Buzznet: All Media by shifter

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shifter — 2006-12-07T14:02:58Z

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shifter — 2006-12-07T14:02:57Z

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shifter — 2006-12-07T14:02:56Z

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shifter — 2006-12-07T13:59:07Z

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shifter — 2006-12-07T13:59:06Z

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shifter — 2006-12-07T13:59:05Z

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shifter — 2006-12-07T13:59:04Z

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shifter — 2006-12-07T13:59:03Z

PICT2851

shifter — 2006-12-07T13:59:02Z

thanksgiving

shifter — 2006-11-20T11:37:57Z

so its that time of year again. this year will be a camping trip to big bend. check back next week for some pictures and tales of adventure.

the return and other ramblings

shifter — 2006-09-20T07:55:24Z

so work and the transition back to cube design are quite difficult after a weekend of festivaling. first of all, as with all great festivals; the experience is a mix of internal gratification found in many ways.

there is the lone wandering amongst throngs of people and the exploration of unknown music; sampling lyrical art and performances with an open unbiased outlook. there's slinking through the crowd to get close enough to a stage to dance as the music makes you feel; without regard to anyone else.

also, there is the social experience: meeting up with various friends; joining other small or large groups of friends at their makeshift camps. and then there's the strangers; thousands and thousands of happy (mostly at least, there are types that can never be that way; there are the 'kids' whose interactions are great to watch, and there are the adults) people who are open and extremely friendly. I believe that is one of my favorite aspects of this ACL festival: the feeling and mood of the crowd. it doesn't have the youthful and awkward rebelliousness of the northern stadium tours or the over-hippiness of the folk / jam band tours. it seems to be a perfect mix; although I think that represents austin more than anything; and there are large representation of every demographic, but I always walk away feeling like I have somehow shared my home with many many strangers.

and that is why returning to work depresses. well, that and the fact that I have deadlines on multiple jobs; I need to find a job where I can actually use my grad degree (I mean, what use is 3 years of nights and weekends anyway?); they need to hire more people here and define rolls better; etc. It just seems like after a great cultural weekend where I was able to join in with complete strangers and appreciate music from the UK, Zimbabwe, Canada, Austin, and all over the US, I have to return to work with people, most of which, have no desire to experience or reach out beyond anything that is normal or comfortable.

plus I continue to finish reading motivating biographies of great men and realize that I have no great goals or motivators. I am extremely qualified to do many things I don't have a passion to do; and after spending a weekend watching people pour their souls into their craft, it feels if there is something lacking.

well, that seems to be the way of the world. I just need to strive for something.

ACL Notebook Cont.

shifter — 2006-09-18T06:28:49Z

Damian Marley: clean reggae / rap with notable lyrics. able to mix in bob marley songs as backbeats and use without going the 'straight cover' route. the only song he covered was war; which is actually a political speech by emperor Haile Selassie. His brothers ziggy and julian joined in at the end of the set and mixed in some old bob songs.

overall damian puts on a very active live show that merges hip hop and reggae. plus, you have to love the flag waver, who was able to whip around a flag for the full hour-long set.

Matisyahu: biblical rhythm reggae with sublime like speed. great percussion and flow.

New Pornographers: mix harmony lyrical rock. enough additions and oddities to create decent stage energy.

Ben Harper: started the show channeling jimi hendrix doing voodoo child on the slide guitar. still able to do the powerful and political lyrics and use his very skilled band. his new song black rain rates very high. he's incorporated some 'rage' and off-key yells into his songs, which is a good mix with the usual measured tones. damian, ziggy, and julian joined him and closed out with stand up.

Muse: heavy rock with steady rhythm and beat. lyrically sound with a tight set. good show for a band i've heard about but hadn't ever seen.

Petty: the usual. it’s always tough to close out a festival with 60,000+ fans; but even more so when a thunderstorm whips in about six songs into your set.

as always, another rockstar weekend of music, vodka and sweet leaf tea, lounging in the sun with various groups of friends, and running into various people in a sea of strangers. this year was volumes better than last; with the weather cooperating and CSC adding some very appreciated additions: more shade, misters, free water, the beach area, larger gospel tent, and most importantly - an actual irrigation system to combat the dust bowl while creating a soft park of long grass.

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shifter — 2006-09-18T06:08:29Z

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shifter — 2006-09-18T06:08:28Z

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shifter — 2006-09-18T06:08:27Z

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shifter — 2006-09-18T06:08:26Z

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shifter — 2006-09-18T06:08:25Z

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shifter — 2006-09-18T06:08:24Z

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shifter — 2006-09-18T06:08:23Z

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shifter — 2006-09-18T06:08:22Z