Brad Barrish

I present to you Involver. Music and politics. You know what to do.

I think it goes without saying, but I will say it anyway… Bush must go. I was watching The Daily Show last night and it reminded me how important it is that people NOT vote for Ralph Nader. There are people out there (myself included) that don’t trust Kerry, but if there’s another four years of Bush, we’re gonna be in real trouble. Unfortunately, I see Kerry as the lesser evil. One of the reasons, aside from the obvious, that I will be voting for Kerry in November is because he offers a chance of repairing the damage done. Bush (and the rest of his administration) have brought shame on America. He’s made us look like a bully and the international community is responding out of fear and hate. Our image is tarnished and it needs some polishing. Kerry is the only chance we have. I know you’ve heard it before: a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush, and it’s never been more true. Now is not the time to make a statement by voting for Nader. Your priority, if you care at all, should be to get Bush out of office. And frankly, if Ralph Nader gave a shit about our country, he would drop out of the race. I feel very strongly about this. Please, think about the impact before you vote for Nader in November.

I spotted a billboard for the new Coke C2 yesterday that said ‘1/2 the politics and all of the party,’ and I was baffled. Does it have something to do with the fact that we’re in an election year? I’m just stupid, aren’t I? Yes, that’s it. What pisses me off even more, is that Splenda (which everyone and their mother is using to reduce carbs) is being hyped as the best artificial sweetner. I got news for ya, just because it’s derived from sugar doesn’t mean it is sugar. Far from it, actually. I think Lance at glassdog said it best:

People, it’s very simple: Everything in moderation. Want a donut? Eat a fucking donut. Don’t eat six fucking donuts! Fuck!

So, you got a new mobile phone with a camera on it. Perhaps you carry a digital camera with you at all times. Or maybe you’re just some “professional.” In any case, you’ll need a handy copy of the Photographer’s Rights in case you happen to get in trouble for taking pictures of large structures or Mary-Kate stuffing her face (which you won’t see anytime soon). [via Boing Boing]

Who knew? I plan on reading his biography as soon as I finish Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim, What Color Is Your Parachute and The Artist’s Way.

I was having a discussion with A. the other day… Come to think of it, cancer has been the topic of conversation recently because more than ever we both know people with cancer or know someone who knows someone with cancer or that died of cancer. Cancer is everywhere, people. And if cancer doesn’t get you, the terrorists probably will. I’m reading through my daily web sites and notice a link to The Environmental Working Group, which has a web site devoted to telling you how all the shit you put on your face, body and scalp could kill you, or at least make life real miserable. My initial response is just what they were looking for. ‘HOLY SHIT, I’M THROWING MY LOTION AWAY!’ On second though though, who knows how this company is funded. Who knows what the real aim of this site is. I’m all for organizations and people posting things on the Interweb, but this alarmist bullshit has got to stop! Live life people. Don’t believe the hype. And wear sunscreen! [via glassdog]

Apparently the next big thing in online dating is Love In War. Seems like a cool idea to me, but really isn’t it just another means of hoping in the sack with someone? I happen to think that it makes things a little more interesting when you don’t have the same political views as the person your dating. You get to find out about the other side, how they think, why they think a certain way and sometimes you end up realizing that your views aren’t really all that different. I mean if you want to be a blind liberal/conservative/whatever, be my guest, but you’ll learn a little more by being with someone with whom you don’t see eye-to-eye. [via TrendCentral]

In the latest episode of Watch The Major Labels Consolidate And Make Room For The Second Coming Of The Indie, the European Competition Commissioner has given approval for Sony and BMG to merge. Ironically, I also read earlier today that EMI and Warner have started talking [about merging] again.

All of this talk about consolidation has plenty of people worried. As of now, there are 5 major labels, which account for the majority of the music heard on the radio, and for that matter most of what consumers buy. I happen to believe this consolidation is a good thing (except for the friends that have been laid off as a result). I think it’s about time for an indie label revolution, and more importantly I think it gives up-and-coming bands/artists motivation to take things into their own hands. Getting signed to a major isn’t the end-all-be-all. A&R guys are looking for hits, not bands to develop. It’s a sad state of affairs in the sense that the majors are the ones that have the big money, but there are plenty of bands making a living doing what they love to do outside of the major label system. David Crosby said it quite well in The Way The Music Died:

"The people who run record companies now wouldn't know a song if it flew up their nose and died. They haven't a clue, and they don't care. You tell them that, and they go, 'Yeah? So, your point is?' Because ...they don't care. They're actually sort of proud that they don't care.... Now they're going in the tank, because the world has changed, and they did not change with it...I think the only way to sell records that I know about now that does look really, really, really promising is iTunes."

I have so much mroe to say on this topic, but I’ll leave it at that for the time being. Thanks to Sellout Central for giving me a little inspiration.

I have a couple of GMail invites to give away. Just be the first couple of people to leave a comment, and they are yours. You should know a couple of things about Gmail though:

1. It’s creepy
2. Privacy rights oganizations think so too

I’ve been using it for a while now (thanks to Porsha) and think it’s real cool, but the privacy issues do creep me out a bit. Good thing I haven’t been using it that often.

LA Weekly posts their bets on the bands that will save the scene. I don’t know any of them. I should probably take advantage of this unemployment thing and check some of them out.