Bloggers spread the word

Screenshot of CU sophomore Aaron Leder's blog, Wasabiii

At a point in communication technology when Web sites like Facebook, Twitter and Blogger have evolved into verbs like “Facebooking,” “Tweeting” and “blogging,” it can become difficult to decipher between content worth reading and what is nothing more than info about what the author ate for lunch.

While social networking Web sites such as MySpace and Twitter generate a large following amongst college students, many put emphasis on the user as an individual—their likes, dislikes, interests and current personal anecdotes.

While blogs are by no means unpopular or overlooked in the realm of online communication, they do not seem to receive as much attention and fandom as their peer social networking Web sites, even though they may have as much, if not more, to offer.

Not just another social networking tool, blogging allows anyone with Internet access and an opinion, niche or story to share an opportunity to do so, usually free of cost. Though blogging has the potential, like any other networking site, to be nothing more than an outlet for bored students to recap the events of their weekends or share their current moods, student blogs can be a source of diverse opinions on current events, trends and, in this case, music.

Aaron Leder, a sophomore film studies major, is the creator of Wasabiii, a blog dedicated entirely to sharing his favorites in the new music scene. Leder chose Wasabiii as a title, naming it after a commonly exchanged greeting between him and his hometown Los Angeles friends. Wasabiii features links to downloadable music from a wide array of musicians, along with photos of said artists.

Leders said his passion for music coupled with his following of peer music blogs prompted him to begin a blog of his own.

“I basically did it because I was spending so much time on music blogs and I felt like I had a good sense of what makes a successful blog,” Leder said.

Though there is a significant amount of rap and hip-hop music featured on Wasabiii, there is no shortage of music from all ends of the genre spectrum, something Leder said he makes an extra effort to ensure.

“Most blogs stick to one genre but I like to think I have a very eclectic taste in music,” he said. “It just gets boring and repetitive if you only offer one genre.”

Leder said a limited scope of music is not the only component that can weaken a potentially good blog.

“Bloggers that write too much and overanalyze their opinions can make a blog unappealing. I am just a fan of simplicity,” Leder said.

Between links to tracks by artists like Chiddy Bang, Radiohead, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi and Fake Blood, one can find sporadic links to other media Leder digs. This includes clips like ones from Nike’s new skate video, “Nike SB Debacle.”

Though Leder offers brief commentary to the media he posts, voicing his opinion is not the main focus.

“I want to let the music speak for itself,” Leder said.

To check out Leder’s eclectic collection of new music, check out Wasabiii.

Similar to Leder’s Wasabiii is Michael Washington’s Live for the Funk. Washington, a sophomore pre-journalism major, posts a diverse array of downloadable music alongside artists’ photos. Washington takes a different approach from Leder, adding commentary on why he has chosen a certain artist or song to add to his blog.

Washington has a different opinion as to what makes a good blog.

“If you’re writing a true blog, it should not be about what others are liking at the time; a blog should be all about what you think and you feel,” Washington said.

Upon visiting Washington’s blog, one encounters a quote from E.E. Cummings that states, “To be nobody but yourself in a world that is doing its best day and night into making you like everybody else is to fight the hardest battle there is and never stop fighting.”

It’s an appropriate opening statement for a blog that dedicates much of its space to unique underground remixes of mainstream songs.

“I found Michael’s blog and noticed that he has a good taste in music. I tried to keep up with reading it over the summer and made a few playlists off of songs I downloaded from it,” said Sara Schoenhals, a sophomore international affairs major.

Continuing to scan through Live for the Funk, one will come across not only the original songs from such artists as MGMT and MSTRKRFT but also a wide selection of remixes of artists including Passion Pit, Radiohead and Kanye West, all personal favorites of Washington.

“I post music that I like and want to promote,” Washington said. “It’s never about the hype of a song, or whether it’s new, it’s just whatever I like at the time. I am doing it for myself more than anything.”

Though Washington said his main purpose in writing a blog is to expose music he likes, he added it is not his only motive for putting his opinions out there.

“It’s a passion for me to give music to others and help them discover new music because music has helped me so much and I want to help others have that feeling,” Washington said.

Catch a glimpse into Washington’s musical mind on Live for the Funk.

To browse through blogs or start one of your own, check out any of the following blogging sites: www.blogger.com, www.tumblr.com, www.livejournal.com, www.xanga.com.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jamie Magyar at [email protected].