nerdflavor

gorgeous days make us want to dance, even if we are wild...

latenightdramaqueen — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:15:50 -0400

gorgeous days make us want to dance, even if we are wild animals.

When Brittany gives me a valentine, she knows not to brick my...

-oddevan — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:36:23 -0500

When Brittany gives me a valentine, she knows not to brick my heart.

because it’s the freakin weekend.

latenightdramaqueen — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:11:04 -0500

because it’s the freakin weekend.

Because Love can heal the broken, here’s Like a Child,...

-oddevan — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:29:35 -0500

Because Love can heal the broken, here’s Like a Child, originally by Jars of Clay. You can grab the original on iTunes. While this has always been one of my favorites off Jars’ debut album, I’ve recently gained a new appreciation for it. Why, you may ask? Harmonies. Particularly harmonies I can pick out. So I did.

Be warned: I’m slightly above my level of vocal control, and there’s only so much auto-tune can do. Especially when you think the key is D when it’s really C and it starts correcting notes that shouldn’t be corrected and… yeah. I’ll stop there. Enjoy the music, everyone!

Remember, if you want to hear originals and request more, head on over to the nerdflavor covers playlist on Spotify.

Because all I want to hear is the message beep, here’s...

-oddevan — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:24:50 -0400

Because all I want to hear is the message beep, here’s “Feel Good Inc.” originally by Gorillaz. This one is interesting mostly because I got to be lo-fi and go crazy with filters all at the same time.

Geek notes: several GarageBand synths plus one of the supplied textures to give the piece some atmosphere. Chorus vocals were hand-tweaked and have 50% auto-tune. Verses… First verse is the Telephone Lines filter from GarageBand. Second verse is plain vocals with the rap vocal setting on the compressor. And the little “Feel good…” tag is also Telephone lines, this time with 100% auto-tune. Whew!

As a reminder, you can listen to the original versions of all the covers and make a request using the nerdflavor covers playlist on Spotify. Thanks for listening!

nerdflavor covers on Spotify

-oddevan — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:03:42 -0400

nerdflavor covers on Spotify:

If you want to hear original versions and/or request a song to cover, check out the nerdflavor covers playlist on Spotify.

Because I’m learning to accept the unexpected, here is...

-oddevan — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 21:33:37 -0400

Because I’m learning to accept the unexpected, here is “Hindsight” originally by John Reuben, available on iTunes. Honestly, I signed on to this whole cover project thing in order to broaden my musical comfort zone, but today marks a solid return to that comfort zone. Dead center, in fact; John Reuben is one of the biggest influences on my personal style, this album especially. In other words, I’m his musical clone. So if you like this, you should definitely check out my album, which is available on NoiseTrade.

Contains one GarageBand drum loop, one base synth, and one piano synth. Vocals are two tracks: the rap track has a vocal compressor and reverb, the vocal track has maximum auto-tune and a few other tricks that I didn’t bother to look at. Thank you for listening!

Because I’m far too tired to fall asleep, here’s...

-oddevan — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:39:00 -0400

Because I’m far too tired to fall asleep, here’s “Fireflies” originally by Owl City. Chances are, you didn’t need the second clause much less the second half of the second clause. Thing is, while I will admit to listening to this song far more than is healthy, there’s always been a disconnect for me between the grand production values of the original and the theme of the song, “it’s ridiculously late at night and I can’t sleep.” So for this cover I wanted to dial it back. Way back.

Brittany was gracious enough to provide the acoustic guitar. I recorded the vocals in two takes (with a pop filter this time!), and it would have been one had I remembered to record the first take in mono instead of stereo. No effects were applied. Not even auto-tune. Listen at your own risk, but thank you for listening!

Here’s the latest DIY craft from Brittany to come out of the...

-oddevan — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 08:06:37 -0400

Here’s the latest DIY craft from Brittany to come out of the nerdflavor den. The original plans called for a baby-sized hat with a couple of knots in it. Make it bigger (I do have a big head after all), and add some extra coloration on the knots and… Fox Hat!

Because Forward Motion is harder than it sounds. Seriously, how...

-oddevan — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:03:44 -0400

Because Forward Motion is harder than it sounds.

Seriously, how long ago did I say I was going to do some covers? Well, appropriately enough, here’s the first one. “Forward Motion,” originally by Relient K, available on iTunes.

Geek notes: Made in about 1.5 hours in GarageBand. I used a custom piano patch and applied ~70% pitch correction (a.k.a. “Auto-Tune”) to my vocal track.

So there’s one down. What’s next, internet-land?

A Call For Covers

-oddevan — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:02:52 -0400

So I would like to start featuring/performing some covers here on nerdflavor. We’re both suckers for good covers here. They can either re-interpret a good song in a whole new way or take the original (good or bad) to an entirely new level. To start things off, I submit the Beelzebubs’ cover of U2’s “City of Blinding Lights.”

But now I need your help. I’ve got a few ideas for things to feature and a few more ideas of covers to record, but I am only one person. Brittany’s also only one, and together that’s two. So, Internet, what songs should I cover?

a new year, a new MMM

latenightdramaqueen — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:55:08 -0500

Sorry that the holidays stole me away; I was planning on doing a special edition from Charleston when we went to see Ev’s fam, but time with the fam was more important than staring at a screen (unless it was staring WITH them at a screen, which happened a lot: rock band, mariokart, football, more football [i obviously married into the right fam!])

ANYWAYS: back to the grindstone. I present this week’s Meager Minded Monday date idea: America’s pastime. No, not baseball, America’s OTHER pastime: BOWLING. As retro as bowling is, there’s something super rewarding about getting to throw a ball as hard as you can to knock stuff down. Yes, there is some skill involved, but let’s be honest: it’s just plain fun. Especially now that most of the lanes around Greenville have some kind of smoking restriction. Gone are the days of not being able to see the pins for the cigarette haze and bad 80’s music; now you can both see the pins and enjoy 90s classics.

Personally, we love Wade Hampton Lanes on Wade Hampton. They have been consistently nice and accommodating AND on Sundays, they have a great deal: 99 cents for shoe rental and 99 cents per game per person. That means that you and your significant other could bowl two games together for less than $10, half the MMM budget allotment. I will admit, though, that you have to get there pretty early, as there is usually a wait on Sundays because of this deal. Other days, they have random specials going on, and if you go to their website, there is a link to join their mailing list and get two FREE games. Pretty great, right? And don’t forget GLOW BOWLING…

Pairing options (assuming you go to Wade Hampton Lanes and not the other two bowling options, AMF on Pleasantburg [don’t know much about them] or Tri-City Lanes in Easley [pretty fine too])

Food: Chic-Fil-A, Molinas (Mexican, pretty standard), Acropolis (Greek and Italian, DELICIOUS, less easy on the wallet but here are some coupons until the 25th), Iced (a few miles farther on Wade Hampton, but worth it; it’s a cupcake shop, and is awesome.)

Fun: Miracle Hill Thrift Store (try to find the craziest outfit to go bowling in), Kmart (because, as Ev says, “let’s face it, it’s basically a thrift store these days”)

MMM: the fourth.

latenightdramaqueen — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:04:57 -0500

So, we interrupt what WOULD have been today’s post to bring you news of a glorious place: Yogurt Mountain. Normally, I suggest an activity and then some stuff to pair it with. Today, I’m doing the opposite: stuff, with activities to pair.

Yogurt Mountain has 16 flavors of yogurt. SIXTEEN. With flavors like chocolate mint, apple pie, and cheesecake, it quickly won my heart. But there’s more! They also have add-ins that one could only dream of in a drug-induced munchie state: chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake bites, strawberry poptarts, etc. Annnnd it is pay by the oz, 45 cents an ounce. I got my fill, 5 oz, for 2.50, making this a pretty wallet-friendly option.

Activities to pair it with:

Cherrydale Cinemas (not super cheap, but you can both get in for less than 20 bucks)

Petco (wandering around, looking at animals is actually pretty fun…thanks Mere for the idea!)

Herdklotz Park (probably one of my favorite parks in the area! They have some awesome swings)

Greenville Humane Society (try not to fall in love with too many of the adorable animals, I dare you)

Meager Minded Mondays: Week Tres.

latenightdramaqueen — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 23:40:42 -0500

Do you hear that? It is the sound of me rejoicing that Tumblr (which hosts this blog) is back up after a gabazillion years (read: almost 24 hours) of going AWOL. Do you also hear that other sound? It’s the sound of my productivity (at least, in terms of school) whooshing out the window. Which means Meager Minded Mondays gets updated on time today! Down to the nitty gritty:

Improv shows.

I know what you’re thinking. (a) what a cop out! such a small niche. (b) oh….what’s that? or (and hopefully you’re in this category) (c) oh, like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Yes. to all of the above. Improv may not be your schtick, but there are several baller troupes super close, and their shows are hilarious and way affordable.

First, we have Furman’s own improvable!cause. They regularly packout the Playhouse, where they usually perform. Seriously; the fire marshal has intervened more than once. Some of my good friends have been and are currently serving on this merry band of misfits, and they are more than worth a peek. Usually their shows are free (at least, the ones on campus) and hilarious. Just remember to get there early in order to get a seat for the festivities. More info (including when they’ll be performing next term) is found here (warning: fb linkage)

Next up, for a little bit of a drive, consider Clemson’s Mock Turtle Soup. My best friend Lena went from i!c to MTS when she transferred, so they’ve GOT to be funny. Their shows are $5 each, if I’m not mistaken, and there is a $1 off coupon on their website.

Both of these troupes are on campuses, mind you, so if you’re tired of college riffraff and tomfoolery (and probably some innuendo), check out one of Greenville’s improv troupes, Laughing Stock Improv. They’re pretty funny, and have a show coming up this Saturday at Coffee Underground, so it’s a win-win! Here’s their website that you can peruse.

So some food pairing ideas:

i!c: WaHo (don’t knock it until you try it at 3am.), Thaicoon (a little pricey, but the portions will last for 2 meals), Torellis (2 massive slices and a drink for 6 bucks over lunch…you can’t ask for anything more!)

MTS: Moe’s, Mellow Mushroom (the restaurant in Clemson has a really funky building you should definitely check out), Spill the Beans for ice cream/coffee

Laughing Stock: Coffee Underground, obviously. Their food is overpriced, but usually pretty delicious. Usually this troupe will perform downtown, so there are lots of options. I will once again mention Barleys (their voodoo pasta is stellar, and calzones leave little to be desired) as well as Trios (pricey, but way delicious)

Meager Minded Mondays: Week Two!

latenightdramaqueen — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 23:41:58 -0500

Sorry for leaving you hanging last week; this school thing takes up way more time than it should. Brewerism: “Things always take longer than they do.” Oh, Dr. B, you are so wise.

Anyway, we shall now commence with week two of the 20 buck date idea! This week: dancing. Now, before you dismiss this because (1) you don’t believe in dancing, (2) you or your partner have 2 left feet, or (3) you think it’s way lame, hear me out (though, if you don’t believe in dancing, I’m not sure how you got here, as we are probably not friends!) Dancing is incredibly fun and a great way to be active and sometimes, it’s just good to get it all out there! There are lots of options for dancing in Greenville, so here’s the breakdown by type:

Salsaaaaa-admittedly, I haven’t been in a while, but the Blu Martini has salsa on Wednesday nights, and it is pretty amazing!
Swing dancing. A personal fave of mine, there is a strong swing scene here in Greenville! On Tuesday nights, $5 each will get you into the Handlebar. Go 7-8 for a group lesson, and stay 8-11 for dancing and water and fun :) If Tuesdays are a no-go, another consistent swing option is at Grille 33 @ The Channel on Thursday nights. Dancing starts at 8, and is slightly more expensive, at $6 for regular folks, but only $4 for students! (Sidenote: there is a restaurant attached to both these venues, so once you dance up a storm, eat! The Grille even has coffee, I believe, but dancing and caffeine have a love/hate relationship)
Contra dancing. Also AMAZING. If you don’t know what contra is, think about the dancing in the Jane Austen movies, but done to bluegrass and involving men in skirts and women in…well, also skirts. It is a dizzying time, and a MUST, in my opinion. Check Harvest Moon’s website for up to date info, but usually there is a Saturday dance at River Falls Lodge, which is a gorgeous drive and scenery! $8 each, worth every penny. If you can go when Beth Molaro is calling, drop what you’re doing and DO IT-she’s my favorite caller.

So there you have it-several options for dancing, all for less than $20 for you and your partner! Some pairing options for each:

Salsa or Grille 33 dance: lots of food to be had downtown! My suggestion: Barley’s Taproom. Their pizza slices are about as big as my face, and pretty cheap too! And for dessert: Luna Rosa Gelato…I worked at this fine establishment a few summers ago, and it is legitimately delicious. Split a medium cup for max $$ saving.
Swing at the Handlebar: Northgate Soda Shoppe. A cozy part of Greenville history and nostalgia, this place is homey and amazing. Also, CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER MILKSHAKES.
River Falls-Not much around the actual dance, but most likely, you will be driving through Travelers Rest to get there, so any of the local restaurants are pretty legit. Let me recommend Cafe at Williams Hardware if you have a little money to spend; it’s not super expensive, but also not dirt cheap. Make sure to go a bit in advance; full tummies and spinning do not mix especially well. If you’re looking for something a little more manageable money-wise, Little Pigs BBQ is not far out of your way, and is well worth the drive. I’m partial to the mustard base, but Ev likes the mild sauce. Help us settle this dispute in our marriage.

Meager Minded Mondays: Week One- Putt Putt

latenightdramaqueen — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:11:14 -0500

To start things off, I’ve decided to start a weekly post, outlining a date activity that can be had in Greenville for twenty bucks or less. Along with this, I’ll suggest some other options closeby to pair it with, that may or may not be also reasonably priced, but hopefully so. I wanted to start this because (1) Greenville is a baller city, and (2) dates, especially cheap ones, are even more so. WEEK ONE: Putt. Putt.

I personally LOVE minigolf. Like, seriously. Thankfully, I am not alone, and Evan likes it too. Not so thankfully, he usually beats me. Except for the time that he and I wagered a bet on the game, and I won the right to get a puppy. Anyways… There are 3 solid options for putt putt in Greenville for under $20. The first is Frankies Fun Park on Woodruff Rd. They have 3 courses, along with a shitton of other things to do. Frankies is a good option by day, but I hate Woodruff Rd, so that’s not always my favorite option. Options 2 and 3 are much more fun, in my opinion. Option 2 is an outdoor, 18 hole course at McPherson Park off N Main St. Located just a few blocks from downtown, this park itself is a gem, and the course is way fun. Oh, and its price? FREE. The only catch is that you have to bring your own clubs and ball. Don’t have any? Head to Goodwill or Play it Again Sports, and you can score some and still be well within the date budget.

Not keen in DIY? Let Charles at Falls Park MiniGolf take care of you. Located less than a block from Falls Park, this indoor puttputt venue is ridiculously amazing, and Charles is tender and hilarious. Prices are also pretty good, $5 per person, with a discount for students and kids. They supply everything, and have some food and arcade options in house.

Some accompanying suggestions:

Dining -Subway $ -Chicora Alley $$ (though if you split something, it’s def enough and cheaper) -Spill the Beans $ -Mellow Mushroom $$

Entertainment -Warehouse Theatre -Greenville Drive game -Shakespeare in the Park (seasonal) -Moonlight Movies (May/September)

Photo

-oddevan — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:12:00 -0400