Are musicians losing their mystique?

Posted on November 6th, 2007 by Trey.
Categories: Media & Entertainment.

With YouTube and paparazzi bringing about the humanization of our pop-stars, will today’s culture allow someone to create a character larger than life?

Past decades of music brought us such grandiose characters as Bowie, Jim Morrison, Led Zeppelin, the Sex Pistols, Prince, Elvis, and countless others. Past their musical skills, these artists used outlandish ideals, wardrobes, and demeanors to demand their audience accept their view of the world as a new reality. The very existence of these near mythological individuals polarized parents to loathe them and kids to worship them.

Today we have plenty of skilled musicians, but the prevailing image of them is ordinary people off the street with extraordinary talent and jobs. How many musicians do we have that look like a typical college kid or someone you might see out at the latest hotspot. The outfits worn vary from ironic tee-shirts for the rock bands to designer suits/dresses for pop and hip-hop acts. The accompanying persona then ranges from either more depressed than you or more money than you. Even the championed band Radiohead is just a group of smug, English chaps who are great at making depressing music.

Additionally, older acts still trying to kept the mystique are often met with very sharp criticism. After watching Velvet Revolver perform my friend commented to me, “Despite their outfits and attitude, we all know that after the show they go home put on their comfy sweatshirt and watch cartoons.” Thanks to Youtube, paparazzi, and the reality show now associated with the lead singer, we now know that most of these stars are just normal people underneath their “work” clothes thereby debunking the persona they create on stage.

So can any entertainers can step up to the challenge and be larger than life at all times? The one band I have seen recently that gives me hope is Ghostland Observatory. The unsigned bands live shows are becoming rather legendary with music blogs unable to shut up about their performances at Lollapalooza, ACL, CMJ, and other festivals. The two members of the band include a Native America version of Mick Jagger on vocals and guitar along with a mysterious fellow in a light, blue vampire cape manning the drums and synths. Bridging the gap of electronic and classic rock, Ghostland Observatory’s shows emits a Ridley Scott feel with a hypnotic light show and a large dose of androgynous sexuality. Their recent concert in NYC represents the only time this year I have been challenged to wonder who the characters on stage were, where they came from, and how I could be more like them.

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What are the Best Cities in the World?

Posted on July 24th, 2007 by Trey.
Categories: Uncategorized, Travel & Leisure.

After a 2 week European trip, I have returned to the States still thinking about how much better “life” is over there. Oddly enough, I’ve been coming across several lists ranking which cities of the world are the best to live in. These comprehensive lists evaluate “the brightest and most liveable cities around right now, taking into consideration their infrastructures, business opportunities, cosmopolitanism, green spaces, and of course the general well-being of their respective inhabitants.”

There were several consistent winners amongst each list, but each also seemed to skew towards a few favorite countries or continents. Not being satisfied with a clear winner(s) emerging, I decided that the only decisive way to pick the winner would be to throw all the results into Excel for a bit of data analysis. (Note: I did this on a Mac as to retain the hipness factor in the results.)

So let your mid life crisis begin as you find out exactly where you should be living these days. If you’re in America, you are not on this list (exception Hawaii).

Top 20 Cities to live: 2007

1 Zürich
2 Vienna
3 Vancouver
4 Copenhagen
5 Sidney
6 Geneva
7 Melbourne
8 Munich
9 Montreal
10 Düsseldorf
10 Stockholm
12 Auckland
13 Frankfurt
14 Toronto
15 Helsinki
16 Perth
17 Tokyo
18 Honolulu
19 Amsterdam
20 Berlin

Sadly I’ve only been to 4 of these places; 2 of which (Helsinki and Stockholm) were part of my latest trip. Both cities offered a remarkably different quality of life compared to Los Angeles and my friend who lives in Helsinki doesn’t appear to be moving back to the States anytime soon. I’m interested to hear what the other VM readers think of this list. What cities do you think are the best? Also, all claims should be backed with at least 2-3 good reasons.

Sources of Data


Monocle’s List: (Anyone ever heard of Monocle Magazine?)
The City Mayors List:
CNN.com List:

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