In the 21st century, an odd pattern has emerged in the field of music sales. While the sales of CDs have plummeted since the inception of mp3s and digital streaming services, the sales of vinyl record. Once looked upon as a curious novelty from times past – has seen a significant uptick.
The uptick, in fact, has been so significant that most vinyl record pressing facilities are overloaded with orders. Therefore, bands and labels need to get their orders in well ahead of the schedules release date. Casual music listeners who stream on Spotify or Apple Music may be asking, why on earth would anyone pay for a clunky, cumbersome record? This post has your answer.
Quality of Sound From Vinyl record :
Music connoisseurs care immensely about high fidelity in their listening experience. It may pay immense amounts of money for a tube-driven amplification system and high-quality speakers. Not only do records offer an analog warmth, they also offer a rich listening experience that lets you hear the attention to detail in the mix. Aficionados might liken streaming services to watching a film that was designed to be seen in 3D in 2D.
Even if you buy a scuffed record second-hand, there’s still something pleasant about hearing a bit of crackle on an old Duke Ellington LP. Furthermore, most re-issues and new albums come with a code to download the music in mp3 format. Or else it would become lossless FLAC format for the true geeks. Rather than streaming on Spotify, most music nerds would prefer to load high-quality files onto an iPod for listening on the go.
The ‘All Or Nothing’ Approach:
The general attitude of the vinyl record buyer is that they either want no physical object at all (streaming/ mp3s). Or else they want a very large physical object to incorporate into their collection. If you really care about an album, andshelling out thirty bucks is not so insane. You can actually appreciate the album art, rather than squinting at a tiny thumbnail.
The Elegance of the Object:
Many bands and musicians take great pains to design their album covers or commission an image from an artist they admire. Bands with a particularly savvy sense of promotion may even engage professional graphic design services to design the album art. This integrates it into an aesthetically cohesive marketing campaign. Like the quality of the actual music, the quality and details of the album art are also lost when it appears in miniature on a smartphone. When you buy a record, you’re not just buying the music, you’re buying a physical piece of art, as well.
Paying the Band (a compliment):
When you go and see your favorite band live, the biggest compliment you can offer them is purchasing their album on vinyl record. Because there is no middle-man in this transaction, you can feel secure knowing that the money is going into the project you love. Also, often the band works their own merch table, so you may get an opportunity to chat with them!
Whether not this post has converted you to the cult of vinyl, hopefully, you have a better sense of what is driving the trend.
I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.
To pay tribute to all fathers out there this year, we’ve decided to bring together the best dad performances in West End productions.
From lawyers to boy-band leaders, these father figures are the source of inspiration for so many of us.
So, without further ado, here are the best dads on the stage in 2022.
Top 6 Best Dads on The Stage
1. Lance DuBois
& Juliet is filled with unique bonds, and the relationship between Lance and his son Francois is fraught from the start. However, as the show progresses, we see Lance accept his son for who he is and accepts his vision for his future self.
By joining a family boy band, Lance and Francois strengthen their bond and create an on-stage alliance that you’re sure to fall in love with this year.
2. George McFly
Who hasn’t wondered what their parents were like when they were younger? In Back to the Future, Marty has the opportunity to interact with his dad when he travels back to a time when he meets his mum.
It’s scintillating stuff, and there are laughs and jokes along the way as Marty ends up coaching George to impress his mum, so the two can fall in love.
Among other things, Marty inspires his future dad to stand up to bullies, and their relationship evolves as Marty races against time to ensure his future is just as it should be. This timeless classic has been reinvented for the stage, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.
3. Sam, Bill, and Harry
No matter how you look at it, Donna rocks as a single mum. With some help from her Greek friends, she’s given everything she possibly can to Sophie, and there’s no questioning the depth of the relationship between mother and daughter.
In Mamma Mia, Sophie lets curiosity get the better of her, and her subsequent journey proves that biology isn’t everything. In this Abba musical, Sophie interacts with not one but three dads and learns some super important lessons along the way.
4. Walter
When Will Ferrel informs his short-tempered, city-dwelling dad of his existence in the film adaptation of Elf, Walter’s reaction is one of the best things about the movie. But without spoiling the plot line, the on-stage adaptation shows us a slightly different side of Walter.
In fact, Buddy and Walter develop an incredible relationship that blossoms as the production develops. This feel-good family favorite is one of the West End’s most popular Christmas productions, and the dynamic between Walter and Buddy is a huge part of the show’s success.
5. Jean Valjean
Following his branding as a criminal, Jean Valjean is inspired to become a gentleman. He uses his newfound status, charm, and wealth to do good, helping those in need throughout Les Mis.
Jean steps up and looks after Cossette, becoming a father figure to the young girl and doing everything he can to keep her alive. Book your tickets today to see Jean in action and enjoy one of the West End’s legendary shows in all its splendor.
6. Atticus Finch
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus plays the role of a single father quite brilliantly. He encourages his children to speak their minds, explore new ideas, and challenge racial stereotypes.
His relationship with Calpurnia plays out beautifully on stage, and the character that is based on Harper Lee’s own father is one that Rafe Spall certainly does justice to.
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There are certain things in life that everyone would like to do. Most people would place ‘learning to play an instrument’ at the top of this list. After all, it is an impressive skill that can easily be used to entertain and wow people.
Well, the good news is that if you are considering picking up an instrument and learning how to play it, there are a number of advantages at your disposal. See, scientists have discovered that training to become a musician can actually improve your brain in terms of memory, planning capability, and information processing speed. This is true, even if you are an older adult!
So, as you can see, you really shouldn’t wait any longer to pursue this passion. However, if you are a little confused as to how to get started with the learning process, don’t fret. Here, you will find all the information and details that you need to know.
What Instrument Should You Play?
Now, if you were to take a poll, you will quickly find out that everyone has their own idea of what the ‘best’ instrument is. This can make it a lot more confusing to figure out which you should actually take up. In this instance, it can actually be helpful to ignore the advice most people give. What you should do instead is to take up the instrument you are actually passionate about. This way, you are much more likely to stick with it and actually learn how to play it. So, if you have always wanted to play the drums, then this is exactly what you should do!
If you don’t really have an instrument in mind, what should you do then? Well, even in this case, there is a good chance that you have one preference over others. So, start with that to determine if you will actually grow to like it. If you find that it isn't the instrument for you, then simply give something else a try. You will find that the process of trial and error, despite being lengthy, will often help you find the answer that you are looking for.
How Should You Choose Your Instrument?
Even after you have settled on a specific instrument, you may find it challenging to determine what brand or model you should start with. Here, it is best if you look online for some expert suggestions. This will allow you to get the perspective of experienced, talented musicians, increasing the likelihood that you get the right instrument for yourself.
Another option would be to head down to your local music store. You are bound to find employees that are well-versed in advising novice musicians on what instrument to buy. This avenue will also provide you with the opportunity to try out some of the brands and models for yourself to see if there is one that clicks with you. Nonetheless, you may not actually want to buy an instrument from such a store. To help save money, you may want to check out prices online. You will probably be able to find what you are looking for at a lower price.
Understanding Your Options for Learning:
So after narrowing down your instrument options and purchasing one, the next thing on your list would be to learn how to play it. Once upon a time, your only real choice would have been to find a music teacher who operated in the same area as you did. While this is still one of the more popular options, there are also a number of other avenues.
These days, you have the opportunity to decide how you want to learn to play an instrument. For instance, if you do want a teacher, there necessarily isn’t a need to have to go to a physical studio. Instead, there are now a number of tutors who operate over the internet, mostly over platforms such as Skype. Here, you will be taught how to play your instrument without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.
If you feel like a tutor is a little bit too expensive, then you can go down the self-teaching route. If you prefer an old-fashioned method, you can always opt for music books – of which there are many. These days, however, free online tutorials are often a much better alternative. Here, experienced musicians will walk you through how to play various instruments. In many instances, they will even break down how to play some of your favorite songs.
In the end, it is all about determining what option works for you best. Some people thrive under close and strict instruction while others need the freedom to learn at their own pace. Just try out both options and figure out which one affords you more progress.
Set a Goal for Yourself:
Before you actually start playing the instrument, it can be useful to set a goal for yourself. What this is, is entirely up to you. For some people, their main goal is to learn how to play their favorite music. Others, want to master every aspect of a particular instrument. Once you have narrowed down your long-term goal, you should try to break it down into smaller objectives. This can help you to track your own progress and can even act as motivation for you to keep going. So, try to set an aim for yourself every week if you can so that you can stay consistent in terms of practice and effort.
Prepare for Disappointment:
Everyone has an idea of what a particular instrument should sound like. For instance, in your mind, you will be able to imagine the tinkling of ivories or the light tapping of a drum set. Well, the truth is, in the beginning, you probably won’t sound anything like what you imagined. In fact, you may end up creating truly horrific noises when you first get started playing. Now, it can be easy to feel discouraged at this point and want to give up immediately. However, you should keep in mind that even the greatest musicians sounded awful in their early years.
The other thing that you shouldn’t worry about is the fact that you may not make progress as quickly as you would like. It is vital to remember that it isn’t easy to learn how to play an instrument. Your mind and body have to be able to grasp a number of different techniques and then figure out how to coordinate with each other. Due to this, there is a good chance that it may take you a bit longer than you first anticipated to master an instrument. Well, there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of – it is completely natural. The only thing you should focus on is succeeding at your current task, regardless of how long it takes.
Remember That Practice Makes Perfect:
When you watch other people play an instrument, they can often make it look so effortless. This is why a lot of people forget that it actually takes quite a bit of practice to become so good. Most professional musicians practice around six to eight hours each day. Of course, you probably don’t have so much time to spend on your hobby but you don’t need to practice this much either. The key here is to set a realistic practice schedule for yourself so that you are actually able to stick with it.
Depending on how much free time you have, try to spend at least 30 minutes to half an hour each day, mastering your musical instrument. If you don’t have a lot of spare time, try breaking your practice up into smaller time slots. Try to practice for 30 minutes in the morning and then spend another half-hour in the evening perfecting your skills.
Don’t Forget to Have Fun:
When you are focused on becoming better, it is easy to be overtaken by the technical aspects of the process. As a result, you might forget to actually enjoy yourself and this can be a real shame. It is important to keep in mind that you are learning to play an instrument for yourself. So, you really should be enjoying this time. If you find yourself getting frustrated, try to switch tactics for a short while. Take a break and try to learn a short, crazy tune just so that you can help yourself ease up a bit. After all, there isn’t too much sense in continuing if you aren’t having fun.
Join Other Beginners:
If you are used to playing by yourself, it can be easy to lose your passion for the project. This is why you may want to try joining up with other musicians every now and then. Since this can be a rather daunting thing to do, it may be best to meet up with others who are at a similar learning stage. This way, no one has to feel embarrassed or self-conscious. Instead, everyone can just focus on having a good time and putting together a fun jam session.
So, this is all you need to know about learning to play an instrument. While it can be a bit tough in the beginning, you should keep in mind that it does get better – and so will you so. Trust in yourself and never give up!
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If you wish to know which are your favorite songs and artists on Spotify, it tells you so - only once at the start of the year. This is why websites like Receiptify have been created to allow Spotify users to learn about their favorite songs they love listening to over and over again.
To learn more about this website and how to use it, read this post till the end.
What Is Receiptify?
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Receiptify is a website that has gained popularity for generating a report of your most listened songs on Spotify in the form of a receipt. In this receipt report, your favorite songs appear as items, with their duration appearing as the amount. Believe it or not, this Spotify panel actually brings you closer to your favorite music.
Receiptify Can Generate Reports From Which Platforms?
The main feature of Spotify Receiptify is to generate reports of your favorite songs from your subscribed music streaming platforms. Here are the three music streaming services from which this website tries to understand your musical preferences:
1. Spotify
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Spotify is by far one of the most popular and most used music streaming platforms. Used by millions of subscribers worldwide, Spotify is one of the best places to get all the new music releases.
In addition, you also get access to a lot of podcasts, which are becoming more and more popular on Spotify.
2. Last.fm
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If you want to be a part of a growing community of music lovers, then creating an account in Last.fm is one of the best things that you can do.
Here, after you create your profile, Last.fm will collect all data about what music you listen to. They allow you to link your Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, and other accounts to gain an understanding of your musical taste from there.
After the site creates a musical persona of you, Autoscrobbler will start recommending music to you based on what you listen to.
3. Apple Music (iTunes)
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Like Spotify, iTunes, or Apple Music, it is exactly what it is - music for Apple device owners. Although you don’t need an Apple device to create an iTunes account, you can listen to an extensive catalog of music from here - available at the highest quality not offered by other platforms - like Lossless sound quality.
How To Connect Spotify Account With Receiptify?
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If you think generating your specialized “receipt” reports of your most heard tracks on Spotify is complex, then you can relax after knowing that it’s easier than you think.
To generate your receipt reports of your most-heard songs on Spotify using Receiptify, you must first link your account. Here is a detailed explanation of the steps you need to follow:
First, open your web browser on your smartphone or computer.
There, search for Receiptify and enter its official website - https://receiptify.herokuapp.com/index.html.
Next, as you enter the website's homepage, you will see options for generating reports for three platforms - Spotify, Last.fm, and iTunes. Choose any one of them. For this explanation, I will be sticking with Spotify.
Now, you must enter your account details like email ID and username.
After you have given these details, it's time to allow Receiptify to have permission to use your session details from Spotify. You can do so when the permission page opens up in another browser tab.
Congratulations! You have linked your Spotify account with Receiptify! Now, this website will be able to track all your session details on Spotify (or iTunes/Last.fm).
How To Make Receiptify Spotify Reports?
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After you link your Spotify account with Receiptify, it’s now time for you to generate your much-awaited “Receipt” reports!
To generate Spotify reports (and of other platforms), here is a step-by-step guide on what you must do:
First, open your web browser on your smartphone or computer.
There, search for Receiptify and enter its official website
Next, as you enter the website's homepage, you will see options for generating reports for three platforms - Spotify, Last.fm, and iTunes. Choose any one of them. For this explanation, I will be sticking with Spotify.
Now, you must enter your account details like email ID and username.
After you log in with your Spotify account, you can now choose between three options for report types. These three report types are based on reporting on your favorite songs for different periods. They are:
Last Month (last 30 days)
Last Six Months
Of All Time (since account creation)
Once you select which reporter to generate, this website takes a few minutes to create the report for you. It will then present the report to you in a Receipt-like format.
Is Receiptify Safe?
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Yes, this website is totally safe to use and link your Spotify account to. Many Spotify users have voiced concerns that since this is a this-party website that asks you to connect your Spotify account with it, it can steal your personal information available on Spotify, including your payment information.
However, Receiptify is different from sites like WcoStream. Every information that you share here is encrypted, ensuring that your data doesn’t get stolen or misused.
Other Third-Party Spotify Apps You Can Use In 2023
Apart from Receiptify Spotify, there are various other applications that Spotify users should know about. Here are some of the other Spotify third-party programs I recommend you try out:
1. Spotify Palette
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This website allows you to view your favorite songs in terms of colors. Depending on the genre of the music you listen to and the mood it creates, this site will generate a color palette for you.
This color palette is based on your musical preferences over the last six months. After it generates a color palette for you, it will then create an image for you based on your color palettes. These images will be taken from the database of Google Art and Culture.
2. Icebergify
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As the name implies, this website presents your musical taste as an iceberg. Here, the website collects information about your Top 50 artists on Spotify. Here, the tip of the iceberg represents your favorite artist at the top, with others following below.
3. Your Pie!
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We all love pies, don't we? Why not have your musical preferences served as a pie? By using this website, you can generate a report that represents the musical genres you listen to the most in the form of a pie graph.
Don’t Forget To Take Your Spotify Receipt!
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Spotify Receiptify has become famous for its unique and fun way of displaying your most listened-to songs on Spotify. It lists them all like a receipt, with the songs and their durations being your orders and prices, respectively. If you use Spotify, I highly recommend you try this out!
Please tell us about what your most listened-to songs on Spotify are in the comments below!
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