Kevin Jacoby Invented Android

Full disclosure: that title is an utter fabrication of the truth. I could no more create a smart phone operating system than invent and subsequently pilot a solar-powered space shuttle from the dark side of the moon to the biggest … Continue reading →

In Defense of Smooth Jazz

God forbid Jami McGraw, Rain’s young director of all things technical, deigns to step foot into my office while any sort of instrumental, non-classical, post-modern, post-fusion, post-bop – I hesitate to utter the word “smooth” – music is dancing forth … Continue reading →

In Which The Author Endorses Pandora (For Now)

“How can you be a musician when you hate music?” Keith mockingly snarked at me after I again turned up my Adrien Brody-esque nose at a Lou Reed track I found particularly annoying. This after turning up that same nose … Continue reading →

Super Committee My Ass

Gridlock. It used to be enjoyed only by those of us in cities big enough to officially have way too many cars. In NYC, the phenomenon occurs when an intersection becomes clogged with vehicles, those both already in the flow … Continue reading →

Down With Cable

I did it. I cut the umbilical that had me tethered to a high speed network of terrible content and an almost continuous loop of Evan Almighty. I am currently stealing $150 from Time Warner every single month. Or at … Continue reading →

Made in the USA

I’m a transplant. I was actually born in South Africa directly preceding a quick jump to Toronto when I was a wee tike. That said, I am the first in my family to grow up in North America. I was exposed by … Continue reading →

Do Pass On The Right

I really like to drive. I just don’t like to do it when other people are on the road. Unfortunately I live in New York City with 9 million other drivers and work in New Jersey with 9 million terrible … Continue reading →

Recognizing Potential

There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who look at a slab of marble and see David, and those who look at a slab of marble and see a slab of marble. I am constantly reminding myself … Continue reading →

Opera Is Awesome. I Hate Opera.

So I’m tooling along in the Cooper the other day listening to whatever. All of a sudden my aging iPod Nano starts pumping The New Yorker podcast throughout the cavernous interior of my chariot. The subject matter was a look … Continue reading →

The Gear Fetish: A Musician’s Friend

When we were kids, Keith Link and I used to hang out at a music store near his house called George’s Music. It was your standard fare, the walls lined with guitars, disgruntled musicians behind the counter wearing ties and … Continue reading →

News Flash: People Are Good

The clock hits 12am. It’s May 13th. It’s my birthday. I’m in a good mood. Despite the fact that I’m coming dangerously close to 40 (or perhaps because of it), I find myself reflecting on humanity, as it too grows … Continue reading →

Please Spy On Me

So, I’m innocently browsing the interwebs the other day and I stop on a site talking about music. As I’m browsing through the content, a Rain Computers’ ad pops up and offers me a Rain computer (oh, the irony). In … Continue reading →

I Wish American Cars Were Cool

Last weekend I dragged my long-suffering fiance, Cora, to the New York Auto Show. Despite not even having a drivers license, she conducted herself with great aplomb as I darted around to my favorite shiny objects like a 15 year … Continue reading →

One Thing Leads To Another

Perhaps one day I’ll write one of those disposable business books. Something along the lines of Everything I Need To Know I Learned In Music School. Because, though Wharton it most certainly was not, I’ve come to realize that I’m … Continue reading →

Save Time: Don’t Bother Planning Ahead

My mom sent me an email today asking if I’d like to join her for dinner. She’ll be in NYC and thought it would be nice to get together. The invitation is for July 23rd. Today is the 15th of … Continue reading →

What Does Hand-Crafted Really Mean?

I used to hate Twitter. Now I kinda like it. Five years after everyone else realized that this might be a cool thing, I finally figured out what I want from it. What I want from it is chocolate. So, … Continue reading →

Innovation At Gunpoint: Rolls Royce and Top Chef

I’m fascinated by cars. More to the point, I’m fascinated by expensive cars. I also happen to be fascinated by electric cars, which made the new all-electric Rolls Royce 102EX Phantom prototype an automatic favorite. So I’m browsing around looking … Continue reading →

Is Getting Signed Still Worth It?

Getting signed to a major label is no longer the dream it used to be. In fact, it may be more trouble than it’s worth. I think the question modern artists have to ask themselves is: Is that what you … Continue reading →