Download: Grum - "Runaway" + rad new technology

This is Grum and he is rad.  We've seen him live--once.  It was his US debut and it was in Brooklyn and it tore our minds up for a little while.  Grum also has a debut record coming out soon (finally) and the lead single and album's first track, "Runaway", is radio and dancefloor ready, blistering with woozy synths and subdued bass.  And, well, to get to the point of all of this, he's made his new record's artwork into a 2D barcode that looks like this.  Now, why are we telling you this?  Well, because, if you take a picture of the artwork with your mobile phone using any one of three new pieces of software: http://reader.kaywa.com/, http://www.neoreader.com/ or http://www.beetagg.com/, you can instantly listen to high quality streams of his music, with the option to buy there and then.  Which is so forward-thinking (much like his music), it's nearly beyond our comprehension.  So go forth and download the software, listen to the streams and destroy yourselves.

(mp3)    Grum - Runaway

Godspeed!

Tech: Columbia comp sci professor invents nightlife GPS

Jebara’s creation, Citysense, uses advanced machine learning techniques to number crunch vast amounts of data emanating from thousands of cell-phones, GPS-equipped cabs and other data devices to paint live pictures of where people are gathering.  Fed to websites such as Google or Yelp, the data reveals what’s happening at any location. Translation: if you have a Blackberry, you have instant 411 on where the cool folks are. Or, are not. (An iPhone version is coming). The technology can also show if your favorite commute route is backed up and possibly offer alternative ones. Other applications abound.

Right now, the application is only tracking for San Francisco, but we think it's only a matter of time before more douche-y kids with BlackBerry's are finding out all of the top spots, thereby ruining it forever.  And for everyone.  This is like when Pat Boone did "Tutti Frutti" or b-boys became instructors for out-of-touch white folks (see above).  All your bass are belong to douche?

(mp3)    Maritime - Aren't We All Found Out

Godspeed!

Video: This Cingular AT&T ad brought to you by Ryan Adams's broken heart

We really feel for you dude, but seriously, we're beginning to wonder if you're okay.  We mean, sure, it's been a well publicized and scrutinized time for you since that Jessica Joffe character broke up with you and then subsequently blocked all of your emails.  It's even worse that she was once affiliated with Gawker, so dude you know they're all up on this shit, too.  But now, dude, your whole rambling-weirdo-singer-songwriter-New-Yorker-guy-who-likes-the-Internet video thing has to stop.  And really, for your own good.  We love you and think that you're maybe a genius, so it saddens us that you're in a bad way.  Truly.  We'd like to help, but you have to take the time to sit this whole media-saturated thing out.  Take a vacation or something.  For real.  Get some sun on them weary bones of yours.

We don't want to jump to conclusions and say that this ad isn't just some awkwardly-timed (amazing, right?) masterpiece of hopeful thoughts on your part for the woman you care deeply for (and who's been attributed as THE factor who pulled you from addiction hell), but it would totally make sense if it wasn't just a coincidence.  Could it be a clever ploy on the part of Adams to let AT&T use this song?  Especially since it's for a Valentine's Day advertisement?  We think yes.  What do you think?

(mp3)    Gonna Make You Love Me

Godspeed!

News: Things we didn't know were illegal, now maybe legal.

(credit)

According to the NME, the commonplace practice of burning CDs for your friends, making mixtapes, transferring CDs to your mp3 devices, etc. has been against the law for some time in the UK.  News to us, that's for sure.  But this may soon change and become, um, I don't know, less ridiculous of an offense.  According to the music mag:

Although it is a widespread practice among music fans, it is currently illegal to make a copy of a copyrighted CD.

It is technically illegal to transfer files from a CD to MP3 players such as iPods, too.

New government proposals suggest that music fans should be able to make copies for personal use, but giving away or selling copies would still be against the law, as would uploading music onto the internet, BBC News reports.

The British Phonographic Industry has supported the move, but has warned against making changes that could damage the rights of record companies.

God forbid we even approach changing the rights of the big business record companies.  Those guys can't possibly afford to have tighter pockets.

(mp3)    Field Mice - Burning World

Godspeed!

Fashion: Peaches, Scissor Sisters design custom cell phones for Designers Against Aids

Boys totally want to be her.  In a special Christmas charity move, our favorite motherfucker, Merrill Nisker, has gone and designed a cellular phone that you can bid your little electroclash-loving heart out on.  Or, you can just pay the suggested retail price of 150 Euros.

Anyways, the singer is joined by street artist André aka Monsieur A, Scissor Sisters, designer Bernhard Willhelm and the fashion label Noir customized a range of cell phones for a good cause. The theme for the design was an individual interpretation of their home country. Canada, France, USA, Germany and Denmark are now mirrored on the cell phones.  All netted proceeds from the sale of the collection pieces will be used for projects that increase awareness of HIV/AIDS among young people in industrialized countries.

Go here to bid and buy.

(mp3)    Rock the Shocker

Godspeed!

News: FU Guitar Hero. This here's a Gibson that tunes itself.

Beat that, Slash-styled guitar controller thing.  Now, we're not one's for blasphemy, but this shit makes Moses's staff (you know, that parted the Red Sea?) look like a piccolo by comparison.  Word.

Well, shortly, what's it all about? The Gibson Robot sports and onboard special CPU that can determine the pitch of each string and can drive the motorized tuners so that the necessary pitch adjustments are made. Besides the classic control knobs on the guitar, a special push-pull-press LED-equipped knob is installed and it will let you choose from the different tunings and other functions.

The Gibson Robot will ease things up for you not only as far as tuning is concerned but will help you even as you change the strings. Just pull off the tuner, insert the string and cut the "whiskers" then push back the piece and select the desired operation from the special multi-functional knob; pluck the string and the CPU will drive the tuning post up to the needed pitch! No matter how out of tune your guitar may be, push the multi-function knob, twist it so the desired tuning mode is LED-lit, strum and see your Robot tuning up itself in no time.

You can get your hands on the Robot in select stores December 7 in a first run limited edition, only 10 per store, kind of way.  So get there now and camp out at your local Sam Ash, Guitar Center or whatever.  Also, you can peep the owner's manual (for all of your fretting, get it!), here.  For those about to rock...you know the rest.

(mp3)    Sonic Youth - Kool Thing, from the Goo LP

Godspeed!

News: David Gilmour links with Verizon V Cast for Remember That Night exclusive tracks

Actual summation of pitch meeting for this idea: "Now that's the spirit guys!  How do we make ourselves look cool to the teen market?  We offer them exclusives from Pink Floyd's David Gilmour.  I mean, kids still watch 'The Wizard of Oz' with Dark Side of the Moon when they're stoned, right?  Right?

In support of the launch of David Gilmour's new DVD Remember That Night -- Live At The Royal Albert Hall, Verizon Wireless will launch a new mobile marketing program promoting the new release. As part of the program, interactive MMS video messages will be sent to customers to promote each of the exclusive songs, as well as David Gilmour's new DVD.  This new mobile marketing program will encourage fans to interact, download, and stay connected to V CAST Music.

"We are honored to be the first digital music service to deliver these memorable live David Gilmour performances and share this legendary music with an intrinsically mobile generation of fans," said Ed Ruth, director of digital music for Verizon Wireless.

David Gilmour said, "I am pleased to be able to use new mobile technologies to let people know about my new performances. Hopefully this exposure will encourage music fans to discover some of the other great stuff on Remember That Night as well."

The exclusive tracks, all available to Verizon Wireless customers (it's the network, right?), are: "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (available now through Dec 6), "Wish You Were Here" (available Dec 7 through Dec 27) and "Comfortably Numb" (available Dec 28 through Jan 18).

(mp3)    Pink Floyd - Breathe in the Air, from the Dark Side of the Moon LP

Godspeed!

Video: Pontiac taps Silversun Pickups for G6 pimping

Recent indie blog darlings and inductees in MTV's "Artist of the Week" thing (and let's face it, these days, just to have MTV play snippets of songs and videos is pretty damn cool), Silversun Pickups have been tapped by the good (?) folks at Pontiac for their latest ad campaign for the 2008 G6 coupe.  The song is "Well Thought Out Twinkles", from last year's dynamite LP, Carnavas.

(mp3)    Carol Bui - Quan Am, from the Everyone Wore White LP

Godspeed!

News: Coming to a credit card near you (UK): Lily Allen, Athlete, The Thrills and Supergrass

In an EMI press release from Tuesday:

In an exclusive and first of its kind deal with NatWest and EMI Music UK & Ireland, label artists including Lily Allen, Athlete, The Thrills and Supergrass are allowing their album artwork to be used on chip and PIN cards for teenagers.

Holders of the NatWest Adapt account can log-on to the account website to customise their chip and PIN card with an image of their choice. 

The account, open to 11-18 year olds, has an extensive library of images to choose from, including current album artwork as well as some of EMI’s iconic label logos, including Parlophone, Positiva and NOW! Further album covers from the music label are to be added shortly with account holders also able to upload their own photographs to use as the card design.

Mark Worthington, NatWest Head of Youth Banking “Along with personalising phone ringtones, Facebook pages and clothes, now young people can show their individuality by putting a favourite image on their bankcard, making having a current account more fun.”

Giles Harris, EMI Music Head of Music & Brands “We’re thrilled to be working with NatWest and particularly with their Adapt account holders. EMI has been behind some of the most eye-catching and memorable album covers, and it’s great that with this account young people have the opportunity to carry them around with them wherever they go.”'

(mp3)    Athlete - Airport Disco

(mp3)    The Thrills - Good Intentions Rust

Godspeed!

CSS declares "Music is My Hot Hot Sex" for the iPod touch

(mp3)    CSS - Music is My Hot Hot Sex, from the CSS LP

Godspeed!