my contribution

2011 Year In Music

2012-01-04T20:11:00.032-05:00

So I don't think that I've ever done a year-end list, but I felt compelled to do one this year because I feel like I got more involved into listening and researching new releases and seeing new bands live. There is so much great music being made right now, and thanks to the internet, it's all right here, you just have to know where to look. It also helps that I live in New York City and that I see a lot of live music.

Anyway, thanks to Last.fm, I know what I listened to this year, and my top 15 this year was:

I realize that not all of these artists released albums this year, so I won't include those, but it's still interesting to have a record of my listening habits. I'll start at the top of the list, but I'm not trying to rank any of these albums, just record some thoughts.

Panda Bear "Tomboy"
This is definitely one of my favorites of the year, even if a bunch of critics thought his last album was better. They should have been there when he played this album in its entirety at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Sonically it was one of the best experiences of my life, it just sounded so perfect in that room, and the spectrum was so lush that I understand now how to appreciate electronic music.

John Maus "We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves"
I just thought this album sounded cool until I read this article, and then I appreciated it even more. This album has so many cool sounds, but the songs are great. People tell me that he's hard to get into, which is understandable after seeing him perform, but I thought it was great, just him onstage with a microphone freaking the fuck out.

Real Estate "Days"
This album is so chill that it gets you going, or whatever. I love simple songwriting and these guys have the riffs to back them up. And they killed it live, so good.

Toro y Moi "Underneath the Pine"
This guy is a great songwriter, and these songs are so creative that it makes for a really well rounded album. They weren't as good as I wanted them to be live, but maybe they were just having an off night, or I was, or both.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra "Unknown Mortal Orchestra"
This album kills it, so creative, and I love they way they recorded it. Low-fi, but still huge. More great simple songwriting, and these dudes can play, one of the best performances I've seen all year.

Fleet Foxes "Helplessness Blues"
This album came out during an interesting time for me this year, so I feel like I'll always associate it with that, but this is an incredible album. I hope they win a Grammy because they deserve it. Didn't get to see them this year, but mainly because I couldn't afford it. Whatev.

Cass McCombs "WIT'S END" + "Humor Risk"
I'll say first that this was probably the quietest rock show I've ever been to, I mean the drummer played the first song with his fucking fingers. Anyway, the two albums he released this year are both very good. One of the great songwriters of our generation.

Gauntlet Hair "Gauntlet Hair"
This album is so cool. The incorporation of electric and acoustic drums works really well, and this album just sounds nice and good and loud, and it's the same live.

Girls "Father, Son, Holy Ghost"
This is a great fucking rock album, and I haven't heard a great rock album in a long time. The songs on this album are so good, I just want more. I'm really looking forward to seeing them next week.

Kurt Vile "Smoke Ring For My Halo"
Another great songwriter, and I kept coming back to this album all year. Still haven't seen him live, but I can image that it would be great.

TV on the Radio "Nine Types of Light"
This is a really cool album, by a really cool band. I can only hope that I will eventually make music this cool.

A few more great listens:

Twin Sister "In Heaven" - This is such a creative album with some great songs.

Widowspeak "Widowspeak" - Another great female fronted band.

The Weeknd/Frank Ocean - A couple great albums to set the mood, if you know what I mean. But seriously, these guys can sing.

Purity Ring - They didn't release an album, or even very many songs, but this is what bass should sound like.

Dodos "No Color" - These guys are consistently good, and all the songs on here are great with some very creative drumming.

Gardens & Villa "Gardens & Villa" - When I saw the lead singer carry a satchel of wooden flutes on stage, I was intrigued.

St. Vincent "Strange Mercy" - She is such a good singer, and the songs on here are just killer.

The Stepkids "The Stepkids" - Psychedelic.

Atlas Sound "Parallax" - I still like Deerhunter a little bit more, but this is a solid album.

Battles "Gloss Drop" - Not as dynamic without the lead singer, but these guys are so tight that it almost doesn't matter.

Bon Iver "Bon Iver" - Another emotional album, but for the good reasons.

Here's to 2012.

2011-07-07T22:58:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I wish there was a God so then I would have someone to blame.

Reduction #02

2011-06-06T22:41:00.003-04:00

My head has been all over the place lately, and this is what I came up with. This was shot on the A returning from the Rockaways.

Reduction #01

2011-05-20T07:52:00.002-04:00

I must have been in a weird mood last night because this is what I came up with. A few things have been inspiring me lately, so we'll see if I come up with anything.

In other news, Goolsby has been playing quite a few shows in the NYC area, and that is a very good thing. We are making progress, and it feels good to play in front of an audience.

Goolsby - Amanda EP

2010-11-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

Go listen.

AMANDA EP

2010-10-18T23:04:00.000-04:00

It has been mastered. Get ready to listen soon.

GOOLSBY

2010-09-08T23:52:00.005-04:00

It's going to be good.

New York City Nights.

2010-05-16T22:17:00.003-04:00

We know how to have a good time. Have one on me.

02

2010-03-15T10:14:00.001-04:00

Spoke Cards

2009-12-23T01:06:00.001-05:00

This is what working in high fashion has done to me.

Quiet River

2009-12-08T23:12:00.002-05:00

Since we are no longer a band, I should post these recordings. Paul will still continue to write music, but until he moves to New York, I cannot work with him. But if you click below, you can listen to the most current mixes of what was supposed to be 'Lazuli.' This is my most professional production to date, with me engineering and co-producing with Paul. Enjoy.

Quiet River Myspace

01

2009-10-26T10:23:00.001-04:00

My first video since moving to NYC.

Quiet River

2009-05-18T02:35:00.002-04:00

Things are winding down, but we are still working on the album. It will be finished. Until then:

Quiet River Myspace!

Listen to Zotis, please. Anchor will be finished this week.

fifteenth

2009-04-28T13:12:00.002-04:00

This is a new take on some old footage. I'm working on a new bike video, but I need to stop using video as a crutch for my work. I enjoy working with video, I just need some help with creating the video.

Radio Show 1.10

2009-04-28T12:57:00.002-04:00

This past week I played a selection of Opera from the composers Philip Glass and Steve Reich. I started the program with the first scene from Glass's Opera "Einstein on the Beach" entitled "Train 1." I then followed that with excerpts from the first act of Steve Reich's Opera "The Cave." Both of these are two very interesting pieces, with Glass's work being an homage to Einstein, and Reich's a recognition of a Mosque and the questions of religion.

I finished the program with a piece by a good friend of mine, Brian Petuch. Brian and I both recently graduated from FAU together and he has taught me much about composition. I played his piece "The JR Line," which can be found here.

This Friday I will unfortunately have to miss my show because I will be traveling to New York for Amanda's birthday. I'll be back for my show the following week, May 8th.

fourteenth

2009-04-20T15:04:00.002-04:00

Some new music from this morning. This is a collection of videos from Amanda's journey through Italy.

Radio Show 1.9

2009-04-20T13:41:00.002-04:00

So I had a little help with my last show. I was joined by two other Owlradio DJs to create a nice Friday afternoon playlist:

DJ Highlander:
Bob Dylan - Wigwam
David Bowie - Golden Years

DJ Furr Real:
Otis Redding - (I Cant Get No) Satisfaction
Queens Of The Stone - Sick, Sick, Sick
The Verve Pipe - Photograph

Myself:
The Specials -Ghost Town
Television -See No Evil
Weezer - El Scorcho

Don't forget to tune in this Friday, 1 to 2 PM, OWL Radio.

Quiet River on Vimeo

2009-04-10T13:37:00.010-04:00

Quiet River (formerly Quiet River High) has posted a nice collection of live videos on their new Vimeo Channel,

Quiet River!.

All of these videos were filmed by my girlfriend, Amanda McCleod. Amanda also has taken a large amount of our live photos, which can be seen here. Thank you Amanda for your generous support.

As far as the new Quiet River album goes, we are making great progress and will have a few songs done this weekend. Stay tuned for some new music in the coming week.

Radio Show 1.8

2009-04-10T13:34:00.003-04:00

Today's show. 90s Hits!

R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
Third Eye Blind - Semi Charmed Life
Soundgarden - Spoonman
Gin Blossoms - Hey Jealousy
The Goo Goo Dolls - Name
Bush - Everything Zen
Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
Oasis - Supersonic
Collective Soul - The World I Know
Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
Semisonic - Closing Time

I am half proud/half ashamed of this list, but whatever, it's just music.

As always, every Friday afternoon, rain or shine, 1 to 2 PM, OwlRadio. Thanks!

Radio Show 1.7

2009-04-10T13:25:00.002-04:00

Here is the list from my 04/03/09 show:

Chromatics - Hands In The Dark
Venice Is Sinking - Ryan's Song
Telekinesis - Coast of Carolina
Chad VanGaalen - City of Electric Light
CFCF - You Hear Colours
The Tough Alliance - Hung Up On A Dream
John Cale - Paris 1919
Naptunes - Smile Away
Vampire Weekend - The Kids Don't Stand A Chance (Chromeo Remix)
John Cale - Child's Christmas In Wales
Department of Eagles - No One Does It Like You

I'll post my show from today a little later. As always, every Friday, 1 to 2 PM, OwlRadio.

Radio Show 1.6

2009-03-27T16:58:00.002-04:00

Here is the playlist for the show I had earlier today about contemporary classical composers and minimalist composition. My show is only an hour long, so unfortunately I only had time to play three pieces:

Terry Riley's "A Rainbow In Curved Air."
Steve Reich's "Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ."
Terry Riley and John Cale's "Church of Anthrax."

As always, every Friday, 1 to 2 PM, Owlradio. Thanks for listening.

Radio Shows 1.0-1.5

2009-03-17T14:57:00.002-04:00

Yes, I am still currently a DJ at OwlRadio, however, my visits to the station have become more infrequent. But if you are listening at OwlRadio on Fridays between 1 and 2 PM, there is still a good chance that I will be playing some music. I was only really proud of my first show, which I played some new music of 2009. The other shows were pretty much thrown together: A latin jazz show, a soul/funk show taken from Motel de Moka, and an all MJ show. I promise some better material in the future. Thanks for listening!
And you can always check out Amanda's show from 6 to 7 PM on Thursdays, Robert's show on Wednesdays from 6 to 7 PM, David's show from 5 to 6 PM on Wednesday's, and Nathan's show on Wednesday's from 2 to 3 PM.

Crayons A.D.

2009-03-17T14:47:00.002-04:00

I recently posted two new tracks on the Myspace. One entitled Brown, and one entitled White. I hope to follow these tracks with three more shortly. The concept of these compositions is juxtaposition, in all forms. They were interesting to write, to say the least.

On a side note: I am still currently working on the new Quiet River High album. We are in the process of tracking vocals, but have been hindered by a potential injury to Paul's throat. Nothing serious, but it has delayed the process significantly.

Senior Project: Part 3

2008-12-26T00:53:00.002-05:00

This is also something that I should have posted earlier. This is part three of my senior project, which is the long form video that I scored. This is an excerpt from the movie Powaqqatsi, a film that is the second in a series of three by the filmmaker Godfrey Reggio, and features an original score by Philip Glass. While I am not trying to completely emulate Mr. Glass, there are certain aspects that cannot be ignored and definitely influenced my work. Comments would be appreciated because I hope to finish this one day.

thirteenth

2008-12-26T00:49:00.000-05:00

Again, thank you, Amanda, for the video.

twelfth

2008-12-21T23:24:00.002-05:00

Thank you Amanda for the video.

Zotis

2008-12-21T22:46:00.004-05:00

This is something I should have posted a month ago. This a demo of the first single from Quiet River High's newest album Lazuli, to be released as soon as I record it. I have since joined the band and will be producing the album alongside songwriter Paul Simundich. This demo was recorded at FAU and was tracked and mixed entirely on a 1/2 in 8-track tape machine. Enjoy.

Radio Show?

2008-12-21T22:44:00.002-05:00

I must sincerely apologize. My show has been off the air for some time now, and to be honest I don't remember my last few playlists. I will try and recover in January, but I can't make any promises.

Radio Shows 3 & 4

2008-10-27T00:06:00.002-04:00

I must apologize. I missed my 10/17 because I traveled with Amanda to Atlanta to see Ryan Adams, and then on to Raleigh to see The Magnetic Fields. Here is the list from 10/10:

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message
Sugarhill Gang - Apache
Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express
Hashim - Al Naafiysh (The Soul)
Kool & The Gang - Open Sesame, Pt. 2
Cybotron - Clear
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force - Planet Rock
Herbie Hancock - Rockit

Here is the list from my show on 10/24:

Nico Muhly - Mothertounge, Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4
Steve Reich - Electric Counterpoint, Parts 1, 2, and 3
The Bad Plus - Big Eater

Again, every Friday afternoon, 1 PM to 2 PM. owlradio.fau.edu. Thanks

Radio Show #2

2008-10-08T12:24:00.002-04:00

I had my second show this past Friday. Unfortunately the server was down, so internet playback was unavailable, but it should be fixed by this Friday.
Playlist as follows:

Ping-Pong, performed by Art Blakey and his Jazz Messangers
Orbits, performed by The Miles Davis Quintet
Bird Calls, performed by Charles Mingus
Countdown, performed by John Coltrane
Untitled #1, from John Coltrane's A Love Supreme
Passion Dance, performed by McCoy Tyner
Nefertiti, performed by Miles Davis
Take Five, performed by The Dave Brubeck Quartet

Again, every Friday, 1 PM to 2 PM. Hopefully on OwlRadio.

Radio Show #1

2008-09-27T14:16:00.004-04:00

Playlist as follows:

Mistaken For Strangers - The National
Melody Day - Caribou
Lake Michigan - Rogue Wave
Thin Line - Graveyard
Sunrise - Yaesayer
Detlef Schrempf - Band Of Horses
Postcards From Italy - Beirut
Another Sunny Day - Belle and Sebastian
Idyll Benoit Pioulard - Benoît Pioulard
Time to Pretend - MGMT
Sec Walkin - My Morning Jacket
Use It - The New Pornographers
In the New Year - The Walkmen

Thanks to those who listened. 1 PM to 2 PM Fridays. Owl Radio

Crayons

2008-09-24T14:20:00.002-04:00

i uploaded a new jam entitled "Fail Safe" here:

MY Space

Created using a Mini Moog and an Oberheim DMX.

In other news, i have a radio show on owlradio.fau.edu Fridays from 1 PM to 2 PM. I'll be playing the hits!

eleventh

2008-09-22T01:33:00.002-04:00

I constantly have these great ideas floating through my head, but they usually end up like this one.

tenth

2008-09-15T02:30:00.002-04:00

i am very grateful for Florida's beaches.

ninth

2008-09-08T11:38:00.001-04:00

i learned a lot this summer, mostly about the business of music, but also about myself. this piece represents my survival in the city.

Part 7: Possessed - Death Metal

2008-06-23T16:45:00.002-04:00

"The band's influence on the genre is so great that they are sometimes called the "godfathers" of the death metal genre and are often considered the first death metal group, with the name of the genre possibly coming from their first demo entitled Death Metal."

This concludes my series on American Death Metal. Of course there are quite a number of other influential bands not mentioned, but that doesn't really matter.

Part 6: Deicide - Homage for Satan

2008-06-14T21:21:00.002-04:00

"The whole point of Satanic music is to blaspheme against the church. I don't believe in or worship a devil. Life is short enough without having to waste it doing this whole organised praying, hoping, wishing-type thing on some superior being." - Drummer, Asheim.

Another Tampa band.

Part 5: Necrophagia - Bloodfreak

2008-06-10T17:40:00.002-04:00

"Their name derives from the act of cannibalizing a corpse. The word derives from the two Greek words nekron (corpse) and phagein (to eat)."

Another pioneer of the genre, noted for their reference to gore and horror. Interesting video.

Part 4: Obituary - Don't Care

2008-06-09T21:44:00.002-04:00

"Unlike much death metal preceding it, the album (Slowly We Rot) had a sludgy feel and integrated devastatingly slow passages along with obliterating overtures that reached far beyond any point of mayhem that metal had yet to reach; the result was a carnal pleasure for doom, death and thrash fans alike coupling the adrenaline of a speedball with the slow, degrading measures of a sewer at dusk."

Another Tampa band and pioneer of the genre. I don't really care for them.

Part 3: Death - Lack of Comprehension

2008-06-08T23:25:00.002-04:00

"The local situation was fuckin' nearly impossible," Chuck Schuldiner (founding member, father of death metal) recalled. "A lot of people looked down upon us. We got a lot of shit from the local band scene; all the bands from around Orlando thought we were pure shit. We were noisy back then, but we were putting out brutal death metal, and it was too much for people to comprehend."

Undeniable influence.

Part 2: Morbid Angel - God Of Emptiness

2008-06-06T01:11:00.002-04:00

"Shattering the boundaries of creativity and imagination while evolving with each groundbreaking release throughout its historic career, the band stands alone as the true icon in extreme music, serving as source of countless inspiration to the multitude of fans and never failing to amaze with each evolving chapter."

Hailing from Tampa, Florida, Morbid Angel has always left me wondering why they ordered their album titles alphabetically (their last album started with H). When I saw them live in 2000, I was completely focused on the drummer with his impeccable double bass skills.

Part 1: Cannibal Corpse - Hammer Smashed Face

2008-06-04T11:15:00.002-04:00

"We don't sing about politics. We don't sing about religion. [...] All our songs are short stories that, if anyone would so choose they could convert it into a horror movie. Really, that's all it is. We like gruesome, scary movies, and we want the lyrics to be like that. Yeah, it's about killing people, but it's not promoting it at all. Basically these are fictional stories, and that's it. And anyone who gets upset about it is ridiculous".- George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher, Vocalist. "If vomit were a movie, this would be the soundtrack," wrote one critic of Cannibal Corpse's music.

I was introduced to Death Metal through Cannibal Corpse as a young teenager, and this song was the heaviest thing I had ever heard up to that point in my life. I have enjoyed it ever since.

eighth

2008-03-19T01:00:00.002-04:00

finding (making) time is not very easy.

i found out the other day that i will be interning in New York City for twelve weeks this summer. I feel good about that. i'm hoping to find a place to stay in the City. this is going to be an emotional summer.
my new bike makes me happy.

seventh

2008-01-24T02:56:00.000-05:00

i need to find a new video host, or just break down and buy some space. the compression format photobucket uses is terrible, to the point that it is removing elements of the music. i guess just turn it up.

sixth

2008-01-20T21:33:00.000-05:00

a second attempt at hearts in motion.

unfinished.

positive affirmation

2007-12-28T23:38:00.000-05:00

a (drunken) message from one friend to another.

this was after i was blasting fools with a super soaker.

fifth

2007-12-16T23:59:00.000-05:00

life has always been interesting, but particularly at this moment in time, there is a complete alteration of my norm. at any rate, i am sittng in an SUV in Richmond, VA waiting for some shitty bands to finish playing while i drink a PBR and wait for my shitty band to start playing. i guess that is the life of being of being 'on tour.'

this is for, and inspired by Amanda. i hope she doesn't mind that i use this.

inspiration.

reaction.
hearts in motion

yeah.

musing

2007-12-01T17:11:00.000-05:00

i have reverted back to the same midset i was in a month ago, and that upsets me. i saw No Country For Old Men last night. it really spoke to my emotions, among other things. watching the movie put my mind into a place that i did not want to go, but it was so well done that i appreciated it so much more. just the fact that there was no music had an impact on me. the noise of the movie really heightened my senses. and the cinematography emphasized the characters emotions so much more. my mind was blank after the movie.

forth

2007-11-26T22:54:00.000-05:00

the world is a strange place to be living in at this very moment. there are many emotions being thrown around and the air is unpleasant.

hmmm

so far away, physically and mentally.

third

2007-11-19T02:26:00.000-05:00

i feel lost in my own imagination. coherent thoughts are misleading, and inspiration is unclear. ideas are piling up with no where to go. i am at a loss for words.

i need videos to score.

second

2007-11-14T00:44:00.000-05:00

trying to be profound is overrated. i spend so much time worrying about choosing the right words that i end up falling short of what should be represented.

i don't like disclaimers.

i will say that i am not an artist, i am merely a musician.

first

2007-11-13T13:50:00.000-05:00

reality is relative.
reality is your state of mind, which can be altered.

accepting your given reality is the process that i am coming to terms with at the moment, as well as the slight alteration. reality can be used to ones advantage. it is completely personal.

this a new 'frontier' for me. personally, i hate the word blog, but that doesn't really matter. this is my creative outlet, for myself.