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Posts Tagged ‘freebies’

  1. Come on, Feel the Noise!

    May 8, 2013 by admin

     noisetrade

    We’ve mentioned Noisetrade in conjunction with holiday music, but we also want you to know that we recommend this source the whole year-round.  Noisetrade posts 5 or more full albums for free download every week.  Since the albums remain available for several weeks from the initial posting, at any given moment there are hundreds of offerings available for you to download.

    It’s a great way to get access to what we used to call the ‘deeper cuts’- tracks that aren’t considered radio-friendly, but go further into the genuine musical direction of an artist.  Noisetrade has also been gaining momentum with established musicians, who have been releasing EP’s and Official Bootlegs through the site.  Recently, we’ve picked up tunes from Amanda Palmer, The Presidents of The United States Of America and FUN. – to name just a few.POTUS

    Noisetrade encourages you to leave a ‘Tip’ when you download anything, a dollar amount of your choice that goes to support the artist in question.  We encourage this, too.  But it is not required.

    Check out Noisetrade and find yourself some new music!


  2. All the News that’s Fit to Print

    March 16, 2013 by admin

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    In 2011, the New York Times (NYT) switched from completely free online access to their content, to a limitation of only 20 articles a month.  At that point, we moved from our position of devoted reader to peeved consumers.  We did not decide to subscribe to NYT.  Instead, when we now hit their wall, we find workarounds, or we Google a story’s headline to find another news site’s take on the current event.

    The NYT is not alone in making the decision to charge for content.  Many other news sites have followed suit and now limit a reader’s access.  But charging for unlimited online perusal isn’t going to save these sites readership.  Instead, all it does is push their audience further away from choosing one specific news site as the source for all the day’s news.  The move to charge actually erodes readers’ loyalty.

    We are not going to be forced into paying for something that used to be free, unless we’re offered a unique twist or perk.  Just presenting unlimited access to news for a fee doesn’t work for us.  The NYT writers aren’t so unique that their articles compel us to subscribe.  Instead, we scan the content for the sources that are specific to NYT and open only those under our free access.  And we move offsite for all the other tidbits.  We remain annoyed at NYT and those other news sites that have created a barrier to what was once free.

    Our top 3 favorite, completely free, sources for news include:

     

    Do you subscribe and pay for your online news?  If so, what made you decide to do it?


  3. A Song In Your Heart

    March 14, 2013 by admin

    IMG_7825The South-By-Southwest (SXSW) music conference in Austin is one of the biggest annual events for the music industry.  Don’t miss out on all the fun!  Try these sources for a full assortment of SXSW mp3s:

    http://www.npr.org/2013/03/01/173275533/the-mix-the-austin-100

    http://diffuser.fm/sxsw-2013-free-mp3-downloads-starter-kit/

    http://www.spin.com/articles/sxsw-south-by-southwest-2013-free-download-mixtape-bbq

    http://noisetrade.com/pastemagazine/hgtvpaste-sxsw-2013-sampler

    http://www.amazon.com/Polyvinyl-Sxsw-2013-Sampler/dp/B00BQBPOVM

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BRZOVOS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BRZOVOS&linkCode=as2&tag=madcenhigschc-20

    Grab some great free tunes while you can! A lot of these links will expire during April 2013.

    Fair warning:  If you download all these hundreds of tracks, you’ll find a few duplicates.

    *As always, ThriftyRambler only posts legal free downloads!


  4. The Ian Tilmann Foundation

    February 16, 2013 by admin

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    We can’t begin to comprehend the anguish and pain of a parent when faced with the loss of their child. The Tilmann family found a way to channel their grief when confronted with such a loss, and to celebrate their deceased son, with the creation of a stupendous organization that helps kids and adults all around the world.

    When 28 year old Ian Tilmann died in 2005 as a result of a skateboarding accident, his parents learned that his injuries might have been less severe had he been wearing a helmet.   Marcy and Barry Tilmann decided to find a way to spare other families from dealing with similar tragedies.

    IMG_0787The Ian Tilmann Foundation (ITF) will send you a free skating or bicycle helmet for you or your child.  All you have to do is make a promise to wear it.  ITF will accept any donation you may choose to offer, at any time, to support their foundation.  And they also host skating events and support skate parks!

    We got Plum her first skateboard helmet from ITF in 2008.  We spoke with Marcy on the phone, and we were delighted by her friendliness and the concern she had that Plum would get the best helmet for her needs.  Plum was delighted with her helmet when it arrived and she has worn it with pride ever since.

    We will soon be contacting ITF again to get new helmets for the growing heads of Plum, and now our Bluey.  We strongly support the Ian Tilmann Foundation and we suggest you check them out, too!  There is NO acceptable excuse to not wear a helmet!

    Spring skating and biking season are coming.  Is your helmet ready?


  5. Suddenly, I Hear A Symphony

    January 23, 2013 by admin

    IMG_1476Our Plum took up violin at school this year.  She is incredibly interested in music but doesn’t have a particular focus at the moment.  She had violin lessons when younger, then singing, then guitar, and now she’s back to violin.  We love being able to offer her opportunities to experience all genres of music.  Recently, we’ve begun trying to locate live music events to attend that are age appropriate.

    The Madison Symphony Orchestra is one of the only symphonies in the nation to open up rehearsal sessions to the general public free of charge!  It is a tremendous educational opportunity for both young and old.  Since the rehearsal is free, there is no guilt for leaving early if you aren’t enjoying it, or if you have a child that just can’t sit still for too long.  We ended up leaving after the first hour, but not because we weren’t having a good time—it just got too late in the evening for our family.

    We had thought that the audience would be comprised mostly of high school and college music students.  Oddly enough, Plum was the only young person in attendance, surrounded by middle aged adults.  When the doors opened, ushers helped everyone find a seat in one reserved section of the theater.   We settled in while the musicians were warming up with scales, and tuning their instruments.  Then, with limited introduction, the conductor got down to business.  The orchestra played an entire piece,   heard feedback from the conductor’s assistant, and then replayed only certain sections.

    After the first piece, half the players were dismissed, and a smaller contingent stayed on to rehearse a Beethoven Piano Concerto with Gabriela Montero.  Ms. Montero played at President Obama’s first inauguration alongside Yo Yo Ma.  The Beethoven piece was definitely more rousing than the first piece and managed to really engage our Plum.  When we were ready to go, we waited for a break when the orchestra stopped playing, and then snuck out quietly.Overture-Center

    The Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Open Dress Rehearsal is a fantastic way to expose children to the symphony, to get a chance to see a live show that you might otherwise not be able to afford, or as an option for a great budget-friendly date night!  Check out their schedule and get on the reserved list!  Plum is already asking about when she can go again.


  6. Ho Ho Holiday Tunes!

    December 1, 2012 by admin

    It’s time to track down all the new holiday music!

    Last year, we opened up our own “Holidaze” Playlist in November, and noticed that it held over 750 songs.  So we challenged ourselves—could we find the 250 songs we’d need to bring it up over 1000?

    Challenge Answered!  At the end of last season, our song list topped 1200 holiday tunes.  We could run our own little Christmas radio station right out of our house.

    Where did we pick up over 300 new and free holiday songs in less than 6 weeks?  It was easier than you might think.

    Our secrets to getting a ton of Holiday songs for Free:

    • Amazon: It’s not up yet, but Amazon hosts “25 Days of Free” each December.  Every day features a new song, usually by a top artist.
    • iTunes: Each week, between now and the New Year, the iTunes store offers one or two holiday songs by well-known music stars- this week it’s Rod Stewart!
    • NME: Britains New Music Express offers a free Mp3 a day, and features many holiday tunes this month.
    • Music blog I am Fuel/ You Are Friends offers numerous free mp3s all year long, but in December they trend towards Holiday songs.  Great covers and original ditties abound.
    • Noisetrade:  Already Noisetrade has offered free holiday albums by Sufjan Stevens, Over The Rhine, and Fiction Family.  What else will they offer?  Check them out and find out.
    • BBC: This music blog on the BBC is offering holiday tunes each day in December.  Some of the tunes are direct downloads, some of them you have to go to the band website or somesuch for a download, but they are all free.  Many of these are from European bands you may not have heard before.

     

    As we find new sources for holiday tunes, we’ll update or list.


  7. You Spin Me Right Round

    October 25, 2012 by admin

    If you’re like us, you love music.  One of our great secrets is www.spinner.com.  A fabulous source of music news and free mp3s.

    Spinner definitely focuses on the indie/alternative end of the music spectrum, which is just great for our punky, twee-girl loving family.  We grew up straining to bring in WLIR on our New Jersey radios, so Spinner is right up our alley.

    Tip: Don’t confuse Spinner with SPIN Magazine.  Although the names are similar, Spinner is your go-to for up-and-coming bands.  SPIN will keep you updated on the more corporate end of the music spectrum.

    Unlike some other big music websites, Spinner doesn’t hide its mp3 collection.  In plain sight, at the top of the main page, you’ll see the ‘MP3 of the Day’ link.

    Click on the mp3 link and you’ll get to not just the latest mp3, but a backwards rolling collection of months and months of free mp3s.  Spinner offers advice on what each band ‘sounds’ like, or is related to.  But you don’t have to take Spinner’s word for it.  You can listen to every song before you download it, if you like.  Or just grab them all and see which ones resonate for you.

    These are not bands you’ll hear very often on the radio (unless you have a good college station nearby.)

    While you are grabbing all those free mp3’s, check out the rest of Spinner’s extensive website.  You can stream full albums by tons of artists, read about strange music legends, and scan the Spinner “Top Songs” lists.  Catch up on your music news and tour info, or even listen to Spinner Radio.

    Search through the site and report your favorite finds back to us.  Right now, we’re off to check their list of the best sad songs.


  8. Holy Cow! The World Dairy Expo

    October 3, 2012 by admin

    The World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, is a week-long event featuring cows from all over the world brought here by people who come to show off their products, livestock, and ideas related to the dairy industry.  It is the biggest trade-show that we’ve ever attended.  We had a tremendous time exploring the numerous buildings chock full of countless exhibits, including the coliseum housing the  judged shows.  And we never did see the whole thing by the time we called it a day!

    The Dairy Expo can get expensive as admission is $10 for anyone over age 13.  But parking is included in the price!  Either bring your own food or explore the offerings carefully before purchasing something.  We spent $1.50 for a small cup of decent ice cream only to discover that another booth offered large chocolate shakes for just $1!

    Tip:  Passes are available from exhibitors, so if you know anyone showing a cow, or running a booth, see what they can do for you. (Thanks, Steven, for our free passes!)

    The Expo can be broken down into four main areas: the Exhibit Halls, the Animal Barns, the Coliseum, and Outside.

    The Exhibit halls have all the great trade booths with many fun freebies.  There are obvious give-aways, like pens and candy bars, at most booths.  Select booths have ‘secret’ giveaways- limited supply special items that they’ve tucked away.  The exhibitors only give these to people that ask for them, or that engage the booth sincerely.  Last year, Bluey scored a wonderful stuffed cow when the young ladies running a booth were overwhelmed by his charm.  This year, both Bluey and Plum got the inside edge  on a high quality toy pickup truck from a trade-man that was pleased with our kids’ questions about his product.  Bluey and Plum were thrilled to take their toy trucks home!  Once you start talking and making friends at the Expo, good things will happen.

    The Animal Barns host the hundreds of cows from all over the world.  We loved walking through the barns and meeting the cows and owners.  There is much camaraderie and dedication to witness in the barns.  Most of the farmers are very friendly and will tell you all about their cows, if you give them a chance.  You’ll also get an opportunity to see how the cows get primped and preened for their trip to the show ring.

    The Coliseum contains the show rings as well as a number of additional exhibit booths.  It’s a good place to take a break from walking around by watching some beautiful cows get paraded around.

    The rear Outside areas are mainly food tents and scattered picnic tables.  The front outside areas and the parking lot in front of the main exhibit hall are crammed full of  various pieces of impressive farm equipment.  There is no shade to be found so we’d recommend you explore this area early in the day.

    We encourage you to strike up conversation with all members of the World Dairy Expo.  These interactions will allow for you to learn more about this industry and the lives of the folks within it.  We were utterly exhausted by our day at the Expo.  It was not only a fabulous educational experience, but it was also a ton of fun!


  9. Believe In The Freedom Of Music

    October 1, 2012 by admin

    You may feel that you get enough junk in your email account- do you really want to subscribe to even more newsletters?  We find that some of them are totally worth it.  The following collection of music newsletters will provide you with updates on the current scene, but more to the point, they usually include some free mp3s.

    These are Free mp3s, not sketchy illegal downloads.

    Spin.com:  Spin will sometimes send you several newsletters a week, and about once a month they attach a link or promo code to download some current tunes from current bands.

    AllScandanavia:  As we’ve mentioned previously, allscandnavia.com does a pretty good job of keeping you up to speed on musical movements in the northlands.  And their website carries the MusicAlliance mp3 files.  But their weekly newsletter is also worth getting.  It features links to ten or more bands from the north and typically, about half of those have downloads attached.

    About.com: Punk:  We subscribe to several newsletters from about.com, but the Punk page, run by Ryan Cooper posts the most frequent free downloads, usually several a week.  It’s a simple way to keep up with the punk scene.

    Spinner: Unrelated to Spin, Spinner offers a free mp3 of the day and a look into the indie music scene.  Many of the featured artists are unsigned, self-signed, or on small labels. But you’ll find bands you’ve heard of, as well as new treasures, by following their newsletter and picking up a few new songs a week.


  10. Into the Jungle: Plant Sciences at UW, Madison

    August 12, 2012 by admin

    The University of Wisconsin Plant Science Department runs the D.C. Smith Greenhouse that is free and open to the public.  So we went to check it out.

    Starting with the huge Oak across the street from the greenhouses, our trip to the Plant Sciences Building was a huge hit.

    The first room hosts the Corpse Flower and the koi pond.  The Corpse Flower wasn’t in bloom when we went, so we got more enjoyment out of looking at the fish.  We’ll have to go back again to get the full effect of the Titan Arum.  A definite must see for plant lovers are the Sensitive Plants hanging in the hallway.  You touch the Mimosa Pudica and they react immediately, wilting while you watch.  A few minutes later they are back to normal.  It’s freaky- the kids loved it!

    The main hall features eight rooms each with different collections of plants being studied at the moment.  This assortment triggers good conversations about why some rooms are hotter or more humid than others. There are no tour guides within Plant Sciences, and few fact sheets explaining what surrounds you.  But it is great fun exploring the building and seeing what’s within.  It’s a fun make-it-what-you-want-it-to-be trip.

    Parking on campus is always an adventure in itself.  We parked a few blocks down Babcock Street at a two hour meter.

    Tip: The greenhouse is a block away from Babcock Hall Dairy Store, if you need a little treat after seeing some cool plants.