Mixposure : Home of Indie Musicians

The "spirit" of MIXPOSURE (as I see it, anyway)

By zzaj, 2008-07-19

I was with the original MIX nearly since it started.  One of the main reasons I "jumped on with both feet" is because the atmosphere being promoted there was one of friendliness in the review community.  "Management" often got involved when someone was posting reviews that were not "constructive" or "helpful".
 
Some recent reviews on the re-born MIXPOSURE highlight the fact that some folks (whether it be jealousy or just a "spiteful" nature) don't understand what "helpful" means.  What it does NOT mean is to say things like "all your stuff is crappy".  Fortunately, the ADMINS in this new iteration have put in place some tools (under PROFILE) for the individual musician to remove such reviews.  That is NICE to KNOW (because I didn't until I asked, & then was given very prompt and accurate instruction on how to remove truly offensive reviews or comments).
 
I'm not an advocate of removing all negative criticism, only the stuff that is clearly intended to hurt or "maim the spirit".  So I believe this tool should be used with caution... BUT, I do believe it should be used.  I think it's very important to this great revived community to keep the "spirit of MIXPOSURE" alive and well, and one of the best ways to do that is to avoid "flaming" some idiot whose whole intention was/is to "push your buttons"... that's what they want - for YOU to descend to their level of hatefulness anyway.
 
& in that spirit, this blog is offered up.  I've always been about HELPING the INDIE musician... for those who don't understand that I have but one thing to say.  "May you rest in piece(s)"!!!

Posted in: MIXPOSURE comments | 17 comments

3 totally FREE CD's!!!

By zzaj, 2008-07-18

We have been very fortunate in having so many folks to play music with and being able to make so many varieties of music. 
 
For that reason, when we spotted the <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/zzaj">INTERNET MUSIC ARCHIVE</a>, there was no hesitation in offering up 3 of our CD's for the public to download and enjoy.  In addition to being able to download all the tracks, you can also download the CD covers, in event you want to print them and add them to your collection.
 
The 3 are:
 
<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/FreeSpiritSuitesZP33">FREE SPIRIT SUITES</a>:  Mark Kissinger (super electric guitarist from Pennsylvania) & Rotcod Zzaj join together in a Y2K reprise that will KNOCK yer' sockzoff! A very beautiful and "gypsylike" musical experience, totally accessible & with music for all tastes!
 
<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/StrangeAttractors">STRANGE ATTRACTORS</a>:  A very interesting recording from Harlan Mark Vale and Dick Metcalf. Recorded in about 1988 & remastered this year for your listening pleasure.
 
<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/Elements">ELEMENTS OF SUSPENSE</a>:  Our guitar-wizard friend Mark Kissinger, from Pennsylvania, did the initial trax for this fantastic journey. We were joined (on acoustic guitars & vocals) by Ernesto Diaz-Infante. I played Kurzweill PC 88.
 
Please help us by PASSING THIS MESSAGE ON to your musical friends everywhere.  We want the max # of folks to get the benefit of this free music!

Posted in: FREE Music | 0 comments

To my son ART!

By zzaj, 2008-07-20

Here ya' go Art:
 
<img src="http://www.mixposure.com/image.php?mode=message_image&band_id=1684&message_id=1874&width=640&1=837" alt="" />

Posted in: Belated greetings | 7 comments

Zzaj STORE

By zzaj, 2008-07-16

We truly hope you'll visit our Zzaj "<a href="http://www.mixposure.com/zzaj/store.php">STORE</a>".  Our CD's are home-produced, meaning that you're not paying a middle man a whole lot of extra $$$, plus each CD is fully tested prior to shipment (from our home studio).
 
Over the next few weeks, we will be making sure that a couple of .mp3 files are posted from each of the CD's in the Zzaj store, so you can hear what you're getting before you order it.
 
If you're looking for something "different" as a gift to a musically inclined friend, we can surely qualify in that arena.  Please help us spread the word, too, by passing on our link to anyone you think may be interested.

Posted in: Zzaj Music Store | 0 comments

Improvijazzation Nation 'zine

By zzaj, 2008-07-12

Just so you know, I've been writing this magazine (first on paper, then converted to the web) since 1990. As you might imagine, that's a LOT of tapes & CD's reviewed. The focus has been on independent musicians, with little/no "preference" for genre. What guarantees a REVIEW in my magazine is the ENERGY the artists show in their playing... we have reviewed ALL genres, ever since we started, with CD's & tapes coming directly from artists, as well as high-end promoters. In addition to the music reviews, we also conduct INTERVIEWS with artists around the world, with emphasis on those who are INDEPENDENT & free of the chains that traditional record companies have often weighed artists down with. Since I'm a musician myself, I'm often able to ask questions that prompt artists to reveal a great deal about themselves (as artists & as PEOPLE). I also write a "RANT" in each issue, on various & sundry topics... One recent feature is that I've linked in music (from the web) from my OWN CD's (I've played on over 65 CD's)... it's setup so you can choose whether to listen or not; but, of course, we hope you'll sample a few of our tunes. If not, that's cool, too... many of the reviews also have tunes or videos of the artists linked right into the review! Anyway, we hope you enjoy our magazine, & that you'll pass our links along to others you think may like IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION! Thanks for checking us out!
The most current issue is <a href="http://zzaj.freehostia.com/zzaj83.htm" target="_blank">NUMBER 83</a>! That issue features the following:
INTERVIEW with MIXPOSURE "RedeyeC"
Zzaj-rant on "INDEPENDENCE"
Evermore exciting MUSIC reviews (20 fresh musical experiences)
 
If YOU are an independent artist with HIGH ENERGY music, you are invited to send us CD's for (possible) review. The ENERGY is the main criteria! We seldom review music that is lacklustre or without passion... but if you KNOW that your music possesses those ingredients - SNAIL your stuff to:
 
Zzaj Productions, c/o Dick Metcalf, 95-1107 Hookupu Street, Mililani, HI 96789
 
Be sure to furnish us an e-mail address and/or LINKS to your sites, too, so we can let folks know how to hear your music!
Remember - we are ALL ABOUT INDIE, & want YOUR music! Please don't hesitate to spread the word about us.. questions should be addressed to rotcod@hawaii.rr.com

Posted in: Zines | 10 comments

HOPE you'll visit our STORE!!!

By zzaj, 2008-12-23

I offer "free" music all OVER the web (& don't have ANY problem doing so)... but were you aware that the unique music you hear on my uploads is ALSO available for purchase?  We offer these CD's at very low cost in our <a href="http://www.mixposure.com/zzaj/store.php" target="_blank" title="Zzaj MIX-Store">MIX-STORE</a>... EACH product is hand-packed and quality-checked by US before it gets shipped to you. Sincerely hope you'll visit the store and purchase a CD (or 2) for yourself or a friend... your support is what has kept my musical efforts going for all these years (basically since 1978 or so). Also would hope that you'll spread the word to other music lovers who want to hear something "different"... THAT I can GUARANTEE you... Zzajmusique is NOT "run of the mill". Thanks! bro'Zzaj