The Science Behind Autotune (And Voice Recognition)

I assume everyone reading this blog understands the role this plays in music. In this, the year of our lord 2014, most people have super computers sitting around their home that are capable of amazing things. Being able to “break down” sound allows your to fabricate and modify recorded sound, which can lead to some pretty cool results (and some pretty bad ones, I’m looking at you Lil’ Jon).

Read More...

6 Million Dollar Violin Stolen

Multiple MIlwaukee-area news sources are reporting that the concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Frank Almond,  was robbed late last night of his $6 million violin. The violin, a 1715 Stradivarius named “Lipinski”, was dropped by Almond when two men approached him after a performance at the Wisconsin Lutheran College. One source reports the assailants using a Taser, while another does not provide detail about weapons. It is possible that the attack was not random.

Read More...

The Diphthong Song

those-who-dig-logo-finalThis is about the diphthong song. Depending on your knowledge of grammar and/or lingerie, that’s either a very sexy or very confusing title. Or both. The song I have in mind is now 4 decades old, started as a country tune, but received a huge lift half-way through its lifespan and became one of the biggest singles of all time. Read more…

Milwaukee's Jazz Estate to Remain Open?

Those who know music in Milwaukee know the Jazz Estate. The venue serves as the perfect archetype for a jazz lounge – small, cozy, dimly lit, with a row of seats only inches from the musicians – and hosts the very best of traveling and local jazz, swing, and other improvised acts. Sadly, it was announced back in September that the bar was for sale and faced an uncertain future, but recent rumors indicate otherwise.
Read more…

Embarrasingly Good Bands (I Played with in 2013)

One of the best parts about playing shows is getting to hear the other bands splitting the bill. There’s far more excellent local music out there than most people know, and I’m often more excited to share the other bands’ music than my own. Here’s a quick round-up of the local bands I enjoyed playing with the most in the last year (in no particular order), so go take a listen!

Read More...

Mississippi Sawyer | Me And My Gin

Welcome back to The Dig Sessions. Today’s episode brings us the second of three songs recorded with Mississippi Sawyer. This track, entitled Me And My Gin first recorded on 25 August 1928 by Bessie Smith, contains banjo, washtub bass, washboard, harmonica, a suitcase bass drum, and a foot tambourine. This Dig Session was recorded in the Brewers Hill neighborhood of Milwaukee Wisconsin. We hope you enjoy it.

Read More...

Do You Dig It?

Hey everybody, allow me introduce myself before we get going. I’m Kent Heberling, life-long musician and first-time contributor to this site. I have an extensive music background including over a decade of cello, guitar, bass, percussion and piano performance, a pretty regular gig schedule with 3 local bands, and a B.F.A. in Music Composition & Technology. I’ll be writing about everything, because everything is what I like. Do you Dig It?

Read More...

Favorite Music Videos of 2013

My Best of 2013 coverage continues with a look at my ten favorite music videos of the year.

Read More...