Propel is a band outof San Francisco, California, fronted bysinger/songwriter/guitarist Peter Kasen. Propel will be playinghere in San Antonio New Year’s Eve on the Riverwalk (Peterhasn’t gotten all the details yet, but I’m guessing it’s part of”Celebrate San Antonio”). Peter was kind enough to agree to doan e-mail interview with me so that SA could learn a littleabout...

The role of the military drummer is a fascinating chapter fromthe hidden history of drums.Hidden, because most people are unaware of the vital role playedby the military drummer in communicating strategy and keepingthe machinery of battle oiled.Battle StationsIn the 17th century, in preparation for battle, before the headon clash between rival armies, considerable time was spentmanoeuvering men into...

Purchasing music for use as production music for film,television and video projects, or as background music fordifferent projects and companies as well as music on-hold forpersonal and professional telephone systems can be atime-consuming and very expensive endeavor. Because manybusinesses do not have the money to spend on on-going musicroyalties, many are turning to libraries of royalty free musicto...

Grokster fought the law and the law won. Having lost in aSupreme Court ruling, Grokster has shut down and settled withthe recording and movie industry. Grokster – Rest In PeaceFacing up to a Supreme Court decision against them, Grokster hassettled with the music and movie industries. The company hasagreed to pay $50 million dollars in damages and terminate itsfile file-sharing system. A visit...

Natalie Maines is a singer with the popular country group TheDixie Chicks. Natalie was born in Lubbock Texas. Shortly beforethe Iraq War began Natalie said in London that she was ashamedthat President Bush was from Texas, because she opposed the ideaof the United States invading Iraq. As a result of this comment,Natalie faced scorching criticism and even death threats fromthe American media and public....

You’ve written a great melody, but you don’t know what chords touse to accompany yourself when you play it. What do you do?Adding chords to melodies can be fun, if you know a bit abouthow chords work. Try the following steps:a. It’s important to think about strong beats and weak beatswith regard to your new melody. Sing your melody and try to geta sense of where the pulses happen....

Listen. This is vitally important. If you do notlisten then your track will be very poor indeed. Listeningis what most musicians have forgot to do and that is why we donot hear from them again. They have lost their roots, whatultimately made them famous. Trying to move away from yourgroup roots is very risky. The Prodigy made fantastic raveand deep techno, then starting to go into a rock phase. Itdidn’t...