Hello? Dead Air

Basically this mix was created to A.) Relax to B.) Study to C.) Read to, or hell even D.) Fall asleep to. I kinda threw it together like nothing, basically thinking of Instrumental(/Post-Rock/Whatever the fuck genre you want to put them in) bands and picked some songs by some of them. Of course the songs these bands can write sometimes end up very long, but I feel that this is better for the theme of the mix I was going for, since when I am doing these various things I don't need to get distracted by tracks changing, just by the songs going into different movements.



Side A
Godspeed You Black Emperor! "Storm"
Mono "Halo"

Side B
Silence Kit "Lemon Smell Street"
This Will Destroy You "I Believe In Your Victory"
Mogwai "Kids Will Be Skeletons"

Side A
Side B
Side A (Separate Tracks)
Side B (Separate Tracks)










As normal I recommend checking out the single track versions.

I must say I did enjoy putting together this cover for the tape, and there is a high possibility that I will do it again.

Ruben Vs. Bex: An Interview

Tonight I got the random idea to interview my good freind Rebecca Merker, but better known as Bex. Lucky for me she's crazy just like me and thought it was a grand idea. So here is our interview, we touch on things such as music, style, and swallows. Also, she thinks that I have fans.







Ruben: Hello Bex how are you tonight?
Bex: I am doing pretty well, I am drinking some milk.
2%?
Yes actually hahah.
Good choice there Bex. Anyways I just thought i'd let you know that all these questions are off the top of my head seeing as this is a very spur of the moment idea.
Hahahah, thats fine. I should get used to it when I'm a famous rockstar. You know.


Yes I do know, although normally interviewers prepare questions. So you say you're going to be a famous rock star?
Most likely.
So then I take it that you are very passionate about music and the music you make?
Ridiculously. Haha. I just, I love it.
Well what about it do you love?
I love being able to express myself, and I love it for the same reason I love music: to put into words what I'm feeling better than I can.
Ah yes, I see. So being a musician what instruments can you play?
I can play guitar... ish... and I sing, constantly.
Well punk bands never know how to play their instruments so you can always be a punk rocker.
Hahaha well I can sing, not like the chick from Paramore though.

You need red hair and matching pants for that. Speaking of that mumbo jumbo, how important do you think that image is in music these days?
I think it's pretty much bullshit artists like Britney Spears are followed there is so little talent. Nelly Furtado, before coming out with the dance shit, was nowhere
Big named producers can do a lot for you. You have to admit though, 'Say It Right' is a jam.
Whats that? I don't even know.
It was her second single off her new album.
I mean, I'm not saying it's bad it's just, so different.

Fashion wise, do you think that having a specific image for your band is important? Like how My Chemical Romance have that whole marching band theme or the rappers are so caught up with different fashions and such.
Personally? I think it's fun. I would do it, not over the top like MCR takes it but I find nothing wrong with dressing up.
How exactly do you feel about style, how important is it to you?
Not very I mean, I like looking nice but most of the time, I don't really care, as long as I'm comfortable.
What do you think about all the fashion world and whatnot, telling the world what is in style and what isn't. Do you feel they should be the ones to decide what is "in" and what is "out"?
Absolutely not, I think it's so dumb most of the stuff is just... ugly anyways. I think everyone should just wear what they want.
Very true. Also some of it tends to get really pricey. Plus half the time you're just paying $100 bucks for a label on the jeans.
Exactly. I go for how they fit, not what brand they are.

Good lass. So list for me your top five favorite albums of all time. ready Go!
1. Waiting For My Rocket To Come-Jason Mraz.
2. Heavier Things-John Mayer.
3. Songs About Jane-Maroon 5.
WAIT! Put #1 as Take Off Your Pants And Jacket-Blink-182.
5. either E Von Dahl Killed The Locals by the Matches or The Photo Album by Death Cab.
And split number 3 between Room For Squares and Heavier Things, cause I can't decide.

Well lets discuss this, you originally put Jason Mraz at number one but shortly thereafter changed it to Blink 182. Lets talk why at first you chose Jason, and then why you decided on Blink.
Well, the Jason album is genius and I am seriously, head over heels for every song. But Blink-182... well... they got me into rock music, in general and I wouldn't be listening to any of this if it weren't for them.
But why 'Take Off Your Pants and Jacket' in general and not another one of their albums?
Because that WAS the album.
That was your first Blink 182 album?
Yeah, well I mean my brother had 'Enema of the State' and I stole it sometimes, but 'Take Off' was the first that got me REALLY into it.

Do you feel that the internet is ruining music?
nNot at all I think it's helping.
Why do you say that?
Because it's exposing everyone to a wider range of music.
But some will argue that with less people buying albums artists are unable to make revenue.
But the thing is so few artists make money off of that ANYWAY it's like I think it's better to go to a show, buy a t-shirt.
But what about all the other aspects of making the record, producer and etc?
I'm not really sure what to think of that.
Do you think its possible to somehow work out the things with downloading other than scaring everyone that the RIAA is going to sue your pants off?
I think that if it just wasn't so easy, and music wasn't as expensive, more people would buy music.

Did you know that when blank cassette tapes were first released, after people began making mixes and recording albums to them, they began selling them with labels that read "Home Taping Is Killing Music"?
Hahahaha how ironic.

Getting more into you personally here you were born and raised in New York correct?
Yep. Born in New York City, raised in Soho, Brooklyn, and the suburbs.
How much of an influence do you think living in all those places affected you?
Well, I'm described as being seen as "worldly." Growing up in and around New York City is just an insane experience, because so many cultures interact there it's truly unlike anywhere else.
So you are glad that you were raised there I take it.
Oh, totally. though I have to say, it's very liberal, and very Jewish-friendly, which made me a bit naive.

I just have a few questions left for you here

First, what is your quest?
To be the best, and happiest person I can be.
Second, what is your favorite color?
Red, yellow and purple.
Third, what is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
I have no fucking idea. I go to art school.
Hahaha. The correct answer was "an african or european swallow?"
I must advise you Bex to go out and watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail
I have, once, like 14 years ago.
Ah well, you really need to see it again. its a classic comedy

Any last words before we wrap things up?
Hi Ruben's fans.
Haha. Thank you for your time Bex.
No problem, Ruby doodles.

Everyone's A Photographer

I realized that after I had scanned these all onto my computer that I don't quite like the way scanned photos look.

My idea for this was to go out to a park with one of my shitty sony 90 minute cassette tapes, take pictures of it, smash it up, and take more pictures of it.

The one thing I was curious about was how some things would turn out because I was using black and white film. At the end of the day there were some good shots, but they just didn't come out well enough on black and white film (all those grey's blended together in a way thats not all too great.

I have five more of those sony cassettes left so that can make for five more smash them up picture sets, we will see what I can come up with I guess.
















larger sizes of all these photos and some older ones can be found on my flikr page

Mixtape- September 2007 "Enternal Summer"

I have a name for the mix this time, how neat right? This mixtape mre or less focuses on a more relaxed sound using Indie and Electronic bands. The total running time of the two sides together is a little under an hour, mainly because I finally found hour long cassette tapes (thank you wallgreens). The title "Enternal Summer" comes from the feeling that this tape is great to just go for a nice bike ride, lay around by the pool, on the beach, or by a lake (all depending on where you live)and just relax. Because sure so many people believe that summer is when you are constantly going out, partying, staying out late, etc mainly because thats just the way that people are. For me though summer is most importantly time to relax, its a few month where I don't have to worry about school and getting homework done, when I can go out and ride my bike around or just try to relax on the crowded California beaches. Links have once again been included as both single track downloads and with the separate tracks for each side, though I personally recommend trying out the single track versions.

Side A
Animal Collective "Prospect Hummer"
My First Trumpet "Autonarkose"
The Elected "Fireflies In A Steel Mill"
Minus The Bear "Hooray (Dark Baby Remix)"
Stars "Personal"
The Berg Sans Nipple "Mystic Song"
Alaska In Winter "Rain on Every Weekend"

Side B
Beirut "The Gulag Orkestar"
Tunng "Bullets"
Modest Mouse "Little Motel"
Ratatat "Wildcat"
The Octopus Project "Malaria Codes"
Lcd Soundsystem "Great Release"


Side A (as a single track)
Side A (as individual songs)
Side B (as a single track)
Side B (as individual songs)

----
I know that both Stars, Modest Mouse, and Lcd Soundsystem were on the last one. While the Stars track on the last one was a remix, I really have no excuse for the other two, except that they worked well for the mix. It will probably be the last time I use them on mixes for a while... well see if I hold to my word.

Also as soon as I get this roll of film developed there will be the first post of my photo work. Neat right?


Photo Credits: Ruben