New Music from Andrew W.K.

For the first time in almost 12 years, Andrew W.K. has a new record out. Coming out in March 2018,  "You're Not Alone" features W.K. has his head banging best. His new singles Music is Worth Living For and Ever Again are just wonderful.

Podcasting Update

For the past three months, I've been hard at work refining the format of my podcast series "The Looking Glass".  I feel like I've created some pretty solid episodes, but over the past year or so, I've felt like these episodes are ultimately "over glorified interviews", and could be so much more. So that has been my goal. How do I find a way to make the podcast stand out more, and have a more unique feel to them. I've thought of three changes that I think will give me that unique feel that I am looking for.

1. My approached to interviews. I'm going into the interviews in a much more relaxed and conversational way. I have general questions written out, along with general talking points that I want to hit, but I'm much more informal in how I ask them. Having listen back to the two interviews I've conducted this technique, I must say I am very pleased with the results. I sound relaxed, as does the guest.

2. Music and SFXs have been the two biggest missing pieces of the puzzle for my podcast series.  Music and sound effects add atmosphere and emotion. They also help with transitions and quite frankly create a more well-round story. The biggest issue as to why I didn't have them in the Looking Glass before was I haven't been able to find an affordable site for music and sound effects. Until now. I recently read a book called "Out on the Wire: The Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio". The book mentions a website called: www.soundsnap.com as a great resource for music and sound effects. Sure enough, they are, and I am very happily utilizing their services. Their library is vast, and I like how the site has a nice mix of modern and classic sounding music beds.

3. Emotion. My new focus that I wish to have imprint on every episode is emotion. I have the listener to feel the interviewee's passion for the subject. Additionally, I'll be focusing a little more on general interests of mine to serve as a backdrop to the other individuals passion for the subject. For example, my first new episode under this new format will focus on vinyl records. I'll mention my love of them in the beginning, how I got into them, and then explore how others got into them. I feel as though it will help anchor the story a little bit more.

I'm thinking I should have the next episode completed in three weeks, and I am really looking forward to publishing it.

A Great Feeling

The Concert for George CD and DVD Cover

Earlier this week it was announced that the Concert for George will released for the first time on vinyl to celebrate George Harrison's 75th birthday. It's set to be released at the end of February, and being the crazy diehard Beatle fan that I am went and ordered myself a copy. While I was doing that, I pulled out my CD copy my sister got me for Christmas back in 2003, and began re-listening to it.

Beyond being a magnificent concert in and of itself, there was something else about it that I seemed to have forgotten, but was reminded of when I was re-listening to it. Have you ever experienced a feeling when listening to an album? A feeling of comfort, joy, remembrance of happy times, friendship, and such much more?  I can't describe it, but I just got overwhelmed with these positive feelings.

Maybe it's because it reminds me of my first two years of college, and that period of time was such an incredibly happy time in my life. Whatever it is, I really love the feeling. Over the past three days, I've probably listened to the double album 2 or three times in its entirety, and each time I still get these wonderful feelings.

I think I'll have to add this album to my regular rotation of albums I listen to throughout the year.