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“Concert Mode” for AirPods?

Airpods
Jason Tate

Mark Bramhill writes about the idea a “concert mode” for AirPods:

On paper, concert earplugs are very similar to Adaptive Transparency: they allow the sounds of the world around you to pass through, but they lower allsound by an even amount. There are several reasons people use concert earplugs: to prevent searing pain from loud volumes, protect hearing from long-term damage (especially for musicians and audio professionals), and limit overstimulation for neurodivergent people. But while reducing all sounds and frequencies evenly is the goal, even good concert earplugs don’t achieve this. They sound somewhat-to-very muffled, which makes it harder to feel immersed in the music around you.

I have a similar thought as Nick Heer:

This is a great idea in every way, with the sole exception of the optics of a crowd of people watching their favourite band while apparently listening to something else. That will never not look strange to me.

My current favorite concert earplugs are barely noticeable.

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Record Store Day Roundup: 2023 Edition

Adam Grundy

Record Store Day is the annual celebration of indie record stores that is paired with special vinyl releases across all genres that get fans of the music format excited to join in the party in hopes of obtaining the release(s) they absolutely need for their collection. In this article, I’ll be outlining some of the special releases that brought music fans to the stores in droves, what I was noticing from the in-person and online feedback from attendees of the event, what was working well as well as a few recommendations for future years, and the aftermath of purchasing RSD leftovers online from various indie record stores.

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Review: Cal Stamp – LEATHER

Adam Grundy

On the final chapter of his trio of EPs, Cal Stamp is releasing LEATHER, that takes dead aim at 80’s pop-rock royalty similar to Bon Jovi, Journey, and Tom Petty. The great part about the songs in this set is that Cal is able to recapture the spirit of this era of music while still adding some modern flair to make it sound refreshing and new. When speaking on his trilogy of EPs, Cal Stamp shared, “All of these songs could easily coexist on the same record. It’s basically my take on 1980s pop-rock, but within that you’ve got the synth-driven yacht rock of NYLON, the acoustic heartland rock of DENIM, and the straight-ahead rock ’n’ roll of LEATHER – each representing a different strand of my own musical DNA.” By injecting a fresh take on the pop-rock genre, Cal Stamp delivers the goods on LEATHER.

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American Thrills – “Follow You Down” (Video Premiere)

American Thrills
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share a Gin Blossoms cover of “Follow You Down” by Connecticut band, American Thrills. On this 8-bit stylized video, American Thrills offer a unique take on a 90’s Alt-Rock classic. The band shared, “Growing up in the 90’s the Gin Blossoms got heavy rotation on my boom-box. The records they put out during that time are timeless and still have an incredible influence on the music we are making today. We also had trouble finding the right DJ to finish off our Limp Bizkit cover, so we had to roll with the Blossoms banger.” American Thrills’ debut LP still has a few vinyl copies available left here.

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Ghost Love – “Mourners Disco” (Album Stream)

Ghost Love
Adam Grundy

Today I’m excited to share with everyone a listen to the new LP from synth-pop trio, Ghost Love, called Mourners Disco. On this 80’s-inspired LP, Ghost Love channel their adoration for haunting synths, breathtaking vocals, and unique beats for a great listening experience. David Rancourt shared:

As band members we all love the tension between writing simple pop songs, but including more left field and more free form influences as well – which I think is what defines Ghost Love in terms of songwriting.Thematically, it is a dark record about loss and grief but there’s also a sort of ecstatic and escapist mood that combines with that darkness where we also wanted that tension to shine through. My own personal favorite albums tend to straddle those lines in terms of pop and experimentation as well as light and dark emotionally.

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