One More Time

Jay-Z is at it again. First he retires, now he steps down. Good thing we all know better than to think he's actually going anywhere.

Though rumors have been cirulating for weeks, the news was finally announced on Christmas Eve that Def Jam Records President Shawn Carter, aka Jay-Z, is stepping down from his position at the label at the end of the year when his contract expires. No replacement has been announced, but several likely candidates have been named including Jermaine Dupri.

For more on HOV's retirement from the presidency, check out this article or just type "Jay-Z Def Jam" in google and you'll probably get about 500 articles.

While I think it's great that Jay has decided to move onto "new challenges", I am skeptical of his move from the president position. He still owes one more album to the label and we've all learned "retirement" doesn't mean anything definite for HOV, but how greedy is he really being? He's got his hand in a multitude of other business operations and has used his own label to aid his own recording career more than anyone else.

While some of his intentions seem honorable and knowledgable, including his feelings on the future of the business side of the industry ("It's really about trying to invest in the future, trying to invest in maybe coming up with a new model. Because going in hard making records with artists and throwing those records into a system that's flawed is not exciting for me. It's not the music; people ingest music the same way. It's just that the model of selling CDs has changed. So doing things the typical way is not in the best interests of anyone and not exciting for me. My whole thing is, how do we invest in the future? If everyone is committed to doing that, then I'm sure there's a deal to be made.") I wonder how greed and media saturation play into the equation.

What do you think?

Music-lover Gift-giving guide

Got a music-lover to buy for this holiday season? We can be a tricky breed to buy for: what kind of music do we like? or hate? What do we already have? How do you know what we want? Well, depending on the type of music fanatic you're shopping for, you'll have to take a few things into consideration:

Do you want to buy them:
-Music: CD's, itunes gift cards, record store gift cards, etc. Consider how well you know their musical taste before buying a CD and their preferred medium of music. Do they only download? Or do they love good old-fashioned CD's in the cases and all like I do? If they love CD's see the CD section. If they're all digital, try the itunes gift card. That will also give them the option to get whatever music THEY want. And if they're an illegal downloader (STOP DOING IT!) maybe it will help turn them onto legal downloading and away from the dark side.

-Books about music: Don't limit yourself to "guitar for dummies" or books of your favorite songs sheet music. There is a ton of great musical literature out there about artists, bands, movements and genres. For some of my favorites, see Books

-Movies: So many classic music-themed movies, and no, I'm not just talking about musicals...although there are a lot of great musicals too. I'll list more of those later.

-Technology: Help satisfy your music-lovers appetite with a new musical toy and it doesn't have to be an instrument (though that would be SWEET). Maybe an ipod, an ipod case, the ipod shoe thing, etc.

-TICKETS: YES PLEASE

-Other: C'mon, posters, t-shirts, buttons, stickers etc. we love alllll that crap if it's helping us rep our favorite band.

So...more specifics...let's go:

Music: Great albums came out this year from Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, M.I.A., Rilo Kiley, Radiohead, Spoon, Bright Eyes, Jay-Z, Common, Paul McCartney, NIne Inch Nails, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, Feist, Amy Winehouse, Wilco, Foo Fighters, Kanye West and 50 Cent to name a few. However, if you're not sure about their musical taste or know they are classic at heart (amen to that), older artists are always a safe bet. Go for best of or compilation albums (or just great classic old albums) by artists like The Beatles, The Doors, Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, Van Halen, Tom Petty or The Stones. They are classic for a reason and walk into ANY record store and you're bound to have ample selection to choose from.
Another cute idea (and one I'm actually using this season): find your favorite independent band or a favorite band that you've seen locally recently and help them out. Buy something they're selling at the show and tell the person you give it to: "Hey, I saw these guys and they tore it up. I think you'll dig it too." Giving it your own personal endorsement helps.
This year I'll be giving my friends and family music from bands including Midnight Spaghetti and the Chocolate G-Strings, The Aardvarks, Shapiro, Parachute Musical and The Machine to name a few, all of which I can say are not only talented musicians, but great people. So, give a great gift of music, while supporting and spreading the word about some of your favorite under-promoted bands at the same time. It's the season of giving!

Books: I love books about music. Some of my favorites are:
-No One Here Gets Out Alive, By: Danny Sugerman and Jerry Hopkins (The Doors)
-Riders on the Storm, By: John Densmore (The drummer of the Doors)
-Studio A: The Bob Dylan Reader, By: Benjamin Hedin
-John, By: Cynthia Lennon
-The Last Days of John Lennon: A Personal Memoir, By: Frederic Seaman
-Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Reader, By: Michael Streissguth
Some tips on these: The readers are good for ADD-type readers like myself because they are collections of all different news articles, interviews, reviews etc. spanning the musicians entire career, so it's hard to get bored. Each chapter or section is in a new style from a new writer and usually about a new topic.
My favorite books are the two by John Densmore and Frederic Seaman because they are from a very personal perspective and written in very easy-to-understand language. They are straight-forward and I think most revealing. John by Cynthia Lennon is also written in the same simple language, but it is a very opinionated version of the John Lennon story. If you are interested in giving that to someone, I would recommend giving them another book about Lennon as well because that on it's own will make the reader hate him with a passion. Just a heads up.
And if you're totally clueless: Book store gift certificates are a great idea or just go browsing through their music shelves. Chances are you'll find something that jumps out at you as something they could like. Go for it.

Movies: So many, but my favorites:
-High Fidelity
-The Blues Brothers (the ORIGINAL)
-SPINAL TAP
-Empire Records
-Standing in the Shadows of Motown
-Dreamgirls
-Walk the LIne
-Spice World...Heyyy with their reunion happening, I'm sure this one's going to be flying off the shelves!
There are so many classic musicals and music-related films, just take a look around. Their film taste will greatly affect which movie they'd prefer, but my top recommendation...Spinal Tap or Blues Brothers. Both are just CLASSIC.

Technology: Just go to the apple website. Honestly, there are TONS of music contraptions, but i always rely on apple to pull through with the coolest stuff. C'mon, that shoe to ipod thing is awesome! All of their idocks are great gift ideas and any accessories for your friends already-used technology will no doubt be appreciated since it will most likely add years of life to their equipment.

Tickets: What band do they like? See when they are touring nearby. Buy tickets. This one is easy and ALWAYS a great move...as long as they can make it. I'd check on that first...

Other: Seriously: any music junkie loves repping their favorite bands and will do so in any way possible. Anyone who knows me, knows this fact just by walking into my jim morrison-plastered room where my doors bag hang on my chair while I walk around in my doors shirt while listening to peace frog. We love it. Help feed the addiction. Buttons, posters, clothes, stickers, whatever you can find, we will take.



And you thought holiday shopping would be tough this year! Connect with you and your loved ones' inner music-lover and you'll be able to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list :)


And you'll probably find some stuff you want, too.

Happy shopping!

Rock n' Roll Yearbook '07

The end of the year is always a great time for recapping and reminiscing and after receiving my Rolling Stone 2007 Yearbook, I decided to make a few polls, collections and rankings of my own.

I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but I know my high school yearbook had a few pages dedicated to making or breaking everyone's senior year where people were voted on to be "class clown" or "most likely to succeed". Well, here are a few of my favorites from 2007's rock and roll high school...

Most popular: Rihanna and Justin Timberlake
Biggest Train-Wreck: Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse
Best Smile: T.I.....and T.I.
Best Style: M.I.A. and New Young Pony Club
Most Annoying: Fergie and Soulja Boy
BIggest Troublemakers: Amy Winehouse and Kanye West
Ms. Congeniality: Corinne Bailey Rae and A Fine Frenzy
Most Artistic: Radiohead and Feist
Hottest Senior: Bruce Springsteen and John Bon Jovi
Hottest Freshman: Zac Efron
Future President: Pink and John Mayer
Most Outgoing: M.I.A. and New Young Pony Club

Agree, Disagree? Or have someone you wanna see? Let me know! Leave a comment!

Love is All you Need

The weekend before finals is always tough. While I desperately wanted to enjoy my last weekend at JMU until next fall (I'll be in Italy for the spring) I was also tortured by the thought of the papers, portfolios, tests, packing, moving and traveling awaiting me this week. However, tonight's adventures proved to be worth the procrastination.

I ended up at the Bag on East Market Street and saw a great band, The Nice Jenkins who were playing with The Octagon and The Cinnamon Band. I wish these types of shows and events were more easily accessible because I know for me personally, it has taken until this year for me to discover these awesome opportunities to see and hear new music and meet people who are into it as much as I am. There needs to be a better way to get the word out to students about these types of shows because they are a great way to get out, meet awesome people, see really talented bands and do it all without necessarily having to spend any money or feel pressured into a crazy party scene (not to say shows can't be crazy, they usually are, but in a good way). The JMU student station, WXJM, does a great job putting on a variety of bands, but there is so much more happening all time.
I am hoping this blog will become a way for people to find out about shows like this and new artists playing around Harrisonburg, because there really is a great music scene happening all around us. JMU has an extremely talented school of music and so many students dedicated to bringing great music on or around the campus. However, it is up to YOU to take advantage of it.

While I am on the subject of YOU, I would really like to encourage comments, suggestions, questions, topic ideas and whatever else you would like to contribute. I want this blog to cater to music-lovers of all types and genres and from all over. If you are part of a music organization (WXJM, UPB, a music class, MACroCk) or you just like booking or attending shows or just rocking out to a solid tune: let me know! I'd love to make you a part of this as much as possible because that's why I'm writing this right now...YOU.

After seeing part of the show I made my way over to Grafton for "Across the Universe", the Beatles movie I've been anticipating since I saw one coming attraction back in May and never heard another word about until I found it was already out of theaters.
I was surprised and excited by the turn out for the film. Two long lines were waiting to get in when we arrived and I don't think I have ever seen the theater so full. I guess I was not the only one procrastinating...
The film was interesting. I knew it was a movie musical set to a soundtrack catalog of one of my favorite bands, The Beatles, but I did not know how intricate the entwined story lines would become or how intense some of the "drug" scenes were. Watching the film was an experience. It was trippy and confusing at times, but brilliant. The way different stories of different people were mixed together was fascinating and the way it captured the entire atmosphere of the 1960's culture was incredible.
When I came home to write about it, I found an article that helped to clarify any misunderstandings I had, which really helped me appreciate the film a lot more. It also confirmed my suspicion that Bono made a cameo, Sadie was an interpretation of Janis Joplin and Jo-Jo was a version Jimi Hendrix. I thought these references and interpretations of other important figures of the time period was brilliantly done.
However, my favorite part of the movie was not a particular scene or song. I loved the way it took a typical, personal love story and fit it into one of the most explosive time periods of the century by mixing up the relationship with the war protests and the political upheaval that surrounded people our own age at the time. It also captured the most incredible facet of the Beatle's music: its timelessness. It has a way of transcending time, which I find fascinating. The way their melodies captured their own raw human emotions back then still apply, perhaps more than ever, today, and THAT is what music is missing. Go ahead and try to name one band that could capture our entire generation's feelings and experiences like the Beatles did for the 60's. Let me know if you think of something good.
I also feel the film came out at a crucial time. Watching soldiers carry the Statue of Liberty in their underwear while singing "She's so Heavy" was intense. And during an argument between Jude and Lucy when she shouts something about people finally caring about the war when bombs start dropping here was sickeningly ominous, especially because I think I have said the same thing.

Mom and Dad, if you are reading: I would love to see this one in my stocking at Christmas (hopefully it's out by then). It's confusing and trippy and there were times I literally asked Jimmy who was sitting beside me, "What is happening?” but at the same time, it was so effective in really capturing the time period, the emotional struggle of the characters and the horror, pain and loss of war. And like the NY Times article says, for a moment, it really does convince you: All you need is love. Maybe love really is all you need...

Welcome to the Machine

Hello, I'm Jessie Novak. If you can catch every musical reference I make in every blog, I'll be impressed. But let me say, there will be a lot.

Welcome to my blog and I hope you'll stay, stay, stay, stay for awhile, because it's going to be full of the good stuff and I have so much to say. (Really, are you catching them all?)

Spitting in the Mic is dedicated to the celebration of music with a primary focus on the local music scene in Harrisonburg (because there is so much happening around here and you should be a part of it!) and the newest developments in this rapidly changing industry. Though living in such a turbulent time for the music business can be daunting, it is also an incredible opportunity for those prepared to take advantage of it as Justin Timberlake expressed in a recent Rolling Stone magazine interview. When asked about the future of the industry, Timberlake responded, "I'm optimistic about it. People look around and they see dire straits, but I see an entrepreneur's playground." It is this mentality, which has become essential to musicians and industry professionals' survival.

However, before I delve into my interpretation of the industry and my predictions for the future, I’d like to share a little about myself and why I say what I say whenever I’m saying it.

Music has always been a part of my life. Though neither of my parents have any musical experience, the gene seemed to skip generations to all of their children. Each of my siblings played instruments growing up and my oldest brother took particular interest in molding my musical future. Thanks to Jon, my first favorite band was Cream and my favorite song to dance to was “Jungle Boogie”. By the third grade I knew Jaco Pastorius was the greatest bass player to ever live and I could sing every word of the Godspell soundtrack because we saw musicals constantly as Jon played in all the pit bands.

I began playing classical violin at the age of seven and began with drums in school because we did not have a string section. I played with a Preparatory and Symphony Orchestra for nearly seven years and toured Europe with them as well. In high school I concentrated on studying French Horn, but played Mellophone with the Marching Band and Trumpet with the Jazz Band. I bought a bongo just for fun, experimented with my grandma’s keyboard and started with guitar when I realized that was the cool thing to do. I was drum major for two years and played with every group I could get myself into.

However, music can be a depressing reality. After all the stressful auditions, grueling rehersals, never-ending practicing and terrifying college requirements for music majors, I realized performance was not an option for me. I love performing and miss it desperately. Nothing I have experienced can compare to the feeling of participating in a quality performance and there are not enough words to describe it. But, seeing and hearing the talent surrounding me, I knew I could never do justice to the art as well as many of my peers.

I also realized I could not live, breathe or function without music in my life.

So, I found the middle ground and here I am. I am a music industry minor, active with the student-run radio station WXJM and I write about music for the Breeze.

I have been fortunate enough to meet, see and hear an astounding number of bands, performers and professionals in the industry through radio station opportunities, interviews for articles and the internship I completed at the New York City radio station, Z100. I read music magazines more than textbooks (sorry, it’s true) and will take my itunes over television any day of the week. It is for all of these reasons that I wish to share this passion with you.



One of my favorite artists and greatest songwriters, Bob Dylan, captured some of this feeling better than I could express, "Music has given me a purpose. As a kid, there was rock. Later on, there was folk-blues music. It's not something that I just listen to as a passive person. It has always been in my blood and it has never failed me. Because of that, I'm disconnected from a lot of the pressures of life. It disconnects you from what people think about you...It's natural for me."

As far as I am concerned, music has given me purpose and direction. Seeing an incredible show (like The Machine tonight) reminds me of the reason I am here: to spread the gift of music to any one willing to receive it. I stand by my conviction that music has an intangible quality unlike any other art-form and is capable of effecting people in extraordinary ways.

So, welcome to the Machine…or my blog. Read with an open mind and open ears. Keep your eyes peeled for new link listings and be sure to check them out (I won’t steer you wrong!).

It’s celebration time, so let’s get it on.