Writing A Novel
Threat, or menace? The BBC examines the question.
Wes Phillips
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Faking It
Hugh Barker and Yuval Taylor have written <I>Faking It: the quest for authenticity in popular music</I>, a book that tackles the "pop paradox": the harder popular musicians try to "keep it real," the faker their music becomes.
Understatement of the Year
<I>Variety</I> headline: "Digital proves problematic." Oh who would have ever thunk it? Oh wait—maybe it was us audiophiles.
Head-Fest 2007: Head-Fi Meets Silicon Valley
The Internet audio forum <A HREF="http://www.head-fi.org/forums">Head-Fi</A> is one of the few places on the Web where you can hang out with truly passionate audiophiles and not come away despairing at the state of current public discourse. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Head-Fi's regional and national meets have that same sense of relaxed solidarity. But what always strikes me at these events, such as the national Head-Fest 2007 get-together in San Jose on April 21 and 22, is just how darned sociable Head-Fiers are, considering they are celebrating an activity that is so intensely solitary.
Looking Grim for Net Radio
On April 16, the US Copyright Review Board (CRB) denied an appeal of its decision to restructure the royalty fees for Internet radio. As we <A HREF="http://stereophile.com/news/031907internet/">reported</A>, independent Internet broadcasters and the NPR called it a "stunning, damaging decision," predicting that it would price small operators and public broadcasting, which do not receive widespread commercial underwriting, out of business.
Linn Getting in Tune
Iconic audio manufacturer Linn Products announced April 18 that the Scottish firm will "realign" its business strategy to create "a more focused range of even higher quality products, specifically aimed at the premium end of the consumer market."
Are You Experienced?
Hendrix and Huckleberry—heavy party animals!
We Are Not Amused
Queen Bagheera reigns on my parade.
Better Brel
Les Edelberg writes: "First, wanted to thank you for the Jacques Brel link yesterday. He's always been one of my favorites and I still listen to my original vinyl copy regularly. I think this clip is even more powerful than the one you posted Monday."
Esquire Wants You to Die
Whether it does or not, you know you're going to. Eskie lists 60 things worth shortening your life for. I must be boring—only about 10 appealed to me, although I did find #s 38 & 39 intriguing.