Ha! This is pretty good, listen through once and then replay the video…it’s like an M.C. Escher illusion, you’re caught in an endless looooooppp!

AMAZING Audio Illusion - Watch the best video clips here

So we opened the week with the great news that a major label band (Radiohead, you may have heard of them) had embraced this new exciting digital market, so chock full of opportunity, and released their album for…whatever you feel it’s worth. We end the week with a major blow to file sharing as the first person to challenge the RIAA in court was effectively handed her ass to the tune of $220,000. This seems a bit excessive, but that is the penalty for not simply caving in and paying an out of court settlement. Here is a quote from the article linked below which outlines an important part of today’s decision.

A key ruling during the trial undercut the defendant’s case. U.S. District Judge Michael Davis ruled that the prosecution didn’t have to prove that other Kazaa users downloaded copyrighted files from Thomas’ file. The recording industry merely had to demonstrate that she made them available for sharing.

The industry is changing, some are embracing this, while others continue to wallow in the quicksand shooting arrows blindly into the forest…today they probably ruined this lady’s life for a good while, meanwhile I’m pretty sure there is the same amount of file sharing going on tonite…

Chicago Tribune Blog- Music fan liable for $220,000 after losing landmark lawsuit to record industry

*Here is a followup link with some great details on the case, and why she lost.*
ARS Technica- How the RIAA tasted victory: a perfect storm which might not be repeated

It’s argued that it is part of the collective music unconscious. you have definitely heard the beat…now get the back story in this comprehensive recording.

This is some funny shit…just about sums it up.

More good stuff- xkcd

Check out the great moves of Amalia Aguilar as she mesmerizes the audience with her Rhumba styled dance routine. Amalia was born in 1924 Cuba and had a pretty accomplished film career in Mexico during the 40-50s.

Nick Drake has always been kind of a mystery…he only released three albums, and there is no video performance footage of him. His music enjoyed a real resurgence in the 90’s somewhat because of a VW commercial and the song “Pink Moon”. So how do you make a documentary about a man of whom so little information exists, well you interview his family and show pictures. This seems a bit forced at times, but does give some insight into where he came from and some of the things that may have influenced him. His mother (according to his sister) was very creative and perhaps even influenced his song writing with her own compositions, which are quite interesting in their own right. There is quite a bit of filler in this both visual and content, but I suppose they did the best they could with the available resources.

Nick Drake- A Skin Too Few Part 1

Nick Drake- A Skin Too Few Part 2
Nick Drake- A Skin Too Few Part 3
Nick Drake- A Skin Too Few Part 4
Nick Drake- A Skin Too Few Part 5

This is a pretty fun work in progress. The site allows you to enter some words which are processed and spat back out at you sung by chopped up rock stars. Well the Rock Stars are not exactly chopped up, but the words are sampled from actual songs. It is still a work in progress and it doesn’t have every word or letter (there is a box for you to suggest one…like I have time for that). Hopefully future versions will allow you to save your song as an mp3 or something!

Let Them Sing It For You

Proving once again that all you need is a great idea and some motivation to create an engaging film, check out this short film featuring an overly cheerful ballerina dancing her way through the problems of urban life. It’s really incredible how technology has turned virtually everyone into a film maker, and as films from Hollywood continue to be impressively bad, we will continue to migrate from the theaters to Youtube and other delivery services. Obviously this means a whole lotta crap is going to flow into the ocean, but more good turds will continue to float to the surface, and sometimes part of the fun is just searching…through the turds.

There is a big difference between live performance and recorded performance, and many bands seem to thrive in either one or the other…sometimes it all comes together. Here are five bands which will give you all they have to give in a live setting. These bands were chosen, because they are currently working bands, and these are shows you want to see if you are looking to blow off some energy, and be entertained.

Melt Banana

The old pros of the Japanese band Melt Banana are perhaps as high energy as it gets. Their blend of art punk noise is simply mind blowing, and they pull no punches with their live show. It is always a mosh pit friendly experience, and watching guitar snake charmer Ichirou Agata work his sonic assault is amazing, as Yasuko Onuki races through her bizarre lyrics at breakneck speed.

Melt Banana- performing “Free the Bee”

Melt Banana- Official Site

Man Man

Man Man are all man, 100% sweating testosterone man jumping around banging pots and pans, sporting their white outfits and manly mustaches, they are totally fun and you should catch them while they are still on the rise to an inevitable manly stardom.

Man Man- performing “Push The Eagle’s Stomach”

Man Man- Official Site

Peaches

Miss Peaches understands everything about live performance, and she brings it when it needs to be brought. She commands the center of attention, and handles the stage like the pro that she is. In addition she always has hilarious stage costumes and props to add fun to the teachings of Peaches. Time to get educated.

Peaches- performing Shake Ur Dix

Peaches- Official Site

Riverboat Gamblers

These guys are not the most original act on the list, however they put it all on the line every time they play. Full on great punk rock with all the energy and apparently vomiting (see video) you’d expect from such an event. Singer Mike Weibe is a live wire, bouncing all over the stage and more oft than not off into the crowd. This band seems to be eternally touring, and it’s a wonder they are not much bigger already. Don’t miss them live.

Riverboat Gamblers- performing On Again Off Again

Riverboat Gamblers- Official Site

Trans Am

It’s all about drummer Sebastian Thompson “a.k.a. Seb” (seriously it says that on wikipedia). He’s usually shirtless for the ladies, and has been sporting a large gold chain more recently…for the bling? They rock hard and fast live, and “Seb” is always a big ham on the drums…as well as being a phenomenal drummer of course. The other two Trans Amers are also great to watch…it’s just really hard to imagine competing with “Seb”.

Trans Am- Live Medley

Trans Am- Official Site

Whenever someone uses “worst Music Video” in the title to describe a video it’s usually a clear sign that it’s going to be really good…right? I usually know I will enjoy it. Check out this Finnish (another sign of impending greatness) video from the 80’s for “I wanna Love You Tender” by Armi and Danny, and see if you agree.