Wax Tailor makes his own game

Known as French trip hop visionary producer, Wax Tailor is back on tour in US. I must admit he completely has kicked ass yesterday in San Francisco.

What makes of Wax Tailor a visionary? Well, he created something new in trip hop music. While he's a DJ, his shows include also a cellist, flutist, MC and singer. This diversity creates a new and great move in music. There is also a complete visual support. It's like watching a movie with full soundtrack playing live and both are by the same artist. All of these elements make the show really entertaining from beginning to the end. The result is beautiful.

I have also had the privilege to meet him in person after the show. Ok, that kind of small and intimist venue helps to get in touch easier with performers.

Wax Tailor is one of those artist that you are going to kick your self for not knowing about before he starts breaking into the mainstream. Also you must listen to the last album available in streaming for free on http://waxtailor.com.

Related:

Trust Agents

Today everyone can be a source of true and useful information thanks to the web. TV does not longer rule because of Web 2.0 where the user can publish everything to the entire world in real time.

But most of user generated content is crap, everyone knows. That's why this book is about using the web and his useful tools to build reputation and become a trusted source of information. That applies to the web and real life.

A must read for everyone willing to make business online. My point is this book contains a lot of common sense facts but we don't really think about these actually. The book especially teaches how to masterize the one-to-many communication.

Moby at the Warfield

I was not very motivated to go see Moby but I was finally so surprised. I must admit I have loved this show. While some albums seem to be "slow", the show is awesome and releases so much energy and emotion.

He came here in San Francisco to play a 2H15 wide set. He has even covered Black Sabbath, wow! Check out the setlist of current US tour. I was particularly impressed by the play of light.

One important point for me: communication. And yes, he talks a lot between songs. For instance, he's seriously asking for feedbacks from the crowd before playing a new song. He also talks about his life and makes the connection between his music and San Francisco spirit.

Even the opening singer Kerry Scarr, while alone on stage, her voice was marvellous.

Photos by sleepydoll

Kylesa at DNA Lounge

Thanks to good recommendations, I discovered this amazing band.

What does it look like? Three singers, two drummers and a very loud sound which we can qualified as avant-garde/sludge/stoner rock. What really impressed me was how the drummers were playing. Something unique. Great experience. I think I also found the perfect concert venue: cheap tickets, cool staff, webcast and great bands.

Related to this article:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Very interesting book about having a way of living based on correct principles.

The 7 Habits:

Dependence to Independence
- Habit 1: Be Proactive: Principles of Personal Choice
- Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind: Principles of Personal Vision
- Habit 3: Put First Things First: Principles of Integrity & Execution

Independence to Interdependence
- Habit 4: Think Win/Win: Principles of Mutual Benefit
- Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood: Principles of Mutual Understanding
- Habit 6: Synergize: Principles of Creative Cooperation

Continual Improvement
- Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw: Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal

The author also introduced the term abundance mentality, meaning a business concept in which a person believes there are enough resources and success to share with others, when looking at optimistic people. Individuals with an abundance mentality are supposed to be able to celebrate the success of others rather than be threatened by it.

PS: I got my http://adrienmagn.us domain, hooray!

In Flames at the Regency Ballroom

It was the third time I see them, in three different countries.

Why? Not really for their music (even though it's truly great) but for the way they have to connect with fans during shows. For example, they often stop playing between songs and take the time to discuss with the crowd (and not only the first row). It makes a real difference compared to bands who are just playing a set and we can feel they don't really care about fans. Take a look on the video below and you will see what it means.

I also got a drumstick, in addition to the plectrum I got during Prague's show. I should start a collection.
In Flames Setlist The Grand Ballroom At the Regency Center, San Francisco, CA, USA 2009

Tweet after tasting

Here is something I got at a conference about the relationship between marketing and social media.

For those of you don't using Twitter:
Starbucks is launching the new VIA Ready Brew product. They expect to get feedbacks from their community of users when reviewing tweets containing the hashtag #VIA on Twitter.

What a good example of marketing 2.0.

The 4-Hour Workweek

These last weeks I often recommend this book so you certainly already have heard about it.

Here is what Tim Ferriss teaches you through this amazing book:

  • How to outsource your life and do whatever you want for a year, only to return to a bank account 50% larger than before you left
  • How blue-chip escape artists travel the world without quitting their jobs
  • How to eliminate 50% of your work in 48 hours using the principles of little-known European economists
  • How to train your boss to value performance over presence, or kill your job (or company) if it's beyond repair
  • How to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and frequent “mini-retirements”
  • What automated cash-flow "muses" are and how to create one in 2-4 weeks
  • How to cultivate selective ignorance—and create time—with a low-information diet
  • Management secrets of Remote Control CEOs
  • The crucial difference between absolute and relative income
  • How to get free housing worldwide and airfare at 50-80% off
  • How to fill the void and creating meaning after removing work and the office
About the author: Tim Ferriss speaks six languages, runs a multinational firm from wireless locations worldwide, and has been a popular guest lecturer at Princeton University since 2003, where he presents entrepreneurship as a tool for ideal lifestyle design and world change. He's 31 years old.

Just read it, it definitely worth it.

Porcupine Tree at The Warfield

Porcupine Tree are this kind of band that constitutes a reference in progressive rock. And you trully feel it during the show.

Porcupine Tree Setlist The Warfield, San Francisco, CA, USA 2009, The Incident 2009 Tour

There was a no photo, no recording policy and the band insisted that the crowd experience it. The announcement given by the house said that they were asking people not to take photos because they find it’s distracting to both them and their audience.

Apple brainwashing

Ever wonder how Steve Jobs leaves the indelible impression that Apple's products are just plain awesome? See below the last keynote (9/9/2009):

Incredible, huh?