Friday, September 28, 2007
The Might of Baroque
It is almost a cliche, crying to music. Through stories and films we have been told about the might of music and its effect on emotion.
Few kinds of music have made my emotional state crush into sand, powerless, as Baroque has, even more so with such ease.
I recall when we saw the Brandenburg Orchestra perform the Brandenburg Concertos - during the cadenza, considering I was not familiar with the Brandenburgs at the time, I watched Paul Dyer's hands work furiously along the keyboard of his harpsichord, and I wept (with much control) in silence... Only the fact of the hall being filled stopped me from choking with trembling sobs of awe.
The same can be said of Monteverdi's works including L'Orfeo. The opening scene, sweeping movements of light, shape and texture makes my teeth grind as I fight to keep my eyes dry. The other day all it took was to hear Emma Kirkby sing Handel's Messiah and I totally lost it.
It is a reminder, really. As we are so small in comparison to stars in the sky above, so we are in comparison to the genius of composers almost half a millennium ago.It is an appreciation for the genius of our kind, what genius it is that such astonishing brilliance could be created, never to be matched again even now, five hundred years later. Just when I think that I have become desensitised to Baroque, an experience occurs to remind me, in spite of the knowledge I have gained over the last few years, that I have only just wandered in knee deep.
I have a long way to go, but the journey will be powerful unlike any other kind of music I have ever been presented with in my life. The colour is only new, texture only recently experienced, timbre only just absorbed.
Few kinds of music have made my emotional state crush into sand, powerless, as Baroque has, even more so with such ease.
I recall when we saw the Brandenburg Orchestra perform the Brandenburg Concertos - during the cadenza, considering I was not familiar with the Brandenburgs at the time, I watched Paul Dyer's hands work furiously along the keyboard of his harpsichord, and I wept (with much control) in silence... Only the fact of the hall being filled stopped me from choking with trembling sobs of awe.
The same can be said of Monteverdi's works including L'Orfeo. The opening scene, sweeping movements of light, shape and texture makes my teeth grind as I fight to keep my eyes dry. The other day all it took was to hear Emma Kirkby sing Handel's Messiah and I totally lost it.
It is a reminder, really. As we are so small in comparison to stars in the sky above, so we are in comparison to the genius of composers almost half a millennium ago.It is an appreciation for the genius of our kind, what genius it is that such astonishing brilliance could be created, never to be matched again even now, five hundred years later. Just when I think that I have become desensitised to Baroque, an experience occurs to remind me, in spite of the knowledge I have gained over the last few years, that I have only just wandered in knee deep.
I have a long way to go, but the journey will be powerful unlike any other kind of music I have ever been presented with in my life. The colour is only new, texture only recently experienced, timbre only just absorbed.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
sleepmakeswaves score Pelican support!
Sydney's up and coming post-rock force, sleepmakeswaves have scored a support slot for the well known and highly praised Chicago quartet known as Pelican, playing at Sydney's Manning Bar October 4th.
At what will already be an excellent show due to Pelican's brilliant track record, the show will mark an excellent opportunity for sleepmakeswaves to expand on their already growing fanbase and great live performances, riding on the tails of their successful band competition shows at Sydney Uni, and providing great energy for their upcoming EP due for release in November.
Be sure to turn up and provide support for a band who will surely be a force to be reckoned with for years to come in Australia's post-rock scene! sleepmakeswaves will also be playing at their "home pad" on September 29th at the Excelsior Hotel Sydney.
At what will already be an excellent show due to Pelican's brilliant track record, the show will mark an excellent opportunity for sleepmakeswaves to expand on their already growing fanbase and great live performances, riding on the tails of their successful band competition shows at Sydney Uni, and providing great energy for their upcoming EP due for release in November.
Be sure to turn up and provide support for a band who will surely be a force to be reckoned with for years to come in Australia's post-rock scene! sleepmakeswaves will also be playing at their "home pad" on September 29th at the Excelsior Hotel Sydney.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
At Last: Return Of The Beast
I count myself really lucky to have been able to have seen Iron Maiden back at October 23rd, 1992 when they last visited Australia. It was the start of a darker time for the band, with Bruce about to leave after the tour finished.
Grunge had taken over, and metal, after being so dominant in the 1980's, had breathed what seemed its last loud breaths and taken a back seat. While I loved the Seattle sound along with my punk, skater and metal friends, my love for Metal didn't die at this time.
By this period in 1992, I had been aching to see Iron Maiden for already 6 years. My first exposure to them was in 1986 at the age of 11, and I never turned back, even during my hiatus from metal in the mid to late 90's.
When Maiden did come in 92, it was my life's wish fulfilled. I had spent six years with my bedroom walls plastered with Maiden posters, cutouts from magazines and newspapers of each band member, live shots, articles, all reaching from floor to ceiling. My cassette tapes were already worn out and I had already replaced one or two of them from overplaying.
Maiden played at the Hordern, Friday October 23, 1992. It was my first "pure" metal gig, and my first real concert. My head was shaved, and I think I was the only dark skinned guy there. There was still an air of the 80s in the atmosphere - skintight jeans, boots, bad hair, leather jackets, those totally daggy sleeveless denim jackets with patches, and of course, flannelette shirts. I even went out of my way to make sure I had my own skintight orange tab black Levi's - and they were damn awful, not to mention uncomfortable. I was hyped, albeit isolated, given my bad social memories of high school were still actually active during this time. Alone perhaps, but overjoyed.
The dark time for metal was obvious when the hall filled - to half empty. It was alarming for such an amazing band to play to a half-full hall. Despite the numbers, the noise was among the loudest I've ever heard at a gig, regardless of size. Tonnes of metalheads were drunk, and me, at the tender age of 16 and not yet drinking, well, I was pretty scared of them!
The gig opened with From Here To Eternity, and from that moment to around half way through the show, I couldn't move - I was awestruck, realising that the band were there, in front of my own eyes! I couldn't believe it.
That feeling, of everything I've described to this sentence, has been something I've never forgotten. The only thing which came close was Megadeth last year, as I had been waiting to see them since around 1987, and along with Iron Maiden, they served as the roots of my Metal education and remain at my core.
Iron Maiden's 2008 Australian tour was announced 2 days ago. Initially I didn't feel excited, but now the memories have coming flooding back and I'm anxious to get my ticket... perhaps I might even see them in more than one city, I'm still yet to decide.
Next February may be a reflection of the last 15 years of my life and how far I've come, how much further I've yet to go. I may relive some memories I wish better forgotten, but will do so with a stronger mind. This gig will be personal for me for the kind of anniversary it commemorates. I'm looking forward to it, whether alone or not seeing Maiden again will remind me of who I am, and why I'm glad to return to me.
Grunge had taken over, and metal, after being so dominant in the 1980's, had breathed what seemed its last loud breaths and taken a back seat. While I loved the Seattle sound along with my punk, skater and metal friends, my love for Metal didn't die at this time.
By this period in 1992, I had been aching to see Iron Maiden for already 6 years. My first exposure to them was in 1986 at the age of 11, and I never turned back, even during my hiatus from metal in the mid to late 90's.
When Maiden did come in 92, it was my life's wish fulfilled. I had spent six years with my bedroom walls plastered with Maiden posters, cutouts from magazines and newspapers of each band member, live shots, articles, all reaching from floor to ceiling. My cassette tapes were already worn out and I had already replaced one or two of them from overplaying.
Maiden played at the Hordern, Friday October 23, 1992. It was my first "pure" metal gig, and my first real concert. My head was shaved, and I think I was the only dark skinned guy there. There was still an air of the 80s in the atmosphere - skintight jeans, boots, bad hair, leather jackets, those totally daggy sleeveless denim jackets with patches, and of course, flannelette shirts. I even went out of my way to make sure I had my own skintight orange tab black Levi's - and they were damn awful, not to mention uncomfortable. I was hyped, albeit isolated, given my bad social memories of high school were still actually active during this time. Alone perhaps, but overjoyed.
The dark time for metal was obvious when the hall filled - to half empty. It was alarming for such an amazing band to play to a half-full hall. Despite the numbers, the noise was among the loudest I've ever heard at a gig, regardless of size. Tonnes of metalheads were drunk, and me, at the tender age of 16 and not yet drinking, well, I was pretty scared of them!
The gig opened with From Here To Eternity, and from that moment to around half way through the show, I couldn't move - I was awestruck, realising that the band were there, in front of my own eyes! I couldn't believe it.
That feeling, of everything I've described to this sentence, has been something I've never forgotten. The only thing which came close was Megadeth last year, as I had been waiting to see them since around 1987, and along with Iron Maiden, they served as the roots of my Metal education and remain at my core.
Iron Maiden's 2008 Australian tour was announced 2 days ago. Initially I didn't feel excited, but now the memories have coming flooding back and I'm anxious to get my ticket... perhaps I might even see them in more than one city, I'm still yet to decide.
Next February may be a reflection of the last 15 years of my life and how far I've come, how much further I've yet to go. I may relive some memories I wish better forgotten, but will do so with a stronger mind. This gig will be personal for me for the kind of anniversary it commemorates. I'm looking forward to it, whether alone or not seeing Maiden again will remind me of who I am, and why I'm glad to return to me.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Kevin Rudd Kicks Coalition Ass... Again!
In the Herald today it has been reported that Oppostion Leader Kevin "Kickass" Rudd, during his meeting with Hu Jintao, spoke Mandarin, impressing the Chinese President, who then invited Mr Rudd to Beijing for the Olympics.
As can be predicted, the Coalition, in particular Alexander Downer, have lashed out in Kryptonic green envy stating that Mr Rudd was simply showing off his language skills as opposed to achieving anything constructive.
Mr Dower advises that one of the necessities of working in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (as both Mr Rudd and Mr Downer did) is to learn another language - his secondary language is French, which according to Mr Downer, while it has "proven handy from time to time", he has felt no need to "flaunt" his French.
Clearly, taking into consideration obvious jealousy from Mr Downer, Mr Rudd's Mandarin skills are far more relevant to Australia and our position in the Asia Pacific, combined with our relationships to our fellow Asian countries. The blunt correlation with Mr Rudd's Mandarin language skills to that of our relationships with Asia can not be overlooked by this small incident - it is obviously a huge benefit to Australia to have a Prime Minister who can speak one of the major non-English languages of the region.
This incident yet again lands another massive blow to the pre-election race, as the Labor party continues its fantastic and powerful momentum for what is slowly seeming to appear to be a possible landslide victory (okay, I will admit, it *IS* too early to really say that but one can still hope!). It seems that time and time again, the Rudd led Labor campaign keeps landing blow after blow on the crippling and aging Howard Government, and the Coalition has barely any firepower to hit back with.
Mr Rudd, or someone from Labor, I hope to god you read this, and know that I'm not the only one in the country running around the house screaming "Go Kevin! Kick his ass!"
As can be predicted, the Coalition, in particular Alexander Downer, have lashed out in Kryptonic green envy stating that Mr Rudd was simply showing off his language skills as opposed to achieving anything constructive.
Mr Dower advises that one of the necessities of working in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (as both Mr Rudd and Mr Downer did) is to learn another language - his secondary language is French, which according to Mr Downer, while it has "proven handy from time to time", he has felt no need to "flaunt" his French.
Clearly, taking into consideration obvious jealousy from Mr Downer, Mr Rudd's Mandarin skills are far more relevant to Australia and our position in the Asia Pacific, combined with our relationships to our fellow Asian countries. The blunt correlation with Mr Rudd's Mandarin language skills to that of our relationships with Asia can not be overlooked by this small incident - it is obviously a huge benefit to Australia to have a Prime Minister who can speak one of the major non-English languages of the region.
This incident yet again lands another massive blow to the pre-election race, as the Labor party continues its fantastic and powerful momentum for what is slowly seeming to appear to be a possible landslide victory (okay, I will admit, it *IS* too early to really say that but one can still hope!). It seems that time and time again, the Rudd led Labor campaign keeps landing blow after blow on the crippling and aging Howard Government, and the Coalition has barely any firepower to hit back with.
Mr Rudd, or someone from Labor, I hope to god you read this, and know that I'm not the only one in the country running around the house screaming "Go Kevin! Kick his ass!"
Thursday, September 06, 2007
New iPod Sucks!
Well I'm sure we've all seen them on the news or online by now. Apple have announced the new generation of iPod Shuffle, Nano, Classic and also a newcomer, iPod Touch.
The one which concerns me the most is the new Nano, as I've had three of them, and fallen in love with them. My 8GB 2G black Nano is my pride and joy and goes everywhere I go.
But this new one (second from right)? What the hell is that? A slab of uncooked biscuits from a factory? Yuck!
Out of all the new additions, the only one worth looking into is the new iPod Touch, which is essentially an iPhone without the phone... The rest of them? Welcome to the new DorkPod.
The one which concerns me the most is the new Nano, as I've had three of them, and fallen in love with them. My 8GB 2G black Nano is my pride and joy and goes everywhere I go.
But this new one (second from right)? What the hell is that? A slab of uncooked biscuits from a factory? Yuck!
Out of all the new additions, the only one worth looking into is the new iPod Touch, which is essentially an iPhone without the phone... The rest of them? Welcome to the new DorkPod.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
The King speaks / since when was APEC about security & war?
The King, aka Paul Keating, with his famous acid tongue (you gotta love him for it), has said recently that John Howard has not worked to bind Australia together.
I can hardly disagree with The King. Keating did a marvellous job at unifying Australia, and trying to create a country of culture and pride. The difference in my opinion is that Keating did it with the focus of all our cultures combined, where as Howard has done a terrible job of recognising our cultural diversity - his conservative approach does nothing but increase divide between Australians of all cultures instead of unifying us.
The King said his Labor prime ministership - from 1991 until 1996 - was criticised by Mr Howard, then in opposition, for "political correctness". Sure Johnny, it might look like political correctness to YOU, but the reality of it is called recognising our differences and working out ways for us all to compromise and realise we're all Australians. Sure, Howard has said things of this exact nature several times, but his actions hardly prove his words.
Keating did an amazing job during his terms of bringing us closer to Asia, after all we ARE an Asian country by geography! All Howard has done is brought us closer to the US and made us a target for terrorists!
Which leads me to my next gripe: since when was APEC about military focus? Since Bush landed all I've seen on the news is mention of military talk and Iraq. We all know that we never wanted to be there in the first place, and even more so now. So today Johnny makes the bold statement that we are not pulling out. Good one Johnny, are you trying to win an election or shoot yourself in the foot?
It seems, as per Kerry O'Brien's words on ABC's 7.30 Report tonight, that economic and environmental agendas, the traditional staple of the APEC diet, are being pushed aside to make way for talk of war and military spending/trade with the US. Even the New York Times agrees that talk changed to military topics very quickly!
All this talk of security is filling the minds of Australians with propaganda bullshit - do we really need to become like America? Aggressive, gun-toting redneck wankers who have been pushed into believing that everyone else wants to kill each and every one of them?
I hope to god that Kevin Rudd beats John Howard. This sickening pro-Bush, anti-Australian, anti-multicultural, anti-indigenous shit has to stop. And don't get me started on IR laws.
I can hardly disagree with The King. Keating did a marvellous job at unifying Australia, and trying to create a country of culture and pride. The difference in my opinion is that Keating did it with the focus of all our cultures combined, where as Howard has done a terrible job of recognising our cultural diversity - his conservative approach does nothing but increase divide between Australians of all cultures instead of unifying us.
The King said his Labor prime ministership - from 1991 until 1996 - was criticised by Mr Howard, then in opposition, for "political correctness". Sure Johnny, it might look like political correctness to YOU, but the reality of it is called recognising our differences and working out ways for us all to compromise and realise we're all Australians. Sure, Howard has said things of this exact nature several times, but his actions hardly prove his words.
Keating did an amazing job during his terms of bringing us closer to Asia, after all we ARE an Asian country by geography! All Howard has done is brought us closer to the US and made us a target for terrorists!
Which leads me to my next gripe: since when was APEC about military focus? Since Bush landed all I've seen on the news is mention of military talk and Iraq. We all know that we never wanted to be there in the first place, and even more so now. So today Johnny makes the bold statement that we are not pulling out. Good one Johnny, are you trying to win an election or shoot yourself in the foot?
It seems, as per Kerry O'Brien's words on ABC's 7.30 Report tonight, that economic and environmental agendas, the traditional staple of the APEC diet, are being pushed aside to make way for talk of war and military spending/trade with the US. Even the New York Times agrees that talk changed to military topics very quickly!
All this talk of security is filling the minds of Australians with propaganda bullshit - do we really need to become like America? Aggressive, gun-toting redneck wankers who have been pushed into believing that everyone else wants to kill each and every one of them?
I hope to god that Kevin Rudd beats John Howard. This sickening pro-Bush, anti-Australian, anti-multicultural, anti-indigenous shit has to stop. And don't get me started on IR laws.
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