Pet Project

Once I get around to it I'll be remixing the latest Nine Inch Nails single "Only." Much like he did with the first single from With Teeth, Trent's released the complete master recording tracks for the song, except this time in a format other than Garage Band only. Once I download Sony's Acid software and quit my stucco job, I'll probably start working on it. Too bad I'm completely unfamiliar with the software and I've never remixed before.

Still, I have ideas. The original has some interesting drum and synth loops with a definite disco feel that I'll likely want to play with. I'll probably isolate the high hat loop and focus on it, but that's about as far as I've gotten so far in the planning. Maybe attach sort of a sine wave pattern to the organ loop if Acid allows it. Lighten the guitar. All in all, this should give it a very Mogwai feel. The real problem, of course, is the same one I've always had with Reznor's work; the lyrics. Great sound, but a little too melodramatic for me. Chances are I'll just eliminate lines like "I just made you up / to hurt myself." The following lines are pretty good, so I'll likely overdub and layer them. Hotness.

This is going to be such a trainwreck.

How do you live? How do you live?

This morning Global News: Morning Edition did a report on the new Harry Potter book release this weekend. The piece explained the 12:01 release this Saturday, the offer from the publisher to a few customers who were accidentally given copies to keep the plot secret, and focussed on the factoid that the book has been topping bestseller lists since presales started several months ago. Following the report, the anchors chatted about the book and Andrea Engel, never the quickest person on the broadcast, asked the following: How were the publishers able to ensure no plot leaks from the book if so many people had bought their copies months ago on the internet and in store?

Wow.

I mean, wow. This definitely tops forgetting to turn her microphone on and doing a whole broadcast anyway.

You know you're a bit of a music geek when...

...You find yourself discussing the arrangement and chord changes of a remix on a music blog.

And I still prefer Reznor's original to the DFA remix.

T-minus...

Friday kicked off a very important period for me: my last month working construction. By the end of July, weather permitting, I will have more than enough money for university tuition and books. This is a huge relief, since I've basically been running myself ragged with my sleep schedule for the last year. This is what I have planned for the last month before school:

-August 1-6th: Work sparingly at the IGA, only in afternoons and evenings. Catch up on sleep.
-August 7th: FolkFest
-August 8th-9th or 10th: Laser eye surgery and recovery
-August 14th at the latest (likely): Help Jessie move out. Have margaritas aplenty
-August 15th-30th: Work at the IGA lots to get some spare cash
-August 31st: Eye checkup with Dr. Tennant.
-September 1st (if not August 31st): Invasive eye surgery
-September 2nd-6th: Recovery

At some point during this period I'll buy the second season of The OC on DVD, some new clothes, and replace the needle on my record player (or just the player itself). This will be followed by a few days spent in my bedroom curled up in the corner with the lights off and the blinds shut, listening to music.

While we're on the subject of vinyl, I really wouldn't argue with somebody buying me the new limited edition first pressing of the PAS/CAL and La Laque's split 12" EP. It's available here. Pretty please.