Pretty sweet Beck video for "Hell Yes" -- beautifully capturing his awesome dance moves.
For more info on the dude that created that masterpiece of funky freshness check out Mumbleboy's website here. One could spend a lot of time visiting Mumbleboy, but I think this is my favorite so far...
1/26/2005
Levitra Couches
I love ironic tagging. So I was intrigued to say the least when I got wind of this new trend...
There's couches in Atlanta, couches in Virginia, and widespread throughout California... What can it mean?
It's more of a mystery than the recent classic ironic tagging of Val Kilmer that spread through parts of Canada...
Which at first simply seemed like humorous ironic tagging--but was revealed to be a publicity stunt for a Canadian band called The Val Kilmer Tagging Caper... letdown. So, will the mystery of The Levitra Couches be revealed as a similar scheme? Well, The Levitra Couches is a much better name for a band, but I'm hoping instead the mystery will deepen and enrich all our lives--uniting us, not dividing us--like only bizarre tv culture overload releases can.
There's couches in Atlanta, couches in Virginia, and widespread throughout California... What can it mean?
It's more of a mystery than the recent classic ironic tagging of Val Kilmer that spread through parts of Canada...
Which at first simply seemed like humorous ironic tagging--but was revealed to be a publicity stunt for a Canadian band called The Val Kilmer Tagging Caper... letdown. So, will the mystery of The Levitra Couches be revealed as a similar scheme? Well, The Levitra Couches is a much better name for a band, but I'm hoping instead the mystery will deepen and enrich all our lives--uniting us, not dividing us--like only bizarre tv culture overload releases can.
1/25/2005
A New Season of Festivale
[Internet was down for a while—this was kind of timely when it was supposed to be posted, last Thursday after the Bright Eyes tidbit. Oh well… Durring the blizzard a lot of activity/news actually happened around these festivals. --.ed]
Are these the days of brooding jealousy at The Rolling Blackout? Seems my last few posts have been me bitching about cities that are better than mine, paintings I can't afford, songwriters years my junior releasing solid albums... And so one last gripe.
One of these years I'm going to make it to the South By Southwest Festivals. For a couple months a while back, secretly I thought, maybe this year... but alas, 'tis not to be I'm afraid. But I browse the goings on down there anyway... And what do I find? A band from Torrance, CA called Rolling Blackouts. You see, a few years ago planned on using The Rolling Blackout as the name for my shitty home recorded solo debut. Who knows if that tape will ever be made, but still, I at least hope they're a decent band. Plus, seems that comedy tour movie with Patton Oswalt and Brian Posehn will be playing there as well as Solondz's Palindromes.
And so then the Sundance Film Fest is underway as of today. Yeah, again, one of these years... But just wanted to plug some of the movie, that if I were there, i'd be queued up to see. There's a lot out there this year; a short film by the guy who directed Chuck & Buck and The Good Girl starring Mike White himself, Noah Baumbach and Werner Herzog have new movies, but what I really want is at the "Park City at Midnight" category. Oh yes, we have the (as far as I know) world premiers of the Strangers With Candy: The Movie, and Crispin Hellion Glover's What Is It?. [Possible trailer viewing here] My god, the idea of being able to see those two movies in one week boggles the mind. There are some lucky bastards in Colorado right now. There's a lot more there to see than just that--but let's keep it brief, eh? Below: An SWC: the Movie publicity photo taken at Sundance. I'm guessing the guy at the top is Jerri's love interest and Stephen Colbert can be just a bit, well downright scary sometimes. And the other photo seems to have a poster size shot of Ian Holm doing Jerri's Dad to the left of Amy and what you could imagine to be Jerri's mom looking like at some bizarre point or another--either way it just begs for context.
And finally, something I can see. The 2005 Animation Show. I especially dig the Hertzfeldt stuff they show there. Check here for my feelings about Plympton. His short Guard Dog is on the playlist at the Show and is also nominated for an Oscar this year.
Are these the days of brooding jealousy at The Rolling Blackout? Seems my last few posts have been me bitching about cities that are better than mine, paintings I can't afford, songwriters years my junior releasing solid albums... And so one last gripe.
One of these years I'm going to make it to the South By Southwest Festivals. For a couple months a while back, secretly I thought, maybe this year... but alas, 'tis not to be I'm afraid. But I browse the goings on down there anyway... And what do I find? A band from Torrance, CA called Rolling Blackouts. You see, a few years ago planned on using The Rolling Blackout as the name for my shitty home recorded solo debut. Who knows if that tape will ever be made, but still, I at least hope they're a decent band. Plus, seems that comedy tour movie with Patton Oswalt and Brian Posehn will be playing there as well as Solondz's Palindromes.
And so then the Sundance Film Fest is underway as of today. Yeah, again, one of these years... But just wanted to plug some of the movie, that if I were there, i'd be queued up to see. There's a lot out there this year; a short film by the guy who directed Chuck & Buck and The Good Girl starring Mike White himself, Noah Baumbach and Werner Herzog have new movies, but what I really want is at the "Park City at Midnight" category. Oh yes, we have the (as far as I know) world premiers of the Strangers With Candy: The Movie, and Crispin Hellion Glover's What Is It?. [Possible trailer viewing here] My god, the idea of being able to see those two movies in one week boggles the mind. There are some lucky bastards in Colorado right now. There's a lot more there to see than just that--but let's keep it brief, eh? Below: An SWC: the Movie publicity photo taken at Sundance. I'm guessing the guy at the top is Jerri's love interest and Stephen Colbert can be just a bit, well downright scary sometimes. And the other photo seems to have a poster size shot of Ian Holm doing Jerri's Dad to the left of Amy and what you could imagine to be Jerri's mom looking like at some bizarre point or another--either way it just begs for context.
And finally, something I can see. The 2005 Animation Show. I especially dig the Hertzfeldt stuff they show there. Check here for my feelings about Plympton. His short Guard Dog is on the playlist at the Show and is also nominated for an Oscar this year.
1/20/2005
a short word on those Bright Eyes albums
I'm a bit upset with this Conor Oberst guy. What is he know, 22? 23? Whatever, he looks like a trendier/tinier version of my sophomore year self in high school. I've listened to both of his new albums over last night and this morning and the guy just impresses me too much. I don't like it. The albums are wildly different as far as instruments and production... and both are good--though I think I like Digital Ash better. I will go on record as saying that I still prefer that Desaparecidos album overall to his others outlets. The reason for this came to mind today; it's his voice. It can start grating on you, especially after two albums in a row. But it's perfectly suited for a punk band. But I just wanted to begrudgingly chime in on the ass-kissing he's already starting to get and probably will receive much of in the next month or so (the likes of which may all go to his head and cause sightings of the bedheaded Oberst floating over Omaha trying to be tethered by Saddle Creek mates--but wait, he's moved to New York already right? The guy's way ahead of us all...). Hit the Switch will likely go down as one of the better songs written about being a twenty-something. Congrats.
1/12/2005
Not So Random Linkage...
A couple of items that were forwarded to me by m'lady. So maybe some others might find interest in them as well. One is for long-term involvement, one is for a minute or so of entertainment.
StumbleUpon. Say you like black & white French New Wave movies from the 60's. Of course you're not the only one. Someone out there's probably found all the good sites out there for fans of the genre--but how do you know where to begin, which one's are better than others, etc. Well sign up with StumbleUpon and let them show you the way. Or something like that. It's a toolbar that you download to help you browse less like a spastic fool and more like a seasoned pro with all the right connections. Here's some of the press...
"It's kind of addictive ... when you have time to surf it really does allow you to find some unique and relevant sites" - Andy Walker, g4techTV.
"...extensions recommended by more than one reader included StumbleUpon, a community website-recommendation project that lets you find more cool and usually obscure websites -- sort of a Friendster for site links." - Wired News.
"I'm hooked on the thing, and rate it as the second most useful web browsing tool after Google itself. In fact, that pecking order may even change, as I find instead of Googling I'm Stumbling more and more..." – Davey Winder, PcPro Magazine.
Okay, I know it's always been your dream to be the maestro of a equine a capella quartet. Now's your chance. If you spend more than a couple minutes with this thing, then, well, I'm sorry. But as I was told, "this is insanely cute." Yeah... Here's the link.
StumbleUpon. Say you like black & white French New Wave movies from the 60's. Of course you're not the only one. Someone out there's probably found all the good sites out there for fans of the genre--but how do you know where to begin, which one's are better than others, etc. Well sign up with StumbleUpon and let them show you the way. Or something like that. It's a toolbar that you download to help you browse less like a spastic fool and more like a seasoned pro with all the right connections. Here's some of the press...
"It's kind of addictive ... when you have time to surf it really does allow you to find some unique and relevant sites" - Andy Walker, g4techTV.
"...extensions recommended by more than one reader included StumbleUpon, a community website-recommendation project that lets you find more cool and usually obscure websites -- sort of a Friendster for site links." - Wired News.
"I'm hooked on the thing, and rate it as the second most useful web browsing tool after Google itself. In fact, that pecking order may even change, as I find instead of Googling I'm Stumbling more and more..." – Davey Winder, PcPro Magazine.
Okay, I know it's always been your dream to be the maestro of a equine a capella quartet. Now's your chance. If you spend more than a couple minutes with this thing, then, well, I'm sorry. But as I was told, "this is insanely cute." Yeah... Here's the link.
1/04/2005
Time for an Eightball
You may have noticed my comment on this over on the sidebar but I just noticed this TIME Magazine best of column mentioning Dan Clowes' Eightball #23 as, of course, no. 8 comic book of the year. Also their Aug praises are linked. I still see some copies around town, find yours.
E I G H T B A L L N O . 2 3
B y D a n C l o w e s
For most comic books, when a nobody teenager discovers super powers and a gun that zaps anything out of existence, it usually results in his getting buff and facing the dilemmas of responsibility in between fist fights with ubervillans. Forget that. This is Clowes' world. Here, even with such accouterments, a nebbish stays a nebbish. The 23rd issue of Clowes' "Eightball" contains a single short story, "The Death Ray," about Andy, a milquetoast who discovers he gains super strength while smoking, and his only friend Louis, who has no powers but a giant ego just the same. Together they up-end every superhero cliché in a series of interconnected vignettes bookended by Andy as a middle-aged dullard. Ingeniously, "The Death Ray" moves way beyond a mere superhero parody and into the uncomfortable territory of exploring the way people can or cannot change who they are. "Eightball" #23 continues Clowes' ascendancy as one of the medium's premier storytellers. --Andrew Arnold
E I G H T B A L L N O . 2 3
B y D a n C l o w e s
For most comic books, when a nobody teenager discovers super powers and a gun that zaps anything out of existence, it usually results in his getting buff and facing the dilemmas of responsibility in between fist fights with ubervillans. Forget that. This is Clowes' world. Here, even with such accouterments, a nebbish stays a nebbish. The 23rd issue of Clowes' "Eightball" contains a single short story, "The Death Ray," about Andy, a milquetoast who discovers he gains super strength while smoking, and his only friend Louis, who has no powers but a giant ego just the same. Together they up-end every superhero cliché in a series of interconnected vignettes bookended by Andy as a middle-aged dullard. Ingeniously, "The Death Ray" moves way beyond a mere superhero parody and into the uncomfortable territory of exploring the way people can or cannot change who they are. "Eightball" #23 continues Clowes' ascendancy as one of the medium's premier storytellers. --Andrew Arnold
Maybe a Ryden When I'm Rich
Yeah, maybe, one day when I'm rich I'll buy a Mark Ryden painting. Maybe. Yeah. A painting. Rich. Mailing List. Maybe... I dunno. I had a weird dream last night, might have to keep it in the guest room.
1/02/2005
Miscellany End of Ought Four
Sometimes I really hate New York. And sometimes it's not because of the Yankees. Sometimes it just because they seem to have day after day of really cool shit to do over there. The city stays open a lot later, there's multitudes of different cool bars, record stores (not that I've been to one in ages--with these mp3s i kind of do miss the act of shuffling through records or cds, but that's a different post), restraunts, clothing stores, movie theatres, or book stores to go to. And I know it's simply a much larger city to begin with, but does that mean they have to have so many more good shows to go to as well?
Tinkle's been gathering some pretty big hype these days. It's a weekly comedy show that regularly features the likes of David Cross, Todd Barry, Eugene Mirman, Jon Benjamin, basically all my favorite comedians. And for 6 dollars no less. Christmas shows, bands show up, on crazy booze cruises... I mean, they already have the Upright Citizens Theatre, The Midnight Pajama Jam, do they need more cool shit? Sometimes I don't think so. Like this afernoon, when I was more than a bit jealous reading the accounts of the Tinkle show that went down last Thursday night.
here
here (video, too)
here
and
here (better pics)
Yeah, I guess Jon Benjamin didn't make it, but it seems like it was a hell of a show anyway. If Patton Oswallt showed up I'd probably be crying. But then they get Wilco, Flaming Lips and Sleater-Kinney all playing the same show for New Years Eve entertainment. I think the best option for a show that night in Boston was Guns & Roses karaoke. And I'm only sort of joking. Gaddamn you New York and all your fucking nice distractions. If you weren't so expensive I'd really have something against you. But I heart you too. And I have a feeling you pay a little better than MA. So...
And completely off subject, but when the hell, I don't trust downloading something off a site directly into my iPod, but there are some interesting options out there if you're one to go experimenting.
Linux for the iPod here
Lots here
And when did Discovery and TLC become a fucking shop class and automotive channel? Isn't that what Spike TV and Home & Garden were for? I don't know... And are there a lot of blogs already talking about the freakyness of the new year and plauges of locust and the tsunami's happening so close together? Eerie. I know Patton's mentioned it and has the links.
So yeah, happy 2005. ...double ought cinco was the year my sonny boy... They'll say. Let's hope it's in good context.
The Queue is Burned
I had to trim off some of the fat so I could get FeedBurner to handle it but I've got an RSS feed for my Netflix queue in case you're interested what 400+ movies I could possibly have on there. There are more than a few on there I have seen but for the most part it's all new to me. I'll bet this on the sidebar eventually, but for now click HERE if you're curious or are looking for a couple recommendations.
Your New Favourite Magazine
Over On the Radar there's been a link over to Chunklet Magazine's website. Well, the new issue is finaly out there (check here for a store near you). I'm never too sure if they only come out with two issues or three issues a year. Whatever it is it's certainly too few. This is a great and hilarious magazine. Possibly a bit elitist in it's views but that's part of it's charm to me--it can get to be a bit outlandish, but this especially suits they're ongoing The Most Overrated theme. Last issue's centerpiece dealt with the Most Overrated Bands with many laughs resulting. The new issue, Part 2, deals with the the most overated films/artists/etc--as well as interviews with most of the people I've written about on here for the past 3 months. Go figure...
You might also want to check out some clips from this movie Chunklet's some out with recently...
Click the pic -- there's a ton of clips there. It seems like it could be pretty funny--but part of me just can't get over how similar it is to Fred Armisan's 1998 SXSW video. Watch both of them! Compare and contrast the fun pranking of your favorite indie icons!
And to wrap this up I'll pick some of my favorite "1,000 Unrelated Overrated Things":
Character on Kids in the Hall: The “I’m Crushing Your Head” guy
Sonic Youth associate: Lydia Lunch
Thing for a parent to be proud of: Honor student
Late-night drinking activity: Vomiting in a friend’s car
Frozen Mexican treat: Choco Taco
Source of band names: Any movie reference
Season of Buffy: Second
Cleaning tool: The Swiffer
Cereal: Frosted Mini Wheats
Dead black man: Tupac Shakur
Cell phone service: Virgin mobile
Contemporary slang word: Blog
You might also want to check out some clips from this movie Chunklet's some out with recently...
Click the pic -- there's a ton of clips there. It seems like it could be pretty funny--but part of me just can't get over how similar it is to Fred Armisan's 1998 SXSW video. Watch both of them! Compare and contrast the fun pranking of your favorite indie icons!
And to wrap this up I'll pick some of my favorite "1,000 Unrelated Overrated Things":
Character on Kids in the Hall: The “I’m Crushing Your Head” guy
Sonic Youth associate: Lydia Lunch
Thing for a parent to be proud of: Honor student
Late-night drinking activity: Vomiting in a friend’s car
Frozen Mexican treat: Choco Taco
Source of band names: Any movie reference
Season of Buffy: Second
Cleaning tool: The Swiffer
Cereal: Frosted Mini Wheats
Dead black man: Tupac Shakur
Cell phone service: Virgin mobile
Contemporary slang word: Blog
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