I love Jules Vernes' "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" as much as the next punk. And apparently, the next punk loves it a lot, judging by how quickly the sci-fi, techno-Victorian fantasy look called "SteamPunk" has become all the rage. The look is catching on so quickly, perhaps, because the concept is so easy to articulate. This ain't your dad's design--or your grand-dad's, or even your great grand-dad's. Think turn of the century--the last century, that is.
Think big boilers with copper sheen, bands of shiny steel and huge, kernel-headed nuts that baton down what? Well, nothing important, original or authentic, at all, really. Everything from watches and cuff-links to clothing accessories and computer doo-dads are now being decked out with totally superfluous adornments possessed with an aesthetic that seems to have come out of Vernes' own version of Bladerunner.
The thing is, there aren't many examples of SteamPunk-styled items that offer anything beyond just added-on adornment--with perhaps one exception. A new harmonica USB flash drive, recently being quietly introduced throughout various high-profile venues, has a patented design with "Prior Art" that reaches right back into that era of time that inspired the Steampunk movement. Specifically cited is Patent No. 505,493, by Carl Strauss, dated September 26, 1893, for an "Improved Harmonica" with a "novel construction" utilizing unusually attaching cover plates.
Such a 100-plus-year-old design being referenced today is not all that remarkable, in its own right. Except, when combined with a USB flash drive, the design turns into something totally novel and useful that's both a musical instrument and a data storage device, combined. As for its "authentic" steampunk look? Scrutinize it closely and you'll see that, in truth, the real beauty of this particular steampunk example is its duality, functionality, authenticity and utter lack of any excessive, unnecessary or superfluous adornment, at all. Which makes the harmonica USB flash drive quite a unique steampunk specimen, indeed.
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (Pat. No. D602,940), which may be purchased at all Arts and Artisans shops on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, as well as at the "BackyardBrand" store on Etsy, "the all things handmade" Web site. FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. Invention demo is at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. See "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher" who instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp perform a bit at http://www.flashharp.com. FlashHarp is also available packaged together along with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica in a product called the "Plug 'n Play Musical Combo." Both are products of Backyard Brand™.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
Friday, October 22, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Harmonica, Americana and U(SB)
There's a type of musical sound out there that's pulling inspiration from all over the map. Best of all, it cuts to the heart of what's been going on in the high-tech musical gadget realm, as well. It's called Americana--and that's what it's all about: America.
The sound has its roots in the Midwest, and the form is apropos to a wide range of artists from all over with sounds that are still looking for a place to hang their hat. The term immediately conjures up images of the cowboy, steamboats and gazebos. I feel Old West but I hear rural blues, country, rock and rockabilly in there, too. A variety of groups including Wilco, Band of Heathens, Coachmen and Jan Spillane echo the sound.
What's interesting about this music is that its name mirrors a material "ism" that's been around for decades and has recently made resurgence. Until now, "Americana" referred to that bric-a-brac form of American culture that conjures up images of cabin-style motels with wall mounted lobby plaques for sale bearing cutting-but-cute sayings wood-burned thereupon. Internationally, the term has pull for a certain crowd enamored of all things "American."
The musical application of the Americana concept is far fresher than that.
Still, only one form of Americana is both musical and a material embodiment. It's the harmonica USB flash drive that's recently quietly being introduced at various high-profile venues, including the music store at the Old Town School of Folk Music, "Different Strummer," and the "All Things Handmade" Web site, Etsy. The harmonica USB flash drive is great for both music aficionados and musical klutzes, because even if they never master the art of playing the harp, they can still use the flash drive that's built into it.
From the Old West to the Deep South to the south side of Chicago, the harmonica earned its place by walking the line. That bonafide legacy of trials and tribulations has helped the hand-warmed voice of the harp gain a powerful, influence over a vast segment of American music. So unlike ordinary "soulless" USB flash drives, the harmonica USB flash drive offers something people can't get in other flash drives--a real musical soul. Now that's a kind of Americana that has no substi"toot."
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (Pat. No. D602,940), which may be purchased at the "Different Strummer" music store at The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln, Chicago, as well as at the "BackyardBrand" store on Etsy, "the all things handmade" Web site. FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. See McLean demo the invention at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher," McLean instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp. See The Backyard Harmonica Teacher perform a bit at http://www.flashharp.com. FlashHarp is also available packaged together along with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica in a product called the "Plug 'n Play Musical Combo." Both are products of Backyard Brand™.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
The sound has its roots in the Midwest, and the form is apropos to a wide range of artists from all over with sounds that are still looking for a place to hang their hat. The term immediately conjures up images of the cowboy, steamboats and gazebos. I feel Old West but I hear rural blues, country, rock and rockabilly in there, too. A variety of groups including Wilco, Band of Heathens, Coachmen and Jan Spillane echo the sound.
What's interesting about this music is that its name mirrors a material "ism" that's been around for decades and has recently made resurgence. Until now, "Americana" referred to that bric-a-brac form of American culture that conjures up images of cabin-style motels with wall mounted lobby plaques for sale bearing cutting-but-cute sayings wood-burned thereupon. Internationally, the term has pull for a certain crowd enamored of all things "American."
The musical application of the Americana concept is far fresher than that.
Still, only one form of Americana is both musical and a material embodiment. It's the harmonica USB flash drive that's recently quietly being introduced at various high-profile venues, including the music store at the Old Town School of Folk Music, "Different Strummer," and the "All Things Handmade" Web site, Etsy. The harmonica USB flash drive is great for both music aficionados and musical klutzes, because even if they never master the art of playing the harp, they can still use the flash drive that's built into it.
From the Old West to the Deep South to the south side of Chicago, the harmonica earned its place by walking the line. That bonafide legacy of trials and tribulations has helped the hand-warmed voice of the harp gain a powerful, influence over a vast segment of American music. So unlike ordinary "soulless" USB flash drives, the harmonica USB flash drive offers something people can't get in other flash drives--a real musical soul. Now that's a kind of Americana that has no substi"toot."
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (Pat. No. D602,940), which may be purchased at the "Different Strummer" music store at The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln, Chicago, as well as at the "BackyardBrand" store on Etsy, "the all things handmade" Web site. FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. See McLean demo the invention at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher," McLean instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp. See The Backyard Harmonica Teacher perform a bit at http://www.flashharp.com. FlashHarp is also available packaged together along with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica in a product called the "Plug 'n Play Musical Combo." Both are products of Backyard Brand™.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Musical friendships are different, special
Have you formed friendships with people in your life with whom you share a musical bond? Can you talk about it, or is it beyond the spoken word (if so, I know how you feel).
Maybe it's a family bond between sister and brother, or parent and child. Was the bond there already before the child, latent?
Maybe you met already grown up, standing up, listening to music at a concert. Or sitting down at a bar. Perhaps you knew your special musical friend first in a nonmusical way; and the music came later, to fill in an unknown gap.
Or maybe you met in making music yourself, or in making it together, with them. Maybe you came to meet your special musical friends at a period of time defined by the music of the time. Or maybe a particular instrument is the focus of your friendships...
All my life, I've found myself drawn to the musical people around me, because they are music itself's muse. Through them, I hear the bells of the beyond ringing in a pure language I recognize, but cannot articulate myself, alone.
Music loves company, and so do musicians. I'd love to hear your musical friendships story, put to words. Play one for me here.
Maybe it's a family bond between sister and brother, or parent and child. Was the bond there already before the child, latent?
Maybe you met already grown up, standing up, listening to music at a concert. Or sitting down at a bar. Perhaps you knew your special musical friend first in a nonmusical way; and the music came later, to fill in an unknown gap.
Or maybe you met in making music yourself, or in making it together, with them. Maybe you came to meet your special musical friends at a period of time defined by the music of the time. Or maybe a particular instrument is the focus of your friendships...
All my life, I've found myself drawn to the musical people around me, because they are music itself's muse. Through them, I hear the bells of the beyond ringing in a pure language I recognize, but cannot articulate myself, alone.
Music loves company, and so do musicians. I'd love to hear your musical friendships story, put to words. Play one for me here.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Here's a funny story...
Yesterday, about 5 after noon, my wife got a call from her mom, who wished my daughter a fun time at the poster-painting session she'd signed up for. My wife immediately sprang into action, yelling down to me and my daughter to get going, we were late. The school where the activity was going on was 5 minutes away, so we hopped on our scooters and zoomed over.
No prob; she got set up quick w her paints and poster, and soon was immersed in the task at hand.
So I said, "Can I go or do you want me to stay?"
"You can go," she said, while working, "but I'd like you to stay."
She's a really good artist and doesn't need daddy's help much at all anymore. So I must say, I was flattered. And I stayed.
Soon, I got bored, tho. Hey, she wasn't letting me even fill! So I pulled out my FlashHarp and started playing around, quietly, while the kids worked. There wasn't any other music playing in the gym, so it was fine. Not obnoxious.
After awhile a very nice lady inquired about my playing. And I said, no, i wasn't a professional. Just play for fun. "but I do make this, too," I said, holding out my FlashHarp.
She was fascinated. Even more, her husband plays harp, she said, and he's got a birthday right around the corner. Plus day after that, a 10 year anniversary.
Few minutes later, I was back on my xootr zooming home to put together a custom Plug 'n Play while she walked home for her checkbook.
When I got back to the gym with her gift, she was chatting away with my daughter, whose poster was now complete and looked fabulous.
There's a moral to this story somewhere, I think. At least, I sure hope there is ' cuz that was the most fun, natural sale I think I've ever made.
No prob; she got set up quick w her paints and poster, and soon was immersed in the task at hand.
So I said, "Can I go or do you want me to stay?"
"You can go," she said, while working, "but I'd like you to stay."
She's a really good artist and doesn't need daddy's help much at all anymore. So I must say, I was flattered. And I stayed.
Soon, I got bored, tho. Hey, she wasn't letting me even fill! So I pulled out my FlashHarp and started playing around, quietly, while the kids worked. There wasn't any other music playing in the gym, so it was fine. Not obnoxious.
After awhile a very nice lady inquired about my playing. And I said, no, i wasn't a professional. Just play for fun. "but I do make this, too," I said, holding out my FlashHarp.
She was fascinated. Even more, her husband plays harp, she said, and he's got a birthday right around the corner. Plus day after that, a 10 year anniversary.
Few minutes later, I was back on my xootr zooming home to put together a custom Plug 'n Play while she walked home for her checkbook.
When I got back to the gym with her gift, she was chatting away with my daughter, whose poster was now complete and looked fabulous.
There's a moral to this story somewhere, I think. At least, I sure hope there is ' cuz that was the most fun, natural sale I think I've ever made.
Monday, October 4, 2010
I think Etsy is a thing of beauty
The idea of Etsy grows on me the more I use it. That's what Etsy is: useful (and like I said int the title of this post, beautiful). So I've pledged to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere! Right on!
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