Blogging is Lame.

No seriously, it is.

Which is why I never do it.

But Christine is under the weather today, and I don't have ANYTHING else to do. So here is an update. Ugh. This is exactly what I hate about it. Does everybody really think that their mundane pathetic excuse for an existence is really that interesting to everybody? It is not. There are probably four people out there genuinely want an update on what is going on with me, and I'd much rather those four people just come ask me. Whatever. You are getting it anyway.

Update commence.

Christine and I are well. We just celebrated our 2 year anniversary (of dating) last month and we are starting to look at apartments. Living in my parents basement is nice and all, but sometimes we would really rather have our own place. It is tough to find something in our price range because I am taking 15 credits at UVU this upcoming semester and will be cutting back on my hours at work. Rent is the last thing I want to have to worry about right now, but we are looking anyway.

I am still at X96, though not very often. I go in on Saturday mornings and getting more and more of that much needed experience to go on a resume.

Andy and I went to Seattle in November to hang out with Saba and see an AC/DC concert. I took my digital SLR camera and practiced my photography quite a bit (I'll be taking a photography class this semester as well.) I have decided Seattle is definitely in my top 5 favorite places I've been, and the concert was ridiculously awesome. And I finally got to see Kurt Cobain's former house and de-facto memorial bench ("Oh Trevor that is so cliche, Nirvana and Cobain are so overrated." You shut up. Nirvana has been my favorite band for years and its too late for you to change it now.)

I just finished my Associates Degree (Associates of Science in Communication) and am now working on the BS in Journalism. My target date for graduating is December 2010. This semester I'm taking a Digital Audio class, a Digital Photography course, a Digital Cinema course, a class about legal proceedings in journalism, and I'll be continuing my internship at the station. Over the summer I hope to do another internship, but this time somewhere in public broadcasting (PBS, KUED, KRCL, KUER, NPR, Public Radio International), which is where I would really like to end up working after I graduate.

I don't really like to make "new years resolutions" per say, but I do like to set goals for myself to achieve during the upcoming year (I know, its the same thing right? Well its not to me. "Resolution" just has a negative connotation. I prefer simple goals). In 2009 I would really like to lose this damn twenty pounds I have put on since high school, it is really getting in the way. I also want to get back to playing music regularly. I was is bands throughout middle school and high school, and since then I have yet to get back into it (aside from the occasional jam session). I really want to focus on my bass playing, because I have become extremely sloppy in the past few years. I can't justify nine guitars in my room and almost $3000 in amps just sitting around collecting dust, so I'm either going to utilize them or get rid of them. This year is all about time. It should be a pretty interesting challenge to balance 15 credits at school, 24-32 hours a week at work, and regularly playing/writing/recording music while still maintaining enough time for Christine and I to spend time together. I'll figure it out though. I usually do. Although one thing usually suffers though. This year I'll try to make the things that suffer different (or even nonexistent).

Anyway, I'm done writing now. I hope you are done reading.
Later Jerkz

Proposition 8 Rally in Salt Lake

Andy and I went to Washington Square last Saturday and filmed people at the Proposition 8 Rally (put on by "Join the Impact"). This is the resulting video.

A Few Interesting Items

• 97.9 "The Breeze" which has featured the glorious genre of smooth jazz for years has now changed their format to "smooth adult contemporary."
  Smooth Jazz accounted for 80% of my radio listening during the day, and I attribute most of my good moods solely to the soothing sounds of James Taylor, Steve Cole, and Boney James.
  Now the station is playing insufferable drivel that is similar to what is heard on FM100 and KOSY.
  Apparently the entire radio industry is making this type of change... Screw America's financial crisis, fix this first please!!!!
  http://deseretnews. com/article/1,5143,700259705,00. html

• Salt Lake county is looking for 1000 more poll workers for the next presidential election.
  It is "volunteer" work but you get a MINIMUM of $120 for the day.
  As long as you are a legal resident and registered to vote you can do it.
  Why not eh?
  http://www. clerk. slco. org/elections/votePollWorker. html

• Micheal Moore is releasing his next documentary "slacker uprising" for free download in the U.S. and Canada in hopes of inspiring young voters.
  The movie takes place prior to the 2004 election while Moore was unsuccessfully trying to get George W. Bush removed from office. "My goal was to help turn out a record number of young voters and others who had never voted before," said Moore in an email to his newsletter subscribers. "That part was a success. Young adults voted in greater numbers than in any election since 18-year-olds were given the right to vote. And the youth vote was the only age group that John Kerry won."
  It will be released on Tuesday September 23rd and you can sign up for a free download at http://slackeruprising. com/
  "It was clear that young people were the ones who were going to save the day," said Moore. "Just as they are in this year's election."
  

Day 4 Denver

Well... Day 4 was actually yesterday... I am home now ... but here is what I did yesterday on the final day of my trip with RFH.

Woke up late again... went to breakfast at some crepe place. (And here is the highlight of my day) where I found out about ChaCha. Yea... if you have not heard of this then text a question to 242242 (chacha) and a live person at a computer will try to find the answer for you. Totally awesome. Very useful in social/argumentative situations (stupid tony, Ray Bradbury is not dead).

Then we went to the final seminar.. which was pretty weak since most everyone had left already. We just watched a video of what everyone thought were the best radio bits of the past 20 years.

Afterwards Richie, Booster, Tony, Kerry, Bill, Sue and I went some rock 'n roll cafe and had lunch....

After lunch we (Tony, Bill, Kerry, Sue and I) went and saw Pineapple Express (yea it doesn't even come out for 3 days.. but we are members of the media so we totally got to see it before you). It was alright... kind of disappointing... not worth more than a matinée ticket if you do go see it.

Once it was over Kerry and Bill got on a plane and Tony and I drove home. He told me about super heroes he has invented over the years. Not a bad time. Got home at about 3 AM.

That was it... my whole trip.

Now here are those pictures I promised. Nothing really great... you could probobly just stop looking here.

Day 3 Denver

Wow... now this was a grueling day. Here is the gist of what happened.

Woke up late... showered in 5 minutes and ran down to seminar #1 "Essentials of a Great Morning show"... which was cool.. i actually learned alot. Tony and I skipped the next class which was on a ratings system that wont me used in our market for another two years or somethings... meh... we walked a bit around Denver... found a 7-11 and a record store... then walked back.

There was a big luncheon with some salmon and some Billy Gardel (comedian). He was actually pretty damn funny.. you should check him out on youtube or something.

After that there was a Rock Forum that Bill moderated. That was really cool... we got to watch every rock radio morning show argue about what they thought were the best strategies... Kerry even called BJ (A really big on-air personality in California ... I think) stupid... right to his face... it was awesome. Also learned a ton here

Right after that was over we attended a presentation entitled "10 ways to become the next million dollar morning show" (or something like that). Jerry from the "Jeff and Jer" show (top morning show in San Diego) talked for two hours about blah blah blah... he tried to be funny... but blah blah it was kind of lame...

Richie, Booster, Bill, Tony, and I went to Cheesecake Factory afterwards. I would have never gone... but Richie said he would pay for a couple meals for Tony and I since we are getting raped in the parking lot (... with the $17 a night ... not like... really rap.e...d.) So I figured with the conference coming to a close I better take advantage of it quickly.

Then just now we recorded an hour of show to air on Monday morning. I think they are planning to do 15 minutes at the top of every hour of the show or something. Luckily this time they strayed away from my sleeping arrangements as a topic of discussion.

One more day... I'm sorta bummed it is almost over... but I am ready to get back home to my Christine.

I'll post pictures on my blog maybe like Sunday.

I'm tired now. Goodbye.

Jerk.

Day 2 Denver

So day 2 was full of good times.


I woke up with a bed to myself. (with 4 people and 2 beds that is a pretty big accomplishment).


I went to classes/lectures for most of the day... they were really cool and I learned a ton. I especially enjoyed the "producer's forum".... except I am pretty sure the moderator was on cocaine... oh well.


The classes are sooooooooooo cold. I keep getting the seat right underneath the air conditioner and am wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I am so cold it is ridiculous.. my fingers were going numb.


The day ended with a huge get together with poker and open bar. Tony and I played Halo and he dominated the Texas Hold 'em tourny.


Be sure to listen to tomorrow's Radio From Hell. Between 7-8 I believe they will air what we just recorded, it is awesomely funny.

See ya tomorrow!

p.s.

I'll post some pictures later

Day 1 Denver

Excerpts from Day 1 in Denver at Morning Show Bootcamp with Radio From Hell...

8 hours with Tony in a car = Less crap music than expected. Much more stink than anticipated. (no really like farting... from him).

Parking = SUUUUUCK town. $17 PER DAY!!! at the Westin. Total Suck.

4 People in one room = not sure yet really... to be seen.

Successfully recorded an hour of show to send back to X96 to air tomorrow so listen for that. Kerry and Bill were intoxicated (so the show was three times funnier than normal).

Basketball = I lost in PIG, but won two games out of three with Me/Richie vs Tony/Booster (oh trevo you won against a team with a girl on it big whoop.. STFU YOU!)

Anyway... I am in the lobby right now (free wireless internet) because it costs $10 PER DAY, PER COMPUTER to have internet in our room. Yea... lifestyles of the rich and famous... only i'm not rich... and not famous....

I will post some pictures tomorrow

Buddy is Back!!

For anyone that was following my horrible luck with Buddy (Scooter) I just wanted to announce that I finally fixed the problem (without having to buy an entire new engine)!

For those who don't know... here is the short version. I was trying to change out my variator weights. I took the front pulley assembly off multiple times trying to get it right.... I was using an air gun ... too many tries w/ no lubrication = I completely stripped the crank shaft bolt.

I had quite a few suggestions given to me including:
1. Re-thread (which kind of worked... but I am still missing the outermost 3 threads because there was just not enough metal to make them).
2. Grind the shaft down and thread it at the next size down.
3. Drill a hole in the middle of the shaft and tap it. Cut off the front part of the shaft and put a bolt in (which would hold the variator on).

Finally... after almost 3 weeks of not scooting (see: hell) I decided to put it together the best I could (which actually seemed pretty tight despite the missing few threads) and tack weld the flange nut on. When I need to replace the weights again I can easily grind it off and repeat. Kind of a make-shift repair... but I can't afford the $700 engine/transmission replacement that the dealer quoted me.

In conclusion, everything works like before and I am ecstatic! I will not be performing any upgrades or ever doing anything mechanically to Buddy again. I just have too much bad luck. Anything more than oil changes will be going to the dealer.

Scoot on Bro

MSBC & Birthday Ideas?

I am going to Denver next week for 5 days for the annual Morning Show Boot Camp with Radio From Hell. I will be sharing a two bed hotel room with Richie (RFH Producer), Booster (Richie's Girlfriend), Tony (other intern), and possibly Steen. I will be spending 8 hours a day in conferences, workshops, forums, and lectures... but I couldn't be more excited. I will finally have something worthy of talking about once fall semester starts and all my lame teachers have everyone stand up and tell the class what we did for the summer. (College = Third Grade).

In other news I turn 21 in two months. I don't really know what I want to do yet... The Foo Fighters are playing in Vegas at the Hard Rock right on my birthday... maybe I'll go to that. Any ideas?

Totally just met D Will

Sure did.

You did not.

Sucks.

Mid Summer Quandary

Which Bass Guitar should I get? Currently I have a Fender P-bass, Fender Jazz bass, and an ESP LTD B-104. I have been looking for something substantially more "high end." I have landed on these two basses.

Left = Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray
Right = G&L L-2000

Cost is about the same on the two. Both were designed by Leo Fender and are crafted in the US. Please just tell me which one to get because my indecisive tard-self can't do it.

Are you kidding me?

So have you heard the new offspring song? Well if you have you may have recognized the bass line. That is because it is the exact same riff Krist Novoselic of Nirvana recorded about 17 years ago.

Offspring Song is Total Nirvana Rip-Off


And while you are at it go listen to the new Atreyu song "Falling Down."
White Stripes "Rag and Bone" = Intro
Wolfmother "Joker and the Their" = Bridge

wow... I really need to stop listening to the radio and getting angry.

In other things angry I was supposed to go see Mars Volta play last night. Me and Andy drove all the way out there (Great Saltair in MAGNA) to find an empty parking lot. Sure enough it was postponed to a later date. Hey thanks for letting me know Smiths Tix. Jerks.

Summer > Winter

As many of you know I originally started this blog to get extra credit in on of my media writing classes. Well that class is over now and I have let the blog sit for almost a month. I think I am going to take it in a little bit of a different direction now. Previously the majority of my entries have been movie reviews. I will still do a couple movie reviews, but from now on the blog will simply be a way for me to tell you what is happening in the world of Trevo.


You may or may not know that I am an avid scooter enthusiast and have been an owner for exactly one year last week. I drive a Genuine Buddy 125. I enjoy driving it immensely. It gets about 95 miles per gallon of gas and reaches speeds of about 65 miles per hour. This brings me to my first rant.
I recently purchased a motorcycle jacket to wear while scooting. I have only been wearing it for one week and already I have been ridiculed twice for wearing it. People think I am over-protected or trying to just look cool. There are a few things I don't think that they realize. This scooter goes just as fast as all the other traffic on the road I drive on. I am smaller than a regular motorcycle and therefore less likely to be seen (especially at night since it is black). I have the potential to be in just as bad of wrecks as any other motorcyclist and I think that merits the protection! The asphalt does not care what I am driving, neither does the hood of a car. Just because it has a cute little name "scooter" and you see idiots riding them with no helmet and sandals on does not mean they are any more safe than any other motorcycle. Sliding on the road at 60 mph hurts just as much off of a scooter as it does off of a bullet bike. All I have to say to you people is to please open the door of your car at 45 mph and jump out. Then let me know how well you faired.

Another short scoot story from today. So I took my scoot in for it's yearly safety inspection. Luckily this only costs $9, but it is still a bit of a rip because all they do is make sure your lights are working. Unfortunately all of mine were not. My tail light worked but my brake light did not. The guy at the shop told me he could sell me one of theirs for $4.50 or I could go down the street to autozone and get one for a couple bucks cheaper. I took his advice, went to autozone and replaced the light. I went back to the shop and they passed buddy. Now, here is a side note. I usually get a discount at this place when I do safety & emissions on my truck there because of the place I work. So, as you can imagine I was curious if I would also get a discount on the scooter's inpspection. So I asked the guy and he just rolls his eyes and said "dude, it's only 9 bucks." I wanted to scream in his face "you just sent me down the street to save a dollar on the light bulb and I did it, I am obviously a tight wad now give me a dollar off this ish!" Well, I didn't get the discount but whatev, his demeanor just pissed me off.

In other news I recently started an internship at the Radio From Hell morning show at X96. It has been extremely fun and I have learned a ton. I am currently working on digitizing some old shows from the early 90's so we can use them on the upcoming 5000th episode. I have also been editing the episodes for the podcast (available for free on iTunes). You can see my little intern bio on their website here.
I have to wake up at 5 o'clock in the morning every Tuesday and Thursday and have been riding the trax all the way down there. This should provide for some interesting stories as well.

As far as school goes I am almost done with an Associates of Science degree in Communication. I should have that in December. Then from there I will continue to get a Bachelors of Science in Communication with an emphasis in Journalism. I really still don't know what I want to do... but whatever it is it will be in the field. Hopefully.

Now you are relatively caught up and you can look forward to more of my annoyance incidents.

Update

The Trevonation blog has reached 20 posts. That is quite the milestone wouldn't you say? I guess I have not written as many "commentary" posts as I would have liked. It has been mostly movie reviews. I just like movies you know. I did a few concert reviews OK so leave me alone.

There has been a serious lack in quality movies to review as of late. As such I have not had much to review. I shall soon be forced to start writing about my opinion on things other than movies and concerts. Let us hope that Hollywood kicks into gear soon and gives me something to write about before that happens.

Thanks to everyone who actually reads this. You are all so completely silent... I can only assume you are actually out there.

Here is something to watch while you are putting off writing your research paper. This 22-year old pre-med student has started posting his take on random news stories on YouTube. He is pretty funny/clever and has a better news voice than Tom Brokaw. www.phillyd.tv

Jimmy Eat World Concert

Arizona native rock band Jimmy Eat World played to a full house at UVSC's McKay Events Center Monday. The general admission area was full and almost every seat in the house had an occupant. After 15 years and 6 albums it seems Jimmy Eat World has finally achieved a decent sized fan-base.

The band played the same venue only about 3 1/2 years ago to merely half the amount of people. This time though they were able to virtually sell-out Orem's largest concert venue.

The songs the band played spanned their long career. They even dusted off some old gems sung by guitarist Tom Linton (who was the bands front man in the very early stages). The real highlights though were when charismatic lead singer Jim Adkins took over the microphone. They band played some classic radio hits like "A Praise Chorus" and "Sweetness" from 2001's Bleed American before moving into the well received new material from their latest album Chase this Light. Recent hits like "Let it Happen," and "Dizzy" had the crowd singing along in droves. Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams even sang back-up vocals during the song "Always Be."

Opening acts included fellow Arizona indie rock band Dear and the Headlights (no really that is how it was spelled) and the Grammy-nominated Tennessee pop rock band Paramore.

Dillinger Escape Plan Concert

"It's been a few years since we've been here," said Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato Saturday night at the Avalon Theater. "It is good to be back." And oh how good it was.

Dillinger completely tore up the stage at their first concert in Utah in 5 years. With little or no introductions they blistered through a carefully crafted set list that satisfied fans new and old. Songs included "Baby's first Coffin" and "Setting Fire to Sleeping Giants" from their 2004 release Miss Machine and "Sugar Coated Sour" and "43% Burnt" from their 1999 debut album Calculating Infinity. The majority of the set list however was derived from the band's latest effort Ire Works. The intensity on stage multiplied when the band exploded into new songs like "Fix your Face" and "Milk Lizard."

Perhaps I can give you an image of how this concert went down. During the last song this was the placement of band members. Guitarist Ben Weinman headbanging atop a stacked amplifier and lighting fixture. Drummer Gil Sharone murdering his drums with relentless power. Vocalist Greg Puciato 20 feet in the air on top of the house PA system. Guitarist Jeff Tuttle mid-crowd facing his band mates. Bassist Liam Wilson... well OK he doesn't move around that much, but whatever he was doing I'm sure it justified the handlebar mustache he sports.

I would say this concert demolished ever other metal concert I have ever been to. Although the crowd was relatively small, it only made for a greater chance to experience Dillinger. And it was just that, and experience. I was extremely disappointed to see about 15 people walk out sporadically throughout the set. These losers obviously only came to see The Bled. Now don't get me wrong... The Bled put on a great show. They definitely did not even come close to the 10 year veterans in Dillinger though.

Other opening acts included Salt Lake local band And Embers Rise (pretty standard linear metal, very talented guitarist), and Heavy Heavy Low Low from San Jose. Heavy Heavy Low Low was a perfect opener for Dillinger. They were the only band that actually appealed to the style of music I had come to see. If you are a fan of Dillinger, Botch, The Red Chord type music... check them out.

(photo courtesy of www.myspace.com/dillingerescapeplan)

Happy Valley

Beautiful scenery. Low crime rates. Tons of Mormons. Doesn't this sound like a nice place? Well that's exactly what they want you think. Just don't pay attention to the fact that anti-depressant usage here is double the national average, and that there is a one teen minimum drug overdose death per week in "Happy Valley."

First time documentary director Ron Williams delves into the unseen but massive drug addictions that people refuse to acknowledge in Utah County. This idea came to him while trying to track down and rehabilitate his ex-wife and re-unite his daughter with her mother.

The film splices together a series of stories. Stories from the straight "A" students, the church leaders, and seemingly problem-less community. These stories involve addiction, denial, guilt, suffering, and often death. It is a unique and needed perspective that has been rightfully brought to light in hopes of creating awareness and getting help.

The film is little rough around the edges, and you can definitely see it is an independent film. It did win "Best Film" at the Breckenridge Film Festival in 2007 though... I think the story is so engrossing that the minor editing flaws go unnoticed.

Happy Valley will introduce you to people you never knew, and maybe even some you recognize. All of whom are intertwined in the world of prescription & street drug abuse. This world is definitely worth knowing about. "People need to stop looking through the window and start looking in the mirror." (my favorite quote from the movie.)

I am always a sucker for documentaries. I don't think I have ever seen one I didn't like... so maybe this will not interest you as much as it did me. This one is a little different though. Although it is set in Utah, Williams says it could have been filmed in any city. It's purpose is to educate people in hopes that it will help somebody. If you can sit through an hour and a half of drug addiction/abuse stories it is definitely worth a matinée ticket.

3/5 Stars

21

You may have heard the general story. A group of MIT students form a team to count cards and go to Vegas to win it big. Now that is all you should take into this movie. Although it is loosely based on the book "Bringing Down The House," that book was also loosely based on the true events. (For the comprehensive true story click here). So don't listen to everyone who is saying that the story is distorted beyond belief. It is... but that is not the point. Take this movie for what it is. It is not a documentary of the true events. It is not a word-for-word adaptation of the book. It is however an AWESOME movie that is inspired by true events.

21 follows MIT student Ben Campbell (Jim Strugess, Across the Universe) as he struggles to find a way to pay for Harvard Medical School. He is reluctantly recruited by a team formed by the manipulative, conniving, yet lovable MIT professor Mickey Rosa (Keven Spacy, Superman Returns among many other things). The team masters the art of card counting, forms a system of code words and gestures to avoid getting caught, and takes their "business" on the road.

The team flies to Vegas every weekend and makes a fortune. Their strategy however is slowly being caught onto by Cole Williams (Laurence Fishburne, you know.. Morpheus) a casino security manager who's job is steadily being phased out by new face recognition technology.

21 is extremely fun to watch with a fast paced story and excellent performances. The cinematography aint to shabby either. Especially the Vegas scenes. The dialogue is smart and cool. Flawless editing. There is a pretty unneccessary love story between Ben and another team member... and the ending seems just a bit contrived (but in a good movie-way)... but overall I thought it was definitely the best movie to hit the theaters in 2008 so far. Worth a full price evening ticket.

4/5 stars

Run Fatboy Run

Yeeeeaaa Simon Pegg. Did you like Shaun of the Dead? How about Hot Fuzz? Well then you will "meh" all over Run Fatboy Run.

While Pegg's witty comedic writing is present in Run, it is only about 5 parts Simon Pegg hilarity and about 15 parts run-of-the-mill romantic comedy. Especially in the last half hour of the movie.

Run Fatboy Run is about a mall security guard Dennis (Pegg), who literally ran away from his pregnant would be wife Libby (Thandie Newton) at the alter 5 years ago. Dennis finds out that Libby is dating a new man Whit (Hank Azaria, who's best role is still The Blue Raja in Mystery Men) and realizes that he wants her back. In an attempt to win back the woman he loves Dennis decides to run a marathon that Whit is running in.

David Schwimmer (you know Ross from Friends) makes his major film directing debut with Run, and does a decent job. I mean it wasn't horrible. It wasn't amazing by any means, but he didn't ruin it. There were a few slapstick Friends type moments that I'm sure were his idea. It will be interesting to see what his next project is, and if he decides stay within the confides of your everyday date flick once again.

I guess I am really making this one sound worse than it is. I just had really high expectations. It is a great movie to take the lady to, she will like it. Maybe. Despite everything I didn't like Simon Pegg is a big redeeming quality. Dennis Moran also delivers some pretty funny/awkward moments as Dennis's best friend Gordan. The last half hour like I said though, turns completely into every other underdog/get the girl movie you have ever seen.

I would say it is worth a matinée ticket. If you are pretty strapped for cash you wont miss anything if you wait til the dollar theater.

3/5 stars

Explosions in the Sky Concert

My back still hurts. The doors didn't even open until an hour after they were supposed to. The opening band didn't even start for thirty minutes after that. Lots of standing. Not moving around just standing in place. It was painful, but it was definitely worth it.

Texas instrumental band Explosions in the Sky played for the first time in Utah in 5 years Monday at In the Venue. After a quick "Thank You" from guitarist Munaf Rayani the crowd was mesmerized for the duration of the hour-long set. And rightfully so. Explosions put on an amazing performance.

Explosions in the Sky is an ambient rock instrumental group. The band features 3 guitarists (Rayani, Mark Smith, and Michael James [who plays bass for about half the songs]) and a drummer (Chris Hrasky). There is no front man, there is no lead singer. There actually is no singing at all. Explosions relies on shear musical ability and technical innovation to create their records. Their passionate guitar riffs and cinematic drum parts combine to form a musical entity that has been compared by many to indie acts such as Mogwai and Sigor Ros.

Even with all of the effects and looped guitar parts the band was able to deliver a spot on performance. I don't think I have ever heard a band play so flawlessly. This was not only an impressive feat in and of itself, but also due to the fact that it was one of the most emotionally intense performances I have experienced as well.

If you have never heard of Explosions in the Sky you should definitely check them out. I have been a huge fan since being turned on to them in High School. They are the most relaxing/interesting/thought provoking thing this side of smooth jazz.