Running this show all by myself proved a gargantuan task. Thankfully now I have some help. I’m extremely excited to announce that I have partnered with Atlanta Institute of Music to produce WorkingInMusic.

Recording students at AIM will record the audio portion of the show, edit and then mix. It’s a win for everyone involved. The students will get experience with location recording and I’ll get professional quality audio, something I know the show has lacked thus far.

I have a friend, Bill Stoll, helping me out with filming episode five. Bill has lots of experience filming and has done a number of his own projects. I am looking for a regular cinematographer to help film the show as Bill is on the road frequently. If you read this and are up for the task let me know at james@workinginmusic.com.

Another reason to be excited for episode five is our subject! Juliana Finch and I used to work together. She’s a very intelligent, gifted and talented singer/songwriter. Juliana uses social media to truly engage with her fans. We will talk about how she does it as well as her creative coaching and her “Songs For Fans,” project on Facebook. It will be a great and informative conversation. We’re also going to get a performance from Juliana.

I’m very excited for all of these reasons, to get the show going again, this new partnership with AIM and Bill Stoll and to hang out with Juliana. Follow me on Twitter, sign up for the e-mail list, subscribe to the RSS feed or like the fan page on Facebook for updates. I’ll let you know when the show is available.

It’s my birthday! Yay!

I’m also ending the Song Of The Day series over on this site. I’ll be posting stuff on my Facebook profile every so often. This series never gained any traction.

I love this band. I think they’re one of the most important bands of the 1990′s. I wish they’d come out with some new music. There sure is plenty for them talk about.

I love the section that comes in at 1:30. Then Tom Morello adds that droning guitar part that just pushes it over the edge.

When this record first came out I was so excited. Interpol didn’t sound like anyone else. They still don’t. They combined surf rock, atmosphere, interesting lyrics and vocals to create a unique sound.

The players themselves also added so much originality. Carlos D on bass was the secret weapon. He played a lot of disco type stuff and he always found interesting notes and rhythms to play. This song is a perfect example of that on the breakdown. Carlos D is not in the band anymore but the other 3 continue. I’m interested to see what Carlos D does next.

This song from Interpol’s debut record in 2002 is one of my favorites from the New York City band.

I always liked this song from Suzanne Vega. It’s so sad and heartbreaking but it’s a good tune. In 1987 this was a huge record. Kind of odd considering its subject.

I love Aimee Mann’s music. Her songwriting is on a whole other level, lyrically, musically and in arrangement.

This cut is from her 1995 debut solo record Whatever. This song is one of my favorites from the album and from her entire catalog.

It’s quintessential Aimee Mann. She takes what’s supposed to be a happy, celebratory day and puts us in the story of someone who is far from happy.

This solo performance from Later With Jools is great. I love the studio version as well. The drum sound is huge and filled with reverb. We also have the mellotron in the song.

I’m sure this was intentional but the song is 3/4 and it’s called, “4th Of July.” Maybe not? Maybe she already had the idea and it was in 3? Either way I think it’s funny that not only the time signature goes against the 4, the lyrical content clearly goes against the 4th.

This is a well-written and well-produced pop song.

I love so many elements in this song: lyrics, the vocals, the guitars and the drum sound. I like how drummer Jason McGerr accents the upbeat on the groove.

I love how each chorus sections builds and builds adding more atmospheric elements. My favorite chorus is the 3rd one after the bridge where those guitar swells come in. So brilliant.

One of my favorite DCFC songs.

I like this dance song. While there are parts I could do without the good parts make up for it.

The intro section reminds me of Public Enemy’s, “Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos.” I love the female vocal singing The Carpenter’s, “We’ve Only Just Begun.” That’s the real reason I like this song because I like The Carpenters, Karen especially.

Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea, is PJ Harvey’s masterpiece. Such a great record from top to bottom. Also her most accessible record.

This song is one of my favorites from the record but honestly I like all the songs.

I love the guitar sound. I love the piano octaves right after the bridge section. I love on the 2nd verse when she sings high saying, “With love comes the day, just hold onto me.”

After this record Harvey went into an experimental phase that continues. Her latest records have good songs but not the overall consistency and brilliance of Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea.

Something about it being summer makes reggae music sound better. This song is a classic.

My only gripe is that the low vocal harmony is too loud in the mix. Other than that it’s flawless.