Nick Drake is one of those songwriters whose work I love but generally don’t want to touch. The recordings are so sparse, so eerily lo-fi, so fraught with intensity that replicating any of it always feels like an exercise in futility. Still, the songs are out there for the taking, and they are nearly all [...]
Did you know that not all guitar strings are the same? There are different weights – heavier strings initiate more volume but also put more tension on the most resonant surface of the guitar. There are different metals and alloys, consisting of nickel, copper, and sometimes even phosphorus. Some strings are coated with a fine [...]
Apparently, Jenna “Pam” Fischer really likes this song called “Through Any Window.” It’s by a guy named Willie Wisely. You can listen to it here. I’m kind of addicted to it. Paul Ford, who does a series of song reviews that are exactly six words, states simply, “I’ve listened to this thirty times.” I think [...]
Quotes of the week, via gchat: Me: haha Snoop Dogg lacks intrinsic motivation “Jonathan”: he’s got his mind on his money and his money on his mind “Maya”: i just won SBA VP Me: congrats what are you gonna do? Maya: go shoot someone in the face
Today is the last day of spring break, and this break had been a long time coming. Among other activities, I had a chance to dust off all the recording equipment and lay down a few songs. I recently revisited the music of “The Tallest Man On Earth,” the pseudonym of Kristian Matsson, a Swede [...]
I went to the Casbah on Tuesday. I hadn’t been there since the last Drinks show, but it hasn’t changed and I don’t imagine it ever will. Electric Six played, along with some random band from New York which was actually just a guitar player and a bearded drummer who mostly just laughed at the [...]
Last weekend, I was in New Orleans for “John’s” bachelor party. It was my first time there, and it was quite an experience. Of course, a requisite part of the trip was strolling down Bourbon Street. Late Saturday night, after a lot of walking, we wandered into a blues bar. We sat with our beers [...]
This is, to date, the most multimedia-rich post in the history of Ryanjacobs.org. I offer you the opportunity to not only gaze upon the new weapon in the arsenal, but also to witness its awesome sonic power. Enjoy.
My friend Kelly makes cards and started her own craft supply business! Support entrepreneurship in action.