Haitus

I'm going to level with you guys, if there's any of you left. I don't know what I'm going to do with this blog.

I'm not cut out for journalism, as much as it pains me to say it. I never really was, and it's distracting from both my  work as an author an from my love of music.  I'm sure I'll get back into something music/media  related but It won't be for a while. I Have to finish my other projects before i can hold down two jobs like this. 

At the same time, I  have this love of music  in me and I have writing. I'm not sure what I'm going to do so just please do me a favor and keep this on your feeds or whatever. Check back every so often. I don't think there'll be anything for a while  and who knows, maybe it'll be somewhere else entirely. I'll link here if it is. 

Anyway thanks for sicking with me for the past few years, Hopefully I'll  find something that won't disappoint you and will  scratch that music itch. 

thanks for you time guys, 

ttfn

Arin

Update

So last week I had the plague and missed  a post. It also gave me time to think more about this lil blog. I want to go for quality, not quantity. So, I'm skipping this week in terms of Armchair Music Theory.  Expect a minor revamp soon. Review coming up sunday.

Music Wednesday: Why Music? (Yes, it is personal)

First, Business:
In the interest of getting my readers involved, I’m opening up a tumblr wherein I am asking/encouraging you all to stop by and drop me an ask. Questions and comments welcome! It will be anon or not and asks will not post by default (though the odds are high I will post them unless you ask me not to). So ask away.
The URL is
Askthewolfe.tumblr.com

Now then, on to our topic: Why music?

Okay, so I’m not a sociologist by any leap I have very little understanding of the origins of music. While it would be a very interesting thing to research, that’s not what I’m going for here.

What I’m talking about is why I picked music as my obsession and a little bit about why other people listen to music.

Music has been around pretty much since people figured out how to make sounds. It serves as a means not only of communication but also of self-expression.  It is how we talk both to ourselves and to other people.

Most, if not all songs are built to say something, even if its something simple or something that cannot be expressed with words. Even bad, shallow songs have something to say. The beauty of music though lies in the fact that even with a very clear song no two people will interpret it quite the same way.
I’ll use a shallow example that I’ve heard other people’s opinions on so have some anecdotal evidence
Lets look at Lady Gaga’s Poker face.
I have heard the following interpretations:
1. Bouncy pop song, flirty if shallow
2. a song about reclaiming female sexuality
3. a song about rape
I made the same face you probably just did (for the curious I can go into a longer explanation/analysis if it is requested) and it took me a lot of thinking to get the idea that the song could be interpreted as being about a cold, wounded, woman who is just out for the game because someone hurt her or is hurting her.
I personally am not a fan of the rape interoperation, but I can see it.

That song got dark fast and it's a very simple song. The interpretations get more intense and complex as the songs do. I just picked a simple one to illustrate with.

Go to any music forum (Particularly check out songmeanings.com) and find a thread about a particular song I f someone says anything about what they think a song is about you will get dozens of comments about either very much agreeing with them or about how incredibly wrong they are according to the commenter. And these aren’t even toned  “I respectfully disagree” type comments, rather they are vehement, often a little insulting and very adamant that they are the right ones not the poster. The passion and conviction in the comments is unparalleled. Lest you think this is just an Internet thing, I’ve seen it happen in real life as well. Hell, I’ve been guilty of being involved in these conversations myself.
So why do we care what some random person has to say about how we listen to a song? It’s just music right?
Wrong. Very wrong.
Time and again I see comments about how music saves lives or brings people together. Hell there’s an old adage about how music soothes the savage beast. I’ve heard people declare that a particular song either saved them from suicide or pulled them through a particularly dark place in their life.  Most people are quick to say that these are predominately melodramatic teenagers, but in my experience their ages range all over the map. There’s an incurably heartwarming video of an elderly man in a nursing home and how he responds to his music(Warning: tearjerker) There are also countless testaments from young people about how music has saved them.) What’s even more interesting is what songs do it. Its not always the fearless, motivational songs or the songs explicitly meant to save lives. Sometimes it is a song that most people would write off as shallow. Not to obsess on Lady Gaga, but I recall very vividly someone explaining how a friend of theirs, after losing someone they cared about a great deal four the strength to carry on through Lady Gaga’s “Just dance.”
I can hear your eyes rolling from here. Stop that. Right now.

Because of how many interpretations even the shallowest of songs can have, music is very personal. Who am I to take trivialize something that could well have saved a life? And weather we admit it or not it stings like hell when someone shit talks a song that hit you right in the gut the moment you heard it. I tend to feel a lot like a kid with a crayon drawing who’s just been shrugged off or an angry teenager. This is why we get defensive of our music and why a lot of people trivialize music. Better to not get attached to something that’s “just a song.” lest someone hurt you. Nevertheless, ‘m wiling to wager that everyone has that one song that got under their skin and just won’t leave. That one song that speaks directly to something so deep in your bones that it is imposable to describe what it does to you. You might even keep this a guarded secret. But that song is always there, like an old friend.

And I’d  bet you know exactly what song it is without even thinking about it.
(hell if you’re feeling brave, throw it in my askbox)
In short, yes it is personal when you insult my music. And it is precisely that vulnerability that drew me to do what I do.

Music Wednesday/Announcement

In the sprit of updating this bad boy more regularly, I've decided to start updating every Wednesday in addition to my usual updates when there are concerts or albums these will include, but are not limited to the following areas

• Musings, rants and other thoughts on Music and related topics
• News and news related commentary
• Top5 or ten type lists
• Catch up––things that I’ve missed reviewing for whatever reason
• Youtube gems––both in the good and the really bad.
• Single/ song of the week reviews
• Blog updates/news/notes

In the sprit of this, here’s an explanation of my ranking system

First the basic numbers, I use a one through six system

1. You have to work to earn a one. I would hesitate to call bands/albums that earn this rank music.
2. Bad, but tolerable.
3. Fair, not bad, or good, just right in the middle.
4. Good, it’s the bottom end of the good ranking
5. Great. You have to work for a five. Five used to be my top ranking before a band blew the roof off of my system.
6. Phenomenal, beyond anything else I've heard. I've given fours or fives to most of my top ten bands. You have to be spectacular for this.I rate bands on different criteria depending on genre (see upcoming rant on genre), the band’s progression and, in the case of a live show, the quality of the sound system in the venue. I’m not going to fault a band for the venue having a bad sound system, but I will call them out on poorly tuned instruments. There are a few basics, however, that most of what I review is judged by.

• Instrumentation—how well tuned are the instruments?, how precise are they  and how complex/innovative they are while respecting the genre?
• Vocal quality (If there are vocals)–– Is the singer enunciating, do his vocals fit the song? Do the vocals keep in time with the song?
• Balance: Do the instruments and vocals mesh well  (Or are they pleasantly dissonant)? Is one instrument out preforming the others?
• Recording quality(on albums): While this isn’t entirely the band’s fault I still hold them accountable for what they put their name on.
• Have they improved since their last album/show?(if there was one) Are they innovating or stagnating as a band? While this is a hard one, I don’t feel it's fair to put, for example, a really young band’s first album up against a seasoned band’s fourth album.
• Not a criterion per se, but I should throw in that I review bands based on the sound, performance and/or album, not the band itself. It’s not personal.

There are tons more criteria, but these are some basic components of what I look at.

So, remember that one time I had a blog?

I'm back.

Things on the site are going to be a little spotty as I'm trying to figure out what i'm doing with the site visually( web design is not my forté) and organizationally.  However, I couldn't stay away for long.

Missed this place too much.

So it's summer, you know what that means: Its music season.  Hang on to your hats, dear readers, we're off again.

Hiatus? Sort of.

I don't normally get personal on here, it's about the music not my life.
But lately I've been having  a lot of struggles with my careers and I just need to get my head on straight and get back to why I started this thing.
The music.

I'll be back, make no mistakes about it, but I think I need to figure out how to reformat a few things and iron out what I'm doing with this blog (and my novels for that matter).

I will still take requests and gladly welcome them, but I won't be posting much of my own accord for the time being
(not long, ducklings, I promise).

3000 Views!

Happy 3000 views to the Haven! I remember when seven views was a lot. I wish I could do something fun to thank you guys for the over three and a half years of support. 

Next up: 

Shinedown with The Art of Dying at the House of Blues Chicago. 

PSA/ Quick Survey:

First: Sorry I've been absent Nanowrimo ate my soul. Two more days and I'll be normal again
A few things:
1. How many, if any, of you would want a mobile version of the blog?
2. There's gonna be a bit of a facelift. More content, some rants et. Any thing you'd like to see as my readers? Comments/ criticism. If you don't want to  figure out how to comment on the blog,  email me at my business  email over on the sidebar.
3.  I may be jumping ship to a real website in the next year. Any recommendations?

Get Famous: A PSA to Young Musicians

I’ve seen far, far to many bands who make these mistakes, so Its time for a PSA:

If you want to get famous, there are some rules that you should follow:
1) Google “Name You Want for Your Band (band)”, odds are unless its a really odd name,you’ll have at least one other. If it's far away from you and they only have a myspace, you’re golden. If you have four hits in the same country you’re from: Reconsider that name.
2) Shock Value/ Funny names are not shocking/funny after the 5th time you hear them. “Clown Death Cocks” might not have many hits on google, but very few managers will take you seriously.
3) Know your genera: Live it, breathe it, own it. It may be a new sound completely, but the odds of that are very, very low. More likely you have a wealth of knowledge and support that you are ignoring out of sheer laziness and pretension. Besides it's always nice to know who you could be opening for
4) Know other genres: You might not be what you think you are, and once again you’d be ignoring a huge community.
5)If you are the first opener, you will have the worst crowd. While you’re enthusiasm is appreciated, it might not work. This isn’t a comment on you. Keep at it.

so

I was gonna rant about how Kill Hannah Canceled one of their biggest reoccurring shows because their front man is on Broadway, but that’s old news at this point (and can’t for the life of me find the draft) Due to the recent dearth of good shows/ depression on my part/ general life intervention, things have been numbingly slow around here.

So I figured I’d start on these non-review posts

How about a little “Who are you and why re you doing this?”

I’m Arin. I live just outside of Chicago, which is the best city on earth, particularly when it comes to one of my two big passions: Music (the other being writing, funny how they go together). In my other life, I’m an author of a few fantasy/urban novels, and a bunch of sci-fi short stories. (Not so published yet. Depressing.) When I was a kid, this wasn’t what i wanted, I wanted to be a rock star, still do, but i’ve recognized its not really my calling-- no talent in that arena. What I do have though is an overabundance of passion for music-- all sorts of genres too, though rock/metal are my pet-genres. I’ve ben going to concerts for most of my life at this juncture (from the time i was 3, but more seriously when i hit 14) I do it for the energy and for the people who’ve changed my life. I know a lot of people say that but for me it is really true, the music that I’m passionate about profoundly affects my life. There are literally songs that have saved my life.

Music is my driving force without any exaggeration.

Well yeah, you and a bunch of teenagers, but what makes you so special?

I also write, that's my other big passion. I started that around the same age I started on music-- i ‘wrote’ my first book at 3. It was a 5 page thing the size of a post-it pad that was constructed largely because i saw a think on how to make a book out of cardboard and wrapping paper on “3, 2, 1 Contact." dictated to a baby sitter, but it was there. I’ve been trying to write ever since. First novel was written at 15, you get the gist. I was born doing two things-- writing and listening to music.

I figured out-- after much insistence/ persistence that i did not, in fact, have any talents worthy of the stage and while I pretended to move on it away stung. I wanted to be up there, dammit. Bin back stage was NOT cutting it. Once I got through college and got on my feet, i was set loose on the city of Chicago. It took me a few years to figure out that i should turn my post concert critiques into something constructive, but one i did it became a self feeding habit. I needed the concerts for the blog, I needed the blog to keep me hunting when I got depressed.

And thus, a new outlet for my addiction was born.

So that’s why I’m here, in short-- I have an addiction to feed.

non-review type entries

Quick survey folks, what would people think if I posted things here that weren’t per se reviews?
Ideas include: Rants about the industry, pieces about specific bands/genreras et.

Anyone?

Just brainstorming things to put here between shows/albums.

Tangent: Bad fans and Booze.

This is a tangent that has been brewing in my brain since i started paying attention to the audience. Hell, some of it has been brewing for longer.

so here are some mini rants for you:
section one: Booze

1. If you go to a show, don’t get to drunk to actually enjoy the show or drunk enough to bother other people. I’m not talking the “its my first time really drinking, and I had a beer/ shot too many” drunks. Those people i can deal with, they wobble a little, maybe even go politely puke somewhere. Everyone has a little too much occasionally, whatever, its cool. But I’ve run into far, far too many people so waisted they can’t stand properly, are being belligerent and oblivious, or are just plain rude.
2. If you’re spilling your drink without anyone running into you, you can’t possibly have enough taste buds left to enjoy the taste, and you should not be trying to get more ‘buzzed.’ True story. My girlfriend and I were at a show at the lovely Metro on the floor. Someone on the balcony above repeatedly spilled her beer on us and the people around us. I brushed it off the first few times. It got bad enough that one of the other gals got security to talk to her. Her response: “where did my beer go?” perhaps another point should be “if you don’t notice it’s missing, you don’t need it.”
3. Nearly knock me over, hit me hard enough to really hurt * or try to shove me out of the way while your trying to carry drinks and you will get elbowed/ shoved back. I have no issue defending myself/ my space. (see section 2: Bad fans)
4. If you are so drunk that you are crying, its time to stop.
5. Don’t even try if you’re under 21, you will get caught. Have the grace to go drink at a house, or a parking lot or somewhere where there aren’t dozens of security guards.

Section 2: Bad Fans

1. If you arrived late, your ass is stuck in the back, I’m sorry. No, I will not move if you shove me out of the way. I will let you past but this is my spot. I got here at door. You couldn’t be arsed to stand through the openers? Tough titties. The exception to my spot guarding is the polite, 5’1 and under people who aren’t shovy and just really want to see, if i can see over you and you can’t see past me, you’re free to have some of the space in front of me. We’re all in this to enjoy the show. Or if you say “excuse me I’m just trying to get to my friend,” Fine, by all means nothing is scarier than getting isolated in a wild crowd.
2. I am not paying to see your cell phone/ camera. I know you brought the camera to snag a few shots of the act, fine and dandy. Don’t just sit there with your camera in front of my face. Snag, and stash. I’m not paying to watch TV on a shitty LCD.
3. If you shove, I will shove back. I have no problems doing so. I except some of this but if you’re being a shit, I’ll be a worse one guaranteed. and I’ll do it without bothering my bubble-mates. I’ m fine with a little jostling, that's par for the course.
4. Don’t split up, you won’t find them again: This is mostly for the really huge packed crowds at places like areas/ on the floor. If your friend is buried in the crowd and you decided to get a beer mid show, you are stuck, I’m sorry.

*I’m not talking about dancing/ being to close to the pit. I’m talking about drunkedly carrying your beer in a way that i get hit in the head by your elbow.

Rating change

I’m going back to the 1-6 system because for some reason the 1-10 system is hurting my head. Same criteria really:

1. reserved for the worst of the worst. Something hopefully you will never see.
2: Not worth buying the CD, but tolerable
3: Alright, might be worth the CD if its a 5-10$ concert CD probably not worth shipping price. This is where I expect the majority of bands I’m not actively seeking out will fall
4.Worth buying, very good stuff.This is the stuff I actively seek out.
5 stuff a step above the average that really, really sands out.
6. reserved for the crème de la crème. Run and get this music: it will turn heads and blow minds.

EDT:
A new addition, in the sprit of making some of this more personal, I’m going to add a line about what I think this music is good for. (ie good makeout music, good dance music, good angry music)

Format change

When I first started this blog, I didn’t have as much experience really paying attention to the nuances of music Now I’ve trained my ears and really learned to listen to the music. So here’s my new scale of assessment, roughly, and subject to whims.

1-10 With a breakdown as follows:
1- reserved for the worst of the worst. Something hopefully you will never see.
2-3: Not worth buying the CD, but tolerable
3-5: Alright, might be worth the CD if its a 5-10$ concert CD certainly not worth shipping price
5-7 Worth buying, very good stuff. This is where I expect the majority of bands I’m not actively seeking out will fall.
7-9 stuff a step above the average that really, really sands out. This is the stuff I actively seek out.
10- reserved for the crème de la crème. Run and get this music: it will turn heads and blow minds.

New Criterion for Venues (I will re-review some) :
1) Promised amenities-- How are the bathrooms? Is there actually a coat check? How are the bars?
2) the floor: Is it properly ventilated? Cramped? Too flat? Too full of pillars?
3) Pricing
4) Atmosphere: does the place generally creep you out? Is it cozy? Boisterous?
5) Sound Quality/ audio balance-- this is partly the bands responsibility, but the venue can often play a critical role

The crowd:
1)participation: you are at a rock show, not the symphony, it says something if you can’t at least give a golf clap.
2) Turn out.
3) vibe: the general energy of the crowd.

The band(s):
1) the attitude: Part of the point of going to a live show is to interact with the artist in a way, if their a jerk it really detracts from the show. How do they comport themselves to their fans? to each other?
2) sound balance
3) (on albums) Speed balance: too many slow tracks? fast ones?
4) Vocal sound:
5) overall sound
6)Instrumentation/ use of electronics: I find some bands use electronics to cover for their lack of talent, but electronics can be highly effective.

Adendum to the Concert PSA

Someone I met at my most recent concert (review forthcoming) added the following (very valid) points that i found worth metioning

1. Don’t count on an ATM: Don’t count on there being one at all in smaller venues If there is one expect a large fee.
2. Get there early, leave late: Show times are not always precise and this insures you aren’t stuck in a bad spot in the crowd.
3. Buy cds there: More of the money goes directly to the band than it does online.
4. Coat checks can be pricy:see also the rant about bringing less

A note on the “Pit”

If you’re at a rock or metal show, you might encounter the mosh pit. It can be awesome and intense for those used to getting hit hard. However, it can be dangerous to the those not as experienced or of a slighter stature. I’m not a pit bunny, but a lot of people are. WHile I have no advice about being in the pit other than “good luck and don’t whine about being hit”
tips on avoiding the pit:

1. stay to the back or at least one layer of people to either side. In front can be dangerous.


2. Don’t fear the pit, but don’t be afraid to move. Even if it means cutting through people.

Tangent: Concert 101

So it’s nearing summer (ok its still spring, but it snowed today so I’m dreaming of summer) and summer means heavy concert season. A lot of people go and don’t know what they’re getting into, don’t know what they’re doing. It ends poorly, not just for them but for others too. I’ve been at this for the better part of thirteen years, so I figured I’d give some of the less experienced folks a crash course.

1. If you don’t absolutely need it, don’t bring it. Or check it in the coat check that most indoor venues have. In fact it’s a good general rule that if it doesn’t fit in your pockets or a bag no wider than your hip, leave it at home.
2. Do bring:A cell phone, ID (even if its an all ages show), and money/ credit cards. Poncho if its outdoors. Personally, I like to bring at least $20-40 in case i have to cab it home for some reason
3. Do not bring large bags larger than you are wide or backpacks. This is not only asking to be robbed, but it’s a hazard to anyone near by. Epically in standing room only venues. You’ll end up having to buy people drinks because your huge bag knocks them.
4. Wear sensible clothes/ shoes.Yes, we all go a little nuts at concerts bur bear in mind, you are going to be in a crowd of people dancing, jostling and above all trying to see. Ditch the parka and the heals.
5. Be nice to the openers.Your band was once an opener, and odds are there is someone trying to enjoy them. There are people on a stage, putting themselves out for a crowd that, odds are, are not here to see them. Clap at least. Even if they are bad.
6. Be nice to security. It could save your life.
7. Don’t stand around bored. This is sort of part of five, but bears reiterating. The people who go to shows and stand bored, huffing and puffing until their song/ artist comes on are really rude.
8. Stay hydrated. Yes, water can be over priced at some venues. But 3$ for water, is better than 300$ for an ER visit
9. Don’t be afraid to shove a little, but don’t be a jerk. –It’s a concert, especially if it’s a rock/ metal sort of show, there’s going to be jostling, head banging, probably moshing et.
10. Be careful, but not too careful. You may think you’re ready to be thrown around, thrash danced into etc. But pits can be pretty dangerous if you’re not prepared. I tend to stay toward the middle of the crowd, just behind/ to one side of the proper mosh pit. But you are at a concert; most fans I’ve run into are good to each other, if you really get scared and need to get out odds are you can.

Subsection: Things NOT to bring

1. Water bottles: Most venues will not let them in as they are a safety hazard
   
2. Large bags; Bear in mind a) you’ll be holding it for 2-6 hours b) it will be hitting people.
3. Cameras:some venues are flexible on this, know what you’re getting into.
4. Anything you don’t want getting hurt that isn’t signed there.
5. Young Children. This is a use your own judgment sort of thing, some kids fair well at concerts I saw a 7 year old with at a metal show once having an absolute ball but I’ve also seen crying, unhappy ones.
6. Anything that can’t fit into a small bag.
7. A person who won’t enjoy it: yes it may feel better to bring your friend/SO, but it brings all of us down if someone is not having it.

This may seem like a daunting list. Concerts can be wild, intense, dangerous places. You will sweat, your ears will ring, and your legs might not forgive you the next day. There might even be bruises. Let me tell you right now, it’s worth it. If you’ve never been to a real concert, they are the biggest, loudest rush you can find without completely risking your life. There is nothing quite like the thrum of the base in your chest or the power of an enter crowd knowing the every word to a song.

A Rant/PSA

I don't normally do this but, I have a public service announcement.
I understand sometimes you have to bring stuff with you, I had on me last night: one eyeshadow, two brushes two crayons, a cell phone, several cards (both credit/debit and store related), my ID et. I also acknowledge  that some outfits aren’t conducive to pockets (I ware cargos so I don’t have to face this issue). But if you’re at a show that is standing room only, or crowded in anyway, LEAVE THE BULKY PURSE/ BAG/BACKPACK AT HOME or check it. If the purse juts past your body more than a couple inches, I guarantee you will be obliviously hitting people, getting in people’s way and generally be “that girl” You don’t want to be that person at a sold out jammed to the walls show.  Hell , if you’re  near me, a seasoned concert goer and tiny metal head, you don’t want to be at any show with more than a very few people. )Also wear as thin a coat as you can justify, for the same problem.)  You also hold up the pat down line and make yourself look like a giant newbie.
Not only is your giant bag a danger to people who are jumping around and ducking through the crowd and generally  not keen on being smacked by a purse, its a danger to you.  People generally at concerts are there to have fun, bond and drink. (I got my cell back when it slipped out of my pocket last night!) However, people are human, and some people are assholes.  You could get robbed, or things could simply fall out/ get hurt.  And at concert hall, even the nicest ones, you will never see said stuff again.  At best its in the trash, at worst someone stole your cards. 

Please for your sake and mine, leave the giant bag at home.

Errata

I said that the self titled album was Halestorm's debut, While its their first full album,  they also had an EP in 2006 (One and Done EP (2006)

Life Happenened

I'll get to those album reviews. I think i'll skip some though as it concernt season part two.!

Why have I been on hiatus?

Dear reader, I can show you in picture  form

His name is Jake, and he's now eaten (along with two stuffed animals and a highligher)  a little over a month of my life. I love him.

Actual honest to gosh reviews forthcomng.

Audience Survey.

But, again, I'd like your input:
when reviewing would you like me to add things like ticket price and accessibility via public transport?
(Prizes for responding)