Inside the Circle

Se Anuncian Los Nominados Para el 11th Annual Latin GRAMMYs

socialcircle@live.com — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:55:24 PDT

Los nominados para la 11a entrega de los Latin GRAMMYs fueron anunciados esta mañana en el Avalon de Hollywood, CA.

La ceremonia de entrega sera transmitida en vivo el 11 de noviembre del 2010 a las 8pm/7pm Centro de la tarde en Univision desde Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino en Las Vegas, NV.

Pueden ver la lista completa de los nominados aquí o aquí.

Si quieren ir a ver la ceremonia en Las Vegas, boletos estarán a la venta empezando el 17 de septiembre.

Y no me pregunten porque el anuncio oficial para la ceremonia esta en ingles. No se y no tiene sentido.

Enlaces Útiles:

Latin GRAMMYs

Avalon

Pagina Oficial

Los Angeles, CA

Univision

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

Las Vegas, NV

Zune Brings its Influence to Android (Unofficially)

socialcircle@live.com — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:03:55 PDT

[Image Source: XDA Forums & App Brain]

I suppose imitation is the best form of flattery as it seems Zune has been imitated quite a bit recently. While reading up on Android apps, I came across two relatively new apps that try to bring the Zune experience to Android phones. First is an app launcher replacement known as Zune Home. For those not in the know, it is my understanding that an app launcher replacement seeks to change the home screen and the way you open apps on an Android phone. The second app I came across is actually a live wallpaper, called Living Music, that seeks to mimic the now playing screen of the pre-Zune 3.0 software. From what I have seen, a live wallpaper on an Android phone is similar to the DeamScene feature available in Windows Vista. Please note I do not own an Android phone so the following observations are coming from reading the links provided in the discussion below.

Zune Home

Initially, I came across a thread in the XDA Forums discussing an app that advertised the Zune UI on Android. To me, the pictures show a user interface that is somewhat of a mix between a Windows Mobile 6.5 device and a Zune HD. Thanks to a video (and article from) Android Central, in the same thread, you get an understanding of what the app does and how it is almost but not quite like a Zune HD. I bring Windows Mobile 6.5 into the discussion because it is another phone operating system that has a text-inspired user interface, albeit in its base configuration. Note how Zune Home does not quite mimic Windows Mobile 6.5 in that ‘messaging’ does not have a message counter, similar to ‘text’ and ‘email’ in WM 6.5. Instead Zune Home links to an application that handles messaging (then again this is Zune Home, not Windows Mobile 6.5 Home). However, Zune Home is not quite at home with Zune either. As the XDA thread discusses, the text is not oversized as any seasoned Zune user would come to expect of the word marketplac on their Zunes. Also, instead of putting quickplay on its own screen, icons are listed in a vertical column to the left of the text links. I wonder what happens when your quickplay list exceeds your list of text links. Overall the app looks cool and it would definitely be a launcher replacement that I would love to try… if I had an Android phone and $0.99. App Brain or QR Code:

Living Music Wallpaper

While reading about LG’s Android UI enhancements, I saw another video that piqued my attention. The blog Androinica brought up Living Music as part of an article reviewing live wallpapers. To me, the live wallpaper looks cool. While the video lasts just under 4.5 minutes, Androinica features Living Music in the first minute of the video. If you watch the video, you notice Living Music looks like it mimics the now playing screen of the Zune Software… from last year. While certainly cool looking, the flipping album art grid may seem a bit behind the times for current Zune software users. If you have not noticed, the now playing screen in version 4.0 of the Zune software has moved from a uniform grid to either a now playing montage (for tagged music) or a view featuring off sized flipping album art (for untagged music or those without an internet connection). In a way, the Living Music live wallpaper reminds me of Windows Media Center’s now playing screen for music in Windows 7. While not bad, I see Living Wallpaper as another take of a now playing concept that has proven to be inspirational outside of just the desktop music playback area, as it proves that album art makes for a great background. According to the listing on App Brain, this live wallpaper also features play controls that integrate with Android’s standard music player. This is another (this time free) app I would love to try out. Now if only there was a live wallpaper that did what the Zune HD does when playing music. App Brain or QR Code:

So Zune Nation members, well those of you on #TeamAndroid, what do you think of these Android apps bringing elements of Zune to your phones? Would you give up Launcher Pro or swaying grass to make these part of your daily routine?

91X Prestents The Next Big Thing

socialcircle@live.com — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:40:42 PDT

On September 26, 2010 local independent radio station, 91X, will be hosting their 12th 91¢ show featuring Authority Zero at the 710 Beach Club.

Yes, 91 cents to see a show.

The catch? Well..

tickets are only available the day of the show at the 710 (seven-ten) Beach Club
tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis
you must be 21+ to enter the 710

My suggestion to you? If you're in the Southern California area, try to make it to the 710 for Authority Zero's 91¢ show. Then you can rub the fact that you saw a great show for 91¢ in San Diego all over your friends' faces. Yes.

Some of the past Next Big Thing shows include (but are not limited to): Far (at The Casbah), Matt & Kim, Cage the Elephant, Ida Maria, Paper Tongues, Dan Black, Neon Trees, Dirty Heads, and New Politics.

All for 91¢ each.

You might want to check out the sites.. Some have free downloads.

I'm well aware of the fact that I probably should have told you this a little earlier.. Like when 91X had the first Next Big Thing show. But Marques' recent post about concert prices reminded me that I should get crackin'.

Useful Links:

91X:

710 Beach Club:

The Casbah:

I'll make sure to post the Next Big Thing #13 when it rolls around.

Video Walkthrough: Apple’s Ping Service in iTunes 10

socialcircle@live.com — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:12:05 PDT

While I know that we’re a Zune-oriented site, it’s always good to periodically look into the world of “the competition”. Recently at a press conference Apple highlighted all of the new updates to their iTunes/iPod line (with the exception of the iPod Classic – makes me think that Zune should consider keeping the Zune 120 around).

Part of their new Fall announcements included the launch of a new iTunes music social network called Ping. First, I should say it’s funny that most reviewers seem to nicely forget that Zune Social exists and keep talking about how whatever Google does will be the competitor to this – ahem, yeah whatever.

Secondly, I was a defender of this service being released simply because I always believe that music should be a social experience (as it has been when we visit record stores, go to concerts or make cassette tapes for our friends). However, upon further reading and inspection it looks like Ping isn’t becoming the hot commodity it could’ve been coming out of the gate.

Which leads to this video. A buddy of mine, Brandon Larkin (known as lostassassin13 on Twitter) was kind enough to do a full demonstration video that shows what it’s like to sign up for Ping from initial logging in to getting your profile up and running.

For those of you who wanted to see what it’s like to use Ping, without having to bloat your machine with an iTunes 10 install, here’s a much simpler way to see what’s up.

Many thanks to Brandon for taking the time to create this video.

United Airlines to trial Zune HDs on international flights

socialcircle@live.com — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:11:25 PDT

So, remember back in June when we mentioned that Zune is powering the audio experience for United Airlines flights? Sure you do. Well, this is now the next phase of that partnership. Straight from the mouth of our buddy, Dave Mac, United Airlines will test out using Zune HDs for their international flights.

But it won’t be your run of the mill entertainment, Dave was working hard securing from studios content that’s fairly recent (and even Pre-DVD in some instances)

Personally, I think this is fantastic for Zune, simply because it’s giving the brand much more exposure to consumers. It’s a proud moment to see Zune getting out there more and more.

But I don’t think this will shut up those who keep yelling “When is Zune going international?” This is NOT what they were talking about.

San Diego Comic-Con International 2011

socialcircle@live.com — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:08:20 PDT

Yes, already.

Thanks to Ben from KCCISD, I've found out that four-day and single day passes for Comic-Con '11 will go on sale 1 October 2010 at 9AM PDT.

Remember that you can only go to Comic-Con if you pre-register online. You cannot show up and expect to be allowed in. Chances are you'll just end up being tackled by several security companies' guards and hauled away by SDPD.

If you'd like to attend Comic-Con 2011 (while it's definitely still going to be in San Diego), I suggest you make a note of the date. And it'd help a little if you also have sufficient funds in the bank in order to accomplish the transaction.

^_^

Los Links:

Comic-Con

Keep Comic-Con in San Diego

San Diego Travel

San Diego Convention Center

Conversation Piece: Welcome, everybody, to the social!

socialcircle@live.com — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:21:30 PDT

Yes, we've now been a few hours removed from the Apple announcements and one of the hot topics is the new Ping service, included in iTunes. For those who haven't heard, Ping is Apple's foray into creating a community based around music. The obvious, next thing to say is "Well, didn't Zune start that trend a few years ago with Zune Social?" You would be right, young Jedi but now we're in 2010 and the comparison is between 2010 Zune Social vs. 2010 Ping.

Now you can make your own judgments about Ping vs Zune Social, in fact I encourage it (nothing like some healthy fanboy debate over which network makes social more social), but I'm going to take a different track and say I'm glad that Apple is even doing a social network at all.

I know... *gasp* *shock* *horror* *asterisks*

For far too long, images of music listening involved people sitting around somewhere (be it on a bus, in a lounge chair or even in their car) with their ears plugged up listening to music by themselves. If you wanted to share songs with a friend, what did you do? You made them a cassette tape.

Now, in these new days of technology, music sharing and discovery graduated far past creating a mixtape. Now you can instantly send songs, playlists and recommendations to friends via services like Zune and Last.FM. Apple is now getting in on that bandwagon with a service that allow its members to see feeds and find out what their friends are up to when they're using the iTunes service.

I know. I'm a Zune MVP, but I'm a music lover first. I'm also a person who will always support something that will allow people to begin integrating music and communication into their lives. While Ping sounds pretty bare-bones on the surface, the fact that it's available is a nice step forward. I also think of the indie bands who may have followings we don't know about. Having something like Ping available gives another avenue for these indie groups to step out and showcase themselves.

However, in considering the effectiveness and impact Ping will have for its iTunes consumers this brings me to Zune Social -- if I may go on a side note for a second. When I first started using Zune Social, I was all over the place with that service. I was in forums, sharing messages, songs, asking questions. Now? Not so much. See, we're ready to say that Apple copied Zune, but I want to know how many people will actually use either service. Apple can tout all of the potential members it wants, but let's see how many people actually use Ping. Zune has about 3 million users, but how many take strong advantage of the social?

Other than syncing my friend's Zune cards to my device so I can get a collective sampling of what they're listening to, what other purpose right now does Zune Social have for me? It's a topic that we've brought up before, but as people who genuinely want to see Zune succeed in this music-sharing space, the fact that Apple even has something now on the table, should tell Zune Social they need to step that game up.

However, on a broader scale, I welcome Ping to the community. We all should be seeing music as a social experience (I mean hell do you really go to clubs, concerts and festivals just to stand there or do you on some level interact with everyone around you?) and I'm glad there's another channel by which music can become part of this social circle.

What do you guys think about anything written here: the state of Zune Social, the introduction of Ping, the effectiveness of creating a community revolved around music? Sound off, #ZuneNation!

Update (9/3/2010): I guess I spoke too soon about that whole Ping helping indie groups thing. Turns out that Ping, as of now, is invitation-only which essentially leaves lesser-known and independent groups on the outside looking in. I don't get why it's invitation-only. Oh and it's not playing well with Facebook. Now had Zune had these sort of initial problems, you'd be hearing it about it everywhere and on sky writing.

Geezus Radio Shack! Here I am trying to defend Ping, in the sense that creating a music community is always a good thing and they can't even get out of the gate without stumbling (well, falling actually). I draw your attention to this review of Ping given over at TechCrunch. Unless Apple gets on the repair ball this whole endeavor will flounder.

Music To Tease Your Taste Buds @hearnohomusic

socialcircle@live.com — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:03:02 PDT

We have another TASTY lineup for you this month. Don't miss your chance to catch some rising stars. Order your tickets in advance at Wantickets.com and get 2 for 1. We have been busy this month with new developments. Hear NoHo is now a proud member of the Zune Social!

We are looking forward to sharing some cool stuff with you so be sure to add us to your list of friends.

BIG SWIRL TRUCK is coming!!!
Come out to enjoy some good music and tasty frozen treats! You just might win some free Gelato! yummie :D

@BIGSWIRL_TRUCK | Site

***Hear NoHo Lineup for September 2nd 2010***

View MAP

Jennifer Quiroz, 8:00pm at Cella Gallery
@jenniferquiroz | Site

An up and coming singer/songwriter whose debut EP "And So I Sing" - released in February at LA's famed Hotel Cafe - mixes the raspy, warmth of John Mayer with the catchy melodies and honest lyrics of Taylor Swift. Her exposure includes "The Ghost Whisperer" and major radio play on Tokyo's JWAVE. In March, she was nominated for Triple A Artist of the Year award at the 2010 LA Music Awards.

Sarasona, 8:30 at The NoHo Arts Center
@LeArnold | Site

Alternative, Rock
We are fans and appreciate all types of music. Our influences range from all the musical spectrum.

Arnold Aldana- Lead Vocals
Andre Aldana- Drums and background vocals
Randy Laforett- Guitar and background vocals
Josh Laforett- Bass
Josh Gutierrez- Guitar
Gustavo Miranda- Keyboard

Jade Giorno, 9:00pm at Cella Gallery
@jadegiorno | Site

Jade was born in Italy in 1984 and discovered her love for writing at a very early age. She studied piano as a child and wrote her first lyrics for a song when she was 12. after high school, she moved to barcelona, spain, to enroll at university of barcelona in the english philology department where she managed to develop her skills as a writer, essayist, philologist, and teacher.

Vonyse, 9:30 at The NoHo Arts Center
@vonyse | Site

Vonyse has toured with Gomez & Cake, been featured on Fox National News, Named by House of Blues as one of the top 5 new artists of 2006, and chosen as Jane Magazine as one of the top unsigned female artists. Her music is straight from the soul - not following rules, but making her own.

Jessie Payo, 10:00pm at Cella Gallery
@jessiepayo | Site

Jessie’s opened for The Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz, Lauryn Hill, Lupe Fiasco, Etta James, and Boyz II Men. And her music has appeared on MTV’s hit series’ “The Hills”, “The City”, “My Super Sweet Sixteen”, ABC’s “Make it or Break it”, FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance”, CBS’s “Criminal Minds”, E!’s “The Daily Ten”, and Disney Channel’s “Halloween Town High”. Jessie also received a Gold Record for her performance on Disney’s “Jump In” soundtrack.

Jared Swanson, 8:45pm at The Art Institute
@abbot_kinney | Site
Jared is lead Singer of the band Abbot Kinney.
He is performing an acoustic set for us on Thursday. This is sure to be a real treat. Check out his video, "No Time To Waste"
http://www.vimeo.com/13322626

Comedian Meghan Parks
from Upright Citizen's Brigade @ucbtla | Site

As a comedian, actress and writer, she has studied improv and sketch at the UCBTLA and the IO West. She continues to perform sketch and improv at the UCB and hits up several comedy venues all over LA on a weekly basis to show off her fancy character work. Some of Meghan’s credits include: Maude Night, UCB’s Quick 'n Dirty Musicals, Sketch Cram, Spank Night, Freak Dance: The Forbidden Dirty Boogaloo, SF Sketchfest, Patsy and Annette , and FOD exclusive: Intervention With Kristen Chenoweth on the internets. And she thinks you’re neat.

Comedian Daniel Kinno
@danielkinno | Site

AMERICAN LIKE YOU

And now MEMORIES OF MUSIC!

Artist: JEFF
Title: Something Special
"Jeff is one of those bold fellows who never let his many disabilities get in the way of a career on stage. Really, when a guy shows up with deformed legs and a hook hand, it's probably best just to let him do what he wants. Jeff also has a comedy tape about being drafted into the military." ~ Nick DiFonzo

Submit your band today! www.sonicbids.com/hearnoho

@hearnohomusic | www.hearnoho.com

Conversation Piece: $20 ticket + $200 service charge!? Oh, sure!

socialcircle@live.com — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:18:11 PDT

I had the pleasure of reading a great 'open letter' today. The writer, Allan Stackhouse was writing to Nathan Hubbard, CEO of Ticketmaster. While he appreciated Mr. Hubbard's transparency of addressing customer concerns with buying tickets from Ticketmaster, Allan was distressed by the lack of speed at which Ticketmaster is doing something about those ticket concerns.

And let's face it, I would be at a ton of shows if it wasn't for the fact that most shows cost enough money at face value -- but then you add service charge, tax, printing charges, shipping charges, computer is on charge, you are in your seat charge, blinking charges and the all-important 'hitting the keyboard' tax you end up with a ticket that costs the same price as two or three face-value tickets. Allan Stackhouse makes the great point that it's things like this that cause people to second-guess if they want to attend shows and, by extension, miss out on many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities or the chance to expand their musical palate.

For me, I know artists aren't making enough from CD sales, so they're becoming more dependent on concerts and merchandise, but if I get turned off from attending a show because the price is way too much to even consider that bodes well for no one.

Here, I invite you to read Allan Stackhouse's open letter and then report back here and discuss your thoughts. Or if you want to use this opportunity to go off on Ticketmaster, be my guest.

Sound off!

musicHEADsphere 1.4

socialcircle@live.com — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:53:28 PDT

The darkness is suffocating; your brain buzzes with the dread of the limited light and the enormity of what lay behind you- the edge of creation, the wall of night culled from myth beyond which nothing you or I can comprehend exists. At this proximity to the edge of the universe, one’s sense of self becomes transient, because you- as I know you are doing right now- are attempting to contextualize your place in the face of such enormity.

I almost wish that I could alleviate your concerns, but it would be a pointless endeavor.

The real issue becomes not that you are feeling this way, but why you are feeling this way.

***

The genetic memory of music could find its genesis in another area that has been woven into humanity; that of mathematics. It is inevitable that, as long as mathematics (and by proxy, science) exist, music will continue to manifest in any civilization that dares to better itself via numeric discipline.

Music, by it’s very nature, is based upon the idea of numbers. Music without rhythmic structure is analogous to water without hydrogen. The metre, the beats, are all based around a number of instances occurring within a predetermined space of time. Without numbers- and at its core, mathematics- music would descend into an amorphous cacophony (much like what the Neanderthal music may have sounded like to modern ears, had there been modern equipment to capture and digitize the experience. Never mind the Neanderthals’ reactions to modern equipment and the fate that would most likely befall the hapless time traveler who would attempt such a foolish feat. Consider that for a moment. A time traveler journeys into the past, having paid the extra fees for bringing back recording equipment such as a digital audio recorder and perhaps one for video as well. This time traveler is a documentary film maker, working on a new piece that examines the history of music from its earliest beginnings to the present. The sheer impossibility of the task current task- capturing some of the earliest music clips- should have been apparent before even beginning the journey. To record the Neanderthals, he would need to be within close proximity. Considering that, in all likelihood, a modern day human would look as different to them as apes look to humans, their instinct to hunt and kill him would be strong. But let’s put aside that point. The Time Traveler appears, lugging his temporal carry-on. There are several Neanderthals, bone flutes and stones in hand, hammering out a new piece. The Traveler steps into view. They stop, stunned at his arrival. Assuming he is even able to take out his recording equipment, and also assuming that he is able to prevent them from hunting him, killing him, and trashing his equipment, he spends time working to get them to play their instruments again. As if any such Neanderthal could be lulled into such a calm state by a Traveler from the future in a strange spacesuit, the resulting music would still be incredibly disappointing to the Traveler. This is the most raw of all music, without the thousands of years of refinement and advancement of technique and music theory. The Time Traveler sees the Neanderthals for what the rest of the viewing audience would see- a group of mindless cretins haphazardly breathing into a bone flute and clanging rocks together. I would suspect the Time Traveler, after about five minutes, would merely pack his equipment up, mutter under his breath, and return to the future, deciding that a documentary on the mating rituals of Tsetse flies would be more interesting.)

But I digress.

The Pythagoreans of ancient Greece were the first to investigate the relationship between the musical scale and number ratios. Their creed was simple: "All nature consists of harmony arising out of number.” This examination of harmony- as it relates to physics- expanded over time, and eventually become a branch known as musical acoustics. When a sound is played, it creates a wave that varies depending upon the pitch. These waves can interact with others, altering them to create new, unique tones; pianos and guitars operate along these basic principles.

The resonance of strings is the crafting of gods.

***

(Another flash. Large, milky-white hands with four bulbous fingers reach out. Lavender sky. A scream. A star dies. A whisper: “Another universe?” Static. 1.6180339887. “Somewhere in the-”

Darkness.)

***

The music resonates. Music is far more than a cultural or creative aspect of humanity. It is engineered into the very fabric of the universe. You could no more remove music from the universe than remove the steel framework from a building and expect it to stand. Nature resonates with life, because anything that is no longer moving, vibrating with the thrum of a heartbeat and blood rushing through the roadways of the body is sure to be dead.

Which makes this discussion with you vaguely ironic.

The universe is slowly dying. The strings powering the universe, the underlying framework on which all things are built, are crumbling. Some are breaking down faster than others; though the heat death of the universe is an unfortunate inevitability, it is happening faster than was anticipated. The acceleration can only be attributed to one thing: the structure is being sabotaged. That is why you must accomplish your mission; the Light must move forward with you.

***

Julio Angel Ortiz, when not terrorizing the Inside the Circle community, maintains a blog at http://www.signaldotnoise.com.

Conversation Piece: A Zune HD 2 or a Zune HD Plus?

socialcircle@live.com — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:46:08 PDT

I’ve heard the rumblings that people believe Microsoft should release a Zune HD 2. Apparently, the Zune HD has already ran it’s course and it’s already time to talk of a new device that will basically read your mind, make you burgers, potty train your dog and have an alarm clock.

I can understand the sentiments, but I want to propose a different idea: What if instead of introducing a totally new device, what if Zune HD got such a firmware upgrade that it felt new all over again? Does anyone remember when the Zune 80s and 120s came out? Remember that firmware update that the Zune 30s got and how suddenly it felt like a totally new Zune.

How about the XBOX 360? People should already be talking about XBOX 720 in the wake of what types of offerings the PS3 has (remember people wanted the “new” XBOX 360 to have a Blu-Ray player). When all of these major upgrades didn’t happen, people thought XBOX 360 was going to fall behind… insert firmware updates, software and services.

With additions such as avatars, Kinect, Netflix, Last.FM, Twitter, Facebook, Zune, etc XBOX 360 is being given great new life that could last it at least a couple of more years. So what if the current Zune HD got the same type of firmware boost?

I have this strong feeling that we really are only scratching the surface of what the Zune HD can do. I would be hard-pressed to think that this device would be released only to be used as a stepping stone to the beefier device that’s REALLY supposed to show what Zune is about.

With Microsoft on a current software+services drive, their making it about the internals that run a device. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a firmware update to the Zune HD that would suddenly make it feel like a new machine, much like how they were able to do the same with the Zune 30.

But what do you guys think? Is it possible for enough of a firmware update to give the Zune HD more life, or do you believe that it’s just high time for a new device altogether?

"The Best Latin Music You Don't Know"

socialcircle@live.com — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:17:48 PDT

For the last three years, Latina magazine has offered up the best in little known "Latin" music from all over the Spanish-speaking world, including the US.

I've gladly shared that music with you.

The first year (2008), I shared the free music download link in the Zune forums. Then last year, I let you know that you needed iTunes to get the free downloads. This year.. Latina magazine is more than lacking; there aren't any free music downloads anywhere to be found.

Hell, there isn't even a page online that I can direct you to read up on the featured artists.

But since I'm stubborn as all hell and because I've really loved the past "Best Latin Music" articles from Latina, I'm more than willing to share this year's by any means necessary.

Which mostly involves my organizational skills (or lack there of) and me typing.

The following 18 artists/musicians/bands are from 12 different parts of the Spanish-speaking world.

So as not to make it seem like I'm playing favorites (because I'm only human), I will list the artists in alphabetical order by the country they are originally based out of.

→ ARGENTINA

Sofia Toello

born in Cordoba
moved to New York to study jazz around 2000
her music is said to be Soulful, Latin jazz
recommended download: "La Clarosa Cruz"

Banda de Turistas

these 20-somethings have opened for Coldplay
won the Latin Alternative Music Conference "Artist Discovery Award" in 2009
their music is psychedelic pop
recommended listen: "Día de Prosperidad"

No Lo Soporto

won "Best Independent Artist" at Los Premios MTV 2007 after Soda Stereo lead Gustavo Cerati praised them in a newspaper in 2006
the female trio has digitally released Avión in the US
sounds like new wave, indi rock
listen to "Nunce Iré"

→ BRAZIL

Mallu Magalhães

recorded her first song at 15 and posted it online
at 17 years old, her MySpace page has had more than 4 million visits
MTV Brazil says she is "mini-Feist"
her music is Feist-like with folk
recommended download: "Make it Easy"

→ CHILE

Ana Tijoux

born in 1977 in France during the Pinochet dictatorship
raps in French
moved to Chile and formed Makiza; went solo in 2006
collaborated with Julieta Venegas in "Eres Para Mi"
she has an old-school rap sound
listen to "1977"

Valentina Fel

labeled to Lizard King; same as Santigold
great dance music
her music sounds like electro-gypsy-esque rap
recommended listen: "Sin Control Sin Diversión"

→ COLOMBIA

Eka

is the side project of Erika Muñoz; the band she's a part of is the electro-Latin Sidestepper
Muñoz showcases her Caribbean heritage with Eka
she was born in Barranquilla
sounds like: Afro-Colombian Soukous
download: "Corre que Te Corre"

→ COSTA RICA

Debi Nova

has received six Grammy nominations
wrote songs for RDB
she's preformed with Ricky Martin, the Black Eyed Peas, among others
her music is Spanglish pop
recommended download: "Drummer Boy"

→ MÉXICO

Carla Morrison

inspired by Patsy Cline and Lola Beltrán
native of Tecate
Natalia Lafourcade will produce Morrison's Mientras tu Dormías
her music has a country heart with minimal pop
listen to "Esta Soledad"

→ PANAMA

Los Rakas

Panamanian slang for "ghetto folk"
duet is made up of two cousins, Ricardo Guilliam Bethancourt and Abdull Dominguez, that have been spittin' rhymes since '05
are positively compared to KRS One, Mos Def, etc
currently based out of Oakland, Calif
their music sounds like El General and Clipse had a child
recommended listen: "Miel"

→ PERÚ

Autobus

the band formed in 2006
have opened for Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, Soul Asylum, and more
they sound like vintage Brit pop-rock, with an electro feel
download: "El Duelo"

→ PUERTO RICO

Suturee

Rebecca Adorno and Julian Brau form the duo
now based out of NYC
they have a healing, folk pop feel to their music
recommended download: "Afraid of Hands"

→ SPAIN

Huecco

is composed of Ivan Sevillano
his 2006 self-titled album went gold in Spain
he's compared to the equally socially conscious Manu Chao
Sevillano mixes rock, rumba, cumbia, flamenco, hip-hop, and punk
listen to: "Reina de los Angelotes"

→ UNITED STATES

Rana Santacruz

born in Brooklyn, Santacruz has Chilango (name given to people from Mexico City) roots
his music sounds like Mexican bluegrass/ Irish mariachi. Basically, Mezcal-spiked Celtic folk
download: "El Funeral de Tacho"

Fancy Me Yet

lead singer, Natasha Dueñas (formally known as JD Natasha), received three Grammy nominations when she was solo
the Miami based band was formed in 2009 and consists of Alex Gaynor on guitar and Chris Bernard on drums
their music is like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, a la 305
recommended download: "Amusing Me"

Gustavo Galindo

another Chilango, Galindo is now bases himself from Los Angeles
he's labeled to Surco; as is Juanes
if Bruce Springteen and Juanes' music had a baby, it'd be Galindo
listen to: "Amor de Alta Mar"

Maleco Collective

is composed of Chicano rapper Malverde, Peruvian producer Marthin Chan, Puerto Rican bassist Ibo Rodriguez, and Mexican guitarist Cuevo Perez
together, they "make a savory and soulful mix" of tropical hip-hop
recommended download: "Serenata Para Ti"

→ VENEZUELA

Jóvenes y Sexys

this duo is made up of Lorena Orlando and Ezequiel Bertho
they're from Caracas
covered "Amor Platónico" by Los Tucanes de Tijuana in the 2009 film Rudo y Cursi
their music is said to be sticky sweet lo-fi pop
recommended listen: "El Reloj"

If you would like to read more on these artists, you can back order the June/July 2010 issue of Latina magazine. It's the one with Christina Aguilera on the cover in a green, strapless dress.

I hope you enjoy these new found artists!

Conversation Piece: Don't Worry, Get Appy!

socialcircle@live.com — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:00:22 PDT

Yeah, I kind of took that from Zune, but I wanted to discuss the current crop of applications that have came out for the Zune HD. Frankly, is anyone even using/playing most of these things on a regular basis? I'll admit that some of these games are pretty darn cool looking (i.e. Gotham Racing, Skate) and even Animalgrams can keep me enthralled for bouts at a time, but um... I don't find myself scrambling to start up the Weather application or the Money application anymore. Sudoku is just lingering on the sidelines and don't even get me started on Shell Game... of the Future.

I know we go after Zune all of the time about their lack of applications (because seriously, who doesn't want to use their Zune HD as a flashlight or have it make awesome lightsaber sounds?). Frankly (as a side note) having a crapload of applications is fine as a number to brag about but when a high majority of them are apps I'd use once and throwaway, give me a number of quality (use everyday) applications you have and then let's talk). But that's a topic for another day.

I want to know what you guys think of the CURRENT crop of Zune HD applications. I know you have an app wishlist somewhere, but you don't have to share that right now. I want to hear which of the current batch do you find yourself using more often than not and which ones are stuck in your application hell.

Speak up, #ZuneNation!

musicHEADsphere 1.3

socialcircle@live.com — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:00:03 PDT

musicHEADsphere is a weekly column by Julio Angel Ortiz; part fictional narrative, part historical memetic exercise. In short, it's an experimental piece that aims to explore the history of music through some unique viewpoints.

***

You are startled as we begin the transition; we are now sliding down- if “sliding down” were even the correct term, but in this case it will be the easiest for you to understand- a Riemann surface, down into a temporal Calabi–Yau manifold that will allow us to travel where and when we need to. If you feel that slight disorientation- ah, yes, that was it; don’t worry, it will pass quickly- it was us puncturing through some superstrings that are powering this particular manifold.

The next bit of disorientation will be your own timeline looping in on yourself like Möbius strip. I can assure you that it will only be temporary. You may experience-

***

(Flashes: a dark-skinned man with leathery skin reaching out to you. A pale stone column with an old woman leaning against it. A smokey old room with cherry wood furniture. Blood on russet earth. A man with a star bleeding from his forehead. A whisper: “Somewhere in the present you-”

Light.)

***

The ancient Neanderthals, despite their pioneering efforts in the realm music instrument construction and improvisation, lacked the sufficient cultural intelligence to manifest those intellectual pursuits into tangible form. Such innovation would have to wait thousands of years, until around 2000 B.C.E.

In the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur, life was hard, which is what tends to happen when you build a village in the middle of a marsh. In fact, Nippur was destroyed by a flood, and then rebuilt over the ruins of the previous iteration of the village. Repeatedly. This stubborn persistence eventually paid off, when a subsequent version of the city, having built over the numerous corpses of previous ones, actually survived a flood or two.

It also helped that, instead of using reeds to build their huts and other structures, the inhabitants of Nippur began using adobe-brick. We can only surmise that one fellow, tired of having his house, wife, and young children swept away by flood after flood, uttered the Sumerian equivalent of no mas (or, simply carved it in cuneiform and used it as the cornerstone of his new home) and built an experimental house out of adobe-brick. When the next flood came, and he was safe on top of his russet home while most of his neighbors had either fled or were drowning, they would look upon him and ask themselves, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Once the waters had subsided and the hapless townsfolk returned to the ruins, said Innovator made a remarkable profit in helping construct the newest building craze in Nippur. What they didn’t realize, at least initially, was that adobe-brick, being sun-baked from sand, clay, and water, eventually deteriorated (erosion had not entered the Sumerian lexicon, it would seem). As a result, homes were frequently torn down and rebuilt over their ruins, which had a the curious effect of elevating the city above the surrounding region, alleviating their flooding concerns. The original brick building Innovator, however, still needed to provide refunds for this unforeseen development.

The Sumerians, acknowledged as the earliest civilization in the world (as opposed to the free-wheeling, disorganized nature of the Neanderthals before), made a great many strides in the realms of technology, agriculture, and, most importantly, music. And in developing music, using instruments such as the harp and lyre, they also came to develop a written form of music notation using a diatonic scale. The diatonic scale is a seven note octave-repeating musical scale comprising five whole steps and two half steps for each octave. Curiously enough, it has been claimed that the ancient Divje Babe flute was tuned to a diatonic scale. The relevancy of this point cannot be understated; despite the inability for Neanderthals to write down and maintain a historical form of their music, these concepts could very well have passed on via genetic memory. In essence, from the very first moments of the Promethean discovery of music, its impact has been such on humanity that our DNA is now encoded with it, ensuring its very survival until the very last embers of civilization fade away.

***

We have arrived.

You are disoriented. Slowly, the malaise passes and you notice that the stars are few and far between. Distant shards of light, puncturing a blanket of darkness. You are scared; don’t be. The fear is a natural reaction, of course; whereas previously you had the despondent landscape and failing stars above you, subconsciously your mind was able to contextualize your place within that environment. Out here, with so few stars and only darkness threatening- again, only subconsciously - to engulf you, your instinct kicks in to fight or flight. Considering the darkness is incorporeal and you are hardly in a position for flight, given your present condition, this untenable situation causes your mind to deadlock. No need to worry; again, this is normal.

We are, after all, at the very edge of the universe.

***

Julio Angel Ortiz, when not terrorizing the Inside the Circle community, maintains a blog at http://www.signaldotnoise.com.

Tromboneforhire’s MP3 Bonanza: Post #4

socialcircle@live.com — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:28:00 PDT

Let’s pump up your Zune (HD) with some more great free music from your Friends at Inside the Circle. Once again, special thanks to Ariel Publicity, for providing the MP3s and the great artists who are creating this awesome music.

Let’s GO!

See You Tonight [Kotadama]
Robot Lover [Lord T & Eloise]
The Return of Point of No Return [Nu Shooz Orchestra]
143 [Million Dollar Mouth]
You Are No Angel [Kelly Greene]
Reveal [Underwhelmed]
Joytime Bound [The Pimps of Joytime]
There’s a Fire Inside [Daydream on Autopilot]

Prior MP3 Bonanzas: [Post #1] [Post #2] [Post #3]

If you want the complete listing of MP3s we’ve made available, use our RSS feed.

We have two upcoming #MSMVP events!

socialcircle@live.com — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:05:32 PDT

It was always my hope that MSMVP, would become an event that would take place yearly in every Microsoft Store across the country. Currently there are four Microsoft Stores open (with 3 more coming down the pipeline). With a successful #MSMVP that took place at the Mission Viejo store, I'm proud to announce the next two #MSMVP events that are coming up:

MSMVP: Scottsdale

Saturday, September 25, 2010
Microsoft Store (Scottsdale, AZ)
[RSVP] via Facebook

MSMVP: San Diego

Saturday, October 9, 2010
Microsoft Store (San Diego, CA)
[RSVP] via Facebook

I also want to take this moment to thank everyone: The MVPs, the community, the Microsoft stores, the members of the Microsoft staff and all those who support this project. MVPs, from what I've learned in my 2 years as a member, are a viable part of bridging the tech gap between the community and the Microsoft technologies that they use everyday. This event serves as another chance and opportunity for MVPs to give back and I'm honored and happy to see it grow like it is.

Recap: An Evening @DelMarRacing

socialcircle@live.com — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:00:02 PDT

This past Saturday, August 14, I went with my mom and sister to the Del Mar Racetrack to see Matisyahu preform after the last pony ran in a circle. Thanks to Facebook and the Cool As Ever Tech event (#coolasever), I was able to get us in for free.

Once on the fairgrounds (the racetrack is in within the county fairgrounds), we head to the a restroom. It was a long ride. What do you want from me?
I was appalled that one of the wealthiest cities in the country couldn't afford toilet paper in the restroom; well over half the stalls were fresh out. Luckily, my mom and Amy have allergies. So there's always some tp around. I didn't let it ruin my sun-less day.

We try to make our way to where ever it is we're going; there doesn't seem to be anyone around to ask, so we just walk with the masses. My sister, Amy, goes to ask some woman where it is we go with our tickets. She just takes Amy's ticket, rips it, and another woman hands Amy a Del Mar Thoroughbred Club booklet with all the racing information on it. My mom and I follow Amy. Neither of the two women said a word to us. I don't even think they looked up at us, either. But we say "Thanks" anyway 'cause my momma raised us right.
Bitches.

Once past the gates, we make our way to the west end of the track, to the Seaside Cabana. I only know we're there 'cause it's gated off from the general public. The "VIP" signs help. Haha.
The guy that gave us our green VIP bracelets seems to be in a bad mood. He doesn't even greet us, just asks if we have tickets. Dude was giving off such horrid vibes that we didn't even bother asking him where the concert would be.
The festivities were well underway under the tent; bets being placed, things being raffled off, insane long lines for beer. Although around 600+ people placed an RSVP, the amount of people still actually there was closer to 100, if even that. Those that were left had a good laugh during the raffle; iPod Touch, iPads, HP merchandise, Mophie juice packs and hoodies were all going unclaimed for three or four rounds of ticket number calling.
We saw the eighth and ninth races, then decided to head to the Infield for the concert.

Before this event, I didn't know who Jimmy Cliff is. So I wasn't sure that I'd be able to wait through his set for Matisyahu. Even though Cliff wasn't who I wanted to see, I really liked his performance. For having been born in 1948, he sure does have tons of energy! For most of the songs, Cliff was highly energetic and didn't keep still while on stage. I cannot bring myself to dance to music I don't like, even if I'm drunk. However, Cliff had me jammin' to many of his songs. Amy, on the other hand, really wanted to get to what we'd gone there to see, and was feigning sleepiness before Cliff was finished his set.

Then Matisyahu took the stage at around 9pm. I wasn't able to recognize/didn't know the first few songs he did. I've seen Matisyahu before, at the 2009 Kick Gas Festival, and I noticed that he added a synthesizer/techno element to his songs. I personally don't like it. My mom didn't care for it either. But his set was amazing. The only video I shot of Matisyahu was when he started to beat-box. The beat-boxing turned into "King Without A Crown" and it was epic.

Regardless of the fact that "smoking isn't allowed during concerts", people were lighting up before, during, and after both artists were finished. Not cigars and cigarettes, either. Mota, bud, weed, blunts, skunk, pot, hash, ganja, broccoli, Mary Jane, 420, joints, grass, reefer, marijuana.. Basically every kind of cannabis was being smoked. I know this because it all smelled different. Next to where Amy and I were standing there was a bunch of, what looked like, high school aged kids. Amy says that they were smoking the biggest blunt she'd ever seen.

Since my mom decided to hang back and not be in the mess, Amy and I tried to get as close to the stage as we could. This concert was the furthest we've ever been from the stage. =-0

Once everything was said and done, people wanted to get to their cars. So everyone decided to leave at the same time. The way the fairgrounds is laid out, you have to go through an underground tunnel to get to and from the Infield. Don't ask me why, I don't know, but as soon as people got inside the tunnel, they started screaming, yelling, whistling, and just basically being loud. Both ends of the tunnel were quiet, the middle was not. I mean, it's just a tunnel. What's the big deal?

The service we received at the beginning of this little adventure was lacking. So was the bass and overall loudness of the concert. It could have been louder. I mean, I was able to hear Amy talk to me during both sets and I didn't even go partially deaf. Sub-woofer, anyone?
The only up side to a quiet concert is that you can actually understand what being sung in the videos.

I didn't take that many pictures for several reasons. One of them being that I've already seen Matisyahu perform, and two is that the lighting wasn't the greatest. But if you care to see the 10 I did take, go for it.

The overall experience was fun. My mom and Amy feel the same way.

Paul D'Elia & SOMETHING FROM NOTHING @CellaGallery

socialcircle@live.com — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:05:02 PDT

By Jennifer Colley
Co-Producer, Hear NoHo Music Festival
Edited By Raymond L'Heureux

Saturday was a great treat. SOMETHING FROM NOTHING opened at Cella Gallery. This is a retrospective containing 100 punk gig posters by artist Paul D'Elia. www.cellagallery.com

I was running late and my anxiety was building because I knew this was going to be a special show. Getting there late I missed a free limited edition print by the one and only Paul D'Elia. Damn!! Not to worry though, there are still 100 punk gig posters on display until September the 4th. I'd like to encourage you all to check out this BLANKET of eye candy at Cella. You won't regret it.

In no time an awesome print caught my eye, "Into The Wild" #1 of 40. This is a special print, the same design was printed on a number of limited-edition t-shirts now on sale at Cella Gallery, all proceeds go to benefit the Surfrider Foundation, www.surfrider.org, @surfrider

Here is a little bit about Surfrider: This organization recognizes that the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the planet's coasts are necessary and irreplaceable. Surfrider is committed to preserving natural living and non-living diversity and ecological integrity of the coastal environment.

"Protecting ocean waves and beaches. It is one thing to value something and another entirely to act to protect that value. We're here for the simple reason that we value the coasts and we're working to protect them."
~ Jim Moriarty, Chief Executive Officer

Read his blog: http://oceanswavesbeaches.surfrider.org/

I believe with the recent oil disasters and environmental degradation threatening our coastlines and bodies of water, this organization is of vital importance. We desperately need to ask the right questions and demand truthful answers. How are the chemical dispersants going to affect the costal ecology, wildlife and HUMANS? What kind of real help are we going to receive? …if any.

Now back to the man, and his art. Paul D'Elia has been a prolific artist in the DIY Punk Movement. I found myself drooling over his work. With much diversity and wonderful abstract color schemes, you'll have a hard time grasping his intensity through my words. His work strikes me with bright, colorful, dark, ironic and playful imagery. Once you see this stuff you will urgently need more and more. He's managed to pack an enormous PUNCH with an awesomely bold style. It speaks truth to power, my language.

I broke down an hour later and bought a couple of pieces. Purchasing the second and third in my personal ever-growing art collection, one "Double Negative" is a Monoprint purchased for only $120.00 and man, is it an eye-catching piece. What a bargain. It came with a secret double surprise, discovered by my boyfriend Ray. ;)

I hope you get a chance to check out Paul D'Elia's artwork. No disappointment shall fall upon you or yours. www.screenin4achange.com

It was an extremely enjoyable experience meeting Paul, his wife Anna and their cute little Chihuahua, Exene, that tongue wagging little bitch who gets to ride in mommy's handbag like an arabian princess being chauffeured around by a gaggle of scimitar wielding servants. :P

While experimenting, Paul started screen printing in 2004. Roughly a year later he embarked on a journey constructing gig posters. Then in 2008, he dove into full on art printing. His work expresses his love of found objects, and collage. That's what seems to be the inspiration for "Into The Wild". It's not a gig poster but a mature piece of art. His process is as plain as the title of the show, "Something From Nothing". No pretentious philosophy or grandiose explanations. Each screen takes about 24 hours to produce and he says it's a ton of fun.

I remember helping my mom make an actual silkscreen back when she was an activist, going to school at UC Davis. What fun, spreading the inks with a squeegee! Hell Yeah, I could do that for a living. Paul also designs album covers and record layouts. He works full-time designing t-shirts for Quiksilver. http://blog.quiksilver.com/category/music_art/ If you know the surf and skate scene you might already be familiar with his stuff.

Quiksilver is a company that surfs, skates and boards. They are an international company, working and playing in every environment. Consequently, the Quiksilver Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to benefiting and enhancing the quality of life for communities of boardriders across the world by supporting environmental, educational, health and youth-related projects. For more information visit www.quiksilverfoundation.org

Among their varied relationships are organizations like Surfrider. Together they share convictions that our world’s oceans and coral reefs are precious and must be treasured and protected.

I had to do it. I asked if Paul would be interested in possibly designing something for Hear NoHo and he said yes. :D You just never know unless you ask… Now we need to find a mess of t-shirts and a printer... FUCK YEAH!!!!!

www.hearnoho.com | @hearnohomusic

musicHEADsphere 1.2

socialcircle@live.com — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:00:03 PDT

It is as inevitable as the closed system of nature we reside in. The Neanderthal, with the first musical instrument, whittling away and experimenting with the breaths and timbre of the unusual sounds. Several other stood around him, watching and reacting, fascinated by the unexpected extension to their language; emotions being stirred, resentments being set alight. But the Progenitor must have carried on, wondering what strange gift this piece of bone was from the Heavens.

And then, someone steps up the first musician, and with a few grunts and lilting stares, gives the Neanderthal equivalent of: You're doing it wrong.

Thus, the music critic was born.

***

A bitter chuckle escapes your lips. "It's always about conflict, isn't it?" you ask.

I would respond, but you already know the answer. What would history be without conflict? It would hardly be worth studying if each lesson began and ended with, "And they then got along famously."

Outside of music, history was probably the second earliest form of entertainment.

***

Like any artist, criticism is taken as a double-edged sword. First off, who likes to be told that your work is at best inadequate and at worst, crap? Second, considering that more than likely the person telling you that your skills are lacking is also utterly bereft of the very skill they are criticizing you for, it makes the very nature of critics a dubious one in even the kindest of lights. Unless you were someone like Plato, who was able to convince all kinds of people that he knew what he was talking about, and even fit in music into his canon of laws.

But discussion of Plato is for another time.

Where were we? Oh yes, the first music critic. The poor bastard.

Like a mother with her young, the Progenitor of the first musical notes from the Divje Babe flute (although that's not what they called it; had the language survived into later years in some tangible form and been deciphered by linguists, the closest translation would have been "false wind bringer") would have been horrified at the musical rebuke. After a brief tussle, in which the music critic receives a bloodied nose and knee scrapes for their effort, the Progenitor stiffly hands over the flute. Cautiously, the critic places the bone-crafted instrument to their lips; a tentative breath escapes. The resulting note is awkward. Laughter erupts. No one likes it more than when a critic is brought low.

Infuriated, the critic throws down the flute, and it strikes against stone. The oddest reverberation catches the critic's ear; an unusual note, something never before heard. The critic lowers himself quickly, picking up the flute and what it had struck against; a large, flat rock.

A thought comes to the critic. Inspiration.

Bang.

Bone against rock.

Bang.

A similar, hollow note, faint with echo.

Bang bang bang.

A stutter-step rhythm, the resulting echo and hard rhythm of the rock appeals to the critic.

The second instrument is born.

Which, once you have two competing instruments in place, the second of which garnering more than just a little interest from those who enjoyed the whimsical sounds of the bone flute, was bound to lead the third musical innovation in an extraordinary amount of time: the musical showdown.

***

It's important we observe this Event; otherwise, we would waste opportunity for harnessing the echo of this Light. A question forms in your mind, but I'll ignore it for now; it is not the most pressing of questions that you could ask right at this moment, and to be frank, I'm a little surprised that you haven't asked the most obvious one.

There. The echo...

***

The tribe had gathered around the two opposing musicians. Without preamble, the thready notes of the flute unfurled into the clear night, and the severe beats of bone against flat stone rushed to meet it in an ungraceful confluence. The rest of the tribe stared on in disbelief, and for a moment no one could remember what made these two sound generators worthy of contest. The air began to bleed irritation.

And then, a strange thing happened: the clamoring of sound began to mutate, fusing into something vaguely rhythmical. In some primal redirection, the flute and drumming sounds melded, and grew to compliment each other. The tribe welcomed the change, and slowly nodded their enjoyment. The musicians, noticing the crowd's appreciation, turned aside their pride and competitive desires and allowed their music to fully come together, varying and steering to and fro based on the musicians' whims.

This went on for 10 minutes. And thus was born the improv band.

And when all was said and done, the tired musicians built to a crescendo and stopped, and the tribe grunted and nodded their enjoyment. The musicians were pleased. Any former rivalry had dissipated. Then, one of the tribesman asked for them to play it again. The musicians looked at each other, stunned.

How could they remember all of the notes they just played?

The first encore would have to wait...

***

Julio Angel Ortiz, when not terrorizing the Inside the Circle community, maintains a blog at http://www.signaldotnoise.com.

#ZuneNation: Check out some of Hear Noho's September lineup.

socialcircle@live.com — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:59:32 PDT

If you're unable to attend the Hear Noho Festival this September 2nd, or if you just want to familiar yourself with some of the performers that will be there, here's a couple of them so you can check out their sound.

Jennifer Quiroz (zune marketplace)

Vonyse (zune marketplace)

Concert Time: Jimmy Cliff & Matisyahu @DelMarRacing

socialcircle@live.com — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:28:15 PDT

A little bit ago, I mentioned that I might be going to an August 14th Jimmy Cliff/Matisyahu concert at the Del Mar Racetrack. Remember? Knew you did.

So, turns out that I am going. In style, to boot.

I was on Facebook today, and saw that Del Mar Racetrack (@delmarracing) posted something especially for their Facebook fans. Since curiosity made the kittens, you know I looked into it. After a few clicks I learned that the second annual Cool As Ever Tech (#coolasever) event is going on tomorrow as well. I am allll over free anything (usually), and these people have tickled my fancy like no other.

From what I understand, it's a geek fest, a la VIP. Shweet, son!

According to the site all those that RSVP-ed get:

Access to the exclusive 4,200-square-foot trackside party tent
Some of the best seats in the house for the races!
Access to our own private seating next to the race track
Access to three private betting booths (no lines!)
Betting tips from a professional handicapper
Access to our own, super special, private bar
Reggae!
Geeks!
Swag!
... and more!

Not to mention that it's also Beer Fest day at the racetrack. Hell. Yes.

The whole thing is being hosted by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, so big ups to them.

I'd totally invite ya'll to come fine me so you could buy my a beer, but the tech event is sold out as of around 4PM PDT today. However, if you are going, find me! And buy me a beer. LOL!

Needless to say, I'm excited about tomorrow. XD

The only reason why I'm mentioning all of this is because I write for a music oriented blog.. I've been to I don't know how many concerts/shows within the last two years and I've yet to share anything with you. =\

Soooo, I'll tell you all about this event first thing Monday.. Or Tuesday. Next week, for sure.

Thanks to Dylan for clarifying some things for me ^_^

Free Music Download: The Nu Shooz Orchestra

socialcircle@live.com — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:30:01 PDT

Anyone else remember the 1980s group, Nu Shooz? Of course, you do. They had great hits like “The Point of No Return” and “I Can’t Wait”. Turns out that they’re back but in a much different way. They have formed the Nu Shooz Orchestra (yes, orchestra) which does more jazzy and funk versions of their 80s hits. And I must say that Natalie Day still sounds great.

Fortunately, for you, Inside the Circle has a few MP3s of the Nu Shooz Orchestra that we can make available to you. So check out newer jazzier versions of their classic hit “I Can’t Wait”, plus a track that’s becoming a favorite of mine (considering I loves me some jazz) called “Spy vs. Spy”.

“I Can’t Wait: 20th Anniversary Edition” by Nu Shooz Orchestra
“Spy vs. Spy” by Nu Shooz Orchestra

Your.Music.Weekly 08/13/2010

socialcircle@live.com — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:00:00 PDT

Another week, another free music column.

Discover Baron Bane.
Download a track from Erykah Badu.
Grab 3 tracks from Library Voices.
If you like Spoon, you'll like Grand Lake.
Indie Rock Cafe has a great mixtape of MP3s for summer, featuring the Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse, Julian Casablancas, Brian Eno, Fez, the Cure, and more.

And that's it. Have a great weekend!

Ready for some #ZuneNation Fantasy Football?

socialcircle@live.com — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:00:00 PDT

Want to join in this year’s Zune Nation Fantasy Football League? Last year, we had eleven teams playing in the inaugural season of the Zune Nation Fantasy Football League. In playing against members of the Zune Team and Zune Nation, I came in 10th while Marques came in 3rd. While I may not be the biggest threat come game day I did have fun winning 2 games and almost winning 10 more. Congrats to @JonYoung320 for winning it all the first season. If you are interested, reply below to show your interest and contact either @Soufjerzz or @Djones205 on Twitter for an email invite. @Djones205 has agreed to be Commissioner of the Zune Nation Fantasy Football League in its second season, thanks! If you are not on Twitter but still want to participate, express your interest in the comments and we will work something out.

The 2nd Edition of the #Zune Nation Fantasy Football League is about to go DOWN! Hit up @djones205 or myself @Soufjerzz 4 invitesless than a minute ago via TweetCasterKyle Owens
Soufjerzz

We will be using ESPN and doing a live draft on a date to be determined. Those of you who played last year will be able to use your same team when you sign in to the ‘Fantasy’ section of ESPN. Remember, the NFL season kickoff is on September 9th. Now would be a good time to start getting your fantasy draft picks and roster selections in order. This season is going to be awesome, get your popcorn ready.

Free Music Download: Concord Muisc Group

socialcircle@live.com — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:45:48 PDT

I recently bought Sergio Mendes' "Encanto" at Sam Goody and found a little registry from inside. Instead of registering via snail mail, I decided to try and register online.

Thanks to my Dyslexia induced ADD, I found some free downloads.

As of the time of this post, Concord Music Group has 23 free music downloads spanning from jazz, vocal jazz, to pop rock, to classical music, then R&B, Blues, and World/Latin.

The site itself is pretty kick ass: reasonably priced MP3 album downloads, 89¢ MP3 downloads, and knowledgeable and in depth analysis of albums/artists in their respective genres. Not to mention a list of all their artists' tour dates.

Free Stuff:

Oh yeah, gotta register my CD..