Inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s book, movie speculation, I resolved to spend 2023 going deep into the films of the late 1960s and early 70s. Tubi has been my go-to friend for the D-grade grindhouse and horror movies that Tarantino loves (me too), while other on-demand channels have filled in some of the gaps.
The first thing I did was look again 2001: A Space Odyssey For the 945th time, take a closer look at what Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke got right and wrong about the future. Yes, they were very optimistic about the future of space exploration, but they saw things from the Space Race era, a period when we went from rockets that went wrong to landing on the Moon in less than 10 years. Why won’t we have space tourism, moon colonies and a nuclear powered mission to Jupiter by 2001, piloted by a homegrown AI?
Making New Year’s resolutions and predicting the future are both difficult, but I’m going to try to do both.
Resolution: Learn more about the upcoming Metaverse, I’ve seen so many amazing demonstrations of metaverse technology that I think it’s going to be a big part of the future of music. If I’m going to continue, I’m going to have to buy some new hardware.
forecast: I’ll buy Apple’s new AR/VR headset when it comes out, use it for about a week, get bored, and move on to the next shiny item. My wife would then yell at me. i need help
Resolution: Start buying physical music magazines again. Delivering electronic issues on my iPad is fine, but paper versions are a lot more involved.
forecast: I used to spend thousands on monthly editions of Q, Mojo, Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Record Collector, Prog, Classic Rock, and many others. Some are still publishing genuine magazines, but given declining inventory on magazine racks, they are becoming harder to find. Subscription time. I’m already enjoying the quarterly issues of the new revival Believe The magazine appears in my mailbox. I lovin it.
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Resolution: Use the record review sections of those magazines to create fresh Spotify playlists. There is so much music in the universe that no one can sort it out on their own. These review seconds are a godsend.
forecast: already started. My Spotify is wrapped for 2023… weird.
Resolution: Cancel recurring subscriptions for streaming services I don’t use. During the pandemic, I unsubscribed from all kinds of services to keep myself busy. It’s to the point where I don’t know everything that I have. I really need to go through my credit card statement.
forecast: It’s going to be a hassle, but it’s a financially responsible thing to do. Have I ever used the BritBox more than once or twice? how i ended up two Account for Qello? And whose idea was it to have AMC+? does this house really need that much Walking Dead subject?
Resolution: Change all passwords Google says have been compromised, It seems… important.
forecast: I need to make time for this. I just have to find out which password manager is the best.
Resolution: Expand my musical range. Over the years, I vowed to learn more about jazz and opera and failed at both.
forecast: I have quit Opera (I just can’t do it). Country will always be a no-go for me (I’ve tried that’s why barely to no avail) and although I’ve made some progress with jazz (Brubeck, Davis) it’s still a struggle in most areas. Same with a lot of current hip-hop (I’m looking at you, Drake). However, I am gaining ground with reggaeton and some African music, especially material coming from Nigeria. It is an eye and ear opener break from western music. recommended.
Resolution: Keep an eye on AI-generated music. This is one part of the recorded music industry that is set to explode.
forecast: I believe it is only a matter of time before we will have a series of hit songs produced by AI. Computer scientists know that if they can get a machine to produce a reasonable replica of the song, it would be a major technological breakthrough. HYBE, the entertainment company behind K-pop juggernauts BTS, recently bought an AI firm that is capable of doing some amazing things with music. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear new BTS material in the next few years while the members complete their national service in South Korea. in the army? There is no problem. We’ll cover your parts with AI.
Resolution: Buy more merchandise at the music festival, Swag from smaller bands, especially at smaller venues. The sale of merchandise is an important source of revenue. A good night at the merch table and the band might as well be sleeping in a hotel instead of begging for a spot on a fan couch.
forecast: done deal. Got vinyl for sale at your gig? I’m in.
Resolution: Take the time to listen to me and my vinyl collection. There’s no excuse not to. Also, I’m buying vinyl at gigs.
forecast: I’m a big fan of the format and the warm sound it provides. Instead of binge-watching yet another true crime series on Netflix, my brain would be better served by being immersed in music. I can do this
Resolution: Clean out my CD closet. Away from my home office I have a small room with shelves and drawers full of CDs, all long full. At the top of the shelves is a stack of several hundred discs that have not yet been recorded anywhere. The only way this will work is if I shrink my collection. There is no problem. There are only about 10,000 CDs out there. Good thing they’re in alphabetical order. mostly.
forecast: For the fifth year in a row, I’ll find some excuse to put it off. Meanwhile, the pile of unfiled discs will grow larger. Better luck in 2024.
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allen cross Q107 is the broadcaster of 102.1 The Edge and is a commentator for Global News.
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