Capital Records

Capital Records: Recount The Dream

2010-08-18T21:32:00Z

Weird Al plays the Tiny Desk Concert beneath the trademark sign.For the last ten weeks I lived a dream. Working within the NPR Music team of writers and web producers I admired for years was a glimpse into an alternate reality. This was an office from another world where people don't hate their jobs, aren't mindlessly going through motions, foster creativity and focus on music's importance in everyday life. Not to mention, world renown musicians would constantly play at the desk a few feet away from me.

I was a starry-eyed eager intern when I first saw the "All Songs Considered" sign carved out above the ceiling high shelf of albums behind Bob Boilen's desk. That feeling of awe and amazement lasted throughout remedial tasks like opening mail and filing hundred of cd's on tightly packed shelves. And when I saw more opportunites come my way, I of course bit off more than I could chew. While the workload was stressful and I pushed myself beyond exhaustion, in the end, the internship with All Songs Considered was the most fulfilling time in my life.

Capital Records: All Songs Debut!

2010-08-12T03:24:41Z

I first heard about All Songs Considered in 2005- 5 years later, a trip to SXSW, and massive blog posts later- I'm on the show. It is incredibly surreal to listen to my voice through the NPR player along side Bob, Robin and Stephen. I sat down in the production room, put on the headphones, and tested the mic levels. After that all i did was talk music. And in the midst of extreme nerves, I think my talking was insightful too! Geez, how can I swing this gig!

It took me a few days to work up the courage to hear the playback. Fortunately, I don't sound like an idiot, which rightfully worried me because a ton of people listen to this show. But a good amount gave me positive feedback particularly about The Hood Internet pick.

On the first week of the internship, I caught some flack for adoring mash-ups as much as I do, which is why I was hesitant to bring "Two Weeks of Hip-Hop" to the table. Ultimately, Professor Johnson's voice resonated in my head, "It takes a lot more courage to stick your neck out for something you believe in, then going along with what's safe."

Perhaps Get Down podcasts are in the near future. Afterall, what else am I going to do? Internship is done on Friday and unemployment is ready to greet me in Jersey!

Intern Review Stirs the Haters

2010-06-24T01:20:54Z

There's an on going series at the All Songs Blog where the Interns review classic albums. I put myself in an incredibly stressful and vulnerable position when i chose to review The Velvet Underground & Nico. I knew the NPR audience would be attached to this groundbreaking record, and I dont discount the impact, but people are not taking to my thoughts kindly. Even Collin Meloy of The Decemberists added his two cents via twitter."\

"They sounded sloppy and self-indulgent, especially John Cale’s grating viola drone." An @allsongs intern reviews VU. Head on a plate, pls.

Capital Records: Beta Version

2010-06-20T15:12:44Z

This is technically my first real day from NPR since starting the internship and I love the exhaustion it causes me. I'm putting in all of my energy into something I absolutely love, but unfortunately The Get Down is falling to the wayside.

Since I recently learned my primary duties for All Songs are basically the same as what I'm doing here, I think it's best I put The Get Down in it's beta version. You'll find redirects to the work I am doing at All Songs Considered and I hope that suffices. For me to maintain any sort of endurance and avoid carpel tunnel syndrome, I'll be posting less than I initially anticipated. The Get Down will still have a presence and Hear/Says will be recorded but my primary focus belongs to All Songs Considered now.

I apologize to the readers (though there are probably only about 20 of you). If you keep going to NPR Music and the All Songs Blog and show your support there, maybe this dream world I'm living in can last beyond the internship term. I'm having the greatest time of my life and though it may not be the most followed blog on the web - The Get Down and everyone who supported it really made this all come true for me.

Now, excuse me while I kick ass in D.C. - I'll check back in soon enough!

Capital Records: 10 Straight Days & Counting

2010-06-16T01:37:10Z

It's official, The Get Down is taking a backseat to NPR. Sorry to the readers, but the latter is a paid gig that I absolutely love. Since I started last Monday, I have worked 10 straight days and opted to leave my earned vacation day till later on. I don't want to miss a minute.

NPR's Bonnaroo concert coverage had me working marathon hours in the office (I didn't leave till 3 am Sunday Morning, and went back at 5 pm). But seeing my efforts published online, knowing that 100,000 people now have access to archived festival performances was instant gratification. Plus, I got another byline!

It was hysterical seeing the other supervisors zonked from their hard work. They have every right to be exhausted, but I'm ignoring my own fatigue because I don't have their job security.

Today I got to experience my first Tiny Desk Concert- a classical cellist performed some pieces that will be posted in the coming days. It wasn't exactly as enthralling as Phoenix, but there's more name on the list coming to the office, you'll see.

NPR is blowing up with fresh ideas and new directions. Hell, Drake even got homepage coverage for his album review, which was a point of heated discussion in the office. Some say he's got flow, I say he rhymes like Yoda. ("I can teach you how to speak my language, Rosetta Stone") If he just could slip "like" in before "Rosetta Stone" to complete the sentence I would give him more slack. But that hook blows to. No thank, Drake.

Capital Records: The Rules & Perks of the All Songs Intern

2010-06-10T00:18:50Z

I am a kid in a candy shop, actually just a music nerd at NPR. More people are realizing why that metaphor makes sense, especially after The Washington Post article touting my office as an "indie tastemaker." It came along with some weighted opinions about NPR's role from other sources. Most of the coverage missed the breadth and scope of the NPR Music, because there really isn't an agenda. In the end, however, any press is good press.

My role is currently minimal since the first three days were spent opening and sorting mail. However, every envelope contained a cd of new music, and some were rare gems. It was like Christmas, but this is not the season for sharing. Let me make it clear just as it was to me: they are trusting me with privileged access to music and information, so I'm not messing with that. This girl's got her eye on the prize after all.

Back to the fun stuff.

My supervisors, Robin Hilton and Bob Boilen, are Bonnaroo bound for NPR's first live webcast of the festival performances. At first it was a buzzkill when I heard they were leaving me behind, but I get to be apart of the home team delivering the coverage to the NPR audiences. That's pretty amazing. Plus it also gave me the perfect opportunity to share some insight for the All Songs Blog. Pretty sweet byline, I'd say!

Okay, here's one freebie - Download the All Songs Considered Bonnaroo sampler artists here.

Capital Records: Transformer's D.I.Y. Art and Rock

2010-06-05T23:12:52Z

Transformer is quite literally a white washed hole in the wall on P Street, at least for right now. This space is a non-profit local center for emerging visual artists to display their work, which varies from a life-size snowball to a recreated cornfield exhibit and anything in between.

Yesterday, however, Transformer was dedicated to rock! Nearly 30 people crammed into this teeny tiny space to hear bands The Andalusians and Aquarium for a Dischord Records showcase "A Day of Dischord." I only caught Aquarium, but despite the oppressive heat and volume, the audience enjoyed this straightforward energized synth/drum duo, which singer/keyboardist Jason Hutto described as "Modern Folk."

Dischord is an independent label and staple in the D.C. area since starting 30 years ago by Minor Threat/Fugazi band member Ian MacAye, a pivotal figure in hardcore music's D.I.Y. movement. Following the performances was a screening of "Instrument" the documentary of Fugazi's history, political awareness, personal identity and involvement in shaping grunge/hardcore music.

AquariumLike the Discord Label, Transformer's current exhibit by Jeff Hnilicka, Sustainability Lab, aims to promote art by "exploring emerging models of cultural production.. and their impact on communities." Hnilicka is a brooklyn based arts administrator dedicating his work toward social responsibility with such projects as Funding Emerging Artists with Sustainable Tactics, or F.E.A.S.T., a potluck fundraising dinner supporting local artists' projects.

Sustainability Labs continues through June 12th with workshops, art, and discussions. The full schedule is available here.

Capital Records: Lessons Learned

2010-06-02T18:17:18Z

1. Trust Your Instincts
Today I set out to learn the WMATA bus routes before my official work week began to avoid showing up haggard and confused. Well, I got the haggard and confused part out of the way early this morning trying to figure out my bearings. Being as impatient as I am, I kept walking instead of waiting at stops I wasn't so sure about. Needless to say, If I had a waited a few more minutes and trusted my gut, my feet wouldn't hurt as much.

2. Pre-adolescent Groups Plague the Smithsonian Museums
Finally I axed the idea of buses temporarily and hopped the much easier to navigate D.C. Metro Rail. After walking (and getting lost) around The Mall, I found my way into the American History Museum to see the Apollo Theater Exhibit: Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing. Unfortunately, the history of the Apollo wasn't all that interesting when showcased through memorobilia behind glass with corresponding descriptions. There was not nearly enough music played for the exhibit to capture the energy and raucous of the Apollo. However, the worst part about my museum experience was I never faced such obnoxious throngs of pre-adolescent tour groups. This museum really caters to a much younger crowd, and I was mostly annoyed by my surroundings.

3. Check Your E-mail
But here's the kicker! Because I was on my newly purchased droid looking at metro schedules and maps, I didn't check my email as much as I normally would for the sake of battery life. Of course, when I finally came back to my apartment, I saw I missed an e-mail from my supervisor inviting me into the office early for a Tiny Desk Concert. The featured artists were The Mynabirds, a soul-inspired country gospel band led by Laura Burhenn, whom I profiled in a SXSW Spotlight.

I will be kicking myself for quite sometime for opting to be touristy today.

Capital Records: 9:30 Club Anniversary Show

2010-06-01T15:18:45Z

Dave Grohl performs "Everlong"On my first night out in D.C., I received a crash course in the area's music history at 9:30 Club's 30th Anniversary Show. It was almost like watching a high school reunion occur on stage, where hometown heros, like Dave Grohl and Ted Leo, got reacquainted with their former stomping grounds. The evening's host was Black Flag frontman/ comedian Henry Rollins, who although showed up late, gave great insights to the awe-inspiring D.C. talent showcased at this free concert.

Tiny Desk Unit opens the show.

The Evens play at a heightened level.

Kicking off this show, just as they did at 9:30 Clubs opening, was Tiny Desk Unit. This electro-experimental groove band includes the reason why I am in D.C. to begin with: my new boss, Bob Boilen. Unfortunately, with a packed bill paying tribute to history, Tiny Desk got rushed off the stage for other 9:30 staple bands like amusing rock n roll band The Fleshtones, 80's psychedelic punk band The Slickee Boys (this was their record setting 80th show at 9:30), Americana rock acts like Marti Jones & Don Dixon, and Ska band The Pietasters.

Ted Leo and Bob Mould, other influential lo-fi punk rock songwriters, took the stage with the bare minimum necessities: their voice and amplified guitar. Not to be outdone, Dave Grohl stood alone on stage, where cell phone camera's immediately pointed his way when he playing his hit "Everlong."

I too had my camera out to shoot video, before one of the employees kindly told me "the artists requested no video tonight." That's a sincere testament to 9:30 Club's hospitality. Neil Fallon of traveling hard rock band Clutch praised owner Seth Hurwitz for running a uniquely welcoming establishment. He said during his set that compared to 9:30, "Other nightclubs suck. Trust me, you don't want to go to most other nightclubs." So far, I believe him or maybe I am just accustomed to the New York/ New Jersey attitude.

Trouble Funk closes the night with party music.Closing the night, after nearly seven hours, was Trouble Funk. This band's notable party down sound popularized D.C.'s funk subgenre called go-go music ,which Rollins described as " the in the pocket beat synonymous with the 202 area code." Once the drummer pounded in the groove followed by high pitched horn squeals, the bassist put the party on auto-pilot with a deep soul growl, "AWWWW YEA." Though D.C.'s muggy summer was palpable, the packed crowd immediately began to dance with Trouble Funk as they led call and response chants "PUMP!PUMP!PUMP! PUMP ME UP!" and my favorite, "Trouble Funk Gonna Funk You Up, Ain't No Trouble Like Trouble Funk." The party closed with Trouble Funk jamming out with Hurwitz on the drums for an appropriate cover of "Play The Funky Music."

I may be a rookie in the D.C. area, but seeing history revived at 9:30 Club's 30th Anniversary show made me feel very excited for the coming weeks and right at home in my new neighborhood.