Roger Ebert, an industry-respected film critic, has shocked the gaming community for the second time in 2010; He’s cried “uncle.”
In a surprising turn of events, Ebert posted a brand new blog entry stating that his position on video games was one of ignorance and bullheadedness.
I should not have written that entry without being more familiar with the actual experience of video games.
I’ve recorded a new song in the ‘Cover’ series, in the form of “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins! I discovered how easy this song was to figure out during an improv at a live show. As is the case with many of my covers, it started off as a joke to get keep people interested in the original set. This song is so effective, yet so simple, and I found myself really getting into it, during the shows.
At my last show, I decided I would go all out and generate a full band track to play alongside. The next obvious step, of course, is to lay down a lead vocal track & put it out there for everyone to enjoy!
This passed weekend, I had a chance to record the first bit of an idea that had been playing, on repeat, in my mind for nearly 2 weeks. The song, tentatively titled “The First Dance,” is about a child’s first contact with another being that sends sparks their way. It’s not meant to be gender specific, only to comment on the first glimpses of lust/love & how exciting and confusing the whole things is. Check it out below:
This song is a part of a larger project, one I’m calling “The Road.” I want to write & record a record that describes the journey we all take, from childhood, through adolescence, and into young adulthood. It’s a walk we all share. Each song in “The Road” will be about a very specific & personal moment in my life that I feel is representative of the journey, as a whole. I’ve got roughly 5 songs sketched out & will be bringing you more updates as they are recorded. Wish me luck. The 2nd half of 2010 will see me working on some very exciting content! Please check back for more updates as I take my walk along The Road.
Unique to this release, a monthly Themed Clip Art Package is included and made up of new vector imagery created by members of the Open Clip Art Community. Each subsequent Open Clip Art Library Release will now include a similar batch of unique work, created by some of the Community’s amazing graphic artists!
This month’s package called for Spring flavored clip art, and our Community answered with some dynamic and elegant work that can be downloaded in it’s entirety or individually, using the key term spring2010.
The images found peppering this article are all works created by me, specifically to be included in this awesome set of work. My Open Clip Art Library username is pianoBrad. I’ll be creating around 10 new images each month for these themed releases, so check my OCAL account often, if you like the work, to see what’s new!
As always, The Open Clip Art Library is reaching for higher ground with a new release targeted in one month. Any artists interested in contributing to a summer package release should register and upload their work tagged with “summer2010.” The Librarians send out a special thanks to all involved in this incredible Spring 2010 Release and look forward to the fun and creative new work underway for the next one!
For more information, please have a look at the official press release.
On March 8th, 2010, the web graphics community was pleasantly surprised with the announcement of Open Clip Art Library, Version 2.0. Following the release, OCAL experienced a creative Renaissance, posting some of it’s best numbers ever, including 1300 new registered users and nearly 1000 new clip art submissions!
Building off of the success of the new format, The Open Clip Art Librarians have quickly followed up with The Announcement of The Open Clip Art Library, Version 2.1!
Recently, Chicago-based critic Roger Ebert has revived his now-infamous claim regarding the state of video games in our artistic landscape. As a gamer who also values Ebert’s critical opinion, I feel the need to respond.
After reading Roger’s most recent support for his claims, I went back to have a look at a post from 2007, where he first defended himself. It’s clear, upon reading, that Ebert needs some serious time behind a controller before he can fully understand the argument he’s presenting to the world. How can anyone propose to judge a medium they don’t actively experience?
Among his contemporaries, Elton John is widely considered the hardest working man in show business. While he’s been touring relentlessly, with the likes of Billy Joel and percussionist, Ray Cooper, on top of doing his full band shows & wrapping up the Red Piano gigs in Europe, new pop music from Elton has been strangely absent.
Over the weekend (Friday, March 19th, 2010), I performed a 2-hour solo acoustic set at Joe Sippers Cafe (Effingham, IL).
The performance was broadcast to the world Live, through Facebook. That very performance is now available to view online, at your convenience! Follow this link to view the show, in it’s entirety!
I have another Joe Sippers Show lined up on April 23rd. Check back often, for details about how you can catch this next show live!
I never expected a few innocent comments Elton John made, during an interview, could make me reevaluate what my thoughts on the state of our modern world are, but that very thing has happened.
I’ve been thinking about this lately. With 3D visual technology being pushed further and further into public consciousness with gigantic media forces like Avatar (and into living rooms now, yes?), I wonder what’s on the horizon for audio.