Excellent Online - spiritualized

Clearing the May Backlog in June...

theajaysharma — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:56:11 +0000

So my life in May was pretty much on hold because I was switching jobs. And as regular readers might be aware, any slight modification in my life results in massive neglect to excellent online (hey, we've been doing this for over ten years, that says something right?). I was contacted by a recruiter for a Seattle-based company back in February and went through several phone interviews. After each one, I'd wait a week then politely ask for the status. Another week would go by then a response saying that I've advanced to the next step. So persistence is their first test. How badly do you want this job? Bad enough for you to keep emailing us?

After four phone interviews (all with their appropriate delays), I get invited for the onsite. I was pretty anxious this whole time but the onsite interview really kicks it into overdrive. Now I'm plagued with thoughts like, "how am I going to find a place to live in Seattle" or "will I adjust to the lack of sunshine." Truely first world problems because obviously I can adjust to anywhere.

While this is happening, I interview with a local company (I'm in southern California, btw) and they offer me the position but I tell them that I cannot accept until I interview in Seattle. I'm not going to bore you with the details of the interview other then to say it was a full day (10:30am-5pm, also interviewed during lunch!) and was the most intense interview I've ever had. They asked if I wanted to stay in Seattle an extra day to check out the city. But I was a big bag of nerves and wanted to get home as soon as possible and get back to my wife and kid. The weekend was more of the same, a nervous wreck. They were going to notify me on Monday evening about the status so I was super pissed that I didn't get a response until Tuesday morning. They declined. Bummer.

So I accepted the position from the other local company and while I'm sad that I'm not moving to Seattle, I think staying down here is good for me for right now. So that's why there hasn't been a post in a while. ;)

Fairly Orbital Heavy, But there's Good News From Glen Hansard, Dandy Warhols and Spiritualized

theajaysharma — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:05:22 +0000

Orbital has been a favorite of mine ever since I found electronic dance music. I loved Duran Duran when I was a kid because of my older sister. Then my brother introduced me to the Smiths and Stone Roses. He and I found electronic music together in the mid-90's (we argue about it to this day, he bought Prodigy after seeing the video for Poison, I bought the Orb after seeing them on the cover of NME for UFOrb).

In 1996, there was no Glastonbury so several of the electronic acts came out to the US to support the new "electronica" movement. I went for the Orb but soon discovered Orbital, Underworld and the Chemical Brothers. Orbital was the big breakout act for me because of Organic and I've seen then a dozen times. One of the highlights of my life was getting to see them at Glastonbury in 1999, a truely amazing experience.

BLUR BLUR BLUR BLUR (and some other stuff)

theajaysharma — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:38:03 +0000

I skipped last week since it was a slow news week. Not actually slow since all the music blogs had tons of crap they were reporting. Just nothing new or interesting to me. (In a bad mood, sry)

Air's Soundtrack, More new Orbital, and some new tours announced

theajaysharma — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:27:51 +0000

The very first science fiction movie is a silence movie about a voyage to the moon. Since it's french it's called "Le Voyage Dans La Lune". And since it's French, Air wrote the soundtrack to it. It was a coin flip between them and Daft Punk (HA, stupid americans!). I find it interesting because it was made in black and white and hand colored versions back in the early 1900's. The black and white version has long since been destroyed and the colored version was found in 1993 but had to be restored. Naturally, wikipedia has more info on this film.

Also happening is Killing Joke's return, a bunch of tour announcements, and what the hell was Echo and the Bunnymen doing in a superbowl ad?

More tours, and I miss Failure.

theajaysharma — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:15:20 +0000

Nada Surf do "Enjoy the Silence". All this reminds me of is Failure's version and after that I went on a huge google adventure trying to see what the bands are doing at the moment. It also reminded me of the last versions of the touring Lollapalooza. Tool were headlining and Failure were also on the bill. Do to someone backing out, Failure opened up the main stage and then 4 or 5 hours later they headlined the second stage. First and last time I have ever seen the same band play twice on the same day.

Tons of Good Shows Coming Up...

theajaysharma — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:41:23 +0000

Lots of good tour news last week. I bought tickets to see Godspeed but got my scheduling messed up because it's on the same day as Coachella. Damn, would've loved to see Godspeed at Big Sur, CA. If you ever get a chance to drive up the California coast, do it. But remember, it's a LONG drive so make sure you plan accordingly.

Watch Spiritualized Performing "Ladies and Gentlemen..." Live Tonight (Updated)

theajaysharma — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:10:43 +0000

Spin is celebrating their 25th anniversary with five nights of live music. I've apparently been under a rock so I only found out about it this morning. Tonight they will be streaming Spiritualized perform "Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space" album in it's entirety. The stream starts at 8:30 EST (5:30 PST). Unfortunately you have to sell your Facebook soul because it will force to log in via Facebook, then you have to "like" it before it'll let you watch the stream. I'm starting to miss the days where companies would ask for your email address and you can provide a fake one.

UPDATE: It looks like Spin is rebroadcasting the videos from last week so the Smashing Pumpkins are on tonight (August 2nd). The Flaming Lips will be on tomorrow, then the National on Thursday and Spiritualized will wrap up the week on Friday, August 6th.

Spiritualized will Play "Ladies and Gentlemen..." in Entirety

theajaysharma — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:20:04 +0000

Spiritualized made one of the greatest albums of all time with 1997's, Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space and will play the album in it's entirety at the ATP Festival in England on May 7th-9th. The festival is currated by Matt Groening and also includes Iggy & the Stooges, The xx, Built to Spill and more.

Late last year Sony reissued the album and it came in the usual variety of formats and special editions that Spiritualized is known for. The reissue did include two bonus CD's with alternate versions and some outtakes that didn't make it on the original album.

Spiritualized to play 'Ladies And Gentlemen...' live

theajaysharma — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:18:15 +0000

Spirtualized are to play their classic 1997 album 'Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space' live in its entirety. - Source

Spiritualized Interviewed By Virgin

theajaysharma — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:42:14 +0000

Watch the full Q&A session with J Spaceman below. - Source

New Spiritualized Video - "You Lie, You Cheat"

theajaysharma — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:42:30 +0000

Fresh off their excellently over-the-top Pitchfork Fest set, Spiritualized's Jake Chapman-directed video for "You Lie You Cheat" is a tad more kinetic than the "Soul On Fire" clip that found a silver-clad J. Pierce rolling on the icy/dusty ground and prostrate in a hospital bed. Actually, even if all this video's shaky P.O.V. shots give you motion sickness, its trek to the 13th floor and back ends with the protagonist in a similar situation as its sleepier, sleeker predecessor. - Source

Prefix Interviews Spiritualized

theajaysharma — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:42:04 +0000

Enjoy a great Q&A session with J Spaceman here. Topics discussed: Pop vs. Experimental-Illness-Instincts, Touring vs. Recording. - Source

Exclusive: New Spiritualized Single Was Nearly Dropped

theajaysharma — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:42:19 +0000

In an exclusive interview with Xfm, Spiritualized's Jason Pierce has revealed how 'Soul On Fire' nearly didn't make the final cut. Oh, and there are details of new tour as well. - Source

Spiritualized Performs 1st Gig Of 'Electric Mainlines' Tour

theajaysharma — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:42:26 +0000

The premiere show took place this weekend. Here's Songs In A&E tune, 'Sitting On Fire'. - Source

Spiritualized, Songs In A & E

theajaysharma — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:42:10 +0000

Now, more than ever, Spiritualized are less about the trip into the outer limits and more about the frailty of love and mystery of individual existence. - Source