Why Social Media Rocks

You can knock it all you want, but I now have indisputable proof that social media can make your life way cooler and adventurous. 

Me for instance, I got to meet my favorite band in the world - Dramarama - and... they knew my name. Yes, before I met them.

So a couple of months ago, I found the aforementioned 80's Jersey band on facebook, became a fan and asked to be an administrator on the page. I began posting events, and helping them to get the word out there on shows, mainly in LA/OC area.

I've been a fan since pre-Vinyl yet had never caught the band - that for some reason I can't quite explain, still holds #1 ranking in my musical heart - live. It's been a point of contention with a few friends "How can you be a real fan?" Oh do shut up. 

So moving on to the matter at hand. It was time to see this band I've loved so dearly for decades live. And the opportunity arose with the 2010 Irvine Lake Mud Run - Saturday, April 10, 2010. Dramarama would be there, and I'd know the word to every song. I did, I was proud. 

I've been committed since the 1st time I heard their flagship song "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)". However, I encountered this in a different way than most, not on the radio through KROQ or Rodney Bingenheimer. I heard it as the background music in Nightmare on Elm Street IV - The Dream Master, during the scene where Andras Jones' character practices his martial arts to get away from his nagging alchy dad. 

I was literally hooked. I watched that scene over and over and then, lo-and-behold, they happen to be a favorite of my newly discovered favorite radio station, KROQ. This was 1991-ish, roughly, I was young. 

I went out and bought the album with aforementioned song on it - Cinema Verité. A couple of years later I would discover an old cassette that someone had so shamefully thrown into our neighborhood garbage dumpster of their 3rd album - Stuck in Wonderamaland. I still think it was fate. Bought album number two Steve and Edie, then onto Vinyl, Hi-Fi Sci-Fi - oh I do love that album. 

So back to the race. I watched the concert, front row. Recorded the whole thing with my new Flip Ultra HD. It was fabulous. It's all on You Tube if you'd like to watch on my channel http://www.youtube.com/kellyforniamedia. 

After the concert ended I bit some courage, ambled up on stage and introduced myself to first, Mike Englert. Then down the back of the stage to Tony Snow (has an awesome band, I'm next to catch live), Bruce Kilgour, and of course John Easdale (the voice). 

So I said, "I'm Kelly. I'm a fan and also an admin on your fanpage." and Bruce said, "Oh yeah Kelly Strodl? You post a lot of great stuff on the page." - That was cool. 

Really don't have much else to give. We talked some social media, the upcoming album release, Tony's concert, and then I cooly excused myself from the discussion. Walked barefoot to my car - shoes ruined from the mud - and called my sister and mom and reveled. - The End.

Lesson: social media can save the world, or at least give you a moment of cool with your favorite band. 

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Posted via email from Kellyfornia on the state of... well, things.

Don't Hate on 3D, what'd it ever do to you?

So lately I've fallen into a number of conversations on the subject of 3D films. And seriously the entire concept seems to be more polarizing than some of the worst political discussions I've ever had the misfortune to witness or engage in. With no exaggeration intended, people seem ready to either laud over or go to war against the new craze in filmmaking. 

If it's big budget and it's coming out in theaters, dammit it will be in 3D, objects popping out of the screen in every manner, color, and biological representation. And this seems to offend a number of people to the extreme. Well then, why not IMAX, or color film, or talkies... I mean the last time it seems this type of rumble and explosion of activity occurred over an evolution in the process of making film - talkies - people were up in a roar, but not because they didn't think it was a good thing for film. More that time around it was a fear of the unknown. A fear of losing employment, etc. 

Now though, people seem truly irritated about the idea that should they choose to view a film at the theater, all three dimensions may be thrust upon them. Well at least the simulacra of said dimensions - really I think they're just pissed about having to wear the glasses. 

I truly don't know where my opinion rests on this one but, I will agree with my friend Amanda that Avatar - no other way should it be seen. Yes, we all know it's simply Dances With Wolves meets  the Smurfs, but, dang that was one beautiful film. The rest of them out there, should they be wasting money this economy already doesn't seem to have, to go supremely over budget just to ride the coattails of all the rage? 

Jury's still out...

Writing again for those watching overseas, who may or may not be reading. But I'm blogging. 

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Posted via email from Kellyfornia on the state of... well, things.