Category: music

Muxtape!

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I discovered Muxtape a while ago, and what set it apart for me was simple uncluttered design and the quality of the music site relaunched with. So many fantastic bands! I’ve developed a few favourites: Vulture Realty, Adron, DM Smith and of Montreal. After having some problems with the RIAA when it first launched they’re back and they’ve moved to a different model.  The new(ish) model is: only bands who want (the privilege of having) their music on the site put it up now. So that means no more copyright infringement claims! They just recently announced that they’re ready to open up Muxtape up a bit and are letting the original bands the site launched with invite other bands, and it seems to be growing pretty fast. Every time I refresh the bands page a new band pops up.

Although at this point in time the site is still under construction, I am EXCITED by the product they are trying to create. A place where you can stream music free, create legal mixes, and then buy it if you so desire sounds like a fantastic mix! And the best thing is it won’t end up looking like the confused mess that is MySpace music! I’m awaiting with -somewhat- bated breath as I see how they organise the inevitable huge flood of bands. But you should definately check it out!

New Year’s Resolutions

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A graphical representation of the music I listen to

I know I’m a little slow posting this up, more than a month has passed since new years (this year is going by outrageously fast) , but these indistinct thoughts have been floating around in my head for quite some time. My new year’s  resolution this year: I’m going to ignore what other people think of my taste in music. I’m still going to listen to peoples suggestions as to what I might like, but I’m not going to take head of unconstructive criticism of my taste.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how much other peoples opinions have shaped what I listen to. How I feel the instinctive need for my taste to be “different”, to not listen to pop and only listen to bands that come from off the beaten track. Every so often I guiltily indulge in popular music, and can’t help but feel a little dirty afterward. I cringe when I scroll through my music library on the computer and see a band I love classified as “pop”. So from now on I’m going to try and listen to whatever music sounds good to me, and try not to take heed of preconceptions I have about what is cool. I’m also going to go out of my way not to judge other people for listening to music that they like either.

I tried to think why I feel such a need for my taste to be different, and I think it is because I want to be leader rather than a follower, to feel like I was the person who decided that a band was worth listening to.  I want to be the person who finds the diamond in the rough and not be guided by the ever changing  fashion of the moment.

Just a little side note: I found this really cool website which makes graphical representations of the music you listen to (using data from last.fm). Also this mainstream-o-meter (which wasn’t working when I tried) which measures how mainstream your taste in music is – which of course I won’t be taking any notice of this year ^_^.