After a very long time, I visited an online drum forum and there was an interesting discussion about the state of the music industry.
You know how the saying goes, “they don't make X like they used to anymore”? (X can be anything, including women, but that's for another day). Well they bloody well do not make music like they used to anymore. What with the influx of good looking but untalented supposed “musicians” getting shitloads of airplay. If Paris Hilton can record an album and sell it, which she actually did, that says a lot about the state of the music industry nowadays.
Most of this can be blamed entirely on record labels. These money minded corporate machines only think of profits, and therefore the quality of music is lost somewhere between a band like Tool, talented bunch of guys who do not get much airplay and Justin Bieber who I can honestly say has not, will not and can never hold a candle to a band like Tool. The big 4 corporations; Sony, Universal, EMI and Warner, collectively control about 70% of the world's music which means basically almost everyone you hear on radio is signed to these labels. These labels take control of the image, music and the marketing of an artiste to maximise their annual earnings. The next time you see Justin Bieber with a new haircut or Lady Gaga wearing fishes as a dress, know that it was a job by the labels. The Westlife line up you know now? Yea, that's Simon Cowell's work.
To be fair to these labels, they run a business, and like every businessperson, they want to make money. But these monsters (I wish I could swear) do that at the expense of quality and regurgitate quantities of utter bullcrap. Not forgetting they also buy over smaller, independent labels that they think might be a threat to their business. Kinda like how the Mafia works. Yes, the music industry is a hazardous one, kill or be killed. Even established independent labels like Roadrunner Records (a label that caters to metal music) tend to at least co-operate with the bigger labels so as to boost their artistes' profile. Not only that, sometimes these labels also screw over their clients in ways such as not paying royalties, so yea, monsters does not cut it.
The only way this can be solved is to find the balance between money and creativity. Some labels like Roadrunner Records have successfully maintained the balance between making money and nurturing creativity. For all you know, if the bigger labels find the balance, Justin Bieber and Rebecca Friday might actually be able to sing.
Rock on.
Sticks
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Monday, 25 April 2011
Mittal vs. The Williams
Last week at work, I was assigned to find a picture of the infamous Mittal wedding. Unashamedly, I didn't know who or what Mittal was, so I proceeded to Google him. Lakshmi Mittal is the owner of the largest steel-making company in the world. He is also presently the sixth-richest person in the world. His personal wealth is valued at $US31.1 billion. I'm not exactly good at math, but that sounds like a huge amount of money for one person.
Not to fret though, he was generous enough to spend approximately $US55 million on his daughter's wedding - reportedly the most expensive wedding ever recorded in the history of the world. I'd keep my eye out on Forbes in the next week though - apparently the highly anticipated Royal wedding is set to break the mold, and Mittal's extravagant wedding might serve well as a measuring device - whoever spends the most money won't lose face in the Forbes community. And mind you, Indians have a lot of pride and hate to lose face, especially not to some pretty white boy from Wales.
Here is the top 10 list of things Lakshmi Mittal can do to outdo Prince William and the Middleton.
10. Build a 60,000 seat stadium in London and call it Mittal's. This will also make the crown prince of Abu Dhabi's 20,000-seat stadium built for his marriage to the Princess look like child's play.
9. Arrive everywhere in a hybrid Hummer, a la Arnold Schwarzenegger c.1992. Top that you dirty English bugger in your horse-drawn carriage.
8. Invite Isaac Tigrett to the house and get all the dirt on the next avatar of Sathya Sai Baba. Proceed to leak it to the Indian newspapers.
7. Buy over an English football team and make bad decisions.
6. Put the Taj Mittal on eBay and watch people place their bids. When questioned, shrug and say "I was bored."
5. Catch the Bieber fever and boycott the Royal Wedding fever. If the Americans think Justin Beiber is good-looking, they probably don't fancy English lads.
4. Help Black Sabbath sneak past security and get a mosh pit going next to The Choir of Westminister Abbey.
3. Call up Colin Bleasedale and offer him money to make the world's most expensive sorbet, for summer parties.
2. Find out where they're making the ridiculously expensive hats and stick toilet paper in them.
and the number 1. way to top Prince William's Royal wedding -
1. Show up at the Royal wedding with a t-shirt that says "I have more friends on Facebook."
Not to fret though, he was generous enough to spend approximately $US55 million on his daughter's wedding - reportedly the most expensive wedding ever recorded in the history of the world. I'd keep my eye out on Forbes in the next week though - apparently the highly anticipated Royal wedding is set to break the mold, and Mittal's extravagant wedding might serve well as a measuring device - whoever spends the most money won't lose face in the Forbes community. And mind you, Indians have a lot of pride and hate to lose face, especially not to some pretty white boy from Wales.
Here is the top 10 list of things Lakshmi Mittal can do to outdo Prince William and the Middleton.
10. Build a 60,000 seat stadium in London and call it Mittal's. This will also make the crown prince of Abu Dhabi's 20,000-seat stadium built for his marriage to the Princess look like child's play.
9. Arrive everywhere in a hybrid Hummer, a la Arnold Schwarzenegger c.1992. Top that you dirty English bugger in your horse-drawn carriage.
8. Invite Isaac Tigrett to the house and get all the dirt on the next avatar of Sathya Sai Baba. Proceed to leak it to the Indian newspapers.
7. Buy over an English football team and make bad decisions.
6. Put the Taj Mittal on eBay and watch people place their bids. When questioned, shrug and say "I was bored."
5. Catch the Bieber fever and boycott the Royal Wedding fever. If the Americans think Justin Beiber is good-looking, they probably don't fancy English lads.
4. Help Black Sabbath sneak past security and get a mosh pit going next to The Choir of Westminister Abbey.
3. Call up Colin Bleasedale and offer him money to make the world's most expensive sorbet, for summer parties.
2. Find out where they're making the ridiculously expensive hats and stick toilet paper in them.
and the number 1. way to top Prince William's Royal wedding -
1. Show up at the Royal wedding with a t-shirt that says "I have more friends on Facebook."
Green in Perth
My first thought once exiting the Perth International Airport was: “Where is everybody?” I genuinely thought that maybe, I had arrived in the middle of a shooting for a zombie movie. One could literally hear the chirping of the crickets. Before making my way out, I had been rudely robbed of my precious 3-in-1 Nescafe coffee sachets and a carton of cigarettes. I paid the required fine for the carton because I couldn’t bear to part with my last ray of hope And apparently, those tiny bags of coffee powder have the potential to devastate Perth’s agricultural industry. I felt like my world had ended; what exactly, was I going to do without instant coffee? Fresh out of Mom and Dad’s shadow and emerging into the strong ozone layer-less Perth sunshine, I blinked like a newborn and tried not to cry my eyes out.
I watched in awe, once in the comfort of a friends’ house, as my housemates effortlessly produced meals out of jars. Creamy butter chicken appeared in front of me (from a jar but hey it was good!) and I ate voraciously, my appetite intensified with homesickness and the shock of a new culture. My first day at tutorials was stimulating and I managed to get past the awkwardness of small talk. My classmate turned to me and said, “So hey, a bunch of us are going to the tavern. Want to join?”
I blinked at him and stupidly pointed out the fact that it was 10.30a.m. He shrugged and said it was never too early for a beer. My eyes must have widened because the poor guy backed away and ran to catch up with his friends, leaving me with my mouth hanging open. Alcohol before breakfast seemed to be the norm for the students at Murdoch University and I had to learn to make variations of the joke that I couldn’t stomach orange juice at that hour so how was I supposed to hold down a pint of beer?
Then there was panic when I saw the way Australian girls dressed. I was confused at first, thinking perhaps that maybe some of them couldn’t afford clothes because they seemed to be always partially-clothed. I thought to myself that if Murdoch culture required me to have cleavage, then I should think about applying elsewhere. Surely people didn’t expect that I pull down my top and reveal my underwear to public?
And don’t get me started on the people that I saw walking around barefoot. I felt sad, thinking that maybe this state wasn’t as rich as I believed it to be if everyone walked around missing vital items of clothing! But then I learnt the price of my fees. And rent. And groceries. And daily essentials, like soap. Or the price of having a decent meal out. And I cried my eyes out, thinking about poor Dad, sending me to a country that he thought was going to give me a bright future, but really were full of people walking around without clothes and shoes!
I took comfort in going to the little Asian shop down at Kardinya. It was familiar, seeing brands I recognized and food I missed from back home. As the petite man packed my stuff, he gave me a huge smile and said “Cheers mate.” I was traumatized. He was Chinese.
Fast forward a year and I have to look back and laugh. I don’t think I have yet to utter the infamous “Cheers mate” line but I don’t feel as out of place as I used to. I might not start drinking before I brush my teeth, and I may not enjoy showing a lot of skin but I have started to really like it in this pretty state and I wouldn’t mind settling here (on second thoughts, I don’t know what I’d do if my children started talking with an Australian accent). Maybe I’ll consider England simply because the accents are sexier.
I watched in awe, once in the comfort of a friends’ house, as my housemates effortlessly produced meals out of jars. Creamy butter chicken appeared in front of me (from a jar but hey it was good!) and I ate voraciously, my appetite intensified with homesickness and the shock of a new culture. My first day at tutorials was stimulating and I managed to get past the awkwardness of small talk. My classmate turned to me and said, “So hey, a bunch of us are going to the tavern. Want to join?”
I blinked at him and stupidly pointed out the fact that it was 10.30a.m. He shrugged and said it was never too early for a beer. My eyes must have widened because the poor guy backed away and ran to catch up with his friends, leaving me with my mouth hanging open. Alcohol before breakfast seemed to be the norm for the students at Murdoch University and I had to learn to make variations of the joke that I couldn’t stomach orange juice at that hour so how was I supposed to hold down a pint of beer?
Then there was panic when I saw the way Australian girls dressed. I was confused at first, thinking perhaps that maybe some of them couldn’t afford clothes because they seemed to be always partially-clothed. I thought to myself that if Murdoch culture required me to have cleavage, then I should think about applying elsewhere. Surely people didn’t expect that I pull down my top and reveal my underwear to public?
And don’t get me started on the people that I saw walking around barefoot. I felt sad, thinking that maybe this state wasn’t as rich as I believed it to be if everyone walked around missing vital items of clothing! But then I learnt the price of my fees. And rent. And groceries. And daily essentials, like soap. Or the price of having a decent meal out. And I cried my eyes out, thinking about poor Dad, sending me to a country that he thought was going to give me a bright future, but really were full of people walking around without clothes and shoes!
I took comfort in going to the little Asian shop down at Kardinya. It was familiar, seeing brands I recognized and food I missed from back home. As the petite man packed my stuff, he gave me a huge smile and said “Cheers mate.” I was traumatized. He was Chinese.
Fast forward a year and I have to look back and laugh. I don’t think I have yet to utter the infamous “Cheers mate” line but I don’t feel as out of place as I used to. I might not start drinking before I brush my teeth, and I may not enjoy showing a lot of skin but I have started to really like it in this pretty state and I wouldn’t mind settling here (on second thoughts, I don’t know what I’d do if my children started talking with an Australian accent). Maybe I’ll consider England simply because the accents are sexier.
Friday, 15 April 2011
De-Stress Yourself!
Everyday, we face stress. From the time we wake up till the time we close our eyes at night, we face stress in one way or another. As working adults, the moment we wake up, the clock starts ticking and we literally go through a personal rush hour in getting ready for work and to work. Once we’re on the road, we face the jam stress and once we’re at work, we face the various other stressors at work. On the way home from work, we once again face the mad traffic jams and by the time we reach home, we are completely stressed out! The helpless feeling we face by not being able to control how stress affects us will in the end impact on our systems negatively, be it mentally or physically. And so I say to you, take control of your stressors! Do yourself a favour and de-stress yourself! Here are a few easy steps that could help you tremendously throughout your day.
1. What you are is what you eat.
Let’s face it, most of us love to eat. We live in a country surrounded by a variety of food sources available to us 24-7. However, this is where we have to take precaution. We may not realise this but a good nutritional diet plays a huge part in combating stress. In stressful circumstances, vital nutrients that help to battle stress are quickly depleted. Therefore we have to constantly replace these vital nutrients by eating a healthy diet.
Good nutrition supports the adrenal glands, which greatly helps in your battle against stress. Stress shrinks your adrenal glands, and a healthy diet helps to maintain good adrenal function. Your diet should consist of the following:
Whole grains and high fiber food
Beans and legumes
Fruits and vegetables
Moderate amount of lean meat
Low fat dairy products
Fish
Nuts, seeds and their oil
Also in response to stress, our bodies start to crave for certain addictive “stuffs” which are supposed to maintain the stress levels in your body. These include smoking, caffeine, alcohol, sweets and salt. Try and avoid these at all costs! Have you seen people who are heartbroken? The first things they zone on are chocolates!
2. Stretch those muscles!
Wake up in the morning, stretch! Feeling stressed? Stretch. It will do you a world of good! Stretching relaxes tight, tense muscles that often accompany stress.
3. A cuppa tea?
Tea, whether black or white, helps. Studies from the University College of London have shown that people who drink black tea before engaging in a stressful task perform better than those who don’t do so. This is because their cortisol levels (which is the steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands) drops.
4. Indulge in some time-out!
Be it Facebook or YouTube, just take some time out from work or from your studies for a few minutes. Facebook time-outs are usually overlooked by employers as they understand the need for their employees to de-stress for awhile. That little joy in conversing with friends over a favourite network can greatly de-stress a person. Watching a few funny videos and laughing or listening to soothing songs on YouTube will decrease the levels of stress.
5. Vent out your frustrations.
Sometimes it’s good to talk to friends or colleagues and vent out your frustration. It’s ok to depend on others for emotional support. This is considered healthy. Repressing your emotions can impact negatively on you emotionally. If it helps you more to blow of some steam, then go to a private corner and just say #*%$ it! Try not to do so in the company of other people or children, of course. But yes, sometimes swearing privately does help.
6. Retail Therapy!
Indulge yourself in some shopping! Sometimes pampering yourself is a good way of saying bye to stress. According to most women, going on a shopping spree in stress mode is therapeutic because they start feeling good by buying things they fancy without a list
So folks, change the way stress affects your life and take control. These few tips may help you greatly in your endeavours to battle your stressors in life. Good luck!
1. What you are is what you eat.
Let’s face it, most of us love to eat. We live in a country surrounded by a variety of food sources available to us 24-7. However, this is where we have to take precaution. We may not realise this but a good nutritional diet plays a huge part in combating stress. In stressful circumstances, vital nutrients that help to battle stress are quickly depleted. Therefore we have to constantly replace these vital nutrients by eating a healthy diet.
Good nutrition supports the adrenal glands, which greatly helps in your battle against stress. Stress shrinks your adrenal glands, and a healthy diet helps to maintain good adrenal function. Your diet should consist of the following:
Whole grains and high fiber food
Beans and legumes
Fruits and vegetables
Moderate amount of lean meat
Low fat dairy products
Fish
Nuts, seeds and their oil
Also in response to stress, our bodies start to crave for certain addictive “stuffs” which are supposed to maintain the stress levels in your body. These include smoking, caffeine, alcohol, sweets and salt. Try and avoid these at all costs! Have you seen people who are heartbroken? The first things they zone on are chocolates!
2. Stretch those muscles!
Wake up in the morning, stretch! Feeling stressed? Stretch. It will do you a world of good! Stretching relaxes tight, tense muscles that often accompany stress.
3. A cuppa tea?
Tea, whether black or white, helps. Studies from the University College of London have shown that people who drink black tea before engaging in a stressful task perform better than those who don’t do so. This is because their cortisol levels (which is the steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands) drops.
4. Indulge in some time-out!
Be it Facebook or YouTube, just take some time out from work or from your studies for a few minutes. Facebook time-outs are usually overlooked by employers as they understand the need for their employees to de-stress for awhile. That little joy in conversing with friends over a favourite network can greatly de-stress a person. Watching a few funny videos and laughing or listening to soothing songs on YouTube will decrease the levels of stress.
5. Vent out your frustrations.
Sometimes it’s good to talk to friends or colleagues and vent out your frustration. It’s ok to depend on others for emotional support. This is considered healthy. Repressing your emotions can impact negatively on you emotionally. If it helps you more to blow of some steam, then go to a private corner and just say #*%$ it! Try not to do so in the company of other people or children, of course. But yes, sometimes swearing privately does help.
6. Retail Therapy!
Indulge yourself in some shopping! Sometimes pampering yourself is a good way of saying bye to stress. According to most women, going on a shopping spree in stress mode is therapeutic because they start feeling good by buying things they fancy without a list
So folks, change the way stress affects your life and take control. These few tips may help you greatly in your endeavours to battle your stressors in life. Good luck!
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