Author: Jody Whitesides

  • In The Arms Of The Angel 9-11

    In The Arms Of The Angel 9-11

    statueIt’s been a over a decade now since the 9-11 event occurred. It’s amazing to think all that has happened in it’s aftermath. Right now it feels like certain parts of the world haven’t forgotten and other parts will never remember. Historians generally say that people will always remember where they were when a major world changing event occurred. I was woken by a phone call after a very late night while living in Southern California. The night before, or rather a few hours before, I had finished recording a demo for a song whose first line was: The end of the world has come and gone, we’re still standing imagine that. Bizarre.

    Today, I intend to go on with my normal schedule with creating music, having meetings, etc. Cursory glances on social media shows that everywhere I turn people are posting about 9-11. Some posting remembrances of 9-11. Others posting that they’re upset that people aren’t taking stock about 9-11. It runs a wide range. This is own little piece of adding the social noise.

    Actually, I’d rather have you listen to a very moving song by Sarah McLachlan called In The Arms Of The Angel. It’s extremely moving. Written prior to the 9-11 event, it is still very fitting. Watch the video I found on YouTube in tribute and figure out how you prefer to remember or forget what happened.

    In The Arms Of The Angel 9-11

    YouTube player

    Spend all your time waiting
    For that second chance
    For a break that would make it okay
    There’s always some reason
    To feel not good enough
    And it’s hard at the end of the day

    I need some distraction
    Or a beautiful release
    Memories seep from my veins
    Let me be empty
    Oh and weightless and maybe
    I’ll find some peace tonight

    In the arms of the angel
    Fly away from here
    From this dark cold hotel room
    And the endlessness that you fear

    You are pulled from the wreckage
    Of your silent reverie
    You’re in the arms of the angel
    May you find some comfort here

    So tired of the straight line
    And everywhere you turn
    There’s vultures and thieves at your back
    The storm keeps on twisting
    Keep on building the lies
    That you make up for all that you lack

    It don’t make no difference
    Escaping one last time
    It’s easier to believe
    In this sweet madness
    Oh this glorious sadness
    That brings me to my knees

    In the arms of the angel
    Fly away from here
    From this dark cold hotel room
    And the endlessness that you fear

    You are pulled from the wreckage
    Of your silent reverie
    You’re in the arms of the angel
    May you find some comfort here

    You’re in the arms of the angel
    May you find some comfort here

    Peace.

  • Apple Watch

    Apple Watch

    apple watchApple introduces an Apple Watch. Earlier today, like many people, I took a little time off to sit and watch the Apple Event. Yes, I’m still an Apple nut. Hell all the new singles I’m stockpiling for imminent release were recorded on a multitude of Apple computers. So yeah, I pay attention. Of course if you’ve been listening to the rumor mill then you’d heard the iWatch was sure to unveil and sure to be like all other tech companies who rushed their watches out to market to “beat” Apple. Instead they got the Apple Watch.

    As a disclaimer, I don’t wear watches. It’s not my schtick to do so. There’s so many clocks around, on the phone, in the car, everywhere you look, there’s a clock. Thus, I don’t have a strong desire for a watch. That being said, I can very much appreciate the detail and fine design that has gone into the Apple Watch. Do I really want one? No. Would I get one? Maybe. Would I wear it? I haven’t a clue, but I did end up buying one – I’d make sure to wear it.

    I wonder if it will be like an iPad? Actually, I kinda wanted an iPad when they were announced. I could see the usefulness of it immediately. I’ve started reading a lot of books since I’ve had the thing. I used it constantly. I just don’t see why I’d want a watch that requires me to have my phone with me in order to use it. Why look at pictures on a tiny Apple Watch face when I could whip out my iPad or my iPhone and see it there on a bigger screen? Same can be said for music? It’s got an iTunes app. However, they don’t show where you listen – again, I think it’s tied to the iPhone, or other iDevices.

    I suppose it will come down to whether or not I think it’s worthwhile to get an Apple Watch as a health tracker. Then again, the iPhone already does all this and more. *sigh*

    The real cool/frightening thing that was announced was Apple Pay. In my own efforts to reduce the clutter in my pockets I’ve stopped carrying credit cards or a wallet. I have to remember when I need them. However, it would be extremely cool to have it tied to my phone. As Apple has now done with the upcoming iPhone 6 and iOS 8. Their feature is super cool. The consumer version of their security features sound great, but the reality is something we know nothing about yet. Hopefully we don’t start hearing stories of Apply Pay horror like the recent Apple ID hacks of naked celebrity photos that everyone thought was a direct issue with iCloud. Mind you, I went and deleted questionable photos of myself off my iCloud when it was announced

  • Making A Hit Song

    Making A Hit Song

    making a hit songWhat goes into the making of a hit song? This is a curious question. If there was one true answer, everyone would be doing it, and nothing would actually end up being a hit. Right? Conspiracy theorists like to believe that the major labels have some sort of computer algorithm that can predict if a song is a hit or not. As the British say: Bullocks. They don’t know any better than any one else, the different is, they’re in a position of power to sell something.

    While recording Till We Meet Again, George, Jesse, and I get into a quick discussion about things that can help make a song a hit song. In this case, we’re talking about a little trick that Jesse and I did with a particular transition of a song from one part to another. We changed something about the song structure in such a way that it makes people take notice. Watch the video about making a hit song and find out what we did.

    Making A Hit Song

    YouTube player

    Did you catch what we were talking about? Think you can go write a hit song now?