Check it out and enjoy.

For me, Bowie does very little wrong, I just love the guy.

Cheers,
Eban

Dave Carroll was on tour with Sons of Maxwell and someone on their United flight noticed the flight crews were throwing guitars. They busted up Dave’s $3500 Taylor guitar in the process. After months of fruitless haggling with United, they basically told Dave to screw off.

Hey, wait a minute, isn’t this guy a musician?

Well, Dave told the last person he talked to, and who is immortalized in this song, that he was going to do three songs, and three videos of the affair. Here is the first.

$3500 for a new guitar that they destroyed, or who knows how much cleaning up the public relations mess. Yeah, United chose well.

Let’s get the views up on these videos to help the cause.

Cheers,
Eban

These days, I have gone from a period of famine to full on feast, as it relates to freelance work. Gone are the days of floundering, trying to get something going.

There is a weird side condition to all this. Even though I am so much more busy, I am getting things done beyond the all new workload. Things that I technically should have had more time to do before this latest round of new work, but always thought I could not get done.

I guess it is a mindset. Being busy is very positive, while having nothing to do is very depressing. Go figure.

The old saying holds true, at least if my life experience is to be counted.

That being said, I have a new video up at Reaching for Lucidity Productions talking about my day, my jobs, what I am drinking, and so on. Check it out if you can.

There is actually a full post there, but the video gives something away that is not in the written part of the post. That info is, I have two new Rocket City Riot songs for the relaunch of RfL 2.0 which is coming in less than 7 days!

Like I said, it is easier to do things now that I am busy than back when I had nothing but time. RfL 2.0 and the animated series are coming back.

Man, it feels good to not be a gangster.

Cheers,
Eban

A person I know well recently asked me why he should keep producing his media when people seem to not want what he produces, but instead want the animal videos, people making fools of themselves, and teenagers lip synching to copyrighted music. In other words, Youtube content. I gave him a pep talk, but have thought about it in more detail since. Here is what I would say now.

Youtube has stacked the deck against quality web productions that are made by truly indie producers, get used to it and keep producing

Why make a statement like the one above? Because it is true. Youtube has set the bar of Internet entertainment and media content at the lowest level possible. Just look at what people view there and push to the top of the heap.

Yes, take a good look at what is at the top. The freaks, the oddities, and when it is not the freaks and oddities, then it is mainstream stuff snuck in, before it is pulled due to copyright issues. There is great stuff there, but it tends to get buried.

Some of the oddities and such are actually very interesting. The Weezer video for Pork and Beans showcases some of these interesting things you find on Youtube, and a couple of the absolute worst. Chris anyone? The Superman dance guys? Please.

Unfortunately, Youtube is where most people go when they think of user generated content. It is easy to use and has tons of things to watch. People in general do not like to search all over the net for their online media, they like “one stop shopping,” so to speak. Youtube capitalizes on this.

So what does this mean for producers of quality media? For one, it means get your stuff on Youtube. Like I said, there is great stuff on Youtube, even if it stays buried a bit too often. It also means getting on Viddler, Veoh, Blip, Vimeo, and all those other services out there, as well as offering your stuff from your own server and site  with a subscription feed.

“But,” you say, “I produce audio content, not video, what about me?”

Well, audio is it’s own beast, and if someone is looking for audio content, they are generally not looking on Youtube, so you have a bit of a break there. Also, people looking for audio are generally looking for the great stuff, as horrible audio is not entertaining, so they tend to search out the best.

So, as a producer of video content, look to those other video networks mentioned above. Networks such as Viddler, Veoh, Blip, Vimeo, even Utterli, and the many others that tend to reward and promote the higher quality content. It is true that these networks are smaller in viewer numbers, but quantity is not everything. The viewers on these networks seem to be more discriminating, and thus, are more likely to stick with a quality production, unlike the Youtube folks that are always looking for their next freak video fix.

Also, don’t forget about your own production website. This should be ground zero for all your promotions, so get it set up for the task. Get your content together and take promoting it serious. Make sure you have a good site design, have good SEO through unique written content as well as your media so you get Google’s attention, cross promote and get backlinks with other sites of like content and other media producers, and always offer up an easy to find RSS subscription option.

Getting your media noticed is a battle of sorts. It is a marathon, not a sprint, that is for sure. Build, Build, Build, and reap the longtime rewards.

Whatever you do, don’t stop producing. Those videos on Youtube that have no redeeming quality and took no talent to produce yet get seriously silly viewer Numbers may get you down from time to time during your building phase, but what you build will be hard to tear down, those Youtube videos are generally the truest definition of the “one hit wonder.”

So produce, promote, and be proud of what you create. Continue to grow and experiment. Increase your skills with every production and never stop being open to learning new things. You will win in the end. You may not be the “be all, end all,” or most popular producer ever, but people will not remember you for being a freak, a fool, or worse. They will remember the quality of your productions. That is a win!

Cheers,
Eban

This is a bit of shock to my system. I love 3Currencies, it is just not a performing site. As a matter of fact, for all the effort I put into the site, it gets just 1% of the traffic of the podcast and the blog here.

That sucks.

But, we must adapt. Doing something that is not working is not a very good plan.

I tried to make 3Currencies work. I have updated and relaunched the site 3 times, each with no success. I even partnered up with a content provider, then had to break off that partnership.

The thing is, I chose a hard niche. Well, it is so popular it is hard to call it a niche. I chose to build the site around online marketing. It was doomed from the start.

So why do I say, “Long Live 3Currencies,” then?

I am shifting the 3 currencies to a better niche, one that I know better than most. New Media production!

The three currencies will be from now on, Audio, Video, and Words!

I will give pointers, how-to’s, equipment reviews, tutorials, and more on how to produce great online media. As I said above, I do know a little about that stuff

Well, if you want in on any of the freebies I was offering up over there, get them now, as next week the new 3Currencies will be launched.

Yes, 3Currencies is very dead, Long Live 3Currencies!

Cheers,

Eban

I tell you, one thing I hate is bad customer service. Normally, bad customer service happens when you are getting less service than you paid for, ignored when you need answers, or are being over charged for a service or product. Or maybe even a combination of all the above.

My customer service situation last night was totally different. I was actively trying to drop $1500 to $2000 on a new TV setup, and the teenagers working in the store would not take my freakin money!

First, the girl at the counter referred me to the guy, all teenagers. Even the supervisor was a teenager, and kept butting in while we were trying to get our tv. After finally getting the guy to admit they had the TV we wanted, he called to the warehouse to have it brought out. He then disappeared as someone else was bringing it out.

We waited for 15 minutes, then we tracked him down. At that time another teenager showed up and clerk #1 told him to get our TV. At that time clerk #1 left the department. Clerk #2 however did not get our TV, he went to two young guys looking at much cheaper TV’s and started to goof off with them. Obviously they were friends.

We could not get his attention, so we went to the female again. She did not remember us. By this time we had been waiting for over 30 minutes. Clerk #2 told the girl that he had 2 TV’s to get and he was helping the two guys as well.

WE HAD PICKED OUT OUR TV 15 MINUTES BEFORE THOSE TWO JACKOFFS EVEN SHOWED UP IN THE STORE!

Well, we walked without a TV. We were bitten in the ass by trying to save around $400 to $500 dollars. Instead of going to a proper store, where we would have been treated well and got a better set, we went to Target at Triangle Town Center in Raleigh. Beware of that store, as any store that throws away $1500 to $2000 in sales in this financial climate is very suspect.

Now, on to the fun stuff, the news roundup!

CHAKUKALAKA!!!!!!!!

______________

From Blabbermouth

Guns N’ Roses Guitarist /bumblefoot: Abnormal Title Track Available for Free Download

Get Bumblefoot’s title track from his solo album free. Isn’t it weird that the hired musicians that work with AXL can actually get music out to the public? And in under 1000 years!

AXL should take note. Write the tunes, record them, mix them, release them. See, no need to work on an album that started when you are young and finally gets released as you get membership to the AARP.

Shadows Fall Members Rock ZOOM Portable Recorders

Watch this vid. These ZOOM units rock. If I ever replace my trusty iRiver it will be with one of these units. Now, after writing that, I need to go and reassure my iRiver that it is in fact irreplaceable.

Oh, the life I lead.

Chris Caffery Checks in From the Studio

Solo Chris. If you like Savatage, or even his guitar work with Trans Siberian Orchestra, then this should fit well into your collection.

UFO Guitarist To Guest On New Destruction Album

That would be Vinnie Moore, and man, can that guy shred! The new Destruction album will be called D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.

Remind me to give them a cock-punch for all those damn periods! OK, just kidding, no man deserves a cock-punch, even for overdone periods, but maybe a throat shot? Anybody?

Alright, no violence over punctuation.

Kiss Announce California Concert

It will be at the Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa in Keyseyville, California on august 31st

Slipknot: European Festival Appearances Announced

I hope to see Slipknot this time around. I mean, the word was they were not getting along, were tired of slipknot, and the last album was their curtain call. Now, they are getting along, they say they are re-energized, and they are not quitting anytime soon.

I really want to hear what a happy to be around Slipknot album sounds like! I just hope there is no crooning, just not their thing, ya know!

Stormlord: Another New Song Posted Online

Go to their Myspace page for the new acoustic track “The Castaway”

Scars On Broadway Confirmed For Germany’s Area4 Festival

This is the new band from Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan from System of a Down. It is good to be in Germany on August 29-31, no?

Mike Muir and Rocky George Perform Together For the First Time in 13 Years.

Check that out. Brings back memories of the good old Suicidal Tendencies days.

It would have been great if Trujillo could have jumped up on stage as well, eh?

______________

From Angry Ape

Flo Rida- Elevator (Feat. Timbaland)

Well, at least Timbaland isn’t Guesting on a stupid Lindsay Lohan album, Oh Wait, he did. Nevermind.

Beck Airs Brand New Track Online

Beck and Danger Mouse, man, this album could be epic! Go check out the track from the ultra-undercover new album.

______________

From Spacelab

Annuals Label-Collective Goes National

The label from North Carolina act the Annuals called Terpsikhore is going nationwide. Good to see success for the small guys, eh? Screw the big labels.

These Are Powers-Taro Tarot

A review

Daedelus Makes “Love to Make Music To”

That has to be one of the best titles I have seen in a long time! You can do some streaming at the Spacelab site as well.

Bumbershoot Festival Gets Band of Horses, The Black Keys, and More

Here are some of the acts, The All-American Rejects, Paramore, Band of Horses, The Black Keys, Sons & Daughters and Estelle

Mark your calendars for August 30 – September 1 at the Seattle Center.

Man, they should book Abney Park!

As for Paramore, well that Hayley Williams is cute. But saying that, as she was born the year after I graduated high school, makes me feel a bit like a dirty old man. Sort of like that scumbag Jerry ” I love 17 year olds while I am in my 40′s” Seinfeld. But still, she IS cute.

Video: Portishead-The Rip

This is a band that I hate that I like them. Did that makes sense?

______________

From The New York Times Technology Section

Netflix to Sell a Device for Instantly Watching Movies on TV Sets

Uhm, I already have that service through my computer thank you. No need for another $99. OK, Not everyone has an LCD or Plasma that can also act as a monitor, but come on people, get to the store and by one. What is this, 2007 or something? Geez. Just don’t go to Target.

I watch all of my TV now through my computer to our LCD sets. With Joost, Netfix, Hulu, Veoh, ABC.com, and an ever growing selection of other channels, just about everything is there.

I get a kick out of people buying things like LOST from the iTunes Store while ABC.com streams for free, in full screen, with HD as an option.

Crazy man, just crazy.

OK, I know you want it on your iPod, so be it. Put the free stuff on the POD and watch your main shows for free on the set.

By the way, I have never seen an episode of LOST. Go figure.

______________

From Aversion

Amy Winehouse, Pete Doherty Still Collaborating

Is there any good that come of this? Really.

Talented but troubled Pete, along with talentless but troubled Winehouse, plus all the drugs their money can buy?

Why do I see jail in the future instead of an album and tour? Am I just being a pessimist?

Liz Phair to Perform Exile in Guyville

Finally, just 15 years after the original release, and after trying to produce something good since, Phair finally realizes it is all about Exile in Guyville after all.

The performance will be June 25th at the Hiro Ballroom in New Yourk to celebrate the June 24th re-release of the album with bonus material.

David Bowie Musical Not Going Ahead

That sucks, it could be good. Bowie was made for stage. His whole life has been a sort of trippy, dramatic performance. I mean that in a good way. Bowie totally rocks!

_____________

Photo Credits
Slipknot wrist band, Adbi__Ocean Yohama
Target__j.Reed
Mick Thompson-Slipknot__Garrette
Liz Phair__Web__I had to, the tits Man!

Technorati Tags: Liz Phair, Liz Phair tits, Mick Thompson, . Slipknot, David Bowie, Pete Doherty, Amy Winehouse, Target stroes, Netflix, Portishead, video, zoom, Paramore, Hayley Williams, Daedelus, Beck, Danger Mouse, Mike Muir, rocky George, Suicidal Tendencies, Scars on Broadway, Daron Malakian, Stormlord, KJiss, Vinnie Moore, Chris Caffery, Savatage

This happened in London and was part of Patti’s tributes to photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, her longtime friend and aids victim. These performances are known as Coral Sea.

The show that happened between Fields and Smith was filmed. It features both music and spoken word performances and now it will be released on July 11.

Keep that date in your calenders!

Cheers,
Eban

Technorati Tags: Patti Smith, Kevin Shields, My Bloody Valentine, Video, Robert Mapplethorpe, London, New Release, Coral Sea

But, that being said, Nightwish is still a great band. Their next single will be “The Islander.” The video has just been released, and to my surprise, it is chock full of steampunk imagery! I mean, really, what is more steampunk than a sky filled with mighty airships? Not much.

This clip features dirigibles, a titanic looking ship with balloons, and a really cool ship with a da Vinci type propeller. There is even a scene showing an in air traffic device. I love this. Plus, this is the best song off of their new album.

So, here you go, the new Nightwish video.

Crazy, eh?

Anyway, who wants to buy the RfL Studios one of these babies? It is not terribly expensive, but it is a luxury, and I don’t get many of those these days. So, really, anyone out there want to show RfL, and little old me, some sonic love for all the entertainment we give a way for free?

Yeah, thought not, lol. Hey, it was worth a try, eh?

Cheers,

Eban

**EDIT**

OK, so much for taking the day off. What the hell? Here is a video that I put together for you today. Enjoy, if you can.

Re-Cheers,

Eban

The show features the video of Hungry Lucy’s tune, Harvest.

Enjoy!

Cheers,
Eban!

Technorati Tags: Anji Bee. Lovespirals, Hungry Lucy, Chillcast, video, Harvest

After writing about ablation in the last post, this is a bit refreshing.

Back in the Saddle Again.

Cheers,

Eban

This song, Dakishimetai, by Jungle Smile is one of my favorites. This also happens to be the end song to the anime Super Gals.

Yeah, I know, Super Gals is not one of the super testosterone driven action titles, but still, it is one of my favorites, when I am not in the mood for the more intense stuff. I find the anime, and manga, well written. And even though the theme is of Japanese teenagers, I still find it very entertaining.

Here is the song. I hope you enjoy it.

BTW, I am thinking of starting another show at RfL. And yes, it is along the theme of this post. I am going to explore the legality of using Japanese music and starting a podcast of Japan only tunes. I already have M7 and The Plastic Soul Band. I just need some other tunes and I will be set.

Enjoy Dakishimetai. It translates to “I want to Hug You”

And what the hell, Here is Episode #23 of Super Gals!, enjoy!

And, the ending