May 2012
4 posts
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April 2012
1 post
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Where is your Commodore 64?
The first computer I ever touched was a Commodore 64. My parents purchased it when I was 7. It was amazing. I can remember turning it on, listening to it boot up, putting in a game cartridge and spending hours locked to the glowing screen. Of course, all I ever did with it was play games, but it was my first interaction with a live machine, one that responded to commands, and provided hours and...
March 2012
1 post
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Bruno & James Album Release
At long last it has finally arrived. Bruno Gatinet and I set out to make some music about 2 years ago, despite living on opposite sides of the Atlantic. As of yesterday that dream has come true. The debut album by Bruno & James is now available.
Last night we celebrated with an album release party at crowdSPRING in Chicago. Daphne Sidor, Michael Plishka and Marc Stevens took turns on the...
February 2012
1 post
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January 2012
3 posts
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Official James Collin mobile app
In case you can’t get enough of me… now you can take me with you. Well, not really me, but my music, photos and videos, and you’ll get access to my blog, news, and receive exclusive updates.
Download my free mobile app.
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November 2011
1 post
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The Queen is 25
Near the end of October I was asked to contribute a track to The Cover Lovers (a cover song blog) tribute album for The Smiths’ “The Queen is Dead”. I tried my hand at “The Boy With The Thorn In His Side”. It’s not my favorite Smiths song, but taking the time to deconstruct the original and find a way to make it my own gave me a new appreciation for it. There...
September 2011
2 posts
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Hey music nerds...
I don’t know about you, but I love flowcharts. Here’s one for songwriting. Learn it, love it, then break it… again, and again, and again.
Via opensourcemusic.org
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NPR first listen: Steve Reich and Kronos Quartet... →
August 2011
2 posts
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When it rains...
Apparently my new EP, “The Passenger”, hit all the online stores at once. Get your copy from any of these fine services:
iTunes: http://jmsclln.com/nn6JHe
eMusic: http://jmsclln.com/pjhh2d
CDBaby: http://jmsclln.com/nUPmpn
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B005DVHA8G
BandCamp: http://jmsclln.com/r1ErlJ
Rhapsody: http://jmsclln.com/qebyMm
July 2011
4 posts
7 tags
The Passenger: A birthday gift from me
Today is my birthday. To celebrate I am releasing a new single, The Passenger. This is a song I have adored for a long time and always wanted to cover. The inspiration hit me a few months ago, and now I want to share it with you. Download it now from BandCamp.
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Incredibox
I know I’m about a year behind the trend on this one, but if you have an hour to devote to completely awesome beatbox fun, check out incredibox. Seriously, so much fun.
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Good show everybody
The show at Cole’s on Friday was great. A bunch of people came out and the atmosphere was friendly and exciting. I shall have to play there again, soon.
Careful Q put on a great show. I’ve seen them several times, and they keep getting better. They make everybody dance. It’s infectious. Their 50’s inspired indie pop is a perfect recipe for a good time.
The Halamays...
June 2011
2 posts
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July 1st at Cole's
I’ll be starting the show at 9pm this Friday, July 1st at Cole’s (2338 N Milwaukee Ave) in Logan Square. My good friends Careful Q will come after me at 10pm, and The Halamays will tear the roof off at 11pm. It’s also the CD release show for “The Boring Party”, the new album from The Halamays.
Be there, and be square.
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May 2011
1 post
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Loud Loop Press weighs in on "mot.ion" →
“In that each track follows a pretty standard formula that isn’t new to electronica, the EP isn’t showing the listener a new way to make electronic music. Instead, mot.ion carves out a niche within the genre, providing a glimpse of what a talented musician like Collin can do relying mainly on electronic elements. The album as a whole is much like the first track, “A Thousand Feet Per...
April 2011
2 posts
That new site smell...
It’s spring, and you know what that means.
I noticed some dust and cobwebs on my site so I took a few minutes and cleaned things up around here - added some more color, rearranged a little, tried to improve the music player experience, fixed some broken things, and made the links a little more user friendly.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
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The Tone Matrix
Just came across this: http://www.sembeo.com/sound-matrix/
Start by clicking one of the squares.
Originally from here: http://lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix
March 2011
2 posts
5 tags
Help Japan →
The people of Japan are facing a possible nuclear crisis, not to mention hundreds of thousands homeless and several thousand dead. Anything you can give, even just hopes and prayers, will help.
This is an issue that goes beyond national and cultural differences. We are all children of the earth, and we need to support each other, if nothing else then to ensure our own future well being.
...
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February 2011
2 posts
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RPM Challenege
I just signed up to write and record an entire album in one month. Fingers crossed.
http://rpmchallenge.com
I heard about it via the All Songs Considered blog. Son Lux is taking the challenge and NPR is tracking his progress on a (mostly) daily basis.
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Winter Time
All this crazy blizzard weather calls for some of my favorite winter songs:
January 2011
1 post
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December 2010
7 posts
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Watch“Aube” live at Gone Wired (video by @kevinliuzzo).
Gone Black
Looks like the video stream won’t work for tonight’s show. Rats.
I will be recording however. I’ll post the footage on YouTube soon.
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Gone Wired Tonight
I’ve got a new drive shaft and alternator and I’m on the road to Lansing, MI. #lansingrocks
I’m going there to help promote the release of In the Orchard of Osiris, as well as see some old friends. Myself, along with Alex Hug and Steven Leaf will be performing at Gone Wired Cafe starting at 8pm, EST.
With any luck I’ll also be streaming the show live:...
November 2010
6 posts
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Google translate beatbox techno
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the Hacker News tips on how to make Google Translate do beatbox: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1952531
Here’s a sample: http://bit.ly/hPrazN
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Live w/ Bruno @ Cyrano's tonight
It’s Bruno’s last night in town. To celebrate we are performing at Cyrano’s Bistrot again. We will be playing 5 songs you already know, as well as premiering a new song, “Profiter de moi”.
We spent the afternoon rehearsing and recording the vocals for “Chicago”, which we performed for the first time on Tuesday at the Elbo Room.
For everyone who attends...
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On the Elbo Room again
Thanks to everyone who came out tonight for the show, or watched it online. Every time we perform, it’s for you.
Watch live video from James Collin | Live on Justin.tv
Bruno watching London Anderson whilst we wait for our time to shine:
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The Coathangers, Netherfriends and The Runnies,...
If you’re looking for something free to do next Monday, head over to the Empty Bottle on 1035 N Western. The Coathangers, Netherfriends and The Runnies are playing at 9:30pm. It’s the record release show of Netherfriends’ Barry and Sherry. I saw them at Pitchfork this summer and they were awesome.
October 2010
8 posts
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“Fight or Flight”: A Halloween piece I...
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1 bit symphony
A truly innovative music experience: 1bit symphony.
Tristan Perich: 1-Bit Symphony (Part 1: Overview) from Tristan Perich on Vimeo.
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In The Orchard Of Osiris on the radio worldwide,...
From Peter Richards:
With just three days left to raise our goal, we have only $433 left to go! That’s not a lot, on one hand — on the other hand, that’s a lot. Thank you for your continued work to get the word out, and for those of you who’ve quietly bumped your pledge amounts up, I’ve noticed:) — thank you very much, I have some special surprises in...
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Instant Karma!
On the evening of John Lennon’s 70th birthday I recorded my own version of this classic tune. 3 hours, 2 guitars, 1 piano and myself. This version is dedicated to my grandfather, who passed the next morning.
Instant Karma! (John Lennon Tribute) from James Collin on Vimeo.
You can also download the free mp3 here: http://jamescollin.com/music/InstantKarma.mp3
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Save the Heartland Cafe!
You know that great little restaurant you go to get food on the weekend or late at night? It becomes a landmark in your life - someplace that’s a home away from home. For many in Chicago, that place is The Heartland Cafe. Since 1976 it’s been serving up good food and good times. I’ve enjoyed the cuisine there many times and been fortunate enough to perform at one of their sister...
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