Ghostly International and Adult Swim team up to deliver a free electronic focused album [in the past Adult Swim has done more hip-hop focused music projects including work with DangerMouse]

You get 19 free tracks - all for download w/artwork or streaming on the site - including the newest Tycho single. There is also a video for the first song if you look down in the lower right corner.

It is the artwork I really like on this project. When I first saw the site I instantly thought “vinyl” in relation to the album artwork and its size on the site. Developing covers that can work as the foundation for the artist’s website to be built around them might be an idea more designers should try pitching to artists and artists should consider regardless. Oh and I think the artwork itself is beautiful.

From the Ghostly site:

Record label Ghostly International and modern cult classic programmers [Adult Swim] have paired up for a compilation of new music and art*.

A genre-busting 19-song collection, stretching the entire Ghostly International galaxy, Ghostly Swim explores the Avant-Pop style that the Ann Arbor/New York City label has been been championing for the past 9 years. Ghostly Swim features artists like Matthew Dear, Dabrye, Tycho and Aeroc and features new signings like UK cult band The Chap and NYC producer Michna.

The free collection also includes favorite friends of the label like School Of Seven Bells, and Detroit’s Deastro, Milosh (Plug Research), FLYamSAM (Warp’s Flying Lotus and SAMIYAM), and Dark Party (Mush). Along with the new music, BoyCatBird (Ghostly’s mascots) make their animated debut in the awesome “City Suckers” video by Daniel Garcia/Superfi.

Also- check out BoyCayBird’s new website, where you can download, avatars, desktop wallpaper and more.

* Love the emphasis of how it is a compilation of new music AND art.

Vinyl IS awesome and so is the idea behind this art show:

ARGYLE FINE ART PRESENTS:
Vinylview
On July 10, 2008, Argyle Fine Art will host a new and exciting exhibition combining both the musical and visual arts. Artists from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate.

Applicants are asked to create artworks using vinyl records, and if desired, record sleeves. This is an open call to all visual art forms; artists are not restricted to using specific mediums. You may for instance paint directly onto the vinyl, or you may use the record as material for sculpture. Recycled records will be provided by the gallery free of charge, and are currently available for pick-up.

Although this is an open call, ALL works will be accepted at the discretion of the gallery. Applicants must send a jpeg of completed works to Argyle Fine Art via e-mail by June 19th. Artists that have been chosen will be notified ASAP, once we have received their proposal.

Accepted artworks will be sold at a retail price chosen by the artist, and the gallery will assume 50% commission from this price. The gallery will then donate 10% of its profits to a TBA charity in support of music education.

This show will run from July 10th until August 4th. Artists will be required to pick up any unsold work after the show has ended.

p.s.-if you are a musician and would like to play at this reception, let us know. we would be interested in hearing from YOU.

Please telephone or email the gallery if you have any questions in regards to show requirements.

Runs from Thursday, July 10, 2008 to Monday, August 4, 2008
Argyle Fine Art
1869 Upper Water Street
Halifax, NS

Phone: 9024259456
Email: gallery@argylefa.com

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Right now I have Mardeen and Yellow Jacket Avenger in the space. Then there’s also a group of local music super stars including members from the Prospector’s Union, the Heavy Blinkers, the Establishment, Sleepless Nights, and Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees rehearsing for a Roy Orbison tribute show.
Earlier in the evening there was the always enjoyable Stance, a new reggae group and a new hip hop duo [we don’t get

enough good hip hop in here unfortunately].

All great bands, composed of great musicians, who just happen to be great people too.

http://iden.tify.us/
If you know a ridiculious amount of music, you may enjoy challenging yourself at this site who’s stated intention is “to provide a place for people to help other people identify music.”

Still in beta but it does what it says it does.

http://www.howmanyfiveyearoldscouldyoutakeinafight.com/
You know your curious!!
My only complaint is the lack of science backing that site. But apparently I am safe as long as I am not swarmed by more than 26 five year olds.

http://muxtape.com/
Saw this this morning on locals and then again on the Listening Post, fun for listening purposes. Read the Listening Post post for a mix making review. Selected some random mixes and found a few new bands to look into and had my childhood blasted back at me unexpectedly [and just about every period of my life I have forgotten- when was the last time I listened to the Judgment Night soundtrack?!?].

http://www.finetune.com/ is a more complicated looking version of a mixtape site that I have never used but have book marked if you want to compare.

Go vote over at Wired

Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails have been taking turns giving the music industry the finger. The British band made headlines last October for releasing In Rainbows without the support (read: control) of a record label, and Trent Reznor’s group followed suit with last month’s Ghosts I-IV.

The two bands have also been busy one-upping each other with their innovative promotion strategies. We were tempted to let the groups coexist peacefully at the forward edge of digital distribution until Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor accused Radiohead of betraying fans by selling them low-quality files. In light of Reznor’s accusations, we put together a 10-round, voting-enabled smackdown to find out which band is really blazing the trail of innovation.

Read more at Exclaim! about the tour and how it all came about and what I’m rambling on about below.

This is a very poorly put together post but all you need to get out of it is that Owen is awesome.

Someone, against Owen’s will, got something of his from him for nothing [they used his music in an ad].
Instead of fighting it he realized there was clearly nothing stopping companies from using his music regardless. [Injunctions and removing it from market could be done but in today’s web of video sites it will remain].
So he decides he will get something from them in return.

But to do so he never brought in the lawyers. First mistake.
Not only does he not willfully screw over some poor sap that he needed, he actually tries to help others by getting friends some shows. Must be a socialist.

Last year when he won an award with an accompanying cash prize [$20,000], he gave the prize away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do people even take this guy’s calls?
.
He clearly does not understand how the music business works
[And thank fuck for that].

Cheers to Mr. Pallet

So I missed getting this up yesterday, so here is their recap from last night and an early reminder for next week!

Music Nova Scotia’s inaugural Open Mic Night at The Seahorse in Halifax opened its welcoming arms last night to a couple hundred musicians, industry folks and fans. Several Music Nova Scotia board members came to enjoy the music and meet the members and Music Nova Scotia staff members were on hand to offer information about the industry association. The night produced a palpable electricity of camaraderie and creativity.

“This makes so much sense…”

Three long pages of musicians signed up to play, starting at 7 p.m. The extensive talent ranged from the sweet sounds of Molly Rankin to the strong vocals of newcomer Emily Steeves. The MacGillivray Brothers offered fine harmonies and The Folklore Centre’s David Bradshaw showed he can do much more than sell stringed instruments.

Old school open mic player Dusty Keeler offered fine folk tunes and special guest Ryan MacGrath blew away the audience with his epic waltzes. Even the boys from Faded Blue and Kev Corbett jumped on stage to add backup percussion.

“Now, this is art.”
In the industry room, photographer and designer Chr!s Sm!th displayed his stylish music photos. Look out for up-and-comer photographer Scott Blackburn next Tuesday, March 11.

The whole event was given the media spotlight by Paul Brothers from MuchMusic’s Going Coastal and the boys from East Coast Countdown, who will feature MNS Open Mic Nights on a continuous basis online.

“…and then Shaun Majumder played bongos with MNS board member Bill Appleby.”

The night started early and was expected to end by midnight, but the audience demanded more, leading to Music Nova Scotia board member Bill Appleby of Cape Breton belting out some gravelly songs with surprise guest Shaun Majumder (22 Minutes, 24, Unhitched) offering backup on vocals and bongos.

Music Nova Scotia’s Open Mic Night will be held every Tuesday night at The Seahorse (1665 Argyle Street, Halifax). It’s an opportunity for members and interested musicians to perform short acoustic sets on a Music Nova Scotia stage. But it’s also an opportunity for industry folks to get together for a casual meet and greet. There are plans to expand the invitation to full bands, including jazz nights.

Music Nova Scotia staff will always be on hand to offer news and information about Music Nova Scotia.

The music begins EARLY at 8 p.m. You never know who will show up as a surprise guest! Admission is FREE!

If you’re interested in playing, show up after 7 p.m. on Tuesdays to sign up with Troy Arsenault. Musicians who didn’t get to play last Tuesday will be put at the top of the list for Tuesday, March 11 – so show up early!

For more information, contact Troy Arsenault or Laura Simpson at openmic@musicnovascotia.ca or call the Music Nova Scotia office at (902) 423-6271.

Visit us online at www.musicnovascotia.ca