News
Google Commits Music Blogocide Over MP3s
Shannon Hassett :: Thursday, February 11th, 2010 11:00 am
Had you been up early and browsing for some mp3s this morning, you would have been hard pressed to find the usual suspects. A number of the web’s most highly trafficked music blogs were shut down over the past day and a half, including: I Rock Cleveland, It’s A Rap, LivingEars, Masalacism, Pop Tarts Suck Toasted and To Die By Your Side. In addition to the release of mp3s, the sites share another common bond in their blogging platforms, as all are hosted by Google’s Blogger. Not a huge surprise, then, when overnight the creators all received a similar message from Google alerting them to their apparent copyright infringement and the immediate shutdown of their blogs. MORE »
News
Gmail Goes Social Fashionably Late
Shannon Hassett :: Monday, February 8th, 2010 4:25 pm
The Wall Street Journal of all places, a paper not normally known for its fun loving audience, announced earlier today that Google will be adding a social feature to Gmail. Held sacred among email providers for its organizational capabilities, cutesy background theme options and chatting service accessible in the corposphere (and conveniently made to look like regular email), news of a social networking device from fan favorite Google has caused quite a stir. While details are still at a minimum, the new feature will likely combine user updates from Google’s sister sites — YouTube and Picassa — with personal status updates, an option currently available through standard GChat that would most likely see a significant upgrade. GChat has long been considered AIM for grownups (yes, that’s AOL Instant Messenger), and the latest announcement positions Google to similarly school Facebook. Imagine a newsfeed minus all those people you hated in high school, or in other words, social networking sans the spam (just like Gmail!). Let’s all breathe a collective sigh of relief — except for China, of course.
Politics, Shit Going On In The World
Rielle Hunter’s Wild Ride
Amy Rose Spiegel :: Friday, January 29th, 2010 4:20 pm
Horse murders! Scandal! Media pioneering! Passion! Generation X literature! Politico pregnancy! The Wikipedia article on Rielle Hunter is one of the most eye-poppingly bizarre things I’ve read in recent memory. Her history has already been featured in the books of Jay McInerney, her ex-boyfriend, and Bret Easton Ellis, but that was way back when she was seventeen. Since, she’s embarked on even crazier adventures, most notably seducing onetime presidential hopeful John Edwards, who sired her illegitimate love-baby. I think a new book, or possibly a movie, is definitely in order, but I’m sure the opportunists who write all those ugly political-scandal books are way, way ahead of me on this one.
Lists
Far Away? Far Out. The 4 Best Psychedelic Rock Tracks From Other Countries
Amy Rose Spiegel :: Friday, January 15th, 2010 4:30 pm
From South America to Eastern Europe, psychedelic rock has been interpreted through the lens of many different cultures through the years. This usually results in bizarre hybrid songs that are equally traditional garage rock and local influence, to varying success (if you’d like an example of where it doesn’t work, check out Pakistan’s most popular band, Junoon. I love tabla, but it just ain’t right with distorted guitar). The artists listed here have definitely found the right mixture of the two, proving that you can be far from the original scene and still be way far out.
YouTube
Pint-Size Drumming Prodigy Jonah Rocks Tears Up YouTube
Amy Rose Spiegel :: Thursday, January 14th, 2010 4:55 pm
It’s hard not to be incredibly jealous of great musicians. Given this, it’s especially hard when the musician is FIVE YEARS OLD. Jonah Rocks is, according to his website, a complete autodidact who’s been obsessed with drums since the age of three. I’m sorry, but I’ve been trying to learn a few different instruments, with and without lessons, for years, and this skill level is beyond me Jonah Rocks makes me accept the fact that I will never be as musically gifted as this toddler. Great. But really, this is unbelievable talent for someone so young, and it’s a total pleasure to watch.
Video
“Bohemian Rhapsody” + The Muppets = Instant Smile
Danielle Johnsen :: Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 4:10 pm
Not sure if this really needs any introduction, but let’s try. The Muppets Studio Channel on YouTube launched today with dozens of great videos, including their cover of Queen’s quintessential hit “Bohemian Rhapsody”. I dare you to watch this video and not giggle from beginning to end. Check out the video after the jump. MORE »
Contests, News
Monsters of Folk Video Contest Goes LIVE Today
Francesca Galassi :: Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 1:30 pm
Our contest with Shangri La Music calling YOU to direct a video for Monsters of Folk’s new single, “Dear God,” goes live today, brought to you by D+T and YouTube!
Death and Taxes and You Tube are giving you the chance to direct a video for the new Monsters of Folk single “Dear God.” The winner not only gets the glory of directing the band’s new music video but will win $5,000 (!) a Gibson acoustic guitar signed by the band and Final Cut Pro. 5 runners up also get some cool stuff like vinyl. Submissions will accepted until Jan 1.
Wanna submit? Details are after the jump. MORE »
