Sidedown.org

So Long And Thanks For All The Fish

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:37:02 CDT

And here we are. As of tomorrow, everything on sidedown.org will be archived as-is. There will be a link to this stuff on sidedown.com, and all current URLs will remain the same.

Thanks to Jose for actually posting over the last two weeks. I'm very grateful for that, and wish that other contributors had stopped by one more time before we shut it down, but hey, thems the breaks.

There's a lot of stuff going on for Sidedown, and again I suggest that if you want to keep up with what we're doing that you do one of the following things:

sign up for our Regular Random newsletter, which comes out monthly. The first one will be sent out June 2
bookmark Sidedown.com, or subscribe to the RSS feed there. All Sidedown news will be posted there.
Check out one of our new blogs, one for music and one for publishing. They're fun.

Any combination of those things, based on your level of interest, should suffice. All of those things will contain the character and decided randomness that people have come to expect from a Sidedown project.

Thanks thanks thanks for reading, for lurking, for occasionally letting us know you're around. I hope you continue to check out our projects, podcasts, and promotions.

Sidedown is nearing it's 7th anniversary. I've never had any real plans or goals for the domain name, but it's nice to know that I've stuck with it, and that it'll continue to progress for many years to come.

Guess who's back. Back Again.

jose_arellano@hotmail.com (Jose Arellano) — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:30:00 CDT

In January of this year, I wrote about �preppy� fashion, describing it as a style that �has demonstrated a longevity that surpasses that of recurring trends.� At the time, though, I also thought that the �mainstream embrace of the preppy aesthetic� had �reached a crescendo� in 2008. No sooner had I hit �submit� than I came across the spring 2009 fashion previews�preppy galore. �Preppy is back,� announced the headlines, back again.

Somebody Save Me

jose_arellano@hotmail.com (Jose Arellano) — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:30:00 CDT

What follows, the concluding segment of my Dark Knight commentary, is speculative at best and specious at worst.

Only A Few More Days

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:17:25 CDT

So, we're closing in on the Big Switch, taking away .ORG and getting more focused as a company (and a human too, I guess). I've already mentioned that you can sign up for the monthly newsletter to keep track of the very best Sidedownesque content. I've also mentioned that the new Sidedown.com will have regular news updates and also has an RSS feed that you can subscribe to.

However, there are a few more ways you can stay in the loop and get some regular Web content...

Switch Songs

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:58:22 CDT

Episode 101 of Downcast is up, featuring more artists from Alonetone.com.

What You'll See In A Week

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:03:38 CDT

So, over the coming weekend, sidedown.org will get redirected to sidedown.com. All the old posts will stay up, readable, linkable, and archiveable, but there won't be anything new posted in this format for the foreseeable future.

However, as we're giving you a ton of ways to stay connected to Sidedown, it should be a big shock. One of the ways we'll be keeping in touch is with the all-new Sidedown Newsfeed, visible on the front page of the new Sidedown.com

Decreased Dosage

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:57:04 CDT

If you feel like you'll miss some of the fun of Sidedown.org when we go into hibernation next week, there will be many ways to not only keep up with what we're doing but also get the decidedly random content that we're known for.

How? With Regular Random, our brand new email newsletter. You can subscribe right here or read on and I'll tell you more about it.

Winchester Session #28: Captain Chancey

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:04:42 CDT

A new episode of Winchester is here, and this one's a collabo with John LaSala.

Absinthe & The Dirty Floors

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:20:04 CDT

Here are some pics from last night's performance...

By Reading Quickly and Not Watching Regularly Scheduled TV, That's How.

jose_arellano@hotmail.com (Jose Arellano) — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:00:23 CDT

During the past few months I�ve consumed cultural artifacts coming out of a period spanning the decades between 1945 and the present. It�s possible to try to trace a trajectory of sorts, a history of the intellectual and artistic production of this period, but what follows is not such an effort.

A Bit of News and A Small Request

jose_arellano@hotmail.com (Jose Arellano) — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:24:39 CDT

The hour is fast approaching when we must bid each other adieu. Until that time comes, though, I have a handful of posts that�ll go up, pieces that have been brewing in my head for some months.

Music This Thursday

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 11 May 2009 06:23:55 CDT

If you're in Chicago, please come and enjoy an evening of awesome music.

Moon Songs

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:16:50 CDT

We made it to a hundred episodes! Sure, it took a bit longer than I'd imagined, but hey, better late than never. Listen...

Life After Atrocity

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:05:47 CDT

On the left, Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot. On the right, opera guy Paul Potts.

Or... are they one in the same? If so... worst cover alias ever!

Two Week Notice: On Transition and Direction

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Fri, 08 May 2009 05:00:00 CDT

I'm busy. Busy with all sorts of things. I'm also on a mission to streamline and focus some of what I do. With new developments (playing music in bands, audio label, publishing, and more) I'm finding myself spread too thin... even for me.

It's also been a month since anyone else has posted on Sidedown.org. As much as I've tried to get people involved, it hasn't worked out. That's why as of May 23rd, the .ORG arm of Sidedown will be no more. Lots of details follow, if you are interested.

Singing Talent

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Thu, 07 May 2009 08:17:06 CDT

While I don't really care about the contest of American Idol, I do enjoy watching it. It's the sort of masochistic endeavor that renews my faith in real music while simultaneously destroying my faith in the listening public. It's no surprise that someone like the generic and yawn-inducing Daughtry has sold five million albums worldwide. I'd be shocked if it was less, to be honest.

But really, the thing that I'm pretty surprised by this year is how many of the musical guests on the show� established and successful musicians all� have performed songs using auto-tune software for the vocals.

Combicolors 5.6

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Wed, 06 May 2009 08:41:48 CDT

Here's what we're working with this morning...

Help Take A Bite Out Of Music

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:15:14 CDT

Today we launch a new arm of Sidedown Audio called Bite Size EPs. It's something new for the label, and as always it's a bit experimental. Allow me to tell you more...

Kinda Sorta All Mine

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 04 May 2009 07:37:23 CDT

Late last week my first copy of Mine magazine arrived. It's a pretty great concept that could become even more pretty great.

Combicolors 5.1

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Fri, 01 May 2009 07:26:08 CDT

Here are the colors I'm working with today...

Kickstart This

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 CDT

You've likely seen me mention DAAP alum Randy Pleml's fairly new podcast smogr alert a few times. It's because I like it.

Randy's looking to step up his game, expanding the podcast and getting out into the field to do more, and I'm all for it. So much so, that I'm willing to smack a few bucks down on the table myself.

The best part is: so can you.

MI: Watching

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:19:34 CDT

What are you watching? Who's watching you? Ten pictures to set you thinking follow...

Combicolors 4.29

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:46:24 CDT

It's a bluish sort of yellow day.

Winchester No.27� As Just

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:44:16 CDT

Wow, it's been a long "week" since my last session. I've been busy, though, so it's okay. Here's a new track for you, a somewhat-minimal instrumental.

Combicolors 4.28

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:53:53 CDT

Here are today's working colors.

New Look, New Location

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:30:51 CDT

I've just now redesigned and relocated Sidedown Audio. Go check out the new look, and remember to change your bookmarks, if you had it set to sidedown.com/audio previously.

Combicolors 4.27

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:41:43 CDT

Here are the colors I'm working with today.

MI: Situation

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:30:00 CDT

Because everyone's in one at some point, right? Click through to see ten images pulled from a Google Image search for "situation"...

Site Updates

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:00:00 CDT

Thanks to Akins I've learned a few new things about how my site host, Omnis allows for multiple domain hosting on a single hosting account. This might mean very little to you, but to me it's a blessing! This has allowed me to make a bunch of behind-the-scenes changes to the workings of my many sites, and in the spirit of newness I've also updated and redesigned my personal music page: joshuawentz.com

You Don't Have A Clue

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:12:28 CDT

Royksopp's new album Junior is fantastic. I knew it would be, though... they've done a great job over the last few years in being consistent while expanding their sound. They bring in interesting and talented vocalists, and always seem to sneak a surprise into every album.

For me, the surprise was Anneli Drecker, who appears on several tracks on the disk. Come have a listen...

Smogr Episode 8

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:16:30 CDT

An absolutely fantastic episode of Smogr Alert from Randy. If you want to hear a rational monologue on taxes, government, political theatre, and generally not being ridiculous, definitely give this one a listen.

Digital Dark

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:59:18 CDT

Sometime taking a photo in poor light levels turns our alright. Click through to see what I'm talking about.

Futureclothes

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:00:00 CDT

One of the things I'm trying to focus on while I develop more details for R65 (still behind the scenes, I know, I'm so slow), is what apparel in the 3200s might be like. To do this, I'm looking towards contemporary indie designers. Click through to learn about some future-y clothing you can have today.

Semmi

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:40:04 CDT

Smogr Alert

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:54:35 CDT

If you haven't already, check out the latest episode of smogr alert, featuring an interview with DAAP alum Jeff Lustig. Pretty interesting, especially on the architecture side of things.

Watching Digital Paint Dry

jose_arellano@hotmail.com (Jose Arellano) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:30:00 CDT

I�ve been promising myself that I would post the last part of my The Dark Knight commentary, but life�s many contingencies keep getting in the way.

Downcast 99: Submissions 1

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:58:20 CDT

New podcast for today! Listen to what artists sent me!

Local Rainbow

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:45:00 CDT

To manifest your own brilliant interior rainbow, you will need the following:

Sunrise
East-facing Window
A CD-R

SDFOTO #6: Train

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:09:55 CDT

Shots from the last car of a Northbound Brown Line train. The windows were a touch on the cruddy side, so I went with that sort of dinged up look. Click through to take a look.

We're Proud To Announce It

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:00:00 CDT

We're unveiling the first major publishing project from Blindsided Books. This is something completely new for Sidedown, and it's going to be a lot of fun. Would you like to hear more about it?

Yeah? Really? Maybe read a bit more then...

MI: Magic

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:58:20 CDT

I'm reading a book full of magic swords right now.

Lowest of Fi

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:00:34 CDT

Sometimes I miss my days of video editing. The latter half of my college years involved a fair bit of video, and I always found it really enjoyable to work on recording, editing, and scoring video projects. These days I don't have the means to put together something incredibly fancy, but I can still have fun...

NOTE: a video with sound will autoplay when you click through to read the rest of the article.

Winchester #26: Rain Never Fell

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:56:30 CDT

Another simple, songy session!

Other Things For Fools

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:25:36 CDT

Is it odd that no matter the cause, I am almost always on the side of a cop whacking the noggins of self-absorbed dipshits?

Dumbest Day on the Internet

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:17:27 CDT

Today is April First... April Fool's Day, if you will. It is essentially the most pointless day on the Internet, as news and commentary sites will do their best to make stupid jokes that stupid people will believe. The value of any information posted today is null.

MI: Enough

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:40:50 CDT

Pictures pictures and more pictures. Eight more, to be exact.

Downward

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:21:19 CDT

At the end of a project or event, no matter what, I get a bit depressed. It's the coming down off of a very focused period of time that gets me. When the project is over, the smoke clears, and one is often left to wonder, "Was any of that worth it?"

Something More Than A Hero: Nolan's Dark Knight (pt. 5)

jose_arellano@hotmail.com (Jose Arellano) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:55:00 CDT

�Criminals in this town used to believe in things... Honor. Respect. What do you believe, huh? What do you believe?!�

�I believe that what doesn't kill you simply makes you stranger.�

Thanks!

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:26:12 CDT

To everyone from RPM who showed up on Saturday, thanks! It was a lot of fun; I really enjoyed talking to so many people about shared experiences in music.

Somewhat Real People

joshua@sidedown.com (Joshua Wentz) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:10:29 CDT