Elle Laurel Rose

Thoughts (& Jokes) on CBS / Grammy Dress Code

Elle Laurel Rose — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 22:21:16 +0000

The post Thoughts (& Jokes) on CBS / Grammy Dress Code appeared first on Elle Laurel Rose.

I could have risked publishing a manic mess with my many thoughts over the leaked CBS Standards & Practices email to music stars and insiders. (Cue nerves and a lot of time / work.) Days of pondering specifics of the new Grammy dress code, from protest to wish list and beyond, sidetracked me from my planned couture fantasies. I’ve been angered and Inspired by – what I’ll call – “1 Shade of Gray’s Anatomy;” combined with a vague free-advertising ban; totaling a policy more conservative than grocery stores, modern non-cable prime-time and even 80s MTV (Cher, Cher, Cher, as seen in this article).

It’s going to be difficult to not be “problematic.” (It’s been wondered whether Beyoncé’s costume with “smooth” side-crotch would be too risky for CBS.)

Please be sure that buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered. Thong type costumes are problematic. Please avoid exposing bare fleshy under curves of the buttocks and buttock crack. Bare sides or under curvature of the breasts is also problematic. Please avoid sheer see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples. Please be sure the genital region is adequately covered so that there is no visible “puffy” bare skin exposure. Please avoid commercial identification of actual brand name products on T-shirts. Foreign language on wardrobe will need to be cleared. OBSCENITY OR PARTIALLY SEEN OBSCENITY ON WARDROBE IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR BROADCAST. This as well, pertains to audience members that appear on camera. Finally, The Network requests that any organized cause visibly spelled out on talent’s wardrobe be avoided. This would include lapel pins or any other form of accessory.

I now realize it’s a slippery slope to the burka shop.

Sadly, a lot of Internet commenters agree with banning skin. They also align music’s trend of “sexiness” with a lack of talent instead of things like art, freedom, America, good self image, and free fucking speech.

#CBS #Grammy #DressCode called “1 Shade of Gray’s Anatomy”

Please no one forget what else is banned: organized messages… What’s next? (And is it even clear what that means?) Musicians aren’t supposed to be the same as actors (often pretty performers with one to three skills) many are writers passionate to express, first and foremost (believe it or not – and vocal gymnasts or not).

This is quite unfortunate in my eyes. The taboo of nudity is fallacy.

Recent CBS rules are decades stale. What’s long been standard attire in performance and dance – say, leotards – are now “problematic” (especially in modern cuts) and shunned.

Furthermore, what used to be “just” a worry and embarrassment for female stars, see-through tops, will now be more of a “shame” and frequently blamed on women (paparazzi should feel the brunt of such backlash, in most cases).

If this is a ploy to get eyes on the tube hoping for funny or sensible objection, if not titillating (or horrifying) rebellion, I just hope a little anti-authority is what we get. I don’t mind crafty marketing if it delivers an entertaining show.

Not all music need be visual, but this visual industry can result in repelling audio (like the screechy instrumentals of 2012) and this year the Grammy’s can use a boost, not more letdown.

Quotes and details as leaked to deadline.com.
Beyoncé photos from Zap2It.

Now, to lighten the mood, some jokes:

Taken from Thoughts (& Jokes) on CBS / Grammy Dress Code © Elle Laurel Rose.

About Me and my Taste: My Top 10 Songs of 2012

Elle Laurel Rose — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 04:00:39 +0000

The post About Me and my Taste: My Top 10 Songs of 2012 appeared first on Elle Laurel Rose.

As a potential musical figure, I try to not complain publicly about specific artists (because I don’t want to get rap-feudy). It would just scare me; I don’t want backlash. So this really will be only my favorites from this … bleak year. And also, just charting singles, partially ’cause I’m poor and a lot of people know these well, too.

I really wanted to format this beautifully and add a comment for each, but I’ve ~~had a lot to do and I also want this post up early for you to learn about me~~ been super busy and ran out of time. So, without graphic ado…

10. Maroon 5 – Payphone
9. Katy Perry – Wide Awake
8. Gotye – Somebody That I Used to Know [rank hurt by grammatical error]
7. Adele – Rolling in the Deep
6. Psy – Gangnam Style
5. Ellie Goulding – Lights
4. Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up
3. Adele – Set Fire to the Rain
2. Phillip Phillips ~~Phillipson~~ (oops, sorry) – Home

1. Alex Clare – Too Close

It’s my perfect sound right now. Popstep-rock. Expect me to aim for this sound sometimes, along with (general) pop and some uptempo rock (which makes me picture the catwalk, and is thus inspirational and I just love it).

I love the music so much I don’t even like (/”get”*) the message (/words) and it’s still my #1. That’s MAY JOR, folks.

*I mean, “too close to love?” I envision it’s something like his girlfriend started peeing with the door open and he lost all his boners, and that’s not cool with me. I like marriageable dudes, and we all know marriageisthisclose, right? Ah well, just a song, not a date.

Sounds I loved in a year of the soundtrack to Pyscho (Ri, RI, RII!) … Sigh.

Here’s to 2013!!!

Taken from About Me and my Taste: My Top 10 Songs of 2012 © Elle Laurel Rose.

(Free Friday) In love with: “Radio” by Mansions on the Moon [track]

Elle Laurel Rose — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 01:35:35 +0000

The post (Free Friday) In love with: “Radio” by Mansions on the Moon [track] appeared first on Elle Laurel Rose.

This amazeballs song has definitely made the rounds in the blogosphere, but I’m just starting my blog and this is an absolute must-own-and-replay for most music fans.

This anti-mainstream/label-products message tune is not just for those who hated 2012 pop and “rock,” it’s particularly poignant for musicians:

Put it up for sale
We’ve got to write it down
Box it up, ship it out
Lock it down or give it away
And if it doesn’t sell
We’ve got to switch it up
Move it around
Because the people want it that way
Because you(‘ve)
heard it on the radio
Doesn’t make it beautiful
[correct me]

Like probably everyone who downloads this, initially I had the song on repeat for about a whole day. Now a short while later, when I hear it start up, I just. get. soooo. hap.py.

Currently available for free download right from the band homepage on the top left (perfection, guys, and a lesson for others).

Yep, geek moment (design & marketing). Compare their placement’s awesome savvy-showcase to my (temporarily just a snippet) stream on the right, but remember, they have two sidebars – so with my one’s placement, I think I’m still designing well.

Also note it might be hard to notice the free download aspect of their “Radio” track “forefront” promotion; please hover the single cover on their site or use SoundCloud’s “arrow” icon, above.

Bonus!

Also available for download on their music page is Foster the People “Life on the Nickel” Remix by Mansions on the Moon. That one’s not bad, itself.

BTW, I’m moving next week, but will have posts and no lapse in ISP! Next Friday is homecoming, after a loong drive! I won’t have a download link prepared that week, or even every week necessarily, but I do hope to publish bits about my journey although I’ll be otherwise occupied.

Via / Related, awesome post from the blogosphere:
@ Loose Lips ”My feelings would best be expressed in song.”

Taken from (Free Friday) In love with: “Radio” by Mansions on the Moon [track] © Elle Laurel Rose.

Hello world, or few. Pleased to meet you.

Elle Laurel Rose — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 04:21:05 +0000

The post Hello world, or few. Pleased to meet you. appeared first on Elle Laurel Rose.

Welcome to my new site. It’s part personal blog, part future-my-music-home, part other-music blog and part style; but also with tech, visual art and (non-song) writing bits. That’s kind of a lot because, since it’s to be music, it’s about me as an artist and figure. I hope you’ll find it helpful and/or entertaining and aurally pleasing. (And not sucky non-art, but funny and effort-filled.) Read about me here (I know I need to update my silly stub of a bio soon, but I enjoy the silly and the mystery?) and read some posts I’ve “laid down” ready and waiting for you. Fun fact: The title of this intro is taken from some lyrics I’ve been working on (for later publishing). It’s just a minor part (as in not from the chorus, etc.) of the to-be song about names, the patriarchy, romance and such.

Taken from Hello world, or few. Pleased to meet you. © Elle Laurel Rose.

Blogging: Not for Tired or even Wired, it’s About Timing Energy JustThisRight

Elle Laurel Rose — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:14:49 +0000

The post Blogging: Not for Tired or even Wired, it’s About Timing Energy JustThisRight appeared first on Elle Laurel Rose.

This site is new but I’ve been blogging since late 2004 (earlier if suck counts). With a new site I tend to encounter a specific writer’s block. I love putting the layout together, solving problems and adding/tweaking the extras and invisible-but-important stuff. Then there’s this weird more than blank-page effect on me.

My tip to combat that is to never put off drafting or finishing posts until after the layout, if you do the designing.

Then there’s the day-to-day stuff; the too-sick-to-write today. I’ve been occasionally there for years. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that I can’t write too tired. I love staying up late, and when I’ve been up for 16 hours, maybe more, occasionally less; I’m still good for other things. I can be very productive with graphics, code, now even laying audio tracks on my computer (W00t!!). Sometimes I can zombie through a cranky ill feeling out of determination (obsession) and get ALL the bugs out of site code. I might even craft a few lyrics or a dress sketch in my dreams. I go through occasional periods when I’m a lyrics machine, like I’ve taken my lyric fiber aplenty.

But I just cannot write an article, or even casual blog post, late at night. Or “my” night, whatever that is that day.

Of course I’m not a morning person either.

And first things first like everyone else. Maybe check a social site, two or even email (ha). A Facebook game if I’m not currently sick of them. A couple potty trips, a face wash, a “morning” beverage (or soda, fuck it). Then breakfast, or a bit later, depending on how “full” I was at bedtime.

Sooner or later, I’m awake and ready to work, especially on the days I got to sleep “in” or do build energy. I hate the taste of coffee, so it’s not a given for me to get there. And once I’m ready to be productive, I’ve decided my priority (yours could be your similar no-night task).

I now know the plan must be: writing first (or current step in this morning routine). Not poetry, the “work” stuff. I love writing, but blogging is also a bit more work than some other arts. And no, not the promotion or tech stuff, that’s breezy fun (still not play, fuckers).

Not after lunch (the 2:30 feeling), not after even the important and challenging tasks of laying tracks (can’t be a rockstar without it, but it can – shock – wait measly hours): ~~the~~ my fucking morning.

This morning (and it’s real morning to boot) I’m luckier than most. I awoke with ideas, not for a purse sketch (fashion design is one of my crazy lusts) or a song, but practically a whole blog post. Sweet as pie.

And here it is. … Meh, it’ll do.

Taken from Blogging: Not for Tired or even Wired, it’s About Timing Energy JustThisRight © Elle Laurel Rose.

This Free Mp3 Could Save your Life, YOUR LIFE

Elle Laurel Rose — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:00:37 +0000

The post This Free Mp3 Could Save your Life, YOUR LIFE appeared first on Elle Laurel Rose.

Your whole mother-fucking life!

Of course, it’s Tangerine Kitty – Dumb Ways to Die. You’ve probably heard the song and seen the video, maybe a lot, but did you get your free download yet?

[Sarcasm alert:]
Download this and load it on your iPhone or other portable idiot machine. Ensure you listen, a lot, before you visit the subway or any train, ~~bitches,~~ ~~morons,~~ ~~YOLOing wanderlusters,~~ morons.
[/end saracasm]

Also, it’s fun and the audio is a heck of a lot less violent than the video [below] and, ack, that gory Tumblr.

And, yes, the track is available for free download! Because it’s a PSA, by angels, no less. Download or die. (Oops, more sarcasm?) Available on SoundCloud.

Taken from This Free Mp3 Could Save your Life, YOUR LIFE © Elle Laurel Rose.

New Tuesday: Ally Rhodes “Conversations with a Ghost”

Elle Laurel Rose — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:00:15 +0000

The post New Tuesday: Ally Rhodes “Conversations with a Ghost” appeared first on Elle Laurel Rose.

Ally Rhodes is a singer-songwriter, in that very non-genre with the still unmistakable soft rock sound, with impressive vocals fronting her acoustic tunes. When I first viewed her on YouTube, I silently predicted she will be a big star, just from her voice, presence and emotive style. (That was this month, so we’re still waiting!) The tracks on her unsigned-release record match in quality, to boot.

Her closest famous vocal comparison has got to be Sara Bareilles, minus the piano and plus a guitar, but the style and voice bears similarity in sound and quality.

The music’s good, so spend the ~$10 if you’ve got it, but what will impress you even more about Ally is her live performing. Follow on YouTube and you’ll agree, she’s likely to make it big.

Of course, that’ll only make you want to invest in her music, if you can. The CD is available for purchase on BigCartel. You can also get mp3s from iTunes and mp3s or the CD on Amazon.

Lulz Quote: He Be Frontin’

Elle Laurel Rose — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:25:13 +0000

The post Lulz Quote: He Be Frontin’ appeared first on Elle Laurel Rose.

“Never has a little boy sat so alone at his computer and busted out such in-conceivably thick rhymes. MC Frontalot has tapped the zeitgeist. It is with good reason that he is so very famous and rich.”

— ~~Noam Chomsky~~ — MC Frontalot

If you think that’s good, you should check out his (awesome) freely streaming album. On his site (link in name).

“Dolly Parton called…”

Elle Laurel Rose — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:52:02 +0000

The post “Dolly Parton called…” appeared first on Elle Laurel Rose.

I know this is incredibly goofy, but every time I see this single cover by Bruno Mars, I keep seeing Dolly Parton’s shirt on a “smaller” woman…

There’s probably something wrong with me.

My blog needs to wear these shoes

Elle Laurel Rose — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:11:03 +0000

The post My blog needs to wear these shoes appeared first on Elle Laurel Rose.

Oh, my. My blog is needing to wear these shoes! They are so worth their own post of 1,000-word -worthy pixels plus just a few actual more syllables.

Now, why can’t I make an entry “stick” to the bottom of the blog page, hmm? Sites deserve to wear shoes, too! And I sure as heck can’t afford these for my feet right now. Added to my mental-future-eBay-list.

For you, though, I offer the link to the “best” price.