Archive for Music
An Interview With Lucy Schwartz
Lucy Schwartz is a wildly talented singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, CA. She is best known for her collaboration “Darling I Do” with Landon Pigg from the Shrek 4 soundtrack. Her music has also been featured on many TV shows including Arrested Development, ER, and Grey’s Anatomy. She was kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to talk with the Nonsense Society. Thanks Lucy!
Interview by:
Tessa Abrahams
LA/NYC Editor
Rap Battle (round 1)
CORRECTION: The third rapper is Dr. Dre, NOT Tupac. Thank you @RAPfiend (you sure showed me…)
Music & editing by Chris Collins
Raps by: Eminem, Ludacris, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, & Snoop Dogg.
Who is better?
Meet Chris Greenwood
The world needs to get ready for singer-songwriter Chris Greenwood. I had the pleasure of speaking with him and filming a couple live performances. Chris’ music has more heart than anyone I know. Get ready to fall in love with Chris Greenwood.
Catya Maré: New Age Songwriter, Violinist, and Producer
Catya’s story of how she came to fame is a good one. She found herself tired of the classical music world, got sick with the flu, and randomly decided to write her own music. It turns out that all the people who said, “You can’t make a living playing your own music,” were wrong. Since then, Catya Maré has won the Hollywood Music in Media Award, Billboard World Song Contest, been appointed voting member for the 2011 Grammys, and been featured in multiple movies and TV shows. Nonsense Society welcomes Catya Maré into it’s legions of creatives who stand out where others usually blend in.
Inspiration Playlist + How I Started Winning
“Civilization had too many rules for me, so I did my best to rewrite them.” – Bill Cosby
In the past year I have seen my life transform from one of misery and settling to one of excitement and opportunity. Something happened inside my brain that caused me to turn everything around and start winning. Every day brings something new. In 2004 I was hospitalized after attempting suicide. I used to try and please everyone except myself. I used to struggle to be something I am not. I listened to countless “important” people tell me my ideas were awful and that I had to choose one thing to be good at. That only prompted me to drop out of school, do all the things I wanted to do, and start being happy. By doing what I was most scared of (and what I previously thought was giving up) I have been able to achieve the following in a short period of time:
Robot Beethoven
Robot Beethoven is a creative experiment in combining the minds of many great composers into one big “mashup.” Can your brain handle it? I think not.
Black Churches
The Nonsense Society would like to welcome Black Churches, a band from Massachusetts, USA. They bring a new flavor to the music scene by somehow sounding new and old at the same time. I’ll let their music do the talking…
Black Gold
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Ivory
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Seasick
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Find out more on MySpace.
mood improv 5 – content
The purpose of a mood improv is to let go and let your music reflect what you are feeling inside. Simply turn on the camera and start playing. It helps when you don’t look at the camera or think about what you are doing. It’s not about playing well or composing something beautiful. It’s an honest expression. Do not try and impress.
mood improv 4 – hope
The purpose of a mood improv is to let go and let your music reflect what you are feeling inside. Simply turn on the camera and start playing. It helps when you don’t look at the camera or think about what you are doing. It’s not about playing well or composing something beautiful. It’s an honest expression. Do not try and impress.
Mandala Francisco: Artist, Musician, Filmmaker, and Poet
Meet Mandala. She’s the kind of person we like to find here at the Nonsense Society. She told me that she can never be limited to one art form. I feel the same way! Art, music, film, and word are all connected. I wanted to recognize Mandala for her creativity that seems to have no bounds. Thanks Mandala!
All work is Copyright Mandala Francisco, All rights Reserved.
In Between Closed and Open
Branches blowing in the wind.
Shadows in my bedroom corner.
The door left slightly open,
undecided,
in between closed and open.
Temporary.
I never close it all the way,
it is always left ajar,
open for suggestion,
for change.
Just because it’s a door,
does that mean it needs to be one or the other?
Should I just close it?
Now I feel alone.
It’s too quiet.
It’s just these four walls and me-
Lying here in the silence.
The only sound of my sighs,
and racing thoughts.
But can one really be alone?
Is that an illusion?
A fear, a word, a feeling.
I begin to sing,
my voice vibrates inside my chest,
flies past my lips,
and whooshes around the room.
It rings,
and echo back to me,
as if to prove,
I am not really alone.
mood improv 3 – wonder
The purpose of a mood improv is to let go and let your music reflect what you are feeling inside. Simply turn on the camera and start playing. It helps when you don’t look at the camera or think about what you are doing. It’s not about playing well or composing something beautiful. It’s an honest expression. Do not try and impress.
mood improv 2 – joy
The purpose of a mood improv is to let go and let your music reflect what you are feeling inside. Simply turn on the camera and start playing. It helps when you don’t look at the camera or think about what you are doing. It’s not about playing well or composing something beautiful. It’s an honest expression. Do not try and impress.
Marie Hsiao: An Interview
Marie “mree” Hsiao is currently dominating YouTube with her talent and charm. You will usually find her singing behind a guitar or piano. Aged at only 16, Marie is a mighty force to be reckoned with. We had the chance to ask her a few questions and pick her brain. The Nonsense Society is glad to welcome her to its ranks before she becomes too famous (which she no doubt will).
What is your motivation for all of this? Is it to entertain? Do you want to be famous? Do you want money?
There is no greater feeling than seeing people enjoy my music. It is such a crazy idea that songs an inexperienced teenage girl writes about are being heard and enjoyed by a number of people. What I truly aim to get out of my musical career is for people to take my music for what it is and enjoy it. Sure, money is always great but it isn’t what my focus is. I would still be happy playing in a cute little coffee shop for free to people who enjoy it.
2009 Hall of Fame
2009 has been an amazing year for the Nonsense Society. Thanks to all who have supported it and watched it grow. With a redesign within touching distance, the Society is poised and ready to bring new artists, authors, musicians, and filmmakers into it’s ranks. We love your creativity. We want to help you grow. 2010 is set to be a spectacular year, but first let’s look back at the best of 2009. Enjoy.
Gordon McBryde
United Kingdom
Rosaria Battiloro
Italy
Amber Rubarth
United States
You Will Love This Song
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Fight to Survive by ChanLing Beswick
Long-time Nonsense Society composer and friend, ChanLing Beswick, has decided to share his newest piece with the world. “Fight to Survive” is an invigorating blend of 4/4 and 5/4 time. At only 21 years old, ChanLing is definitely a musical force to watch out for. It’s always a pleasure to hear new work from him.
An Interview With Zoë Keating
I recently had the chance to interview acclaimed musician, Zoë Keating. Zoë has been called a “one-woman orchestra,” layering her cello into unique and captivating works. She has worked with Imogen Heap, Mark Isham, The Dresden Dolls, Rasputina, DJ Shadow, and Paolo Nutini. Her self-produced album “One Cello x 16: Natoma” soared to #1 on the iTunes Classical charts and #2 on the Electronica charts. Continue reading to get a glimpse into the mind of one of today’s musical greats.
The Man’s Got Soul – Ben Wytinck
The Nonsense Society welcomes Ben Wytinck to its ranks. He is a talented Canadian musician and recently turned singer-songwriter. Ben’s music is a balance of emotionally charged soul and down-home comedic storytelling with a twist of irony, teetering on the boundary between fact and fiction. Continue Reading
The Best Break Up Songs of All Time
We have all been there. Left stranded with a broken heart. Music is often the greatest escape. This compilation showcases some of the best lyrics and recordings from people feeling the pain. Whether you are there now or have been there in the past, these songs will make your heart break and your soul ache.
Dante Bucci: Hang Drum Master
One of the most impressive, compelling, and unique musicians alive today!.
The Nonsense Connection: Death
A chilling collaboration of music by ChanLing Beswick, art by Jarek Kubicki, word by Cara Persico, and film by Danielle Mulcahy .
3 Spectacular Acoustic Tracks
The musical genius of Chris Greenwood, Chris Vece, and Callison Stratton.
The Nonsense Connection: Lost Love
A heartbreaking combination of the art of Jeannie Paske, the music of Alicia Santavenere, and the poetry of Cara Persico. Do you feel it?
6 Month Anniversary
A short film celebrating the first 6 months of the Nonsense Society’s existence!
Continue Reading
Watch Out Nashville! Here Comes Jordan Doell!
Move over Tim McGraw! The Nonsense Society would like to welcome Canadian Country Superstar, Jordan Doell.
