Tuesday morning: 1:11am 2008

Current location: in my bed, listening to J.S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 1...in Belfast

an average Tuesday morning: 1:11am 2005-some of 2008

Location: IN THE UNION GOING WILD AND GETTING PLASTERED! Derry.

(and usually listening to 'Manic Monday' by the Bangles)

Something is not right with the world of Iain. I dunno, I guess I still have the urge to be a student. And I begin to question myself as to whether I lived the student life to it's fullest. And, I think I did a good enough job at that - plenty of partying, a few messy nights, learned new skills, met friends who I will have for life, met a girl who I will be with for the rest of my life, and had plenty of fun, and self-reflection...and, most importantly, a LOT of growing up.

As a naturally curious person, I feel that my time at university is not over yet. I still feel I have a lot to learn, the degree I received I feel did not adequately challenge me or push me to my absolute limits. I just love to learn - and a post-grad degree is looking more likely for me in the future (and possibly the near future). I may apply for universities when I live in the US, but then again, I might just wait until I come back to the UK or Europe. And hopefully, I can get a bigger challenge (and perhaps a better job).

Tiredness ensumes.

Iain

Ministry of Defence - WHAT IS GOING ON?

I'm not one for posting twice in one day, but...

Another data storage device has been "stolen" from the Ministry of Defence, this time containing details of 900,000 former and current RAF (Royal Air Force) staff and personnel. The information was contained in 3 USB hard disc drives, which seemingly were snatched. Or, so the MoD are saying.

The BBC have really not made a big deal out of this at all, with the US banking bail-out (another un-necessary action if you ask me)...it's like when 9/11 occured, it just so happened that taxes were brought up a lot, but just think about it. Almost 1 million people's details are now in the hands of thieves, or have been handed to some other possible "agencies" who could well do with this information, just for spying purposes, and who knows what else.

The whole fact that it happened LAST WEDNESDAY and has not been reported until now, is, at the least, shocking. I'll say it again; that's almost 1 million people's details now in the hands of people who really should not need the information, and will not use it for good effect. And, it gets a few paragraphs mention, as if it's just a minor event. If it was the first time that it's happened, then fine. But, it's not.

During the summer, there was a lot of news regarding thieves stealing laptops on underground trains and in other various ways - and this was a bigger risk to the public, as some of them were social security details, which in turn would have banking account numbers. If you look at the "See Also:" section of that news report above, you can see that within 2 DAYS there were 2 different pieces of information stolen, and then in June more "secret" information was stolen.

As a person whose eyes are relatively more open than what they used to be, I honestly feel that standard thieves would absolutely not need this information - the only info they'd need if they wanted to be effective was banking details, unless they're planning a mass robbery of over 1 million people. So, I feel that this is not a standard job. I think that this is a "passing over" of information from the MoD to some form of secret government agency, and to make it seem more of a "dangerous" threat to the UK people, saying that it was thieves that took it.

I remember watching on BBC News when one of the laptops was stolen from a MoD worker on a subway train, that their message was "not to panic". Remembering of course that they (the BBC) are a government-run and tax paid media group, that's the most obvious thing that they are going to say in a crisis like this. TOO much information has been "lost", with absolutely no signs of them trying to retrieve it. The MoD said they would take this "breach of security very seriously" - it's very easy to something like that and not mean it when you know the real agenda.

I fear for the UK population right now. With an unelected PM, a terrible economic crisis which has all obviously been pre-planned by the Rockefeller and Rothschild families just so they can create their next step towards a one world government, and the complete acceptance of our human rights being taken away gradually through stealth, I feel that the UK will be one of the first countries to be run by the police state. If you look around you in a city right now and just count the amount of security cameras watching your every move, do you not even feel a little uncomfortable? They say they're for our "protection", and I'm sure they've been useful in some instances of crime, but that's not what they're for. They're watching our every move, preparing us more and more for the Big Brother state. 

We need to say NO to these corrupt bastards, and tell them we don't want to be slaves. Unfortunately, the government and media have completely put wool over a lot of people's eyes, and they are unaware of what is unravelling right infront of them, despite it being almost near obvious (at least to me) what is going on. Why are people accepting the fact that information that could possibly be held on them be used against them in the future? Could this info be put into RFID chips, which are looking more and more likely to be on their way...with The Sun readers wanting pedophiles RFID chipped? As long as the government don't tread on their money and lifestyle and get personally involved in their business (for now), and let them watch TV, that's alright for them. This must stop, right now.

Iain

New US TV Seasons rock! (so far)

After watching a pre-aired episode of the new season of Dexter, I had high hopes for the rest of the other opening US TV show series, which were re-starting in the next few weeks. And, so far, I've yet to be disappointed.

The first "official" season that re-started that interested me greatly was 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia". They opened with a double bill episode (something which I found uncommon, but great all the same), and even though to me the first episode was not the best ever It's Always Sunny ep, it was still good. And the second episode was just classic. And, the third and fourth episodes aired last night, and they are both instant favourites for me already. I'm under the guess that this season will be their best, after all they have a new found confidence in them after being renewed for a few more seasons, rather than hoping they would get renewed after the end of each season. I greatly recommend this show to anybody who likes a good comedy.

Robot Chicken has been great, as always. A must for any Family Guy or spoof/satire fans.

The next season that interested me was Heroes, which resumed on Monday. Season 2 for me was short, and a little uninteresting at times...and I think the producers and director knew that's how a lot of Heroes fans felt. Again, they opened with a double bill episode, and how episode 2 ended is just an absolutely great way of setting a possible scene for the rest of the season to follow on from. With a show like Heroes, it's hard not to say anything and spoil it for everyone else who hasn't watched it (that is, most people in the UK as it doesn't air here for a few weeks yet). But, what I will say is that I think it's going to be a possible Season 1 beater.

I've almost finished downloading the new season first episode of The Office (US), which I'm excited about. I never really watched it until I met Colette, and it is rather funny!

Some other seasons I'm looking forward to starting:

• Desperate Housewives - Colette got me back into it again...despite it being a mostly "girlie" show, I really like it!
• Brothers and Sisters - as above, only I never watched/heard of it before meeting Colette
• Family Guy
• American Dad

And, currently that's all I can think of. The summer of boredom is finally over...I have PLENTY of shows to keep me entertained.

Iain

There ain't no cure for the summertime blues.

Being 6 days away from the end of September has given me a shocking realisation. I've been living at home since 3rd June, and have been seeking a job since then, but more heavily so after my 2 holidays with Colette, with the last one ending on 18th July. And I have yet to find a job - it's not like I haven't been applying - it just so happens that my job searching is "selective" - I'm no way in hell going back into retail after the misery I went through with my other jobs in retail. I'm, at the minute, solely looking for office work, word processing, admin, that sorta thing. It's not going to be my career path forever (hopefully), and it's really only a money-making scheme for me right now, to save for moving to America in May.

In all the jobs I have been in, despite enjoying 2 of them to an extent, I have always felt that it's just not the right environment for me; the set hours, the "politics" within the team and the obvious favouritism shown to certain team members. And it's for the obvious reason of that I want to just be my own boss - doing what I want, when I want, and where I want. And, that's just my ego of being a musician...I still feel under-valued in all jobs I have been in, when I have quite obviously been one of the more skilled members of each team (especially in one job), and it's all because I keep out of the politics and keep my mouth shut and just WORK. I tend not to associate with work colleagues after work; as I find it hard to separate work from my social life, as they tend to contradict themselves, and meeting work-mates out of work to me just seems awkward. I've only ever sparked a few half-friendships from places of work; and I don't really speak to those people anymore really.

Anyway, without going off on a tangent about work politics (which may become an open letter sometime), I just feel that in all jobs, I just am not suited for that kind of work. And, I really hope that when I go over to Raleigh, that I am able to sustain myself financially just by playing music; whether it be at a session musician level, a band level, or even at a teaching level. And, I know myself that I will probably have to go into a similar job in an office at first just to get immediate financial stability, and in the process look for bands/artists needing a drummer, and then take off from there.

Gradually over the summer, I've been feeling more frustrated with job hunting and being without Colette and also, in a way, depressed. I've graduated, with a grade that I was expected to get, and I'm happy that I got it - but I still miss Derry so much. This week has been hard, classes resumed and it just felt weird that I was not a part of it again; going to class, and then chilling for lunch at the union cafe, and then either going to class again or just relaxing for the rest of the day - and I had that freedom to do what I wanted, rather than working at 9, and ending at 5, with a few breaks inbetween. 

Monday night was the worst - my dad and I were looking for where a potential job interview was going to be held, and I realised the time - it was around 8:30pm. And, if I were in Derry...I'd be in Sainsbury's at that time, buying some food and more alcohol to get me started for another crazy Manic Monday night at the Union. I always loved that feeling on Monday nights, because basically everyone went to it, and it was always just a really good fun night. And there was always a really cool atmosphere in the student village, just one of positivity and partying; one memory and atmosphere which I truly, truly miss a lot. I felt...trapped, and in a place where I do not want to be.

I've had little to no fun in Belfast since I've came back, and 99% of the time here I've been in my room, just on the computer doing whatever I have to do. Whilst I am content enough doing it, I just feel trapped, and feel like it's a waiting room for another place where I want to be. I'm grateful for the free rent and food, as that helps me a lot with regards to saving money, but I don't have the social freedom or the ease of travel as I did in Derry. There's no point in me moving out now because I'm moving in May, and basically going to be in the states for a whole month, so I would have had to pay rent for a month of not even being there.

I have no motivation to practice drums either, I have little room to play them and it's always just awkward practicing in a garage with neighbours around. Whereas, in Derry...I didn't always have time to practice due to practice room being booked or I was busy with other things, but when I did practice, I always felt motivated, it was never a chore...more like just something I wanted to do.

One thing that has been keeping me going is my recent practicing of DJ'ing. And I hope to show everyone my skills tomorrow night in Masons, Derry. I uploaded a mix to Rapidshare, and it's pretty good, for an amateur..if I do say so myself ;)

I still can't believe I don't have a job after all this time. I need one soon, for various reasons.

Iain

An open letter to...

Following from my "What's Hot and Not" lists, I have decided to add more personal feelings into this blog, on more serious, or light hearted issues, probably more serious. And, these feelings will be directed in a form of an open letter. I already have some ideas for more open letters...I don't know how often I'll do them, my best answer is that I will do them when I feel like it.

AN OPEN LETTER TO...

Edition 1

by Iain Watt

An open letter to...

YOUTUBE SONG COVER MUSICIANS

I am not going to include specific examples of users and videos when criticising, because then that would be singling out one user. And before I begin, I want to assure you that I have no beef with YouTube musicians who bring out "original material", only those that cover songs and put it on the net.

I am quite for the use of technology to "network" people from all around the world, I have met some fantastic friends from different parts of the world who I probably wouldn't have otherwise met, I have discussed, joked about and debated with some like-minded musicians on various issues on a fantastic forum that I post on regularly, and I of course am able to keep in touch with real life friends far easier, no matter where they are living.

When YouTube was first brought to my attention quite a few years ago, I thought of it as a very exciting prospect - almost anything could be uploaded, and anybody from around the world could watch it, and subsequentially share their talents and thoughts. I'm also rather uneasy with "vloggers", but I'll leave that for another open letter. I typed in, say, "Steve Vai", and I seen loads of live videos, whether recorded on TV or by users who were at a gig - and I finally thought that the bootleg culture finally had a place to settle. I typed in names of my favourite drummers, and up came lessons, live drum solos, recorded drum solos, whatever...I found it, and learnt a lot from the videos. 

My initial curiosity as a progressing drummer was to search for songs, and see other users cover them. Initially there were some fantastic submissions, I recall seeing a video of a user playing a Dream Theater song on ALL the instruments...and showing him play each part, on basically the same set-up that each of the members of Dream Theater had. I was very impressed, by his talent. And then, I remember seeing some other users submitting some excellent renditions of songs, and original compositions too. I finally felt that the average Joe could submit anything to the world and anybody could view it, and I was positive that it would have a positive effect on music and that it would give some people hope, that you can play an instrument and get noticed.

But, as with anything that gets more popular, the more inundated and over-done things become. And this is where my main beef lies, and begins. Type in, say "Master of Puppets Guitar" on YouTube, and you're expected to find hundreds (if not thousands) of users who have submitted their take on an already over-played and over-done song. And just watching it, it's most likely to be:

1) Of bad quality, both audibly and visually

2) Not performed to a high standard on a guitar/drums that their parents bought them for Christmas 

3) Replicated note for note, with no signs of originality or their own musical ability and talent, especially during solos

I understand WHY people want to put videos up on YouTube, to show what they're capable of. But, if you're going to do it, do it right, and with the right equipment to make your presentation look and sound good. I also understand that that is a problem for some people, due to financial restraints. But, most importantly, everyone's heard these songs before, so why not add something new to the song? It literally is a case of "anyone can play this, if they learn and practice." And the sad thing is, most people don't comment on the performers, they comment on how the band suck, or defend the band..whatever side of the fence they're on.

I just view these videos as a "look at what I can do". Sure, some songs are technically challenging, but until these musicians begin playing music which is their own, I will continue to pay no attention to the musical output. And, what annoys me greater is the "linked" videos some people do - where they find other users who played the song they played on a different instrument, and then link their performances together. This usually causes a horrible sound mash-up, due to different sound recording environments and quality, and it's basically a covers band, without the users coming together to play as one unit. Cool concept in hindsight, but again usually makes the song worse rather than better.

Here's some words of advice from me (let me say at this point that I do not feel as if I'm "better" than them)

1) Write your own songs, put them up on YouTube, get other users to add their instruments to your song (via you sending them the mp3, or putting it on a site such as Rapidshare for download), then get those people to record their performance if possible on video AND on recording software such as Cubase or anything with a microphone(s) and save it as an mp3, and send it back to you. Then, compile all the parts and make one whole recording...replace the audio from the videos that they recorded with the mp3 file that you made, and upload THAT to Youtube. If that recording solution is not possible, then settle for the mash-up of different user recordings, but for the sake of mine and everyone elses ears, please edit it and upload it in high quality.

At this point, you might think "but no-one cares about original stuff anymore"...well, I'm sure no-one cares about you playing Master of Puppets, like a million other people...at least you're doing something that's your own, and that you can be proud of.

2) If you enjoy covering other bands songs, fine. But, at least do something original with it, with the reasons I've mentioned previously. If you're feeling creative, why not orchestrate a song you like for different instruments rather than a standard rock set up? And then you could  perhaps do the same idea as in point 1.

3) Please, please record your videos somewhere other than your room. Please. I've seen some awesome videos of guys playing outside and stuff like that. I understand that might be impossible for some people, but again, it's original. Nothing for me makes the videos more awkward than a user quickly turning on their camera, adjusting to their instrument quickly, and then the music comes out usually blaringly far too loud or far too quiet. Which leads me nicely into...

4) Get. Headphones. You can hear the track better. Remember, you can always overlay the actual track into any video editing software (including Windows Movie Maker).

5) Maybe get a friend to record you doing it, so the camera angle could change, and perhaps zoom in on parts that are technically difficult...rather than the same angle of you, your bed, and a wall.

As I've already said, I refuse to watch anymore videos of people playing a song that I'd rather hear the original artist do for many reasons; until people begin uploading original compositions and/or doing cover songs with an original take on it, in the ways mentioned previously.

I recently watched Lars Ulrich (drummer for Metallica) thanking Metallica fans for covering songs on YouTube and uploading them. I didn't know if this was a good or bad thing - a lot of people might think "OMG LARS MUST HAVE WATCHED MY VIDEO!"...I'm sure he wouldn't want to hear a song he's played hundreds of times live played by hundreds of other people, albeit less professionally or better done - and then a domino effect of more people uploading videos in the hope of Lars or other members of Metallica (or other bands) watching it. But, what can the guys in the band say? "Thanks for playing our song". They're hardly going to praise them for covering their own song, or ask them to play drums/guitar/whatever for them for one gig. If they did, that'd be great - but that's not the world we live in. And besides, they wouldn't have time to watch everyones rendition. But, it is good that at least the band are showing that they are paying attention to their fans, and what they do to appreciate their band (despite it being unoriginal and a blatant carbon copy).

Anyway, I feel like I'm going round in circles, so I will stop my open letter here.

Iain Watt

The summer break is over...

And I'm still unemployed. I guess on the positives, I have applied for plenty of jobs, and attended 2 interviews with another one on its way in a few weeks.

This week has been odd for me. I have been in the knowledge that Duncreggan (student halls) re-opened it's gates for students on Sunday, and I feel so odd not being up there with the rest of them. The first week back was always a great, fun, satisfying week for me. I knew all I had to do was enrol and attend a brief welcome back/induction talk, and the rest of the week was entirely up to me. I don't know if everyone feels like this, but the thought of a completely clean slate of a room, completely ready for your own personal customisation (within reason) is one of the most enjoyable feelings ever. 

Just being able to put all your stuff into a room that has obviously been pre-occupied is exciting for me: I felt as if I was putting my own personalised stamp to each room I lived in. The pleasure I recieved each year of going into my room and turning on my computer and speakers for the first time, playing a damn good song up full blast was incomprehensible - it was just a feeling of "YES! And here begins another year". First night was always fun too - that initial positive drive, meeting some old friends and some new ones was always good. And of course, going back to the pubs that you missed dearly over the summer.

It makes it equally frustrating for me that apparently there was SOME funding left for those who wanted to do a Masters course in Music. My intention was to do a Masters, for the reason of that I feel that I have the necessary talent to do it, and also because I love being in Derry and the Magee campus so much. There is such a fantastic "community" feeling there, almost everyone knows everyone else, and you get to meet a vast amount of people...who are all out for a good time (there are some that spoil this fun of course by going too far). And, now that I'm home, I feel that I miss that. I have a handful of friends at home, nowhere near amounted to the amount of friends I had in Derry...but for one reason or another, it's hard for us all to find a night that suits us all to go out; prior commitments, lack of money etc. And, it's just too damn expensive in Belfast! 

Living in somewhere like Derry, where a taxi at most cost £3.50, and drinks being considerably cheaper also, and everywhere good was within easy walking distance, a night out was much more feasible, and more likely to happen; and, for me, enjoyable. At home, I have this constant feeling in the back of my mind that I have to go home to my parents, and that I can't be drunk at all. That said, I have came home drunk quite a few times...but waking up next morning to my parents asking me loads of questions and just unaware that I'm hungover is what I don't get in Derry. Don't get me wrong, I've had some pretty good nights in Belfast, but I miss the bars and atmosphere in Derry. And let's not go into the amount of time it takes to get a taxi, and how much it costs for me to get home.

I mean, a simple solution for me would be to move closer to town, but that's just unreasonable right now for me. I'm moving to the states in May, and I need to save every penny I can - and free rent is obviously a big advantage for me. And, I've had a bad enough time with landlords as it is...so I'd rather stay at home, where they wouldn't give me wanky treatment (much!).

I hope to be able to come up to Derry again for a proper night out. I am DJ'ing this day week (25th) in Mason's, where I hope to see as many of my Derry friends as possible! Hopefully with a job on it's way, I should be able to come up for a weekend of pure madness. And, I will definitely be hoping to go up to Derry before I leave for the States for an absolutely epic night.

Moving away from lack of Derry and job stuff, think it's time for some positive thoughts!

So, the new TV season in the US is kicking off very soon. Sunday week to be precise. But one show is coming back TONIGHT! The new season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is kicking off, and I'm really excited. I've been watching past season episodes to get me in the mood. And, it's definitely one of those shows that are initially funny, but with each watch you hear/see something that you didn't before so clearly and it just makes you laugh so much more; as well as the obvious jokes too. Pity I'm not in the States to watch it as it goes out, I'll just have to wait until tomorrow morning and download it. Ah well, one can wait.

Now I'm tired, miss Colette and Derry.

Iain

Beautiful sunrises for meeeee...

Ladies and gentlemen, it has taken me a long time, and a lot of uneasy listening, but I have finally found the worst band in human history: I bring to you, the band Complete.

Playing their worldwide hit Beautiful Sunrises, IT'S COMPLETE!

If that didn't bring a tear to your eye, nothing will.

Iain

Remember when you were young...you shone like the sun.

I did not hear the incredibly tragic news of Richard Wright's passing until this evening. This has shaken my day, and I'm finding it hard to come to terms with the loss. So much so, that my usual evening music listening session is not even being held, as I can't feel that I can listen to music right now.

For those of you that do not know who Richard Wright was, he was a founding member and keyboardist/pianist for Pink Floyd. He died yesterday, of an as-yet unspecified form of cancer. He was 65 years old.

Richard's role within Pink Floyd is very important to me because it reminds me a lot of my own role within a band - subtle, precise, in the background, but still an important (and founding) member..without them the band would be flawed incredibly. I'm not saying that every band I've been have relied on me, I'm simply saying that I feel that I added something significant to every band I have been in, despite not getting the majority of the "attention", that other band members did receive. And nor am I jealous of that; I like my roles within bands that I have been in, and hope to play with in the future. But, the biggest similarity we both have is that we are both self-taught on our respected instruments.

Looking at the work he did within Pink Floyd, whilst it wasn't anything "virtuosic", it was most certainly beautiful and very complimenting to the music that was happening. Anyone listening to the introduction to "The Great Gig in the Sky", or the keyboard madness/ambience of "Echoes" or "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", will recognise just how brilliant this man was. Pink Floyd's music is certainly one of "mood setting", but I don't feel that this could have been as effectively if the keyboardist was not Richard Wright. 

It's even harder for me to comprehend his loss, considering that Pink Floyd are one of my all-time favourite bands. Now, 2 of their founding members and certainly original musicians have passed away, and it's made it impossible for a reunion of a Waters era Floyd. I am still very thankful that they reunited for Live Aid a few years ago; and I did get to see a glimpse of them performing live (not in person but on TV of course), something which I did not get to see as the Waters era Floyd broke up in the late 1970s or early 80s, a few years before I was born. 

I would love if the Waters era Floyd did reunite for a memorial gig for Richard; in aid of charity...perhaps to a cancer research fund. Essentially, it would be very odd without Richards presence there to deliver some great sounds and aiding chord sequences and subtle backing vocals; but then again, there have been George Harrison and Freddie Mercury memorial concerts...it's just a shame that Richard was not at "that level" of fame like those 2 men were. I just hope Waters and Gilmour can once again resolve their creative differences and do something that would please the fans, and most certainly please Richard himself. 

Too many good musicians and composers have been lost this year, and in the past few years. I never got to meet Richard, but I always got the impression from him as being a kind, gentle man. I don't know what I'm going to do if other important musicians and composers die this year.

Enjoy the great gig in the sky, Richard. You will be missed.

Richard Wright - 1943-2008

RIP

Iain Watt

Does music taste link to personality?

It seems so, according to this BBC report.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7598549.stm

I've also been very curious to this question. As I've said on so many previous occasions, music is the only art-form I feel which actually speaks to people, and can bring joy or sadness to a person, whether it be within the music itself, or in the words/lyrics of the song. And, it's amazing how 2 pitch intervals can represent "evil" to some people (mostly in the past, particularly in medieval times)...that being the tri-tone (augmented 4th...or, for example, playing the notes F# and C), when in reality, they are just notes which have no significance whatsoever..it's all just because the ear made people THINK that it sounded evil. It's now a frequently used interval by metal bands (the most classic example being in Black Sabbath's self titled song), but is not too uncommon in some pop and R&B music also.

I like the fact that people who like dance/indie music are seen as "not gentle" - as the MAJORITY of people who listen to this kind of music, from my personal experience, are not very nice people anyway, and this survey seems to have confirmed that. It's funny as well that Country music listeners are viewed as "Hardworking", and then has a picture of Dolly Parton. Classic. (for those who don't get the joke..."working 9-5..")

As for rock/heavy metal fans like myself (it's funny also how big media groups don't even consider other kinds of rock and metal), the personality traits are "low self esteem, creative, not hard-working, not outgoing, gentle, at ease". I would agree with a few of those, regarding the link to my personality - I generally have a low self-esteem, I'm creative, I work hard when I need to, but I generally relax, I am not as outgoing as I used to be, and I'd consider myself gentle and very much at ease. But, being such a musicophile, I also enjoy many other kinds of music, including classical and jazz..which seem to contradict the rock/heavy metal traits. 

I also like how the conductor of this research, Dr Adrian North, suggests that those who like classical and those who like heavy metal are both creative and at ease but not outgoing." Moving away from the psychological aspects of these 2 music forms, there are a lot of similarities I feel between classical music and heavy metal...both are very virtuosic and require a lot of technical skill and concentration, and some classical music (such as the music of Bach) sounds like heavy metal without the instrumentation - if Bach were alive today, he would have been a fantastic composer. Let's not forget also Paganini's 24 Capricces, which are some of the most challenging pieces of music for violin, and have been played on the electric guitar by the likes of virtuoso Jason Becker - again, music well ahead of it's time and has been performed by metal musicians. And of course, the virtuoso guitar player Yngwie Malmsteen, who is very heavily inspired by classical music, to the point of him composing pieces for himself and an orchestra.

In the report itself, it mentions how a lot of music listeners are given a stereotype, in particular "heavy metal" fans - as being suicidal, and a danger to themselves and others. A lot of "heavy metal" fans I know and are friends with, are not that at all - it's simply because people don't understand it, and the "scene" that surrounds it - they don't like their look or their attitude, so they assume they're suicidal and craving attention when that's really not the case at all (of course, some of them are, but it's a swift generalisation). You never see heavy metal fans get in random fights in bars, but you would with a lot of dance music fans.

Another research which I might do in the future is assessing what "class" listens to what kind of music the most, and how it might affect them, such as crime-obsessed youngsters who listen to unbeneficial and unhelpful music (in my humble opinion) such as Gangsta Rap were to listen to other kinds of music, they would "open up" and perhaps become a better person.

The research and questionnaire I feel does have some flaws - there is no mention of other world musics, and no mention of fusion forms of music - such as Jazz Fusion and Rapcore (rap and rock music). I guess it is a general test for "general" people, not really for the music lover and obsessive like myself. I took the survey myself, and it did not ask what sort of music you liked, rather, it asked you what level of musical experience you had.

Anyway, I'm glad that some people notice how important music is to a persons life as much as I do.

Take the test!

News from home...

Well, it's POURING down right now; very heavy winds also. My parents are getting a new car today...and, that's about it. Oh, and I really want the game Too Human as well, for X-Box 360...played the demo and was blown away. Any game relating to Thor and Valhalla is good enough for me!

I'm also moving to the states on May 9th.

Iain

Is N.I. finally progressing?

As I was eating my lunch today, breaking news came on TV about how the IMO (Independent Monitoring Commission) today stated that the IRA's army council now serves "no function". This, I feel, is fantastic news - basically now implying that the leadership of the IRA is disbanding. Of course, Unionists aren't entirely convinced - the leader of the DUP, Peter Robinson, said today that he wants clear confirmation that they're out for good, rather than just having the IMO say so. Gordon Brown, the UK PM, is now making sure that the final stages of devolution (policing and justice) will take place within the next few days, and to see the peace process completely finished off.

Of course, being Northern Irish, I must be sceptical of what Brown said, but after seeing McGuinness and Paisley shake hands last year and start off a brand new Assembly, I'm ready to believe anything politically within the means of this country (within reason, of course). If the peace process is finalised this week, I'm sure a lot of people will think, "about time too". And, they're right. What were people REALLY fighting for, for so many years? Rather than people joining together to celebrate being NORTHERN Ireland, they had to fight over who it belonged to, and if you were Catholic or Protestant. That's a big generalization on my part, but that's basically what it was about. But, of course, our current assembly isn't without fault - Sinn Fein are threatening to pull out of the Assembly if no clear signs of progress are shown within the policing and justice devolution. And, of course there was the fantastic and hilarious comments by Iris Robinson regarding homosexuality: calling it an "abomination" and that homosexuals should seek "mental help" and how it helped people she knew who were homosexual into straight people - this of course reminds me of the classic South Park episode were Butters goes to a Christian Prayer camp, to "pray the gay away"...where parents sent their children who were obviously gay, or bi, or curious...and in the episode you seen many suicides of children, and kids who were obviously very indoctrinated, and pretending to be straight again. But, rather that than people blowing each other up, I guess.

Still, human rights has a LONG way to go in Northern Ireland; people are bored of religious bigotry (well, most), so now it's racism and homophobia. GREAT! It's not just a issue in NI, obviously. But, you'd think that a country who has experienced 30+ years of intense religious bigotry and violence, that the people would rather live in some form of peace and harmony? Obviously not. Society is changing; and I'm excited to be a part of this great change...soon I feel we will come to an era of all-acceptance of people, rather than looking at them for what they are, we look at them for WHO they are, a human being with a personality based on their environment and their upbringing. Everyone is a product of what came before them; i.e. their parents - so I just hope my generation when they become parents (or are parents already) set our children a good example - but, one can dream, eh?

Iain

My first post from Google Chrome...

I remember first using Google as a search engine in 2000, and compared to other search engines I used before it, it seemed a lot better. It was also cool for me as well because I actually was TELLING my friends about it, rather than being told...it was if I had made a new discovery. And now, Google is pretty much the default search engine for everybody these days - to the point of people branding something as "Googling" - "Google that" is a statement I frequently hear from my friends. It's like saying "I'm going to do the Hoovering" rather than "I'm going to do the vacumming". They've went from a simple white paged background with Google written on it to a huge corporation, and now they've created their own web browser, launched today. I've had it now for a few hours, and I'm VERY impressed with it already. Very streamlined, very fast, very easy to use and simple...I miss faithful Firefox though, but it has got far too slow for me recently. I highly recommend it to all PC/Windows users, especially if you still use Internet Explorer - come on mannn get with the times ;)

Get it here!

(I'm not working for Google or anything, haha)

Anyway, updates, and thoughts...

This weekend was pretty stagnant - a rejection letter from Allstate, a lot of Guitar Hero III with Garth, and chilling out. Monday involved me doing ANOTHER test, this time on a computer, for the Belfast City Council job..like my dad said to me before it, it was very easy. Was the first person out of the test! Just like my dad was when he did it. Hopefully awaiting word from them in a few days.

Today, I went into town to meet Adrien, ate a Subway, dandered around - and bought some CD's as HMV have some really good offers on at the minute. I bought (despite owning digitally or previously)

The Fall of Troy - Doppelganger & Manipulator

Coheed and Cambria - The Second Stage Turbine Blade

Incubus - Light Grenades

Faith No More - The Real Thing & Angel Dust

Deftones - White Pony

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

All for just £35. Great! Me and Adrien had an interesting discussion, on how when we first met at uni, how we both were equally interested in the other persons taste in music, but now we've basically musically went our separate ways. And, the past few months has seen a shift in musical taste for me as well - I'm less into "Heavy" Metal and some Progressive music, and more into alternative, crazy and experimental music, with an emphasis on good songwriting and production. I've also recently got big into Trip-Hop, artists such as Portishead, UNKLE and DJ Shadow fitting the bill nicely. My current main band that I listen to is Incubus...Light Grenades and Morning View both being fantastic albums. And, I'm really enjoying MGMT's album also, great lyrics and really interesting (and dare I say progressive) music. Maybe someday soon I'll write a big extensive list of stuff I'm digging.

Me and my good friend Dan Acheson had a chat tonight about the Music Business, and how frustrating it is right now to be making music - seeing as there's a lot of good bands about (and equally just as many bad ones who get most of the fame ;)) and virtually everythings been done. We then were thinking about is Music REALLY purely enjoyable even if it is just for yourself? Do people enjoy writing music just so when they hear it it sounds good...or do they want recognition, and if they don't get it, do they just give up? And it made me think too: despite REALLY enjoying writing the songs I write, a part of me (my ego) wants people to recognise it and enjoy it; and if I got a record deal out of it, then great. But then there's the problem of writing music simply because the label wants you to; and you're just making it for them, and not for you really in the long run, and they'll get the majority of the profit you make from each CD sold.

Then, it got me thinking about how Radiohead, Prince and Nine Inch Nails (and hopefully soon more other bands) released their albums on the net first, Radiohead giving the option for people to "name their price" for In Rainbows (arguably one of their best albums yet), Prince giving away his newest album for free to a British national newspaper, and Nine Inch Nails putting their newest album The Slip and Ghosts I-IV available for an optional free download, or as a digital download with bonus materials, for a price - before they both released the albums in the shops, at the normal RRP. And, I'm thinking that this is the FUTURE of music - artists independently recording albums, promoting them on their MySpace or by any other means they can, and getting people to download it, perhaps optionally for free or for a price, before releasing it in the shops to the general public - with the ideal setting of the person going out and buying the album (as I have done with In Rainbows and The Slip...to make a point). I think that if those 2 albums were disappointing for me, I would not have bought them - so then it pushes the artists to their limit, of making music that is good enough to both own digitally for free and to own physically at a price not set by the artist themselves (presumably). 

Of course, the "fat cats" at the record labels would not possibly let this happen, as they don't want to lose their already bludgeoning hold on the artists, and of course their profit. But, the music business is getting an awful lot like an oil company - they know that digital downloading, online shopping, and online promotion is the current way forward, but are too scared to change completely just so they don't lose their supposed profit, so they bang the prices of CD's in shops right up (Smashing Pumpkins "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness", a 2CD album, costs £18 in HMV, and there's plenty more examples at a higher price) - like an oil company refusing to realise that oil is running out severely in the world, and that reuseable energy is the way forward, and so are banging oil prices up to a stupifyingly high level). I mean, record companies do need to be around for certain reasons - they have the financial power to get bands/artists to tour around places which artists could not fund themselves unless they sell magnificently and have the right contacts, and of course the promotional power too - but more artist creative freedoms, and a greater percentage of profit given to the artist, should be given by these record companies - and a flexible time schedule also, just so that bands don't churn out albums simply because it says so in their contract (see: Dream Theater; Metallica).

But still, it leads me on to my original point - with all the infinite amounts of albums and artists that are around today, is it difficult for new and upcoming musicians like myself to be a whispering voice of new music within a screaming crowd of current music? Yes, I think it is. These days, it's all about self-promotion, and on MySpace you see just about every band comment-spamming all their "friends" to check out their music, having little to no regard for who the person is - as long as their comment gets up (and most likely unread and/or deleted) they don't care. Again, this is the incorrect way to do it, I think - everyone loves attention, and so therefore personal messages help. Anyway, it's not my position to tell people how to promote their band/themselves. I'm getting to a point now where I feel that I'm writing music, simply for myself - but I question as to whether or not that will always make me happy, and the answer is probably not. But, I could never lose my passion for music, I've seen too many people (some of those closer to me than you might think) lose their passion for music simply because it didn't work out for them that one time they tried to go big - I could never let that happen to me...music is too important to me, it is the life within me, really. It's really the only art-form that can affect and compliment your mood, and can lead you on a journey within just a few minutes (or more).

I think a nice summary for this is - too many cooks spoil the broth. Especially if those cooks are really terrible musicians.

Iain