December 30, 2009

Another example of how NYC is not anywhere else.

Poster_NY Here's a graphic showing what NYC listened to in '09 to vs. what the rest of us listened to. I like how "We" are listening to Animal Collective just like "They" are, but that "They" are listening to it in 64-point type while "We" are still on 18. And, since I don't see Gov't Mule, the Crowes or even Umphrey's McGee on there, by "We" I do not mean me. Thanks to Last FM.

December 23, 2009

"Cold Mountain" is Not a Christmas Song

   

Rocky-mountains
A few years ago my brother Brad used to be in a band called The Grand Fiasco. (Great name, I know.) They catered to the local jamband fans and played a lot of shows in KC and a couple out of town, too. He plays bass, guitar and pretty much anything else he wants to try -- the jerk. Anyway, he wrote a song called "Cold Mountain" that everybody really dug.

And while it's not a Christmas song, the following sentiment makes me feel really good.

"So what if there are times when we’re left to wonder
If we’ve been out here for too long
And all these influences we’re under
Up on cold mountain they’re playin’ our song
Up on cold mountain they’re playin’ our song"

Here's the track. And here's why I think it's relevant today.

I think the first couple lines capture how many of us in our industry feel about being caught between clients and brands and agencies and departments. It captures how we feel when we create work we're not especially proud of and then see other agencies' work that we are so, so jealous of.

But when you get to the last line, we end on an upnote. To me it says that, at the end of the day, we work in a pretty fucking sweet industry that pays us well, lets us use our creative brains, lets us wear pretty much what we want and, for the most part, champions our odd behavior and strange habits.

To me, at least, it seems that up on cold mountain, they are – in fact – playing our song.

Happy Holidays everybody. See you in 2010.

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