Mary Win

Mary Win is an exceptionally talented singer songwriter based in Seattle. I first came across her music on YouTube where she recently had this amazing video featured. After viewing a few of her other video's I decided to subscribe. I was very pleasantly suprised when she emailed me back with her thanks. Taking a chance, I replied with my compliments and inquired about a colloboration. Astonishingly enough she agreed, and sent me the master tracks to one of her songs. After pushing my luck she even agreed to answer a few questions:

JS: My first question is an old one but a good one: How do you find inspiration and overcome writers block?
MW: The inspiration for my songs are mainly from life experiences, I don't have to think very hard to achieve a full set of lyrics or melody for those. Other songs are written by will or purposely for a specific reason. Overcoming writer's block hasn't been a problem for me at this point in my life, as I've had many inspirations.
JS: My parents (like any loving parent) support my music but stress "a fall back" career. Are you shooting for a career in music and if not what else would you be doing? In one of your video's you mentioned an interest in science and technology.
MW: I have chosen music as an occupation and am pushing it hard as I can. In the case my songwriting is no longer marketable to a large enough audience and fails to generate enough of a profit for me to live solely off of my songwriting then I would move "my music career" to the "back burner" and concentrate on owning a small home run business.
JS: I come from the grunge era where anybody can pick up a guitar and string three chords together and call yourself a musician. You know your guitar and your confidence is striking, clearly you have some training. What are your thoughts on the importance of music theory, practice and technical proficiency in relation to songwriting and performing.
MW: On music theory, I've had eight years of classical training and stage performances with Bb Clarinet all throughout my schooling. It undoubtedly adds to my abilities as a singer/songwriter and performer. I personally believe that some musical training earlier in life can definitely add to one's musical abilities as a songwriter/performer. Though, I do not recommend or advise parents literally shoving (sometimes) their children into vocal/guitar lessons at such young ages. I know it only deadens one's abilities to find their own original sound. Anyone can, to quote you John, "pick up a guitar and string three chords together to call themselves a musician" then slap on the title grand old title of "original singer/songwriter". But, unless they have their own, distinctly unique sound the chances of them actually becoming a renowned professional musician/performer are very slim. Of course, there is always a market for a "canned" or specific sounds and always will be. That I know from being a part of the music industry as well as an original songwriter. Lastly, the power of three chords if done properly, can't be denied.
JS: Youtube has been good to you. Do you have any thoughts on how youtube, or the digital movement in general, will impact the music business?
MW:YouTube has undoubtedly made an impact on the music business. In the digital age artists should start depending less on the revenue a recorded song might generate and instead use it as a vehicle to generate interest in live performances. Though, I'll mention that neither way has generated any significant income for myself *smile*.

marywinmusic.com

youtube.com/marywinmusic

myspace.com/marywinmusic

New Song!

Thanks to a little inspiration and enough time to follow it through I have finally completed another song. Well, relatively complete anyways. As with all my music its never truly finished and until I can afford a decent pair of studio monitors it will never be properly mixed either. However I consider it complete enough to post.

Its very trance influenced and because of its slow but epic build I named it "Euphoria". I created this song to use live and to enhance the atmosphere the song creates Ive purposely made it a little repetative. I do plan to fill it in a little bit, fatten up the leads and possibly add another keyboard. However Im in love with the simplicity of it and Ill wait for some feedback before I start playing with it again. For certain I will add a vocal sample but Im waiting for the perfect sample to accompany this song. It was about time I posted something new however, so there you go. Let me know what you think.

myspace.com/djstraathof

Bubbles.

This photograph was taken in the kids section at Granville Island. The aspiring photographer in me is always on the look out when I have a decent camera in my hand and when I saw this scene I couldnt resist the urge to capture it. Thanks to the wonders of digital photography I could tell instantly that I needed to retake it. However by that time the parents of both kids quickly picked each up in there arms and scurried them away from the creepy native guy with the camera. I guess I can't blame them, I might have done the same in there situation. However it is a sad testiment to the world we live in today. It would have been a great shot.

Thank God.

Being the complete bum that I am, I don't get to go on very many vacations. So when my parents booked one and asked me if I wanted to come I never even considered thinking it over. I was not going to get left behind. I put my request in at work for time off and patiently waited for an approval. After weeks of uncertainty I finally got a thumbs up and I couldnt possibly be any happier. I only get one week but its a week not spent at work and a week not spent in Edmonton. Im slowly starting to warm up to this city but sometimes I really need to get out. Right now is one of those times.

So where am I going? An even bigger city! Vancouver. Not a likely choice for a vacation but had the decision been mine it would have been the same. Not only does my oldest brother live here but I will also finally get to satisfy my deep desire to explore a modern major metropolis. It also provides me the perfect opportunity to familiarize myself with Vancouver so that I may play here in the future. Needless to say I will totally be going as a tourist and will likewise be posting about my various experiences right here.

Only half my time will be spent in Vancouver however as I will also be visiting my aunt in Kelowna. I'm honestly more excited about this part of my trip and I greatly look forward to the sunshine, the beauty and the relaxation.

After years of hard work I finally get some real time off. I leave tommorow but is still isnt soon enough.

Update: My trip to Vancouver was without a doubt the highlight of my summer. Exploring Vancouver was a blast and being in Kelowna again was a dream. I would have loved to have been able to put together a proper post to relate my experiences but I can't gather the words to express the time I had. All I can say is that it was much to short and next summer I will be much better prepared.

Tiesto: August 24, 2007

Ive never been both extremely excited and deeply saddened at the same time. I've been waiting very patiently for this and so had Tomena. In fact I couldn't imagine going with anybody else. The show is scheduled to be at the Shaw Conference Center and should be a complete blast. Ill go alone if I have to but Im a sentimental kind of person and I like to think that I won't truly be by myself.

Note: While I write this Im listening to a mix posted on his website. If his show is going to be anything like this, its going to be an incredible experience. Check it out. Seriously.

Top Secret.

If you enjoy electro/techno mixes then your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to start up iTunes and search for Benny Benassi in the Podcast section. It is there where you will find a mix he supposedly did for Flawless Sound. Download it and play it at top volume. Enjoy.

Of Drums and Buckets.

I greatly enjoy art and admire artists. Art to me is anything mundane that has been transformed into something thought provoking, emotionally stimulating and inspirational. I especially love it when new forms of art are being created. Anybody can expand on something that has been already created but to start something new all together is a truly special thing.

A recently featured video on YouTube features New Yorks Larry Wright who turns ordinary buckets of all kinds into drums. I will admit that this idea certainly isn't new. Poor kids worldwide with a beat in their head will find a good bucket to release them on. History will certainly support the connection between the invention of pottery and the invention of percussion. Larry Wright however uses his absolutely amazing talent to busk with. The idea of using any piece of plastic junk to make a little money with is certainly a very novel idea. One that will spread quickly.

Indeed the very day I first found out about Larry I happened to spend the night on Whyte Ave where I came across a busker who was clearly influenced by the New York Street Drummer. His drums were all pulled out of garbage bins and neatly strapped together with duct tape to form his own drum set. Predictably the only thing missing was any sort of talent. Whyte Ave was graced with the sounds of one whole drum beat for practically the entire night. As quickly as art is created it is defiled. So sad.