It’s the age of information, take advantage

My Aim is True: A Music Column: Soundtrack for underachievers

I had big goals for this past summer: I wanted to get a job or internship, save money to buy a car, and have an adventurous summer that would culminate in a cross-country trip from Oregon to Maine. It was a slap in the face when no one back home would hire me (and when I say "no one," I mean Pottery Barn). I was forced to work under-the-table construction for a family friend and I slowly began to realize that I wasn't going to be able to afford a car. So by July, I was broke and jobless with my bike as my only form of transportation. That being said, I had an amazing summer. My friends were also jobless and we spent our time hanging out in Portland. Eventually, we all embraced our financial situations and tried to have as much fun as possible. It was a summer full of lazy days, parties and, most of all, music.

My Aim is True: A Music Column

It’s the age of information, take advantage

This piece represents the opinion of the author:

September 25, 2009

When it comes to technology I am something of a hypocrite. Just last week I found myself complaining to a couple of friends about Facebook and Twitter and how they are taking over the world. Then I went home, took out my laptop, went on Facebook and sent a few texts from my cell phone, all while listening to my iPod.

What can I say? I'm a true member of Generation Y (yes, this is a real term—Wikipedia it) and I'm generally pro-technology. And like any other member of my generation, you can probably find me on my laptop surfing the Internet. Even at the most inappropriate times people are online (here's looking at you, person who sat in front of me in ES 101 on addictinggames.com all class long, don't try to deny it).

Anyway, if you sat behind me in, well, any class, you know that I love music-related Web sites. And because this is, after all, a music column, I figured that I would share three of my favorite music-based Web sites.

Tiny Mixtapes (tinymixtapes.com)

What: An indie-leaning music Web site updated daily with album reviews, film reviews and news.

Why: Aside from having an extensive and useful database of music reviews, Tiny Mix Tapes also has a "Mix Tape" feature that sets it apart from other review Web sites. Users are able to submit a quote, phrase, question, or anything else they deem worthy and, if you're lucky, the Web site moderators will create a Mix Tape based on the title you submitted. My favorite Mix Tape titles: "Songs to listen to while dining with your Vicodin-addicted grandmother," "The Soundtrack to the Worst Haircut You've Ever Had," and "Hey, you're beautiful and f****d up a bit, but at least f****d up in the same ways I am, so maybe I can help. And date you to boot." In addition to having great taste in music, the mix tape creators are good at what they do; each song relates, however vaguely, to the title.

Black Cab Sessions (blackcabsessions.com)

What: Videos of short, one song concerts shot from the back of a London cab.

Why: By throwing musicians in the back of the cab, Black Cab Sessions put a spotlight on the music itself. You get to see some very talented artists (including Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear) playing acoustic versions of their songs—the result is amazing.

Concerts à Emporter (blogotheque.net)

What: French filmmaker Vincent Moon invites some of his favorite musicians to perform on the streets of cities all over the world.

Why: Shot in Moon's casual style, the clips immediately expose the artists' personalities. Because the videos are shot while walking on the streets, you get to see the artists using unconventional instruments while civilians walk across the camera wondering what in the world is going on. Moon has a knack for getting many big name musicians to perform for him; everyone from Beirut to R.E.M. has been involved. If for nothing else, you should check out Concerts à Emporter just to see Arcade Fire perform in an elevator.

So there you have it: three more reasons to procrastinate while sitting in the library. At least you can still look like you're doing work. Besides, isn't that all that matters?

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