Simply Funk is a 30 second (35 seconds actually) clip of music I created using my M-Audio keyboard and GarageBand. I decided I’m going to compose short clips of music on a frequent basis so I can get some use out of the keyboard and have something to show for the music I’m “working on” when my friends ask. Not only will it make me more comfortable with using electronic means to create music, but I’ll be able to explore varieties of genres with the myriad of instruments that the GarageBand program contains.

I felt like 70s funk today. Think P. Funk crossed with Stevie Wonder.

Not bad for a start and for completing it in about a half hour. Enjoy.

! Simply Funk [35 sec., 551kb]

The other day I was thinking about some bands that had hits in the 90s and I wanted to see if I could find their websites and see what they’re up to. I found out that one of my favorite bands at the time, The Cardigans, who sang the cute and catchy, Lovefool, are still going strong. They’ve since released five more albums and a Best Of compilation late last year.

Leadsinger Nina Persson has also collaborated with another musician to put out two albums by the band name A Camp. The second album entitled Colonia was released in the UK and will be released in the US on April 28. I got ahold of the album and have not stopped listening to it since yesterday. I love it. I love Nina’s voice. What’s creepy is that I think my singing voice sounds just like hers, so it sounds like I’m singing to myself when I listen to the album in my car. I could be wrong and she might have better tonality than I do. Whatever, I’ll bow down to Nina any day!

! A Camp – Stronger than Jesus [mp3, 4.9MB, link expires 5/07]

I still try to be productive when I’m at home. I always have to be reading something or listening to new music or composing music of my own. I figured that since I got a shiny new keyboard to help me try to make my own remixes among other things, I may as well try to stay working on it rather than put it aside then forget about it altogether. So I’m going to try to compose original or remixed music everyday or every other… clips at least 30 seconds to a minute… I’m trying to give myself some realistic rules to follow so I can actually have something to show for my effort.

So… i’ll get back to you tomorrow about that clip…

At the coffee shop where I work I have a regular customer who I make a cup of coffee for every weekday morning. This customer came to the store on a saturday afternoon and my coworker who rang him out noticed he was dressed nicely. She asked him if he was going somewhere special and he answered that he sings opera and was on his way to a dress rehearsal at the Garde Arts Center for the Connecticut Lyric Opera‘s production of La Traviata. I never would have guessed that he would have remotely any interest in opera but the surprise delighted me and made me respect him so much more.

See and hear some of the best vocalists in southeastern Connecticut in La Traviata at the Garde in New London on sunday, April 26th.

The first installment of artists have been announced for George Wein’s Jazz Festival 55. The fest is scheduled for August 7 – 9 in Newport, Rhode Island. Those who are confirmed are Tony Bennett, Branford Marsalis, Etta James, Esperanza Spalding, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Vijay Iyer Trio, Cedar Walton with Lew Tabackin & Curtis Fuller, Christian McBride Group, Roy Haynes Quintet, Joshua Redman Double Trio, Hiromi, The Bad Plus joined by Wendy Lewis, Michel Camilo, Joe Lovano, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Miguel Zenon, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band and the Rodriguez Brothers. Tickets go on sale on April 23 at 10:00am. I really really really wanna go.

Also, George Wein’s Folk Festival 50 has also confirmed some of their artists for Aug. 1 &amp 2. Those include Pete Seeger, The Decemberists, Arlo Guthrie, Fleet Foxes, Joan Baez, Neko Case, Billy Bragg, Campbell Brothers, The Avett Brothers, Josh Ritter, Gillian Welch, Judy Collins, Del McCoury, Iron & Wine, Joe Pug, Tao Rodriguez Seeger, Balfa Toujours, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Tim Eriksen & Shape Note Singers, Langhorne Slim, Ben Kweller and Low Anthem. Tickets go on sale wednesday May 6 at 10:00am. I wouldn’t mind attending this also…

I think I should start saving up my money, my summer looks to be pretty eventful.

While the United States is in the middle of a recession I’ve decided to try to help where I can. I’m not sure if my efforts will be significant but I hope to play a small part in trying to keep the local culture active.

Whenever I hear of economic and financial crises for the country and in the communities, I fear for the arts. When budgets are cut, the cuts are made to arts programs and organizations first. It makes me sad that such sacrifices need to made.

In my own grassroots effort to keep the culture alive in southeastern Connecticut, I’ve decided to volunteer some of my time at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. I’m only doing a few hours a week at the front desk but I’m glad I can help out some after they’ve had to let go one employee and about half the staff moved down to part-time positions. I won’t have very much work to do so I can spend some time reading books and my inner nerd loves that idea. Plus, I might learn a thing or two about art. I’m one of those people who can look at and appreciate art for what it is, and that’s all. I’m more objective than subjective when it comes to visual art.

If you’re in the area, please take a trip to the Lyman Allyn to see some marvelous artwork from local artists. There’s a cool portrait of Abigail Dolbeare Hinman defending her house from Benedict Arnold while the British were burning New London in 1781. Who doesn’t like a girl with a loaded gun?

While I was meeting with the assistant to the director I remembered first going there on a field trip in elementary school. My mom and sister were chaperones. My classmates and I tried to sit down in a chair that was apparently part of the exhibit and we got in trouble for it. Oops! Then on the bus ride back they told me that my older sister was a lot prettier than I. I’ve avoided keeping the latter part of this in my memory for the sake of my self esteem.

A converstation via phone via text:

Joan: Omg I almost had a low flying turkey hit my windshield driving in rt 12 this am
Erma: They are cruising for a bruising
Joan: Turkey vs. car. Car wins
Erma: And gets dinner.
Joan: ROFL*

* I like to pronounce this acronym as “ruffle”

If you could be reincarnated as a musical instrument, what would you be?

I thought long and hard about it and I think I’d like to be reincarnated as one of the following:

1. Violin
2. Cello
3. Piano
4. Gibson Les Paul
5. Keytar