Lullatone just released a cool Flash–based music composer called Raindrop Melody Maker.
Lullatone just released a cool Flash–based music composer called Raindrop Melody Maker.
This looks so unbelievably hot that I may need to consider it as part of my everyday items when I buy a new bag.
The Operator 1, a not-yet-released synthesizer / controller from the company Teenage Engineering.
Great news. I am excited to get my work there in the future.
Muxtape has launched for bands.
We just released a major software update to Muxtape, including the ability for bands to invite other bands into the system. In addition to the bands currently on the site, we’re sending out invites to a number of randomly-selected artists who signed up for the mailing list or have otherwise expressed interest.
For now, it is not possible for bands to create accounts without an invite. Our goal for this phase of development is to grow at a controlled pace and update iteratively as we receive feedback and design the rest of the platform. We felt that an invitational system was the best way to achieve this while minimizing abuse and keeping the overall quality of service high.
Our top priorities moving forward are facilitating commerce (allowing bands to sell or give away downloads), developing meaningful connections between bands in the network (for the benefit of bands and listeners alike), and reintroducing curation in multiple forms (mixtapes and local featured artists). We have some exciting long-term plans, as well.
Today is a exciting milestone for us; thanks for your continued support and watch this space for further developments!
When Mind Wheel begins, some kind of music-induced serenity flows over the crowd of about 30 at Tufts Oxfam Cafe. Derek Kimball sits with his chin in his hand, facing an iMac and a blood-red keyboard he bought himself as a birthday gift. Meanwhile, Matt Brown and Artie Fischer sit cross-legged on the floor, Artie on the guitar, Matt with a sampler. The result flows over and around me like I’m a rock in a steady river. I feel relaxed and one with nature—I don’t know, maybe it’s the animals-in-nature scenes projected on the wall behind them. I close my eyes as Mind Wheel’s epic story plays in my mind’s eye. Everyone claps.
Then Brendon Anderegg and Koen Holtkamp walk onstage—really just a section of the cafe that’s been cleared of patron seating and replaced with tables and gear—and each sit behind two white MacBooks. I think about how truly clever it was for Apple to make its logo on the back of its laptops glow—perfect for ambient electronic music shows. I’m suddenly jolted out of my “oh this ‘ol laptop view” thoughts when I see Brendon pick up what looks to be a drum machine with a 2 to 3 foot tube attached and put the tube in his mouth and start to blow.
There is already a wash of sound going on in this modern opera, so at first it’s hard to associate his blowing with a specific sound, but then I hear it. I’m practically entranced and can’t look at anything but his cheeks, waiting to see when they’ll fill up with air again.
At some point, though, I guess I manage to tear myself away and close my eyes because to me the music is like a blanket that I want to feel but not see. Once it finishes and I open my eyes again, I realize that Koen had been playing harmonica and guitar as well.
That was cool.
-Alissa Mariello
[Photo: Illustration of Mountains at Tufts Oxfam Cafe on Wednesday, April 15 by Erik Mallinson]
Photos and review of Mind Wheel and Mountains from last Wednesday’s show at the Oxfam Café over at Anti-Gravity Bunny
I love the art on Pharoah Sanders - Izipho Zam.