I haven't written in a while, but I have a good excuse: I was in a serious bike (as in "bicycle") accident and have been mostly out of commission. I'm much better now, but here's how it went down:
April 5: The weather was nice so I decided to go for a bike ride in the park. My neighborhood links up to a great local park with a hike/bike trail, but I didn't even get that far. On the little sidewalk that connects to the trail I took the hill too fast and hit my front brake harder than the back brake and tumbled forward. My right elbow hit the pavement with my full weight. I was sure that my arm was dislocated. I managed to get to my phone and call the Parents, who live only a few miles away. They found me and got me to the hospital, where I was drugged up, gave my medical history to at least four people, and got some x-rays taken. After about three hours a doctor finally came to talk to me.
"Pieces. It's just in pieces."
The force of the impact had shattered my humerus (upper arm bone) just below the ball socket. And it was also dislocated. The muscles, tendons, and surrounding bones were fine, but the one bone was shattered. Unfortunately, because of the location, they couldn't set it, cast it, or really do anything but put it in a sling to immobilize it and give me lots of pain meds.
By the way, I've not seen the x-rays to this day, as I have a tendency to get queasy and black out at such things.
April 6: I went to see an orthopedic surgeon, who told me that I would need an operation. he said it would be a very routine outpatient procedure and I'd be home before noon on the same day. Unfortunately, he needed to wait for the swelling to go down, which means I'd have to walk around with a broken arm for a week. Upon hearing the news, I nearly passed out.
April 13: Early morning surgery. Before taking me in, they gave me four shots in my neck to numb the arm. It was not pleasant. The anesthetic really did a number on me and it took all day to wear off. By 9:00 PM the feeling was returning in my arm and thus began The Most Horrible Night Of My Life. The pain was relentless and no dose of percoset could stop it. The pain was so much that the percoset didn't even knock me out like it usually did. The next few days were better, but then, anything else would be. To close the incision that runs from my armpit to the top of my shoulder, they used staples. Literally - metal staples. Thirteen of them right in my skin.
April 19: Follow-up appointment with the surgeon. We took more x-rays and I actually looked at this set. They had pinned the shattered bone together with a metal plate and nine screws. It's an impressive piece of engineering. At this point I was doing fine - until they decided to remove my staples. The nurse got about nine of them out before I started to pass out.
That same day, I signed up for physical therapy and have already had three sessions. My therapist gave me a bunch of exercises and I've already seen some improvement. I can now get dressed by myself, tie my own shoes (all of which are major improvements). I cannot sleep in a bed, drive a car, put on a t-shirt, or reach above shoulder-height, but it will come. I may never do yoga or swim freestyle again, but I'm working towards conducting and playing the piano. It's a slow process, but I'm improving every day.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Rejected
Oh, interwebs. I'm so dissappointed today.
Remember back in November when I mailed music to Kjos Music for consideration in their next String Orchestra catalog? No? Well, I did. I'm not upset that you don't remember - it slipped my mind until I got a big package in the mail today.
Yes, that's right the big package. Unlike college letters where the big package means you're accepted (full of information packets and meeting times), the big package from a publisher means that they're returning all your stuff and they don't want to publish it.
Yep, I've been rejected. Which is to say that my six submissions don't "fit into their current catalog." Some other publishers discourage any further submissions by adding something like "we're not looking for submissions outside of our current stable of composers." Ouch.
Anyway, it gets me thinking that it's about time to get my submissions ready for Alfred. I have a lot of music to choose from and I need to make recordings, write up descriptions, choose which eight or nine to submit/ Lots of work. No time to feel sad.
Remember back in November when I mailed music to Kjos Music for consideration in their next String Orchestra catalog? No? Well, I did. I'm not upset that you don't remember - it slipped my mind until I got a big package in the mail today.
Yes, that's right the big package. Unlike college letters where the big package means you're accepted (full of information packets and meeting times), the big package from a publisher means that they're returning all your stuff and they don't want to publish it.
Yep, I've been rejected. Which is to say that my six submissions don't "fit into their current catalog." Some other publishers discourage any further submissions by adding something like "we're not looking for submissions outside of our current stable of composers." Ouch.
Anyway, it gets me thinking that it's about time to get my submissions ready for Alfred. I have a lot of music to choose from and I need to make recordings, write up descriptions, choose which eight or nine to submit/ Lots of work. No time to feel sad.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Doug Spata's iPod - 2010, Part 2
Here are five more songs to finish off my playlist:
6. Blame It On the Boogie, The Jacksons. When Michael Jackson died in September, I was one of the many people who was shocked by the news. And when the radio was flooded with Michael's songs, I discovered this little gem. I think it's been overlooked because it's not a Jackson 5 song and it wasn't on a solo album. It was by The Jacksons - an in-between project that didn't get as much recognition. Still, it's a fun disco tune with a great bass line and fun harmonies. And you can really hear the joy in Michael's voice as he takes the lead on this one. He really had fun with this song.
7. Human by The Killers. I first heard this on the radio and thought I had discovered a new song by The Cure, but was surprised to learn that it was from The Killers, for whom I previously did not care. That soaring melody got me first but the ambiguous and cryptic lyrics really drew me in. "Are we human or are we dancer?" My interpretation is that he's talking about the cathartic moment where an artist transcends the physical and becomes indistinguishable from his or her art as a pure force of creativity. I've been fortunate to experience that several times and it's the goal for any musician, artist, dancer, poet, or performer. To witness it as an audience is amazing as well.
8. Every Day I Write the Book by Elvis Costello. Speaking of really good lyrics, here's Elvis Costello. He's comparing being in love to writing a book and keeps coming up with clever ways to spin the metaphor further and further. I like that the music doesn't compete with the lyrics - it's just a cool, simple groove that isn't over-embellished or over-produced. The music is great and the lyrics are great and they come together to make something really special.
9. It Must Be Love by Madness. This half of the list is really leaning on the oldies. Kids, Madness was a ska band from England back in the 80's. They were a lot of fun and influenced people like Gwen Stefani and Dave Matthews. This wistful, romantic song is one of their best, with honest, sincere lyrics, a strong backbeat, and a really fun arrangement. I adore the pizzicato strings (via keyboard) and that fantastic bass line with the triplets just brightens my day. In fact, all the elements - piano, bass, drums, horns, xylophone, keyboards - are such wonderful elements independently that it gives the whole song a loose, improvisational feel while still holding together as a whole. Just like two people in love - separate but one, independent but working together.
10. Speakers Funk by Giant Panda. These guys made my list last year and I had to include them again. They have a great flow, a strong focus on the music, and they keep the old-school style alive. And it's a song about music - about the joy of finding a great new song and listening to it in your car at high volume. And really, that's a great summary of this list. I hope you've found some of that joy for yourself!
6. Blame It On the Boogie, The Jacksons. When Michael Jackson died in September, I was one of the many people who was shocked by the news. And when the radio was flooded with Michael's songs, I discovered this little gem. I think it's been overlooked because it's not a Jackson 5 song and it wasn't on a solo album. It was by The Jacksons - an in-between project that didn't get as much recognition. Still, it's a fun disco tune with a great bass line and fun harmonies. And you can really hear the joy in Michael's voice as he takes the lead on this one. He really had fun with this song.
7. Human by The Killers. I first heard this on the radio and thought I had discovered a new song by The Cure, but was surprised to learn that it was from The Killers, for whom I previously did not care. That soaring melody got me first but the ambiguous and cryptic lyrics really drew me in. "Are we human or are we dancer?" My interpretation is that he's talking about the cathartic moment where an artist transcends the physical and becomes indistinguishable from his or her art as a pure force of creativity. I've been fortunate to experience that several times and it's the goal for any musician, artist, dancer, poet, or performer. To witness it as an audience is amazing as well.
8. Every Day I Write the Book by Elvis Costello. Speaking of really good lyrics, here's Elvis Costello. He's comparing being in love to writing a book and keeps coming up with clever ways to spin the metaphor further and further. I like that the music doesn't compete with the lyrics - it's just a cool, simple groove that isn't over-embellished or over-produced. The music is great and the lyrics are great and they come together to make something really special.
9. It Must Be Love by Madness. This half of the list is really leaning on the oldies. Kids, Madness was a ska band from England back in the 80's. They were a lot of fun and influenced people like Gwen Stefani and Dave Matthews. This wistful, romantic song is one of their best, with honest, sincere lyrics, a strong backbeat, and a really fun arrangement. I adore the pizzicato strings (via keyboard) and that fantastic bass line with the triplets just brightens my day. In fact, all the elements - piano, bass, drums, horns, xylophone, keyboards - are such wonderful elements independently that it gives the whole song a loose, improvisational feel while still holding together as a whole. Just like two people in love - separate but one, independent but working together.
10. Speakers Funk by Giant Panda. These guys made my list last year and I had to include them again. They have a great flow, a strong focus on the music, and they keep the old-school style alive. And it's a song about music - about the joy of finding a great new song and listening to it in your car at high volume. And really, that's a great summary of this list. I hope you've found some of that joy for yourself!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Doug Spata's iPod - 2010
Last year around this time I posted an iPod playlist and the response was overwhelming - I got TWO comments. From people I didn't even know! Makes me feel like the next Julie Powell. I've expanded my iPod contents, so I thought it was time to do it again. And to make things even more appealing, I'm going to include video links.
1. We Are Golden by MIKA. Last year I discussed MIKA's song "Lollipop" and hoped that his next album would be just as good. Well, interwebs, I had nothing to fear. His second album may be even better, with even stronger melodies, more acrobatic falsetto, and bolder arrangements. The album opener is a call to arms for eager, ambitious youth everywhere. This song makes my heart jump.
2. Single Ladies by Beyoncé. I am fascinated by this song. The vocals are okay and the video is pretty good, but what amazes me every time I hear this one is that it uses polytonality. There are two different key signatures going on at the same time - specifically, she's singing in E Major and the music (the synth bassline) is in E Minor. This is a level of harmonic complexity unheard of in pop music and is usually found in the work of avant-garde modern composers like Philip Glass. In fact, it's a technique that my favorite composer, Igor Stravinsky, used in The Rite of Spring. Lots of rock musicians hover around the fringe of music and consider themselves cutting-edge innovators, but here's mainstream Beyoncé putting them all to shame. Amazing.
Bonus Video! Here's a great duo called Pomplamoose doing their own version of Single Ladies with more traditional harmonies:
3. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk. Yet another fantastic dance tune with a lot of musical innovation to offer. First: the hockett. THE HOCKETT!! Oh, interwebs, the use of hockett in this song makes me grin uncontrollably. They present the first melody (on beats 1 and 3), then they present the second melody (on beats 2 and 4) then they combine them to make a whole new melody. I loves me some good hockett and anyone who has played my music knows my infatuation with combined melodies. Especially in Wait your Turn, A Hero's Welcome, and the accompaniment parts on Las Mariposas Exoticas. The second innovative thing about this song: after the hockett section, it takes on the form of a theme and variations. The traditional verse-chorus-verse form of most pop songs is thrown out the window in favor of a form favored by the likes of Brahms and Mozart. Brilliant. Have a listen:
4. Yeh Ishq Hai from the movie Jab We Met. I came across this song while I was doing research for a new composition and used it as a reference point for Bollywood style. The music is absolutely enchanting. I love hearing the tabla drums and other Indian instruments, but the style is just right for my Western ears. I've never seen the movie and I have no earthly idea what she's singing about, but I've seen the word "Ishq" show up in so many Bollywood song titles that I can only assume it means "love." It just proves that a good melody can communicate in any language.
5. Little Secrets by Passion Pit. Not a lot of innovation here - it's just a really catchy song with a great beat, fantastic melodies, a killer synth part, and (like We Are Golden) a wonderful use of childrens' choir. And y'know what? That's perfectly okay. Music doesn't have to be innovative to be great and this song is simply a whole lot of fun on its own terms. Also: I heard the song before seeing the video and had an entirely different image in my head of how the band would look. The song took me by surprise and then the band surprised me again. Enjoy!
That's five songs - enough for now. I'll think about another five for a different post.
1. We Are Golden by MIKA. Last year I discussed MIKA's song "Lollipop" and hoped that his next album would be just as good. Well, interwebs, I had nothing to fear. His second album may be even better, with even stronger melodies, more acrobatic falsetto, and bolder arrangements. The album opener is a call to arms for eager, ambitious youth everywhere. This song makes my heart jump.
2. Single Ladies by Beyoncé. I am fascinated by this song. The vocals are okay and the video is pretty good, but what amazes me every time I hear this one is that it uses polytonality. There are two different key signatures going on at the same time - specifically, she's singing in E Major and the music (the synth bassline) is in E Minor. This is a level of harmonic complexity unheard of in pop music and is usually found in the work of avant-garde modern composers like Philip Glass. In fact, it's a technique that my favorite composer, Igor Stravinsky, used in The Rite of Spring. Lots of rock musicians hover around the fringe of music and consider themselves cutting-edge innovators, but here's mainstream Beyoncé putting them all to shame. Amazing.
Bonus Video! Here's a great duo called Pomplamoose doing their own version of Single Ladies with more traditional harmonies:
3. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk. Yet another fantastic dance tune with a lot of musical innovation to offer. First: the hockett. THE HOCKETT!! Oh, interwebs, the use of hockett in this song makes me grin uncontrollably. They present the first melody (on beats 1 and 3), then they present the second melody (on beats 2 and 4) then they combine them to make a whole new melody. I loves me some good hockett and anyone who has played my music knows my infatuation with combined melodies. Especially in Wait your Turn, A Hero's Welcome, and the accompaniment parts on Las Mariposas Exoticas. The second innovative thing about this song: after the hockett section, it takes on the form of a theme and variations. The traditional verse-chorus-verse form of most pop songs is thrown out the window in favor of a form favored by the likes of Brahms and Mozart. Brilliant. Have a listen:
4. Yeh Ishq Hai from the movie Jab We Met. I came across this song while I was doing research for a new composition and used it as a reference point for Bollywood style. The music is absolutely enchanting. I love hearing the tabla drums and other Indian instruments, but the style is just right for my Western ears. I've never seen the movie and I have no earthly idea what she's singing about, but I've seen the word "Ishq" show up in so many Bollywood song titles that I can only assume it means "love." It just proves that a good melody can communicate in any language.
5. Little Secrets by Passion Pit. Not a lot of innovation here - it's just a really catchy song with a great beat, fantastic melodies, a killer synth part, and (like We Are Golden) a wonderful use of childrens' choir. And y'know what? That's perfectly okay. Music doesn't have to be innovative to be great and this song is simply a whole lot of fun on its own terms. Also: I heard the song before seeing the video and had an entirely different image in my head of how the band would look. The song took me by surprise and then the band surprised me again. Enjoy!
That's five songs - enough for now. I'll think about another five for a different post.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Facebook Link
If you've been to this blog before you'll notice something different today, right there on the right side of your screen. It's a link to my Facebook page! And that microscopic guy leaning up against the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile is me. I've been on Facebook for about a year now and recently discovered that I can create a link over there from this blog.
So if you'd like to be my Facebook friend (that's right - friend. None of this impersonal "fan" stuff) click over and send a request. Just be sure to let me know that you got there from here so i know that you're not spam.
And, hey, while you're out exploring the Interwebs, maybe check out my regular website too. It gives a lot of information, answers some FAQ's and has links to MP3 downloads and YouTube videos. Enjoy!
So if you'd like to be my Facebook friend (that's right - friend. None of this impersonal "fan" stuff) click over and send a request. Just be sure to let me know that you got there from here so i know that you're not spam.
And, hey, while you're out exploring the Interwebs, maybe check out my regular website too. It gives a lot of information, answers some FAQ's and has links to MP3 downloads and YouTube videos. Enjoy!
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