8tracks is the New Muxtape

Posted on September 19, 2008 by the OCMD

With Muxtape still battling the RIAA, 8tracks has emerged as the new online MP3 playlist solution. 8tracks allows you to create a playlist of 8 tracks and share it with your friends online. It’s easy to use and they are Beta testing an Uploader feature for Mac users that allows you to drag and drop a playlist directly from iTunes to 8track. Hmmm, given how DRM happy Apple is, I wonder how long that will last. Well, go check it out now before the RIAA shuts them down too.

Here’s a mix I created for the Treasure Island Music Festival this Sunday in San Francisco, featuring Fleet Foxes, Port O’Brien, The Dodos, Okkervil River, The Morning Benders, Vampire Weekend, Dr. Dog and The Raconteurs. Can’t wait!

Listen to Treasure Island Music Festival Playlist.

For a more complete sampler of Sunday’s line up, check out HearYa’s complete playlist of all the artists featured.

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

Where Have All the Hipsters Gone?

Posted on September 12, 2008 by the OCMD

A couple times a week, I head over to the American Industrial Center in the Dogpatch District of San Francisco to attend my – near complete – patternmaking class at Apparel Arts. Week after week, I would inevitably share the elevator with a group of hipsters heading to 4R. The exclusive floor of Soundflavor. Curious as to what could possibly attract such a huge population of Mission District hipsters to one floor of a building, I asked one day while riding the elevator:

Me: “What is Soundflavor?”
Hipster: “A Music recommendation service.”
Me: “Hmm. Like Pandora or Last.fm?”
Hipster: “Yeah.”

Well, I think it’s safe to say the company needs to polish up that ‘elevator pitch’. I did some research myself and found that company seems to be differentiating themselves in the ‘video playlist’ arena. Meaning you upload your iTunes playlist or type in an artist and the site will turn your musical tastes into a custom video playlist – like your own personal MTV.

I didn’t think much more of the Soundflavor hipsters until they became noticeably absent. I haven’t seen them for months now. Where have you gone, hipsters? I miss your big glasses, scruffy beards, trucker hats, plaid shirts, tight jeans and Converse shoes. I checked your website and, while it says you’re still in the building, your cute little cherry logo is nowhere to be found. 4R is a ghostland. What happened?

The Acorn – Glory Hope Mountain

Posted on September 1, 2008 by the OCMD

Artist: The Acorn
Album: Glory Hope Mountain
File Under: Canadian Indie Rock
Recommended if You Like: David Byrne, Fiery Furnaces
Featured Track: Flood Pt. 1

Part biographical narrative, part surreal fairy tale, Glory Hope Mountain is the story of Gloria Esperanza Montoya. Based on interviews recorded in early 2006 by her son, Acorn songwriter Rolf Klausener, the album is a sonic retelling of the stories from her early life in Honduras to her eventual immigration to Montreal in 1972.

It’s an incredible concept album whose songs weave a beautiful tale – infusing traditional Honduran folk forms with lovely melodies in a way that’s very reminiscent of David Byrne – and ends with one of the most gorgeous lullabies I’ve ever heard.

Be sure to check them out at The Hemlock on October 21. Enjoy The Flood Pt. 1:

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

Trailblazing for Radiohead

Posted on August 24, 2008 by the OCMD

I took a bunch of photos with my puny little digital camera at the Outside Lands Festival yesterday in Golden Gate Park, but this one captured the essence of the evening for me. Throngs of humanity trampling barriers and blazing trail through Eucalyptus groves to get to Radiohead. Anxiety got the best of the crowd during Beck as thousands of people realized they had to haul ass across the park to get a seat for Radiohead. And no one had the patience to be herded through the narrow walkways set up by festival organizers.

We all got there in the end, but it was a squash. Much more so than the All Points West show in New York two weeks ago. But that in part was due to the festival capacity. There were reportedly 60,000 people at Outside Lands vs. 30,000 at All Points West. Even with the bigger crowds, however, Outside Lands was a much better organized event. I didn’t feel like I missed half of the festival waiting in lines. And not having to consume alcohol in a designated Beer Garden was a plus.

The technical difficulties we experienced during Radiohead was quite a let down. The sound cut out twice for substantial periods during the performance. But once the crowd settled down and people stopped shoving to get to their destination, we all had a fantastic time. I’ve always had great Radiohead experiences. And while this performance wouldn’t rank to the top of my Radiohead show list, it certainly didn’t disappoint. They are always exceptional to see live. Each performance is just a different degree of greatness.

To see the full Radiohead set list, go to 58Hours, a great Radiohead concert database. My highlight for the evening? Paranoid Android.

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

Countdown to Outside Lands!

Posted on August 20, 2008 by the OCMD

Whoo hoo! Two more days to Outside Lands and Radiohead. Here’s a mix I compiled of the bands I’m looking forward to seeing on Friday. If I can cram it all in. Enjoy! If you want the MP3 file, you’ll need to sign up for the OCMD Mixtape newsletter.