Sunday, May 27, 2007

ON NEW MUSIC


Title: DUET - 2nd Variation
Aperture: F9, Shutter: 312/10 sec
Focal Length: 99mm, ISO: 100
Light Source: single flashlight


It's quite embarrassing to admit that I have been out of touch with new music lately. I should have retained my great interest in it since I once worked in the music industry in which discovering new artists and trends in emerging new sounds were significant aspects of my job. Darn, we were even urged to venture into hole-in-the-wall venues just to check out unsigned bands.

As I had commented on Major Tom's entry on Arcade Fire, the 80GB iPod Video I bought a couple of months ago remains in its package because I haven't really been inspired to play with it. Well, reality is I have no new music or video to plug into it.

Nevertheless, Major Tom's article about this latest Canadian band sensation, Arcade Fire, has compelled me to go out and buy a new CD. Perhaps, in so doing, I will be inspired to check out others out there. But then again, from what I understand, American Idol is now putting together another new show in which the goal is to search for the next super group or band, not individual artists. Indeed, watching this new series will be a more enjoyable and interesting way to discover new talents without hanging out all night at seedy joints.

By the way, told Major Tom he ought to consider becoming a music critic even if only part time.


.

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:17 AM


28 Comments:

Blogger kyels said...

I'm sure you will have some songs to plug it into your iPod soon!

[:

May 27, 2007 1:25 PM  

Blogger Sidney said...

Too bad... I was just looking for a buddy to hang out all night at seedy joints and that before Mayor Lim closes them all... ;-)

May 27, 2007 2:55 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

I just remembered, Kyels, that when I purschased it, the clerk wanted to put in some music in it, but I declined. And then I thought about bringing it back for that purpose, but got lazy to do it til now :(

May 27, 2007 3:02 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

You are a funny man, Sidney ... hahaha!

At my age, I might get mistaken as a cop about to shake down the owners for some protection money.

Let's just wait for the new American Idol TV show :)

May 27, 2007 3:05 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, that DUET pic again.. I love it! :)

I guess I am never out of touch with new music because of my kids. I educate them about music from my time, and they educate me about music of this time.

Know what, rock star son's band has disbanded... Sayang. He hopes to form another one though.

May 27, 2007 3:47 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Oh no! Sorry to hear that your son's band broke up. Galing pa naman nila. But it does require a lot of effort and time to keep a band going. Nonetheless, sayang!

May 27, 2007 7:33 PM  

Blogger houseband00 said...

I definitely love the photo, Eric. =)

I find it hard to do critiques of the music I listen to. I also get terribly biased because all I listen tio are just the stuff I like.

May 27, 2007 9:22 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

i will not comment on the subject but it is as always, every post you have here, the photos are getting better and better.

It won't surprise me anymore that one day, you'll have your own photo exhibit. (or with Sidney perhaps.)

And I am looking for that day soon.

May 27, 2007 9:36 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! Nice to see that set of musical instruments again. And it's a much better shot this time.

Akin na lang yung Ipod Video mo! Hahaha. Joke. Looking forward as well dun sa American Band na series nila. Pang tapat nila sa Rockstar series nung isang channel.

May 27, 2007 10:54 PM  

Blogger -= dave =- said...

I would've asked for the iPod :) but I'm not into them. For mobile music, I'm content listening to FM. I've been stuck with my computer's mp3 collection that I guess I have to check out the latest music (not to mention the DJ's antics).

We're in the same predicament in terms of music posts. I'm dismayed that there's only four entries in my blog labelled as music-related.

May 27, 2007 11:56 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for the mention here eric...

I think I'd try the music critic once in a while and further hone my skill there...then perhaps I can go pro on that...

Although really good music merely comes once in a while...

Very dramatic shot by the way; I believe the this kind of guitar---a Gibson perhaps?---sounds as good as it is in the pic.

By the way, I am a bit intrigue bout your mention that you were once in the music industry. Did you had the position they always call as the "A&R". What do they stand for excatly? I never really knew in the past.

May 28, 2007 12:40 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know what you said about bar hopping for music because in this part of the world, there's lots of startup bands who play these joints with their original songs ! It's very common for music scouts to check them out if they're interesting.

I'm looking forward to the American Idol band episode. Now that would be very interesting coz there will not be a shortage of aspirants :)

May 28, 2007 3:55 AM  

Blogger sheilamarie said...

lovely picture, eric. i like the color very much

i don't have an ipod, so i have no idea what you are talking about. LOL! oh, but i love listening to music =) but seldom been able to listen to live bands.

May 28, 2007 4:22 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thank you, hb00! (and thank you, too, Rhoda!).

I submitted this photo to the recent PhotoWorld Cup contest on musical intruments. Out of the 300 entries submitted, this was picked and placed among the top 60. Unfortunately, it didn't go any further than that. The other submissions were supposedly more creative and wonderful than this one.

I am like you when it comes to music criticism. It's a tough task, indeed.

May 28, 2007 7:47 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thank you, Myepinoy, but you might have a long wait to endure with mine.

Sidney, on the other hand, can have one at any time. He has enough fascinating and intriguing photographs for a wonderful exhibition :)

May 28, 2007 7:53 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Know what, Ferdz? I should conduct my very own photo contest that is open for all and offer my iPod as the one and only prize ... hehehe. Kaya lang hindi na brand new :(

Many thanks, Ferdz!

May 28, 2007 7:55 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

I've a feeling you'd be a good music critic as well, Dave, since you are a fine writer. But it is a lot of work.

I, too, listen to a lot of FM these days, but the deejays rarely identify the artists these days.

May 28, 2007 7:59 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

I was an assistant to the VP of Merchandising, Major Tom, and part of my job was to provide him with regular reports on the latest trends in New York's music scene in all genres.

The A&R (artist and repertoire) person is the one who actually would usher in a new artist into signing a record with his label or record company. He may also select the producer and all the necessary players to ensure a successful debut album.

An A&R guy may sometimes consult with us about the marketing viability of an unsigned artist he may have been following for quite some time.

I was one of those (lucky enough) to be consulted by radio stations and print media to provide them with the week's "best-selling list." I said lucky enough because ... well, you know ... hehehe.

Put it this way: an obscure recording may suddenly find its way on an FM station's regular rotation if I listed it often enough ... hahaha!

May 28, 2007 8:12 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

You can't imagine, BW, the excitement I felt when I heard about that news; that American Idol will also be showcasing talented but unheard of bands!

"Paying the dues" was the phrase used for the pitiful experiences that these struggling new artists/bands have to go through just to fulfill their dreams of becoming professional musicians. And as you can imagine, they do get exploited a lot -- even by their own record labels :(

This new upcoming American Idol show may be the saving grace for most of these new and young talents :)

May 28, 2007 8:19 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Don't worry, Sheilamarie. Time will come when your Lucho will be the one to introduce you to all these new gadgets and will even show you how to operate them ... hehehe!

Many thanks!

May 28, 2007 8:21 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I was one of those (lucky enough) to be consulted by radio stations and print media to provide them with the week's "best-selling list." I said lucky enough because ... well, you know ... hehehe.

Put it this way: an obscure recording may suddenly find its way on an FM station's regular rotation if I listed it often enough ... hahaha!"

Hmmm... I think I know what you mean. I was with the broadcasting industry before I became a full time mom and teacher... hehehe.

May 28, 2007 8:38 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

The fringe benefits of that job, Rhoda, was quite incredible. I bet it was like in yours also ... hehehe.

May 28, 2007 8:47 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love music except "raps". I've always said that a guitar, drums, and good crooner is all you need to succeed.
Up to now, I'm mesmerized as to why American Idol catapulted to stardom while my old time fav "The Gong Show" was relegated in the basement, hehe...But, I'll volunteer (free) to critique these musicians on "Gong Show" format.
Re your Ipod, there are sites where you can siphon music of your choices such as Napster, KC Easy,etc...I downloaded 250 selected "oldies" music to my mini-ipod and really enjoying it (actually my son tranferred them from my pc to the ipod), coz like you, I'm not into gadgetry...Good Memorial day weekend. Cheers as always..

May 29, 2007 8:05 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

i'm back in the blogosphere after a whole week layoff (in a foreign land) :)

so you're an A&R, heh?
something I once wished to become when I was a kid and loved music

I, too, have an iPod video 60G but the songs not too updated. I'm stuck in the 70s, 80s and early 90s.

I use it as backup for my gazillion photos and now i'm planning to buy an external hard drive

also saw your email at HCS about the theaters just yesterday :)

May 29, 2007 10:32 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Yes, that good ol' Gong Show with Chuck Barris and company. And who can forget Gene-Gene, the Dancing Machine! Hehehe!

Yes, I really have to make use of my iPod.

It is Memorial Day Weekend in the States, huh? And the official start of summer. You canow wear white loafers :)

Thanks, TruBlue!

May 29, 2007 12:57 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Welcome back, Tito! No wonder you haven't been updatng your site lately.

Let me know the external drive you will get. Actually, I got the iPod for that purpose but never really pursued it as such.

Yes, and I was so glad Richard responded and provided me with an exhaustive list. Great guy!

See you soon, Tito!

May 29, 2007 12:59 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Like you, I'm also out of touch with the new music. I only know a few. I'm still stuck in the 80's. :)

I also love your duet photos.

June 01, 2007 12:45 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Many thanks, Irene!

June 01, 2007 5:35 PM  

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