Archive for March, 2008
I know I’m late on this, but Brit-Electro-Pop Hot Chip is making some magic! I’m rather new to their music but I like what they do. The song Wrestlers is especially tickling my fancy at this point in time…ENJOY!
Hot Chip - WrestlersHot Chip - Wrestlers
When I was young I used to draw a stick figure named ‘Fred’. Once I got my hands on a computer I started making animated gifs of Fred and his adventures. I lost all those animations when my old computer crashed…biggest bummer. Good news is that before computers and animated gifs there was the flip book. I have no idea how old I was when I made this but I’m guessing it was around 5th grade. I just found it in my attic…What a gem!
Due to injury snowboard season wasn’t quite what I wanted it to be, however I did squeeze in a few FUN days on the mountain! Until next year…
Once and a while I think everyone catches a little hot streak. Well this past week went up in flames! HOT STREAK HOT FIRE FLAMES! This could be a result of an almost religious experience at the Justice show last Monday in Philly. It was wild; enough said. Tuesday night came around and who was in town? MSTRKFT. Once again plenty of dancing! Wednesday I pick up a long time friend from the airport, go skate FDR, and then pack up the car and head to Vermont. We were supposed to stop in NYC for the premiere of Bjork’s new video Wanderlust but the screening got delayed. Check out the video in 3-D when its released next month. From what I’ve seen it looks wild! So Thursday morning we hit the slopes in perfect weather, bright blue skies, and groomed corduroy trails…Yummy! Killer Mexican food, Margaritas, and a rad waitress who wrapped my to-go as a aluminum swan! YES! Friday, more shredding, melt down conditions, and a very nice park thanks to TJ and the Mt. Snow crew. Jump back in the car and head for Philly! Get back just in time to run over to Johnny Brendas for The Black Lips. The crowd raged from the first note until the last. Epic. The opener Dr. Quintron and Ms. Pussycat were a mind-trip! Straight out of New Orleans they brought energy, the front end of an old car, a puppet show, and two fine ladies to the stage. Saturday was mellow for the most part; beautiful weather, a collapsed house, two trips to Pat’s Steaks (2PM & 4AM), and good company. Happy St. Patricks Weekend! I may take the day off…but you never know. Get your ALL-STAR ON!
To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and
the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics and
to endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others; To give one’s self;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm
and sung with exultation;
To know that even one life has
breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
My high school art teacher introduced me to this quote and I have kept it with me ever since. However, I have just recently discovered that there is a debate whether this quote was written by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Turns out the quote may be traceable to a 1905 publication. Apparently, in a collection of quotations on “success,” a poem by Bessie Stanley appeared facing a page with a quotation from Emerson. Perhaps the mistaken attribution began when someone copied the source inaccurately from that collection. Here’s a 1905 article from the Lincoln Sentinel about Bessie Stanley’s Famous Poem. (via transcendentalists.com)
This got me thinking about the ‘mind-link function’, as I like to call it. The idea that people across the world can tap into ideas and energy floating around and come up with the same or similar ideas once a particular idea is conceived by someone, somewhere! Sure you can’t find this quote in Emerson’s writings, and he damn well could have gotten credit for something he didn’t write, but who is to say the dude never said this, or something similar. And Miss Bessie, well I’m sure she wrote it too! The important thing is that we have the quote, and lots of other things that people have created, credited or not, and all these things make the world a bit better. It’s a little bit mind-link function and a lot bit of thinking! Throw in computers and things are just going to get straight up weiiiird.
The great old city of Philadelphia…what can I say? I can say that it is now my homebase, which I am very excited about. I can also say that it is home to the wonderful R5 Productions, the renowned Space 1026, Cheesesteaks, the Italian Market, Musicians such as Dr. Dog, Man Man, The Roots, and Schoolly D, Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus, and of course Mr. Benjamin Franklin. What more could you ask for? This is going to be special.
So Me, the artist who did Justice’s Grammy winning D.A.N.C.E. video done did it again. This time the motion graphics and retro mash-up typography jive to Justice “DVNO”. Somehow So Me has found a perfect balance between cheese-ball pre-set effects and genuinely crafted retro-ish motion graphics. I can’t get enough of the amazing transitions throughout the whole video! Some favorite moments…The Mayhem explosion, Cool type-treatment on the Grid, and DVNO constellation type warp! Its all soooo GOOD!
via Stereogum
The primary reason I ever go to see a show without knowing what I’m getting into is to have the kind of experience I had last night at Johnny Brendas in Philadelphia. I missed the first opener and if it was consistent with the two performances that followed I’m sorry that I chomped down on delicious chicken tacos and mozzarella sticks while they played! Cadence Weapon is Roland and DJ Weezl…Their on stage presence is a bit unique for a hip hop show with only one MC, but Roland holds the stage down and isn’t afraid to get a little funky rolling around on the ground or walking around in the audience. Also, I didn’t have to wave my hands in the air once! RAD! I did throw some mean punches toward the sky, but it felt just right and lasted just long enough. **Thats what she said** Born Ruffians followed with a very high energy set! Their first full album came out yesterday, titled ‘Red, Yellow, and Blue’, and chances are it won’t take long for you to hear a few of the tracks everywhere you go! Have a listen and catch their live show if you can manage. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
Cadence Weapon - SharksCadence Weapon - Sharks
Born Ruffians - HummingbirdBorn Ruffians - Hummingbird
I’ve been a fan of a lot of things recently, but Barack Obama has really impressed me! I’m very happy with my decision to support him over the past months during his campaign for president. I feel like he could be a friend of mine…Maybe not the, lets go to a show, have some beers, or skate the mini-ramp type of friend, but someone I could honestly connect with and have a solid conversation about whatever either of us finds interesting. Pay close attention to things happening right now, educate yourself, keep an open mind, and make your important decision. Then back up your decision with just a little bit of work or a donation so that WE can turn things around! Join the party and let us make politics positive and progressive! Arcade Fire is a fan. Will.i.am is a fan. Shepard Fairey is a fan…Are you?
