Visionworks Music

The Sixty One and other obsessions

2008-09-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

Latest obsession is . You must check it out. Everyone in this office is drooling over it. Its a game, social networking site, and a great place for music lovers to discover new music. run don't walk

AM's "HEAR ME SING" Music Video and Side By Side Ep feat. Meiko

2008-08-13T02:10:00.000-07:00

I just watched AM's new music video for "Hear Me Sing" featuring Buddy. It's such a beautiful, I thought I'd share the video for your enjoyment...

This song is actually featured on AM's EP, Side By Side - Duets Vol. 1 which includes duets with some amazing artists such as Meiko, Buddy, and Susie Suh.

Here's so more info:

"Side By Side - Duets Vol. 1"
Currently featured in "What's Hot" on iTunes and the "Indie Spotight"

Award-winning artist AM has produced his first duets project "Side By Side - Duets Vol. 1". This is the first volume of duets in a 6 volume series AM is writing and producing. AM invited friends and fellow singer/songwriters to perform duets to bring his concept of "Side By Side - Duets Vol. 1" to life. Designer Jonathan Ady took AM's obsession with owls and created the album cover.

Songs include:
New Road : duet with AM and Meiko
Temporary One : duet with AM and Susie Suh
I'll Be Your Mirror : duet with AM and Julianna Raye
Hear Me Sing : duet with AM and Buddy
While My Guitar Gently Weeps : duet with AM and Tina Dico
A Part Of Something Missing : duet with AM and Rick Garcia
Bonus Songs available exclusively on iTunes

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Behind the stage diving and slam dancing - Review of the documentary AMERICAN HARDCORE

2008-08-05T23:32:00.000-07:00

"I hate my boss, I hate the people I work with, I hate my parents, I hate authoritative figures, I hate politicians, I hate people in government, I hate the police."
Those are the exact words of Keith Morris, singer of one of the most iconic hardcore bands. That was the mentality that started a movement so underground yet inspiring a whole new breed of bands to come later. In this documentary directed by Paul Rachman, people like Ian MacKaye, Henry Rollins and Chuck Treece who were majors contributors to the hardcore scene will take you through the beat up clubs, fights, and the speedy fierce chords. The Reagan-era kids who were against the new wave movement needed a release, an outlet of their own, and they found hardcore. Starting in Southern California, it soon created a ripple effect throughout the country "infecting" kids everywhere of this new kind of music that had absolutely no rules.
Whether you love the angry anthems created by bands like Bad Brains, Black Flag, Cro-Mags and Minor Threat or if you have never heard of this once underground movement, you will be shocked, moved and inspired by this film. Back when there was no internet, no MTV, no tight knit indie network, everything was done DIY. Thanks to these founding fathers of hardcore, a new generation of rock bands were born and popular rituals such as stage diving and slam dancing are now performed at every rock show. The current hardcore scene is different, and is incomparable to what happened in the 80's - hardcore was NOT supposed to be played on the radio and it was definitely NOT supposed to be commercial. Now the whole system of music has changed and everything has become accessible with the click of a mouse. Much of the hardcore bands out today have very technically skilled musicians and the vocalists can do more than just belt out angry words. This is not a bad thing, it's whether or not the listener enjoys it or not. It's just different.
But yes. Go watch this film, and jump in a mosh pit!

-akiko

The Deli Release Party!

2008-08-02T14:41:00.000-07:00

Who has had a chance to flip through the Deli, a newly released magazine in LA? If you haven't don't worry, you'll be able to pick one up at various locations like record stores, concert venues, coffee shops...you know, the places where music people hang out. The magazine features interviews, reviews, and information on indie artists in the LA music scene... hence their tagline "tasty tunes from the city of angels." Be sure to check out AM's featured interview!

The magazine had been around in New York for 3 years and now they have released their first ever issue in LA. I was able to attend the release party at Swinghouse studios in Hollywood this past Saturday. It was a great party with bands (including Io Echo, who appeared on the cover of the Deli), artwork, a super environmentally friendly taco truck, drinks, and lots and lots of people.

The taco truck was veggie powered, and solar powered. Good for the environment, and for your appetite.

The studio itself was quite nice too. The walls had artwork, and vintage pictures of punk bands like the Clash.

...and the best part of the night. The performances!

The Barnettes

They're an all sibling band, playing some rocking soul music. The band was super synchronized, and I think they got a lot of attention.

The Dylan Trees

These guys brought the British folk rock to the party. Their music was chill, mellow and the songwriting was very reminiscent of that of the Beatles.

Django James and the Midnight Squires

Probably the most energetic band of the night. As singer Django James belted out the catchy rock tunes, he would dance back and forth on the stage, in fact even knocking over his own mic stand at the end of the performance.

Io Echo

These guys turned the venue into a dance floor. With danceable beats and the dark but pop sensitive melodies, it was like watching Karen O fronting She Wants Revenge. Io, the female vocalist definitely has that "rock star" flavor with great stage presence, style, and originality.

There were other performers that night, but there were so many people packed in the rooms that I couldn't even squeeze in. Look out for more issues of the LA Deli, and be sure to pick one up if you haven't already!

-akiko

Visionworks Music

2008-07-18T15:12:00.001-07:00

This is the start of our Visionworks Music Blog. We love music.