The Extra Terrestrials Show At Chennai Music Academy

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The Premiere of the show Extra Terrestrials was held today at the Music Academy.

The show began with a performance by the Golden Power- the two men Sandor Vlah and Gyula Takacs who were painted in gold displayed an amazing combination of strength, skill and art by effortlessly performing hand balancing acts and taking on each other’s weight.

The audience was still recovering from the wonderful feats performed by them, when Wolfgang Bientzle the German Wheel Acrobat, came up with an awesome performance on the wheel to exclamations of ‘wow’ in the audience.

Erik Ivarsson’s antics on the unicycle left the audience speechless with amazement, while Jerome Murat a mime, illusionist and ventriloquist captivated the audience with his act. Watching him was like watching a magic performance- should be watched to be believed.

The audience was enthralled by Anton Monastyrsky as they watched him get in an out of the hula hoop and spin circles around it until the hoops almost became a blur. No wonder he is also called The Lord of the Rings.

Not only was Roma Hervida’s performance spell binding but her very presence was magnetic. Her dazzling performance had most of us in the audience at the edge of our seats!

The final performance by Laser man, Theo Dari who was bending, cutting and restoring laser points to create a visual display that was truly enchanting. You can take it from us-we did not want the performance to end!

What else can we say about the performances other than ‘Wow’?
You have to watch the show to believe how good it is.

The shows are taking place on February 3,4,5,6 and 7, 2010 thrice a day, at Music Academy.

Music Review Of The Stand Ins By Okkervil River

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Okkervil River is an indie rock band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. Okkervil River consist of Scott Brackett (Trumpet/ Keyboards), Brian Cassidy (Vocals, Electric Guitar, Mandolin), Travis Nelsen (Drums), Patrick Pestorius (Bass), Will Sheff (Vocals/Guitar), Justin Sherburn (New Member) and Lauren Gurgiolo (New Member). Former member, Jonathan Meiburg (Vocals, Keyboards, Accordion) left the band to pursue as a singer and songwriter in his new band, Shearwater. The band has garnered positive critical reception, especially noted are each songs lyrics, intricate instrumentation, and thematic albums. 🙂 Okkervil River play songs that are heart-felt and all songs written by them are actually beautiful poems that ought to be remembered for a long long time. Clever lyrics combined with music that are full of emotions and touch everyones heart upon listen. They are as big as the Amazon River. 😀

The Stand Ins is such a matured album that even Adult and Elderly People will fall in love with it. It’s definitely a perfect album for my parents’ wedding anniversary. 🙂 It has 3 tracks which are pure instrumentals.

“Stand Ins, One” is just 48 seconds long and is the intro to The Stand Ins. It started off slowly and gradually picked up and got louder. Accordian can be heard throughout this song and at times, it sounded creepy to me. Nonetheless, this track will get you ready and build up the tempo and excitement in you for the next track. 🙂

What i love about “Lost Coastlines” apart from the awesome lyrics is its music. 😉 Patrick Pestorius’ playing of bass gets my head nodding each time i listen to this track. Not only that, the mandolin and trumpet also created an atmosphere as if i’m watching a big group of orchestra performance. As Will sings, “But we find the maps he sent to us don’t mention lost coastlines…”. He knows that they are lost on the shoreline.. And when it comes to the end, it will not be long when you finally find yourself singing along with Okkervil River.. “La, la, la…”

The beginning of “Singer Songwriter” resembles “Ain’t No Easy Way” by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club”, and it tells the story about a girl who has everything that she could ever ask for.. But due to this very same fact, she failed in everything she chose to do.. And nothing’s gonna change her world.. It’s also one of the loudest track on The Stand Ins where various guitar playings can be heard throughout this track. Beautiful country rock song where you can imagine a group of elderly people enjoying and dancing to this power-pop country rock track. 😀 Love it!

“Starry Stairs” should have been the last track on this album. It just has the quality to end an album. 🙂 Will sings as if he is sad.. “If you don’t love me, i’m sorry”. It’s the most memorable moment on this track. As he goes on, he sings about how a girl that he loves, lied to him. He has no choice but to say goodbye.. All the Starry Stairs seem to be falling apart as he climbs.. Definitely a track to look out for on The Stand-Ins! Play this song if you found out that your girlfriend is lying to you or hiding something from you! 🙂 Make her know that you’re saying goodbye..

Clocking in at over 6 minutes long is “Blue Tulip”. The longest song on this album. Blue Tulip, again sings about a girl who lies.. “Hats off to my distant hope, a little lie, a puff of smoke…”, sings Will, and as he sings, i feel the pain he’s in. I feel sorry for him. Such a sad song that it’s impossible to ignore this powerful ballad which sings the way to your heart. And it’s one of the reasons Okkervil River is famous for! 😉

“Stand Ins, Two” is another instrumental. A slow guitar plucking and piano playing. As if Okkervil River is taking a brief break from this album. 🙂

As its title suggests, “Pop Lie” is about lies. A story about a man who lies in his pop songs. Thus, Pop Lie. 🙂 Damn, Okkervil River is good at it! They write songs that’s so complicated until i have to listen countlessly to Pop Lie before i could figure out the real meaning behind this song. A man who has so many fans, from kids to adults, lies whenever he sings. Is this the real world out there? You be the judge. Anyway, it’s a guitar-power-packed song that is so radio friendly! Cheers to Okkervil River!

“On Tour with Zykos” is specially written for Okkervil River’s past member, Jonathan Meiburg. Will wishes him all the best on his future undertaking… “Roll your crew on down the road, to the next sold out show… ” I really love the piano playing of this song. I can feel the friendship shared between Okkervil River and Jonathan. And it reminds me of the friendship shared between Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon. Incredible farewell song to Jonathan! 😀

“Calling and Not Calling My Ex” is a very radio-friendly track. At first listen, i already knew i would like this song. The beat and tempo of this song is just perfect that it’ll make you go on remembering this song, especially the beginning of this song. “God knows i’m feeling really stupid now, forever having said goodbye…” is the phrase that i always recall whenever i listen to this song. And another praise for the piano of this song. I just find it very appealing and infectious.. 😉

“Stand Ins, Three”, another instrumental. Violin can be heard throughout this track until it subsides where it jump to another track… More or less, it’s the prelude to the next song…

“Bruce Wayne Campbell Interviewed on the Roof of the Chelsea Hotel, 19793 is the track that closes The Stand Ins. Before ending The Stand Ins, Okkervil River managed to close this album on thematic and anthemic note. This song is a slow ballad that Will sings, “Pull down the shades, let’s kill the morning…”, as if he’s disappointed and despair in love. But like most closing song, it ended on a high note, high spirit, trumpet, guitar and drums all came in together to make this a memorable one. Okkervil River have done it again! 🙂

Rating: I’m speechless… I’m totally impressed with the lyrics written by Okkervil River. The have this ability to write songs with lyrics that are so cryptic that we have to think through the words in order to understand the real meaning behind those lyrics. Not only that, their music landscape and genre is so focused that they are becoming the pioneer in what they are doing. Beautiful and heart-felt songs all in The Stand Ins, i honestly give it 7.5 out of 10. Cheers!

Stand-Out Tracks (My Picks): Lost Coastlines, Singer Songwriter, Starry Stairs, Calling and Not Calling My Ex, On Tour with Zykos.

Music Makes Kids Happy and Smarter

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Dont you guys just love music? Do you know why for some reason it is so easy to change your mood by listening to the music you like? Music has, in fact, been scientifically proven to make us happy, smarter and more vibrant.

If we look at our brains closely we will be able to see neural pathways. These pathways are where information travels to and fro. When we listen to music, these pathways come alive. And heres another thing, when we level up to music making or playing musical instruments new neural pathways are created. Advanced technology such as PET scans and MRI imaging has made it possible to monitor the brain. This is why when engaged in such activity our spirits become more alive and our thinking processes become more enhanced. Problem solving and creativity are developed when music is incorporated to any activity that requires a lot of thinking.

In addition, music is said to be part of our biological heritage and is hard wired into our genes as a survival strategy. Music was used in earlier generations for intra-group communication that increased group safety and identification improving notification of pending threat or environmental changes. Music was also used to increase harmony and social bonding among those playing it or listening to it. In this manner, it is said that music may have contributed to changes in the brain such as verbal memory, counting, and self-discipline, which have enhanced survival.

With these findings, it is safe to assume that incorporating music to our childrens daily activities will reap benefits later on. Not for us, but for their survival in this competitive world. Helping them learn the musical arts, music making, or playing musical instruments will teach them self-discipline, patience, and organizational values which will give them better chances of leading a better and more productive life.

To get started on this venture, there are many research literatures available about Music and the Brain. Also, Sharon Burch, a music teacher hailing from Iowa and author of the Freddie the Frog book series has lined up useful books to help your kids become more interested in music. With the mission of breaking down big abstract music concepts into developmentally appropriate pieces for kids, the book series tells a fictitious story appropriate for kids that depicts unforgettable characters and stories about the musical staff, musical notes, and all other musical concepts.

Listen Different Songs In Different Rooms On Sonos Multi-room Music System

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If you wish to listen to music all through your house and function it simply, Sonos multi-room music system is the best option to consider. With this kind of digital music system, you can hear music anywhere in your house with hifi quality loudspeakers. Sonos multi-room music system is the finest music system that comes with LCD color display and a remote control.

The system has created a buzz in the world of latest audio/video news, as you can easily switch off or on the system from downstairs or else select a song from kitchen or bathroom. The universal remote control works wirelessly that means that no aiming is required. Also, you can get numerous controllers at a time. The remote control allows you to select or change a song, use search for finding favorites plus instantly unlink and link zones for playing one similar song in different rooms or various songs within every room.

With Sonos music system, you will be able to concurrently play various songs up to 32 in various rooms or same song in different rooms. Additionally, it lets you to simply access the digital music assortment with scroll wheel and big LCD touchscreen.

Several worth mentioning aspects about the system include:

Wireless which functions without making you realize that it is actually doing its work no matter where you are in your house.
A multi room system, which is flexible, fun and flawless.
Offers music from almost each and every source that you can think about.
The systems set up is a child task and can be done in no time without any technical expertise.

You can without any difficulty search the songs that you want to hear simply through the Sonos in hand controller via searching your whole private music collection. It will enable you to find song by album, track name or artist. Once you succeed in finding your favorite song, exercise the Sonos system for wirelessly streaming your favorite number throughout the house.

Along with Sonos, the mordaunt-short loud speakers have also been in the top headlines of the latest audio/video news. The mordaunts genie and alumni speakers are perfect enough to hear music. Among these two kinds of mordaunt-short loud speakers, the genie speaker delivers boot shaking, rich bass when the alloy satellites perform at its best when it comes to clear audible dialogue and crispy multi channel effects.

On the other hand, the alumni speaker offers exceptional sound, which is rich as well as seamlessly integrated in all the main five channels. Both the speakers are sufficiently small to be adjusted in the living room or at preferred location.

When it comes to availing this amazing and enthralling music gadgets visit online. Internet will let you access some most excellent gears like Cambridge-audio hifi, soundcast outdoor speaker or even digital signage solutions.

How To Share Music From Ipad To Itunes On Mac

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Apple iPad has released for several months, questions about it come along,one of the most surprising questions we get from new iPad users is whether they can Transfer Music from iPad to iTunes on Mac if they arent purchased and downloaded from iTunes Store. The answer is yes, of course you can. In most cases, its just as easy (if not easier) than buying directly from Apple. In this how-to, well focus on transfering music from iPad to iTunes that arent purchased through iTunes. It takes a few extra steps, but it can be done.

Fortunately, there are a lot of programs to transfer iPad music to iTunes library in the internet market now. Here I found one iPad to iTunes transfer software to help and it works well and very simple to use.

The following show you How to Transfer Music from iPad to iTunes on Mac by this software.

Step 1: Download and launch iPad Converter Mac Suite. Run the software, connect iPad to Mac, this software will automatically detect iPad, then the iPad icon library and playlists will appear in the main menu. Related information about iPad shows in the right window. Such as, type, capacity, version, serial number, and format. You can see these easily, when you come into the main interface.

Step 2: Click “Music” button in the left side, all the iPad songs will appear in the file list. You can check before the songs you want to transfer Music from iPad to iTunes. This iPad to iTunes Transfer software support you add more than one files to transfert at a time, if you don’t transfer all the songs, you need to click the “check” button one time. It is very easy-to-use and friendly interface.

Step 3: Click the “Export->Export to local” option on the “File” top-menu, or directly click the “Export checked files to local” button to export and select the target folder for saving iPad Music in the dialog box that appears, and press “Save” button and start to transfer music from iPad to iTunes.

Meanwhile this software contains the following Features:

Mac to iPad Transfer
Transfer music, videos, photos, TV Shows and podcasts from Mac to iPad library without using iTunes;

Backup iPad files on Mac
Retrieve iPad music, videos, photos, ePub, TV Shows and podcasts files for backup on your Mac; Mac iPad Converter
Convert DVD movie or all popular video formats to MP4 and MPEG-4 for playback on your iPad, iPod and iPhone;

Rip DVD music to iPad converter
Easily rip DVD audio and movie music to MP3, AAC, M4A that can be played well on iPad, iPods and iPhone with excellent quality of sound.

So by using this iPad to iTunes transfer you can effortlessly transfer music, Photo, ePub, albums, playlists and video back to iTunes.