Monday, June 17, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
SHRPREENG BRAAKE! Review of Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers
The premiere of Spring Breakers was a little bit of Disney, a lot of Hollywood and onscreen drug fueled orgies interspliced with scenes of chicks (really young looking chicks) doing bad things.
Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers brings us the friendship of four young girls (played by Selena Gomez, Rachel Korine, Ashley Benson and Vanessa Hudgens) who find themselves too broke to afford a trip to Florida for Spring Break!
In order to get the money, the girls (sans Gomez) "rob the chicken shack." Yes, they rob the hell out of that chicken shack, and they enjoy every second of it. Wielding guns before unsuspecting patrons, asking them if they want to die tonight... Hudgen's character seems gun-obsessed, Benson's character seems unphased, and Gomez... she's as sweet as ever, with just the amount of rebellion a teenage girl in college ought to have.
Perhaps her prayer sessions make her sweeter, or perhaps Korine wants us to hate her. Gomez' Faith is a buzzkill. She's the weak link. She doesn't belong rolling with the chicks who just robbed the chicken shack. The film maker exiles Faith fairly early on in the film, shortly after they meet Franco's Alien. Her best friends stroke her hair and tell her to stay... but you know... I don't think they really care whether she stays or whether she goes.
Franco is good as Alien, but there isn't really the opportunity to be anything more. The movie isn't about the actors. It's about the film making, the music, and Spring Break! The partying does what dialogue is supposed to, and the music is as loud and thumping as you might find anywhere there is alcohol and young people.
Somehow, it really works as a medium here. If we really got to know these chicks, would it have been Spring Break at all?
Then there were two, as one of the girls (I won't say which) gets shot in the arm. The same spot you'd probably display your Mickey Mouse band-aid after a booster shot.
The gore is minimal in the film and it really isn't the point. The point is that two of our ladies really don't give a f*%& and the director proves that to us with a thrilling finale.
On the whole, the film lacks any distinct personality. But then again, wouldn't you say the same for the hoards of drunk college aged kids on Spring Break?
On the whole, I see Vanessa Hudgens as the breakout role in the film, but I think I have an affinity for bad girls in bikinis. See it if you want to see pretty young girls play with guns. If you're looking for a classic narrative or a plot, you're barking up the wrong beach.
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| (From right) Selena Gomez, Rachel Korine, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson |
Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers brings us the friendship of four young girls (played by Selena Gomez, Rachel Korine, Ashley Benson and Vanessa Hudgens) who find themselves too broke to afford a trip to Florida for Spring Break!
In order to get the money, the girls (sans Gomez) "rob the chicken shack." Yes, they rob the hell out of that chicken shack, and they enjoy every second of it. Wielding guns before unsuspecting patrons, asking them if they want to die tonight... Hudgen's character seems gun-obsessed, Benson's character seems unphased, and Gomez... she's as sweet as ever, with just the amount of rebellion a teenage girl in college ought to have.
Perhaps her prayer sessions make her sweeter, or perhaps Korine wants us to hate her. Gomez' Faith is a buzzkill. She's the weak link. She doesn't belong rolling with the chicks who just robbed the chicken shack. The film maker exiles Faith fairly early on in the film, shortly after they meet Franco's Alien. Her best friends stroke her hair and tell her to stay... but you know... I don't think they really care whether she stays or whether she goes.
Franco is good as Alien, but there isn't really the opportunity to be anything more. The movie isn't about the actors. It's about the film making, the music, and Spring Break! The partying does what dialogue is supposed to, and the music is as loud and thumping as you might find anywhere there is alcohol and young people.
Somehow, it really works as a medium here. If we really got to know these chicks, would it have been Spring Break at all?
Then there were two, as one of the girls (I won't say which) gets shot in the arm. The same spot you'd probably display your Mickey Mouse band-aid after a booster shot.
The gore is minimal in the film and it really isn't the point. The point is that two of our ladies really don't give a f*%& and the director proves that to us with a thrilling finale.
On the whole, the film lacks any distinct personality. But then again, wouldn't you say the same for the hoards of drunk college aged kids on Spring Break?
On the whole, I see Vanessa Hudgens as the breakout role in the film, but I think I have an affinity for bad girls in bikinis. See it if you want to see pretty young girls play with guns. If you're looking for a classic narrative or a plot, you're barking up the wrong beach.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
The Free Way To Improve Recording Ability
Untangle all the cords.
Seriously. I've been recording a lot lately and I've noticed that I make mistakes FAR more frequently when cords are tangled.
Everything should be comfortably set. Your headphones should be on comfortably and you shouldn't be fighting resistance. Your computer should be placed on a flat surface, and there shouldn't be any knots in the microphone cord, either.
Remember that being in good health is also a necessity!
Feng Shui!
 |
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Recording Studio |
Everything should be comfortably set. Your headphones should be on comfortably and you shouldn't be fighting resistance. Your computer should be placed on a flat surface, and there shouldn't be any knots in the microphone cord, either.
Remember that being in good health is also a necessity!
Feng Shui!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Keyboard Recommendation: Casio Privia
I have an old version of the Casio Privia (px-120) and I've had it for years. It's got awesome weighted keys that are really comfortable to play. I am a guy who love to play a real piano, but I really love my privia. This one is newer than mine, but I've played the new Privia's and I've read they just have better software.
Easy Midi Hookup. I've had troubles with mine, you have to go to Casio and download the drivers if need be. www.casio.com
Still, for good acoustic sound and affordability, I recommend the Casio Privia.
Easy Midi Hookup. I've had troubles with mine, you have to go to Casio and download the drivers if need be. www.casio.com
Still, for good acoustic sound and affordability, I recommend the Casio Privia.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Todd Michael Schultz - I Need You Baby
Take hold of me
I need to see
That I'm in this game
For only me
Cause I know that we
Have got more than we will ever need
And everytime I find myself in a bind
I see that I need you baby
Th eonly one I'll take advice from
I know I need you baby
And everytime I feel you in my dreams
I know you're watching me
And I need you baby
You don't have to whisper
You don't have to speak
Speak the words with force
Say what you think
And everytime I find myself in a bind
I see that I need you baby
Th eonly one I'll take advice from
I know I need you baby
And everytime I feel you in my dreams
I know you're watching me
And I need you baby
There may be something in the water
Or something in my head
But I can't make this any longer
Without your help
And everytime I find myself in a bind
I see that I need you baby
Th eonly one I'll take advice from
I know I need you baby
And everytime I feel you in my dreams
I know you're watching me
And I need you baby
I need to see
That I'm in this game
For only me
Cause I know that we
Have got more than we will ever need
And everytime I find myself in a bind
I see that I need you baby
Th eonly one I'll take advice from
I know I need you baby
And everytime I feel you in my dreams
I know you're watching me
And I need you baby
You don't have to whisper
You don't have to speak
Speak the words with force
Say what you think
And everytime I find myself in a bind
I see that I need you baby
Th eonly one I'll take advice from
I know I need you baby
And everytime I feel you in my dreams
I know you're watching me
And I need you baby
There may be something in the water
Or something in my head
But I can't make this any longer
Without your help
And everytime I find myself in a bind
I see that I need you baby
Th eonly one I'll take advice from
I know I need you baby
And everytime I feel you in my dreams
I know you're watching me
And I need you baby
Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
I listened to the entire album today in the car. Loved it.
Frank Ocean is one of the generation's most perfect singers. He seems to ride the vocal scale as fluid as he raps and sings about the blunt realities facing "Super Rich Kids".
Being from an upper-middle class suburb, I really related to that song. A lot of the situations, including one in which he describes children, or young people, doing drugs while the "help" is around, cause "they don't stare" like other company.
The harmonies become pretty infectious, and the album is a smooth listen. I heard a lot of Michael Jackson "Thriller" influences (think "Human Nature")
The lead track off the album, "Thinkin' Bout You", has one of the craziest and coolest music video accompaniments of the moment. If it weren't for some of the production values (though they could easily be intentional), and *Spoiler Alert
Ocean's utter absence in the video
I would have probably been a bit more engaged. I haven't seen too much TV coverage of Ocean speaking. Is that just me?
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Blue's Yeti Microphone: Great Price, Great Value
If you're looking for a microphone for around 100 bucks, this is your guy. This microphone has brought me so much happiness. The sound is great, the deal was great, and it works like a charm.Record singing, podcasts, or anything with this studio quality microphone that literally plugs right into your USB port... you don't even need an interface. This cuts that out of the process for me. Make great tracks, write a great podcast, whatever you do, make it great.
I can't stress enough how a good microphone like this will help your music. If you're using your internal mic on your mac right now, click here and make that leap!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Todd Michael Schultz - Hallelujah (Cover)
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Well I heard there
was a secret chord
that David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well it goes like this:
The fourth, the fifth,
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor (you know)
I used to live alone before I knew you
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
and love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me, do you?
But remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
 |
| YOLO |
that David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well it goes like this:
The fourth, the fifth,
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor (you know)
I used to live alone before I knew you
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
and love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me, do you?
But remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Writing Songs
Writing songs is one of the most fulfilling hobbies I have. It always starts with a yearning for a great melody. There's something very physical about finding a great part for a song. There's usually a part in every song, often times it is the chorus, that is the most fun to play. Period. There is a part in a song that is most fun to sing, and if you can hear it, the performer can, too (provided the microphone is set up). I like to think it's these moments that get people writing and performing music in the first place.
Get Todd Michael Schultz's "Make It Out Alive" on iTunes for .99 cents!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Any Musicians?
Anybody have any music they want to see on Todd & Tunes? Just email
bloggeradmin@toddandtunes.com
Subject: Request
Tell me what you want to hear or see and why. I'll post it here, and tweet about it several times to over a thousand people on both Facebook and Twitter. You might even end up in a reddit post I make!
bloggeradmin@toddandtunes.com
Subject: Request
Tell me what you want to hear or see and why. I'll post it here, and tweet about it several times to over a thousand people on both Facebook and Twitter. You might even end up in a reddit post I make!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Todd Michael Schultz - Make It Out Alive
I really enjoyed writing this song. It's a great song to practice singing, too.
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