PRINTMATIC.NET

Poll: Can you live without television?

Printmatic — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:30:56 +0000

I’ve noticed quite a few changes in myself in the three months that I’ve went without alcohol. Increased productivity, considerable weight loss, and better eating habits to name a few. But one additional side-effect I’ve noticed is that I’ve started to watch less and less television as the weeks go by. At first I assumed it was because I was reading and working out more and just didn’t have time for it, but as the days have passed I’ve started to feel that maybe it’s got more to do with an increased respect for how my own time on earth is spent and my current desire to learn more. I guess it goes without saying that television isn’t the greatest teacher. Truth be told, I’ve actually started to feel like I might be getting dumber just by watching television–if that’s humanly possible. So as a result, I’ve become more and more disconnected from it as of late.

While i can still watch a good sporting event, documentary, or movie, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to watch almost anything else. My television has started to routinely go 3-4 days at a time without being turned on.
Earlier this week I had a conversation with somebody and they mentioned that they didn’t even have a television in their house. Then last night I was speaking to my good friend Brother Ali and he said the same thing. I knew there were people who did it, but I would be lying if I said I knew any of them personally. It made me wonder whether I could live without television as well. I still like to watch movies, particularly when I’m working on music, but outside of that it almost feels like I’m starting to go down that path anyways. I don’t know if I can do it or not, but knowing that there are plenty of people out there doing it is very encouraging.

So I’d like to hear what everybody else feels on this topic.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Also, feel free to hit up the comments section to describe your relationship with television. I’m really curious about other people’s story.

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Blueprint interview on AudibleHype.com

Printmatic — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:30:04 +0000

click on image to view feature

Audible Hype is really good blog. I was put onto it maybe 9-10 months ago and read it faithfully. Naturally, it’s a huge compliment for me to be featured on the website and contribute to its main focus, which is to provide tools and insight for independent artists. Please check it out the interview, and if you’re an independent artist of any sort it wouldn’t be bad move to subscribe to the site via RSS. In fact, it would be a good move.

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DOWNLOAD: “Best of Blueprint” Mix

Printmatic — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:12:03 +0000

click cover to download

This past weekend I played at a festival called Tribez Vibez in Bellefountain, Ohio. It was a really cool experience and I was able to make some new fans there. In fact, I think the feedback I got after I got off the stage was some of the most inspiring feedback I’ve heard in years–really positive people! At any rate, while I was selling some CDs I realized that (as an artist that has released a lot of music over the years) sometimes it’s very hard for me to tell somebody what album to start with. So I came home determined to put together a free mix of songs that people tell me are their favorite songs from my catalog. I figure that’s better than when you buy a best of cd from the store and only realize that some major label asshole decided to only put 2-3 good songs it. If you’re new to my music this should be a perfect introduction. If you’re coming out to any of the shows on this upcoming tour then these songs should serve as a refresher for you. It’s 17 tracks long.

If you like it, feel free to share it with your friends.

Thanks for the support.

Random Facts About Touring #1

Printmatic — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:00:00 +0000

1. There are people who have to tour all year long, just so they can afford to live where they do for a few months out the year. Obviously, this depends on where you live and how expensive it is, but the irony can’t be ignored. Having to be gone all the time just to be able to be home a little bit of the time is a fucked up situation.

2. The best time for touring is the Fall and the Spring. In general, summer (except big festivals) and winter are to be avoided. The holiday season isn’t that great either. But the fall and spring are where it’s at.

3. When tours don’t come to your city it’s not the artists fault. Most people assume an artist looks at a map, thinks about what cities would like to see him play (based on how many facebook or myspace messages he gets) and puts the tour together. The truth is that the artists have very little say, and usually make no decisions about where their tour goes. Booking agents and local show promoters actually decide.

4. Some venues take a cut of artist merch sales. If it were up to the artists most of them would probably charge a lot less, but there are instances where venues charge 10%-25% markup on everything, which in turn forces the artist to raise their prices. If you’ve ever wondered why some CDs are like 20 bucks at oneconcerts and only $10 at another, that’s why. The bigger (i.e. the more corporate) the venue, the more they take out. For no other reason than they can.

5. It’s very difficult to eat well on the road. That being said, if you don’t eat particularly well at home you’re gonna be even worse when you’re on the road. If you eat well at home then you’ll be better off, even though your options for eating well wont be as good and they’ll always be more expensive.

Word is Blog

What the hell happened to my living room?

Printmatic — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:30:33 +0000

WTF?

Apparently some unknown force transformed the space that used to be my living room into a stock room of some sort.

[View with PicLens]

Rap life.

Blueprint performing at the Ohio Tribez Vibes festival Aug 28th

Printmatic — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:30:57 +0000

If you live in the Central-Ohio area, please mark your calendars. On Saturday August 28th DJ Rare Groove and I will be performing at the Tribez Vibez festival in Bellefountain, OH along with a TON of other good acts. We play at 10:15 pm sharp. Full-sized flyer w/ full line-up after the jump:

Hope to see yall out!

This is why it’s all worth it

Printmatic — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:30:46 +0000

There are times when everybody has moments of self-doubt. Lord knows I’ve had mine.

But it seems like every time that self-doubt starts to get the best of me I’m brought back to reality by the people that have allowed me to do this in the first place–the fans. Whether it’s one person or a room full of people, the result is the same–you are humbled and reminded why you go through what you do–because you love doing it, and because the people who support you give you the encouragement to continue.

Well, this weekends show at the Hip-Hoppers Holiday event in St. Louis was another one of those moments when I was reminded why it’s all worth it:

Part One:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XA0d-9S4fc

Part Two:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQgq1PzMyCM

Best crowd I’ve played to in a long time, and the event was dope. Skate ramp, Graffiti, DJs, and fresh local talent. Shout out to DJ Who, Indyground, The Earthworms, All Eyes Path, and all the other cool people I met Saturday. Can’t wait to hit the road this fall.

Blueprint Who coming very soon…

Word is Blog

Why does this exist?

Printmatic — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:30:18 +0000

all bad

I was in the grocery store today, picking up the normal stuff (eggs, bread, milk, etc.) when I came across this. It’s called Pickled Rope Bolonga.

I beg of you…please explain this ungodly creation to me…I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it.

Why does this exist?

Ceelo Green – F*@k You

Printmatic — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:35:30 +0000

Based on the fact that when I saw this song on Friday it had about 30,000 views on Youtube, and three days later it’s got over 1 million already, I think it’s safe to say Cee-Lo’s got a hit on his hands. Deservedly so because the song is great. If you haven’t peeped it already, get up on it so your friends don’t make fun of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAV0XrbEwNc

UPDATE: of course as soon as I post it i start seeing articles to support just what i was talking about. Peep this feature on mashable.com titled “Cee-lo’s ‘F**k You’ Goes Viral“

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Electric Purgatory – Tour Edition Artwork

Printmatic — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:00:03 +0000

To continue with the theme of getting ready for tour, one decision I didn’t have a difficult time making was to bring a Greenhouse CD with me. Actually, I did have a hard time choosing between volume one and volume two, but then I decided to make it a double-cd and bring both–problem solved. As an opener on a tour like this they give you a set amount of merch you can bring (only x amount of t-shirts and only x amount of CDs), so you have to be very selective about it and bring what you think makes the most sense. In the past i had brought the Iron & Niacin and Vitamins & Minerals CDs, but this time around I’ve decided to make a special 2-CD version of the Electric Purgatory CDs, with completely different artwork and everything. I got a copy of the artwork last night and I think the graphic designer did an amazing job so I wanted to post the artwork:

[View with PicLens]

If you’ve got some time check out my dude’s design blog TheDigitalArmory. He’s a good dude and does really good work.

Word is Blog