Daves Faves

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Set Adrift On Nineties Bliss

One of my faves of all time. Who doesn't love this one? Christina Applegate ya gotta put me on...

Album: Of the Heart, Of the Soul and of the Cross (1991)

Sample: Spandau Ballet "True"

Neon Indian fortify their soft serve low-fi soundwith retro-futuristic synth-pop. Familiar yet refreshingly new and different, it's perfect background music for making any thirty-something get-together a little hipper. I miss summer.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

That's a Rhap

So yesterday I had my brush with reality TV fame as an MTV camera crew followed me around for a Rhapsody commercial shoot. The concept for the spot was that for every moment there is a song and you can get that song "anytime, anywhere on Rhapsody." To convey this they set out to capture an average day of a normal Rhapsody user (me) and overlay the personal soundtrack I'd choose for specific moments.

A Little Background

Those who know me well know that I am a big Rhapsody user/ fan. So, it seemed fitting that when Heidi O' sent me a link for a "Rhapsody's biggest fan casting call" I had to submit. I answered some questions (written and on film) and sent in my submission. A few days later (last Friday) I found out I was selected. Before I knew it (or could rethink it), 10 guys were out here from New York to shoot a commercial!

The Day

The plan was to capture a normal, yet interesting day. With not much happening on this particular fall Saturday and the inclement weather adding another twist, interesting proved to be a bit difficult. The crew was super cool though and made do with my surprisingly uninspired day. Starting at our house around 9:30 a.m., the following is a list of the scenes we shot and the songs that they reminded me of (to be edited in as the soundtrack to the commercial).

Making breakfast for Colleen and I- My Morning Jacket- The Way That He Sings

Bike Ride Through City- The Temper Trap- Sweet Disposition

Catching the sunset at South Lake Union Park (self reflection scene)- The XX- Islands

Workin late at the office- Thievery Corporation- Lebanese Blonde

Hangin out with friends- Passion Pit- Smile Upon Me

That's a Rhap

All in all it was a pretty fun day. I wish we had some better weather though to make getting out around the city a bit easier. The hardest parts were definitely the close-up shots when they asked me about the moments we shot and what song it reminded me of. Picking a song off the top of my head and describing why I chose it proved to be more difficult than I thought it would be. With the lights, cameras, and crew all up in my grill, expressing personal moments through song off the cuff was not an easy task; a bit stressful even.

So, I don't think I'll be signing up for any reality shows any time soon, or ever for that matter. I'd much rather be on the other side of the camera for sure. I definitely could see marketing for Rhapspdy or creative director being a pretty sweet gig...

(The commercial should air on the the various MTV channels sometime in December/ January.)

Friday, November 6, 2009

Blue Skies Are Coming

Been spending some time with the new Noah and the Whale album The First Days of Spring. It's gotta be the best break-up album I've heard in years, possibly ever. Intimate guitars and expanding orchestration; this is a collection of lonely portraits depicting the struggles of finding optimism with a broken heart. A beautiful sad happy album that'll almost make you wish you just got dumped... almost.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Jeepers Creepers

Without even realizing it this album has snuck its way into my top faves of the year. It's one of those I put on, listened to the whole way through not thinking too much of it, then found myself humming the tunes hours later needing another fix. It's got this dark romance thing going on that I find quite appealing for the season. Emo hipster brit kids do it again!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Roll Up Your Sleeves For Winter

Walked to work this morning. A crisp fall day, I brought my studio ear warmers along- a bit over the top but dang they sound amazing! Anyway, this was the standout track crunchin 4 miles of fallen leaves. Straight forward punky rock thatScott soul.

We Were Promised Jetpacks: grit I'm diggin for grindin out my day.