#my 7-year old self would be proud to hear that I’m still into classical stuff

[ame-in-the-rain]

Girlie I need like a video essay about classical music like aaron Copland and I just stare at me screen like

[bobasheebaby]

100 Buffy Prompts

I had a lot of fun compiling this list. I was cracking up more than once and now I want to binge Buffy. If there is a show you want let me know because these seriously help me shut of my brain during this covid hell.

1 “NAME, your mouth is open, sound is coming from it. This is never good.” – Buffy Summers

2 “I just want to be alone and quite in a room with a chair and a fireplace and a tea cozy. I don’t even know what a tea cozy is, but I want one.” – Buffy Summers

3 "They were supposed to be my light at the end of the tunnel. I guess they were a train.” – Buffy Summers

4 “I don’t know what’s coming next. But I do know it’s gonna be just like this – hard, painful. But in the end, it’s gonna be us. If we all do our parts, believe it, we’ll be the one’s left standing.” – Buffy Summers

5 “I don’t handle rejection well. Funny, considering all the practice I’ve had, huh?” – Xander Harris

6 "Just because you’re better than us doesn’t mean you can be all superior.” – Xander Harris

7 “I’m leaning towards blind panic myself.” – Rupert Giles

8 “Since the picture you just painted means that I will never touch food of any kind again, you’ll just have to pick it up yourself.” – Rupert Giles

9 "With all the rubbish people keep sticking in my head, it's a wonder that there's room for my brain." – Spike

10 "Oh, I don't know. Looking in the mirror every day and seeing nothing there...it's an overrated pleasure.” – Angel

11 "Passion. It lies in all of us. Sleeping, waiting, and though unwanted, unbidden, it will stir. Open it's jaws, and howl. It speaks to us, guides us. Passion rules us all, and we obey. What other choice do we have?" – Angel

12 "Anyway, for real now, I'm gonna ask you something, and you gotta promise you'll be honest and not spare my feelings just 'cause I could kill you. You promise?" Faith

13 "You gotta give me something to do. There's no way I'm sleeping. Don't you need anyone dead? Or maimed? I can settle for maimed.” – Faith

14 "You know, I honestly don't think there's a human word fabulous enough for me.”- Glorificus

15 “I’m cookie dough. I’m not done baking. I’m not finished becoming whoever the hell it is I’m gonna turn out to be. I make it through this, and the next thing, and the next thing, and maybe one day, I turn around and realize I’m ready. I’m cookies. And then, you know, if I want someone to eat m — or enjoy warm, delicious, cookie me, then that’s fine. That’ll be then. When I’m done.” — Buffy Summers

16 “Seize the moment, ’cause tomorrow you might be dead.” — Buffy Summers

17 “The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live.” — Buffy Summers

18 “No weapons. No friends. No hope. Take all that away and what’s left?” “Me.” — Angelus & Buffy Summers

19 “Don’t you have an elsewhere to be?” – Cordelia Chase

20 “God! What is your childhood trauma?!” – Cordelia Chase

21 “Gee, can you vague that up for me?” – Buffy Summers

22 “I laugh in the face of danger. Then I hide until it goes away.” – Xander Harris

23 “I don’t know what your problem is, what your issues are. But as of this moment I officially don’t care.” – Xander Harris

24 “You’re really campaigning for bitch of the year, aren’t you?” – Cordelia Chase

25 “I mock you with my monkey pants!” – Oz

26 “Funny how preparing looks an awful lot like sitting on your ass.” – Spike

27 “That’s fairly freaksome.” – Oz

28 “Do you have any tact at all?” – Giles

29 “I’ve known you for two minutes and I can’t stand you.” – Spike

30 “Great. Now I’m gonna be stuck with serious thoughts all day.” – Cordelia Chase

31 “You didn’t happen to take a lot of drugs, did you?” – Willow

32 “I’ve seen honest faces…they usually come attached to liars.” – Willow

33 “Can I be blind, too?” – Xander

34 “Gee, I hope I’m not interrupting anything really depressing.” – Riley

35 “And you just accepted that? I only said that because I thought that’s what you wanted to hear.” – Anya

36 “This is the crack team that foils my every plan? I am deeply shamed.” – Spike

37 “We’ve got to face it, we’ve changed. Well, not you—you’re still sadistic and self-centered.” – Giles

38 “Sometimes the most adult thing you can do is ask for help when you need it.” – Giles

39 “Did everybody have their Crazy Flakes today?” – Xander

40 “Do you love me?” “What?” “Do you?” “I love you. I don't know if I trust you.” “Maybe you shouldn't do either.” “Maybe I'm the one who should decide!” — Angel & Buffy

41 “Six a.m.!" NAME cried. "I know that's a number on my clock, but I've never actually been awake to personally witness it!” — Xander

42 “Bored now.” — Vampire Willow

43 “We’ll go be heroes.” — Spike

44 “You have a plan?” “I am the plan.” — Giles & Buffy

45 "Strong is fighting. It's hard and it's painful, and it's every day. It's what we have to do. And we can do it together." — Buffy

46 "I make it through this and the next thing and the next thing, and maybe one day I turn around and realize I'm ready." — Buffy

47 "You have to take care of each other. You have to be strong. NAME, the hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live, for me." — Buffy

48 "Make your choices. Are you ready to be strong?" — Buffy

49 “Weird love’s better than no love.” — Buffy

50 “The who having wha with huh?” — Buffy

51 “Whatever you choose, you’ve got my support. Just think of me as… as your… You know, I’m searching for supportive things and I’m coming up all bras. So, something slightly more manly, think of me as that.” – Xander

52 "A lot of things that seem strong and good and powerful, they can be painful." Angel

53 "To forgive is an act of compassion, NAME. It's-it's... it's not done because people deserve it. It's done because they need it." — Giles

54 "In the end, we all are who we are, no matter how much we may appear to have changed." — Giles

55 "I don't have time for vendettas. The mission is what matters." — Buffy

56 "I don't want to protect you from the world. I want to show it to you." — Buffy

57 "Make your choice. Are you ready to be strong?" — Buffy

58 "Recognizing power in another does not diminish your own." — Joss Whedon

59 “Out. For. A. Walk… Bitch.” — Spike

60 “You can’t see the stars, love. That’s the ceiling. Also, it’s day.” — Spike

61 “Is everyone here very stoned?” — Spike

62 “I feel safe with you.” [Chokes] “TAKE THAT BACK!” — Dawn & Spike

63 “I love you.” “Oh, my god.” “Hey, no. Look at me. I... love you. You're all I bloody think about... dream about. You're in my gut... my throat... I'm drowning in you, NAME. I'm drowning in you.” — Spike & Buffy

64 “Just... give me something. A crumb, the barest smidgen. Tell me maybe, someday there's a chance” “NAME ... the only chance you had with me was when I was unconscious.” “Oh, wha-“ [screams, then shouts]  “What the bleeding hell is wrong with you bloody men/women? What the hell does it take? Why do you bitches torture me?” “Which question do you want me to answer first?” — Spike & Buffy

65 “You can't deny it. There's something between us.” “Loathing. Disgust.” — Spike & Buffy

66 “Could do without the laugh track, NAME.” “But it's so funny. I knew... before you did. I knew you loved the NAME. The pixies in my head whispered it to me.” — Spike & Drusilla

67 “Damn right I’m impure! I’m as impure as the driven yellow snow.” — Spike

68 “I love you.” “No, you don’t. But thanks for saying it.” — Spike & Buffy

69 “This with you, it’s wrong. I know it. I’m not a complete idiot.” — Spike

70 “You always hurt the ones you love, pet.” — Spike

71 "When I say ‘I love you,’ it’s not because I want you or because I can’t have you. It has nothing to do with me. I love what you are, what you do, how you try. I’ve seen your kindness and your strength. I’ve seen the best and worst of you. And I understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are." — Buffy

72 "I’m just gonna go home, lie down, and listen to country music. The music of pain." — Buffy

73 "I have feelings for you. I do. But it's not love. I could never trust you enough for it to be love." — Buffy

74 "Weird love's better than no love." — Buffy

75 “People don’t fall in love with what’s right in front of them. People want the dream — what they can’t have. The more unattainable, the more attractive.” — Buffy

76 "Trust is for old marrieds, NAME. Great love is wild and passionate and dangerous. It burns and consumes." “Until there's nothing left. Love like that doesn't last." — Spike & Buffy

77 "This isn't some fairy tale. When I kiss you...you don't wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after" — Angel

78 "I love you. I try not to, but I can't stop" — Angel

79 "If I may suggest, ‘This time it's personal.’ I mean, there's a reason why it's a classic." —Oz

80 "Well, to the casual observer, it would appear that you're trying to make your friend NAME jealous, or even the score, or something. And...that's on the empty side. See, in my fantasy, when I'm kissing you, you're kissing me. It's okay, I can wait." — Oz

81 "NAME’s our friend...except I don't like him/her.” — Xander

82 "What am I gonna do? I think about sex all the time! Sex ... Help! Four times five is thirty ... five times six is thirty-two ... Naked girls. Naked women ... Naked NAME ... Oh, stop me!" — Xander

83 "Man, NAME! My whole life just flashed before my eyes. I gotta' get me a life!" — Xander

84 “NAME. You're really campaigning for bitch-of-the-year, aren't you?” “As defending champion, you nervous?” — Cordelia & Buffy

85 "Tact is just not saying true stuff. I'll pass." — Cordelia

86 “Oh please. Like shame is something to be proud of.” — Cordelia

87 “I’m going to give you some advice: get over it.” — Cordelia

88 “Oh, and you’re welcome.” — Cordelia

89 “I’m not a sniveling little cry-NAME. I’m the nastiest guy/girl in PLACE history. I take crap from no one.” — Cordelia

90 “I think it. I say it. It’s my way.” — Cordelia

91 "I don't like spiders, okay? Their furry bodies, and their sticky webs, and what do they need all those legs for anyway? I'll tell you - for crawling across your face in the middle of the night." — Willow

92 "I don't want danger. Big 'no’ to danger.” — Willow

93 "Let's get this straight. I don't understand it. I don't wanna' understand it. You have gross emotional problems. And things are not okay between us." — Willow

94 "NAME, I got so lost." "I found you. I will always find you." — Tara & Willow

95 "But you like him/her, and when you think about him/her, you get that good down-low tickle, right?" — Faith

96 "You hurt me, I hurt you. I'm just a little more efficient." — Faith

97 "Just relax ... and take off your pants." — Faith

98 "I am, you know." “What?" “Yours." — Tara & Willow

99 "I don't have time for bondage fun." - Buffy

100 “It's fine, I don't need to be snuggled.” — Willow

[kuciradio]

As 2018 is coming to an end it’s time to reflect on this amazing year for new music and artistry. KUCI is a diverse group of DJs and we are proud to represent all genres of music. I have finally put together our Top 10 albums of 2018 along with some honorable mentions towards the end accompanied by some lovely words written by our fellow DJs. We can’t wait for what 2019 brings for us and continue tuning in on kuci.org or 88.9 FM if you’re in the Orange County area. Have a safe and happy new year!

1. Mitski - Be The Cowboy

“Mitski Miyawaki’s powerhouse voice resonates with a haunting clarity on her stunning masterpiece Be the Cowboy. She creates entire worlds and characters out of pieces of herself, from paranoid, awkward women who yearn for traditionalism and some idealist version of what life or love should be (hello “Lonesome Love”), to cowgirls who can do it all on their own. From sorrowful to triumphant, Mitski colors the spaces in between from soul-bearing ballad “Geyser” to unforgettable dancing-alone-in-your-bedroom anthem “Nobody.” (Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp)

“This album was so personal and raw and I also liked how the songs flowed well on this album.” (Heidi Barragan)

2. The Internet - Hive Mind

“I can't talk about this album without mentioning how mad I am at myself for missing the tour. Syd, Pat, Steve, Matt, and Chris, The Internet, are prominent figures of musical evolution; this speaks volumes and not just because they got their start with Odd Future, a hub of avid freeform artists. If you’re inclined to believe what I believe, Ego Death is a heartbreak album and Hive Mind is loaded with recovery anthems and passionate songs to share with your new partner who is not a rebound. Across the timeline, the sounds change from R&B and Hip-Hop to Funk and Soul; but what captures my attention the most, from Ego Death to Hive Mind, is the way a facade is casted aside. Hive Mind is just so sincere and therefore, perfectly fitting for being a part of my top three.” (Thorson Munoz)

“[This album] is a very funky album with heavy tones of R&B. The Internet does not disappoint with their funky sounds, which can be heard on “La Di Da”. Overall the album has powerful baselines, thanks to the amazing Steve Lacy, and groovy beats backed by Syd’s smooth vocals. It is hard to listen to this album and not dance along to it.” (Melissa Palma)

3. Kali Uchis - Isolation

“Colombian singer Kali Uchis’ long-awaited debut album is a high-production value journey into her uniquely sultry, dreamy world of R&B. The songstress’s silky voice pushes boundaries of various genres, from bossa-inspired intro “Body Language” to the Amy Winehouse-esque “Killer,” each track better and more of a banger than the last. Isolation features artists like The Internet guitarist Steve Lacy, British soul success Jorja Smith, and reggaeton icon Reykon. Uchis also recruited her friends Tyler, the Creator and legendary bassist Bootsy Collins for the hit single “After the Storm,” a follow-up to her and Tyler’s song “See You Again” from his 2017 album Flower Boy (supported by a stunningly whimsical music video by director Nadia Lee Cohen). The producer credits are just as stacked, including the likes of Thundercat, BROCKHAMPTON’s Romil Hemnani, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn. Uchis proves herself as the new sound of pop, never veering from her originality that made her a Soundcloud sweetheart.” (Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp)

4. Janelle Monae - Dirty Computer

“She’s such an intelligent creative weirdo and I LOVE HER. Not to mention her oozing femme POWER.” (Naseem Eskandari)

“About the moxie I mentioned earlier, this emotional rollercoaster has an abudnace of it and I cannot get enough! Cover to cover this album packs a punch, and as the visual companion--which brought me to tears--would suggest, this entire album is a celebration of deviant bodies and identities. This album contains the perfect ratio of soft and tender tracks and upbeat exciting ones so its no wonder why NPR named Dirty Computer their number one of 2018.” (Thorson Munoz)

5. Anderson .paak - Oxnard

“Sometimes artists, after huge successes, feel that they need to make music that sounds just like their previous work to gain the same traction, but really the true artists are the ones that stay honest and true to their creative ability - their sound moves through life with them.” (Naseem Eskandari)

“Anderson .Paak, to me, is responsible for every playlist I've ever built that revolves around driving in Los Angeles with the windows down, no matter the time of day. However, I don't drive a convertible, so instead I honored Venice and Malibu using my radio program, Detours. Not only am I excited to honor Oxnard as well, but Oxnard was built for driving; this is evident after listening to "Tints", the first release, and "Headlow". This album, just like Malibu, is masterful; the only difference is that Dr. Dre stepped out of the shadows and was a feature. Oxnard is beyond incredible and worthy of it's legendary features, Snoop Dog, Q-Tip, and Kadhja Bonet, to name a few. I'm really excited for what will likely be Anderson .Paak's next Grammy nomination.” (Thorson Munoz)

6. Blood Orange - Negro Swan

“AMAZING production, amazing narrative!!!!!!!” (Angel Cortez)

“Dev Hynes never fails to make master pieces of albums that narrate the experience of marginalized people in an oppressive and toxic environment. Hynes brings together artists as big as ASAP Rocky to smaller artists of equal talent such as Steve Lacey creating a beautiful medley of indie hip hop to soul and funk.  Coupled with interviews, Hynes is able to make this album a personal experience for the listener. For me it always feels as though he is singing to me personally, something that not many artists are able to do.” (Kelsey Villacorte)

7. Kevin Krauter - Toss Up

“Toss Up has to be my personal #1 favorite album of 2018 by Kevin Krauter who began making music apart from lo-fi dream pop band Hoops in 2015. Toss Up was released this past summer and was the perfect album to listen to during warm summer nights and has carried through to the end of the year as a comforting reminder of those warm times during these cold nights. It has that dreamy, nostalgic feeling, something that you would listen to as you’re reflecting on the tender moments of your life. Krauter mixes vaporwave-esque sounds with sweet ballads with no one song sounding like the other.” (Kelsey Villacorte)

8. MGMT - Little Dark Age

“MGMT's come-back album is focused, synthy, and fresh. Without abandoning the dark undertones present in their older albums, this album reflects the band's personal growth and resonates with fans, old and new. Tracks like TSLAMP and Little dark Age are some of my favorites!” (Angelica Sheen)

“MGMT has maintained their status as an alternative staple and has since transformed their sound into something more experimental since their debut album Oracular Spectacular. MGMT did not disappoint and gave us an album that went from the weird wii-fit/dystopian vibes of She Works Out To Much to 80s dance of Me and Michael to another sweet ballad titled Hand It Over which is super reminiscent of the ending/title song of their second album Congratulations. MGMT never fails to write well thought out lyrics that all almost feel like their own story. All in all, they did not disappoint and this is exactly the kind of MGMT album I was hoping for after a 5 year hiatus.” (Kelsey Villacorte)

9. Ian Sweet - Crush Crusher

“Jilian Medford refines IAN SWEET’s sound and practices self-care on sophomore album Crush Crusher, her most intimate release yet. Medford rediscovers her identity as she considers how much of herself she has forgotten while preoccupying herself with being a guardian to others (she warbles “The sun built me to shade everybody” on “Holographic Jesus”). Ever poetic while satisfyingly straightforward, she notes that “It’s been too long since I let myself cry about something that wasn’t even sad” on the pummeling single “Spit.” She coos, squeaks, and screams in perfect, dissonant harmony over her guitar’s cathartically melancholic reverb. IAN SWEET remains a perfect contradiction that only grows sweeter.” (Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp)

10. Parquet Courts - Wide Awake!

“This band's genius shows through with every new release. Wide Awake throws all of their influences together and expels energetic funk beats with poignant, dark, and brutal lyrics that are especially political. The juxtaposition of these themes with upbeat and optimistic instrumentals speaks to their compositional talent, making it a fan favorite. AND THEY USE COWBELLS.” (Angelica Sheen)

Honorable Mentions:

Glenn Crytzer Orchestra, "Ain't it Grand?"

This album couldn't have been better aimed at me if the band had come and asked me what I wanted to hear.  A modern swing-style orchestra performing both classic tunes from the 1930s and modern pieces written in the big band style.  The ensemble playing is tight, the solos just exactly right, and the production quality a lot sharper than any of the original Duke Ellington recordings.  Top notch stuff. (Michael Payne)

The Vaccines - Combat Sports

"The Vaccines brought back the spirit and energy of their debut album but with a new twist when they released their 4th album early in 2018. Get pumped up with the "I Can't Quit" and "Nightclub" or settle down with  "Maybe (The Luck of the Draw)" or "Young American". The Vaccines perfectly embody the sound and snark of the '70s and '80s artists of which their influenced while still creating a modern feel of the 2010's. My personal favorite off the album "Out on the Street" definitely a treat live! Over all Combat Sports is an excellent album and what we needed in 2018." (Stacey Brizuela)

Cobra Man - Toxic Planet

“Los Angeles local duo Cobra Man blows it out of the water with their sophomore album that carries the heart and groove of something you'd hear out of '84. It is indeed one of the best albums of the year because it utilizes one of the most underrated instruments in the game, the saxophone.” (Spartacus Avina)

Nu Guinea "Nu Guinea"

Heaven & Earth by Kamasi Washington is an album that’s loud and bold in both sound and vocals. A lot of the album often creates an ethereal effect with the heavy instrumentals ascending into a grand peak, most notably heard on “Street Fighter Mas”. The vocals on the album accompany the instrumentals in their same form, loud and climaxing. Listening to this album is like a rollercoaster with its thrilling jazz sounds. (Melissa Palma)

Drug Church - Cheer

Mac Miller - Swimming

“The tragic beauty of this album speaks for itself. Mac was such a raw and very real individual and it reflects in his music the way that many others cannot replicate. May he rest in peace - I hope the next life will be better for him.” (Naseem Eskandari)

Thank you to all the amazing DJs who submitted their Top 10 list of 2018! I am super glad to have been part of an amazing and diverse radio station for this past year and this is only a small piece of what our DJs music tastes are like here. I hope everyone has an incredible and safe New Years Eve and a happy 2019 :)

-Kelsey Villacorte (Music Director)

[frankwallace]

My Roots as a Composer | necessity and education

A couple of years ago, a young guitarist from Vanguard University wrote to say that he is a fan. He was preparing a presentation on me as a living composer/guitarist, and asked if I would help with some background info. Here’s the result.

Hello, My name is Javier Castillo. I performed in a Masterclass where Mr. Wallace was the speaker back in Fall 2011 at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California (I performed one of his pieces, “Sand And Sky” for him that day). I’m currently going to Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California and in my Guitar Literature class I chose Frank Wallace for my research report on 20th Century/Modern classical guitar players. I was wondering if I can possibly get some information on Mr. Wallace? Information on his early career would be great, especially some background as a composer. Who and where did he study composition? Who were his influences? .

I’m a very big fan of Mr. Wallace’s music and I figure since I’m one of the few people in my class who is presenting/researching on a composer/guitarist who is thankfully still alive, I can try and reach out to him.

Thank you for your time, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Starting easy

http://www.frankwallace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/04-Etude-7.mp3

In brief – I started composing out of two events: 1) desperation to get a particularly difficult college student to actually learn something; 2) subsequently, turning to teach children. Both inspired me to write short studies to teach what I wanted to teach. For example, my Single String Studies are quite unique as far as I know. They combine my interest in singing with the concept of a medieval drone (as accompaniment to melody) and my desire as a teacher of guitar to have simple material that presents upper positions and shifting at an earlier stage of development in students.

Secondly, my wife loved these little pieces, as did I, so she challenged me to do a concert of them. I said, “that’s ridiculous, they are too simple for a professional concert.” But the seed was planted. One day a new little blues piece for a student suddenly took on life and developed into Sweet Ladyslipper, a 6 movement concert suite. Here’s the Prelude, as recorded on my first CD of my works.

http://www.frankwallace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/10-Prelude-Sweet-Ladyslipper.mp3

Two composer lessons

After a few years, I had my first actual composition lesson with Dick Winslow, a neighbor and retired professor of music from Wesleyan (who happened to be David Leisner’s comp teacher in college). Dick took a look at some of my works then we sat down to talk. He asked, “What do you want to know?” I said I was self-conscious that I don’t really hear music in my head, not precisely and clearly. His response astonished me, “So what? Do you like the music you write? It doesn’t matter what the process is as long as you like the result.” “Frankly, I love my music,” was my sure response.

A couple of years later I visited Herman Weiss, former head of the theory and composition department at Longy School in Cambridge MA who studied with Messiaen on a Fulbright. I asked, “Do you think I should get a Masters in composition?” Again the response surprised and delighted me, “That would be the worst thing you could do!”

Herman said I already have a distinctive voice as a composer and school would only force me into someone else’s style. So my style and skill came from my own resources and experience. I learned simply to trust myself as a composer. That’s the biggest accomplishment I have ever made, and somehow it came fairly naturally and painlessly to me.

In terms of influences: I frequently say Dowland, Schubert, Britten – they all wrote great solo music as well as songs. But I am firmly rooted in the guitar classics as well: Sor, Tárrega, Villa-Lobos, etc. They are the ones who taught me how to create sonority on the guitar, and that is extremely important to me.

The interview | Where did it all begin?

[Javier] Hello Frank, thank you for answering my letter and for helping me with my research report. Great responses! They certainly give great insight into your background as a composer and musical style. It’s always fascinating to read about the humble beginnings of creative people. As someone who occasionally composes his own musical ideas, it is definitely inspiring.

I have one big question, and this one is about you as a musician. Where did it all begin for you? How old were you when you decided to pursue classical guitar? Who were your instructors? And what interests you about the Lute and Vihuela De Mano? And also, since you’re also a composer, and I see that you’ve written pieces with violin and flute, did you happen to learn any other instruments to help give you a better understanding of them for when you compose?

[Frank] My family was not particularly musical. My mother and two older sisters played a little piano, my older brother trumpet. No one was great or very serious, but I grew up hearing them practice and I would sit down and bang the keys or spit into the trumpet. My father always got compliments for his voice in church, but refused to join the choir. He was very proud of his Harmon Kardon stereo system and listened to musicals fairly regularly – no classical music that I recall.

Apparently my grandfather played piano by ear, but I don’t remember it. The inspiration that got me going was the Lawrence Welk TV show that we watched when my grandparents visited from Texas. The accordion player on the Welk show, Myron Floren, really impressed me – how dorky is that!? The Beatles were hitting the scene and I wanted to take accordion lessons at age 10! We found a teacher and after a couple of years, he brought me an electric guitar, saying any musician should play at least two instruments. My cynical side thinks he just needed to make a few extra bucks that week. I began doing my own arrangements of Jobim songs and other jazz – got into Charlie Byrd as well as Wes Montgomery, etc., but no rock!

Classical guitar enters the scene

Somewhere in there my parents bought me a Romeros boxed set of flamenco music. Serendipity! That was followed with Bream, Parkening and Segovia. Then I found the Carcassi Method at a local store, along with a flamenco guitar, and started teaching myself. It wasn’t until I was a senior in high school that I found Ed Bishop, my first classical teacher. He was very enthusiastic about my potential and immediately got me playing stuff I shouldn’t have – Bach, Britten, Albéniz. I feel I never had a truly proper education – it was quite eclectic from the beginning. Now I am grateful for that, I think it feeds my creative spirit, and steered me away from being a typical player with typical repertoire.

http://www.frankwallace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/02-Una-sañosa-porfia-singelkerk2.wav

Una Sañosa Porfia by Juan del Encina, as recorded by Trio LiveOak on Star Shining on the Mountain, 1980, Mnemosyne Records, at the Groton Chapel in Groton MA

My interest in early music began in college by chance. The choir director was into it and one or two semesters we had a rep class with Robert Strizich who had us learn tablature. He also substituted for my busy teacher Michael Lorimer when Michael was on the road. Of course, Lorimer also played lute at the time and was heavily into Bach. That might have led nowhere if I hadn’t stumbled into the Quadrivium in Boston. This was a vibrant scene of instrumentalists and singers dedicated to Medieval and Renaissance music in the Boston area led by charismatic and brilliant teacher Marleen Montgomery. I moved to Boston after college just for the adventure and met these folks, including my wife to be, Nancy Knowles, within days.

It was an incredible scene that encouraged wide exploration of the repertoire, but we constantly arranged works to be adapted to the particular forces at hand [Una Sañosa Porfia as example]. I think this was one of the many factors that led to my compositional abilities, including, as you ask, how to write for different instruments. On that front, I’m not as well trained as I would like to be, but it’s pretty instinctual for me and I do consult with †he players I am writing fo® or do other research. I’d love to write a symphony, but that feels outside my realm of experience and training. I have played saxophone, piano, recorder, viola da gamba, chalumeau, vihuelas and lutes of many different sizes and a bunch of medieval and ethnic instruments – so I’m rather fearless. When I wrote a lot of mandolin music a few years ago, I borrowed an instrument and worked closely with German virtuoso Annika Hinsche and a few other players.

Please consider a donation to my GoFundMe. They are greatly appreciated and will make a huge difference in my healing process!

My Roots as a Composer | necessity and education was originally published on FRANK WALLACE

[happymetalgeek]

In the words of a rather famous band “Welcome, I bid you welcome…..” This spectacle, HRH XII in beautiful Pwllheli, North Wales, though is no electric circus, it’s the real deal but with a real undertone of the weird and macabre cabaret part of the circus as the opening ceremony has everyone mesmerized. The troupe of incredibly talented women set the tone beautifully – enjoy all that rock has to offer, dip into a weird wild fantasy world that Freddy Mercury would tip his hat to, and don’t be a dick.

HRHXII is already kicking ass!!

EDEN’S CURSE

The Opening Night of the HRH XII , if somewhat wet, is greeted with the arrival of opening act Eden’s Curse, who might have been forgiven for being overwhelmed due to the huge crowd in attendance. But after a short circus themed intro tape they hit the ground running with “Masquerades Ball” – these guys knew the score! – then without drawing breath “Break The Silence” rattles out the speakers. As the sound now balances itself out “The Great Pretender” maintains the momentum with the keyboards and backing vocals adding more layers to the traditional “Edens Curse” sound.

“Unbreakable” with full audience participation with the encouragement of vocalist Nikola Migic got the place rockin’ and is hands down the set highlight, with full use of the large single screen at the back of the stage projecting the group with wonderful coloured computer imagery enhances the performance even more. “Evil and Divine “ followed closely by “Angels and Demons” rounded off a very strong 7 song 40 minute set highlighting the best of what this amazing 5 piece can offer.

  MYKE GRAY

With the intro music of Queens “We Will Rock You” blasting out the speakers we get a shredding short instrumental from Myke Gray that kickstarts the set as “Stand Up For Rock n Roll” hits you between the eyes and BOOM this tiny little woman who I’ve never seen or heard before enters the stage going bat-shit crazy and working the crowd with ease. The woman in question is Kymberley Anne Jennett and what a voice and what a star in the making before the opening number has finished she is in the photo pit but climbs out and back on stage for “House of Love” which I have to admit at first is a bit strange to not hear Neville McDonald singing this classic track, But weird as it sounds it just does not matter as the female human dynamo just nails it!! If you plugged her into the national grid she would easily light up the whole of North Wales. Skin classics are peeled off one after another with “Love Like Suicide” and “Take Me Down To The River” with the dual guitars working to good affect.

Myke Gray smiling his usual happy self must have been amazed with the reaction especially on “Look But Don’t Touch” which saw the contented crowd peeling back the years to their youth with much singing and clapping and a little bit of dad dancing for good measure. The set was rounded off with a frantic version of “Shine your Light” with Kymberley losing the plot again and exiting the stage lost in the photo pit and I think she may have ended pretty much in the crowd such was her enthusiasm. I hope from a personal point that Myke can involve her in some future project either in the studio or live, with the musical chops that Myke Gray has in his arsenal and with his talented band that back him so well the only way is up.

  ROCK GODDESS

Rock Goddess – the name that strikes fear into many a band!! This ferocious 3 piece pack a punch that Tyson would have been proud of in his heyday. Fronted by the simply amazing Jody Turner, who has steered the ship through thick and thin. With a guitar sound sharper than a surgeon’s scalpel we are treated to both old and, very impressive, new material “Gonna Let Your Hair Down” showcases Jody’s lung power and, wow!!, what a voice. “To Be Betrayed” with its doom laden slow riffage and thunderous drums hasn’t aged in its 30 years existence and is still such a relevant track in 2018.

“Why Do We Never Learn”, a new track from the as yet unreleased new album, is huge and what I just witnessed was enough to make your fillings rattle and your arse shake. “Start Running” takes everyone back to the 80s and is still such a creepy song and new girl “Jenny Lane” delivers a solid bass line that underpins the track. If you ever need to understand the importance of a bass guitar then look no further because “Start running” needs that groove for Jodie Turner to weave her magic.

New  single “Are You Ready” steam hammers along at breakneck speed with a crystal clear sound stunning light show, old songs, new songs “Rock Goddess” have me and hundreds more transfixed, the new material is just so strong and slots in perfectly with the classic songs we all grew up with. Versions of “Back To You” and “Heavy Metal Rock n Roll” could strip the paint of your walls without you having to leave the comfort of your sofa with your paint thinner and scraper!!

Now here’s the thing – I’m very fortunate to attend many hundreds of gigs and see many amazing acts but the performance the band offered is one of the best shows I’ve ever witnessed and I’m talking about 35 years!!

  PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS

Guitar legend and HRH award winner 2018, Phil Campbell, has the punters filling the venues nooks and crannies and the place is rammed to the gills, “Big Mouth” sets the stall out in aggressive fashion followed by “Freakshow” which is one of the highlights from the debut album and thankfully comes over even better live, even going as far as to creating a very small but, never the less, impressive mosh pit.

Serious twiddling from Mr Campbell is met with gratitude from the onlookers and, backed by his talented sons, the band is like a runaway train gathering momentum all the time. First of the “Motorhead” covers duly arrives with “Born To Raise Hell” reminding us all of the great sadly missed Lemmy, then up steps Phil who peels off a solo that merits his well-deserved award the previous evening. “Get On Your Knees” with its nod and a wink to old school metal is bolstered big time with the dual guitars and on command everyone obliges the request to raise their middle fingers in the air!!

A quick blast through R.A.M.O.N.E.S gets the mosh pit stirring just a little bit more then its straight into album opener “Ring Leader” and once again takes over a life of its own in the live arena. Wrapping the set-up is the triple whammy of “Silver Machine”, “Ace Of Spades” and a spine snapping version of “Bomber”. Talk about spoilt rotten and slightly emotional in a rock n roll way. Cracking stuff from a true down n dirty, rock n roll band.

  MICHAEL SCHENKER

Closing the first night proper is the unbelievably gifted Michael Schenker and his festival of former lead singers, this has to be one of the most chaotic and arse about face shows I’ve seen in a long while! It goes against the grain of what most bands try and achieve in a live setting. But fear not because it works!!

First example the intro music is AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell” so the crowd are pumped. Schenker walks onstage and what do we get? “Blackout”? or possibly “Another Piece Of Meat”? Oh no. No. No No. We get an acoustic soothing version of The Scorpions “Holiday” then he addresses the crowd regarding his long and impressive career then its straight into what everyone presumed would be the encore song “Doctor, Doctor” where various singers all appear on stage these include Graham Bonnet, Dougie White, McCauley, by which time they were only 2 songs in.

“Vigilante Man” gets Dougie White up on his own singing the track with his usual enthusiasm. New track “The Church” is another chance for the stage to be filled with no less than 4 singers. In-between many of the songs Schenker chats away to the crowd all about his time in various groups and how old he was when certain tracks were written and personally I found this set up really refreshing. The songs on the other hand need no introduction, with the following just an example “Natural Thing”, “Shoot Shoot”, “Armed and Ready”, and “Only You Can Rock Me” with instrumentals from his “Scorpions” days thrown in the mix for good measure.

The great man can’t go wrong.

Then the moment everyone was waiting for “Rock Bottom”. Were we going to get a 10 minute version or a 15 minute version? I never timed it but take my word for it, the man isn’t human!! With solid bass and drums keeping everything in time, Schenker just cast his magic over his fretboard he explored it like a kid would explore a sweetshop, then just to take the piss he picks up a camcorder starts filming the crowd whilst still creating a mind blowing solo. “Lights out” finished the set and basically everyone went home gob-smacked, inebriated and happy after a brilliant first night of booze great company and 5 great bands.

  Review by Steve Bruty

Photos by Edyta Krzesak

GIG REVIEW: HRH XII Kicks of the Weekend With An Incredible Start with @edenscurse @MykeGrayMusic @RockGoddessOff1 @PCATBS @MW_Schenker @MetalPlanet72 @bruty_steve @EdytkaK @CentralpressPR In the words of a rather famous band “Welcome, I bid you welcome…..” This spectacle, HRH XII in beautiful Pwllheli, North Wales, though is no electric circus, it’s the real deal but with a real undertone of the weird and macabre cabaret part of the circus as the opening ceremony has everyone mesmerized.

[omeglerpsokyeah-blog]

Destiel #36

You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi! You both like destiel. You: [College AU. Cas and Dean broke up a couple weeks ago.] (3:53 am) I know we’re not together anymore, and that you’re angry with me, but the nightmares are back and you’re the only one who can calm me down. CN Stranger: Hey, Cas. DW Stranger: Bad night? DW You: Dean. Hey. I didn't think you'd answer. CN You: Yeah. CN Stranger: I was up. DW Stranger: You wanna talk about it? DW You: Nothing to talk about. It was just the same dream as usual. CN Stranger: It's not true, you know. You're here. We're okay. DW Stranger: I mean... you know. DW You: We're not okay. CN Stranger: I know. DW You: I'm still sorry. CN Stranger: Fuck, Cas. Is this helping? Bringing up the apologies right now? DW You: [no reply] Stranger: I'm sorry. I'm not trying to snap at you. DW You: No, it's okay. Just can't argue right now. CN Stranger: Talk to me. DW Stranger: Rate the bad from one to ten. DW You: Started at 7, but it's getting worse. CN Stranger: Do you want to discuss what's going on or just get your mind off it? DW You: Get my mind off it, please. CN Stranger: Sam called me again today. DW You: Yeah? CN Stranger: Says that he's being elected head of soccer and Model U.N. next year. Couldn't stop rambling about it. DW You: Always knew he'd do well. From a kid. CN Stranger: Mm. I'm just glad Dad hasn't pulled him out of crap since I've been here. But I'm proud. So much. DW You: You should be. You raised him so well. CN Stranger: He was like, I could hear clicking? Nerd was writing a paper while he talked to me. Or trying to at first. It stopped. He told me he kept writing 'fuck that' by mistake because of me. DW Stranger: So I told him I'd stop swearing if he cut his hair and he hushed up. DW You: Don't be horrible. Sam's hair is great. CN Stranger: It looks ridiculous. If I see so much as a single bun I will go fix it myself. DW You: M'gonna send him links to youtube videos on how to do a man bun. CN Stranger: Man bun. Ugh. DW Stranger: Ughhhhh. DW You: Might grow mine. CN Stranger: You'd look shitty with a manbun. DW You: :( CN Stranger: :T DW You: My hands have stopped shaking. CN Stranger: That's good. DW Stranger: Stay away from coffee. DW You: Mm. What about tequila? CN Stranger: Maybe not the best idea either. DW Stranger: Not sure how willing I am to scrape you off the ground today. DW You: Well, coffee and tequila is all I have in right now, so that's me done for. CN Stranger: Water, Cas. DW You: We're out of bottled water. You know I can't drink tap. CN Stranger: There's a vending machine literally two halls down from you. DW You: That's like a minutes walk. Too far. CN You: And it's dark. CN Stranger: Pineapple juice and bottled water. DW You: Possibility of getting kidnapped. CN Stranger: Check the panic box under your bed. DW You: [delayed] Did you put your shirt in there? CN Stranger: Sounds right. I don't remember the full contents. DW Stranger: I know there's water and juice and fruit snacks, though. DW You: Yeah, yeah. Got all that. CN Stranger: Yeah, yeah, yourself. Bam. I'm the best. DW You: You really are. CN Stranger: What else is in there? Advil, food. Shirt. DW You: Yeah, all that. A mixtape, too. CN Stranger: I'm disgusting. DW You: Sickening, really. CN Stranger: You can throw that out or whatever if you want. DW You: Why would I do that? CN Stranger: I don't know. DW You: I'm going to listen to it. Stay tuned for comments. CN Stranger: Stay tuned for defensiveness and self-repulsion in response to prior emotion. DW Stranger: I always liked making mixes but giving them is suffering personified. DW You: [delayed] Starts with you talking. Forgot what your voice sounds like. CN You: The smiths. Nice. Classic. CN Stranger: Murder me. Honestly. DW You: You keep talking in between songs, telling me to calm down and stuff. It's nice. CN Stranger: I definitely sing at one point, too. This was pre-guitar-death. DW Stranger: White Stripes, I think. DW You: [delayed] Yep, got to it. CN Stranger: 'I can tell that we are going to be friends'. DW Stranger: Skip over the part where I cough and fuck up. DW You: That's my favourite bit. CN Stranger: Gross. DW You: I miss you. CN Stranger: [no response] You: Sorry. Ruined it. CN Stranger: [delayed] You hurt me. DW You: I know. And I'm so sorry. CN Stranger: Fuck. DW You: I'm sorry. CN Stranger: I know. DW You: You don't. You don't know how sorry I am. I'm fucking. Jesus. I'm so sorry. CN Stranger: This isn't a good time. DW You: Okay. CN Stranger: One to ten. DW You: Nine. CN Stranger: Tell me what your favorite song was. DW You: We're going to be friends. CN Stranger: Gay. DW You: Caught me. CN Stranger: I miss having a guitar. DW You: Where is it? CN Stranger: Fucking roommate broke it. DW You: New or old one? CN Stranger: Old. DW You: That's shitty. CN Stranger: I sold the new one. DW You: Why? CN Stranger: Repairs fund. DW You: Nice. CN Stranger: I try my best. DW Stranger: Speaking of repairs, Dad crashed the car. DW You: The Impala? CN Stranger: He's fine, but she's in the shop. DW You: Drunk? CN Stranger: Probably. DW You: I'm sorry. CN Stranger: Not your fault. DW Stranger: Just gives me something to do next time I visit. DW You: Yeah, that's true. You always was amazing fixing her up. CN You: Charlie came by today. CN Stranger: Yeah? What'd she have to say? DW Stranger: Was it venomous? Because I told her to back off. DW You: No. She got all her anger out after the last time she visited. Think she just wanted to check on me. CN Stranger: I'm still sorry for that. Sisters. What can you do. DW You: You don't have to be. She was right. CN Stranger: You should eat something. DW You: Don't want to get up. CN You: I've eaten my snacks. CN Stranger: See, I'd have put French toast in the box, but it's a bit less 'last forever'. DW You: Mm. French toast. CN Stranger: Beat two eggs with a dash of milk and cinnamon sugar, fry in butter for a few minutes on each side, serve with syrup/jam/powdered sugar/cinnamon to taste. DW Stranger: Bread. Dip bread in eggs then fry. I missed a step. Dw You: Saved into notes. CN You: Probably won't end up as good as yours. I'm tragic at cooking. CN Stranger: I know. Don't burn it, please. Three minutes each side. Set a timer. DW You: I'll do it when I'm less exhausted. CN You: My mom's sick. CN Stranger: Christ, Cas. I'm so sorry. DW You: Not your fault. They want me to go home and see her. CN Stranger: Do you want to? DW You: Don't wanna see my dad, but I kind of have to. CN Stranger: Dads are shitty. All of them. DW Stranger: Moms are the real thing. Dw You: True. Who needs 'em? CN Stranger: Nobody. Dw You: Can't lose my mom, Dean. CN Stranger: You should go see her. DW You: I will. CN Stranger: Your mom taught me to make soup. DW You: So, the Novaks are responsible for your incredible cooking skills? CN Stranger: Just the soups. DW You: Soups are the gateway drug to cooking. CN Stranger: Hey, I grew up cooking. DW Stranger: Just couldn't get the simplest part. DW You: She did make great soups. CN Stranger: She showed me the egg drop one, halfway through sophomore year I think. Sophomore year sucked. DW You: God, it was the worst. CN You: But, it's the first time you kissed me, so at least I made your life a little better. CN Stranger: I dunno where you were, but I remember her holding the fork because I was hungry and shaky and she kept telling me, "This is a good soup for when you have nothing else. College, or whenever." DW Stranger: You were the highlight for sure. DW You: We never thought we were gonna make it to college, and look where we are. CN You: Glad to hear it. CN Stranger: My bathroom, sitting in an empty tub staring at mold on the ceiling? DW You: Living the dream. CN Stranger: The dream has more Spaghettios than anticipated. DW Stranger: You had no competition, by the way. Best part by far. DW You: Same for you. I mean, experiencing cheerios for the first time in Sophomore year came as a close second, but you were the best. CN Stranger: I friggin' love Cheerios. DW You: I can tell by the way you capitalised them. Cheerios. You: CN Stranger: You eat *c*heerios for forty percent of your diet and it's either love or hatred. DW You: I love Cheerios. Cheerios are the most important thing in my life. CN You: Cheerios will never leave me. CN You: Unless I forget to buy them. CN Stranger: Cheerios loves you, too. DW Stranger: Unless you forget to buy them. DW Stranger: But it can be forgiven, I think. DW You: Are you sure? Is it not a crime punishable by life-long unforgiveness? CN Stranger: I mean, it'd be pretty bad. It'd hurt. Getting overlooked or forgotten by someone you trusted. DW Stranger: But maybe not lifelong. DW You: Sure, yeah. But my hope would be that if I apologised to the Cheerios enough, they would forgive me. CN Stranger: I'm guessing they just didn't want to hear it at first. Cheerios can be pretty stupid. I mean, just look at the mascot. Why does the bee rap now, you know? Like, what? DW You: Your mind is so weird. CN Stranger: Guilty. DW You: M'tired. CN Stranger: You okay? DW You: Four. CN Stranger: Better than nine. DW You: A lot better than a nine. CN Stranger: I'm glad you're feeling better. DW You: I'm going to go home tomorrow. CN You: Want me to call in and check on Sam? CN Stranger: Right now? DW Stranger: I have a feeling he's asleep. DW You: No. Tomorrow, when I go home. CN Stranger: Oh. Sorry, tired. Yeah, if you want. DW You: You can go to sleep. CN Stranger: Nah, I'm very busy assessing this mold situation. DW You: None of my brothers are going. Home, I mean. CN Stranger: Do you want me to come? DW You: I can do it. CN Stranger: I'm offering. DW You: Don't you have things to do here? CN Stranger: Your mom is more important than my math class. DW You: Only if you're sure. CN Stranger: Wouldn't have offered otherwise. DW You: Thank you. CN Stranger: No big deal. DW You: Course not. CN Stranger: Are we flying? DW You: Shit, yeah. Are you okay with that? CN Stranger: Yeah, of course. DW Stranger: I'll be fine. DW You: You sure? CN Stranger: You know me, I ain't scared of anything. DW You: Dean, you're terrified of flying. CN Stranger: And abandonment and not being good enough, but we don't talk about it, so it's fine. DW You: You are good enough. CN Stranger: Eh. DW You: Doesn't matter how many times I tell you, I know. CN Stranger: What can I say? Can't undent a messed up cereal box. DW You: Tried. CN Stranger: More than I deserved. DW You: My eyes are getting itchy. What does that mean? CN Stranger: Either allergies or crying. DW You: Probably both. I'm going to book you a plane ticket. CN Stranger: Middle seat, please. DW You: Already done. CN Stranger: You're good. DW You: Hm. Debatable. CN Stranger: Do you remember what you told me, at a sleepover one time? We were like, thirteen. DW Stranger: Mistakes don't ruin the whole thing. DW You: You'll have to give me a bit more than that. CN You: Ah, yeah. I was a wise child. CN Stranger: Very pretentious, but wise. DW You: I'm still sorry. CN Stranger: I love you so much it hurts. DW You: I love you, too. So much. I fucked up, and I will never be able to forgive myself. But I'm so fucking sorry. CN Stranger: I don't want this to be how it ends. DW You: Take me back? CN Stranger: Yes. DW You: Yeah? CN Stranger: Will you have me? DW You: This isn't just you being sleep deprived, right? CN You: I'll always have you. CN Stranger: I'm so sorry for everything I said. I was a huge dick. DW You: Shut up. I deserved so much worse. CN Stranger: I shouldn't have said any of it. DW You: It was true. CN Stranger: Fuck. The true shit hurts the most. DW Stranger: I was so scared. DW You: I'll never do shit like that again. I promise. I was just drunk and upset and fucked up. CN Stranger: Sounds like my autobiography. DW Stranger: Don't leave me. DW You: You're the only person I want. CN Stranger: //i gtg but this was super emotional and good!!! tysm!!!! Stranger has disconnected.

[betweenthenotesblog]

A Dad and His Boy Watching the Sounds of the Tearing of the Universe - Flume Red Rocks Show Review

My son Jonathan and I saw Flume play at Red Rocks Amphitheater on July 5th. Flume is Jonathan’s favorite musician so I was excited to experience a show with him, especially at such an incredible venue.

Jonathan credits Flume for being the artist that gave him a passion for music. Before Flume, Jonathan passively listened to music. Now, he is more like me. He studies it.

Jonathan has been talking about Flume since his first semester at the University of Nebraska. Over the last 18 months, he has slowly turned my Flume interest level from “no way” to “this is interesting.” EDM, Atmospheric Dance Music, Future Bass or whatever one wants to label DJ inspired sounds is not exactly in my genre wheelhouse.  But that didn’t stop me from giving Flume’s music a chance, if at first, for Jonathan.

I recall wanting my own father to listen to my music when I was a teenager. While I had a great relationship with my dad, it did not extend much into talking about music. When I used to ask him if he would listen to the latest stuff I was into, whether that be 80’s bands like The Fixx or INXS or classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin or Yes, he would rarely, if ever, take the time to even feign an interest.

I remembered this, when Jonathan started coming to me to talk about the music that interested him. I decided that I was not going to make that same mistake with my son. No matter what music Jonathan was into, I was at least going to be open-minded to listening to it. Jonathan’s interest in Flume gave me a chance to put this parenting philosophy to the test.

Our Tour of Red Rocks Eight Hours Before Flume Show

Since Flume’s sound comes from a genre I know little about, I did a little research prior to the show.  

“I want to create sounds no one has ever heard before. The sounds of the tearing of the universe,” Flume (Interview Magazine 2016)

What a bold statement. When I read it, I was caught between thinking “Who the hell does this guy think he is?” and “Wow. I love the brashness.”

Harley Straten (aka, Flume), a non descript 25-year old Aussie, is considered a pioneer in the now emerging genre called “Future Bass.” His “instruments” include a computer, a mixing board, a synthesizer, an electric drum and a DJ table. There are no other musicians on stage during his shows.

Harley Straten (aka Flume)

Flume produced and recorded his debut, self-titled album Flume in 2012 from his parent’s basement in Sydney, Australia. Despite its meager beginnings, the album achieved double-platinum accreditation in his home country.

From there, he gained a cult following among fans and the respect of fellow musicians. Since that album’s release, he has remixed songs for diverse artists including Lorde, Sam Smith and Arcade Fire.

In 2016, Flume released his second album, Skin. Skin was an instant success and won the 2017 Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album. The single “Never Be Like You” has received some commercial radio play.

And get this. As of last year, Flume still lived in his parent’s basement. I’m guessing his mom still calls him Harley.

We planned our summer vacation around this Flume Red Rocks show. I have to admit that going in, I was more interested in seeing a show at Red Rocks than I was in seeing Flume. Red Rocks is one of the world’s most renowned live music venues.  The place where U2’s Under A Blood Red Sky was recorded. A place I’ve read about my whole life. I wasn’t going to pass up a chance to see a show there, regardless of who was playing.

Jonathan wanted to make sure we got a good spot inside the venue as all seats were sold as GA. To this end, we got to Red Rocks at 5pm with doors opening at 6p and the show starting at 7:30p.

As we stood in line waiting to get it, I noticed right away that I was BY FAR the oldest person there. A majority of those around us were aged 18 to 25.

I could sense that Jonathan felt a bit embarrassed to be standing next to me. But I also sensed that he appreciated that his dad had a genuine open mind about attending the show in the first place.

The doors opened and after getting through security, we rushed in to get a good spot. We ended up in row 19, just to the right of the stage. A little higher than I had hoped for, but very good seats nonetheless. I felt a little bit better when I saw what looked like a grandma accompanying her just-now-teen granddaughters a few rows in front of me. 

I wasn’t the oldest person there, after all.

As we waited for the two openers to appear on stage, I was amazed by the makeup of the crowd. Again, 95% of the crowd was under the age of 25. And it seems over 95% of them were inebriated through a mix of alcohol, pot and ecstasy. I felt very out-of-place waiting for the show to start because of my age and what appeared to be rampant drug use. I’m not talking about alcohol or marijuana, but stuff much more druggy than those. I saw more than a few kids popping Molly’s. I saw a guy so tweaked out that he kept telling everyone that the lady bug on his lip was his best friend. I could tell Jonathan was also a bit uneasy about it, as his idea of partying is to drink a few Captain Morgan and Cokes.

While I obviously didn’t take a picture of the drug use and skimpy outfits worn by the gals in the crowd, imagine the scene to look something like this.

The first opener, a DJ who goes by the name of Touch Sensitive, came on stage around 7:30p. Most of the crowd around us was pretty indifferent to him, focusing more on reuniting and visiting with lost fraternity or sorority friends than listening to the music.

Next up was Baauer, the EDM DJ who gave us the one-hit wonder “Harlem Shake.” You know the one, the 2012 track that made it to the top of the charts.

Baauer set was straight up EDM. The kind of dance music that is hard for most 40-somethings like me to relate to. The thing is, Jonathan didn’t relate to Baauer’s set much either as evidenced by this comment he made to me during the set: “I can appreciate this guy’s sound, but he is too reliant on ‘the drop.’ Everything he does folds into a ‘drop.’ That’s the problem with EDM. Flume’s music is so much more refined than this.”

Point taken – I appreciated the EDM genre insight from Professor Jonathan.

The crowd was a bit more into Baauer than Touch Sensitive, but not by much. Jonathan heard a crowd goer ask a friend as Baauer played “Is that Flume playing up there?” That prompted Jonathan to tell me something that I captured in a tweet I posted during the show.

As we waited for Flume to come on stage, I was a bit nervous that this crowd was too wasted to really pay attention to the headliner’s set. Nothing bothers me more than when I’m trying to listen to a band/musician play to only be constantly interrupted by concert goers too talkative and self-absorbed to pay attention.

Fortunately, Flume’s sheer presence and fantastic light show took any concerns I had away immediately. Here is a video I took of Flume’s concert opening song “Helix.”

Flume - “Helix” Live at Red Rocks 7/5/17

Helix and the rest of the songs Flume played got the crowd’s full attention, which made for a much more enjoyable experience for us.

Flume played for 90 minutes, ending the pre-encore set with “Free.” It was one of the real highlights of the show for me.  It also had an effect on Jonathan. He later told me that he got a little choked up when Flume played this song. That was a proud dad moment for me. I loved hearing my boy admit this. He got a bit vulnerable and I appreciated it.

Flume – “Free” Live at Red Rocks 7/5/17

Flume came back on stage to play a 20-minute encore, which got the crowd back into a frenzy.

Overall, it was an outstanding show. Flume’s set made me forget I was one of the oldest people at the gig. His set made me forget those uncomfortable feelings I got early in the night. It gave me a new appreciation for DJ-inspired “Future Bass” music. Seeing Flume’s artistry live and up close made me a true fan of his music.

Many people my age make fun of the EDM genre. It has the stereotype of being a form of music that inspires ecstasy laced, ring-pop sucking, glow-stick wearing raves. I definitely saw some of that last week.

But I also learned that Flume should not be labeled as an EDM artist. He is more than that. He is living up to his goal of trying to “create sounds no one has ever heard before.”

I find that inspiring.

I posted a couple of Flume concert clips on Facebook the morning after the show. I received a lot of gentle ribbing from my fellow Gen X-ers telling me they “don’t get this type of music” and “Just stop! No instruments!!” and “he’s just a DJ!” and “Pre-recorded crap!”

Those comments sound an awful lot like what our parents used to say to us Gen-Xers when Grunge and hip-hop first became popular.

When you think about it, this a reminder of The Circle of Life.

Another Circle of Life moment in all this is that I am seeing my son really get into music. After 20 years of him never really talking about music, I finally see his passion for music blossoming like it did for me when I was in my early twenties.

What we saw that night was quite possibly the beauty of “the sound of the tearing of the universe.”

Flume - Tearing the Universe with “Wall Fuck” at Red Rocks