Image/Logo from www.dieantwoord.com

Die Antwoord is an insane bubble-gum techno zef hip hop trio from South Africa that is not only bizarre, but incredibly addicting (thanks to their brilliant songs/marketing).  I knew as soon as I saw this video, I was going to be writing about them. Ninja is the lyrical swordsmith and Yo-Landi is the butterfly, sweetening the lyrical cut.  DJ Hi Tek makes his next-level beats on “…like a PC Computer.”  (As if we needed to know that minor detail, but then again we’d never know that because the DJ never speaks a word…ever.)  Their flavors are dirty, offensive, and brilliant. 

Check out this video and start getting completely obsessed with them.
Die Antwoord – Zef Side.

To be thoroughly frightened, offended, and somehow continually curious, check out their website here: http://www.dieantwoord.com/  Some of their content may be inappropriate for certain audiences and younger viewers. Some content is explicit.  User discretion is advised.

V-Studio 20 image courtesy of www.cakewalk.com

This is an interesting little piece of gadgetry from the peeps over at Cakewalk.  I sat through the rather dry videos from www.cakewalk.com and I’ve condensed it for you.

Here’s what it is:
- An computer recording interface with connections for a Mic, guitar/bass, or stereo ins for a synth.
- A Control surface for their bundled software, Guitar Tracks Pro 4
- A COSM guitar/bass modeling engine, hardware-based, no-latency instrument processing
- Built-in guitar tuner, 48V phantom power, built-in stereo microphone, re-amper, headphones jack, outputs to feed powered monitors

We use Cakewalk/Roland/Boss products in our studio here and do love them (Calkwalk/Roland/Boss are all the same company).  If you are looking for a cool little solution to record some tunes on your netbook, then this might be the solution for you.

Social Networking with Twitter like everyone else?

Twitter is just, too, well…it’s too… read on. 
There are so many (some say too many) social networks to chose to use as your platforms to get your music, artwork, or other craft out to people you think are listening for you.

Are they?

I don’t believe they are.  They are on the social networks for the exact same reason you are; they’re trying to sell themselves.  What sets you apart from them?  Why should people legitimately want to subscribe to your tweets?  Breaking out from the pack of the deafening Twitter static that exists on everybody’s “follower list” is incredibly difficult.  You’re competing with garbage postings that run rampant.  I personally don’t care if you’re at the store buying milk or that your feet are sore from standing in a line somewhere.  Who are you kidding: you’re not a social networking guru just because you have a Twitter account.  That’s all absolute garbage.  It’s also what you’re competing with as a legitimate artist…

Want to stand out?  Provide something of value to people.  Don’t just provide people something of value; provide the people that want to interact with you something of value.  That is the only true way to set yourself apart in the sea of monotony that currently exists on the social web.  Your product speaks to people and you need to find them, connect with them, stay connected with them and provide value to them.  That will open up doors for you like you never thought possible, but you must be the one to recognize the doors.

Twitter contains static so you must rise above it.  Twitter will not make you a million dollars.  Twitter is a pain in the ass, and to me, is quickly joining the ranks of MySpace.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go post a link to this entry on Twitter and the rest of the social networks I belong to.  Chances are, if you read this, you find us providing you value.  Well, you’re valuable to us and thank you.

-AR

Here are a few stories on the event:
The Weekender – Music on the Menu | 2/2/2010

Concert for a Cause Benefits Veterans | 2/5/2010

The CD compliation that gets released every year helps promote the event. Bands from the area donate a song to it to help raise interest and awareness of the event.

This year’s bands include: Days Before Tomorrow, Underground Saints, The SilenTreatment, Lemongelli, Panacea, Fighting Zero, OurAfter, Bret Alexander of The Badless, Nowhere Slow, MiZ, Shawn Z., George Wesley, The Five Percent, Jeanne Zano Band, Plus 3, Charles Havira, K8, Brian Langan of the The Sw!ms, The Nonrefundables, 40-Lb. Head, Nicole Erin Carey, Lessen One, Graces Downfall, Ashfall, Destination West, Absolution, Tribes, Bliss, Flaxy Morgan, Bad Hair Day, G0-Go Gadget, Farmer’s Daughter, Iron Cowboy, and M-80.

Corporate Sponsors include: 97.9X, WYOU, The Weekender, Bedwick & Jones, 97BHT, Coors Light, Saturation Acres, Fleet Decals & Graphics, Gallery of Sound, Anti Rust Records, WNEP, The Woodlands, Rock Street Music, WBRE, and The United Way of Wyoming Valley.

Anti Rust records has proudly underwritten the majority of the cost for the compliation this year and is honored to be a part of it.

Who What Where When?

CD Release: 2/4/2010, $5 available at any Gallery of Sound location (http://www.galleryofsound.com/), or (if avail) day of the concert. This was a limited pressing and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Concert Information: 4/22/2010, at The Woodlands Inn & Resort, Rt. 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA. Doors @ 6pm and 34 bands will be playing on 4 stages. This is a great time and have HUGE turnouts every year. Don’t miss out on the fun and helping a great cause.

For more information: http://www.concertforacausenepa.com/ or call (570)829-7131.