Technology and the Arts hosts Brian Kelley and John LeMasney recorded this special reunion podcast on the campus of The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ, during the 2010 Trenton Computer Festival. Topics discussed include John’s TCF talk on enhancing digital photos with open-source software, his 365 Sketches project and the TEDx NJ Libraries event taking place in Princeton, NJ, on May 7, 2010. Hosts: Brian Kelley and John LeMasney. File size: 8.7 MB. Time: 18 min., 12 sec.

Here are some links to things Brian and John discuss in this podcast:

• Trenton Computer Festival – Celebrating its 35th year in 2010, this annual computer expo is held on the campus of The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ. John, as he has for many years, presented a talk on enhancing digital photos using open-source software like the GIMP and Inkscape.
• 365 Sketches – A project John initiated at the start of 2010 in which he posts a new sketch — created using Inkscape — each day.
• MindTouch.com’s 50 Most Powerful Voices in Open Source – Our very own John LeMasney was ranked the No. 49 (we mistakenly said 48 in the podcast recording…sorry about that) most powerful voice in open source, according to a blog post on MindTouch.com. The list is topped by such open-source luminaries as Tim O’Reilly and Linus Torvalds.
• TEDx NJ Libraries – John is one of many people working on this independently organized conference licensed by TED (Technology Entertainment Design).

Voting is under way now through midnight on Sunday, June 7, and I would really appreciate your support by clicking the link below and casting a vote for “Vortex (2009)” at TalentTrove.com.

Vote for Best Piano/Keyboard Performance on TalentTrove.com

Now, you do have to sign up on TalentTrove.com in order to vote, but since many Technology and Arts fans probably have artistic talents to share with the world, you may wind up liking what the site has to offer.

Anyway, thank you for your time. Any votes you cast for “Vortex (2009)” will be greatly appreciated.

And, if you want to hear what “Vortex (2009)” sounds like before you head over to TalentTrove.com, just listen to it in the embedded player below.

- BK

“Vortex (2009)” – Brian Kelley

Technology and the Arts hosts Brian Kelley and John LeMasney met for drinks and dinner at Triumph Brewing Co. in Princeton, NJ, on April 23, 2009, and recorded this mini podcast (sorry about the sound quality and background noise, but this was kind of a spur of the moment thing). John previews his Trenton Computer Festival talks on April 25 and April 26, and discusses the beers he drank at Triumph. Brian provides an update on Christian Beach. Brian’s fiancee, Alison, also joins in on the fun for a bit. Hosts: Brian Kelley and John LeMasney. File size: 4 MB. Time: 8 min., 30 sec.

Related Links:

• FriendFeed.com/lemasney – John LeMasney’s FriendFeed profile.
• lemasney.com – John LeMasney’s Web site.
• @lemasney – John LeMasney on Twitter.
• FriendFeed.com/bktandem – Brian Kelley’s FriendFeed profile.
• Tandem With the Random – Brian Kelley’s blog
• @bktandem – Brian Kelley on Twitter.
• Trenton Computer Festival - John LeMasney returns to TCF for 2009 to discuss “Exquisite Design Using Open-Source Software” on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26. Check out the speaker grid [pdf] for times and location.
• BeerCritic - John LeMasney’s craft beer review site.
• ChristianBeach.net – Christian Beach’s new web site, designed by Brian Kelley.

Christian Beach

Mark your calendars for April 10…not only is it my wonderful girlfriend’s birthday, but my friend Christian Beach will be celebrating the recent release of his self-titled CD with a show at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ.

I will once again be part of Christian’s backing band, helping out on organ and accordion, as he performs the entire 12-song CD in tracklist order. Christian will be hitting the stage around 10 p.m. and tickets are just $10.

If you are in the area and are available that night, please feel free to come to the show. If you want to get a taste of Christian’s music, visit his new web site at ChristianBeach.net or visit him on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/christianbeach.

The CD can be purchased via CDBaby.com or  iTunes.

Christian Beach
The Saint
601 Main St.
Asbury Park, NJ
http://www.thesaintnj.com

Christian Beach's CD now available on CD Baby

It’s finally here…the self-titled, solo CD from my good friend, singer-songwriter Christian Beach!

“Christian Beach” is now available for sale at CDBaby.com, where you can also listen to 30-second samples of each of the album’s 12 tracks.

And here’s a fun fact for you: I designed the CD artwork around a photo by Charlie Pranio, which means I just did layout and selected an appropriate font.

Anyway, if you want to check out Christian Beach live, he has a few shows coming up:

Sat., Feb. 7, 2009
5:00 p.m.
The Strand Theater
Lakewood, NJ
http://www.strandlakewood.com
with band

Sun., March 8, 2009
8:00 p.m.
Rosie’s Cafe Presents at the Atonement Lutheran Church Hall
Asbury Park, NJ
http://www.atonementlutheranchurch.com/ROSIES-CONCERTSr.html
solo

Sat., March 28, 2009
8:45 p.m.
S.S. Cape May Music Conference Showcase
Congress Hall – The Brown Room Lounge
Cape May, NJ
http://www.sscapemay.com
solo

Fri., April 10, 2009
10:00 p.m.
“Christian Beach” CD Release Party @ The Saint
Asbury Park, NJ
http://www.thesaintnj.com
with band

Thurs., April 23, 2009
8:00 p.m.
Triumph Brewing Co.
Princeton, NJ
http://www.triumphbrewing.com
solo

Thurs., May 21, 2009
8:00 p.m.
Triumph Brewing Co.
Princeton, NJ
http://www.triumphbrewing.com
solo

For information about Christian Beach, visit http://www.myspace.com/christianbeach

In this special Technology and the Arts podcast, Brian Kelley interviews indie singer-songwriter Fox Elipsus. Originally from Oxford, England, Fox has self-produced two double CDs, including his latest, “Momentum,” and uses MySpace and Facebook to promote his music and build his fan base. Currently, Fox is on an extensive U.S. tour of free shows at bookstores and cafes. He recently performed at the Borders in Langhorne, Pa., and talked with Brian after the show about his music and how he utilizes social networking sites as a promotional tool. Host: Brian Kelley. File size: 4.2 MB. Time: 8 min., 48 sec.

Hey, folks…remember when we ended the podcast back in December, we said that we wouldn’t abandon this place entirely? Well, we meant that.

Case in point, above this text is a video interview I did with singer-songwriter Fox Elipsus. Those of you on MySpace and Facebook have probably received a friend request from him at some point…but that’s because social networking sites are his primary way of reaching his fans. Fox records his CDs at his home studio, promotes his music through MySpace and Facebook, and is currently on an extensive tour of bookstores and cafes in the United States in support of his latest double CD, “Momentum.”

So…enjoy the interview…and be on the lookout for an audio-only version on the ol’ blog and podcast feed…coming soon!

Oh, and I want to make a special mention about Bill…one of Fox’s fans who has given him a place to stay the past few days while in the NJ/PA area. Bill also has very good taste in music…anybody who thinks highly of Francis Dunnery, Midge Ure and Roland Orzabal has my utmost respect.

- BK