This new music downloading site could be the future of how we obtain and listen to tunes — or at least might shape the future in significant ways.

One of the founders of Noisetrade is Derek Webb, formerly of the Christian group Caedmon’s Call, who struck out on his own a few years ago to follow a more indie path, often with Christian-inspired lyrics. One of Webb’s most recent albums, "Mockingbird", was heralded to fans in a mass e-mail with a new concept: Instead of paying for the CD, people could share the news with five friends then download the music free.

Apparently this was successful, at least in gaining listeners if not making money, because this is essentially the concept behind Noisetrade.
On the site, artists can make their music available to potential downloaders, and downloaders simply have to tell five friends about the music or, in the same vein as the Radiohead "In Rainbows" album, pay what they want in order to get the music.

The site now has 126 albums listed for possible downloading. Probably because of Webb’s connections, many of the artists or groups appear to be of the indie Christian sort. But the site offers plenty of options for musical tastes, such as selections from hometown duo Jackopierce‘s latest album, Promise of Summer.

Is it just me, or do White Elephants seem to be popping up all over the place this year? I’ve already been invited to three holiday parties where guests have been instructed to a White Elephant gift, either the kind where you find something pointless or silly from your house or the kind where you buy something generic for $5 or $10, like a candle.

The explanation for these typically has been some reference to the suffering economy, and White Elephant gifts are "easier" or "cheaper". I may sound like Scrooge here, but to me, they just seem like more waste. I don’t like the idea of a gift exchange where I end up with something I’m going to eventually put in a Goodwill bin. Yes, the pull-something-out-of-your-attic White Elephant exchanges can be fun, but only with the right personalities. Time and money are the two things none of us seem to have much of these days, so we might as well save both of these things and spend our holiday parties relaxing and enjoying ourselves while we have the chance.

So there you have it. Bah humbug.

UPDATE: The Stars tickets have already been claimed…

You won’t be seeing Sean Avery tonight, but everyone else who isn’t already on injured reserve for the Dallas Stars will be there to take on the Colorado Avalanche. I have two tickets for the first Back Talk reader who sends me an email requesting the seats. You’ll have to stop by our office to pick them up, but we’ll be here until about 6 p.m. tonight. Maybe tonight will be the night the season starts turning around …

I haven’t really tried posting videos on our awesome new site yet and I figured now is a good time to practice. It’s a holiday (sort of) and those who are reading, are surely — after all that economy talk and sports analysis among in laws and friends — in need of mindless entertainment — look no more. I am here for you. I haven’t made any videos of my own (that is my next endeavor)  so I went to a You Tube guru, my 10-year old daughter, and asked her what she and her friends  were finding most hilarious these days. Here are a couple gems she suggested: The first is a chocolate commercial about an unblinking woman.
Then we have this spoof of that Jim Carey movie, The Number 23.

What I won’t let her watch in my house? Anything by this annoying kid Fred (and I apologize in advance for this one):

Dr Pepper is a company that stays true to its word. Case in point: last March, the soft-drink maker promised free soda to everyone is the U.S. if Guns N’ Roses released “Chinese Democracy”—an album that’s been in the works since 1994.
The album finally hit store shelves yesterday—and you can now visit the Dr Pepper website to get your coupon for a free 20-ounce can of soda. Those coupons are valid through Saturday, Feb. 28.

Put on your sensible shoes, power up with a triple-shot latte, and head down to the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bell Bash. You’ll find tons of cool local art and crafts there (read: gifts your friends actually won’t re-gift at the holiday office party). It’s free to get in, and goes from 3-10 p.m. Saturday.

End the weekend right with the Sunday brunch-and-movie package at Pescabar: A meal, bellini (or mimosa) and ticket to The Magnolia—all for just $20.

If you think you can give Katie Holmes and Clay Aiken a run for their money, here’s your shot. The JCC is hosting an open casting call for "Oliver" this week. OK, so it’s not Broadway, but at least you still get a shot at the limelight.

Auditions will be Tuesday 8-10 p.m., and Wednesday 6:30-10 p.m. in the Zale Auditorium. They ask that you prepare 16 bars from "an upbeat number" (accompanist provided) and "dress to move." There will also be cold readings from the script. For an appointment, just call 214.239.7115.

If your budget is a little tighter than your inner socialite would like it to be, here are a few fun FREE things you can do this weekend in our neighborhood:
 
This Friday night at 7 you can catch a free screening of “Love Story” outside the Angelika at Mockingbird Station. Bring the lawn chairs or a blanket for lounging. There will also be a cash-only concession stand, or you’re free to pack your own snacks.

Saturday morning you can relax with free Tai Chi class from 9-10:30 at the Crow Collection of Asian Art. All experience levels are welcome; no reservations required. And from 1-2 p.m. you and the family can take advantage of "Play Asia", a series of free kid-friendly Japanese craft projects (like calligraphy and do-it-yourself sushi). For more details, just check the website. And FYI, both those Saturday freebies run through the end of December, so keep it on your radar.

Today I bring you Mr. Picassohead (and thanks to Keri Mitchell for recommending it). It’s one of those sites where you build your own face. You can see I tried to do it at left, but I don’t think I look nearly so, err, scary in real life (though some of my coworkers might disagree).

There’s another fun site where you can South Park yourself. I once South Parked everyone here at work, built a poster and made them all guess who was who, with prizes for the most correct guesses. I highly recommend doing this — it’s great for morale. (Again, some of my coworkers might disagree.)

The annual Dallas Video Festival starts tonight and runs through Sunday. This will be a catchall of documentaries, animations, and digital features. All the screenings will be at the Angelika, and you can get your tickets online.