The Revolution is Coming: Dead Day Revolution

The Revolution is Coming: Dead Day Revolution

Greatest debut albums!

Rolling Stone recently released a list of the top 100 greatest debut albums of all time. The chronological order are arguable, but it offered a good selection of epic albums! For an emerging artist, the first album is the most crucial of a musician's career. It sets the tone for their actual or potential career, which puts a lot of pressure on that first album. We picked a favorite from each category of 10's, so here's our short rundown! Keep in mind the master behind the keyboard is a 22 year old female and opinions do not reflect upon the music geniuses in the office. Check out the full list here!

1. (10-1) Beastie Boys: Licensed to Ill


2. (20-11) The Beatles: Please Please Me


3. (30-21) Arctic Monkeys: Whatever People Say I am, That's what I'm not

4. (40-31) The Killers: Hot Fuss



5. (50-41) Franz Ferdinand: Franz Ferdinand



6. (60-51) Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Forever to Tell



7. (70-61) Cindy Lauper: She's So Unusual



8. (80-71) Norah Jones: Blue Note



9. (90-81) Daft Punk: Daft Punk



10. (100-91) Lady Gaga: The Fame

Live in the Vineyard combined forces with Southwest Airlines to create the ultimate experience for lucky travels to experience a concert in the sky. 'Live at 35' concert series embraces both companies by bringing live music from talented artists at 35,000 feet in the air. The music production for projects like this is unlike any other, mainly because there are many more risks with these performances than with a standard music venue. Artists such as Gavin Degraw, ZZ Ward, Eric Hutchinson, Youngblood Hawke and others have performed randomly on flights, and there are more secret performances in the works!

Creativity amongst all parties involved are admirable, and it seems to be a success for everyone involved. Southwest airlines has always been known for their outstanding customer service, and it's comforting to have that during the stress of traveling. SWA has a reputation of being very honest and transparent, and participated in a documentary TV series that offered a deeper look into the company's operations for 3 seasons.

Held for 3 days in Napa Valley, Live in the Vineyard features some of today's hottest stars playing acoustic sets. Entrace is exclusive to those who enter to win access to the event. It is held twice a year - once in April and November. These events include lodging from some of Napa's finest resorts, tours and private tastings with the most revered vintners, exquisite foods, and intimate concerts you can't experience anywhere else. Those who attend can interact with artists, chefs, and wineries - fully consuming their lives with music, wine and food. We're submitting our contest entry ASAP!

Peter Munters props his foot on the bench filled with items from Aloft Hotel, which was taken at Live in the Vineyard. Munters' is in the film, Runner, Runner, which features production music from our production music library.

Burning Man gathers nearly 70,000 in Nevada

If you're wondering where your free spirited co-workers were after returning to the office tan and refreshed last week, chances are they made it out to Black Rock City, Nevada for Burning Man. Nearly 70,000 people traveled from all over the world to be apart of the week long experience. Leaving no trace of their existence, attendees fill the city with RV's, tents, Yurt's, mutant art cars, costumes, fun and good vibes.

Burning Man is a place for open creative minds to have fun, work together and build a community from scratch for a week. There is 0 exchange of currency, so attendees must bring all they can to survive the long days in the desert. With no connection to communicate with the 'default world', Burners create a place where you wear what you want (or nothing), introductions are made by hugs, and every single person is treated with equality.

There are many art structures set up throughout the open area on the playa, and art made from wood is burned at the end of the week. The structure of 'The Man' is separate from the camp area so people pay tribute by visiting him. Many people leave personal items at the man for his burning ceremony and experience spiritual growth.

Black Rock City never sleeps, and there is something to see, learn and hear at all times of the day and night. Surrounded by 70,000 of your best friends, it's a place most of those people like to call home.

EDM changing music

You hear more people complaining about lack of good music in this day in age. Today’s most popular genre, Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is created primarily through modern digital technology. Some argue this takes away the authenticity of live music, talent and performances. Those who have attended an EDM concert can assure you they are the liveliest crowds in entertainment history.

Music has evolved for thousands of years (and will continue to do so), but there has always been a common denominator of actual "live" instruments. EDM is based on the artist(s) producing beats behind a computer screen and sound "mixing" boards. It’s no secret that most musicians enhance their voices or instruments using technology, but this genre solely relies on it. With countless self-proclaimed “DJ’s” popping out left and right, should we worry everyone else will put down their guitars and pick up a computer?

EDM has experienced a long life of underground "warehouse parties" and events that were advertised through word of mouth and/or fliers. Within the last 2-5 years, massive festivals have drawn in hundreds of thousands of young partygoers dancing for hours on end. It’s hard to imagine that a single DJ behind a deck can conduct a crowed to dance that long, but they serenade their fans with intriguing beats.

It’s still too soon to predict the future for this genre because it has only recently become mainstream. The technology seems like it will stick around, and continue to evolve, so it will be interesting to see how it will affect the music industry in the future.

Technology Changing the Music Industry

You hear it all the time, but imagine living in today’s world without technology. What are the biggest changes you can think of that you would’ve never thought twice about 5 or 10 years ago? The music industry was a completely different world, and we’re weighing out the good and bad.

A production music library was an over packed room filled with tapes, records, and CD’s that had to be physically sorted. Today, we pack our hard drives and websites with countless gigabytes of tracks available at the click of a button. Life has definitely become more convenient thanks to technology, but potential clients are figuring that out on their own. With countless programs and applications designed to make your own music, some people decide it’s easier to teach themselves instead of pay someone else. The obvious downside is the lack of quality, increased acceptance of mediocracy, and lack of industry (music) knowledge.

The music making computer programs allow freedom for people to make music without a record label. Musicians are able to distribute their music through web 2.0 platforms, and interested listeners are able to easily access their songs. Many years ago, you had to be extraordinarily talented to be a musician. Now that word about music spreads so quickly, mediocre artists can get by with just 1 or 2 big hits.

File sharing and illegal downloads are the primary negative downside to evolving technology in the music industry. Artists are taking massive hits to their sales because people can’t resist the easy access to free music. As regulated as their music is, there will always be hackers and other outlets to get music. Artists need to get creative in order to sell copies or make money another way. A new trend we’re seeing repeat itself are vinyl record sales. They’re back by popular demand, and true music lovers will wait until their vinyl comes in before listening to the album.

Though technology has had an irreversible impact on the music industry, it’s time to embrace and grow with it. We love being able to communicate with and satisfy our clients from around the world. Our production music library grows faster, enabling us to enhance the quality of your production with technology… Here at the Chicago Music Library, we have learned to accept and evolve with technology - coming up with new and innovative ways to deliver material and communicate with clients.  All in all, technology has been asset to our production music library and will continue to be as such.

New city, No friends

Did you move to a new city and quickly realize it’s not as easy to make friends as you hoped? Are you scared of moving because you’re terrified of being alone in a new place? Now that college is over, you can’t mingle with those in your classes and grab a beer afterwards. How are you supposed to build a group of friends in a place where you don’t know a sole? Relax; MeetUp.com exists for individuals like you.

In a world where we rely so much on technology for communication, it’s easy to get caught up in our virtual world. You don’t want to look back a few years from now wondering why you never took the risk to go on adventures, meet new people, and make memories. Instead, utilize the Internet to search for escapades to embark upon. Activities are more enjoyable with other people, and MeetUp.com allows you to join any kind of group or activity under the sun. It’s designed to allow likeminded people to get together and learn, share, and do something. Relationships, friendships, projects and great ideas are bound to form when you make the most of your "MeetUp". With over 100 million people meeting up, we guarantee there is an activity waiting for you to be apart of.