Los Angeles Soundsystem

24 January 2010

LCD Soundsystem have launched a new website (not that big of a deal I realize) but it does contain new footage of James out in Los Angeles, at Rick Rubin’s Laurel Canyon funhouse, recording the new record. It also contains the first audible, public clues of new music and what it just might sound like. They filmed the proceedings almost non stop for months so there should be lots more to come soon…

GRATEFUL DEATH FROM ABOVE

20 January 2010

An idea for a new logo. Drew Heffron swears he came up with this one on his own but it looks familiar to me.

American Tune

15 January 2010

I find this song sorta perfect and listen to the album version (recorded in 1973) on repeat. I love to go and seek out footage of the artist performing the song/album and different promotional appearances all from the same time frame around the release of the song. Now “American Tune” is practically a standard for a folk performer. Back then, it was just some clever new song the guy that isn’t Garfunkel wrote.

Paul Simon “American Tune” The Dick Cavett Show 1974

Paul Simon “American Tune” BBC TV 1975

Paul Simon “American Tune” Location Unknown 1975

I think there is a very different message being sent depending if the moustache is in effect or not. His pitch, timber and sincerity pretty much all comes down to his moustache.

Michoacan’s In The Dark Of The Night

14 January 2010

DFA releases a new 12″ by East Palo Alto superstar Michoacan. The digital comes out in a month, the vinyl in 2 months and in the meantime we paired up with Scion AV and music video director Alison Childs aka Donuts to make a music video. Check it below.

The Birdman Cometh

10 January 2010

The new Bobby Birdman album is so fantastic, like something between the great upbeat moments of YACHT mixed with some Blur-like baladeering. This first single is a case in point. I cannot help but think of Damon Albarn when I hear the vocals. Beautiful song, beautiful video.

Album is out now on Fryk Beat Records.

The Doctor Is Out

31 December 2009

Dock Ellis famously pitched a no hitter (a “no-no”) in 1970, while under the influence of LSD and Amphetamines. Fuck steroids. I don’t follow baseball much at all, but this story is incredible as is the animated short film made by artist James Blagden for No Mas.

Goodnight Keith Moon

12 December 2009

I am all comedy this week, eh?

Even better, look through the book HERE.

Partyhead

10 December 2009

Made me laugh. Buy it here.

Beep Beep!

7 December 2009

DFA reissued the 1983 album “Chomp” by Athens, Georgia legends Pylon, which has amazingly never been available on CD and never remastered. Rodney Mills remastered the album from the original reels, just like he did when DFA reissued Pylon’s debut 1981 album “Gyrate” a few years ago. Pylon are a true revelation and one of the absolute best post punk bands America ever had the good taste to spit out. Do not sleep on these albums!

Here is a video for the song Beep, from “Chomp”.

photo by Laura Levine

That Sumner Feeling

6 December 2009

Sumner has that summer feeling in this 1984 in-studio live performance at the BBC. Bernie wears both (short) white tennis shorts and a tank top, while Peter Hook looks like he came straight from the local gym. I love the way they begin the song, letting the machines run and casually finding their ways into the groove.

New Order “Temptation” -  Live at BBC Radio 1 Studios, 1984

Flash back 3 years to NYC in 1981 and New Order are making their first American appearance at the Ukranian National Home. This is quite a different take on the song.

New Order  “Temptation” Live at the Ukrainian National Home, NYC on 11.19.1981