December 1, 2010

For better or worse, Apple has changed how we access and interact with music.  Almost everyone has an opinion on the relative good or evil involved…but the indelible fact is that when molds are broken, experiments begin and new ideas take shape.

Aside from the rising popularity of vinyl records, one of the finest by-products to emerge from Apple’s digital conquest is the podcast.

Kevin Smallwood on Truth & Soul Radio

Since their inception, I’ve privately refused to enjoy “podcasts”. Now that I’m writing this, let me state as a matter of fact: I privately refuse to enjoy podcasts. Call me a hater – but personally, the art is too difficult to access. First, the single track format kills the listening experience. I suppose that statement makes me product of my generation but lets face it, there’s a lot of crap out there and the fast-forward button is an extremely undervalued commodity.

The second characteristic I have a tough time with is the “DJ” that walks me through the music. By loose definition, this nuance destroys the concept of discovery, doesn’t it? It has always reminded me of being on a road trip with a guy (or girl) interjecting their personal narrative between the tracks of their Awesome Mix – Vol. 6. It’s not like a radio DJ who serves more as a customer service representative. These Pod-J’s(?) essentially make you hear songs their way and there’s a bit of guilt trip if you want to fast forward, as if you’d miss full enlightenment by skipping tracks.

READ ON for more from Three Grown Men on podcasts…

The 30 Days of Dead program wrapped up recently at Dead.net and if you missed out on downloading any of the 30 tracks from the Grateful Dead vault that were

Earlier this week, we ran HT Photo Editor Jeremy Gordon’s recap and photos from what were thought to be The Radiators’ last performances in New York City. Turns out the

God Street Wine guitarists Lo Faber and Aaron Maxwell have been keeping busy over the last few months by performing together on acoustics around the NYC region. The pair have

To be honest, I’m surprised it took me five or so columns of Postcards From Page Side to write about not only one of my personal favorite musicians, but a man whose dedication to his craft is unlike anything I have ever witnessed. A true “musician’s musician,” as he’s been called, “an unknown legend” as a CNN interview dubbed him, and a master of his plethora of axes and student of music itself, it’s no wonder why even Jerry Garcia once dubbed him one of his favorite unknown guitar players, opening the eyes and ears of a different audience to the world that is STEVE KIMOCK.

I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Kimock a few times over the years, and in different settings such as Jam Cruise, or over a glass of red wine backstage – which much like his playing, makes you appreciate patience and maturity to gain the full effect. I’ve also worked for him for HeadCount as his Artist Rep, and having done other small work for his camp and led street team efforts. If there’s one thing I’ve learned is the man loves to talk not only music, but about his gear and the nuiances and intricacies of improvisation – something that he is clearly a pioneer of (he’s been playing for 40+ years, maybe more), and makes sound so effortless.

Besides technical efficiency, which is almost anti-rock star in methodology, Kimock takes pride in tone and draws and blends together on all sorts of genres from jazz, to middle eastern, to rock and everything in between. He has played with some “main” bands over the years, most notably Zero, KVHW, was part of the legendary Phil & Friends lineup in ’99 (and beyond for a spell), a few incarnations of The Steve Kimock Band and most recently Praang and Crazy Engine.

READ ON for more of this week’s Postcards From Page Side…