Friday Feature: Amanda Palmer

During my internship in London, I'd ask every day a colleague what their favorite song of 2011 was and share it on our Facebook page. One day when one of our bands were recording at the studio, I asked their front man Felix what his best of 2011 was. He surprised me by saying that he really doesn't know, since he really listens to only two artists (?!), of which the other ended up on our page and the other now on my blog.

I remember watching Amanda Palmer's Astronaut video and thinking how slightly creepy she was, although brilliant, but creepy. The song anyways got stuck in my head, as did many other tunes from her debut album. However, as usually nowadays, I didn't delve fully into the record, so it became one of those *play a few songs from it, when you feel like it on Spotify*. 

This continued until Steve Albini (big shot artist/record producer/music journalist) called Amanda Palmer an idiot. Those, who know this story are probably tired of it already, but in short Albini didn't like how Palmer wasn't planning to pay money to those professional-ish horn and string players she was inviting to play with her touring band on stage. Palmer then replied in a length, which is like half of my thesis, basically saying that it's no one's business how artists decide to share their talent and time. You go girl!

Though, this whole ping pong match ended in Palmer and her management deciding to pay the volunteers after all. Admittedly, I was disappointed by this. I mean, if I was able to play those instruments, I'd be the first to be on stage. You bet, I'd do it for beers, hugs, high-fives and merch. Hell, I'd do it only for beers.

Of course people are naturally concerned of "poor musicians not being compensated by the rich". But if you're so damn worried, then stop torrenting and get your ass into a record store or gig. And before you call me a hypocrite, yes I did download Palmer's newest album for free, but at least it was legal and I'll buy the album when I have the money, go see her show when I have the chance and buy merch if they're nice/affordable. Then of course spread the word by tweeting, sharing on Facebook, Tumblr and blogging here. She might hate my words, but at least they're out there.

Before this gets out of hand... Theatre Is Evil might be my favorite album of 2012. I've been listening to it for a week now, which is a lot, when nowadays the average listening time I give a new album is a couple of days. That shows quality. 

But still I didn't become a fan because of the music, but for her brains. I think the other half of my thesis will be quoting examples of how Palmer brilliantly uses social media tools to engage with fans. Some ignorant people call it exploitation(e.g. fans preparing food for the tour crew, it really isn't about "uuu free food, but hey not only do we save a bit in costs, but most importantly we get to spend time with fans who get to experience something unique with their favorite artist and buzz about it to everyone they know"). Why don't you try to have a music career with a positive budget, which doesn't really come from record sales, but from how you've successfully turned your fans into evangelists by simply spending time on/offline listening and talking to them. And still play music, sleep and eat too.

Get Theatre Is Evil legally for the price you want from here.

thanks to felix for recommending

Best of SYTYCD season 9

Season 9 of one of the best shows on TV reached its spectacular finale last night. Throughout the summer we got to see so many amazing routines and dancers. The only thing I hate is that I have to wait until next summer to see some more! Well, thankfully we have YouTube.

Here are some of my favorites.





ps. check out the best routines from season 8 and 6 too.

Tourist-ish in the Capital

One of my favorite Spanish people and former f(l)at mate Nuria came for the weekend to see how Helsinki looks like. It was a pretty good timing, because I wanted to know that too. Even though I've lived close to Helsinki for a few months now, I only went there a couple of times to run some errands. So in other words I spent more time in the capital during this one weekend than the whole summer.

And without really knowing which places to go to.

I asked Nuria to send me a list with places she wanted to see, and most of them were something I've never heard of, so I was pretty excited to visit them too!

She was quite terrified to fly with RyanAir when she heard  the news that they've had the most problems with their planes in Europe. I, naturally started to think of my recent dreams, in which I've lost my teeth; in some cultures that's a sign of someone dying. When her plane was about to take off, an eagle got stuck in the motor, and loads of people were screaming. They had to change the plane, and the flight was delayed for a couple of hours. After I thought the plane had already landed in Finland, I got so worried, since she didn't inform me at all. Immediately I check the Internet for plane crash news, luckily nothing happened! It was quite tiring though to pick her up at 4am, but for sure a whole day of travelling is even more tiring.

Basically the whole weekend was about me following my intuition (and signs). I'm surprised of how all the main attractions are located close to each other. Also, it was supposed to rain on Saturday, but I guess Nuria brought the sun from Spain, since it started to rain again, when she left.

Anyways, here are some pics. The first day was mainly visiting churches, which she complained about a lot, but I wasn't the one who made the list ;)

helsinki train station

noah's ark chapel

the church built inside the rock

parlament

the blank church

restaurant onion

one of the best beers

suomenlinna

music video shoot

nate so hypnotized of the first spanish person he's met

he also loves the carbonara she made

the olympic stadium

This was the touristic side of Helsinki, and I was appointed "worst tour guide ever". If it was my home town, or even London and Breda, I'd know all the great places to go to, but no one is really a tourist in their own country, eh? But it was really great seeing Nuria after 2 years! I can't wait to go to Spain myself. Until then...

Friday Feature: Gypsy and The Cat

Melodies similar to Empire of the Sun and vocals like Simple Red, perhaps not the most ideal combination, at least with the latter. But Melbourne's DJ duo Gypsy and The Cat makes it work for them. Maybe it might take a while to really get into their groove zone, but when you reach it you wish you could be there forever.

Xavier Bacash and Lionel Towers truly know how to craft dreamy indie electro pop worth playing in any part of the world, morning or night. So, it isn't really a surprise that they've toured places from Japan to Sweden. They've also supported Kylie Minogue at her Australia shows in June 2011.

Gilgamesh, the debut album released in November 2010, will be followed by a more "summery" sophomore album by the end of 2012. First I was like "great summer music for winter", but on the other hand everything is a bit different Down Under.





thanks to janne for recommending.

Sankarit Stadionilla

It was the first time a Respect match was arranged here in Finland. It meant that most of all legendary Finnish football players gathered together on the same day in the same place. Legendary league players from previous decades and the golden generation of the national team.

For me the reason being there was to see Liverpool legend Sami Hyypiä. FINALLY.

Attempt #1

Go to Holland to watch Finland play against them. Hyypiä gets his first ever red card in the previous national cap.

Attempt #2

Go to Germany to watch Hyypiä play Bundesliga. He's not even on the bench.

Attempt #3

Stay in your own country and attend a charity event. PING.

Third time is the charm. All in all it was a fun game and nice to see a bit more of Helsinki, and of course the king of Finnish football himself, Litmanen.

red legend

former red too

the king

the president

Friday Feature: Baroness

I'm not a huge fan of "heavier" music, but there are some exceptions that truly deserve your attention. One of these gems is Savannah, Georgia- based Baroness. My first taste of the band came a few years ago with their sophomore album Blue's track The Sweetest Curse. I had it on repeat several times, but as often before I never delved into the rest of the album.

Now with their third full-length Yellow & Green (yes, they do like to name their albums after colors and EPs after numbers), released this July, I've become completely hooked with their music. This is how their record label Relapse Records promote it:

The long-awaited album from one of the new millennium's most revered band is a rock n' roll record of the highest order. With Yellow & Green, Baroness have achieved true rock greatness!

This is one of the rare industry people messages, which isn't bull. 

The album works perfectly as a whole, and is full of irresistibly amazing melodic hooks and lyrics, which give a timeless atmosphere. In all good ways, Baroness is a radio-friendly band in the ears of an indie fan. 

Ending with some unfortunate news; the bus, in which the band and support team were crashed in England last month. Nine were injured (two seriously), and frontman John Baizley, who actually creates Baroness' album artwork suffered a broken arm and leg. A quick recovery for everyone!

August's Music Box

Let's first start with a very big mistake I did for July's Music Box; crazy Canadians Crystal Castles' new song was forgotten. It's also one of those tunes, which I've anticipated for a very long time, and it doesn't disappoint a bit. Download it for free.

Crystal Castles - Plague



Polica - Dark Star

One of the best new bands of 2012 has released their fourth video, which contains some awkward dancing. But in a good way.



Paul Banks - The Base

The first single from Interpol's front man Paul Banks' second album, download it for free. Always a pleasure to hear "the" voice.



Lower Dens - Candy

A lot of fun randomness with a get-together with your work mates?



Grimes - Genesis

Speaking of randomness, check out Grimes and her posse.



Chairlift - I Belong In Your Arms (Japanese version)

Chairlift recently released their sophomore album in Japan, so here's a Japanese version for one of the songs karaoke- style.



No Doubt - Push and Shove

Name one person, who isn't happy that No Doubt are back?! Here's another song from their new album out in a few weeks. Bass player Tony calls Push and Shove to be No Doubt's Bohemian Rhapsody, don't expect too much though. (Couldn't find a version without the Ryan Seacrest interruption).



Ellie Goulding - Anything Could Happen

Last but not least; the best pop song of the year?




What were your favorite songs of August?