November 28 to December 4, 2013
music
www.coachellavalleyweekly.com
www.coachellavalleyweekly.com
by mario lalli
Record Store Day, The Record Alley & The 9 Lives of the Vinyl Record
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n November 29th, “Black Friday” as it is known in the retail industry, Big box stores will be offering “crazy” discounts with people camping outside on the side walk to get the steal on the deal. TV’s, video games, computers, cell phones, ipads, if we consume it, Black Friday is apparently the day to buy it. Department stores will be left in shambles from frenzied consumers digging for the deal that will stretch their holiday dollar. This Black Friday is special though, because every independent record store is celebrating Record Store Day. For better or worse, it’s the busiest shopping day of the year, and once again Record Store Day will be helping indie record stores be part of it—with special exclusive releases from some of the most popular artists in almost every genre. The resurgence and survival of the vinyl record as a sustainable, tangible format for music lovers to fetish, collect and enjoy for generations, is a beautiful thing in this ever growing digitized, down loadable culture. Music, movies and products suggested by algorithms generated by our searches and purchases via the web is a reality we all live in and I’m not saying that YouTube hasn’t turned me on to some really great music & visual art that I would have never discovered otherwise. However, there is something about the longevity of the vinyl record that gives me hope that we (the hopeless music fanatic at least) will always protect it and support it. Reinventing the wheel and popular format trends: 1877 gave way to the “Phonograph Cylinder”. Then the Gramophone (closest ancestor to the modern turntable) was introduced in 1895. The 1930’s gave us “reel to reel magnetic tape”....from here to 1948 when the”vinyl record” hit the scene there were several new methods of recording and playing back sound invented, but the vinyl record opened the doors to the mass consumer and the phonograph industry responded with affordable easy to use record players. From large furniture cabinet like component systems to small portable suitcase sized units...the world of recorded
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music was ours to explore. The Edison, Victor (and, later, Columbia) companies defined and dominated the production and early distribution of recorded music. This formative time of establishing nationwide networks of vendors and retail outlets--our nation’s earliest “record stores”--was one of rapid growth for the music industry. But this was to change with technology and cultural shifts in entertainment mediums. With television being the biggest culprit, we all know what influence that had and still has to this day, how many hours of our attention it consumes. It tells us how to dress, who to vote for, what to eat and drink, what to drive and occasionally, actually entertains or even educates us. In 1906 there were 25,000 record dealers, a total that would be cut to 7,500 fifty years later, and to below 3,000 a half century later.(Vinyl History.com)The implementation of music charts were dedicated solely to vinyl, and an increased output of films (largely independent), and television or radio programs were also dedicated to the vinyl record and culture. The revival has sometimes been considered a part of the greater revival of retro style. However, many sales in vinyl are of modern artists with modern styles or genres of music. Furthermore, many vinyl buyers are significantly too young to remember vinyl being a main music format, being in their teens, 20s, or 30s. I remember very well the local record store and the magic there within. In Palm Springs there were two that changed my life. The RECORD ALLEY, which opened its doors in 1978, was where I bought my first
KISS record, Aerosmith, Mountain, Black Sabbath, The Seeds, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top, then in the early 80’s all the punk treasures that we would discover, Ramones, DEVO, imports like the Damned, Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Crass, Bauhaus… L.A., San Francisco and O.C. bands like X, Black Flag, Adolescents, the Minute Men, the Dead Kennedy’s ....we couldn’t wait to hit the bins...scoring the Who, Pink Floyd, Ram Jam, The Plasmatics, Iggy Pop, Frank Zappa, Motorhead....it goes on and on ....records still on my shelf to pull down, play and gaze upon the awesome art work and read the liner notes like they were written just for me. Try to download that! The good news is most records newly released or reissued come with a “download code” or even a
CD version packaged right in the record jacket. So you can listen on your ipods, phones, computers etc., but on the shelf is that collectible, tangible record... a piece of history. Hats off to Jim & Shelly Stephens for keeping the music coming since 1978.... through records, 8 tracks, cassettes, CD’s and back again....congrats man for hangin’ in!!! Come down and celebrate Record Store Day starting on Black Friday 72840 Hwy 111 #171, Palm Desert, CA 92260 in the Westfield Shopping Mall SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH 10:00AM - 6:00PM The RECORD ALLEY has special live performances planned all day and specials on all the cool stuff they offer. Check out the line-up of local perfromers: Mikey Reyes (Soul Opus/ Mikey Reyes Acoustic Movement), Gene Evaro Jr. (Evaro), Shavaughn Evaro (Evaro), Josh Heinz (Blasting Echo), Johnny Elsewhere, David Macias (Machin’), Michael Keeth & Martin Barrera, Joe Dillon & Scott Brooks (Hot Beat Pussy Fiend), Giorg Tierez & Frank Michel (Burning Bettie), Rob Lawrence (Sol Jah Rock).
F.O.T.B HAS RETURNED
(760)346-3682 73-614 HWY 111 PALM DESERT CA
November 28 to December 4, 2013
Local Music Spotlight
Local Music Spotlight
Anonymous Vox
yet 2 be determined (y2bd)
by Eric the red (eric robertson)
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his week, I’m taking a step away from my usual metal and rock mentality, and moving into a territory most people wouldn’t expect. Looking through upcoming events on Facebook, I stumbled upon a true gem. Just starting out in his music career, Anonymous Vox (or A.Vox for short) is preparing for his first live show as a rapper. With moving, heartfelt lyrical content and rhythms that make it difficult to sit still, Anonymous Vox is ready to blast his way into your minds. Utilizing beats and tunes reminiscent of dubstep music, and layering his amazing vocal flow on top, the music A.Vox is producing is absolutely astounding. More along the lines of spoken word poetry than the majority of hip-hop and rap today, his words are awe inspiring. When asked where he draw’s inspiration for his lyrics, he stated, “From experiences I encounter in life. My thoughts in general, I suppose. I think if you’re honest, music, like all true art, is a reflection of self. No matter what I’m talking about, it’s a reflection of my thoughts and feelings about an issue. I write about life experiences. [My song] ‘When the Drop Hits,’ which I started writing while I was in the crowd at my first music festival at 3am rockin out to Bassnectar or Free Nation which was me venting my frustrations about the blatant hypocrisy of government and peoples seeming indifference towards it.” Having lyrics also touching on perseverance and following one’s dreams, A.Vox is out to change the standard in the rap genre. Not only are A.Vox’s lyrics threaded with meaning, his stage name holds a statement as well. Originally starting out as just “Anonymous,” he created the moniker for his appearance on a friend’s mixtape. “It was originally an acronym that stood for ‘Another No One Nobody but Yahweh Might Otherwise UnderStand.’ I kind of had a double meaning, because I didn’t want to be identified directly and I also thought that it was better that people focus on the merit of the words, than who was saying them (something that, unfortunately, so many
by selma grows
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people apparently lack the ability to do). There was also the stated meaning which, was basically saying that I was just another nobody, like everyone, that nobody but God himself would understand if it weren’t for the words I spoke as an artist. The Vox is something I picked recently because I’ve always been kind of uncomfortable with the name Anonymous because it’s so commonly used in so many contexts and that doesn’t exactly make for good marketing. Vox being the Latin word for voice, it kind of just made sense in context of the original meaning of the name, and I think it just sounds cool. So the name is now Anonymous Vox or as a some of my friends and fans call me, Avox.” Even though he’s just starting in his musical endeavors, A.Vox has still faced some pretty daunting obstacles. On the subject of the biggest challenge he’s faced, he said, “As a musician, my biggest challenge is overcoming my own insecurities as an artist and trying to avoid the pitfall of following someone else’s character. Success in music is so often measured by fame and exposure, so it’s difficult to not try to pander to people by emulating what’s popular. Staying genuine and just having faith in yourself and your message, so that you can honestly connect with people who will relate to your music and be REAL fans.” With a positive message and a career that is just blossoming, A.Vox is ready to inspire and motivate the minds of our valley. Be sure to check him out on Facebook at facebook.com/AnonymousVox, and see his first live performance this Saturday, 11/30, at the Hood Bar and Pizza with the return of Boycott Radio and What the Funk.
upport and Education for Local Music and Arts presents the headlining band at the February 7, 2014 event hosted by The Palm Desert Learning Tree Center. It’s a pleasure to present the band and their families. We all know that it takes effort from numerous dedicated sources to create success. The Y2BD, Yet to Be Determined, history actually begins many years ago when drummer Nicolas Willman, 11, and his cousin, guitarist Noah Arujo,10, started learning their respective instruments. Coming from a musical family, the boys were heavily influenced by hard rock acts such as KISS, AC/DC, Van Halen, and Motley Crue. At family parties the boys began playing songs from these artists and quickly raised eyebrows. And now bass and vocals are respectively handled by Andy Anderson11 and Markus Ortega 9. Earlier this year, Y2BD began rehearsing with a bass player and a singer, both found from family friends. In March they played their first gig opening up for local band Wyte Gye at Tack Room Tavern in Indio. Their three-song set was well received and the boys were elated to be performing in public. Y2BD has since played several more gigs and continue to learn new songs. They work very hard at rehearsal, which is held two nights a week. Currently they are rehearsing for their next gig at Indio’s Tamale Festival on December 7 2013. The boys play at 12:30 p.m. on the Sunset Stage.
The Y2BD parents are equally committed to their success and encourage them to expand their musical knowledge. Noah and Andy continue to take guitar and bass lessons. Nicolas’s guitarist father provides a permanent jamming partner for him. Markus’ mother ensures he arrives at rehearsal with lyrics memorized. The bandmates are obviously grateful for all the support they receive. The boys know the importance of playing their instruments well and learning new songs. Their ultimate goal is to begin writing and recording their own music. For now they are having fun honing their skills on the songs people recognize. Although they do not realize, their performances have had a huge impact on the kids watching them. Y2BD’s parents’ have heard multiple times that other children now “want to do that, too.” Support and Education for Local Music and Arts is honored to highlight this band. As the seasons change new talent arises and the hope to expand the opportunities in our community. SELMA. Y2BD. Happy Holidays Coachella Valley!
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