Trio - Da, Da, Da

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

In 1997, I recall watching this Volkswagen commercial and tilting my head with confusion.  As a Communications major, I thought that the commercial was a bit too--how should I put it--odd.

I then found myself wanting to watch it again and again.  Before Youtube, the only way to catch a commercial was to wait.  At times, I would tell my friends or parents to quiet down, turn the volume up to listen to the commercial.  

I think the advertisement was effective since I wanted a VW Golf so bad.  I think I even begged my father to buy a VW Golf. 



The song originates from a band from Großenkneten, Germany called Trio.  Below is the music video for Da da da.  Notice the Casio miniature keyboard the lead singer is holding.  That is the keyboard he uses for the song's melody.


via RockAndDiscoMusic

Devo - Whip It

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

Whip It came out in 1980.  Like many other kids my age at the time, I liked the beat.  I didn't think much of their attire; although their Power Dome headgear was pretty cool.  Nor did I care what they were portraying in the video; although, I read that people had issues with its portrayal of women.

It wasn't until way after I was a teen when I became aware of the lyrics and its meaning.  Personally, I thought it was a song about sex.  Not so, according to Devo songwriter, Gerald Casale; his lyrics were inspired by Thomas Pynchon's writings.  The lyrics tell of a persons struggle to overcome hardtimes. 
The idea for the sadomasochistic-like music video came from a 1960s magazine Casale read where a guy would invite people to watch him whip his wife's cloths off. 



Sources: Wikipedia

A Cyclist's Paradise

Bjarke Ingels and his BIG Architect firm created an amazing spiral-shaped structure for cyclists to ride through and where visitors can have a picnic. The structure is also the new home to Denmark's iconic statue--The Little Mermaid.

The Danish Pavilion was build in preparation for the Shanghai 2010 World Expo.

You can find more information about this breathtaking structure here, here, and here.



Sources: PM Network, August 2010; DesignBoom.com; big.

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

Before I began my Music Appreciation (A Retrospect) Sunday Series, I knew I would discuss how this music video played a role in my young life. 

Everyone in the Rio Grande Valley wanted to be Michael Jackson.  Kids would compete against each other in the school yard on who could do the best moonwalk.  I think I only succeeded once until the cool kid in school out-performed me.

I was either nine or ten years old when I first listened to Michael Jackson's Thriller.  I recall my dad buying the Thriller album, and listening to it from his stereo. I loved The Girl is Mine, Beat It, and Billie Jean, but I avoided Thriller because it sounded scary.  In my defense, I was raised in a fairly Christian home.  Music videos that showed demons and zombies were frowned upon. 

When we finally got MTV, I remember changing the channel when Thriller would show.  I think the first time I watched the 14-minute long Thriller was in my late teens, and after watching the music video, I remember enjoying it and wanting to see it again. 




What is amazing is how this music video continues in popularity becoming somewhat a Halloween tradition--much like It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown-- and other non-traditional settings, such as:




In a Prison


At a University



Performed By Tech Geeks


And Even in Austin.


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Sources: Wikipedia

Making Jack Skellington Costume

My son's YMCA held a Costume Contest on Friday.  The rules were basic--no store bought costumes.  Therefore, I decided I would use my "talent" and make something on my own.



When my son informed me of the Costume Contest, the idea flew out of my mouth, "How about Jack from the Nightmare Before Christmas." My son loved the idea.
I started to think of all the things I would need to make his costume. When I got a list of stuff I needed, I visited Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart and bought all the material I needed.

On Monday, I found myself on the floor of our galley kitchen with glue-paste, a balloon, and strips of newspaper.  I began to work.

I started layering newspaper around the balloon.  The next morning, I started the second coat.  By the following day, I had three coats around the balloon. 

While I waited for the head to dry, I worked on the bat-bowtie.  The bat-bow tie, which can be seen on the left-hand side of the photo above, was the first to complete. 

I thought about how I would make his eyes to give it a three-dimensional appearance rather than a round face.  I scrunched up newspaper, taped it to the head where I wanted the eyes, and began covering the area with paper mache.  I did the same for his mouth.

While I waited for the head to dry, I worked on Jack Skellington's suit.  I bought a long-sleeved t-shirt from Wal-Mart, turned it inside-out and drew what I wanted the suit to look like with chalk. 

I then traced the chalked-markings with a white-paint marker and acrylic paint. 

After Jack's head dried, I cut out his eyes. 

I then paper mached around the cut out areas and painted it with acrylic white paint.

After the second coat of white paint, I painted in his mouth black.

I found black handkerchief at Hobby Lobby and decided to use that for its eyes.  The work was done by early Friday morning. 

My son was excited when he tried on his costume.  He said he felt his costume would definitely win a prize a the Costume Contest.



Sure enough.  When I picked him up from YMCA, he enthusiastically waved his "MOST CREATIVE PRIZE" envelope. 

He said that when he walked into the cafeteria, his friends were yelling his name.  He felt proud. 

Dia de los Muertos

The weekend before, I took my son to Oktoberfest.  This weekend, we went to Dia de los Muertos.  Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday that celebrates and remembers the dead.  Parades, processions, and festivals celebrating Dia de los Muertos are held on the first two days of November.   

The tradition originates from Latin American indigenous cultures; although, the holiday has evolved to include other cultures as well.  A large component of the festivals include folk and modern art.  It is common to see decorated skulls and skeletons in processions along with music and fireworks in processions during the festival.
Below are some photo images taken at the Austin's Mexic-arte Museum's Dia de los Muertos event.





El Calavera



El Musico



Mural Painting



La Muerte


Sources: MEXIC-ARTE Museum; Wikipedia

GQ's choice of 25 Sexiest Women in Rock

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

In the October issue of GQ, the magazine lists The 25 Sexiest Women in Rock.  In no particular order, below is the list and their known contribution to music.  You can read more of GQ's pick and vote on their poll here. 


1. Linda Ronstadt

2. Stevie Nicks

3. Kim Gordon

4. Tina Turner

5. M.I.A.





6. Carly Simon





7. Grace Jones





8. Neko Case

9. Alexis Krauss





10. Liz Phair

11. Françoise Hardy





12. Marianne Faithfull

13. Nico

14. Fiona Apple





15. Joan Jett





16. Lauryn Hill

17. Alison Mosshart





18. Cher

19. Susanna Hoffs





20. Michelle Phillips

21. Debbie Harry

22. Chrissie Hynde

23. Chan Marshall





24. Katy Perry

25. Jenny Lewis



Source: GQ, The 25 Sexiest Women in Rock, October 2010