Excellent Online - gotye

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.

Spring Tours Are In The Air

theajaysharma — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:33:51 +0000

Many bands are hitting the road and we can't be happier. Also the return of Rodrigo y Gabriela and Orbital make this a great week for music news. Enjoy!