Abasi as Leader

I found Tosin Abasi's current blog and his personal Myspace! Who knew his name was so frightfully long (Oluwatosin Ayoyinka Olumide Abasi)?! For those who haven't yet been amazed by the world's youngest and most innovative progressive guitar god, take a listen to "Tempting Time" by Animals as Leaders in the video below. Sweep-picking, two-handed tapping and lightning-fast intricacy are just some of the techniques he's mastered as a formally trained guitarist, but it's his use of polyrhythms and odd-time signatures crafted into beautiful works of art that really distinguish him from the masses as a musician and songwriter. The fact that he plays custom, synth-equipped 7 and 8 string guitars and the occasional 6-stringed acoustic only helps push the envelope for the self-titled album Animals as Leaders across the genres of fusion, avant-garde, metal and progressive with enough jazz class to cut it with seasoned veterans.

And because Tosin has written the most inspirational music I've heard for the year, I'll go ahead and supply you with some other streams for this groundbreaking and life-altering masterpiece.(Click 'play full song')

All New Materials

This is Misha Mansoor aka Bulb from the D.C. tri-guitarist progressive/math metal band Periphery. He posts his works-in-progress at SoundClick which not only consist of Periphery tunes but Of Man Not of Machine, and also his solo project and various unassigned compositions. He is also the genius who programmed the electronics and drum machines for Tosin Abasi's masterpiece Animals as Leaders debut album. I met him (Bulb) at a Periphery show in July, where I spoke to him and some of the other members. They're still a young band but about to put out their first full length album for which I can't wait. Misha is one of the musicians at the forefront of the new technical/virtuoso music revolution. Don't say I didn't warn you.

You and Me and the Mountain

I stumbled upon an mp3 download for Chicago tech-indie/math-rock guys Maps & Atlases "Big Bopper Anthems" from the album Trees, Swallows, Houses (2006). Every member of this quartet is an honorary virtuoso for achieving this eccentric, organic and infectiously charming sound, at times reminiscent of old Minus the Bear and Hella. You can listen to a ton of their songs, including the latest album, You and Me and the Mountain (2008) at their Myspace or iLike (<- excellent music resource.) They'll give you the impression that you're hearing more instruments than they're playing and that their timings are more odd than they actually are. In short, Maps & Atlases is a freshly unique and captivating listen on many levels.

Inside Joke

My friend Bryan (@BlinkyTT) sent me this and I'd say it's pretty accurate. I suppose it's an inside joke since only those from T&T will find it amusing or of any interest. The truth is, I feel like Trinidad itself is an inside joke once you live in the rest of the world.

Sourit!

I Think New Years Begin in September

"I think new years begin in September, well at least for me they always have. I've always been fnd of September. Spring is never a good time. It's a trussed up and beautiful drag queen but Autumn is real."

I wrote a song called "September" with my first band when I was 16. It's laughable at best but I said the same thing as George here. I grew up on the equator so seasons barely flinched but September always represented a new year for me, because it's my birth month and the beginning of the academic year.

Brain Health Tip

Taken from a Lumosity.com newsletter.

How Noise Affects Cognition and Mood

We subject ourselves to 'acoustic startle response' each morning we're roused by the unpleasant sounds from an alarm clock. This abuse can, in the long run, induce cardiovascular and digestive distress.

We also become mentally combative when we're pummeled with noise, such that the World Health Organization notes aggressiveness as a health risk of noise. Additionally, other cognitive functions are sacrificed in the presence of noise-induced anger.

Psychologist Arline Bronzaft's research has shown that, in the case of a school located next to a train track, students' performance is hampered by noise. On the quieter side of the school, students performed at a reading level higher than the students on the train side. When measures were taken to insulate the noise-affected students, their performance evened out.

Beyond this, stroke victims have also been reported to have increased visual awareness when listening to preferred music, and surgery patients have reported less pain while listening to nature sounds.

The takeaway? Take measures to calm your mind and body by using more soothing sounds to wake you up in the morning. And whenever possible, try drowning out noise by listening to something pleasant. Your brain will thank you!

No One's a Beacon, We're All Reflections

As grounded as I'd like to imagine that I remain, sometimes I'm consumed by the obscurity in my own life. Where will I be next year?

Well, I should've learned by now not to worry this much about the future but there are many choices to consider.

As for now, many of my bandmates are occupied so I keep writing on my own and branching out with new musicians but my conscience stings with joblessness. I had two interviews this week but I've already been turned down for one. The other, however, was rather promising so I'll uphold my positive expectations of it. I started meeting with Gabrielle in person to work on her art-oriented GWisz venture since the company has re-located to the greater L.A. region.

Hi.

This is my blog.

I've dabbled in bloggetry and bloggature under psudeonyms in the past.

My friends call me Sy.