cynic
demo track up on the cynic theory myspace. no overdubs, click. completely flow of consciousness.
Archived entries for Music
_productive ~ creative_
productive creativity, it has been said, is in knowing when to stop working on something and let it sit for a while. once again, i have stepped away from the project i went to NYC to record. i am completely overwhelmed by the amount of work that is still required to get everything to feel like i want it to feel.
may is metal month on vh1 and have been watching a lot of the documentaries on the early hard rock bands that shape my early influences: cream, led zepplin, et cetera. i could go on and on listing bands. i have been playing acoustic and venturing more on the side of early rock/blues. there is something very ominous in the blues progressions. mars volta continually comes to mind when i think of modern blues for some reason.
i recently stumbled onto the title of the next cynic theory project. the material for the cynic theory is coming along a lot more naturally than any of my other projects because it is a bit more familiar territory.the idea of finishing the material i set aside for this project was not something i had intended on undertaking anytime soon, but, after finishing the book age of innocence by edith wharton, i feel compelled to do so. “wishyouwereher” is the title and it will explore the themes that have eluded me for years: self-doubt, misconceptions, and naiveté to name a few.
the last year has been very hard for me and i assume things will start to get a little easier. more later_
+++MUSIC+++
Tool Single “Vicarious”
Billboard.com has learned that first single/album opener “Vicarious,” which stretches past the seven-minute mark, is due to arrive April 17 at U.S. rock radio outlets.
For the latest tool news, check out the tool fansite, toolshed
Mars Volta new album
Chili Peppers fans will be excited to learn that guitarist John Frusciante has again been working with the band[, the Mars Volta]. ‘Since Omar is producing it and recording it,’ Cedric said, “he taught Frusciante all the new songs and Frusciante tracked guitars for us so Omar could sit back and listen to the songs objectively. It’s great that he wants to help us and do that’.
Alice in Chains with new singer
The surviving members of Alice In Chains have tapped Comes With The Fall vocalist/guitarist and member of AIC guitarist Jerry Cantrell’s touring band William DuVall to sing lead vocals for the group on their upcoming European tour.
Read the whole article here
RHCP: ‘Stadium Arcadium’ Pre-order, Tour Info, New Video
The new double album “Stadium Arcadium” from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and concert tickets for the band’s North America tour will be offered through an exclusive pre-sale on the iTunes Music Store.
Read the whole article here
in personal news, i have opened some of the “closure” material files for the first time in months. album work will resume soon. plans are to record drums in nyc sometime early may. that is all for now.
+++ MUSIC and inspiration __
i fucking hate how people insist that i listen to “depressing music”, implying that it causes my sometime melancholic and cynical attitude. fuck you, you prissy bitches… just because music is in a minor key and speaks of true things doesnt mean it should cause the listener to be depressed.
well arranged music in any genre makes me happy. you got that? those tunes categorized as melancholic, depressed, or moody can invoke true feelings of invigoration and happiness. i appreciate beautiful things… all beautiful things. all art is not happy. in fact, i would safely say that a great deal of art is inspired by or created by way of pain and suffering.
one of the most beautiful and intricately crafted works of prose of all time, john milton’s paradise lost, includes some of the most disturbing and graphic images imaginable. what some readers do not recognize, however, is the fact that his writings may not have ever been created if he had not lost his vision. it was only after the tragic loss of his sight that he could “see” the twisted visions he described.
my point: if something makes me truly happy and inspired, dont fucking rain on my parade because it doesnt invoke the same emotions in you. you should, instead, expand your horizons and try to accept things as they are… who knows, you might surprise yourself. or you can stay the way you are while the rest of the world evolves and passes you by. in short, fuck you all and worry about yourself. i dont need your concern.
new songs…
i recently released a cover of peter frampton’s “baby i love your way” under my long dormant pseudonym, cynic theory. i have about 20 originals and 5-6 covers in the cynic theory folder of projects that need finishing up. the cynic theory stuff will showcase more of my softer taste in music while a mix of progressive rock, industrial, and drum and bass characterizes an untitled solo project to be produced by the tenatively named Optimus Productions… for older music, visit my website, scpynkeal.com.
update: i realize that the songs are not all up yet. apparently, it takes a while for songs to get processed.
Is ripping your own cds illegal? The riaa thinks it is… though they didnt a year ago
it is so sad that some artists create only for the money. the riaa has issued another statement regarding the fair use laws which claims that copying or format shifting music from legally aquired (bought) CDs is not fair use.
it would seem that the riaa forgot what they said during the MGM v. Grokster case, cause they are contradicting what they said a year ago:
“The record companies, my clients, have said, for some time now, and it’s been on their website for some time now, that it’s perfectly lawful to take a CD that you’ve purchased, upload it onto your computer, put it onto your iPod.”
anytime a new media comes along, the organizations like the riaa fight to keep thier monopoly.
you can read more about the article at the Electronic Frontier Foundation website.
aural stimilation_______ ___ __ _ _ _
the project so far has evolved into a mix of post-grunge, dnb, industrial, experimental and progressive rock; a true product of my influences. ive taken a break from the cd preproduction to get a chance to explore musically. the whole writing process is an interesting development. i do not want it to get stale and ritualized, so i have taken every precaution to take the necessary breaks to gain perspective, some “fresh ears”.
i spent the last few nights mixing dnb with native instruments traktor. in actuality i spent about an hour assigning hot keys and parameters to my 25 key oxygen 8 i picked up at a pawn shop in north carolina. from there, i proceeded to provide myself with a pretty damn cool mix. i have been working so hard on my original stuff that i forgot how fun it is to fuck around with other peoples music. i may grow to love spinning. ive really gotten into the newer stuff from dieselboy, evol intent, and pendulum. telefon tel aviv has been the essential car mix of late. by the way, someone please tell me if anyone knows of the band massivivid or skillet. skillet is a bit more popular. massivivids last release was many years ago.
in other news, in case you have not heard, 2005 is no more. im sick of typing and i will finish my thoughts on the above later.
reference albums
okay, ive been listening to music lately, trying to get a sense of how to produce my music. for the cynical project, ive compiled a (somewhat) short list of albums that i am using as reference for one aspect or another. yes, i realize this is all in one genre, but these are the albums that apply to this specific project best. here’s what i came up with for this:
- Nine Inch Nails: The Fragile
Tool: Lateralis
Adema: Adema
Nirvana: Nevermind
30 Seconds to Mars: 30 Seconds to Mars
Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Dredg: Catch Without Arms
Chasing Furies: Chasing Furies
Muse: Absolution
Static-X: Start a War
Mindless Self Indulgence: You’ll Rebel to Anything
Maroon 5: Songs About Jane
interesting mix, huh?
black light burns
i am so happy that this group got formed.
Black Light Burns is Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit), Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails), Josh Eustis (Telefon Tel Aviv), and Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle).
definitely inspiring and creative.
MTV europe music video awards
the gorillaz live 3D performance on MTV europe music video awards was an amazing technical feat. such a cool idea.
