// March 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // art, music, painters, painting
Nice video by Hold your Horses! recreating some classic paintings. Can you spot them all? The two paintings I don’t recognize are in the screengrabs below the video. Any takers?
// February 16th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // music
Have to hand it to Lady Gaga, she’s pulled the biggest trick in musical history and it doesn’t seem like the world has noticed. Maybe Sheena Easton would have noticed, she who sang “You got the look”, for that is the ruse; Gaga looks like a supercool New York hipster dripping with post-modern artyness, but she sounds like something you’d hear the kids on Lazytown singing, or any other kids tv, cheap, catchy, painful low com denom. The kind of sound you couldn’t fault a seven year old for loving; you smile at the little nippers as they sing along and dance, trying not to let the smile slip as slip behind the sofa and start hacking your ears off with a rusty saw that’s been under the hedge for eight years.
She’s that much of an earache. She’s on a musical par with Barbie Girl, The Rednex (cotton-eyed Joe) and Scooter.
Betty Boo and 2unlimited actually sound sophisticated next to Gaga.
But she looks like Queen Shiva of the Avante Guard elite, and seems to have fooled a million ears. I don’t think we ever saw Barbie Girl on a Glastonbury stage. She’s probably even fooled her self. Good trick!
// January 16th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // music
I really can’t remember the last time I was so obsessed with an album, but I absolutely adore XX. I even thought I had come of an age where music couldn’t touch me in the way that it used to but I’m glad that’s not true. In fact I think that may just be part of the attraction. People have commented on how young The XX are, but I think that maybe exactly what draws me to it. Any time I’m listening to it it somehow reminds me of being twenty years old, and all the nostalgic melancholy and excitement attached to that era. I’ve a major teenage crush on XX.
I’ve never heard such a grower either. I had the album in the weeks coming up to Electric Picnic and saw them live that weekend – but it hadn’t at all got under my skin in the way it has now. In fact hearing all the fuss about them back then, I expected something really exciting but on first listen it actually sounds a little dull. But don’t let that fool you. Give it half a chance and it really sneaks up on you.
// December 7th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // music
I’ve had this terrible habit for years. I’ll just come right out with it:
Hi my name’s John and I like to chew on a Juicy Fruit while drinking beer.
Scandalous, I know. My dentist would have palptations at the thought of it. The habit started off like many a teenager, not yet acquired to the taste of alchohol. I love a pint now but when I’m in the pub, I always have a packet of Juicy’s in my pocket.
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juicy_Fruit:
The average age of the typical Juicy Fruit consumer is under 20, with 3- to 11-year-olds making up the heart of the business; those 20 years old and over account for 40 percent of the purchases. John Braine, aka The Juicy Fruit Kid makes up about 10 percent.
Great to discover today that they’ve written such a sexy song about me:
// August 27th, 2009 // 4 Comments » // music
I’m very surprised I never hear any mention of this album, Map of Africa by Map of Africa. I’ve had it a couple of years now and it’s been my staple driving album all that time. I’m not too sure what makes good driving music but this is great in the car.
It’s psychedelic funky rock, but I’d bet my bottom dollar these guys earned their chops on the electronic side of the park before going anywhere near a guitar or microphone. For some reason it always reminds me of Apocalypse Now; just as he’s chugging down the river, with strange birds chirping and something other lurking in the shadows, this would be the perfect soundtrack.
The lyrics sizzle too;
Dirty Lovin’
“Once or maybe twice a day
Dirty lovin’ baby it’s okay,
I like it straight around the bend,
Enough for me and both my friends”Plastic Surgery
And I look more like my daugther
Then a dirty old man oughta
Cos I’ve had plastic surgery
These aren’t the best two tracks, they’re the only two I could find.
Not much about them on the web, their myspace page is as dead as their record label.
// July 8th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // music, video
I love this. Take some great quotes from a great film for the lyrics, and use the scenes from the film for the music video. I stumbled across this years ago, and just again recently.
// May 20th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // music, videos
// May 18th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // music
I was listening to the radio the other day and I heard this little sample that gave me a mad craving to hear Coldcut – JDJ “70 minutes of madness”. Then I realised it was so frigging long since I listened to it, that the last time I heard it was on cassette. A tape that I once listened to over and over and over, a gazillion times. A tape that’s now buried deep in the arctic somewhere – ie the attic. I mentioned this on Twitter off the cuff and had several kind offers to get me a copy. I’m listening to it now and it’s still the best mix I’ve ever heard, hands down.
I’ve always been a big fan of a well worked mix. Off the cuff mixes obviously have their charm, but I was always a bigger fan of DJ’s who put a huge amount of time into perfecting their mixes to admittedly obsessive levels, whether it’s finding that perfect record or the perfect sample or the perfect scratch… or any other trick, I’ve always loved hearing that fantastically carved blend of sounds that compliment each other perfectly. Much more that a traditional album.
And 70 minutes of madness is a proper *mix*, not just one boring style from beginning to end. They took the JDJ (Journeys by DJ’s) mantra and smacked the bitch up. It’s on Amazon but if you’ve not yet heard it don’t go and spoil it by listening to separate tracks. Most definitely the sum of the parts here dude.
Latifah! The feminine professor of Wits, Coldcuts on the mix. And it ticks us off when we see so much wrong World, what’s goin on!?
// April 22nd, 2009 // 5 Comments » // music, tv
I know sometimes when a task is at hand, other activities take on a magnetic quality including the TV that you’ve been meaning to turn off – but Nigel Havers has been very entertaining on “I haven’t seen Star Wars yet”, a show where celebrities take on experiences not previously experienced.
// April 19th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // music
The video is rubbish and I’ve heard the lyrics called into question – but this is my favourite song. And it stole the show at Karaoke earlier tonight!
// April 11th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // music, waffle
There really is something special about The Specials. To me at least. There’s no sound more nostalgic. Every time I hear them I’m brought right back there in a way no other music does. On the edge of my teens, exciting times, a wannabe rebel, walking the streets, a gaggle of you, trying to look tougher than you are, school nothing more than an inconvenience, somewhere else to fly your flag, your school bag a blank canvas for two tone insignia, your big black marker a prized possession to mark your territory anywhere you can. Your uniform; a challenge, make it your own, skinny the tie; turn the trousers up tight, shine the Docs; Rudeboy?
Nah, no Rudeboy; skinny little white boy with fears of the world – but you hear that music now and you’re right back there, ready for it all. There’s girl’s to be fought over, lessons to be learned, teenage memories to be etched on your brain forever. Dance around the fire. Pass the flagon. Put you arms on my shoulders, and sing the song, a song that will bring you right back there twenty years later and still burn a fire in your belly.
// March 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // music, web
In the name of Blackout Ireland, I’m posting this Lil louis classic.
Speaking of which Dave has some great posts on the classics now and then.
// January 22nd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // music
I just heard this at the weekend on that Orange unsigned act show and I’ve been singing it ever since. Tommy Reilly – Give me a call.
The last time I remember that happening was when Steve Earl was on Jules Holland. Simple little song but I’ve been singing the chorus ever since.
Anyone spot Steve playing an ex Junky in the Wire ?
// December 2nd, 2008 // 11 Comments » // music
Doing some long overdue CD spring cleaning, and found a CD with a few old tracks. Here’s Jingle Bells. Going by the date it looks like I did this coming up to Christmas 10 years ago. Quality is a bit ropey, in every respect.
If you can’t see a media player in this post, you can download the track here.
I think this photo must be well over a decade old too:
// November 20th, 2008 // 6 Comments » // music
“I got a letter from the government the other day, opened it, read it, it said they were suckers. They wanted me for their army or whatever. Imagine me giving a damn I said never.” – Chuck D
I’ve always loved that. Right “A nation of millions…” is a stone cold classic. No diggety, no doubt. One of the best albums ever made in my books. But I much prefer Martina Topley-Birds delivery on Tricky’s Maxinquaye. Maybe it’s the accent. Maybe it’s just her. I’ve always thought she’s just about the coolest person on the planet. The words themselves always had a bit of relevance for me too. I grew up having three brothers in the armed forces, with everyone always asking me when I was joining. Which in no way was ever going to happen for every possible reason you can think of. Baa baa black sheep.
I’m not actually much of a lyrics person in general. I’ve always cared more about the music than the words. And I don’t know the lyrics to anything. I spent most of my life listening to electronic music, words were always secondary to how good it sounded. Unfortunately, Charlie Brooker thinks I should be “rounded up and throttled to death. By robots. With merciless strangling hands.” Sometimes the missus wants to throttle not just for singing the wrong words but for completely changing the message with my own made up lyrics. Why do 99% of lyrics have to be about f&cking relationships!? I never got that. There’s a million other things worth writing about. Like not joining your stupid army!
// October 3rd, 2008 // 7 Comments » // music
I was listening to Phantom this morning and there was a bit of an interview with Noel Gallagher, where he was explaining why live music was better than listening to an internet download, no! really? Please enlighten us. So to illustrate this unfathomable notion, he gave the example that the best way of listening to Coldplay is in room with 15,000 Colplay fans.
Well I heard Colplay at Glastonbury a few years ago and can report that the best way of listening to Coldplay is in the recovery ward of the Eye and Ear Hospital after having your ears surgically removed. It was that boring.
// May 2nd, 2008 // 5 Comments » // music, videos
// April 11th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // design, multimedia, music, processing
Gorgeous piece of work by Robert Hodgin using processing (music is by Goldfrapp). I’ve used processing a little bit before and have seen a good few other projects – but nothing as visually stunning as this. Read all about the project at www.flight404.com.
// March 21st, 2008 // No Comments » // music
Quick plug for a friend with a new record out. Dave Anderson – Stronghold. This his is debut release as a solo artist on the legendary techno label Ferox , four great tracks with that Classic Detroit flavour.
That reminds me. I wonder who these chancers are trying to cash in on my own debut release. Legal my arse.
// March 13th, 2008 // 5 Comments » // films, music
Morvern Callar is an offbeat supermarket girl who takes a devastating event and spins it to her advantage. Its fairly original in style; quietly haunting and with little dialog. Random unimportant events come and go with the one big event still looming in the background. I’ve not seen anything else by Lynne Ramsay but she knows exactly what she’s doing. She completely nails a late night house party scene, hypnotic, and enchantingly authentic. A great soundtrack heard through a walkman glues the film together and acts as the conscience Morvern lacks.
// March 3rd, 2008 // 3 Comments » // music, rave
Just because it’s been 20 years since the big 88, here’s 20 Rave Classics I found on Youtube:
I was planning to embed a lot more but the browser just can’t handle the hardcore! Here’s the rest (not all of them are videos mind):
// February 20th, 2008 // 5 Comments » // films, music, stuff
Can’t get this song out of my head recently. Any time I see that clip from Good Will Hunting or Anchorman I’m singing it for weeks. But now SkyRocket is being used as a project name in the office and every time I hear it, I’m that close [--] to breaking into song.
It’s funny – the song is about afternoon sex (and pocket rockets) – yet The Starland Vocal band who originally recorded it look like a bunch of hippies who’d be more at home singing about tree hugging.
—————————————–
Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight
gonna grab some afternoon delight.
My motto’s always been; when it’s right, it’s right.
Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night.
When everything’s a little clearer in the light of day.
And you know the night is always gonna be there any way.
Sky rockets in flight.Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.
—————————————–
The song was inspired by a canopy of canapes labelled ‘Afternoon Delights’ at a Washington Restaurant. Write Bill Danoff says he’s happy with the constant references in popular culture.
Obligatory Youtubes…
// December 20th, 2007 // 2 Comments » // music, random
Is plagiarism the sincerest form of flattery? I’ve come across that article on lots of sites over the years and that’s great, I’m very flattered. But none of them have a link on their homepage that says “Click here to read my article”.
// November 7th, 2007 // No Comments » // music
Caught this Electic Proms show on the tellybox the other week. Was a really good show. A few of the performances have been rattling around my head ever since. Here’s Kyle Falconer of The View doing a great version of Valerie…
Update (Jan 08): Doh! I seem to have ahd the wrong video embedded for the last few months I had this one there which I can remember sending to someone at the same time. Nice!
This one’s been doing the rounds on the wireless at the moment lately, I think. This version has a bit of a history, it’s like a re-arrangement of cover of a remix of a mashup or something. Daniel Merriweather – Stop Me. Video isn’t great quality though…
// October 29th, 2007 // 5 Comments » // hip-hop, music
Remember Roxanne Shante? Proper old skool b-girl. ‘Have a nice day’ was permanently in the 7″ pocket of my record bag. Back then she was only a 15 year old single mother from Queens, so a record label offered her an education as part of her contract. Well she not only took them up on the offer – she milked them for every penny, and now she’s a Doctor of psychology. Excellent!
// August 22nd, 2007 // 3 Comments » // comedy, edinburgh fringe, music, waffle
I went over to Edinburgh for the weekend. That’s my third long weekend in a row, yeehaw. Don’t know how I’ll cope with a 5 day week next week. Have wanted to go over to the fringe for ages and ended up going at the last minute(ish). Had a fantastic time, think I’d much prefer this than a music festival these days. I forgot what a beautiful place Edinburgh is too.
Only booked tickets for two events and left everything else to randomness. The first was Limmy’s Show, www.limmy.com has been one of my favourite sites for years. His silly, but slightly obscure videos and playthings appeal to my mentality. He got the show solely on the popularity of his site and hasn’t done stand up or anything before. It’s a brilliant show – a mixture of recorded videos and live one-man skits. All the material was brand new, no reference to the site at all, though I was tempted to whisper Requiem or shout Gies yer jaicket myself.
The other highlight of the weekend and the only other thing we pre-booked (you get what you pay for) was Fuerzabruta which was absolutely fantastic. It’s like a big a club, staged in a circus, featuring large-scale physical theatre, including overhead syncronised swimming in a ee-through pool, and treadmill stages with people running for their lives. Lasted about an hour and my mouth was wide open for a lot of it. The show would work great in a big club but that would lose some of the audience, everyone should see this. Here’s some video I took:
Got ticket’s for a few things at the 1/2 price hut. First show of the weekend was VHS 2 – Planet of the Tapes. Now I hate all things digital. Well maybe not all things but just things that used to be on tape, which is erm tapes and videos. So I loved the fact that a movie nerd pretty much dedicated a whole show to how crap DVDs are… mostly stand-up with a few pre-recorded videos.
Pappy’s fun club were a bunch of smug students. Well one of them at least. Actually maybe only one of them, the rest were likable enough. Show started off pretty crap but it turned out that the first half was mostly just building blocks for the second – and when they got to the bit where they swapped themselves with audience members and dissapeared while the audience members repeated earlier skits – well that was fairly hilarious.
Jesus I’m feeling really lazy now – not sure I’d intended to review the whole weekend, so here’s quick roundup:
My generous host Nessa:
Some street entertainment:
One of the fringe areas at night:
// July 16th, 2007 // No Comments » // music, photos, rave
All worked out pretty well for me. Was dissapointed to be on first, at first but because of bus times etc a good crowd arrived pretty early. I mean good in both senses; friendly, up for it lively crowd. And because I was on first I got a half hour more than any other DJ, which still went by very quickly. Location was great too, I love the woods! And they had some sound system. I’m talking about a seperate tent just for the equipment and a seperate mixing desk with sound engineer kind of sound system. Apparently it was called to a halt at about 4am but I was back in Dublin by then after a generous offer of a lift, cheers Dor! It’s a pity the bizzies came because the place would probably have been properly cleaned up, if they weren’t forced out in a hurry.
Update/Edit: If you can’t see the photo slide show above, you can look at the photos on flickr. Also, turns out the place was left spotless anway. Good stuff!
// June 13th, 2007 // No Comments » // djing, music, rave
Mental. I’ve been asked to DJ at the next Creation Party. Though I’ll never part with them, I’ve hardly touched my decks in a year and haven’t been to a club or anything for years. Couldn’t tell you the last time I bought a record. Scared and excited! I mean I’ll probably end up playing records older than someone of the people who’ll be there! The last time I did a creation party was some experience though, best gig I ever played at, easily. I can remember playing some classic anthems and 100s of people going mental as the sun came up over the sea at Donabate Beach. Sweet. Here’s a video from the last Creation party…
// May 23rd, 2007 // 2 Comments » // books, films, music, random, waffle
Two of my favorite things share a common theme – bunnies! Donnie Darko and a book by Bill Drummond called 45. Ok, they’re called Echo and the Bunnymen, so the link to Donnie Darko is pretty obvious. But another subtle link is that in 45, Drummond (who managed the Bunnymen), becomes obsessed with the album cover for Crocodiles, because by pure coincidence, the tree in the background looks like a big bunny; but no-one else he shows it too can see it.
45 is an absolute gem, it’s autobiographical, but it’s more like a random diary of highly amusing events between his last book, 33, which he wrote when he was 33, and 45 which he wrote at… well done! Blue Peter badge for you. If you can see the connection here, you’ll expect another book at 75. 45 is full of boyish quests, poignant observations, and personal superstitions.
For some odd reason I’ve always had a lot more time for personal, made-up superstitions than I have for established ones (horoscopes, broken mirrors, god etc). One example of Drummond’s hokery pokery is his story about drawing a magical ley line across a UK map, somehow guided by the magnetic poles and somthing to do with Elvis, then making his way along this line by foot, while concocting his own soup, in various locations, for anyone who’s happy to eat it.
Anyway, chatting in work this morning, we were trying to remember the first track in the original Donnie Darko, and of course it’s The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen (a couple of minutes in, in the clip above). Of course because I saw this version first, I think it’s a much better opening track, than the one used for the editors cut (Never tear us apart by INXS) and almost as good as the school scene with Head over Heels by Tears for Fears. I can watch that scene over and over, it’s better than any music video, I’ll refrain from adding ‘ever’. These are the kind of films I love, where each scene can stand on it’s own as a great piece. Mullholland drive is chocka block with these. They’re especially potent when crafted around some enchanting music. Silencio!
More bunny waffle; My standard doodle is a cartoon bunny. I get bored very easily, and I always want to be ‘doing’ something, so I fidget and doodle a lot at meetings etc. I’ve drawn this bunny hundreds of times. Annuvver fing is that I tend to get carried away with things that I get into. When I was 11 I got a rabbit. One year later I had a hundred foot compound, housing about 50 different rabbits, I mixed my own rabbit food which I sold to people who had previously bought rabbits from me, and I also sold rabbits to pet shops. I had special breeding bucks that were bred to sire litters of 12 or so, rather than a standard 5 or 6. I can honestly say I had more of a disposable income when I was 12 than I do now! I also had terrapins, mice, a single pigeon, budgies, guinea-pigs, koi, a hooded crow, and a gerbil city. They say pets can help teach kids a thing or two about life, the unverse and everything. I’ll say! I had to do some things that no 12 year old should have to experience, like mercy-killing sick rabbits and drowning baby gerbils born with no legs. And I still, very frequently, have dreams about rabbits burrowing their way out of the garden!
“You still wake up sometimes, don’t you Clarice? You wake up in the dark and hear the screaming of the lambs. “
What a load of waffle! So much for writing about web design.
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