Rock TV Done Right - From The Basement

If you are fed up with the current state of “music television” then head over to http://www.fromthebasement.tv/ for a refreshing change of pace. No logos, no presenters and no typical TV studio paraphernalia. Just straight up performances from people like The Shins, White Stripes, Sonic Youth, Thom Yorke, the Super Furry Animals and more. According to From the Basement founder Nigel Godrich: “I’m a sad fan trying to bring the magic back to music TV.”

Check it out and see how cool music TV can be.

Later.

Mark

The Rock and Roll Report Wants Your Videos!

If the podcast and radio show play your tunes, shouldn’t the blog show your videos? I think so and if you do too send me your amazing rock and roll videos and I will showcase them to the world! Actually to my mum, uncle and four buddies that actually read the site but no matter!

Send your videos to:

rockandrollreport@gmail.com

Later.

Mark

“WE ARE LISTENING” CONSIDERS INDIE VIDEOS FOR VIRV.TV

(Press Release) Earlier this year, We Are Listening partnered with web video player provider RayV, and online music licensing startup, YouLicense.com, for the development of a live, internet-only indie music television channel. VIRV.TV has already secured music clips by renowned indie artists. As an extension to We Are Listening’s music video contest, “New Music Video Awards”, successful participants have been hand-picked to be included in VIRV’s playlist and have their video broadcast back to back with more established artists. We Are Listening is currently considering indie music videos for VIRV.TV. Interested parties should send a link to n.young@wearelistening.org.

Make Your Own “Subterranean Homesick Blues”

In preparation for the release of the Bob Dylan Anthology, you can now create your own virtual version of the classic “Subterranean Homesick Blues” video using 10 virtual posterboards. Just head over to http://www.dylanmessaging.com/index.html and follow the instructions.

Considering the fact that this “video” (which was actually a promo-film in the true sense of the word) was made in the mid-sixties and that it has now joined the Web 2.0 generation, it is just stunning to see how far this user generated content trend has really gone.

Later.

Mark

NME to Make Video Interviews Available Through iTunes

As if you don’t need another reason to stay away from the mainstream video channels, NME (one of my regular daily reads) has announced that they wilol be making more than 50 video podcasts available to download for free from the iTunes Store.

This is pretty cool. As a matter of fact, I am looking to integrate the iTunes Store a bit more into The Rock and Roll Report. Look for more iTunes Store stuff like Rock and Roll Report Radio and Podcast iMixes, free downloads of the week, etc. soon.

Speaking of iTunes, there is a very cool plugin that I have mentioned in the past called iConcert Cal that you should check out. Currently at version 2.0, iConcert Cal lists within iTunes any upcoming concert and album release dates for the bands in your music library. A pretty handy little utility to have if I do say so myself. 

Later.

Mark

Hard Core Rocker Chicks Wanted

No, I am not looking for a date! Following in the footsteps of the dreadful Rock of Love reality show (do yourself a favor and skip the actual show on VH1 and instead listen to the weekly recap on the Rock and Roll Geek Show. Check out the podcast focus from earlier today), Blabbermouth reports that there is a casting call this Saturday, September 8th, 2007 in Manhattan for girls 21+ and single who are looking to win the love of the “rock star of their dreams.”

No news on who said rock star is yet but the producers know what kind of girls they are looking for:

“So we’re looking for girls of ALL types. In my opinion ideally they would be 24 years old and older. I want hardcore rocker chicks, tattooed, big hair, drinks beer, rockin body and looks like a rockstar wouldn’t mind bringing her on his arm to any star studded event. Most of the girls would be Caucasian, but that is not all I want. At the end of the day I want girls that are HOT and have a ton of personality.”

“ALL girls are required to be at least 21 years of age as of November 1, 2007 and MUST be single. Single means they are not engaged, separated from spouse, ‘getting’ divorced or married. Single means, divorced is final, and not in a serious relationship.”

“We of course want ALL ethnicities and ALL types!”

So girls, if you have the requisite “big personality” I suppose you will want to head over to New York ASAP. The insanity that is reality television just keeps on rolling…

Later.

Mark

More Reality Dross: The Next Great American Band

I rarely give an opinion on something that I have never heard or seen but with news that a new American Idol-like reality show called The Next Great American Band scheduled to debut in October, I am not quite sure how to react.

Following the same format as American Idol (indeed it is put together by the team responsible for that show), bands will audition before a panel of judges (with Sheila E. and the Goo Goo Doll’s John Rzeznik as part of the panel. Jeez!) for a “lucrative” recording contract with 19 Records (Amy Winehouse’s label).

I must admit to having checked out Rockstar INXS and Supernova from time to time in the past as a sort of guilty pleasure but I have a feeling that this show won’t even have Rockstar’s arguably limited “rock cred.” Of course when we talk about a “band” I tend to envision rock and roll although the organizers are stating that they are looking for “musical groups of all ages, styles, and genres and we’re ready to give away a record contract that could be worth millions” but the reason that I just cannot stand these competitions is that the cater to the lowest public denominator. We all know that anything a little dangerous, a little raunchy, a little well you know rock and roll stands about as much a chance at getting by Sheila E. and the network censors as Keith Richards being on the judging panel. Shows like this just tend to breed more white bread mediocrity in the mainstream media as we are forced to listen to yet another band that wants to sound like someone else, preferably someone who sells a shit-load of records since I assume this is what the organizers mean when they say they are looking for somebody to “conquer America.”.

I of course will check out the debut episode on October 19th to see if I will have to eat my words but I am not holding my breath that the winner of this “competition” will be anything to write home about. Perhaps if they put Little Steven, Keith Richards, Peter Buck, Joan Jett, Jack White (I would even accept Jack Black!) or Noel Gallagher on the panel of judges I would hold out some hope but as it stands now, I will hold the remote firmly in one hand with my thumb hovering over the “off” button and my trusty iPod at my side ready for an emergency rock and roll jolt of energy if required. This could get ugly fast.

Later.

Mark

The man behind Creation Records and Oasis has a new music TV show

Alan McGee, the man behind Creation Records, Poptones and Oasis has started a music show on the TV channel RockWorld.TV according to the NME. McGee will be hosting “Death Disco” which is a TV version of his long running club night at the Cuckoo Club in London. Each show will feature three bands playing before a live audience and it will be kicking off on July 20th with The Holloways, Reverend and the Makers and The Chavs.

Speaking of his Poptones label, McGee has revealed that he has abandoned it and that the bands on it should release the music themselves. His comments about existing labels is telling:

“The accountants will make them see sense. They’ll probably stop signing new groups - new groups will have to develop themselves. The best advice I could give to any young band is to do it yourself,” continued McGee. “Of course the major record companies will come in and sign two or three new bands a year and probably always will. But who’ll own the major record companies? Probably a hedge fund.”

Later.

Mark

Shoutmouth’s Modern Rock Video Clichés

Shoutmouth has a great article on Modern Rock Video Clichés which is absolutely hilarious. Damn those mysterious girls! They also back up their points with examples. A must read/view for those of us getting sick and tired of the same old video crap.

Later.

Mark

ANTV Wants Video Interviews

Adrenaline Nation Entertainment, Inc., which produces Adrenaline Nation TV, the leading channel for cutting edge independent music TV, innovative short films, motor sports, and adrenaline sports for the highly coveted 18-49 demographic announced today that it is asking all fans, artists, and music heads to help bring indie rock to the masses by conducting their own personal interview with their favorite up and coming indie band.

That’s right - ANTV wants you to conduct your own interview that will be played worldwide on Adrenaline Nation TV. The company’s highlight reel is at www.brandedentertainment.tv/antv.

To submit your favorite indie artist, please mail the video interview to: ANTV, 810 Dominican Drive, Nashville, TN 37228 — Attn: My Favorite Indie Artist. All videos must be in Beta, DVD or DV Cam

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