Music

"Own and control the next Bandcamp."

That's the pitch from Subvert.FM, a new Music Co-op: "Bandcamp's corporate acquisitions threaten independent music. It's time for a new model - one we collectively own and control."

Free for musicians and labels. $100 listeners. They've got a blog with more information.

I've listened to this live show countless times over the years. Great background music when you want to focus and get something done.

Hearing Things is a new worker-owned music site with a roster of founders that have worked at Pitchfork, The Fader, Vibe, Spin, Gawker, and Jezebel.

I stopped reading music journalism altogether in 2003 when Pitchfork gave my favorite album that year, Bobby Birdman's Born Free Forever, a terrible review. Obviously I know "different strokes for different folks," but I still remember the eye-roll I did while reading it and it was sorta just the final straw for me on seeking the opinions of "experts". However, I know a lot of people do like reading music sites, and I've been happy with some of the other sites that are the creations of "supergroups" of ex-employees of other sites, most notably 404 Media, which hits it out of the park daily.

I wish Hearing Things luck! And here's that Bobby Birdman album:

Who is this medley for? Such a strange mixture of songs.

100 45s for your enjoyment.

The collection is comprised of country and rock 'n' roll 45s from the '50s and '60s, along with a set of guitar-driven instrumentals from the same period. 

Check 'em out.

For the next week or so you can back the Demon Box on Kickstarter.

Step into a new dimension of music with the Demon Box from Eternal Research, your gateway to the unseen and unheard frequencies that surround us. By harnessing electromagnetic fields (EMF), this revolutionary analog instrument unlocks the existing music hidden in everyday things and experiences – turning anything from a hairdryer to a cell phone into music.

Some of you may know that I sell vinyl records for a living. Today, a copy of Wim Mertens' A Man of No Fortune, And With A Name to Come walked in the door along with some Philip Glass and Steve Reich. I first heard this record in 1993, when I was running Art & Trash, the best arthouse video store Toronto's ever seen. Though not expensive, today's copy is only the third I've seen in 30+ years.

In North America, the Belgian composer is probably best known — if he's known at all — as the composer of the score for Peter Greenaway's film The Belly of an Architect, which contains Mertens' most famous piece, Struggle for Pleasure:

My personal favorite Mertens piece is probably Often a Bird:

Here's A Man of No Fortune..., which is just Mertens' piano and countertenor voice:

As I listened to it today for the first time in many years, I recalled that I'd sometimes put the CD on repeat, played very softly, to calm my dog, Fletcher, who suffered from separation anxiety — he once almost ate his way through my wooden front door. The music worked quite well.

If it agrees with you, you may like Hania Raini's output.

Andy Baio's Kind of Bloop is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a vinyl release.

If you're not familiar, it's an 8-Bit interpretation of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. Baio was sued over it way back when.

You can order the vinyl starting Saturday at noon, Toronto time or download the audio now for free.

Australian Story is an ABC program that does 30 minute pieces on Australian figures. In anticipation of his forthcoming album, Wild God, they spoke with Nick Cave.

And of course, Cave's Red Hand Files is among the best of the internet.

Not too long ago, I made a post about the beauty of Blue Note Records album covers.

Some in extraordinary condition recently came into my life and I thought I'd share them with you. These albums were all released between 1957 and 1962 and these are originals so are between 67 and 62 years old as I post this.