heathervescent

Ping Pong

Consuming huge quantities of Stereolab of late. This one stands out.

Ping Pong
it's alright 'cos the historical pattern has shown
how the economical cycle tends to revolve
in a round of decades three stages stand out in a loop
a slump and war then peel back to square one and back for more

bigger slump and bigger wars and a smaller recovery
huger slump and greater wars and a shallower recovery

you see the recovery always comes 'round again
there's nothing to worry for things will look after themselves
it's alright recovery always comes 'round again
there's nothing to worry if things can only get better

there's only millions that lose their jobs and homes and sometimes accents
there's only millions that die in their bloody wars, it's alright

it's only their lives and the lives of their next of kin that they are losing
it's only their lives and the lives of their next of kin that they are losing

it's alright 'cos the historical pattern has shown
how the economical cycle tends to revolve
in a round of decades three stages stand out in a loop
a slump and war then peel back to square one and back for more

bigger slump and bigger wars and a smaller recovery
huger slump and greater wars and a shallower recovery

don't worry be happy things will get better naturally
don't worry shut up sit down go with it and be happy

dum, dum, dum, de dum dum, de duh de duh de dum dum dum... ah ah
dum, dum, dum, de dum dum, de duh de duh de dum dum dum... ah ah

Disco Nights Playlist

I'm usually a fan of the electronic and trance music with the occasional diversion down 80s pop lane, but recently I've been stuck in the back alley of 70's disco. Here's my current fav playlist.

• Village People, YMCA
• Olivia Newton-John, Physical
• BeeGees, Tragedy
• Sly and the Family Stone, Everyday People
• KS and the Sunshine Band, Shake, Shake, Shake
• Scissor Sisters, Fithy/Gorgeous
• Neil Diamond, September Morn
• BeeGees, More than a Woman
• The Commodores, Still
• Heatwave, Boogie Nights
• Chic, Le Freak
• Rick James, Super Freak
• Scissor Sisters, I don't feel like dancing
• BeeGees, You Should be dancing
• Sly & Family Stone, Dance to the music
• Toto, Africa
• Abba, The Winner Takes it All
• Heatwave, Play that funky music
• Theme from the "Greatest American Hero"

Now that's a load of cheesecake, eh? I think I'm onboard the 70's revival, but please leave the hippy dresses at home.

Fav Song From HS

I loved this song when I was in high school. Oh Cicciolina, cicciolina! I'm getting some flash mob ideas with those ref shirts!

Land of Confusion

I was reminded of this video yesterday when a friend sent me a puppet link. I loved this video when it came out (I was in HS). I really dig the old Genesis, even with the Phil Collins. Really, you only need to replace a few heads for this video to be applicable today.

And you can't forget

One of the best songs of all time - Under the Milky way.

Wish I knew what you were looking for.
Might have known what you would find.

And its something quite peculiar,
Something thats shimmering and white.
Leads you here despite your destination,

And this one, I imagine, inspired JK for Cosmic Girl. It's Terra Nova Cain.

The Church I like

Here are two clips of some early Church songs that I love. When commuting down the 280 to Mountain View I used to listen to the album "Of Skins and Hearts" and these were two of my favorite songs. If I had the option, I'd want to be reincarnated as a character in one of their songs. Or maybe I already have. ;)

and this one

Some 2008 theme songs

Magic's in the Makeup (click to listen) by No Doubt
followed by
What I am (click to listen) by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians

Lyrics for your pleasure after the click

Try if You Can

" you've got to fly like an eagle
prowl like a lion in Africa
leap like a salmon home from the sea
to keep up with me
you've got to walk like a panther tonight"
- the All Seeing I

Mantra Songs

It's guilty pleasure time: PM Dawn style. Here are some videos/songs I listen to on a practically daily basis. Paper Doll is one of my all time favs. Reality used to be a friend of mine is an old friend of mine. PM Dawn happens to be playing at the Knitting Factory Monday night and I am so there! In the meantime, enjoy these vids.

A Unicorn with no name

I left LA yesterday, and with a song stuck in my head. My friend Jane wrote it to me and the tune is one of my favorite America songs. Sing along with me. (And yes, none of my unicorns had names - all 4 of them). I am sure they will get named on playa - before I feed them to the flames.

On the first part of the journey
I was packing up my shit
I had scrimped and saved
And still was broke
But was going in spite of it
I went for a drive up the 395
In a car that would barely start
Went to Bishop and Reno and Gerlach
And then Black Rock City and all the art

You see I've been to the desert on a unicorn with no name
It felt good to be out of L.A.
On the playa you can't remember your name
So you make one up for to give you no shame
La la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la

After three days the unicorn ran free
'Cause there was so much else to see
There were naked guys on bikes and girls
Without shirts riding Critically
There were art cars and dirty Santas and raves
Way out to the orange MOOP fence
Dr. Megavolt, hippies, explosions, massage
and the rangers to protest against

You see I've been to the desert on a unicorn with no name
It felt good to be out of L.A.
On the playa you can't remember your name
So you make one up for to give you no shame
La la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la

Crazy w/ the 80s, the 80s

OMG! I can't believe I'm watching these. But they are so fun. I guess we know my guilty pleasure is cheesy 80s music videos.

and

ok, now I am really going to do some work.

ps. you heard it here first - rat-tails are gonna be back, I tell ya!

Inspiring Friends are like Magic

In the past few days, two of my good friends have played or sung Magic by Olivia Newton John. Of course I knew the song. It was popular in the 80s, the 80s, but I hadn't heard it recently. I finally listened to the words and wow! It's an awesome inspiration and has been stuck in my head for the past 3 days. The music is easy like a Sunday morning - so easy listening! A new music mantra.

And the two people who re-introduced me to it are equally awesome and inspiring. Thanks to you both, you know who you are!

Here are the lyrics. Click to listen to free (via Napster)

Come take my hand
You should know me
I've always been in your mind
You know that I'll be kind
I'll be guiding you

Building your dream
Has to start now
There's no other road to take
You won't make a mistake
I'll be guiding you

You have to believe we are magic
Nothin' can stand in our way
You have to believe we are magic
Don't let your aim ever stray
And if all your hopes survive
Your destiny will arrive
I'll bring all your dreams alive
For you

From where I stand
You are home free
The planets align so rare
There's promise in the air
And I'm guiding you

Through every turn I'll be near you
I'll come anytime you call
I'll catch you when you fall
I'll be guiding you

You have to believe we are magic
Nothin' can stand in our way
You have to believe we are magic
Don't let your aim ever stray
And if all your hopes survive
Your destiny will arrive
I'll bring all your dreams alive
For you

It's a whole new game with different stakes, when you dream on a global level. Personal ego has no place when you are a tool of the divine unknown.

Wiijing! A Music+Game Mashup = Mashups!

This is totally HOT!!!! It's a Wii being used to live mash up a mashup! And it's at Bootie LA this Saturday night! Check out the video and if you are not impressed, well then, I don't know what to say.

and here a clip of them live in SF:

It's taking interactive music mixing to a whole new level. I might just have to come back from Stunt Car School  to shake mah bootie. More info on Wiijing here and Bootie LA here.

Queen Elvis

Blast from the past. Queen Elvis by Robyn Hitchcock...
means differently than you might think...

People get what they deserve
Time is round and space is curved
Honey, have you got the nerve
To be Queen Elvis?

See that man who mows his lawn
He'll hang in drag before the dawn
Some are made and some are born
To be Queen Elvis

It could break your mother's heart
It could break your sister's heart
Coming out's the hardest part
When you're Queen Elvis

Justify your special ways
Justify your special ways

Getting blowjobs from the press
Oh, I'm jealous can't you guess?
I could never fit your dress
Queen elvis

Oh and I'll sculpt you
So very hard
Oh and I'll sculpt you
Til you bleed

Everybody must get stoned
All together all alone
Babbling beside the throne
Of Queen Elvis

Justify your special ways
Justify your special ways

Two mirrors make infinity
In the mirror you and me
Find out just what love could be
Queen elvis

Oh and I'll sculpt you
So very hard
Oh and I'll sculpt you
Til you breathe

People get what they deserve
Time is round and space is curved
Honey, have you got the nerve
To be Queen Elvis?

Internet Radio Silence Day

Today is the Internet Radio Day of Silence (PDF). Beloved Theory Radio is going silent today. But don't tune out. SomaFM suggests

All of us at SomaFM ask that you excuse the interruption of our normal broadcasts, and ask that you take action to help ensure this silence is not permanent. Please call your Congressional Representatives today. We make it easy, and it will only take a few minutes. If you've already called your representative, please call them again and ask them why they're not supporting independent internet radio.

Even if you don't regularly listen to Internet Radio, please call and support online broadcasting. For more info and to see a list of participating stations, go here.

Returning to Theory Radio

Well, the hiatus is officially over - tomorrow night I am resuming my radio show on Theory Radio. So if you need your fix of electropop, mash-up, ethereal-trance-electronica with a little guns n roses or twisted sister or journey thrown in for good measure, then tune in. Show starts at 7 (I think) and goes until 10 pm - pacific time. Click this link to tune into the stream. Having trouble connecting? Check out the troubleshooting page.

Friday Videos - Daft Punk!

Seems that Friday mornings are full of YouTube Video searching. Here's a great one by Daft Punk.

This life, this dream

More 80s hair videos

Ok. I have totally gotten sucked into 80s rock videos. This one is for you Mom.

I have to also admit, that one of my current favorite songs is We're not going to take it. You can watch the video here:

OMG I am totally dying. I totally remember this.

What do you want to do with your life?!!!

Everyone Loves Journey

I was half dozing in my tent under the influence of Burning Man when I heard my voice speak. "We need some journey here" a pause "the kind with Steve Perry." Although I spoke these workds, they were not mine.

I wasn't much into Journey when they had stadium concert fame, but I couldn't hide behind depeche mode, minor threat and pink floyd the whole 80's. So imagine my conflicting delight I felt when "Don't Stop Believing" started playing on our art car. There were 50 of us, silent at first and then singing along at the top of our lungs.

There's nothing like come classic rock in a techno dance dream.

Since then, Journey has been growing on me. Last night I was in Trader Joes when "Don't Stop Believing" came on. The usual hubbub in the store was silenced and there was reverential silence. I almost expected to see lighters alofted. I looked around at my fellow shoppers, more than one was singing along under his breath. And I remembered the feeling from the playa with my best friends singing along with Steve Perry and not mentioning the dreams we have - individually and as a group.

It was still playing as I walked out the door. I've still got the feeling.

Favorite Mashups

I'm completely and utterly addicted to a couple mashups right now:

• Work it Woman by The Silence Xperiment
• Paula's smoking Kelly's Doobie by DJ Earworm
• The Money Song by Team 9
• Last Dance with Dani by Cheekyboy
• Britney loves Linus by Essexboy

Most of these are snagged from gybo, but I downloaded the Work it Woman a long time ago and just found it on my hard drive... I'm too lazy to find the links to these, but you ask nicely I might send you a mashed CD.

Mash up Radio Show

If you’re a fan of mash-up, bootlegs or experimental mixes tune into Mashed and Mixed, my new radio show on Theory Radio where I’ll be playing mashed bootlegs and mixed music straight out of the Brewery in Downtown Los Angeles.

I’ll play bootlegs from DJ Axel, A+D, DJ Z-Trip, DJ John, DJ Earworm, Party Ben, Earlyworm and more. Tune in Wed, June 7^th at 8 to 11pm pacific to hear the evolution of music. [Direct Stream] 

Free Music From Napster

Yeah, it's the secret - or not so secret - launch - or re-launch - of Napster's free music program. Check it out! Unfortunately for me, it seems that they think I'm not in the US and will only let me listen to 30 second clips, which is a total bummer, because I'm sitting her waiting out traffic in Hollywood... but what can you do?

Well, you can listen to this classic favorite song of mine, for free. And they have lots of other cool music I would actually listen to. Now, about Hollywood being a different country...

Lips Like Sugar (Album Version)

wikki wikki wikki

On time, in your mind you see
You gotta boogie to your best ability
You gotta funk it up until it knocks you down
And when you're funkin' up, be sure to pass it around
...
Jam on it
Jam on and on, on and on it
And if you're feelin' like you wanna dance all night
They go on ahead and flaunt it

- Newcleus, "Jam on it"

I've loved this song for over 20 years. When the breakdancing fad hit in the 80's my brother got a tape of classic breakdancing music and "Jam on it" was included. I wasn't interested in breakdancing, but I loved the wikki, wikki, wikki. I forgot about it for a decade and then found it again in DJ Z-trip's Uneasy Listening bootleg mash-up album on track 6. I heard it over the weekend at the Long Beach Grand Prix and this morning, I finally found it.

It's great to hear one of my childhood favorites in its entirety.

Wash that bad mood out of my hair!

This bad mood because of my car has just permeated so much of my life. I hate it. I hate hating life, hating people and thinking everyone (or at least some people) are my enemies. I know it's a bad mood, and it will pass. I try to be detached from the negativity, because I know that it doesn't do anything to revel in it, it's just sometimes hard.

I try the twist method. The murphy's law method. The hex method. The turn the other cheek method. Nothing has worked. The Bad Mood still permeates.

I should have remembered that anytime I'm in a bad mood, I should just pop on some Brazilian music. I finally caught up reading my mailing list email this morning and grabbed this stream by Optimo from earplug. It's a mix of classic Brazilian music mixed together, some classics I've never heard before - or rather earlier versions of songs I know. It's great to get my brain out of English and listening to the Portugues and Brasil. It reminds me of my time there, reminds me of so many things I loved about braselieros, seu jeito.

It's just what I needed to kick the negativity out.

freedom

Freedom by George Michael is the most recent iTune download. I've been wanting to hear the full song ever since I heard the mash-up with it and Aretha's Respect and the Beatles. There are so many good lines in this song that twist themselves around my life.

--

All we have to do now
Is take these lies and make them true somehow
All we have to see
Is that I don't belong to you
And you don't belong to me
Freedom
You've gotta give for what you take
Freedom
You've gotta give for what you take
- george michael, freedom

Digitial Music

Last night I bought my first entire album via iTunes. The Church, Priest = Aura. I've got the cassette tape sitting here on my computer desk and the entire album digitally playing this instant. I don't give enough props to the Church, however they are one of my favorite bands. The quiet strange etheric rock n roll. The stories in their songs appeal to my sense of living. I'm sure I'll throw play some on my show tonight.

New List: Mash-ups

I've enjoyed mashups for a while and recently thanks to Theory Radio found a slew a links. They've been added to the side of my blog. Check out the links, and be sure to check out Theory Radio. I think I have a crunch on one of the DJs....

the most beautiful song ever

I heard this at Burning Man and just found it online. I wish I could find an electronic copy. Anyone have it? It's a mix of Chris Issac's Wicked Game and Praise by Fatboy Slim entitled: "Praise Your Wicked Game". Check a sample here and let me know if you find an electronic copy.

ladies of the road

the morning brings Robert Fripp and King Crimson. I found, "A Young Person's Guide to KC" on tape in Amoeba a few years ago. It has a lot of great songs; Cadence and Cascade, I talk to the Wind, Red, Moonchild, and The Court of the Crimson King among others. I especially like "Ladies of the Road". This is one of the most erotic songs I think I've ever heard. I'll quote some of the lines that appeal to me. It's an interesting conflict between the teenage boy and adult woman. Yes, I do love Derek and Clive as much as Sade. I guess I'm a dirty girl.

A flower ladies daughter
as sweet as holy water
said I'm a school reporter
please teach me, I taught her

said I'm a male resister
I smiled and just unzipped her

(sexyphone interlude!!!!)

all you know, that the girls of the row
are like apples we stole in our youth
all you know, that the girls of the row
been around and are versed in the truth

slow frisco spacer
ate all the meat I gave her...
said would I like to taste her

the music is honey in my ears. rock on.

a packing interval

I've been busy packing this week. Packing is great way to remember who you were. I'm finding a lot of memory scraps, cards, travel tickets, promises made and faded away. I also get to listen to music for hours at a time. Right now, I'm listening to Tribalistas. I've written about them before on the blog, and I have to write more about them. I got this album last year when I was agonizing about a lot of decisions and options. It was a reminder from the world, a pointer to follow "the material" and say Yes. ;) One song in particular hits a strong blow. I'll type it below for you to experience it as well. Imagine the Sly and Family Stone song, It's a Family Affair going and these words. (I'm leaving out the portuguese accents, so I'm a lazy one.)

Ja Sei Namorar
-
Ja sei namorar
Ja sei beijar de lingua
Agora, so me resta sonhar

Ja sei onde ir
Ja sei onde ficar
Agora, so me falta sair

Nao tenho paciencia pra televisao
Eu nao sou audiencia para a solidao

Eu sou de ninguem
Eu sou de todo mundo
E todo mundo me quer bem

Eu sou de ninguem
Eu sou de todo mundo
E todo mundo e meu tambem

Ja sei sei namorar
Ja sei chutar a bloa
Agora, so me falta ganhar

Nao tenho juiz
Se voce quer a vida em jogo
Eu quero e ser feliz

....

To te querendo como ninguem
To te querendo como Deus quiser
To te querendo como eu te quero
To te querendo como se quer

And I suppose you want to read the english hmmm??? maybe next time around. Back to the pack.

of roots and wings

there is so much airy fairy new age music out there that has as much grounding as the west wind. I really like ambient music. and ambient music sometimes leads me into the whole scary new age music genre. Like the new age movement or religions that consider themselves new age - they are a genre, a gimmick, a brand, a market that satisfies a group of people. That's one reason I have such a problem with "new age" - that and all the crazies who identify themselves to the general society as new agers, thus giving a scewed image. (Kind of like the image our government has created of Americans.)

Anyway, I digress. I dislike the words new age. I dislike boundaries, definitions and cages. I do really like music that takes you places. "Sound can act as a weapon" Old Bill said/wrote once in The Western Lands.

Most folks think that Brian Eno is the father of ambient music... I would go back further... Pink Floyd's early stuff (including Interstellar Overdrive) and Mike Oldenfield's Tubular Bells certainly are ambient masterpieces. Soundscapes. You could say some of the classical composers were ambient forefathers as well... stravinsky's the rite of spring. And there are many works from India, that are soundscapes....

Enter Shelia Chandra. I was introduced to SC about 10 years ago when I ran my own world music radio show at the college radio station. Ryko had just re-released a bunch of her stuff from vinyl on CDs, so I got a slew of her stuff.... one album stood out among the rest: QUIET.

It's a layered soundscape of your mind - including the internal dialog - which you can align with your own to cancel that chatter in your mind. It's one of the most amazing CDs I own and have heard. In QUIET, Shelia is successful in connecting heaven to earth. Of flying to heights and perfectly alighting on a perch.

pack it up, say good bye

pack your bags, clear the floor
step out through the open door
leave a note that says goodbye

build a new house, down by the sea
get to the place we were meant to be
you'll know it when you smile
- World Party

---

This past week, I walked through corporate hallways and buildings. I've taken many trips to company HQ on the east coast in the past several years. It never really occurred to me that one of them would be my last.

As I sit in meetings and meet with people and drive my rental car in the parking garage, I am distinctly aware that I'm saying goodbye. I say goodbye with personal info cards. I say goodbye by continuing to respect my colleagues beyond the negative reasons I'm leaving. I'm saying goodbye by pulling every pedaco of energy that I've attached to my perception of this company, to my colleagues, to my boss, to my products, ideas of myself as an important employee for a huge company, and even this computer that I am typing this message on. I've been a visitor in all these things lives.

There's the self-important part of me want to ramble on. But really, if I stop for a moment it doesn't matter. That idea I had - of myself, my importance it was a visitor too. That's the thing to remember.

We're all visitors and we say goodbye at every moment.

---
I wrote this last year, when I left AOL. It's here as a reminder to myself.

and other musical items

I've really flashbacked on my musical tastes recently. The Police/Sting, GnR!, XTC (Dukes of the Stratosphere) and huge quantities of Pet Shop Boys.

I've been listening to the Pet Shop Boys discography most mornings when I update the blog. It's got all the best PSB songs. West End Girls, It's a Sin., What have I done to deserve this?, Rent, Always on my mind, Heart, Domino Dancing, Left to my own devices, So hard.

It's really great fucked up relationship music with a manic disco dance beat! I enjoy snuggling into the sugar pop of disco beats with a cup of coffee, a view of 'frisco and my thoughts. The Police also has many many great messed up relationship songs.

"I could leave you, say goodbye
or I could love you if I tried
and left to my own devices I probably would..."

I've been driving around SF and the peninsula rocking out the Guns N Roses. I remember the first time I saw Axel Rose on MTV. Last month I finally bought a couple CDs. Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusion 1. I can't but help thinking about LA as I listen to Welcome to the Jungle and Paradise City. Then I overdose on the power ballads on UYI1, Live and Let Die, Don't Cry and November Rain. Listening to GnR really satisfies my teenage boy - because one of the layers to Heather's onion is the teenage boy, stuck at 14 and getting into trouble. From Axel the jump to T Rex and Mick is easy like sunday morning.

Kalina's Blog

Kalina has some great things on her blog lately.... I especially love the advice from the Ouija board.

And it was a really wonderful reminder of the eagles take it easy song. Thanks K! I'll quote:

Well, I'm running down the road
tryin' to loosen my load
I've got seven women on my mind
Four that wanna own me,
Two that wanna stone me,
One says she's a friend of mine

Take it easy, take it easy
Don't let the sound of your own wheels
drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
don't even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
and take it easy

-- The Eagles

Who is Marisa Monte?

Marisa Monte is a fabulous brazilian singer. She is contemporary. She is AMAZING!

When I returned to the US in winter of 1995, I was so disgusted to be back in the US. I had left the place of passion. The place I loved more than any other place I had known. I had armagura na boca totalmente. My feet were in snow, when they ached sand.

But I also had Marisa Monte's Rose and Charcoal CD. That kept up my saudade. Si eu nao tenho meu amor, eu tenho minha dor. (If I don't have my love, I have my pain.)

Marisa has released more albums since 1995. Just search Amazon (click the links in my sidebar or go to Amoeba). But none of her recent albums really hit me in the chest like Rose and Charcoal - until I heard Tribalistas.

Marisa has been collaborating with Carlinhos Brown and Arnaldo Antunes on most of her albums. On Tribalistas they finally all share equal billing. This is one of the most amazing CDs I own. It's partly because of the timing - of things happening in my life and this CD.

The catchy hit song (a la Sly and the Family Stone, It's a Family Affair) is - Ja Sei Namorar. Ja sei beijar de lingua, Agora, so me resta sonhar. (I already know how to love., I already know how to tongue kiss, Now all I have left to do is dream. / Eu so de ninguem, Eu so de todo mundo, E todo mundo me quer bem, ... e todo mundo e meu tambem (I am no one's, I belong to everyone, and everyone is fond of me, .... and everyon is mine too)

I'd be having a rough day and driving around in the sunny mission or across the bay bridge and I'd listen to this CD as loud as I could and get tears stuck in my throat. Carnavalia, Passe em Casa, La de Longe - amazing songs.

Go out by these CDs. If you like Brazilian music, (or even if not) prepare to be BLOWN AWAY.