Guitarist, Composer, Instructor
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by the blog this year!
Thanks to all who follow the blog, Facebook and Twitter!
Thanks also to all my students, clients and colleagues for everything over the years!
It’s been great to chat with you all about one of my favorite things…MUSIC.
Here is to you!
Mike
“Playing nice and simple for the ol’ folks…
If they heard my b5’s and minor 9’s I’d be headin’ for the unemployment line…”
I heard this song the other day and had to post it. Musicians all have to play gigs at times where the music means more to the consumers than the musicians(beats digging ditches I always say!) This song a jazz musician lets out his hardships about playing Xmas music for the holidays and not being able to throw in his favorite jazz licks.
Pretty funny and maybe a new Xmas tune to many of you.
Enjoy!
Some of you may have heard of Animusic, but if you haven’t you’ve got to watch this!
Unlike many projects where music is written to fit the animation or vise versa, Animusic uses computer programs to drive the animation from the music.
As creative as the instrument in this video is, there are real life ‘versions’ that are similar like the 42 stringed guitar in the picture below.
Once again, I had the pleasure of performing at Orfila Vineyards and Winery in Escondido. This time the day after Thanksgiving. I really didn’t know what kind of crowd to expect. Would everyone stay home? Be burned out? Turkey hangover? Shopping?
Well, the first sign it was going to be a nice crowd was there was no parking except the overflow. Walking up with my gear, it was packed. That always gets the musician juices flowing. But, it was also nice to see folks using their ‘Black Friday’ to relax. Even better they were supporting some locals over the big box chain stores. Including Orfila, myself and local jewelry maker Katy of KD Custom Jewelry, who’s always a pleasure to work with. Darn Good Food Truck was also there, but, I was so busy I never got a chance to go see what they were all about, sure they were ‘darn good’ though.
With the holiday season upon us, I only have one more scheduled public performance and you guessed it…I will be at Orfila on Dec. 2…3:00 to 5:30 PM. If you haven’t been to Orfila yet it is a must. There is truly something in this valley overlooking the vineyards that always makes for a great relaxing day. If you are planning any events or weddings definitely take a look here!
Some photos of the day!
Looks like there is a new trend in wedding videos. Couples are expressing themselves through their favorite music instead of a traditional video of the day and their guests. Hmmm, one could argue they are just trying to go viral and get some attention, but it seems like a trend that is gaining popularity.
I think it would be a fun change to play a wedding where everything was a bit crazy and different. Although, these days most couples are not throwing their parents weddings and the ‘traditional’ is now less the norm. Most couples enjoy having music and events that are more reflective of who they are than traditional wedding marches, etc.
Let me know if I can help you with your wedding music!
I am guessing this is not how the Royal Wedding actually went down. Amazing how much some of these actors look like the Royals. Enjoy!
If you need anything regarding your wedding music please contact me, Mike.
Happy Halloween Week everyone! Always one of my favorite holidays.
Are you one of those people who loves to make a playlist for your Halloween parties or to scare trick or treaters as they come hit you up for their Snickers fix?
Well if so this post is for you, and for those of you looking to treat your ears to some new music, as well.
Year after year we hear the same ol’ Halloween standards….Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” “The Monster Mash,” “One Eyed One Horned Purple People Eater” as festive, quirky pop tunes. Then there is the sophisticated setlisters who employ classical music. Pieces like; Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D min,” Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mtn. King” and Orff’s “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana.
Lets ‘Deviate from the Norm’ this year….to borrow a line from Rush’s Geddy Lee and Neil Peart. Here are a few ideas that are not quite as trendy but every bit as scary and quirky. Add some of these tunes to your Halloween Ipod playlist and you will be the coolest ‘evil’ DJ this side of Transylvania.
Scary
Everyone and their mother uses the theme from the Twilight Zone or Michael Myers Halloween movies.
Here is a modern take on the horror theme song genre. Try the end credits from Dexter…you know the serial killer who kills serial killers. Very haunting melody. The version here unlike the show has an extended drumtrack mix through the second part.
Quirky
How this song hasn’t become a Halloween classic I’ll never know. The Who’s tale of a creepy crawly spider named Boris is a great replacement for the overplayed “Monster Mash.”
Megadeth’s, “I Ain’t Superstitious” is a can’t miss, as well.
Rock Tunes
Any of the following would make a perfect addition to your playlist;
Black Sabbath…The demonic Metalers were masters of the tri-tone and chromatic power chord songs.
I would recommend “Black Sabbath” or “Electric Funeral” if you want heavy metal with a dark tinge but their super studio effected intro to the “Mob Rules,” entitled “E5150” will scare the kids right off your porch.
Most people when they think of Van Halen think great guitar but not so much spooky sounds. Eddie, however, had a few tricks up his sleeve. Check out “Tora Tora/Loss Control,” “Intruder” and the prepared piano piece “Strung Out.” All would add a little edge to your Goul-list. My Van Halen pick, however, goes to the synth based “Sunday Afternoon in the Park.”
Classical
I hesitate to put these pieces on this list because they are ‘real’ music written by ‘real’ composers but not for the purpose of being dark, scary and Halloweenish where as the rock tunes above were. These are composers who have experimented with sound systems, emotions and humanity for much deeper reasons than being background for a bunch of frat boys in costumes drinking as much beer as they can on Halloween. That said I am here for you! I am here to offer you some new sounds and that is what I am going to do.
Charles Ives, “Hallowe’en”
Schoenberg, “Pierrot Lunaire”
Bartok, “String Quartet #4, 5th Movement”
Check back next year for a new list.
Related articles;
Perfect Pumpkins, A Halloween Song
The Bride of Frankenstein, Artwork
What Good is Halloween Without Candy Apples
As the political season heads Down the Stretch it looks like this tight Presidential race will be a Thriller to The End. Most of us in America from Coast to Coast have become Comfortably Numb after being Kicked in the Teeth by the Promises and Little Lies of both candidates. One Way or Another one of these two men will be our President for the next four years. Americans will be Living on a Prayer that the winner keeps the Taxman away from our Money, but, you would be Fooling Yourself!…. I Wish them both the best as one of them heads to DC and the other Politician returns to either Massachusetts or Sweet Home Chicago. Romney hopes Obama is Movin’ Out. Obama hopes Romney will be Heading out to the Highway. Sad But True one of these FINE men will be Slip Slidin’ Away and the other living in the Limelight.
After hearing from these two for some Time now Americans surely think they are both Dazed and Confused, Heartless
The pair keep going Round and Round. Their Jive Talkin’ is a Roundabout way of giving Americans the Runaround. I Cant Explain why they don’t just Say what they mean to say. You Might Think it’s a Communication Breakdown that every thing they say sounds all Do Whacka Do. Well, it’s not the Twilight Zone. They are hoping that voters will Surrender when they become All Shook Up from their blah blah blah, Talk Talk and not see either man’s True Colors
I’m a Believer if you think Life’s Been Good the last four years you will vote for Obama. If not you would like to say Good Riddance to Obama and vote for Romney.
When the election is over hopefully we can all Come Together and Have a Drink on Me!
My name is Mike Slayen and I fully endorse all songs in this message.
Click here for info on the above songs.
Related Posts:
Adam Sandler’s movie, “The Wedding Singer,” was hilarious. It followed Robbie Hart a disgruntled musician whose dream of becoming a rock star falls through and he ends up singing at weddings. He became a burned out, bitter, resentful musician, who had to play weddings. He had to play the part of the ‘Wedding Singer’ to entertain the crowds, young and old and all in between.
Thankfully, my career is much different!! Everyday I wake up and have a chance to share music with others it’s a great day, whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event, a concert, a class, a rehearsal, etc. I am truly fortunate to be a working musician. Honestly, I don’t even do the same ‘job’ as Sandler’s character. I usually play the ceremony, cocktail hour and receptions when folks don’t want the over the top wedding band or DJ. The Wedding Singer was definitely over the top!
There is one similarity between me and the character, however, I thought I was going to be a rock star too. Once I heard Eddie Van Halen when I was a kid that was it, I knew what I wanted to do. My musical path since has followed the saying, “Life is what happens while you are making other plans.”
Somewhere down the line I realized that I REALLY wanted to be a musician first and rock star second. Then I realized I wanted to be a musician first, make a living in my field and be a rock star 3rd. Not til I got older I realized, I just always wanted to be a musician. Rock music will always be a part of who I am but not what I am. Having studied classical, jazz and world music among other disciplines in college I get to work in any style I want and get the same energy I did as a kid trying to be the next guitar hero.
There are some of my old friends who are still living the rock star dream. They tour the world, hang out with famous musicians we grew up idolizing and have tons of fans following them on Facebook and MySpace. More power to them! I love to hear their stories when we get together. Funny thing is they love to hear about what I am doing too!
Everyday, I get to do some combination of play, perform, teach, compose, listen to, write about, record, study, absorb, eat, drink and sleep music! I get to make a living in a tough field in my native San Diego. Life is good!
Click here for more info on planning your wedding music. Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Having played weddings in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Palm Springs area and throughout Southern California for 20 years I’ve learned so much. This post is a chance to share some of this info with you!
Here are ten tips to help you plan your wedding music to the fullest. Feel free to share this page with your wedding planners, friends and family.
-These tips are not in any particular order except #10 may be the most important!
-Not all these tips may apply to your specific plans but some of them definitely will.
If you have any questions I would be glad to help!
1) Ceremony Events.
Although all weddings are different most have some semblance of the following events requiring music; pre-music as guests are being seated, seating of parents, bridal party and couples recession. Often music is needed for an interlude; a prayer or sand/candle ceremony, etc.
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Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 