Martin Bisi's diary

The hyper-promoting band next door? Probably not.

2011-10-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

my take on how -or how *not*- musical artists are using the much-discussed new resources for promoting music. And basically why it seems, from my perch as touring musician and producer, like there's less zeal for promotion in general, than one might think
read it here at Blurt Magazine: The hyper-promoting band next door? Probably not

Criminal Art

2010-07-30T17:07:00.000-07:00

I contrast "criminal" vs "rebel" art. examples in graffiti, punk and hip hop
read here, at my Blurt Magazine column: Criminal Art

The Tape Fetish in Analog recording

2010-02-15T07:03:00.000-08:00

my latest blog is about the cult-like obsession some people have with analog tape in music recording. Where does the fad begin and end - why are there retro fads - is tape (vs. digital) definitive of the sound of a recording - is it a powerful tool
read it here: The Tape Fetish

the 30 year anniversary of my recording studio

2009-12-12T11:42:00.000-08:00

It's here ! the 30 year time mark of my studio. Where I started making and recording sounds in Dec '79.
Well, even in the best and most memorable of times, things seemed fairly drab and matter of fact. My guess is all the "golden" eras were a good bit more tarnished, for those who lived them.

You can read what I have to say about it here at Blurt Magazine:
30 yrs of recording in Brooklyn - through my dark colored glasses

The petty hierarchies of music - bands and songwriters

2009-10-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

My bog in Blurt Magazine about how various members of bands have a naturally different status, in practice, and in people's perception.. the front man/woman, the songwriter/composer - the person who will do the talking, the person who focuses the identity of the music
Here it is: Top Man Takes All - the hierarchy in music

Copyright ! Download Nation - Music and Art's Civil War

2009-10-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

I entered the fray about copyright issues and music downloading, and how music in general has been affected

Download Nation - Music and Art's Civil War: click here to read

Irony in music

2009-06-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

over at Blurt Magazine again, I wrote a piece about i-r-o-n-y
check it here: Irony - Opiate Of The People

History, and the role of art

2009-03-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

Another piece for Blurt Magazine where I muse on art in general's relationship to the telling of history: The Grays Of History - a place for art

Gentrification In Brooklyn: Turn The Page

2009-01-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

This is a piece I wrote for Blurt Magazine that addresses the current state of the much maligned gentrification process in Brooklyn, where my studio is located and where I live: Gentrification In Brooklyn: Turn The Page

PODCAST about my carreer as producer, and the new record

2008-10-27T23:48:00.000-07:00

There's a 35 min interview with me on Goldmine Radio/Magazine where I take on some rough questions about my career as producer/engineer, and discuss some of the notable projects. I also spill some beans..and milk, about my new record: You can listen here

The Crazy Homicides - Twilight of the old Brooklyn

2008-09-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

This is a story I wrote called The Crazy Homicides. It takes place in Park Slope, Brooklyn where my recording studio has been for 27 yrs, back when the neighborhood was in a major downward spiral. It's now a land of baby strollers, micro-breweries and fancy coffee shops. Bill Laswell, producer, and then studio partner, was involved. Africa Bambaataa also got drawn in. This is fun: The Crazy Homicides

What Is Punk ?

2008-08-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

This is my first of a monthly blog/column at Blurt Magazine on-line. It's titled "What Is Punk ?" and is meant to be an introduction of me, and put me in the socio-musical context of what Punk meant when I was in my late teens in New York - around 1977 - and how that meaning has continuously morphed, and been re-cycled, and re-claimed since then.
And to spice things up, I got some good quotes from Legs McNeil (Please Kill Me, and original coiner of the term 'punk') and Lydia Lunch.
read it here

VOICE Blog - Religion vs. Music

2008-02-14T17:41:00.001-08:00

Martin Bisi and Paul Wallfisch (Botanica, Little Annie) probe the similarities of religion to music, art, politics, and even sports. Martin makes the claim that religion is the supreme art form.

VOICE blog - the old age of recording

2007-10-15T13:02:00.001-07:00

Martin Bisi talks with John Keith about the changing status of the recording art