...ahhh its love at first sight!
Recently I have discovered how I can define my favorite bands. I mean it can be as simple as the fact that I like them best out of all the music that’s out there, but if you put some time into how it is personally definitive to you, you can have some fun. I’ve realized that my favorite bands are comprised of musicians that have gotten me to look and listen to music in an entirely new way. New ways that I could never have imagined without these minds. And I know we call it a top five, but right now I am stuck with just four. One of which is the Velvet Underground.
I’ve never discovered a band from an era that I thought I knew so well so late in the game. The Velvet Undeground is responsible for a lot of musical genres, movements, experimentation and adventures. People call them the first punk band. Their earlier records feature John Cale’s electric Viola droning in and out in sync with the guitars. They can appeal to everyone if you keep your mind open enough and give them a chance. I knew about them forever because they always ranked in the “…greatest of all time” lists. But I think it came at a later point when I was mentally ready for it. It was then that I realized how Lou Reed’s lyrics are like poetry.
The Velvets are not a mainstream band- and well, they are underground. Which sometimes makes their, I can’t find a better word here, memorabilia very hard to find and usually more expensive than you ever expect it to be. When I just saw this, I was excited at the thought of learning more about a band that only really loving fans seem to know anything about. But when I saw the price at $300, I was disappointed.
Of course coming from the New York Times Magazine, the Style Magazine nonetheless, it chronicles alternate record covers, ticket stubs, lyric notes, film stills and letters. It is a big book I hope to get my hands on soon. I have also recently discovered a love for cultural histories of New York City- and if you didn’t know, the Velvet Underground are a big contributor to that.
–Now, I read the biography of Andy Warhol and a lot of people associate this band with him. And I would like to set readers straight that he did fund and design their first imfamous record cover. He is also why Nico was included in the first place. She was a commodity (one of Warhol’s earliest muses)- she had to sing solo, or along with Reed, and be featured in the record of Warhol was not going to fund anything. This is how she won her American fame. She was already a popular German singer-songwriter.
Even though their music can be depressing, I truly, really love this band because the Velvets are the ultimate poets of the 60s. It is euphoric. Maybe that is due to Lou Reeds addiction to heroin, but I like to look beyond that. I recommend going for The Velvet Underground, the self titled record. Or even Loaded which is a lot of people’s favorites, including mine. Once you understand those, you can get the full effect of The Velvet Underground & Nico. One of the most musically layered and complicated records that exists. I now understand why it always made those “….greatest of all time” lists.
Do something new this break. New to your brain. Try out the velvets. I hope they don’t disappoint you. (Also, let me know how it goes.)
As a history nerd I feel the need to post this. A very fun interactives from the Times. I’ve never seen one like this before- so it’s extra super cool. You can click and drag the different sides of photographs from 1989 or from 2009. I was only a year old, and some of us were two years old. [Maybe others were older, or still just a twinkle in your parents' eyes.] But now we can be a part of those who look back, hear stories and read about it. Because looking back, reflecting and learning is fun! Especially when a huge historic moment is involved. I’ve seen a piece of the Berlin wall at the Reagan Library in California when I was in 5th grade. If I had that picture of my sisters and I awkwardly posing in front of it, I would share it. And I promise if I ever get it I will definitely share it. Until then: enjoy this, this and this.
Please feel free to use this website for whatever personal interest you may have. Mine is clearly the 60s – and I know that I can never find a great photographic print of Timothy Leary (see previous post) but one day it will happen. After textual conversations with my fellow sixties friend and motivation of my own, my obsession with finding this photography led to me finding the corbis archival website. And I think it might be true love.
The story goes as I might have the swine (not really), maybe a cold, or whatever it is that makes my body ache and nose run. Yesterday it was much worse. So I think I’m already progressing upwards- which is grand. After returning home from work, I have not left my bedroom floor since. The internet is pretty much my medium of choice, clearly, and I’m afraid I’m a full on junkie.
More on the sixties-. After meeting with a professor about a semester research project (that I hope many of you participate in) she brought to light for me what I can study in graduate school. I’ve always dreamt of being a historian, but I’m not sure I have the patience for academic jargon. I’ve never had the patience for it, actually- who knows how I’ve gotten this far. But I would strive hard for this one: graduate school for sociology or public (health) policy. I’d then be moving in the direction of becoming a social historian of drug use in America and could possibly become an advocate for drug education in American high schools (and elementary schools, if you can count D.A.R.E.). I know this involves article writing, GRE-test taking, math learning for the previous and everything in between. But if I take even more of her advice and take time off and really grab a hold on something I want, I might be able to make it happen. (Thoughts?)
See, I clearly have the swine: hence the ramble. No one is feeling well on this campus. Sacrificing a night of live jazz trio Marco Benevento was the best choice. I cannot wait to go to bed. But I think before that happens I will spend more time listening to Bobby Dylan and reviewing archival photographs. Count it. Do this.
timothy leary (click the pic to learn)
I am beginning to get a reality smack. College is my adolescent time, coming of age, discovery, pleasant, happiness.
Is there life after college?
I’m afraid it’s too soon to be asking these questions, friend.
This magazine is wonderful. Another favorite publication of mine. Found Magazine publishes random findings that readers submit to them — feel free to browse.
Also: today’s assignment- tell someone you love them.
The New York Times is my hero.
For those of you who do not know, I am a Times junkie— and read it constantly and send articles and interactive features to friends via email (here is my favorite.) I spend as much time on it as you do on Facebook. Yes, I do not have Facebook- and you would think that would cut down on my internet perusing time, but it’s actually quite the opposite. And worse. Because now I just consume information and news 24/7. I never escape it and sometimes it prevents me from interacting with other human beings. But hey, it exercises my brain and I am not a zombie waste of space. So it’s much better off- just consider it.
Now that I have my findings section here expect it to be blasted with information hourly. I cannot wait.
Another:
NYT asked concert goers of Woodstock to share their personal photos online. It’s a pretty incredible slide show. Go ahead, waste some time.
And for the real deal Woodstock coverage photos, here.
While preparing to go into a round of Lazer Tag somewhere on the outskirts of Los Angeles, Brian Riley proposed the idea to some fellow thinkers: a newsletter for the students in the ICLA program; essentially something to get us through the dreadful Government and Media class.
Within days, the Ithacan’t was born. The premier episode was host to reviews of a concert, the lazer tag event, a trip to the beach, and the Oscars. There were previews for future student events – a networking night, a trip to the driving range, suggestions for a trip to the art museum. It also featured an ed-op piece on doodling. Oh yeah, there were plenty of doodles on the paper.
For the next three months, the Ithacan’t grew from one to five pages. Columns became episodic. Jabs were taken. We added photos. Told a story. Envelopes were pushed. Professors even started contributing. Legitimacy had finally been gained – on the west coast at least.
A “mocktail” party (sponsored by the Ithacan’t) marked the end of the semester. Students insisted that the publication continue. So that’s what we’re doing. As taboo as it may be, this creative medium is here to stay.
It’s refreshing. It’s honest. It’s entertaining.
We still aim to keep you informed on what goes on with college students, humor you with our observations, and keep you guessing what’s next.
Enjoy.
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