Northwest Florida Arts Association
Inspiration
Inspiration – Crystal Castles
May 11th
Crystal Castles have taken a lot of indy music fans by storm recently with their newest album, the self-titled “Crystal Castles.”
Crystal Castles is an experimental electronic music band comprised of composer Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass.
The music consists of very Daft Punk inspired beats with Glass’ instantly recognizable shriek piercing through the dance floor. Alice Glass goes from 0 to 120 amazingly well. From quite whispers to instantly screaming, she is amazing to watch and listen to.
They often use synthesizers to distort her vocals as well, at times making the beat out of her own voice tuned to a harmonic pitch using the keyboard, as seen in their song “Crimewave”
I listened to the album almost exclusively when working on my newest piece, actually named after the Crystal Castles song Celestica.
My favorite song on the album by far is Baptism.
I hope you all enjoy Crystal Castles. I know I do.
PiXeLS
Apr 8th
This is seriously one of the most well done short videos I have ever seen.
Forget 2012, Armageddon, even Dawn of the Dead.
THIS… is scary.
Seriously though. This video is not only mind-blowingly visionary, but incredibly brilliant and painfully perfect in its execution.
What I Listen to….
Feb 13th
I don’t usually post anything music, but since Brandon has been posting some of what inspires him, I thought I would post a few of the bands I like to listen to. This is a very small representation of what inspires me, but these are a few of my favorites.
Green Day – Know Your Enemy
Cher – Song for the Lonely
The Dandy Warhols – Bohemian Like You
Sixx: AM – Life is Beautiful
There’s no particular reason why I like or dislike a song or musical artist. Some, like the above, just feel right. Hope you enjoy….
What music is motivating me lately…
Feb 10th
Lately I have been on a weird mix of newer music and older music. Here are just a few songs keeping me motivated lately and why I love them.
The XX
One of the best bands in the last few years, The XX have a style all to their own. The best example of their music, to me, is the song “Crystallized” which features some amazingly well done harmony sections. The video is low budget but pretty damn cool as well.
Mew – Introducing Palace Players
This song is so good on so many levels. The opening being played in dischord before all coming together is done with amazing precision. The video is quite an original spectacle as well.
Vampire Weekend – Horchata
Don’t dismiss Vampire Weekend based on their name. This song is not only catchy and quite deep, it’s rather upbeat.
Broken Bells – The High Road
What happens when you combine the genius behind The Shins with Dangermouse? Broken Bells.
If you’re in the file sharing circles, you’ve been pimping this album to everyone you know for about a month and a half now. The rest of you have to wait until March for the whole album but here is the first track from it, The High Road.
Anti Flag – Seattle Was A Riot
This song was quite the anthem for the 15 year old me. I remember blistering my fingers so badly learning to play this on bass (and I still can!!!). Chock full of message and a catchy riff, what more do you want?!
Skold – Neverland
Tim Skold is one of the most talented musicians of this generation without a doubt. The driving force behind multiple Marilyn Manson albums (playing every single instrument himself, writing the songs, producing the album and then even doing the album artwork and website? Yeah, dude is talented) and several KMFDM projects (KMFDM’s Adios/Symbols, MDFMK, Skold Vs KMFDM, etc) he has finally entered the studio to record his first solo album in 13 years.
Skold… it’s good to have you back.
Here’s a track off of his first solo album. This one is called “Neverland.”
Jack Off Jill – Fear Of Dying
Let’s end this on something heavier. Jack Off Jill’s Fear of Dying. The lyrics to this song are very well crafted for a band commonly not known for their lyrics.
“I’m not afraid of standing still
I’m just afraid of being bored
I’m not afraid of speaking my mind
I’m just afraid of being ignored”
What artist can’t relate to that?
Musical Inspiration
Dec 10th
Alright I promised this time I would post some more obscure music.
Here are some songs that have been inspiring me lately. They aren’t necessarily new by any means; I just have been digging these songs lately. There’s quite a mix of styles here so if you don’t enjoy one song, just move on to the next.
Let me know what you think!
The Limousines – “Very Busy People”
Death Cab For Cutie – “The New Year”
My Chemical Romance – “Desolation Row”
Teenage Bottlerocket – “Skate or Die”
The Faint – “Your Retro Career Melted”
Cool Music Videos
Dec 1st
As one can tell by talking to me, my work is greatly inspired by music.
However I also find music videos very inspiring and sometimes, just as enjoyable (if not more) than the song itself.
Below are a few of my favorite music videos of all time.
Note: One of my favorite music videos is The Prodigy’s “Smack My Bitch Up” but I have decided its a little too risque for the front page of this site. Feel free to Youtube it though. It’s one of the few music videos with a story and a twist ending.
The Prodigy – Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix)
This video tells the story of an incredible foot race to win money. It’s ferocity and originality are truly amazing. I’d love to see this concept explored more in a movie or short film. The idea of being blind folded and running as fast as you can is just amazing to me. The band members being spread throughout as background members not as the focus is also a nice touch. Keith Flint as the somewhat antagonist is perfectly placed.
Johnny Cash – Hurt
This famous cover of the Nine Inch Nails song is almost haunting. From what I have read, it was recorded one month prior to Johnny Cash’s death and is a very moving song. When looking death in the face, he realized what life is truly about. That all of the money and fame in the world means nothing. This version of Hurt is always a little emotional for me to listen to, but its beauty is undeniable. The video is equally emotional; showing how Cash found his faith in God before the end. Showing how he realized the true message of the Bible.
Whether religious or not, I think this video is very inspirational in the journey Johnny Cash went on and what he found at the end of the road. You don’t have to be a Christian or religious at all to appreciate the comfort and solace this video represents.
Marilyn Manson – Coma White
This is my favorite Marilyn Manson music video. Not my favorite Marilyn Manson song, but the production on this video is really impressive. The colors and editing techniques used to tell the story it tells are really inspiring. The stylized visuals are something very artistic and I think it would be hard to convince someone that this video isn’t visually beautiful.
Nine Inch Nails – Only
By far one of the most visually creative music videos ever made. The CGI of Trent Reznor in this video is just expertly done. Did I mention this was directed by David Fincher (Fight Club/Zodiac)? Oh yeah. It’s good. It’s real good.
The Faint – Agenda Suicide
I’ll leave you with something up beat. The Faint’s Agenda Suicide is a expertly animated video about the monotony of every day life. One of the coolest indy music videos you’ll find. I have a song inspired directly by this song, so it’s one of my favorites.
Inspiration – “David Bowie”
Nov 23rd
One of my biggest influences in life and my art has been the legendary, David Bowie.
I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to David Bowie. He is an amazingly gifted artist whose work has stood the test of time.
Bridging sexuality with art and confusion, David Bowie is an idol to many. His influence on modern music and art is impossible to deny. Everyone from Marilyn Manson to Lady GaGa lists David Bowie as a major influence.
So… how can I share some music of his that you haven’t heard 100 times already?
Rather than focus only on his music, I’m going to share a few of my favorite performances of his.
This is “Hallo Spaceboy” off of the 2003 Reality DVD, one of the best musical DVD’s I have ever seen. The editing manages to match the tone and message of every song and is a work of art all on its own.
One of my biggest influences in life and my art has been the legendary, David Bowie.
I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to David Bowie. He is an amazingly gifted artist whose work has stood the test of time.
Bridging sexuality with art and confusion, David Bowie is an idol to many. His influence on modern music and art is impossible to deny. Everyone from Marilyn Manson to Lady GaGa lists David Bowie as a major influence.
So… how can I share some music of his that you haven’t heard 100 times already?
Rather than focus only on his music, I’m going to share a few of my favorite performances of his.
This is “Hallo Spaceboy” off of the 2003 Reality DVD, one of the best musical DVD’s I have ever seen. The editing manages to match the tone and message of every song and is a work of art all on its own.
This is from the Nine Inch Nails “Closure” DVD that was never released. You can find it on torrent sites though as Reznor leaked it himself.
This is Nine Inch Nails and David Bowie performing “Hurt.” It is unlike any version of “Hurt” you have ever heard so I highly recommend it even for NiN fans who know the song by heart.
Also here is a more traditional David Bowie performance but this performance (Also from the 2003 Reality DVD) really shows his vocal capability. A really amazing performance.
Next time I post music, it will be of a more obscure nature.
Until next time…
Inspiration – “KMFDM”
Nov 14th
If you have talked to me for more than 10 minutes, you have heard me say the letters KMFDM.
KMFDM has been a very strong influence on my career as well as my belief structure. I have a KMFDM tattoo and have named several of my works after KMFDM.
So who are they?
When people hear the term “industrial music” they typically think of bands like Nine Inch Nails and Rammstein. While I love both of these bands, KMFDM was touring while Trent Reznor (of NiN) was still a janitor, saving money to record the “Down in it” single and Rammstein on their first tour of the US, opened for KMFDM.
Sascha Konietzko (KMFDM’s founder) is, in my eyes, the true father of industrial rock.
His dedication to KMFDM remaining an underground, intimate phenomenon is unprecedented. KMFDM had a song on the Mortal Kombat soundtrack titled “Juke Joint Jezebel.” It’s an awesome song, appearing on KMFDM’s Nihil album and garnering KMFDM a lot of attention. Konietzko wanted to be sure his fan base were true fans and not trend followers, so he fired the entire band when it came time to record Nihil’s followup album, Xtort.
A lot of bands take up causes but their causes usually change the minute money arrives. KMFDM has stayed true to their vision and never compromised. I strive to do the same with my work. KMFDM went as far in the mid 90′s to do a remix of “Go to Hell” called the “Fuck MTV Mix.” Now, hating MTV is common but in the 90′s it was important for artists to be on MTV. Every rebellious act from Marilyn Manson to Skinny Puppy made music videos to air on MTV where KMFDM refused.
I have yet to meet Sascha Konietzko but it is a very big goal of mine before I die.
Below are some of my personal favorite KMFDM songs. There are no rhyme or reason to my selections. These are just the songs I think of when I hear the letters KMFDM.
I highly recommend listening to at least a minute of each song. KMFDM has been around for over 25 years and their sound is incredibly versatile and diverse. Songs change entire audioscapes from track to track, but the Ultra Heavy Beat of KMFDM always remains.
I hope you all enjoy these selections. Keep an open mind when listening to them. KMFDM has always promoted freedom of speech.
“KMFDM is not a political party.” – Kaptain K
And remember: there’s no doubt about it, KMFDM SUCKS!
“WW3″
“D.I.Y”
“Bait & Switch”
“Looking For Strange”
“Adios”
Thank you for sharing in my love for KMFDM.
I know their music is not for everybody however I truly do believe I could find a song by KMFDM for any musical tastes. Remember that they have been around for over 25 years and their sound has changed considerably over the years, but the ultra heavy beat has always remained.
From the gutter to the top, KMFDM will never stop!
Inspiration – “A Glorious Dawn”
Nov 10th
I believe it is almost impossible to not be in awe by our universe. It’s such an incredible source of inspiration for many, including myself that one must recognize its beauty and complexity.
How everything every single person knows on this planet is limited to one small planet in the vast emptiness of space. How the star we base our entire calendar on is simply just another star amongst billions.
I find the complexity of our surroundings to be incredibly inspirational. The works of Carl Sagan especially are a great inspiration for me.
This video is part of the “
Symphony of Science” project started and maintained by John Boswell. The Symphony of Science is a project to bring scientific theory, knowledge and philosophy to a wider audience through music. I fully support this project and think it is a brilliant idea.
I hope you all enjoy it.
If you enjoy “A Glorious Dawn” be sure to check out it’s follow up, “We Are All Connected.”
