exploremusic

Here’s the Deal with Web-Streaming Devices

Here’s what I’ve discovered today.

You know what gadgets might be really hot this Christmas?  Devices that can stream music from the Internet.  Things like web-ready clock radios have been around for years, but there’s more and more of them and some people think they’re ready for prime time.  They’re easier to set up and, more importantly, a whole lot cheaper than they used to be.

I’m also seeing more devices that can be attached to stereo systems and TVs.  Many of them can be controlled by iTunes applications. 

After years of promises and dead ends, we’re getting closer and closer to the day when we can get music from any device we want, whenever we want it.

Here’s the Deal with Sum 41

The Warped Tour is in Toronto today and moves to Parc Jean Drapeau in Montreal tomorrow. Earlier in the tour, we embedded reporter Mike Sullivan with all the bands as things got rolling in California.  He ran into Cone and Steve-O from Sum 41 and asked them about their favourite Warped Tour moments.

Here’s the Deal with 30 Seconds To Mars

Speaking of festivals, here’s a story from the Werchter Festival in Belgium.  This year’s line-up featured Muse, Pearl Jam, Rammstein—and 30 Seconds to Mars.  This is precious.  While all the other bands were happy to carry on as usual, 30 Seconds to Mars wouldn’t allow any photographers in front of the stage for the customary first three songs—and they also brought along their own security guards which they insisted replace the regular security detail.  I have no idea why—but it was the talk of the backstage area.

Here’s the Deal with Danger Mouse

Finally, a pleasant surprise.  I’m a big fan of Danger Mouse, the producer and performer who has worked with Gorillaz and Beck and is now part of a project with James Mercer of The Shins called Broken Bells.  A couple of years ago, he got together with Mark Linkous, the guy behind a band called Sparklehorse.  They, with the help of some big-name friends, wrote and recorded an album named Dark Night of the Soul.

But then there was some kind of dispute with their record label and the CD never came out.  Instead, Danger Mouse offered a 100-page book from his website (featuring all sorts of stuff from weirdo filmmaker David Lynch) which came with a blank CD and the instructions “Use it as you will.”  In other words, “The album is out there on torrent sites.  Feel free to grab it.”

Earlier this year, I had Danger Mouse on the phone and he said the album will come out—someday—once all the legal issues are settled.  Well, that day is now.  Dark Night of the Soul is available through EMI—and it sounds great.  Guest appearances include the Flaming Lips, Black Francis from the Pixies, Nina Persson from the Cardigans, Iggy Pop and Julian Casablancas from the Strokes.

ExploreMusic Playlist: The songs featured on the radio show today were:

“End of Me” by Apocalyptica (feat. Gavin Rossdale)
“Little Girl” by Dark Night Of The Soul (feat. Julian Casablancas)
“Scumf***” by Sum 41
“How You Like Me Now?” by The Heavy