Stephen Mejias

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Stephen Mejias

The Book of Audacity

Stephen Mejias Mar 23, 2011 First Published: Mar 23, 2011 0 comments

While I was still basking in the warm, colorful glow of my Polyvinyl package, I received a copy of The Book of Audacity, written by Carla Schroeder and published by No Starch Press. This 359-page guide promises to help “build that home recording studio that you’ve been talking about for years.”

Stephen Mejias

Polyvinyl Shares the Joy

Stephen Mejias Mar 23, 2011 First Published: Mar 23, 2011 0 comments

Just moments after receiving my press badge for High End 2011, I received my copy of Vivian Girls’ new album, Share the Joy. Because I’m a big fan of Vivian Girls, I had pre-ordered this album upon Polyvinyl’s announcement of its imminent release. I typically stay away from pre-orders&#151too many times I’ve pre-ordered an album that, for one unknown reason or another, never gets released&#151but Polyvinyl makes the process easy, painless, and inescapably enticing by providing an immediate download of your order.

Stephen Mejias

Do Audiophiles Like Music?

Stephen Mejias Mar 23, 2011 First Published: Mar 23, 2011 0 comments

Forum member, “tmsorosk,” asks: “Do audiophiles like music?”

It seems a strange question with an obvious answer until you stop and think about it. So many conversations between audiophiles focus on gear and sound, but leave music&#151that thing which should fuel our passion&#151lost in the jet-black background.

Ever notice when you and your audiophile buddies get together the conversation is usually 90% equipment and sound, and 10% music? We have been building, tuning, and voicing these systems for decades. Shouldn't the talk be more about music now?

Do you agree? Disagree? Why? Share your thoughts in the forum.

Stephen Mejias

Live Music for Japan Relief

Stephen Mejias Mar 22, 2011 First Published: Mar 22, 2011 0 comments

Sunday, March 27, 8pm: Sonic Youth, Yoko Ono, Mike Patton, Sean Lennon, Cibo Matto, Mephista, Marc Ribot, Uri Caine, and Aleph Trio&#151awesome line-up!&#151will perform at Miller Theater (2960 Broadway, NYC) in a Japan Benefit Concert.

“The tragedy and devastation is really overwhelming,” says John Zorn, who has organized and will host the evening. “I’ve always felt a strong personal connection to Japan, and I’m just glad to be able to do my part to help. It should be an amazing night.”

Both the performers and the theater are donating their services, ensuring that 100% of proceeds from ticket sales will go to benefit the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit near Sendai on March 11. Funds will be donated to the Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund.

Tickets for the show were sold out shortly after they went on sale, but Miller Theater has created a web page with information on ways to support Japan relief and a list of other benefit concerts in New York. Included among those benefit shows:

Friday, April 8, 6:30 & 9:30pm: Thurston Moore, Matthew Shipp, Ikue Mori and John Zorn, Milford Graves, Mark Feldman and Sylvie Courvoisier&#151awesome line-up!!!&#151Norah Jones, Buke and Gass, and others will perform at the Abrons Arts Center.

Saturday, April 9: The Japan Society will hold a day-long benefit concert, including gala performances at 1pm and 6pm, with performances by Philip Glass, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

More benefit shows will be announced.

Tomorrow, March 23, 8pm: Yo La Tengo will perform at Maxwell’s (1039 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ). Tickets cost $50, with all proceeds from ticket sales and fees going to Peace Winds Japan. I hope to see you there.

Headphone Reviews Stephen Mejias

Thinksound ts02 in-ear headphones

Stephen Mejias Mar 21, 2011 First Published: Mar 21, 2011 0 comments

Thinksound ts02 in Black Chocolate finish.

I haven’t had much luck with in-ear headphones.

Kelli’s Etymotic ER-6i earphones ($99) offered a well-balanced sound, with satisfying bass and natural highs, but I found them extremely uncomfortable and I had a difficult time getting them to fit properly in my ear canals. I liked Shure’s SE210 ($149.99) and SE115 ($139.99), but they felt large and heavy in my ears, and friends often balked at their prices. Don’t get me started about the V-MODA Remix Metal in-ears ($99.99); their highs were so pronounced and glaring and bass so completely absent, I wanted to run away from my music&#151never a good sign. (But I’ll take the blame here: I should’ve known what to expect from an earphone with the word “Metal” in its name. I have since steered clear of models designed to look like bullets, arrows, and jet engines or whose product literature uses the words “crisp,” “sharp,” or “edgy.”)

Stephen Mejias

Sensational Music

Stephen Mejias Mar 17, 2011 First Published: Mar 17, 2011 0 comments

It was Monday night and I was flipping through the racks at Other Music, killing time before heading over to Great Jones Café where I’d meet Michael Lavorgna and John DeVore for wings, chili, and beer. I noticed a couple of dudes in loose clothes, slung back and stretched out across the A, B, and C sections of the vinyl racks, as if they owned the place, as if this was their couch. From what I could tell, they were musicians, stopping by the shop to drop off some CDs or LPs. Nearby, another dude was getting into with one of the guys behind the counter:

Stephen Mejias

Colin Stetson: New History Warfare, Vol.2: Judges

Stephen Mejias Mar 16, 2011 First Published: Mar 16, 2011 0 comments

If all goes as planned, my review of Colin Stetson’s second solo album, New History Warfare, Vol. 2: Judges, will appear in our June issue, but I can’t wait that long to tell you about it. It’s too special to keep secret.

Stephen Mejias

Michael Fremer at 45RPM

Stephen Mejias Mar 16, 2011 First Published: Mar 16, 2011 0 comments

Click here to see a picture of Michael Fremer at Austin's SXSW conference, standing in front of a bright orange Chevy, while tossing an LP&#151attempting to catch an LP?&#151and spinning in circles.

What the?

I feel sick.

Stephen Mejias

Sennheiser's "Headphone of the Month"

Stephen Mejias Mar 16, 2011 First Published: Mar 16, 2011 0 comments

Today, Sennheiser announced that the HD 515 ($129.95), a classic circumaural design, is the company’s “Headphone of the Month” for March 2011.

Sennheiser’s “Headphone of the Month” is a monthly promotion designed to encourage music lovers to experience the authentic sound of Sennheiser.

Customers who purchase an HD 515 headphone from an authorized Sennheiser dealer during the month of March can receive a free pair of Sennheiser OMX 60 earbuds. During January’s 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, I stopped for a bit to listen to the HD 515; despite its size, I found the HD 515 to be very comfortable and easy on my head, while the sound was just as easy on my ears.

For more specs on the HD 515 and information on the promotion, visit the “Headphone of the Month” website.

Stephen Mejias

1xRUN and Glenn Barr’s Vinyl Girl

Stephen Mejias Mar 14, 2011 First Published: Mar 14, 2011 0 comments

Glenn Barr displays his "Vinyl Girl." Photo: 1xRUN.

1xRUN hopes to create a more vibrant art market by offering select work from established and emerging artists in limited-edition, exclusive print runs, at affordable prices. Signed and authenticated, these print releases are open for one week only.

The current run is a piece called “Vinyl Girl” by Glenn Barr, whose work includes the background styling for The Ren and Stimpy Show and Bjork’s “I Miss You” video. The 16” x 25” five-color silkscreen costs $60.

(Girls love vinyl, I am telling you.)