Singing for The Sake of Being Cultural

FINALLY. I got the guts to sing at karaoke night at Tony's this past Monday night. This is what I'm using as my second cultural event. I know what you're thinking: Big deal. It's just Tony's! Though this is true, it is a big accomplishment for me because I have some BAD stage fright.

I sang "Maps" by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. What an adrenaline rush! I loved it! ..Or maybe I was going into shock. Without the support I received from my friends Austin, Hunter, and Kayley, I would have never gone up there. Well, maybe after an Irish Car Bomb.

Unfortunately, I waited too long and didn't have time to sing a duet with my friend, Kayley but there is always next week!

Tony's holds karaoke night every Monday night from 9:30pm - 1 a.m. 

I believe Tony's likes to encourage their customers to go up and sing their hearts out. Why else would they offer single liquor mixed drinks for $3?

The usual bartender, Carrie, is wonderful. Everyone in attendance are fun and supportive (usually).

I would highly recommend karaoke night to anyone who likes taking a load off after a busy Monday (or if you just don't like Mondays).

I Grew Insane With Long Intervals of Sanity!

I get exactly how Poe felt. I am losing my mind! It feels a lot like computer mediated communication class: You kind of get what you're doing but ultimately you're just doing stuff, and you're somehow getting stuff done. I just can't see the big picture.
<== I feel like this.

This week, I've finished my intro for Life On Cassette as well as song two. I've looked into the CD burning and printing process. I've continued the recording and editing process for other songs.

Wristbands for donors have been ordered. They are grey and embossed. They say "I support music therapy" on the oustide and "Life On Cassette" on the inside.
I like the idea of ordering a cool jackalope sticker for them, as well. I've created a cool design but I can't find a tie-in for it.

I plan on posting another sneak peak for my "Sneak Peak Saturday" as soon as I finish this blog post.
You can find my page here.

My promotion plan is currently in the works.

For my binder, I have begun finding old homework assignments and such (which has scary because I forgot that the computers were wiped out). I have also been working on my resume.

This week has gone by far too quickly, it seems.

Totally 90s Skates

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Using Semiotics to Study People Who Wear Stupid Human Suits.

Semiotics can be defined as the study of signs or symbols. It is used to analyze images that you can see everywhere. Sometimes, you need to dig a big deeper to understand why a particular image gives you chills or makes you smile.

For the purpose of this blog, I wanted to choose an image I found to be a bit more difficult for me. Seeing that I've analyzed advertisements and commercials before, I chose an image from a movie.



Donnie Darko, now slipping its way into the cult classic category, was released in 2001. It was created and produced by Richard Kelly. This image can be found towards the end of the movie. If you've ever watched this movie, you  know exactly what the main character, Donnie Darko, is doing here.

For the purpose of this semiotic analysis, let's pretend we don't.

The techniques used to attract your attention to this image seem to be all within the shot. The exact center of this image is focused on neither Donnie or the oncoming storm. However, you seem to continuously go back to the two of them.

The red flag in this image is the fact the this young man is watching what seems to be a dangerous, oncoming storm.
This image was created to represent a relationship between this boy and this storm. (Further details can be found in the movie, but I will keep this simple.)

I believe it is the positioning of these two that keeps the viewers' attention. There is an empty space between the two, leaving you with two things to look at. So which will you choose? Both.

The lighting is also an important factor in keeping eyes on the image.
Look closely. Where do you see the light in this image? There are only two places I see that seem to have key lighting in place. The first is in the middle of the storm. It doesn't seem like natural light you would expect to find in a storm. It is much brighter. The second is not on the reflection of the car but instead on Donnie's side/back.
You can see that the reflection is not quite as bright as the light on Donnie's back. Much like the light in the storm, this light seems unnatural.

To me, these lights seem to be a signifier. What do you honestly think of when you see a bright, unnatural light coming from a peculiar place in the sky? My mind quickly shifts gears and heads straight down Supernatural Lane. (That is what is signified).

However, when these lights become a red flag, that means the darkness (signifier) must become one, as well. You see the light in the oncoming storm is above the darkness. Perhaps this symbolizes some greater purpose to the storm. (Darkness can signify evil) The dark is almost entirely devouring, Donnie. These observations in mind, we could safely say there is some definite relationship between Donnie and this storm.

The storm seems to have more light than Donnie himself has. This can represent an imbalance or an exchange between the two.

There are several ideologies that can be found in this image. The battle of light and darkness, for example. This idea has existed for years upon years. You can find it in several religions and stories. It can be found all over the world. However, sometimes these two forces are not battling as much as they are coming together. An example of this is the Yin Yang symbol. This is the idea I get from this image. Rather than Donnie and the storm battling, they seem to be part of some greater power or agreement.

There is in fact a manifestation of power in this image. The relaxed nature of Donnie is a representation of a fearless, powerful trait. He is watching this HUGE storm from the roof of a car as if he is watching the sun set.

An image with no words is just as fun to analyze than ads and commercials. You really have to gather information not based on words but on the prior knowledge as well as the image alone.



Works cited:
In class lectures.

Siefkes, Martin (2010). Power in society, economy, and mentality: Towards a semiotic theory of power. Semiotica 2010 (181):225-261.

The Musician That Quite Possibly Could

I think I can! I think I can! No, but let's be real. This is a BIG project. With great big projects, you must take many small steps. With great power comes great responsibility....as well as tingly spidey senses.

Thus far, I have taken several little steps. I've begun the writing and recording process. When writing out my schedule, however, I didn't take into consideration that the Rhyme Fairy and Inspiration Gnome would be in and out of their offices at random times.
Song writing is really one of those things you can't set a solid schedule for in all actuality.

Despite this set back, I do have parts and pieces in the works for atleast three of the four songs.

As I type to you I am making the final touches on my goals, objectives, strategies and tactics, and key messages paper for my project.

I have created a facebook page titled These Maps as a temporary band name. To go hand-in-hand with this page, I've created a Sound cloud account as well as a Gofundme account. My original goal ($100) is already almost reached as I am currently at $90. However, my project director believes I may have set the bar too low.

As soon as I reach my goal, I plan on raising the bar and releasing a statement on my gratitude to the donors but how I believe we (the donors and I) can reach an even higher goal.


I have received 58 likes on my page in
the short amount of time it has been created. I have also had a handful of shares from friends as well as people I don't know.

I am very excited to see how this project will grow and improve.

Give Yourself to Your Audience.

What's one way to vocally reach your audience without leaving them creepy voice mails, hijacking their radio, or conversing face-to-face?

PODCAST. Music Social Media PR specialist, Ariel Hyatt, did just that. She is a specialists on breaking Indie bands.

During the podcast, she gives background information on herself; how she got to where she is now. She gives some tips on how to get publicity via the internet. Hyatt describes her experiences after ditching traditional PR and going completely digital.

Her tips include making the ground swell below you. "If you build it, the record label will come."

Blogging is a great start, according to Hyatt. Her advice is to embed yourself as deeply as you can into the community you desire (musicians and music lovers, in my case.)

Ariel Hyatt also said that for indie musicians who are not iconic (or trying to do it themselves), they must give a lot of themselves to their audience or they will get nothing. 

This podcast gave me a real idea on how I should approach spreading my information on social media, how to gain followers, how to catch their attention, and how to maintain those followers.

Content, and Blogs, and Robots, OH MY!

   Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman is my third academic resource for my project. 

I chose this book for obvious reasons. Firstly, I want my blogs to explode with awesome. I really wanted to learn new ways to make my blogs more interesting. 

In Content Rules, the authors use perhaps the best way of teaching: by example. They use introduce you to skills that journalists and storytellers use. This book reveals the secrets of creating remarkable content (blogs, podcasts, ebooks, and more). 

In no way is these book boring. How could a book full of robots be boring?! Exactly. I've made it through the first few chapters thus far and am very pleased with it. 

During my senior capstone, I plan on using this book to guide me in all of my content needs. 

Academic Source: Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools by Roey Izhaki

Life On Cassette will require lots of work (writing, editing, crying over writer's block...). Something that I am interested in mastering during the building on this project is mixing audio. Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices, and Tools by Roey Izhaki is going to be mixing bible for the next couple of months.

From what I have read thus far, it is very descriptive and helpful. It begins by explaining what mixing is, how it was created, and why it is important.

Then it teaches you methods that you can use when it comes time to mix your work. Izhaki leads you by the hand through the entire editing process. It is very useful.

So far, it is very interesting to me the way that the author lays out all of the information. He describes three methods that is used when learning to mix: read about mixing, see and hear mixing, or just doing it.

It sounds simple but there's a whole lot more to it. Izhaki really asks the important questions that you should be asking when you are listening to audio: How are the instruments panned? Is the volume balanced between instruments? How long are the reverbs? 

Perhaps my favorite part about this book so far is the example used on page 26. Roey Izhaki analyzes Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. He breaks each sound down into seconds and describes what you will hear. It's incredible, really.

During my project, Roey Izhaki's book will prove itself to be a very helpful resource.