James Hancock demonstrates the 12-jet diatonic hydraulophone at Stanford's school of music.
Larger models allow for duets, like this rendition of "House of the Rising Sun."
Image: YouTube / hydraulist
'Interstellar' theme played on the hydraulophone
Daft Punk splits
Electronic music duo Daft Punk is calling it quits after 28 years. The split is revealed in a YouTube video titled "Epilogue", depicting our helmeted heroes walking together in the desert. One's pace flags and he falls behind. When the other returns to check on him, an ending is determined. READ THE REST
Who remembers Columbia House Music Club?
Happy mutants of a certain age will remember Columbia House Music Club, which was extremely popular in the 70s and 80s. For a penny, you would get 8 (or 11 or 12) LPs (or tapes, 8-tracks, or CDs). Then, you had to order a number of other records at (inflated) "regular club prices" to fulfill… READ THE REST
Listen to the musical roots of the Grateful Dead
Before the Grateful Dead, there was Woody Guthrie, Elizabeth Cotten, Lead Belly, Big Mama Thornton, and countless other country, bluegrass, folk, and blues artists. Indeed, Jerry Garcia frequently praised Harry Smith's incredible Anthology of American Folk Music, released by Folkways Records in 1952, as a major influence. For many people, The Dead remain a wonderful… READ THE REST
This crazy-cool power station makes assembling power outlets a simple snap away
There's a reason why the Swiss Army knife has been an essential everyday carry item since long before the term EDC was even a thing. It appears to the Boy Scout mentality in all of us, with the utility to pull out a blade, corkscrew, nail file, or practically anything you need at a moment's notice. That… READ THE REST
It's one of the world's smallest action cameras, yet still shoots 1080p HD video
There are just some video projects that don't work well using a smartphone. Sure, video quality has continued to improve in those pocket marvels, but sometimes, you really don't want a phone in your hands and distracting your attention from what's ahead. You can keep your mind focused on the task at hand while still capturing every… READ THE REST
This 5.1-channel home theater system can turn your living room into a screening room
Some people are just soundbar people. And hey, plenty of soundbars are more than serviceable, offering up robust quality sound that makes your favorite TV shows, movies, and video games really pop. But, when you stack a soundbar next to a premium 5.1 surround-sound home theater setup? Well, the results are really night and day. It's kind… READ THE REST