Spinningmerkaba interviews Airtone

 

Spinningmerkaba interviews Airtone about the new ccMixter Logo.

Airtone, what was your process for creating the new ccMixter Logo?

I’ve been involved in helping to redesign ccMixter since last year, this is ongoing but part of that process has been to redesign the logo, it's been mainly in collaboration with Emily and Kara with feedback from other members of the team. I received some mockups from them and I sent some ideas back based on the mockups and it's been backwards and forwards for a few months until we all collectively decided on the final design. A lot of the direction and ideas came from Emily and Kara and so it was a very collaborative process throughout.

In your mind how does the new logo represent the community of artists that ccMixter represents?

We wanted to incorporate the two Cs and also the X in mixter, and also represent some of the values of the site which were reflected in the tagline which was probably going to be Collaborative Community.

I tried some ideas using the two Cs in various forms. An idea that seemed to be working well was using the Cs as two halves of a circle. A circle can represent lots of things like continuation, loops, records, cells, planets etc. It’s a very simple and effective symbol. The X can represent two paths crossing and creating something new, an intersection or centre.

The font I ended up using was Ubuntu which as well being the font for free open source software, Ubuntu is also a philosophy that recognises the importance of interdependence, sharing and inclusivity.

I think the green colour works well and has connotations of nature and ecology.

I think the site is about collaboration, community,  play, experimentation, exploration and sharing. Hopefully the logo can represent this without being corporate or generic or taking itself too seriously.

How many different versions did you create?

I initially created about 4 pages of quick ideas, maybe 20 or 30 altogether, this was then whittled down to 3 or 4 possibilities which were then refined until we got to one that everyone was happy with.

What design programs do you use?

I used Adobe XD, it has a very simple interface and it’s very quick and easy to use so the focus can be on the design.

When did you join ccMixter as a remix artist?

Before ccMixter I used a site called Reasonstation under the name of barracuda. I was using some music software called Reason and the site allowed you to upload tracks made in Reason and download other peoples tracks, not just the audio but in a format where you could open it in Reason and see how it was made, and if the artist allowed, you could also edit and turn it into something new or a remix. It’s good to see music in a way that you can interact with instead of just being a passive consumer. There were also reviews and an active forum and it was a great way to learn and collaborate and I think something like this would have flourished if it wasn’t for concerns over copyright etc.

From here I got more into remix culture and finding alternatives to copyright which I didn’t think was compatible with digital technology and I still don’t in its current form.

I started using Ableton Live more and a website called Splicemusic, using the name airtone. It allowed you to create music in the web browser and use samples that other people had uploaded. And any track you post could be remixed into something new, the sequencer was very limited compared to a desktop app but we weren’t trying to make music that was professional or commercially viable but it was very creative and a lot of fun.

Even though the site was using Creative Commons I think it was more commercially oriented with investors keen on getting a return, it started to incorporate advertising which I wasn’t keen on. Eventually when it wasn’t making enough money it was sold and subsequently shutdown taking all the sounds and all the music with it.

I think I probably saw something about ccMixter on a blog somewhere.  I was happy to find a website that was more community oriented and listens to and respects the users. 

I first uploaded a track to ccMixter in 2007 but it was in 2009 when I started using it more, I was a bit stuck creatively so I looked on ccMixter for some sounds and inspiration, I found a vocal that I tried something with and it seemed to work well so I uploaded and got an edpick from Loveshadow.

What are your takeaways from being involved with collaborative remix culture?

Music has existed for tens of thousands of years, most of that time it has been shared freely and allowed to evolve, mix and take on new forms that reflect and communicate different cultures and values. I think our current system seems to want to lock music down and turn it into a commodity that benefits the rights holders and platform owners, takes advantage of artists and turns listeners into passive consumers. At the moment people are getting sued even if music is influenced by another track.

I’m hoping platforms like ccMixter can continue to be an alternative to the usual business models and enable a direct relationship, with mutual trust and respect, between artist and listener and encourage participation, learning, exploration and sharing.

I think there is a lot of potential with digital technology and creativity, but there needs to be rethink about ownership, if I create some music or art and share it, I don’t want it to be a finished permanent thing that I own and control, I would rather it be in the public domain or commons so it can be copied, evolve and mix into new forms.

A quote by Brian Eno –

“Stop thinking about artworks as objects and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences. What makes a work of art good for you is not something that’s already inside it but something that happens inside you.”

……….

Spin's Picks 2022

 Listen Here:

http://beta.ccmixter.org/playlist/browse/57528

Dream Stones Sample Pak (Vocal and Guitar)

 

Get These Heavy Rock Tones for Free! 

ccMixter's Winter Solstice Event gets hot around the fire of these quintessential stoner rock samples

This creative commons cc-by licensed sample pak is sure to take out into the star space of stoner rock and beyond (I've already received an alt swing remix by apoxode that blew my mind out into another galaxy.)

"I've dropped a few huge hot stones into the collection of Quintessential samples, just to add a little heat and weight into the mix."

Anyway,  rock on sisters and brothers.  It's better to burn out as they say.

Get the Dream Stones sample pak

ccmixter, spinningmerkaba, jlbrock44, creative commons music, cc-by

Kush MIxes

 

This mix is currently available for streaming on ccMixter's Patreon page.  39 songs from the archive.  

Feed your head!

SM

TIme Machine Single from Rooted and RIsing Secret Mixter

Time Machine is the remix I produced for the Rooted and Rising Secret Mixter.  My assignment this time was Scomber and I found his stems from a 2009 spoken word upload that became the muse for this retro dance track that is bare naked, just like the lyrics suggest.

I haven't been remixing lately as I've been concentrating on releasing singles of original music.  You can find all that by visiting Jason Brock Music.  This was a fun side project that I hope gets you in the mood for some uplifting movement and connecting with your humanity.  

Here's to connecting to each other through music in the space time continuum!  

Cheers, 
SM

SpinningMerkaba · TIme Machine

I'm Just Tired Remix Receives Ed Pick

My contribution to the Waiting remix event was an original song "I'm Just Tired" which was remixed for an Ed Pick by Stefan Kartenberg.

Get all the details here.

I’m Just Tired

Lyrics

I’m not waiting, I’m just tired

Tired of the laughter and the pain

Tired of the sunshine and the rain

I think I’ll go to bed now

And pretend it’s all a game

Where nothing stays the same

Lay down on my soft pillow When I’m curled up in my blanket

And listen to my favorite songs, Feelin where I belong

And a dream a dream that carries on and on and on...

SpinningMerkaba · I'm Just Tired (ft. spinningmerkaba)

THe Best of CCmixer 2020: Spin's Picks

 

Jazz? Breakbeat? Americana? Dance? Ballads? Experimental?  It's all here in a 120 song playlist that highlights the best music released to the world for free to share use under Creative Commons licenses.

Happy New Year!

Listen Here.

Grateful Dead Influenced Remix

 

This remix features Joe Bone's lyrics and lead vocals.  I played "the Grateful Dead" which was really a great trip down memory lane.  Jerry is a huge influence on my playing as well as all the players in the band.  I didn't realize how infused their style was in my psyche until I started recording this.  If you're a dead head, you know where this song comes from.

Joe Bone is a ccMixter artist and uploaded his vocals to the Time Of Terror remix event.  As soon as I heard the chorus, I imagined the last line being "We Are The Dead Heads" and from there everything fell into place as if Jerry was being channeled somehow.  Even if it's all in my head, it was still a great time jamming in the headphones.  

This song lifts my spirits and I hope it does you the same.  We're all going to the great gig in the sky someday.  Until then, jam on!

Jason

SpinningMerkaba · We Are The Dead Heads (Remix Featuring Joe Bone)

A Love Song for Lo-fi Lovers

 

Featuring the vocals and lyrics of ccMixter artist Panu, That's All I Want To Do is my contribution to the ccMixter FireFly Secret Mixter Event.  It captures the dusty essence of Panu's distinct style with a lo-fi production approach that garnered and Editorial Pick from Texas Radio Fish.  This love song is one for those going deep.

Download and share 

http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/62201

NOW AVAILABLE:  Spotify LInk

Lyrics (by Panu)

i’m not sleeping very well

My concentration is gone to hell

i’ve fallen under some ancient spell

Must be the gypsy in you

if you’re not looking for a game of chance

Or the easy passion of a quick romance

aAbrand new partner for the same old dance

Then i’ve got a deal for you

When it’s time to pick up the pieces of your latest broken down love affair

Somehow inside you know

You don’t need permission and you owe it to your heart

Let’s fall together and just let go

Be my lover, be my liar

Hold my ego to the fire

If there’s a chance to be your heart’s desire

That’s all i want to do

Sleeperspaceborn's Remix of Shine is A Hard Rock Gem

                      

Sleeperspaceborn's remix "Way To Love" features the vocal source tracks from a recent vocal upload of mine and was awarded an Editorial Pick for its powerful hard rock feel and production.   Here's what that review says about the track:

"This powerful, exciting hard rock remix by sleeperspaceborn takes Spinningmerkaba’s inspiring vocals and pushes them to 11! ROCK ON." -Kara Square

Sleeperspaceborn is the alias of Andrew Nissley, who releases original music as Vetra Miga.  You can discover more of his work by visiting his website.

The vocals featured in this remix were uploaded for the Break The Silence music event held by ccMixter.org and are from the original track "Shine" which is released on Jason Brock's music channels.  

These two versions of the same song are like sister galaxys in the universe of independent rock.  May we all shine on!

-SM 

Download Sleeperspaceborn's Remix "Way To Love"

http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/sleeperspaceborn/62093

Black Lives Matter Protest sign Making

Copy added soon.

Where Nothing Feels Wrong | Lyrics Video

Edited together for the Us Universe Secret Mixter, this lyrics video uses stock footage from Pixabay to give you a visual ride into the imagination "Where Nothing Feels Wrong." Where are we going in this post pandemic era that is about to unfold?

Pandemic Blues

Pandemic Blues

Released March 21^st on ccMIxter.org under Creative Commons Non-Commercial License.

Pandemic Blues is a classic ragtime track that takes us back to a time we’ve almost forgotten, but now are drawing inspiration from. The early 20^th century was a time where the style and perseverance of a people carried through. A time where the world lost millions and still had the courage to look toward the future.

Now, with the COVID-19 virus sweeping the globe, we are once again reminded of the fragility of life, of the importance of the simple things. Spinngingmerkaba’s track immediately takes us to a place of familiarity, like an old time movie or looking at old photos. The lyrics are simple yet tell a story that is filled with questions, contemplation, and a touch of humor. If your a fan of the classics, then Pandemic Blues may well ease the tension during one of our time’s most difficult struggles.

Pandemic Blues features the musical talents of ccMixter.org artist unreal_dm and is free to share under a non-commercial creative commons license.

Pandemic Blues is now available at:

dig.ccmixter.org

soundcloud

YouTube

Originally released under Creative Commons license at CcMixter.org, "Sticky Bumps" has enjoyed a sweet ride on the internet since 2011. 

Now you can get the high quality version.  The re-release dropped on my new site at CDBaby today in .wav format. 

This is a must add to any surf rock collection. 

Get it at SpinningMerkaba at CDBaby

Lucidity Festival Music Contest Submission

Thanks to Lucidity for inspiring this track, "Earth Now (Mic I Burnz Lucidity Mix)" available on Soundcloud and Bandcamp.

Thanks to Mic I Burnz for the truth, and AHEE for the samples.

Regenerate!

Spotify for Artists 2019 Wrapped

Here's the Stats:

Call to Action:

Follow and add Spinningmerkaba music to your Spotify listens and playlists.  It's time to take this to the next level.

ccMixter Releases Expand Your Horizons

I'm stoked to announce my first album release with ccMIxter and my first release in over 10 years! Enjoy the listen and let me know what you think. This release is the culmination of a free form colabroation of artists without which these songs would not have ever come into being. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible!

From the Official Press Release:
‘Expand Your Horizons’ features 13 empowering tracks that center on alternative pop rock with a few divergences to electronic, soul, and singer-songwriter genres. Open collaboration through ccMixter.org brought an international community together to make this album possible. Since 2005, Spinningmerkaba has recorded and shared his vocals online with artists in the community, who have composed and produced hundreds of tracks over the years.  ‘Expand Your Horizons’ was curated from Spinningmerkaba’s “expansive catalog of musical works that was built over a decade by a coalition of musicians around the world. 

Let me know what your favorite track is. And check out the videos on my YouTube page.

Listen and support at these locations:
Bandcamp
Jamendo
iTUnes
Spotify

Distant Lands

CCMusuc Awards Remix Track of the Year!

My song "Adaptation" was remixed by Zep Hurme and received Remix Track of the Year from the 2019 CC Community Misuc Awards! 

Check it out here
Remix Track of the Year:
“Adaptation” by Zep Hurme (feat spinning merkaba)
http://beta.ccmixter.org/files/zep_hurme/57625

Thanks  Zep!  And thank you to the CC Community Music Awards for making this possible.

Ghost Notes Remix

The Free Music Archive is a nexus for Creative Commons music, and their uploads to the Ghost Notes remix event at ccMixter showcases their ability to participate in sharing culture at a pro level.  One of the tracks they shared begged for vocals. Yoshimasu Kamiya’s track "She Who Wandered: Infatuation" is a driving instrumental with haunting overtones.  I reworked a poem I wrote at Desert Daze music festival to fit, and She's A Ghost came alive. 

Special thanks to Lemon Yellow Hayes for the lightening on the track they shared.  It's the perfect intro to this Ghost Notes remix. Get down with your demons—it’s good for you.

Relevant Links:

https://soundcloud.com/yoshimasukamiya

http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lemon_Yellow_Hayes/

http://ccmixter.org/thread/4013

http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ghost_Notes/Ghost_Notes_Mixter_Samples