Convene Spins: Joanna Newsom

I'm hijacking Convene Executive Editor Chris Durso's Convene Spins meme this Friday. Why?

Well, this morning, during my daily first-cup-of-coffee web browse, I went to an independent music review and news site that I frequent called Pitchfork, and saw a story about how one of my favorite artists, the harpist and songwriter Joanna Newsom, recently played Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Pitchfork had videos of both songs that Newsom played on the show: "You and Me, Bess" and "'81." The video for "You and Me, Bess" was even in black and white — a fitting style for the somewhat out-of-time Newsom.

So I clicked through and began to watch the first video, which was (like the song) transfixing and beautiful — but I then I was sort of jarred by something I saw in the background of the stage: sponsorship ads for Bud Light — which, in case you aren't familiar with Joanna Newsom, really doesn't fit her target demographic. Maybe if the ads had been for, I dunno, absinthe.

Have you ever had a situation at a meeting or event where the juxtaposition of an education session or speaker with a particular sponsor just doesn't feel right? Or have you ever had to reject a sponsor in order to head off that disconnect at the pass? If so, we'd love to hear about it in the comments section (we might even publish your response in a forthcoming issue of Convene!).

In the meantime, music-lovers (or, I suppose, Bud Light lovers): Please click "play" on the video below to hear an enchanting song, despite the weird sponsorship curveball. (If you like the song so much that you want to hear the other that she played on Kimmel, click here.) Happy Friday!



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Convene Spins: Philadelphia Freedom

On a beautiful Friday afternoon in the nation's capital, at the start of Fourth of July weekend, there's only one song that a guy from Philadelphia wants to hear: "Philadelphia Freedom," by Elton John. An obvious choice, but undeniably rousing -- especially this version, which was filmed at the Royal Opera House in London, and features a 90-piece orchestra plus a student choir from the Royal Academy of Music. Suitable music for any meeting held in Philadelphia, of course, along with legislative programs that are designed to involve attendees in advocacy, politicking, and other democratic rabble-rousing.

Happy Fourth of July!

Convene Spins: Private Universe

As the roller-rink DJs (used to) say: We're gonna slow things down now -- with "Private Universe," by Crowded House. This is a contemplative, almost haunting song (with an appropriately trippy video, as you'll see above), and a personal one, too, so the challenge is making it evocative in a group setting. I'd suggest taking full advantage of its sedate, thoughtful qualities by using it during small-group brainstorming sessions or elegant dinners, or, possibly, to help set the mood for a particularly introspective keynote. But for that last option, you'd want to be careful about not killing the energy level in the room.

Convene Spins: The Whole of the Moon

Convene Reads has been so much fun, I've decided to create another recurring feature for our blog: Convene Spins. Every Friday, we'll share a favorite song and also suggest how you might use it as part of a meeting program. Up first: "The Whole of the Moon," by the Waterboys. This is a great up-tempo number that would be perfect for the soundtrack during your opening general session, as attendees are filing in and you're trying to establish a positive, exciting mood. Especially if you have an upbeat or inspiring keynoter, "The Whole of the Moon" would be a strong lead-in.