Dive into the archives.
- What would your musical password be?
A conversation today led me to the following thought:
If you were to have one song, and one song only, be your only barometer on whether someone should be in your life, what song would it be?
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- Top Singles of 2009.
This is the yearly series of top lists of the year that is leaving.
Singles usually stand out from an album in a way in which a truly spectacular single (or two) can carry a mediocre album and make it good, or in some cases can make a great album seem mediocre by not living up [...]
- A Rainy Day Full Of Summer Albums.
What a better way to kick off rain in LA, than to listen to pop albums (and some good old Americana)?
Sherwood – Qu – iTunes
I’ve know the Sherwood guys for years, dating back to working on their first full length when they were on Sidecho. They write some ridiculously catchy songs with gorgeous harmonies (and [...]
- A Little Update & Something For The Ears.
So I’ve been a resident of the “Ciudad” of Los Angeles for a whopping 4 weeks now, and I believe this is the first Friday night that I have stayed in. I owe that mostly due to the fact that I have great friends and way more people close enough for a last minute hang [...]
- What’s So Great About Bob Dylan?
I honestly don’t get Dylan. He’s supposedly the most heralded songwriter alive, he’s supposedly this iconic standard that has experienced and found success through the entirety of the music industries existence. I have very good friends of mine who think this man is the most amazing singer/songwriter ever. People believe in this guy on an [...]
- The Record Life.
So a while back, I worked on a little logo for an artist called “The Record Life” from AZ. Super good dude, and makes some great music. You can hear a new song, here. Anyway, it was a fun project to come up with something clean and simple to brand TRL with, and I was [...]
- My Blog And I Broke Up, We’re Trying To Get Back Together.
My blog got all mad at me a few weeks ago, because I hadn’t taken it out in a few weeks, and because I hadn’t called in days, and the only thing it saw from me was a bunch of Twitter updates. So we broke up, we will see if we can be friends, and [...]
- Isn’t It Funny How Artists Ignore Artistic Progress.
So today I was reading a few weeks old blog by a band I very much respect and am a huge fan of. I won’t name them, because it has nothing to do with the band, maybe a little to do with what they were saying (also I’ve heard a ton of bands saying lately), [...]
- Lefsetz.
So I posted some hate on Lefsetz, and really I’m not a fan of the guy. However, in fairness let me tell you guys why I do read what he says every now and then; He gets passion, he gets what music should be about. He doesn’t really get the realities of the industry (i.e. [...]
- Gene Simmons Pwns Lefsetz.
Gene Simmons, you know of Kiss, was up in Canada talking about his record label. Call me crazy but I have always liked Gene. He is insane, and egotistical, but he believes in himself, and whatever he does and he realises failure will only be at his blame. It’s maybe not the way to go [...]
- An East Coast Update.
So I’m sipping on some Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, and it’s quite lovely. That’s pretty much going to be the best part of this update, for some of you. I’m sitting in JFK, it’s snowing outside, it looks gorgeous. This is the second time I have been in New York in the past week. I head [...]
- Hey Remember Me? Or, The Least Coast Awaits.
I used to blog here. My name is Randall. How are you?
So I have been ridiculously busy in the last few weeks, and there are good reasons for that. I have a ton of work, and I will be over on the East Coast for a couple weeks. Why? Why not! I will be headed [...]
- An Open Letter To Sigur Ros.
I wrote you once a few months back about this, and my email went un-replied. This is my second attempt.
I ordered the Deluxe Edition of “Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust”, I got my download, I even got my physical, and then months went by. You sent me emails to let me know the [...]
- Early Zeroes Nostalgia.
This would be another installment of “Maps And Notes” however, this one really only took place in the city I lived in. San Diego, circa 1999-2001. There was a lot of great different music being played around then. Remember this was the peak of Blink 182, so not much else besides Blink, UL, Fenix TX, [...]
- Music You Should Like.
So Friday & Sunday (not, Saturday, because Saturday I drove to AZ and back, well I passenger’d mostly) I was helping my good friend Rohan out on his battle with MySpace and code. MySpace, albeit a great company to work with (yes, I’ve cashed a couple of their checks), can be kind of a mess [...]
- Reason #182809 Why I Love Letterman.
Vinyl.
The man has musical performers on his show and doesn’t hold up the CD, he holds up vinyl. Gorgeous, circles of black, grooves of uncompressed, vinyl.
And it’s not just once in a while
It’s always.
It must be show policy. I wonder if a band is allowed to play if they can’t get the vinyl there? I [...]
- MuteMath + Jeremy Larson = Leno.
MuteMath is a simply amazing band. I was fortunate to see them play live a few years back, and it was everything a performance should be. Some bands just get it. These guys made a rather brilliant video that you might be familiar with, then one upped that by recreating it on Kimmel.
My good friend [...]
- Yahoo! Media Player.
The other day I came across Yahoo! Media Player. It’s a very simple way to build in a player to any website. It picks up any link to an mp3 on your page and throws it in the player, as well as sticks a play button next to the link. Most of the web development [...]
- Things That Suck About The People’s Choice Awards.
I didn’t want to do this, but it’s pretty much necessary.
1. Queen Latifah.
2. The whole, “high five the people as you go to the mic” thing.
3. Kid Rock over Coldplay.
4. The constant “Obama won the election” references. Like the actors did anything.
5. Ellen over Letterman.
6. Robin Williams.
7. Two And A Half Men.
8. Everything else, except [...]
- It’s The “Of The Year” Time Of Year. Part III (EPs).
This will be an ongoing journey through the best of 2008. Thank you for caring.
Best Songs of 2008
1. Third Eye Blind – Red Star
2. Mike Dunn And The Kings Of New England – The Edge Of America*
3. The Jealous Sound – Got Friends
4. The Summer Set – …In Color
5. Coldplay – Prospekt’s March
My only real [...]
- It’s The “Of The Year” Time Of Year. Part II (Songs).
This will be an ongoing journey through the best of 2008. Thank you for caring.
Best Songs of 2008
1. Augustana – Sweet And Low
2. Gavin Rossdale – Love Remains The Same
3. Mates Of State – The Re-Arranger
4. My Favorite Highway – Getaway Car
5. Jack’s Mannequin – The Resolution
6. Estelle (ft. Kanye West) – American Boy
7. Katy [...]
- It’s The “Of The Year” Time Of Year. Part I (Albums).
This will be an ongoing journey through the best of 2008. Thank you for caring.
Best Albums of 2008
1. Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends
2. The New Frontiers – Mending
3. Katy Perry – One Of The Boys
4. My Favorite Highway – How To Call A Bluff
5. Augustana – Can’t Love, Can’t [...]
- And Here I Am.
So life has been crazy, I haven’t blogged in weeks (yet somehow people still come here), and I am finally feeling back on top of things.
Here is the wrap-up:
I was sick for a good solid 2 weeks, most of it came from breathing pure ash from some of the lovely fires in Southern California, I [...]
- Less Politics, More Free Music.
So we elected an African American, and California has more uneducated and religious voters than I thought (I’m not insulting anyone, the exit polls showed those voting Yes on 8 were in fact both those things). Let’s all relish in the opportunity of being a country that can once again innovate and lead this world.
Because [...]
- Got Friends?
The Jealous Sound, where do I start? This band holds such an emotional attachment to myself. One song off Kill Them With Kindness was pretty much the anthem for an entire relationship. When I was at The Militia Group and J Sound was signed the entire office was ecstatic. Over the years I was there, [...]
- Things For Your Eyes.
Earlier Today Chad Pearson sent over a link to this lovely video of Mike Dunn playing at an instore in the FLA. I have raved about how great “The Edge Of America” is before, but I’m gonna do it again. Watch this while you are downloading it from Amazon or iTunes.
As a bonus to all [...]
- Slam Crunk.
Do you like pop music? Do you like all those Hip Hop songs that make you sing along? Do you like amazing covers that combine the two into one?
This is for you. Holiday Parade presents “Slam Crunk”, the newest in a bunch of white guys remixing through guitars and instruments to bring you a jewel [...]
- Maps And Notes I.
It’s been a while since I blogged, because I’m busy with things I will fill you in on later, but I brought out a post that I had stashed away as a draft and never finished. Today I finished it.
I was recently listening to a few older records, and started remembering these amazingly vivid memories [...]
- Today Is Officially The Day Of Photos.
So in addition to the earlier post about PGM and one of my photos being used, and the fact that today is the P Is For Panda Pandamonium event which includes 5 photos of mine in super large format (20″x30″), today HITS posted about one of my best friends William Tell, and used a lovely [...]
- Official Pandamonium List.
I let you guys all know that I would essentially be taking part in my first showing of any of my art (though one time I did paint a 6 foot tall, 3 foot wide box white, and left it in a huge room for weeks), at P Is For Panda’s “Pandamonium” event this Friday. [...]
- Pandamonium.
Exactly a week from today P is for Panda will be having a little get together in the ATL to officially launch the label side of the Panda (I think this also will be one of the first places you can see the new line of Panda shirts, which I am still slacking on contributing [...]
- Stealing Signs.
So as I was getting prepared to let you all in on my next post, I came across an interview a friend of mine did with a blog I am a huge fan of.
Mark Penxa, interviewed by Uni Watch about the “Stealing Signs” project. Mark and I worked together on a few projects back when [...]
- Skip Next Week, Start Fights.
This post serves 2 purposes. Some might say it has duality, but I don’t like to brag, I’m humble.
The first is that next week I will be rafting rivers, yes more than one. So if you also will be rafting any of California’s greatest rivers (the Tuolumne and Kings) let me know, and we can [...]
- Just A Warning.
If you speak negatively about John Mayer, especially failing to actually say anything to back up your opinion (which is wrong by the way) and calling him over-rated and that he knows nothing about music, you will be deleted from my life. You don’t have to like the guys music, you don’t have to even [...]
- Long Weekend Wrap-up.
These are the things that owned my life this past weekend:
Happy Hour, The Summer Gin, Superbad Scrabble, Ice Cream Sandwiches, Honey Wheat Pancakes, Realising Every Better Than Ezra Song Is Trying To Be Another Band, PBR, 21-1 Pool Volleyball Games, Beach Boys, Burgers, Fireworks, Cool Runnings, Betting On Olympic Trials, Falling Asleep On Couches, [...]
- Mayer, May Not.
Dan Crittenden’s recent twitter post reminded me that I never posted the brilliance that is the following:
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- APB.
Anyone who can be in contact with Jessie Poland, please let her know I want to marry her. Mostly because of the words she sings (and probably didn’t even write).
P.S. Jessie Poland is the real name of Charlotte Sometimes.
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- Why John Mayer Is One Of My Favourite People On Earth.
Things like this:
JM Takeover Of Gizmodo Liveblog
Hey guys, John Mayer here. Are you guys excited? I’ve just commandeered the computer of my good friend, Jason Chen, who is also very very handsome. That means a lot coming from a guy like me. My other friend, Moby, is also here. Have you guys seen him? He’s [...]
- Wake Up, Mr. West.
Last night I had the absolute privilege to see the best musical performance of my life.
I can only describe it as a one man hip hop opera. One man on stage, the band/orchestra in the pit below, and one broken spaceship.
Kanye West just constantly impresses me with each and every thing he does, and it [...]
- A Twist Of The Update Knob.
So I moved my Photography albums over to my .Mac account, and yes this includes my Photography Portfolio. You might be like, “What Photography Portfolio?” And my reply would be, “The one I was cheating on you with.” Anyway, here it is.
I also have an iPhone gallery set up where I will upload pictures straight [...]
- Random Recommendations 6.2.08
Mates of State – Re-arrange Us
Utterly amazing, the best album they have ever written. Chock full of hooks, sugary, angelic, hooks.
Chip Kidd – The Learners
I finally finished this on my trip up North. It’s a powerful book, anyone who went to art school or designs will probably enjoy it, though I think you should read [...]
- Y2Khai.
A number of years ago in college, the fellow members of our secret society were in a computer lab, doing secret society things, when one of us stumbled upon a CD-R with the words “Y2KHAI” written on them. Since we were in a lab full of Apple’s we popped it in one and one of [...]
- What It Is, Is A Party.
Tonight in Long Beach will be Paul Maziar’s book release party for his collaboration with Matt Maust, “What It Is: What It Is”. It’s at Open, on Fourth, sometime around 8pm. There will be adult beverages, and probably a lot of people who are cooler than me, and I hope some who are boring.
There will [...]
- I Don’t Know What This Is.
However it’s fairly cool. Oh, it is this.
I believe what it does is take people’s Twitter’s from all over and randomly pulls in ones that use certain words in them. I still don’t know “what” Twitter is, but if I ever find out, I might think this is really amazing or something.
This might kill 2 [...]
- Los Angeles, On A Monday Night?
I usually don’t reserve my blog for things like this, however should anyone in the Los Angeles area be in need of an amazing evening, my good friend William Tell will be playing the Hotel Cafe at 8PM. It will be an amazing time full of pop songs, and people who have way more fun [...]
- FOB Live iPhone Wallpaper.
I had a random moment of FOB fanboy-ism and combined it with my constant Apple fanboy-ism and made a little iPhone wallpaper. I’m a dork, no need to rub it in.
Of course this is obviously based off their new “Live In Phoenix” CD/DVD art, which came out a few weeks back, and is surprisingly better [...]
- One More Day.
So a few years back Chauntelle DuPree from Eisley got together at a writing workshop with Zac Hanson and Jon Crosby from VAST to write/record. I’m not really sure the intricacies of it all, but from it came one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Chauntelle stopped singing for Eisley a while [...]
- Sometimes I Take Pictures.
A few weeks back I spent a Saturday laughing hysterically, breaking into foyers and pointing my camera at a friend of mine. The goal for the day was some new publicity type shots for William Tell. William finally put a few of them up over at his MySpace (which he revamped) along with a new [...]
- Things Change, Dawson, People Change.
James Van Der Beek has been making strange resurgences in my life lately. A few weeks back it was randomly coming across Varsity Blues on TV, in HD (so we had to watch). Just a few nights ago it was some drunken late night Dawson’s Creek viewing, and debating if we were on Dawson or [...]
- Random Recs 3.22.08
Solea – Finally We Are Nowhere – Texas Is The Reason recorded one of the most perfect albums ever, Garret Klahn can do no wrong.
Death Cab For Cutie – I Will Possess Your Heart (Single) – I started listening to this “single” and the vocals didn’t come in till the 4 minute mark, Death Cab [...]
- I’m Not One For Whiskey, But I’ll Drink It Down Tonight.
That title is a lie, I love Jameson, however the title was amazingly fitting considering today is St. Padraig’s Day. In order to celebrate, I will leave you with this video of a pretty great song which I stole said title from it’s lyrics like a child with no morals.
Damion Suomi – GhostYou might also [...]
- Random Recs 3.11.08
We The Kings – We The Kings – Yes I love pop music, so sue me.
Accepted – I still haven’t seen it, true. However I lied about seeing it last week, this weekend watched a good 45 minutes of it, and set the DVR to record it for next weekends viewing. Justin Long + Jonah [...]
- Figure 8.
A “Figure 8″ by definition is “a circle that turns around upon itself, on its side is a symbol for infinity”. Figure 8 was also an amazing album by the late Elliott Smith (Good Will Hunting, Heatmiser).
The LAist recently ran a story about the renovation of the “Elliot Smith Wall”, which was of course the [...]
- Random Recs 2.26.08
Coconut Records – Nighttiming – So I got addicted to “West Coast” way late in the game, and the full album finally came last week, and yeah… I’m pretty much in love with this record.
Wearing A Watch – After some six years without, I am back to telling time on my wrist.
Scissors For Lefty – [...]
- Emocentric.
e·mo·cen·tric
adj.
1. One attaining the view that music (specifically emo) is the center, object, and norm of all emotions.
2.
a. A limitation in behaviour and/or preferences to music that is played by persons in tight clothes with a heavy emphasis on emotional themes.
b. Only affected by the feelings invoked by “emo” [...]
- Okay, I Really Found The Cloverfield Monster This Time.
Andy Hull (of one of my favourite bands of the last few years Manchester Orchestra) recently sat down to record a Daytrotter Session. ManchOrch recorded a stellar album called “I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child” that I couldn’t stop listening to for months. Andy also has a side project called Right Away Great Captain [...]
- Starry Nights & Salty Seas Tour.
I recently did some work for my friends in Sherwood for their first headlining tour, dubbed Starry Nights & Salty Seas. The tour goes around the United Stated in vectors and along with Sherwood you can see The Matches or Houston Calls, The Higher and We Shot The Moon. The tour marketing art was based [...]
- Glow In The Dark.
Is it wrong that I’m looking forward to this tour more than anything this year? It is the absolute perfect line up to quench my inner urban self. I am officially forming a crew to journey with me to this event, bright all over printed hoodies and sweet kicks will be mandatory, call or write, [...]
- Clove Out Boy (or Cloverfield on High).
So the talent that is Peter Wentz wrote in his journal a week and a half back about how Cloverfield, or writer Drew Goddard, was in some way, shape, or form influenced by “Infinity On High”.
Peter Wentz
Drew Goddard, who we’re a big fan of, from buffy the vampire slayer and lost wrote this movie and [...]
- Rob’s Party Mix.
A few days ago I managed to secure a copy of “Rob’s Party Mix”, which was given out at the NYC Cloverfield Party that was effectively Rob’s Party. Supposedly there are only a few hundred of these things, you know how I love “limited edition, hand numbered” items and collecting music, so this will be [...]
- Helvetica.
A few months ago I went to one of the West Coast premieres of a film called Helvetica in Laguna Beach. The film was directed by Gary Hustwit and is about, you guessed it, one of the most popular fonts ever, Helvetica. Kyle, Vincent and myself made the journey down to parts of the OC [...]
- Random Recs 1.24.08
Cloverfield – Of course.
Weatherbox – Their new album American Art is quite lovely. Rocks a little heavy, lyrics like a prose.
“Tom Brady is a Yankee at heart” Shirts – I will be making these, he just deserves it. He is everything a Bostonian isn’t.
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- Spring Break 98?
The title of this post was also the cry of our rally last friday night. The evening started out with good enough intentions; celebrations of birthdays and friendships. Somewhere along the way, we were toasting 1998. I believe the facts would have you summing it up to the magic that is The Prospector. Now The [...]
- Things You Can Learn From The Music Business.
Seth Godin (who never worked in the music industry, until he started a label to prove a point), has decided to share with everyone the few things you can take away from the sinking ship, before it sinks. I wish more people in the music industry realised these things instead of denying the truth.
His first [...]
- Freemosphere.
Everyone’s favourite Emo Rap sensation Atmosphere have made available an album of thirteen songs to chase away the winter doldrums. They claim that one, I sort of like winter doldrums so no chasing them away for me. It’s called “Strictly Leakage” and pretty much exactly what you would expect from Sean Loves Ugly Girls and [...]
- The Best Of 2007 List(s).
Let me start by saying this:
There were plenty of amazing albums/songs/books/films/shows this year;
There were plenty of mindblowing Indie darling albums that are at least 87 million times better than all the albums I list below. Problem is, I didn’t listen to those albums, I listened to these albums. Best of lists are no good for [...]
- So Desparately Obvious, So Obviously Desperate.
The music industry is full of people who are not innovative, not in touch with their target demographic, and don’t understand marketing basics, it’s true, I had a nice little stint in this dying industry. Wired Magazine, recently interviewed one of the Major Label CEO’s, Doug Morris of Universal, and the results are pretty startling, [...]
- Weekend Reminiscing.
I spent quite a few hours this weekend with my good friend Chad Pearson who was out here visiting from the ATL. Somehow I have a ton of friends in Atlanta, where did that come from? Chad convinced me to buy way too much vinyl, and then was kind enough to let me purchase some [...]
- Random Recommendations 8.28.07
If you are into music and read my little piece of the internet, you should already be listening to the following;
Earlimart
Cartel
The Honorary Title
The Starting Line
All their newest releases from the past month or so. They are all fantastic. You like how I sprinkled some Indie into the pop that is my life?
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- Holidizzle Paradizznatch
This week I got the message loud and clear that the Metropolitan area of Atlanta loves me and has some quality people in it’s environs. Thank you those who called, thank you those who drove in a van to play shows. If you are from Atlanta and missed out on “The ATL loves Randall” week, [...]
- iPod Emergencies.
So last evening my roommate Kyle, whom some of you out there in blogopolis already know, and I decided to make a trip down to South Coast Plaza. As we were walking out the door, I realised I still had my iPod, in it’s lovely G-Star carrying case, attached to me. I decided to go [...]
- Urban Hiking
So not many of you know about the elite sport of urban hiking. Last night (with no Sherpa to guide us mind you) Kyle, Danielle and myself conquered Mt. Biscuit Co. Lofts. It was a hard climb, but the infamous V2 vodka found on its first peak (read: balcony 1 of 4) made it a [...]
- Lynchburg College is holding the first ever Randall Fest.
So apparently those attending Lynchburg College are graced with the first ever Randall Fest. This is the first occurrence of an entire show of bands whom are not only Randall approved, but I even had the pure joy of being able to work with them on their layouts.
Cartel, Holiday Parade and The Dangerous Summer… one [...]
- Best Of 2006.
Top 10 Albums of 2006:
1. The Appleseed Cast – Peregrine
2. Brand New – The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me
3. Snow Patrol – Eyes Open
4. Nas – Hip Hop Is Dead
5. Rocky Votolato – Makers
6. Brandtson – Hello, Control.
7. Sleeping At Last – Keep No Score
8. Manchester Orchestra – I’m Like A Virgin Losing [...]
- I Could Have Sworn These Were My Words… My Thoughts…
David Eggers, Author/Designer
taken from an interview conducted for “YSKOV(Sacrament)” release.
“You actually asked me the question: “Are you taking any steps to keep shit real?” I want you always to look back on this time as being a time when those words came out of your mouth.
Now, there was a time when such a question – [...]
- Rock over London, Rock on Chicago!
I myself am not sure how it felt when Elvis died, or when JFK was ripped from their hearts, or when the plane went down that took out Ritchie Valens, or when Lennon was stolen from pop culture, but I now can imagine. I experienced the loss of many, Kurt Cobain, Micheal Hutchence, Brad Nowell, [...]
- Neon Signs And 5 Lane Exits.
So after a week-ending, because it included part of the week, of roadtrips and concerts it puts quite a nice spin on the world. You never really know how resourceful you can be until it hits you in a parking lot, and yes jumper cables are so much more valuable to me. We all seem [...]
