New Music Monday

Lili Haydn

Lili Haydn is the violinist of choice in the rock world, Lili has worked with everyone from Funkadelic to Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Sting, Josh Groban, Tupac and the LA Philharmonic. As a solo artist Lili has released two critically acclaimed major label recordings.

History

Lili Haydn, raised in a Los Angeles commune, started playing violin for Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Donovan, Hootie & The Blowfish, Porno For Pyros, No Doubt, Jimi Page and Robert Plant. She studied singing with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan amd played with the Los Angeles Philarmonic Orchestra. Soon, she began singing her own compositions, and her sunday show at the "Viper Room" became legendary, an austere mixture of classical, folk, jazz, pop, rock and pop. Her debut album, "Lili", was released in the fall of 1997. A follow-up wouldn't surface until 2003. She can also be seen (albiet briefly) in the Michael Keaton movie Jack Frost.

One more year

I'm not sure why I didn't take today off - maybe its because I'm very low key on my birthday or maybe its because I'm already using up most of my vacation this year. In either case, among the phone calls and e-mails of well wishes I'm having a good day.

Today I'll contemplate big picture items - my marriage, my career, my life goals... Very much like the tune-up for you car its something that I believe is important. When I'm done adjusting things and making mental notes of the changes and recommitements I'll focus on enjoying myself and celebrate another year of "stumbling towards the light". This past year has been a good year for the two of us, I only hope that we continue to accept things that come our way with a positive outlook.

To all my friends and family - thanks for all the birthday wishes I cherish them all, and you as well.

How long?

How long must we endure the complete stupidity of this presidency? Not only was I amazed that he got re-elected I now stand in wonderment as this administration continues to make faux pas after faux pas, the Shipping Ports fiasco being the most recent. And worse yet, the legacy they leave behind gives us no hope of ever recovering this country to a balanced "middle of the road" stance on anything. The count down is on and I will be jumping for joy once the new president is sworn in... Enflamed and distrustful I now reaffirm that its better to be dead than "red"...

New Music Monday

OneTwo

OneTwo is a collaborative project between Paul Humphreys (OMD) and Claudia Brucken (Propaganda). After leaving their previous bands and collaborating over the past couple of years they have now chosen and name and are officially a band.

History

A song written with Claudia by Martin Gore of Depeche Mode ultimately drew Paul and Claudia together and there was a clear hint that they should form a new group. As they worked together on producing the song Claudia had written with Martin, "Cloud Nine", it reminded them of the kind of music they like to make, of what they felt were the best things about the groups they were in back when they were in groups.

They played together on a tour of America in the early part of the 21st Century. During this tour, they were pretty much and ex-member of OMD and and ex-member of Propaganda playing together, singing songs from their respective past lives, sharing memories. During this tour, it occured to them that they should form a partnership. As soon as they decided to form a new group, the ex-member of Propaganda and the ex-member of OMD started to wonder about the name of their group.

In the end, because this was a story that was just beginning, and they themselves were at the beginning of a new story, they decided to call themselves OneTwo. OneTwo, because as soon as they were called that, that's exactly what they sounded like. OneTwo, because there were onetwo members in the group. OneTwo, because everything was starting again.

Counting down...

7 days and counting. Hard to believe that 37 is right around the corner...

New Music Monday

Conjure One

Conjure One is a Canadian electronic music project, headed by Rhys Fulber, better known as a member of Front Line Assembly and Delerium, as well as other musical groups alongside Bill Leeb.

History

Fulber left Front Line Assembly and thereby all other Leeb-associated projects in early 1997, in pursuit of a solo career. Soon after, a debut album was announced, though Fulber's work as a producer and remixer eventually pushed its release to September 2002.

The self-titled album was a fusion of the electronic characteristics of Fulber's previous work -- keyboard-based, with rhythmic dance beats -- and the influences of Middle Eastern music, which inspired ambient melodies more reminiscient of Delerium.

A number of songs were more pop-oriented and featured guest vocalists, primarily Poe and Chemda, the latter singing entirely in Arabic. Sinéad O'Connor and Jeff Martin of the Tea Party were also featured.

After returning to FLA and Delerium, in 2005 Fulber released a second album entitled Extraordinary Ways. This album utilized much more contemporary sounds, including much greater prominence given to guitars and trip hop-like beats. Vocalists included Tiff Lacey, Poe (credited as "Jane"), Chemda, Joanna Stevens, and even Fulber himself (covering a song by the punk band Buzzcocks).

Portland

One of my favorite cities. I'm not sure what it is but I have the idea that its a bunch of things combined that make up my love for this city. If asked, I would say its a transition city to where I'd ultimately love to live - San Francisco. Somewhere in between LA and SF... A little more culture, a couple more eateries, cleaner air and better weather than LA. I would love to life in SF but that is currently out of reach financially - at least where I want to live.

Karen and I spent last weekend up in Portland taking in the sights. I was already scheduled to be there due to work so I told Karen to pack up a suitcase and come up with me. The weather was great and we managed to take in The seafood and wine festival, Downtown, great dining, the Museum, the Art History Center, The Zoo and the Japanese Garden. It was very memorable and we both had a wonderful time. I also had the great pleasure of finally introducing Karen to friends that we realized I had known for 21 years... We spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out how we had kept in touch and came to the conclusion that we valued our friendship and beyond our common interests we actually valued our input in each other's lives. In spite of the fact that he was my Youth Pastor during my adolescence we have bridged the age gap and remained good friends.

Looking back, its hard to believe that its been 21 years but after spending time with his children (his oldest is about to become a teenager) I began to realize that it has been quite awhile since I was 16.

Like many things that mark the passage of time I find that I'm becoming more sensitive to them. Were they always there and I didn't notice or are they just making themselves visible now? As I wait for my 20 year High School reunion, yet another reminder of my age, I have to remember to be thankful. I have no regrets and I like where I'm at. I guess you can't ask for more than that. So, as I sign off I'll leave you with a bit of insight that my then youth pastor left with me all those years ago, something that has stuck with me all these years...

Find what you love to do. Pursue it with all your being. Success will inevitably follow.

Virtual Airwaves

I think one of the best things that the internet has brought us is the ability to tune into radio programming from all over the world. Whenever I travel I try to find new radio stations and sources of music - the icing on the cake is when they have an on-line stream available somewhere.

While visiting the Seattle area I came across this little gem: C89.5 Worldwide. For those of you who miss Groove Radio and stations with an Dance/Electronica format you'll love it. So tune in and give it a shot.

And for those of you who want to see what the Brits are up to, you can get dished here: Capitol Radio