Frog Jesus

As mentioned earlier, the Aurora Picture Show had their 12th annual Extremely Shorts film festival this past weekend. The screenings were held at houston-based artist Molly Gochman's Commune - a quaint, little studio in Houston's Rice Village. It boasted an impressive astroturf garden oustside and an equally impressive 3-D fabric room/bar inside. I should've taken pictures.

Like all festivals, there are going to be some acts that you just don't like, some you Really like and some you're going to wonder how in the hell it got there in the first place. The two I Really liked were Benjamin Peters' Frog Jesus and Diana-Sofia Estrada's Landscape Architect. If you have some time, feel free to check out the films below and see if you like them as much as I did.

Landscape Architect from D.S. Estrada on Vimeo.

Just in case you wanted to know...

Rob Tyler's Oscillating Fan came in first place.
Frog Jesus finished second and..
David Purdie's Galvest-Gone! took third.

More Signs that the End is Near...

Eddy Mac, Fine Farrah, The King, and now this..

Billy Mays a.k.a Mr. Oxi-Clean has died at age 50. Mr. Mays doesn't really fall under Art, Culture, or Style. But, the man could sell the hell out of some domestic maintenance products. And I'm fairly sure that everyone from my generation knows who this guy is. May he rest in Peace..






On a lighter note (sort of), The Legendary Roots Crew and Miss Erykah cover the classic MJ song, I Wanna Be Where You Are. Listen/Download here.

Have a nice week.

R I P M J

For obvious reasons, this is a hard one to touch. His legacy amounts to wayyyy more than any blog post could ever do. Here are some dope remixes of The Classics...RIP to The King..

1. Smooth Criminal (Telemitry Remix)
2. Thriller (Louis La Rouche Remix)
3. Rock With You (Frankie Knuckles Remix)
4. Wanna Be Startin Somethin' (Streetlife DJs Remix)
5. PYT (Marqis Remix)
6. Hervé - Cheap Thrills (Thriller sample)

Extremely Shorts 12 Film Festival

Bored? Looking for something to do this Saturday before you step out into the night life? Of course you are. Well...why don't you come out and support your local 501(c)(3) non-profit cinema that is dedicated to non-commercial film and media?

This Saturday marks the 12th annual Extremely Shorts Film Festival:Works 3 Minutes and Under for Aurora Picture Show and will feature video and film works submitted by emerging artists from Around The World. If you're not into film, just come and hang out with me! Ha. I'll be manning the bar and fraternizing with the locals.

The Extremely Shorts Film Festival is on Saturday (6/27) and Sunday (6/28). It will be located at Molly Gochman's Studio on 2442 Bartlett St, Houston, TX 77006. Click on the Aurora flyer below for more details...

Hope you make it there. That guy won't be there, I promise..

The day before Monday.

Typical Sunday. Browsing YouTube after a long, hot, afternoon nap. I stumbled upon two new videos that I really enjoyed and thought, "hey, I'll put this on my blog and maybe someone else will too. Or maybe they won't. Or maybe they'll buy expensive tickets to a lackluster concert, put on by decietful premoters trying to make money for their less-than-talented homeboy rappers." I'm not bitter I promise.

The first is a collabo performance from two artists who dominate their respective markets - Just Blaze and John Mayer. I was really impressed with Mayer's soulfull solo's over Johnnie Taylor's Disco Lady and Souls of Mischief's '93 till Infinity. Very good stuff.

The second is the music video for a song entitled "Taco Day" by NY-based, underground MC, Jean Grae. Parental Discretion is Advised.

Enjoy.

!!!!!

That's how excited I am.

The prolific guerrilla artist who has kept his identity a complete secret for his entire career strikes again. Though, not in the capacity I had anticipated. Usually using the streets of London, New York, New Orleans and Paris as his personal gallery space, BANKSY is showcasing a spectacular array of his work in the UK this summer. And if the trailer is any hint, shit looks doooooope. The exhibition is Free and on display at the Bristol City Museum until the 31st of August. If anyone wants to Book, let me know (Magnanimous, I'm talking to you).

here are some Banksy quotes for schitzenngiggle.... and check out the trailer for a preview of the show...

"To actually [have to] go through the process of having a painting selected must be quite boring. It's a lot more fun to go and put your own one up."

"Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a sharp knife to it."

"People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish... but that's only if it's done properly. "





Oh, and the BBC has a pretty good article about, how exactly can a man who has never revealed his identity take over an Entire Fucking Museum with no one knowing.

W A L E ( pronounced Wall•É )

Although the D.C. rhymer's stage name is phonetically challenging, I'm glad I don't have to say Olubowale Victor Akintimehin every time. I was a bit disappointed with his recent release feat. Lady Gaga and the suspicious resemblance of the single's cover art with my man Tellier's Sexuality cover. But, fortunately for me, those aren't legitimate reasons to ignore a seasoned underground veteran's work. While most emcees were rhyming over Weezy's A Milli beat last year, Wale chose to spit hot fire over JUSTICE's D.A.N.C.E. And he continues to remind me of why I am a fan with the release of his 5th mixtape - Back to the Feature. The tape is mostly produced by future superproducer 9th Woner and features a few other rapper's that I've listened to before - Sir Bun B, Talib, J. Cole, Freeway, Curren$y, etc. The track that really stands out to me is the Fela Kuti-inspired, Mark Ronson produced, "Um Ricka" featuring K'Naan. It's rill good.

Luckily, the entire mixtape can be picked up right here. For Free! Be sure to look out for Mr. Akintimehin's debut album, Attention Defecit, this fall.

Dub(do)Work mixtape - June 2009

d(d)w - 6/09

The third anniversary of the Dub(do)Work mixtape. I want to thank all of you who are still joining me in this wild excursion through the Blogosphere. I have a nice lineup this month for you guys and I can't go any further without pointing out a future chart-topper - Set Sail Prevail. This is a very special track for me, being rendered by one of my favorite Anglos of All Time, Mr. Antone Proler a.k.a The Turtle Tantrum. Be sure to pick up the song below and stop by his website for more of his soundssss.

Some other favorites include..."Qui est cette fille," which is really good if you're into dancing (check out more elctro jams at the KENYADIG site), J. Cole does a stellar job of holding his own against the Jigga man classic and I even threw in one of my favorite Dilla tracks to highlight the release of his New Cd. I hope you guys enjoy.

1. Stress/Guilty Simpson/Stress 12"
2. Robocop (Motor Club Remix)/Kanye West
3. D.O.A (Death of Autotune)/Jay-Z/The Blueprint III
4. Revolver/Madonna ft. Lil Wayne
5. Haunted Hall/Rainbow Arabia
6. I Go Chop'am/Afrikan Boy/Can of Whoop Ass - The Rise of Captain Africa
7. I'm Goin In/Young Jeezy ft. Lil Wayne and Drake/Trappin Aint Dead
8. Set Sail Prevail/The Turtle Tantrum
9. Gifted (Steve Aoki Remix)/N.A.S.A
10. Eh Oh/Femi Kuti & Positive Force/Day By Day
11. Don't Cry/J Dilla/Donuts
12. Radio Kalininbrad/Handsome Furs/Face Control
13. Fire Superman/Santigold ft. Lil Wayne/Southerngold
14. Qui est cette fille?/Yelle
15. Twin of Myself (Go! Team Remix)/Black Moth Super Rainbow/Eating Us
16. Dead Presidents II/J. Cole/The Warm Up

Blast from the Past: Michael Jackson, Remember the Time

Does anybody remember this one? In typical MJ fashion, the gender/genre/color bending artist continues to pull out all the stops for his music videos. "Remember the Time" was directed by John Singleton, and starred such powerhouses as Eddie Murphy, Iman, and Magic Johnson(!!???). Michael really forces future musicians to step their game up when it comes to music video production. Have a look at the classic video below and reminisce about the good ole days of The King of Pop.

Southerngold

Brooklyn-based DJ Terry Urban hooks up with California-based clothing company Gold Coin to give us a splendid rendition of Santigold's self-entitled, debut album. Mr. Urban deftly mashes the biggest hits of the South with some of his favorite Santigold tracks, and the end result is not too shabby. The mixtape has ran into some trouble with Santi's camp trying to officially release it. But, of course, their objections could not hold firm against the inevitable prowess of The Internet.

If any of this sounds interesting to you, be sure to pick up the mixtape here and if you are in or around Houston next Wednesday (the 17th) try and make it by Ms. Gold's show at the House of Blues. It should be a good one.

We Have Band, You Came Out

Today, I got a call from my man Magnanimous, alerting me to the latest from D(D)W favorite, We Have Band - the English synth-pop trio that left us wanting more at SxSW. The band adds to their ever-growing résumé with their video for "You Came Out". I definitely remember jamming to this song and loving it, but I have mixed feelings about the video. The cheery, dance worthy tune doesn't seem to mix well with the somber, no-smile theme of the video. But, like their band name, I may just not Get It. And I love them, so they get a pass. And, it appears as if they drew a little inspiration from fellow D(D)W favorite, Gareth the Hareth, for the video - which is always a plus.

Check out the video below and keep your eye out for the release of their debut LP. Which should be coming out soon...maybe...hopefully..

David, a horse and a mouse

Have you ever wondered what happens when two of the most creative, mysterious musicians of our time hook up with one of the most prolific, accomplished film directors of all time? Well, if you are like me and you haven't, it would be a little something like the latest project from Sparklehorse, Danger Mouse and David Lynch - Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse present: DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL.

In true stick-it-to-the-man fashion, Danger Mouse avoided any potential legal problems with his record label and decided to sell the CD independently. As in independent of music. You see, Mr. Mouse knows that the music for the album has already leaked onto The Internet and has decided to sell Blank CD-R's. Giving the consumer the freedom of what to do or what not to do with it. And as an added bonus, when you purchase the CD-R from their website, you get hooked up with a.) a limited edition poster Or b.) a limited edition, 100 page book of original photography from Mr. Lynch - a "visual narrative" of the music from the album.

Anyway, back to the music. All of the songs featured on the album can be heard streaming on NPR's website. It features all sorts of iconic artists, from Iggy Pop to Wayne Coyne. Shit, even D. Lynch found his way on a song. In short, Dark Night of The Soul is a spectacularly sublime project from three spectacularly sublime artists.

Support their cause! (whatever it is) and click on the album art above..

Oh, and one other thing. Mr. Lynch is currently exhibiting some of his photography from the project at the Michael Kohn Gallery in LA...It just never ends..

is that a burger or an ex-husband on that grill?

Teamwork really does make the Dream work. If you are in or around Los Angeles before July 11, be sure to take some time out and visit Mr. Lynch's instillation.

Spaceship x GLC

I'm sure everyone remembers this jam off of Kanye's debut album, The College Dropout. I'm also sure that none of us remember the video for that jam. Because it was never released. Until now. Well, sort of. GLC of GOOD Music gave us a sneak peak of the video on his blog. The video definitely looks promising and it's nice to see the OldKanye..

AFRIKAN BOY

I first discovered Olushola Ajose while listening to the song "Hussel" off of M.I.A's album, Kala. Olushola, better known as Afrikan Boy, was unlike anything I'd ever heard (You think you tuff n-n-n-owwww...). But after all, I hadn't heard that many 20-year old, Nigerian MC's. But one thing was for sure, after only one verse, I was hooked. Ajose continues to break cultural and linguistic barriers with "I go Chop'am" - a leak from his highly anticipated mixtape, Can of Whoopass Vol. 1: The Rise of Captain Africa. - Monster title for a mixtape - The song is pretty dope, sans the Vocoder. Although he deftly acknowledges the man who put The Vocoder on the map - You screw/I chop/I chop/You screw/You've officially been chopped and screwed (hahha)

Vocoder or No Vocoder, I am really looking forward to the release of the tape. Pick up the track here and be sure to look out for the Can of Whoopass -