Studio vs. Live Music
Which is truly better, music that is recorded in the studio or music that is played live on stage with a crowd? Personally I would spend more money, hand over fist, to see a band/artist I like than buying a cd or download them off itunes because you can actually see and hear if they are what they put on recordings or do they rely on technology as a crutch.
If they are great at what they do and love what they do you will get an experience you cannot replicate by just sitting there and listening to them through speakers connected to the stereo, computer, etc. If they are good enough they will attract a crowd that loves their music. Their fans don't come for any other band. Their fans don't come to listen to cover songs. Their fans just want to listen to them period, which makes being their even better.
If everyone around you is there for the same reason, to hear great music, that just adds to the experience you can't and don't get at home. People are going along with the beat and singing along, enjoying themselves and being around people that love the same music as them. If only that could happen at every concert. If you are going to a show in the near future go because you love the band go because you enjoy their music.
And be respectful to others. There is nothing that can ruin a set more by someone that is a dick to either you or someone around you. So don't be a dick to others by trying to get closer by inching your way up in the crowd, trying to forcefully take someones spot or talking louder than the band that is playing. Another thing is if the artist is trying to cover songs to kill time before the next set don't get more excited about the covers than their original tracks. It's depressing to hear and see someone would rather hear a song they don't cover than their own songs.
Oh yeah one more thing, unless your at a Lynyrd Skynyrd show don't yell Free Bird if the band is taking requests. And if I'm in the crowd and hear you you may have a blunt object thrown your way.
Is it better to have a generalized education?
After participating in Columbus College of Art & Design's annual Directions Career fair this past week I learned one valuable lesson. Whatever field you are going into you will be better off if you can find what you want to do within that field and focus on that during your college career. The earlier the better and let your classmates know that's what you want to do too.
For those of you that don't know me I am going to be graduating with a BFA in advertising and graphic design and I know that I want to do to something with web design. Knowing this I was able to gear my portfolio more towards what I want to do earlier in my college career. The lesson I learned did not happen during directions, it was shortly after.
Talking with some of my classmates they had mentioned they sent a few employers my way because my classmates knew I wanted to go into web and that is what some of the employers were looking for. After hearing that I realized that I had made a good move on my part focusing on one area. Coupled with my internship at dynamIt I am now well prepared and confident enough I can begin a career in web design. Do I still have a lot to learn, Yes, but if I didn't know I wanted to go into web design I would be half the designer I am today and wandering aimlessly in the massive field of graphic design.
So if you are in college and have a couple years left to go, find the specific area you want to go into and learn as much as you possibly can. I say this because if you try and focus on everything in your given field you will not be able to focus on what you really want to do after college. This will better prepare you for your career and hopefully it is something you will want and enjoy doing for the rest of your life.
Just launched
Here it is, my first blog. I don't have anything to post yet but check back soon!