The vinyl curtain September 30, 2010
Posted by jasoncondie in Music, Technology, Thoughts, Web.Tags: And Vinyly, andvinyly.com, ashes, australian catholic church, australian catholics ban funeral songs, cremation, death, funeral, grim reaper, Internet, music, records, vinyl, voice recordings, Web
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Artist's impression of DJ Reaper
The Grim Reaper wants your song requests, despite the recent ban on funeral pop songs by the Australian Catholic church. Further to my post about managing your digital remains, another Internet startup foray into death services. UK company And Vinyly offers audiophiles the opportunity to become one with the music and bake their cremated ashes into a vinyl record. Prices start from £3,000 for the basic package which includes standardised graphics and 24 minutes of music, voice recording or silence so that surviving relatives can appreciate ‘your’ pops and crackles. Extra pimping charges apply if you want custom artwork, “bespook” music, global distribution of your record (?) or event management of your “FUNeral”.
A refreshingly original approach to immortality complemented by an irreverently tongue-in-cheek website. For example the 10 steps to turning your remains into a record:
- Confirm viability of services in local area
- Identify a family member to accompany you (your ashes) to the pressing of the record
- Prepare audio and artwork
- Attend mastering of record
- Receive samples of record
- Die
- Get cremated
- Family member attends record pressing
- Chosen recipients receive record copies
- “Live on from beyond the groove”
A far more interesting dinner party game than ‘desert island discs’: As your last act of creativity, what would you choose as your death rattle?
Ukuleles & overweight nudity… September 3, 2010
Posted by jasoncondie in Art, Edinburgh, Festival, Music, Thoughts.Tags: arcade fire, Art, damien rice, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, george formby, Half price Hut, karma police, life drawing, life modelling, lucky dip, mumford & sons, naked splendour, philip herbert, radiohead, rebellion, the ukulele project, ukulele
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… just another Saturday afternoon lucky dipping the Fringe Half Price Hut then. Whilst I appreciate the festival is over for another year (tear), I thought another couple of reviews wouldn’t hurt in case you happen across the shows next year or elsewhere.
The Ukulele Project 8.5/10 – Cowgate Udderbelly Belly Bancer
Size isn’t everything. Disregarded previously as a musical punchline (not helped by the comical strummings of George Formby), the ukulele has enjoying a recent resurgence thanks to folk rock bands like Mumford & Sons. The Ukulele Project, a trio of teenagers, apply their wee guitars to an eclectic range of hits from Dolly Parton to the Beatles. Lead male vocalist Oli Peacock is pleasingly reminiscent of Damien Rice and his acoustic covers of Radiohead’s Karma Police and Arcade Fire’s Rebellion were arguably better than the originals. The only criticism being the inclusion of a Bond medley was uncharacteristically childish but only because the maturity of performance makes you forget the age of the performers.
Naked Splendour 9/10 – C-Venues Carlton Hotel
“Contains nudity, drawing involved” warns the ticket. Audience members are handed sketch pads and pencils upon entering the worryingly intimate auditorium (drawing involved – check). Philip Herbert has dedicated his life to life modelling and through innovative participatory theatre, recounts witty and absurdist anecdotes. After the subject strips (nudity – check), an initially embarrassed audience soon settles to intense concentration as sketchers attempt to capture Herbert’s naked splendour. The show certainly answered my questions about life modelling (what happens if you fall asleep or get an erection?) and I’m now considering giving life classes a go – drawing not modelling mind.
Apparently the rendering of the model's genitals says a lot about your personality - do you go for the darkened area, acorn or exaggeration?
iPod most playeds May 25, 2010
Posted by jasoncondie in Music, Thoughts.Tags: Amazon Recommends, April Uprising, downloads, Fool For You, Goo Goo Dolls, I Choose Love, Incubus, Jack Johnson, John Butler Trio, Listen Dear, most played, music, Revolution, The Coronas
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Another justification for a Firefox breathalyser – the manipulative genius of Amazon Recommends. Discovering an unknown band in your iTunes is almost as exciting as discovering an unknown girl’s phone number in your iPhone. The Coronas (I’m aware of the alcoholic irony of the band name) were one such joyous morning-after surprise. The haunting vocals and emotively written ballads are very reminiscent of an Irish Goo Goo Dolls. Most played songs – I Choose Love and Listen Dear.
New releases by old favourites can be hit or miss. Has the band retained the original musical magic or sold-out. Thankfully the latest album from The John Butler Trio, April Uprising, ensures the threesome continue to be a mainstay in my CD collection (yep, I’ll admit it, I still prefer the tangibility of CDs). Although more mainstream than the previous four albums, April Uprising is still the perfect combination of Incubus and Jack Johnson. Notable inclusions are the anthemic Revolution and the beautiful, Third-Eye-Blind-esque Fool For You.
