Cant hold it in.

Something that really interested me and excited me happened last month, after I had blogged about Scott Blake's barcode art. The interesting and exciting thing? He commented on my blog. A simple "Thanks for showing interest in my work!"

Now what interests me, is I can't find my link to the Scott Blake blog on google. How the fuck did he find my page, and comment? I think small things like this are amazing and are what make life worth living :)

Ponderings about sampling, remixing..

Glenn talked in class Wednesday about the ethics of remixing, or using other people's work and making something of your own. While I am all about sampling and remixing, but I am also for giving credit where credit is due. I believe it was Torsten who was talking about the electronic world, and how remixes are always credited to the artist first, then the remixer. This made me think about one track in particular (one of my all time favorites) and one ive posted numerous times on this blog, Binary Finary's massive trance anthem titled "1998". Now the original is amazing, but its so... dated. Paul Van Dyk remixed 1998 I believe in 1999 or 2000 and it revived the original trancemonster. Binary Finary was placed back on the map, due to Paul Van Dyk's twist of the original. All he did was take Binary Finary's general idea, and make it his own rework. And its amazing, and in NO way takes credit away from Binary Finary. Fast forward to late 2000's and you have Alex M.O.R.P.H.'s remix of 1998. This one blows both the original and PVD's remix out of the water. Its still Binary Finary's work, but now with Alex M.O.R.P.H.'s style and touch put on it. This form of remixing is only help further trance and the artists! Whenever I hear any version I always at first think "Oh shit! Binary Finary!", then try to place whos remixing it. Things to ponder over I suppose! Well here is the original, PVD's remix, and Alex M.O.R.P.H.'s remix so you can see the progression of trance over the years, while still maintaining the originality and idea. It's amazing to have been a part of the evolution of trance! Enjoy, and trust in trance!!!! \o/ hands up!!

                                                        Binary Finary - 1998 (Original Mix)

                                                   Binary Finary - 1998 (Paul Van Dyk Remix)

                              The fuckin trancemonster! Binary Finary - 1998 (Alex M.O.R.P.H. Remix)

Tales from my crypt

This track I am sharing is a techno track produced in the early 1990's by a London techno dj/producer who went by the name Moby. Yes. The same Moby that did a duet with Gwen Stefani. Little do people know he was at first an underground techno dj. His roots started in techno. And this track, was the one that introduced me to the world of electronic music, way back in time, back in 1994. I was a freshman in highschool, into metal, punk all the teenage shit. I heard this and it opened up a whole new world. I also remember me and my friends wanting to go to this rave called Beatrix back in '96.. Fuck im old aren't I? Anyways.. here's Moby how I will always see and remember him by..

Its amazing to be a part of such a massive transformation.. This is the type of music I first started raving to.. now we have amazing artists such as Armin Van Buuren and Skrillex. To be a part of such as ever evolving form is an honor!! :D enjoy.

I love this movie

I saw this movie once when I was a child, and I liked it then.. didn't watch it again until I was about 26, and I loved it even more! If you haven't seen Dune, I personally recommend it. Im sure a majority of you will hate it. Its long, and its slow. But its just so deep, and full of meaning.

great music too! by Toto

The lovely weather

There always something about the sun shining that makes me happy. Im always a miserable grouch when its overcast. Maybe that has something to do with me living up where it snowed 6 months a year for 3 years (Sierra Nevada Mountains) I hate being miserable (as does everyone I think). This spring break I basically had a mental nuclear meltdown (evident of my Spring Break post). This class makes me think, and when I think, it usually takes me to dark places I try to forget about. But its a good thing to break them free, express them on whatever medium of choice, and share that feeling, emotion, anything with the world. So here I will share with you Alex M.O.R.P.H.'s ASOT 500 mix at UMF 2011 (I met Alex the weekend after UMF! good times!!) Ok I know alot of you are closet ravers, some are obvious some arent. Break free of that shell! I need more people to roll out with or meet there.

The trancemaster himself, Alex M.O.R.P.H. and I, at Circus Saturdays - Club Circus, Hollywood,CA

And finally, Alex's Set from ASOT 500! Remember all you 21+'s, Alex M.O.R.P.H. will be spinning at Circus Saturdays May 28th, you know my ass will be there.. You should make it out. Contact me, ill put you on my guestlist, get in early and have a good time. Take care!

I have to share this.

OMG. Perfection.

You're welcome!!
And to think, Skrillex is a 23 year old Los Angeles native. Mind=Blown.
Im moving to Los Angeles... Mind=Decided.

Smile :)


The Roman philosopher Cicero believed that in order to have a true friendship with someone, one must have complete honesty, truth, and trust. He also thought that friends would do things for each other without expectation of repayment. If a friend is about to do something wrong, one should not compromise one's morals and let the friend commit the action--one should explain what is wrong about the action, and help one's friend understand what is right. Cicero believed that ignorance is the cause of evil.

Blogging and Art 100

I can understand what Glenn was talking about today. I do apologize for not speaking up, that is one of my character flaws. I am a silent wallflower type. But anyways.. the way I look at it, is that this class is supposed to be educational and fun. I in no way find it boring or "whatever". The point of all the work we do is to get ideas, be creative and just have fun with it. Art is about having fun and being creative while expressing what makes you and your view of the world unique. A majority of the blogs in the class (not all) are just only what Glenn asked for. A blog is a way to channel your creativity so the whole world can see. I find it hard to believe that one is un-creative. It's just people don't want to try. The point is to let go, act like a child and just go for it. There is no right or wrong, just people who do, and don't.

I guess I had an early start. This blog, An Influx Of Culture, was created by me almost 3 years ago. It sat dormant for years because I had no creative content to put on it. The moniker "epicnova" has been in use for over 10 years. This class has helped hone in on my creative abilities and ideas and has made my 10 year and 3 year "identity" really come to the surface. I really appreciate this class and all Glenn does teach us. I can completely understand why he is so frustrated. Not many are willing to just let go and jump in! Come on, the water is warm, and its alot of fun in the in here. Get to crackin!


Thoes who can create, do.. and thoes that can't.... become politicians. ;)

haha

enjoy spring break all!

Technologic - An audio/visual experience and Second Life

At first I was just going to make a few avatars on Second Life, take a few snapshots and call it good. But I felt that was doing my creative brain a complete injustice. I think Second Life is amazing, and you can catch me on there a few hours a day (not all at once!). Epicnova is my name, and you can find me either at CSULB or at ZAPP Club (look for me!) Here's a few pictures :)

Older pic

                                      Most recent pic, of me gettin my groove on at Zapp Club!!

Now on to the really creative part of this section. The video! I basically just went to the park and filmed random stuff, and took some vid of things at home. I used muvee AutoProducer6 to integrate the audio/video and add the "psychedelic" type effects. The track you hear accompanying the video was produced by me, in three days using Fruity Loops Studio 6. I basically used all the stock samples and just used a ton of reverb, flange and chorus effects to add the echo'y effect of the instruments. I also had to put on a few bass boost effects, to ensure there was enough low end (can't have enough bass!!) This video took me about a week to finish, and im pretty impressed with it. Imagine what I can do with a semi agenda and more time!! Enjoy!!

Circus Saturdays - Activa/First State and Fetish Night

Well this past Circus Saturdays (4/2) was by far my most favorite time to date. Great trance, and it was Fetish Night!

Introspect

When im sitting in Art class, taking in the day's lecture.. alot of things that Glenn talks about makes this scene from American Beauty pop into my head. I guess you can say this scene is how I interpret what it is Glenn is looking for in us, the student. Im sure many of you have already seen this movie, and remember this scene. But watch it again. I bet it will make more sense to you, after learning what we have learned so far.

The Crime of Altruism

Im not here to talk about this painting or who its by. Im here to talk about the crime of being altruistic. Why is it such a bad thing to care about others over oneself? I find myself always being hurt by people for caring too much. I can't be a blatant asshole, thats not my nature. Im tired of feeling guilty for reaching out and being there for others who can use the sympathy only to be hurt in the end. Yes altruism is about selflessness, but i would think that a selfless act would be accompanied with at least respect in the end. Yet here I am, shedding tears for being made to feel bad for being there for others.

An insightful day

Im still brewing over what was discussed in class today.

The reality of beauty

Since the beginning of the semester, we have been given the idea, or the question to think about, "What is reality?"