Finally the storm has broken here in Southern California, to be replaced by a wonderfully warm Santa Ana wind. Mmm… Actually went to the beach yesterday and laid out, enjoying my new iPod. I hope this weather lasts long enough for us to sneak in a band photo shoot. It’s about time we got some current portraits taken. I’m also starting to seriously think about album art for the new CD cover. We’ll probably go with colorful nature shots again, but maybe a bit less abstract this time. I’m not sure that folks even realize that the Windblown Kiss artwork is photos of reflections in water or not?
Hi-Res digital files
Ryan and I have come to the realization that 128kbps mp3s are way too old school. Like, so 1998!
I’ve been re-encoding my digital music library into 320kbps AAC files, which sound much better — much better even that 320kbps mp3 files. For special albums, I’m using Apple Lossless, which sounds basically like an AIFF or WAV file (which is what CDs are generally made from), but is only about half the size. I mean, I have a huge hard drive, so why not enjoy my music in hi-res quality?
I love the concept of the iTunes store, and selling our music there, but what I don’t love is the sound quality. We make these gorgeous 24bit start-to-finish albums (more music geek talk, I know!), only to have it all squashed down into measly 128k mp3 files. It’s murder! We really need to figure out a way to sell our fans nice, high quality files worthy of critical listening.
It’s so sad how the music industry is completely melting down under the pressure of new technology. Kids today don’t even think they should have to buy CDs anymore! They are perfectly content with crappy mp3s files traded on the Internet.
It seems that a whole new model for music is necessary now, one that somehow combines professional quality sound with affordable prices so that we artists can get our music out to fans in a format that is not only convenient, but great sounding, doesn’t cost too much, and yet allows us to cover all the costs of creating and distributing the music.
Any bright ideas, anyone?
Cool Chicago Album
If you happen to be into groovy jazzy pop songs like I am, especially those with an early 1970’s vibe with lots of sweet rhodes keyboards, I’ve recently found an unlikely winner. It’s from the band Chicago and it’s their Chicago 7 album. It’s nothing like the rock pop ballad stuff that they became known for later in their career. On this album their jazz and rock backgrounds blend perfectly making for some great songs and songwriting. “Happy Man” is my favorite song along with “Wishing You Were Here,” which have both been stuck in my head for close to a week now. I strangely had the album sitting around my collection since I was a kid in 70’s but never really listened to it until just recently; it’s some weird luck that I’ve managed to keep it all this time. I kind of laugh know realizing I’ve had this great record sitting in my collection all this time and never knew how great it was.
New Year's Resolutions
Here we are on the first Monday of the new year. Hurrah! The band’s resolution for the year is to release our new album and to set that whole whirlwind of promotion in motion. Part of that will likely include our first practice with a live bassist and drummer. So I guess that’s 2 resolutions: 1. release album, 2. practice with live rhythm section. I ‘spose that would lead to 3. set up live shows. Sounds like a full year in and of itself, doesn’t it?
Lovespirals 2005 Biography
It’s a new year, we’re working on a new album; time to release a new band bio!
Lovespirals began in 1999 as an outgrowth of multi-instrumentalist Ryan Lum’s previous band incarnation, Love Spirals Downwards. Following the release of his 10,000+ selling electronica/ethereal rock hybrid album, Flux, Lum began working as a DJ and dance track producer, collaborating with vocalist Anji Bee, and the members of Subliminal Records duo, Monkey Bars, Doron Orenstein and Gabriel D. Vine.
By 2001, Lovespirals had released a number of tracks on various artist compilations, including Chill Out in the City and Chill Out Lounge Vol. 2 on Water Music Records, and a remix of Claire Voyant for their album Time Again on Metropolis Records in the US and Accession Records in Europe. 2002 brought the release of Lovespirals’ first full-length album, Windblown Kiss, on New York indie label, Projekt Records, as well as tracks on Hot Topic and Border’s various artists’ compilations.
Over time, Lovespirals have evolved from a dance sound to a more pop sound, highlighting Bee’s versatile vocal work and Lum’s mastery of guitar. From track to track, and even within each tune itself, the duo culls their favorite aspects of every genre – those most beautiful, haunting, or groovy – to create a unique hybrid of electronica, soul, jazz, blues, and pop, with dashes of world, folk, and rock… or whatever else tickles their fancy.
Lovespirals have performed all across North America with a semi-live set featuring guitar, sax, and vocals over a backing track on laptop. Lum as also appeared in Los Angeles and San Francisco clubs with traditional DJ sets, often including dub plates of their material.
If you are seeking music for the soul as well as the body, something sweet to kick back and unwind with, then Lovespirals are for you.
Happy New Year and New Year's Eve
It’s Ryan here wishing everyone a happy 2005. I’m going to spend the new year’s eve on the mellow tip with Anji and listen to my new copy of the recently remastered Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. I checked out a minute or so of it yesterday and thought it sounded wonderful. I can’t wait to hear the entire cd tonight. I also have The Endless Summer DVD, from 1966, which I’ve always wanted to see. So it looks like I’ll be going back to the 60’s and early 70’s this new year’s eve.
Merry Christmas!
Just thought I’d send a holiday greeting out to everyone on this sunny So Ca Christmas day. Hope everyone is having a good time wherever they may be!
iPod
I always wanted to get one, but there was always something more important that I seemed to need. Well thank god for Christmas to fix little situations like that. It’s actually our band Ipod and it’s one with a 40 gig drive. A Mini may have been better for its portability but its 4 gig drive limits it a little. Particularly since I’m taking advantage of having the big drive in our Ipod. This week I’ve changed the way i view digital music listening. No more crappy 128 mp3’s which I’ve always hated listening to. Now I’m encoding my music library as 320 aac’s, which sound way better, and for music that I absolutely love I’m using the Apple Lossless Encoder, which doesn’t alter the sound of the original music but just cuts the file size in half. Now listening to music on a computer or the Ipod is actually enjoyable.
Welcome Christmas
Just remembered that there is a free download of Ryan’s 1994 cover of a Dr. Seuss holiday classic from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas available on the Projekt Records website. Interpreted in a very dream pop, shoegazery way, the tune cleverly plays upon the vocal style of Suzanne, who often sang in nonsense words for Love Spirals Downwards (prior band incarnation, in case you didn’t know). Perfect choice for the band! So check it out — “Welcome Christmas”
Katamari Damacy
Just got Katamari Damacy last night – omg! It was supposed to be a Christmas present from Ryan, but I guessed what it was anyway so he just let me have it. We played it for hours and I was dreaming about it all night long. That game is so crazy, Peter Max, Yellow Submarine, and pure Japanese fun all rolled up (pun intended) into one big fun nonsensical package. I want to go play it again right now.
So electronic
The past few days there’s been electric work being done around here and it’s been a total bummer! I realize now how reliant I am on electricity for everything I do. First of all, having to power down my computer sucks. But I also can’t listen to music on the stereo, play a game on PlayStation2, do laundry, cook food, or even fricken SEE in most of the rooms. Sigh.
Of course, I’ve found out that a lot of the wiring was in pretty bad shape, so it’s all for the best that it’s getting fixed… I just can’t wait for it all to be done so that I can go back to my usual electronified lifestyle!
For now, however, I have to switch off all my computer gear again – boo hoo.
Free Lovespirals Xmas Mp3 on MySpace
Anji recently unearthed a “bootleg” mix of the classic Christmas song, “The Little Drummer Boy,” created by Ryan in 1999. This drum ‘n’ bass track featuring Gabriel D. Vine, of Monkey Bars, has never before been released! A 128k mp3 will be available to download for your holiday listening pleasure only at MySpace.com/Lovespirals