that time of year again. Time for this interwebsite to start giving until it hurts... sorta.

2005 is exhaling its final sighs of productivity, the holidays will be here in moments, and as a gift to you I’m once again handing out copies of the vanmega.com 2005 audio almanac CD.

Just like previous years, the audio almanac CD will quasi-succinctly recap some of the more memorable tunes that flowed through my headphones over the past 12 months... it'll be a solid mix of some of the artists featured on vanmega and some goodies which have yet to be highlighted on vanmega.

Unlike previous years, there will be two ways which you can get your copy of the almanac:

1. via CD, which I’ll happily create and mail to you (at no charge)

2. via digital download (a la the monthly mixtapes, as a zipped file containing iPod ready mp3’s, cover art, etc)

Do you want a copy?! Of course you do.

Getting a copy is easy and free. All you have to do is send me and email at vanmega at gmail doot com, in this email include:

your real name
your website address (if applicable)
your preferred method of receiving the almanac – CD via traditional mail, or digital via download.
your real mailing address (if applicable)
any other witty banter / comments you may have

By Christmas you'll have a copy of the CD waiting in your mail box or in-box for the holidays. It might just be the best gift you get all year. (unless you get an iPod, I can’t compete with that)

This offer is open to anyone who has read vanmega between 1 and 510 times this year. This is not a joke. Please note... regulars of vanmega who I know and love, you still have to send an email in order to get a copy of the almanac too.

elsewhere

ccmixter | fancy parking | download: cease & desist

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calgary: Jay Burns CD release party tomorrow...

Just a quick note for those in Calgary, Jay Burns will be having his CD release party / gigging on Friday night at Karouzos. Doors at 8, show at 9:30-ish.

Additionally, the folks at the Calgary Sun have taken notice of Jay's disk, and have done and interview/feature on him. Apparently, this piece runs in tomorrow's paper... I'd assume in the entertainment section. Get your read on, kids.

Finally, while it's pretty standard for bands to get professional photos done for their press kits, etc. I'm gonna go on record and state that I'm loving the one's Jay and the band had done. Case in point: Sheri (pictured above). Meow, darling. Looking very pro... a far cry from the open-jam casual stylings we all used to collectively rock back in the days of yore (days of yore = 2001 - 2004).

Full details, mp3's, and the like at Jay's official site.

elsewhere

108 Million?!? | too much full house

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Wednesday, December 07, 2005

quickie: Vancouver concert listings...

Quinn is reporting that Wilco's Jeff Tweedy will be doing a solo performance show at The Commodore Ballroom on Tuesday, January 31st.

AWESOME, to the max. This is a pretty rare occurrence.

With that said, I have no idea when tickets go on sale... nor do I know how much I cost. Remember, this here website is a source of information... whether or not the information is actually useful is a whole other story.

Hey, can you see the sunset from the southside has an entire Jeff Tweedy solo show from earlier this year for download.

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This morning, Ticketmaster announced that Glass Tiger and Honeymoon Suite are playing the Commodore on Friday January 20th... and tickets are $30 (THIRTY BUCKS)!!! Somewhere out there, a very delusional promoter is greedily rubbing his hands. Also, why is it that 90% of all the good shows in Vancouver are booked on Monday nights, yet the 80's burnout acts like Glass Tiger are booked on weekends? Is the nostalgia-demographic that vibrant in Vancouver?

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I spoke with the folks at sealed with a kiss this week. They tell me that tickets for the Saturday February 25th Nada Surf with Rogue Wave show will go on sale next week.

Needless to say, I'll be at two out of three of these shows keeping it very real (as the kids say).

elsewhere

ninja golf | baby be of use

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Monday, December 05, 2005

file under: MEOW!... and WTF?!

Go to: napstergirl.com (link sorta-NSFW, via jess)

Oh goodness me, it appears that the battle for your digital download dollars just got saucy. Napster’s latest attempt at pulling folks away from iTunes involves a video clip analogy using a strip tease cut short. I highly recommend you check out the clip if you enjoy any of the following things: really good looking people in an advanced state of undress, or bastardized dance remixes of old Cream tunes.

Of course I’m not sure if this ad is really effective; yes, I’ll very happily and very repeatedly watch this ad, but I don’t think I’m compelled to take them up their offer of a free trial of the service (simply because the Napster is NOT compatible with iPods, which is important to me). Since I fear that this ad is ineffective, I’m now left with a few questions for Napster:

Is the fact that iTunes only offers 30 second preview clips actually a significant issue in the minds of consumers? Do people really get upset about this? Wouldn’t it make more sense to highlight legitimately superior elements of the Napster service? Specifically, the fact that the Napster service is compatible with lots of different brands media players, while the iTunes is not.
I read somewhere on the internet (thus, it must be true) that the roll out plan for the Napster Girl spot is first place the ad online and let the phenomenon of viral marketing work its magic, then closer to Christmas (and into the new year) broadcast the ad on TV. Doesn’t that completely defeat the value of online viral marketing (i.e. free buzz, ability for consumer to click-through to the Napster portal)? And what TV station will actually play this spot? Doesn’t the FCC now actually sue people if they even think dirty thoughts these days?
What about satellite radio? Since your subscription model effectively rents a library of music to the consumer, isn’t your offering closer to that of satellite radio, and not the iTunes/iPod combo? Are you ignoring this offering completely, or do you plan on rolling out another campaign in 2006 to battle this competitor? What up?! Either way, I hope for ~~effective~~ sexy results.

elsewhere

another DJ set for download | all things christie | copyranter

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Thursday, December 01, 2005

hullo, it's late...

Meh... I'm still at work... working... horray for the grown-up world. This, of course, means that their is little or no chance of me finding time or energy for a full post today. When shit like this goes down, I post very hyperlinks to other folks content as if to pretend it was my own. Here goes:

the cardigan points us to a couple of mp3 goodies: an old-school early 90's hip-hop megamix featuring the likes of Tribe Called Quest, Main Source, 3rd Bass, and Kris "mother-fucking" Kross. Alternatively, if you don't dig nostalgic beats... there's a Walkman track (The Blizzard of 1996) for download here.
Remember all that fuss and bother about the new Strokes video? It turns out that the director, Michael Palmieri's, original plan of making something that was "racy" and actually made a statement became very marginalized as it went from his hands, to the label's, and eventually MTV's. Full details directly from the director here. Interesting.
My Blog Is Poop also succinctly nails the retardedness of every member of the blogosphere-a-ma-tron creating and posting "best albums of 2005 list". It's funny because it's true, kids.
I didn't realize this until this morning; Sub Pop has a podcast. Although, it isn't really a podcast per se, it's actually a feed which delivers free mp3's from Sub Pop artists to your aggregator/ipod. Normally, I'd bitch and moan about the fact that this isn't really a podcast, just basic syndication of unrelated album content... but let's not kid... this is a pretty cool thing that Sub Pop is offering.
Fader has the South Rakkas Crew remix of Beck's "Black Tambourine".
Hey did you miss that live gig clip of those wonderfully low-brow cock-rockers, LeftNutt, complete with sub-titles (because the lyrics/audio are way too NSFW)? Well here it is.
Nada Surf's Xfm session (15 minute mp3, interview + live performances).
Finally - if you're not into downloading (or rather you can't at work), there's always vanmega radio. Fun game: launch the media player in the morning, listen to it all day, drive your co-workers insane. Woot.

Speaking of work. I have hours more to do. Super.

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