Sooo... I decided to try an audio blog. It's about songwriting... kind of. FYI, I realize that I am not cool. In fact, knowing this releases me from the pressure to BE cool. Further, the layer of music on the "audioblog" essentially PROVES that I am not cool... at all. Lemme know what you think... if you wanna.
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
QUEERICS- a super-fun website
Sooo... there is a super-cool website called Queerics. It is a collection of songs that have queer (LGBT) lyrics. Each week, it is updated with new songs. There is also a "Gay Guide" on the site which is informative AND humorous. Check it out here: http://chesh.lmfao.org.uk/queerics/ You will notice 3 Team Smile and Nod songs were posted on 3/14/09!! WHOO! Also, we're mentioned in the "Gay guide". Further, the awesome Queerics web-author says some super-kind stuff about us on the Queerics blog: http://community.livejournal.com/queerics/20234.html <> So, here's a big thank you to Queerics! And a toast! Cheers! Oh, I also want to mention that the site is really fun 'cuz you can submit songs that you think should be posted. Now, you must have proof that they are indeed full of super-queer lyrics. Not a guess. Proof, baby, proof. So yeah, check out the site... it's really fun... and there are some great artists on there that I hadn't heard of... sooo... whoo!
In summary, some tea is good hot, some tea is good cold, and some tea just isn't good at all.
In summary, some tea is good hot, some tea is good cold, and some tea just isn't good at all.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Songwriting Simplicity...
Hi there~
Sooo... I have been contemplating songwriting style lately. I've become obsessed with it (mentally). Thinking about the difference between songwriting and poetry and just words hanging out on a page... Reading gobs of articles about songwriting... Listening to music in a different way... Thinking about the POINT of songwriting... What is it? Really? Is it capturing my personal experiences and sharing them? Or should I take the approach of taking my experiences, finding the feelings they evoke, capturing the feelings with words... making it something more people can relate to...? I mean, it's got be about the listener. Right? Or is it just about the listeners who happen to relate to my personal experiences? Does it water-down the passion when it's more universal? Can there be a hybrid? I think that is the goal... A song that embodies the passion and emotion of the personal and conveys it in a way that more people can relate... I dunno. See... contemplation.
And have all the great songs already been written? I've felt like that... often. I mean, damn, there are so many geniuses out there... so many beautiful, poetic, universal songs... so many raw, wonderful, personal songs... What is the point? Of course, I could go there with anything. But really, what is the point? I've often told myself that the point is to give people a voice. Give listeners something they feel connected to... give people strength... knowing their not alone. That's why I'm so out with so many issues... I mean, shit, I never hear songs about vegetarianism... and there are sooooo few songs that are obviously about lesbian relationships or that deal with homophobia directly. And yes, I know those are not going to be accepted by the masses... but they are not for the masses. And yes, the feel GREAT to play on a personal level... but I also want vegetarians and liberals and lesbians and the LGBT community to feel represented. There are sooooo many heterocentric songs about wives and husbands and traditional values. And there is nothing wrong with that... But, we need the voice! The point is not to exclude. At all. I feel balanced in that my music partner (Rich) is a hetero man with an awesome, supportive wife and a super-cool kid. And he is into collaborating on, composing, recording and working on these songs. And, of course, playing them live. And I know that in many ways he is an awesome exception. But his friends are also open and into our tunes and come out to our shows... and you know, that gives me hope. There are so many awesome straight allies out there. There are soooo many open-minded, interesting people. Yeah, hope...
Wow... a rant. I guess what it comes down to is balance. Probably a hybrid is in order... songs with feeling and heart and more inclusive? Yet not betraying my social-political values and drive... ooo... it must be possible. I'm trying... oh yeah.
*In summary, 1/2 a pot of coffee does not always elevate the mood.
Sooo... I have been contemplating songwriting style lately. I've become obsessed with it (mentally). Thinking about the difference between songwriting and poetry and just words hanging out on a page... Reading gobs of articles about songwriting... Listening to music in a different way... Thinking about the POINT of songwriting... What is it? Really? Is it capturing my personal experiences and sharing them? Or should I take the approach of taking my experiences, finding the feelings they evoke, capturing the feelings with words... making it something more people can relate to...? I mean, it's got be about the listener. Right? Or is it just about the listeners who happen to relate to my personal experiences? Does it water-down the passion when it's more universal? Can there be a hybrid? I think that is the goal... A song that embodies the passion and emotion of the personal and conveys it in a way that more people can relate... I dunno. See... contemplation.
And have all the great songs already been written? I've felt like that... often. I mean, damn, there are so many geniuses out there... so many beautiful, poetic, universal songs... so many raw, wonderful, personal songs... What is the point? Of course, I could go there with anything. But really, what is the point? I've often told myself that the point is to give people a voice. Give listeners something they feel connected to... give people strength... knowing their not alone. That's why I'm so out with so many issues... I mean, shit, I never hear songs about vegetarianism... and there are sooooo few songs that are obviously about lesbian relationships or that deal with homophobia directly. And yes, I know those are not going to be accepted by the masses... but they are not for the masses. And yes, the feel GREAT to play on a personal level... but I also want vegetarians and liberals and lesbians and the LGBT community to feel represented. There are sooooo many heterocentric songs about wives and husbands and traditional values. And there is nothing wrong with that... But, we need the voice! The point is not to exclude. At all. I feel balanced in that my music partner (Rich) is a hetero man with an awesome, supportive wife and a super-cool kid. And he is into collaborating on, composing, recording and working on these songs. And, of course, playing them live. And I know that in many ways he is an awesome exception. But his friends are also open and into our tunes and come out to our shows... and you know, that gives me hope. There are so many awesome straight allies out there. There are soooo many open-minded, interesting people. Yeah, hope...
Wow... a rant. I guess what it comes down to is balance. Probably a hybrid is in order... songs with feeling and heart and more inclusive? Yet not betraying my social-political values and drive... ooo... it must be possible. I'm trying... oh yeah.
*In summary, 1/2 a pot of coffee does not always elevate the mood.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Jeffrey Brown...author of comics...
Jeffrey Brown, author of many graphic novels and comics, is also a super nice guy. He gave our CD, Look Both Ways Before You Die, a listen and drew this comic for us. Wow. Whoa. Dude. He's so freakin' nice. Please buy and read his comics. They are amazing. Start with "Clumsy: A Novel". If you dig cats, start with "Cat Getting Out of a Bag". It will melt your heart. In a good way. Here's a link to his website: http://www.margomitchell.com/thc/jb.htm You can buy his books at Amazon, also.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Breaking the Blog Seal...
Hello. I'm Kara. I'm 1/2 of the band Team Smile and Nod. The wordy half. Being wordy, I've decided to give blogging a go. So here I go... into the wild world of blogging...
Now I've written words before... stories... "sudo" blogs if you will... on myspace and such... but never with the intention of regularly writing. So I guess that's the difference... making it a regular thing.
So, I have some worries... concerns...uncertainties… So, I guess I will write them as questions, and answer them myself:
1.) What will I blog about? Answer: I don't really know. I guess what I'm up to. What I'm thinking? But then, I may bore you. But then, I may not. I guess we'll find out.
2.) Why will I blog? Answer: I don't totally know. I dig the blogs with a purpose... music blogs, feminist blogs... blogs written by interesting people (I’ll put them in my “blogroll”… see, I’m catching on). Will I seem interesting? Is that the point? I guess the reason is to show who the person is who writes the lyrics in our band. Yeah. I'll go with that. Maybe I'll shed some light on our music. Yeah. Maybe.
3.) Will I be able to do this regularly? Answer: I don’t know. I will try.
4.) Who will read my blog? Answer: I don’t know. People, I guess.
In summary (I like summaries), I will try this out. I hope it works out well for all of us. Including you. And me.
P.S. My cat is one of my best friends. And I don't consider this a sad or pathetic thing.
Now I've written words before... stories... "sudo" blogs if you will... on myspace and such... but never with the intention of regularly writing. So I guess that's the difference... making it a regular thing.
So, I have some worries... concerns...uncertainties… So, I guess I will write them as questions, and answer them myself:
1.) What will I blog about? Answer: I don't really know. I guess what I'm up to. What I'm thinking? But then, I may bore you. But then, I may not. I guess we'll find out.
2.) Why will I blog? Answer: I don't totally know. I dig the blogs with a purpose... music blogs, feminist blogs... blogs written by interesting people (I’ll put them in my “blogroll”… see, I’m catching on). Will I seem interesting? Is that the point? I guess the reason is to show who the person is who writes the lyrics in our band. Yeah. I'll go with that. Maybe I'll shed some light on our music. Yeah. Maybe.
3.) Will I be able to do this regularly? Answer: I don’t know. I will try.
4.) Who will read my blog? Answer: I don’t know. People, I guess.
In summary (I like summaries), I will try this out. I hope it works out well for all of us. Including you. And me.
P.S. My cat is one of my best friends. And I don't consider this a sad or pathetic thing.
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