Moi Non Plus

After an overly lengthy summer break, and absence from this side of the “larger” blogging format, I have returned, with something, not unlike vigour, although it is more likely to be casual unlazy interest, for this woefully neglected blog. (Anyone care to tell me how often I quip about blog neglect?)

So, where to start? How about a quick update for those of you who are not my close friends, and those I would not have told personally. Back in college, second year of music in UCC. Going really well, well enough in fact for me to care enough to write some entries for the blog. They’ll be going up soon-ish. More on that later.

I moved house. The new place is amazing. Like a small house. Actually, it is in fact, more than a small house, it is a regular sized house for just two people. We will finally have a working heater during winter. Huzzah!

Been getting more and more into DJing recently. Have a few mixes ready for the internet, and it’s interesting enough to note that it is a lovely mix of stuff that maybe a year ago, i would not have even given a second thought too. Drum ‘N’ Bass and Dubstep has seen somewhat of a resurrection in my musical vocabulary, but I have discovered some amazing new things recently, including two “new” types of music. By new I mean I had never heard them before. Chanson and Cumbia are the two I am speaking of. Chanson is pretty much any type of French pop music, specifically sung in French. (Serge Gainsbourg is an obvious reference). Cumbia is a sort of Latin influenced music, which has a hugely popular scene in places like New York. Cumbia has a specific rhythm which is really interesting. The basic rhythm structure is 2/4. Due to its origins, both African and new world natives influences can be felt in Cumbia. In Colombia is played with a rhythm structure in 2/4 and 2/2. In Mexico is played with a rhythm structure in 2/2. In Panama is played with a rhythm structure in 2/4 and 6/8. (Stolen from Wikipedia). So to make a long story short, I am really enjoying these new musics and will be reflected in my mixes.

Aside from this, nothing especially new.

I think that was a particularly good reentry to the sphere. We’ll leave it at that.

Until next time.

J

Nailed It!!!!

Gandalf once said, ‘You shall not pass’. Turns out he doesn’t know everything. Exams, consider yourselves laid to waste.

Please, please wake me up when it’s over…

What a clusterfuck of a week. What is happening here? I am completely unable to articulate myself right now, it’s not happening for me. So, with my grandmother in hospital, I can’t play my first solo gig in Dublin. What a selfish thing to say. In fact, I actually blame my gran in the first place, which is even worse. Like, what sort of person am I, good grief. No pieces being written, unable to transcribe a cello piece thats been chewing my brain from the inside out for the last few days, no gig being played (again), no bloody fun at all on an amazingly sunny day, and to top it all off, a fucking migrane of such intensity that I am actually only able to see out my left eye while i’m typing this. FUCK IT. Life really fucks you up, screw it, i’m done, finished. Over and out…

Summertime

Exams over, sun shining, a sense of release. Release from the stresses and strains of university. I know I know, what student shares in the stresses of ‘regular, everyday’ living…well, firstly, staring a new course, being a first year again, was a bit weird, but as it turns out, its worked perfectly. I have finally found something I absolutely, unequivocally love doing. I have never thrown myself into something so passionately and vigorously as I did with studying music this year. I surprised myself somewhat, surprised at my own dedication to giving myself a proper second chance. I FINALLY have direction…started studying music, have my own apartment, have a job, and am living with someone I love…what more could I possibly ask for. Someone once said my posts are full of depression with a sprinkling of optimism, but as you can most obviously see, if you are in fact reading this, that I cannot be more optimistic. That certain someone was in fact completely right, and that is most definitely how I write, but I really cannot help this over sunny, smiling text. A floral piece full of happy adjectives. Embracing all that is new with trembling fingers, something doesn’t feel right, but in a good way, a way I have seldom experienced before. So here it is. This is me. Happy.

It’s been a great year……

Quiet…..shhh!!!!!!

Don’t tell anyone, but this academic music thing, competely awesome. In my bloody element.

Ciliary Stimulation

Eventually you might think “FUCK IT!” and start producing blurry, grainy, ugly pictures of nothing in particular, and get a momentary kick out of knocking over all the idols you so painstakingly built, until you realise that you’re only following another set of conventions, in order to please another crowd, only this time it’s a smaller crowd who likes top wear black, smoke a lot, and sit around in cafes.

The Little Things…

It’s the little things. Like being overlooked. Like staying up too late. Like drinking too much. Like over sleeping. Like having expectations. Like having them crushed. Like having friends. Like being forgotten. Like a cold night. Like a bright morning. Like being promised something. Like breaking a promise. Like saying one thing. Like doing the opposite. Like keeping secrets. Like telling lies. Like having a best friend. Like not being theirs. Like breathing, walking, climbing, running, eating, sleeping, falling, playing. It’s the little things

The Bodega

Well then, another featureless blog entry, featuring me killing time. What to write about? No idea as of yet, BUT, i will try to write a review piece on my gig tonight. It’s going to be great.

Wrapped up with nowhere to go

Sickness abides I really hate this feeling. Headache, unsettled stomach and a real urge to just sleep. But sleep isn’t an option. Habit dictates that if I sleep now, I’ll be tossing and turning sometime early in the morning, unable to find sleep. I really hate sickness. All I want to do now that I can’t do it is head out for a stroll in the city, have a coffee. Gahhhhhh!.

Something New…

Basically, this post is just about me trying out blogging on my new iPad. I have to admit, it is bloody well awesome.