The Isles on NPR: Sharing Musical DNA with Mellencamp

The press push for our first record tapered off over the Winter, but once in awhile I'll hear about an Isles song popping up in a very interesting public context (ie: "Flying Under..." closing out the Perry Elllis Fall '07 show during Fashion Week). First off I have to say thanks to Colleen Crumbcake and DJ Mary Nisi for the tip. Now, if you're like me, you spend a decent portion of your desk time half listening to NPR while you slave away at the computer. Well, Monday May 28th being Memorial Day, I was deep in slumber when the following occurred.

On Morning Edition, Tim Westergren, founder of internet radio site Pandora, came on to explain how sites like his will function after the Copyright Royalty Board's tripling of their current rate; alleged to happen later this summer and subsequently slaughter many of our fave internet stations that won't be able to pay the bills. Pandora works by reseraching the "DNA" of a particular artist or song and building a playlist that the software feels will satisfy the listener. So Steve Inskeep, the host, dives in for a demonstration. NATURALLY, he types in "John Mellencamp" (come on who wouldn't)...a newish John Mellencamp song comes up, after a few moments he asks the program to pick a related song and WHAM BAM, out of the half a million songs on Pandora, The Isles "Flying Under Cheap Kites" pops up. "Does this sounds related to John Mellencamp?" asks Inskeep. A slightly hesitant Westergren replies, "There are differences in the voice". Next song. Fucking hilarious. Weirdly, the verse chord progression always kind of reminded me of Jack and Diane. Looks like the jig is up.

Listen to it here. Its only a 5 minute segment, the part with us starts around 2:20.

You know, we may not be on a 45 date world tour right now, but its nice to know that maybe, just maybe, God is occasionally on our side.

Catch 22

Apparently there was some confusion about us playing Annex this past Saturday with our friends Elizabeth Harper and the Matinee. We canceled about 10 days before. Situation was out of our control. Apologies to those we vexed! On a happier note, a very Happy Birthday to beloved drummer and band youngin' Timmy McCoy who turns 22 this Thursday May 31. -Ben

Different Day

The coffee is starting to taste like dirt. I can only stand it when it's really hot.

My croissant is gross. I'm throwing it out. My granola with fruit tasted ok.

You'd be shocked at how many weight watchers conversations I'm involved with.

The weather was nice this morning but the subway platform was the most crowded that I'd ever seen it. The train rolled up and I think most people gave up on the idea of getting on. The train wasn't crowded. I stepped in.

I never read Brave New World

in high school. I half-assed it through most of the required reading.

When I was young, I was a devoted reader but when I hit high school I lost interest in most things required or expected.
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BNW is a nice book. It would have been great high school reading. If you haven't read it I highly recommend that you do.

That said I will be traveling down the long and windy road of Don Quixote.

-Andrew

(at work) Moderating ->

my coffee consumption with excessive water. The water filter warning light on the coffee maker has been blinking for 6 months. No one cares. I drink tea out of a completely rusty kettle. I'm not sure if that's better?

I'm lobbying for afternoon naps at work after I read that naps not only increase productivity but lengthen your life. Actually I'm not sure if they lengthen your life, decrease the chance of sudden death or increase general well being. Anyways - They're a good thing.

-Andrew