Andrew Knight

Andrew Knight's personal blog on digital media, journalism and life. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-33012050-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[thisisknight]

Meet...me! Via a digitally-enhanced photo!

[thisisknight]

Walt Lafty, from hard-rocker to ... kazoo solos?

Meet Walt Lafty. When I first discovered this rock n roll gem, I was only a young boy attending a Van Hagar concert with my mom and dad at the now Verizon Center in downtown DC. 

I was blown away. 

Don't get me wrong, I was pumped to see my favorite version of Van Halen, but for the opening band to kick so much ass was truly a treat. When I listened to this kid scream his heart out with some solid hard-blues-rock songs, it was love at first listen. I pictured this band becoming the next Aerosmith or Guns N' Roses, but nothing came and the band eventually split up. 

To me, Lafty just had that look, like he could be the next Steven Tyler or Mick Jagger. The blonde hair on a 140 lb frame in tight jeans in leather paired with that voice and bluesy guitar riffs seemed like it could have been a winning combination.

Currently, most of the band members are working on their own projects. I recently discovered Lafty's: 

Walt decided to go in quite a different direction, and it seems to be working. His new song isn't that bad: 

How a guy does that kind of 180 and pulls it off* is beyond me. More power to him though. I'll definitely go check out a Walt Lafty show next time he's in town. 

*The jury is still out as to whether this will generate any buzz at all...but I like it! 

[thisisknight]

Wow.

[thisisknight]

#Natitude engulfs the District, Nats must win today

[thisisknight]

Why GROUPLOVE should be the next big thing

I'm bored and haven't posted on here in awhile, so I'll try to turn you guys onto some good music. 

I was recently turned on to GROUPLOVE's "Colours" by a friend of mine and they have become somewhat of an obsession ever since. 

They quench my thirst for bluesy rock while keeping my interest with good lyrics. 

The haunting harmonies between singers Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi remind me of a raw version of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac. [See video]

Ah, gotta love it. You can hear the emotion in their voices. 

Another great guy/girl lead vocal duo, using great harmonies to create a unique sound. 

GROUPLOVE's album, Never Trust A Happy Song, has a ton of great tracks. Grab it on iTunes, the Pirate Bay or wherever, I won't judge...just GET IT! 

Album highlights: My picks Lovely Cup Colours Cruel and Beautiful World Naked Kids  

[thisisknight]

Deciphering Taylor Swift lyrics: 'Forever & Always'

Taylor Swift has the ability to take common, everyday instances that a high-school aged girl might experience and turn them into songs that would make it seem that breaking up with someone may actually cause your heart to break in half which would be followed by a slow and painful death that no one would care about because they just don't understand how you feel. 

I am exaggerating, of course, but you get my point. 

She is excellent at showing the emotions that we all experience growing up, but sometimes her choice of words is just too ridiculous not to make a blog post about.

Ready, go. 

I can't help but think of Meat Loaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" when I listen to this song. It is like a pop version sung from the female perspective.* Sorta. If you aren't familiar with the premise, go take a listen. 

You looked me in the eye and told me you loved me Were you just kidding? 'cause it seems to me, this thing is breaking down We almost never speak I don't feel welcome anymore Baby what happened, please tell me?

In my experience -- and we're the same age, Taylor! -- guys will often drop the "L-bomb" with ulterior motives. Not saying I've ever done such a thing...but shit happens. 

And I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called And then you feel so low you cant feel nothing at all

Really? Just because he didn't call? 

It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone Cause I was there when you said forever and always

I don't think you guys control the weather...

Thought I knew you for a minute, now I'm not so sure

I hope you knew him longer than a minute! Just kidding...this is actually a legitimate line but it kinda fits in with the whole one night stand vibe I'm picking up from this song.

'cause it rains in your bedroom

Close a window? 

Everything is wrong

C'mon...everything? Overreacting a bit here Taylor, aren't we? 

So, what did we learn today? I mean, just look at today's divorce rates. Statistically speaking, "forever" and "always" hardly ever means forever and always. 

Also, no matter how much it hurts and how much it seems like the world is just a horrible place when going through heartache, I PROMISE the weather is not reacting to your sorrows. All that rain must have been a coincidence, TayTay. It doesn't rain in the bedroom, either! 

Next up: Enchanted. Oh yeah, that's gonna be fun. 

*I am NOT comparing this song to "Paradise." That song is a timeless masterpiece. 

[thisisknight]

(Taken with http://cinemagr.am)

[thisisknight]

'Thumb' may help me get a job

As someone who just has to keep up with all of the latest apps and gadgets, I finally decided to check out this new social network known as Thumb. 

I installed the app on my iPhone 4S (yes, I'm bragging a bit. Say hi, Siri!) and got started. The basic premise of the application is to give people's photos or questions a thumbs up or thumbs down (or neutral) with the option to add a comment to your rating. Comments can be awarded stars and stars help users become top advisors. 

Pretty simple with a lot of potential for useful and stimulating conversation, right? Well...

There are a lot more posts like this one, mostly of teenaged girls sharing photos of themselves in hopes of getting more thumbs up, I guess. Needless to say, I was discouraged when I discovered I had stumbled on a glorified HotorNot.com. 

Then I started asking questions. While yes or no questions get the most participation, the great thing about Thumb is that you don't have to limit yourself to yes or no. With the commenting feature, you can ask just about anything and get some good, crowd-sourced advice. 

So I asked a very important question many of my peers are asking themselves right now: 

Obviously, I still had to apply a filter (see second comment), but the overall results were fantastic. I got some great advice from people who -- presumably -- have been in the situation before. 

It seems I've just found a way to make this tool useful! Next time you want to take your life's important decisions and take them out of Google's hands for once (ha-ha), try Thumb and see what the world has to say. WARNING: Must have a thick skin...anonymity is a breeding ground for trolls! 

[thisisknight]

Graduated. Finally done with school after 16 long, long years. George Mason University will forever be attached to my name professionally, so I thought this photo would be fitting.

I am only the second person in my family to graduate from college -- after my mom! -- and plan to continue to make myself and family proud as I make the transition to the professional phase of my life. 

I'm also starting this blog. Partly to keep me writing, as I have no school assignments anymore, partly to comment on digital media and journalism and partly to tie in anything else I find interesting. 

Enjoy :)