Thursday, October 02, 2008
Blog Review: ZenHabits
It's sites like ZenHabits.net that make me want to be a better blogger. I've no delusions that conradzero.com is useful by any stretch of the imagination, but ZenHabits is chock-full of useful, practical, real-world information on how to make your life simpler and better.
It's positive and cheerful too, but don't let that get you down.
There's a marvelous post over there right now by Leo, titled Success Isn’t a Competition: Boosting Others Helps You in the Long Run. It's title pretty much sums the post up. There's some good examples of the idea applied to blogging, but the idea lends itself well to other areas of life. I'd argue that competition is healthy to a point, but there's a lot of truth to what Leo says.
Leo's also starting a "Helping Hand" program, and reaching out to offer support to other bloggers in any way he can. That's great, and I wish him the best. He's already helping me by blogging useful advice. I'm helping him in return by telling all three of my blog readers what a great site ZenHabits is. It's the least I can do.
Ya'all really ought to read it. Leo's got a lot of useful wisdom to share.
Don't pass up on zenhabits! It'd be like starting every sentence of your blog post with a contraction.
That'd be lame.
Art's Resistance
-Z'ro
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It's positive and cheerful too, but don't let that get you down.
There's a marvelous post over there right now by Leo, titled Success Isn’t a Competition: Boosting Others Helps You in the Long Run. It's title pretty much sums the post up. There's some good examples of the idea applied to blogging, but the idea lends itself well to other areas of life. I'd argue that competition is healthy to a point, but there's a lot of truth to what Leo says.
Leo's also starting a "Helping Hand" program, and reaching out to offer support to other bloggers in any way he can. That's great, and I wish him the best. He's already helping me by blogging useful advice. I'm helping him in return by telling all three of my blog readers what a great site ZenHabits is. It's the least I can do.
Ya'all really ought to read it. Leo's got a lot of useful wisdom to share.
Don't pass up on zenhabits! It'd be like starting every sentence of your blog post with a contraction.
That'd be lame.
Art's Resistance
-Z'ro
Labels: Blogging, Cool Website, Ubercool
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Animator vs Animation II
0 Comments PermalinkSunday, June 29, 2008
Review of the 2008 Flight of the Valkyries show
An impossibly amazing set of performances by the female-fronted bands attending the second Flight of the Valkyries show at Station-4.
It seems that every time there's an event at Station 4, I get to the event late. The only exception was the Jagged Spiral show a couple months ago, which is a good thing, because I was in it. Here, I thought the event started at 6PM, but it actually started at 3PM, and so I managed to miss Aria Sharp, Something to Fear, Earthen and Dendura. My loss.
However, I did get to meet Nathan Block, also known as 'The SwordLord' and the promoter of much of the harder edged music that comes to town. It was an honor to meet him and shake his hand. There was enough free stuff handed out by the bands that the $20 cover was well worth the price. I only wish I had gotten there sooner. Station 4 is a great venue for gigs like this, the only thing better would have been an outdoor show with awesome weather! Maybe next year???
Here are the bands from FotV I did get to experience:
Visideon - Visideon played the First FotV in 2007, and were invited back for this year's show. They're a great band, definitely worth hearing, I especially liked the vocals. Many metal bands (especially female-fronted ones) push vocals down into dog-barking obscurity or up into piercingly high-pitched screams, both of these techniques are spices to me, best used sparingly, and Visideon understand that. They call their music, "Classical Chording meets Heavy Guitar", add in some Angelic singing and synth-playing and you've got Visideon. Keep an eye on this band, and get out to see them while you can, they might not remain local for long!
Benedictum - The highlight of the evening, Benedictum (San Diego, CA) really stole the show for me. Their power and energy were set to 'Uber' and their lead singer, Victoria Freeman channelled and focused all of it. She really pulled the audience into the show, running into the crowd, even taking her wireless mic to the other side of Station 4 to make people watching from the "safe seats" feel like they were in the front row! And any band that can pull off a cover of Accept's 'Balls to the Wall'? Wow, these guys are really amazing!
Shadowside - South American Female Fronted Power Metal? Hell yeah! Shadowside was astonishing and beautiful onstage. Check out their myspace page to hear a band that pushes all the power, energy, and intensity of Iron Maiden into their music.
Unexpect - This year's headliner was Unexpect, a seven-piece band from Montreal. Now lots of bands use the term 'progressive' in their band descriptions, and I've pretty much crossed that word out of my dictionary, since it's been misused into meaninglessness. Everybody who writes a song with a bridge or a time-change in it calls themselves 'progressive'. But I might have to pull that word back out, because Unexpect is really, truly avant-garde. The SwordLord had this to say about them: "Think Cirque de Soleil goes black metal amidst an acid-trip version of The Dark Crystal", and I can't think of a better description. The nine-string bass guitar was a trip! I have to admit, their music was a bit over the top for me, chaotic and hard to get ahold of, the same way I feel about 'System of a Down'. Each member of the band is hyper-talented, but I think they are trying too hard to be different. For me, it was like listening to three bands at the same time, but check out their myspace and hear for yourself.
All in all a great festival, Minnesota is lucky to have an event like this here, and The SwordLord enjoys pointing out that it is the ONLY festival of this kind in the United States! Hopefully he will bring it back again, and it will grow in popularity.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
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Permalink
It seems that every time there's an event at Station 4, I get to the event late. The only exception was the Jagged Spiral show a couple months ago, which is a good thing, because I was in it. Here, I thought the event started at 6PM, but it actually started at 3PM, and so I managed to miss Aria Sharp, Something to Fear, Earthen and Dendura. My loss.
However, I did get to meet Nathan Block, also known as 'The SwordLord' and the promoter of much of the harder edged music that comes to town. It was an honor to meet him and shake his hand. There was enough free stuff handed out by the bands that the $20 cover was well worth the price. I only wish I had gotten there sooner. Station 4 is a great venue for gigs like this, the only thing better would have been an outdoor show with awesome weather! Maybe next year???
Here are the bands from FotV I did get to experience:
Visideon - Visideon played the First FotV in 2007, and were invited back for this year's show. They're a great band, definitely worth hearing, I especially liked the vocals. Many metal bands (especially female-fronted ones) push vocals down into dog-barking obscurity or up into piercingly high-pitched screams, both of these techniques are spices to me, best used sparingly, and Visideon understand that. They call their music, "Classical Chording meets Heavy Guitar", add in some Angelic singing and synth-playing and you've got Visideon. Keep an eye on this band, and get out to see them while you can, they might not remain local for long!
Benedictum - The highlight of the evening, Benedictum (San Diego, CA) really stole the show for me. Their power and energy were set to 'Uber' and their lead singer, Victoria Freeman channelled and focused all of it. She really pulled the audience into the show, running into the crowd, even taking her wireless mic to the other side of Station 4 to make people watching from the "safe seats" feel like they were in the front row! And any band that can pull off a cover of Accept's 'Balls to the Wall'? Wow, these guys are really amazing!
Shadowside - South American Female Fronted Power Metal? Hell yeah! Shadowside was astonishing and beautiful onstage. Check out their myspace page to hear a band that pushes all the power, energy, and intensity of Iron Maiden into their music.
Unexpect - This year's headliner was Unexpect, a seven-piece band from Montreal. Now lots of bands use the term 'progressive' in their band descriptions, and I've pretty much crossed that word out of my dictionary, since it's been misused into meaninglessness. Everybody who writes a song with a bridge or a time-change in it calls themselves 'progressive'. But I might have to pull that word back out, because Unexpect is really, truly avant-garde. The SwordLord had this to say about them: "Think Cirque de Soleil goes black metal amidst an acid-trip version of The Dark Crystal", and I can't think of a better description. The nine-string bass guitar was a trip! I have to admit, their music was a bit over the top for me, chaotic and hard to get ahold of, the same way I feel about 'System of a Down'. Each member of the band is hyper-talented, but I think they are trying too hard to be different. For me, it was like listening to three bands at the same time, but check out their myspace and hear for yourself.
All in all a great festival, Minnesota is lucky to have an event like this here, and The SwordLord enjoys pointing out that it is the ONLY festival of this kind in the United States! Hopefully he will bring it back again, and it will grow in popularity.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music, music reviews, Ubercool
Thursday, June 26, 2008
48 Hour Film Fest Awards Ceremony
In about 2 minutes, the 48 hour film fest awards for Minneapolis will go live, and you can see this years winners. I just got back from the awards ceremony, and I can give you a 2-minute heads up that "Birthmarked for Death" took best Picture, and a handful of other awards.
The group team Chiaroscuro was up against had 3 films go to the finals, so it's no surprise that our effort "Fort World" didn't make it to finals, but it's nothing to be ashamed of, we had some great company and great competition.
...next time....
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
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The group team Chiaroscuro was up against had 3 films go to the finals, so it's no surprise that our effort "Fort World" didn't make it to finals, but it's nothing to be ashamed of, we had some great company and great competition.
...next time....
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: indie movies, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Monday, June 02, 2008
2008 National Conference for Media Reform
It isn't often that Minneapolis gets to host events like this. If you care about the state of media, here is the place to share ammunition for the revolution...
http://www.freepress.net/conference
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
0 Comments
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http://www.freepress.net/conference
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event, Music Industry, Ubercool
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
NIN - The Slip. Free. Now. Go.
Looks like Mr. Self-Destruct has been busy. Nine Inch Nails just released *another* new album called "The Slip". I don't know when it came out, I'm only hearing about it through the grapevine, and I'm a registered member at nin.com!
Go to this website and enter your e-mail, you will receive a download link that once activated is good for one hour. Tell Trent I sent you. And ask him if he's cleaning out the studio or something, because with the Ghosts double album coming out LAST MONTH, that's quite a bit of music in a damn short period of time.
Did I mention it's free?
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
0 Comments
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Go to this website and enter your e-mail, you will receive a download link that once activated is good for one hour. Tell Trent I sent you. And ask him if he's cleaning out the studio or something, because with the Ghosts double album coming out LAST MONTH, that's quite a bit of music in a damn short period of time.
Did I mention it's free?
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: music, NIN, Ubercool, Viral Marketing
Monday, April 14, 2008
Review of Voltage 2008
It was about ten years ago that Anna Lee and her sister moved in next door. Xtina and I were living in South Minneapolis at the time, and I remember looking out the window, and seeing these two young and industrious former Fargoians hauling furniture into their new place. I helped them with the bedframe as Xtina put together some kind of neighborly gift for the "new kids on the block". Candles so they would always have light, Wine so they would always have drink, and Bread, so they would always have food, Condoms so they would...well, I don't remember exactly, but something like that.
Well, that was ages ago, and now look, our little Anna, all grown up...on the cover of the Star Tribune and Vita.mn...[sniffle]... I proclaimed Anna Lee as Fashion Maven of Minneapolis long ago, and its high time the rest of the world found out. But since no one reads my blog, at least now she's finally getting the press she deserves.
Now, before any of you mock my rock-hard hard-rock sensibilities because I've attended every Voltage fashion show...be not fooled. Voltage is a mash-up of a fashion show and a 'best new bands' night, and I'm mostly interested in the bands, but I'm all for Anna's vision, and I want to see her succeed, so color me supportive. Just keep in mind that my own wardrobe hasn't changed much since the 90's so I'm not really any kind of fashion authority, and my opinion should be considered more Proletariat than Bourgeoisie.
Here are the bands that played at Voltage 2008:
ZibraZibra - Listening to this band was like being trapped inside an Atari 2600 that was run by the Village People. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Their outfits were designed by Ivan Idland, and were an accurate representation of the band's music: gaudy, stunning, and outlandish.
The Haves Have It - Impressive. Think Jagged Spiral crossed with Heart. Three-piece band with female lead guitar/vocals, female bass player and male drummer. Catchy, punchy pop. Their new release "Friction" just came out last month, and I Have to Have it. I voted The Haves Have It as my pick for "Audience Choice Awards". Maybe they'd be interested in playing a show with Jagged Spiral down the road... Their outfits by EM/MA were cut as high as the price of gasoline, and smokin' hot.
Bella Koshka - I've seen Bella Koshka a few times before, and purchased their aptly named debut, "Slow Dancing on the Ocean Floor", so I already knew they were good. Technical problems with computer loops during the show taught them the hard way what Greazy Meal meant when they said, "...get on stage and push Play? No Way!" Funny thing is, the Owls learned this same lesson at the first Voltage show when their drum CD skipped and completely wrecked their song. Aside from the glitch, their show was top-notch. Strangely, their outfit design by Ann Alyse Clothing was kinda boring. What happened to the cool outfits they were wearing on the cover of Vita.mm?
MC/VL - I think it's poetic justice that the Beastie Boys get ripped off like this. Lots of fun N-R-G and running around, including running into the audience. Xtina even got to participate in one of the songs! Their outfits by Erin Smith were a nod to the Licensed to Ill era just like the music; Members Only Jackets?!! Ha! and oversized fake 'bling' before it was even called that. Good times. If you didn't like Early Beasties, you won't like MC/VL. I thought they were great fun.
White Light Riot - The Minneapolis Darlings who made the "Best New Bands of 2006". I hadn't heard from WLR since they held an industry party for the record labels to come paw at them. They were by far the Best Dressed Band of the evening, looking quite dapper (and warm) in Olde English Velvet outfits designed by Elizabeth Chesney. A trip-up stole some of their energy about 5 sec into their set, but he got it back towards the end of their set. A good show. I'm told their CD recordings are better...have to check that out.
Birthday Suits and only "Birthday Suits", not "The Birthday Suits". A two-piece band; drummer and guitarist playing minimalist pseudo-punk. While Birthday Suits guitarist made better use of the stage than Gay Witch Abortion, the guitarist's tone and singing voice were both tinny. When you choose not to have a bass player in the band, you need something on the bottom end to hold it together. GWA know this and dial in some wicked tone on the guitar (Check out "Action Cop" on their myspace), Birthday Suits provide some overdubbed bass on their recorded works (check out "Cherry Blue" and "Flying Man Y2K" on their myspace) but their live show doesn't, and suffers for lack thereof. I can't recall their outfits by Dan Patrick, other than they truly were wearing clothing and not their birthday suits....
Overall, the band choices were all pretty safe, a good mix of musical styles to go with the various fashions. I would say this was the best production for Voltage yet, but since there's only been three of them, that's not high praise. The honor is that Voltage is still going strong, and still turns a crowd and a ton of sponsors. Anna Lee knows that Voltage on it's own isn't enough to shake the foundations of the local fashion industry, so she's been quick to tie it to other MNFashion events: the "Fashion Weekend" and the "MNFashion Flash" contest. Voltage is a stepping stone to an even bigger vision from the fashion maven, and it should be interesting to see how it all pans out.
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Concert, Fashion, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Saturday, March 15, 2008
NIN - Ghosts Film Festival
You might be tired of me going on and on about how visionary and cool Trent Reznor is...
...I'll stop going on about him when he stops giving me reasons. Case in point:
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
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...I'll stop going on about him when he stops giving me reasons. Case in point:
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Call To Action, indie movies, NIN, Ubercool
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Chill
You can thank Xtina for this one. She was visiting a friend who had XM radio, and landed on a station called "Chill". A quick search turned up the wikipedia entry and the website where you can listen to chillin' ambient, trance, and soothing digital mellowness that they call "Tai Chi for your Ears".
Did I mention it's FREE? So I guess I'm calling my monthly internet access service "Value Added"...
But sadly, they don't play Jagged Spiral :(
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
0 Comments
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Did I mention it's FREE? So I guess I'm calling my monthly internet access service "Value Added"...
But sadly, they don't play Jagged Spiral :(
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Cool Website, music, Ubercool
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
darktwincities.com
Gothy places and events in the Twin Cities are difficult to find outside of Ground Zero. Not that the Heartland doesn't have a dark side, far from it. Its just that the cool events like the Zombie Pub Crawl and the Goth Prom get lost in the deluge of mook bars, DJs, and karaoke nights.
I try to help when I can, but even I miss out on things; for example, I didn't hear about the Zombie Fashion Show until after it was over. And I'm sure there's plenty of people who don't want to wade through my slanderous movie reviews and delirious raving about DRM, just to pick out the occasional gothy tidbit.
Therefore, the need for a website like darktwincities.com "Your source for all things Dark and Spooky in MSP". They focus mostly on music and clubs, but they also have music reviews and plenty of other gothy-goings-on in the forums; fashion, news and whatever else your dark heart desires.
If you know of a Dark and Spooky event going on in the Twin Cities, make sure to stop over at darktwincites.com and post it in the forums, or e-mail their staff using the link on the homepage, they will even get your event flier posted on the frontpage.
Like the Jagged Spiral concert next Thursday, for example:
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
0 Comments
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I try to help when I can, but even I miss out on things; for example, I didn't hear about the Zombie Fashion Show until after it was over. And I'm sure there's plenty of people who don't want to wade through my slanderous movie reviews and delirious raving about DRM, just to pick out the occasional gothy tidbit.
Therefore, the need for a website like darktwincities.com "Your source for all things Dark and Spooky in MSP". They focus mostly on music and clubs, but they also have music reviews and plenty of other gothy-goings-on in the forums; fashion, news and whatever else your dark heart desires.
If you know of a Dark and Spooky event going on in the Twin Cities, make sure to stop over at darktwincites.com and post it in the forums, or e-mail their staff using the link on the homepage, they will even get your event flier posted on the frontpage.Like the Jagged Spiral concert next Thursday, for example:
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Cool Website, Ubercool
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
All Over But The Release Party
The name Jim Walsh is nearly-famous here in flyover land, as was the band he writes about in his new book, "The Replacements: All Over But The Shouting". The book release party is coming up, one week from today. (See details below) I've mentioned this gig before, but it is worth mentioning.
As a musician, your art will be referenced to where you make it, and I suspect that if the Replacements had been birthed in California, they wouldn't have made a single wave, but to flaunt that kind of arrogance and energy here *Here* in Flyover Land? It's all about being in the right place at the right time, and the Replacements certainly were.
For those of us who "missed out" on the heyday of the Replacements Era, Jim Walsh lived through it, and kindly provides us a look back into what was happening at the time. His unauthorized documentary on the band, "The Replacements: All Over But The Shouting" was just released on 15 Nov 2007. I haven't read it yet, and in fact, I meant to go to the Treehouse Records reading/signing tonight, but I discovered that what Jim Walsh meant by "The Wednesday before Thanksgiving" was actually "The Wednesday BEFORE the Wednesday before Thanksgiving" In other words...I missed it. But I fully intend to pick it up at the release party, and I'm really looking forward to some cool bands like Revolver Modele maybe covering a bit of Replacements material for us? (I bet the bands all will fight over who gets to play "Bastards of Young"...)
Wednesday, November 28
First Avenue Mainroom & The 7th Street Entry 7:00 PM / 18+
89.3 THE CURRENT PRESENTS...
JIM WALSH'S THE REPLACEMENTS:
"ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING"
BOOK RELEASE PARTY FEATURING
THE ALARMISTS, BIRTHDAY SUITS, THE EVENING RIG, THE FALLS, THE HONEYDOGS, JEREMY MESSERSMITH, KRUDDLER, THE MAMMYS, MARTIN DEVANEY, ONE FOR THE TEAM with DAVE CAMPBELL, RED FLAGS, REVOLVER MODELE , TERRY WALSH, and TODD NEWMAN
$6.00 advance / $8.00 door
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
1 Comments
Permalink
As a musician, your art will be referenced to where you make it, and I suspect that if the Replacements had been birthed in California, they wouldn't have made a single wave, but to flaunt that kind of arrogance and energy here *Here* in Flyover Land? It's all about being in the right place at the right time, and the Replacements certainly were.
For those of us who "missed out" on the heyday of the Replacements Era, Jim Walsh lived through it, and kindly provides us a look back into what was happening at the time. His unauthorized documentary on the band, "The Replacements: All Over But The Shouting" was just released on 15 Nov 2007. I haven't read it yet, and in fact, I meant to go to the Treehouse Records reading/signing tonight, but I discovered that what Jim Walsh meant by "The Wednesday before Thanksgiving" was actually "The Wednesday BEFORE the Wednesday before Thanksgiving" In other words...I missed it. But I fully intend to pick it up at the release party, and I'm really looking forward to some cool bands like Revolver Modele maybe covering a bit of Replacements material for us? (I bet the bands all will fight over who gets to play "Bastards of Young"...)
Wednesday, November 28
First Avenue Mainroom & The 7th Street Entry 7:00 PM / 18+
89.3 THE CURRENT PRESENTS...
JIM WALSH'S THE REPLACEMENTS:
"ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING"
BOOK RELEASE PARTY FEATURING
THE ALARMISTS, BIRTHDAY SUITS, THE EVENING RIG, THE FALLS, THE HONEYDOGS, JEREMY MESSERSMITH, KRUDDLER, THE MAMMYS, MARTIN DEVANEY, ONE FOR THE TEAM with DAVE CAMPBELL, RED FLAGS, REVOLVER MODELE , TERRY WALSH, and TODD NEWMAN
$6.00 advance / $8.00 door
Art Is Resistance
-Zero
Labels: Authors, Concert, Cool Event, Ubercool
Friday, August 17, 2007
Nod to the Ladies
Ah, Fall. I love it when the Winter of Summer gives way to the Spring of Autumn. 69 Degrees sounds awesome right now, which almost inexplicably reminds me of some links I've been meaning to post about our female friends...
Fergie (The Dutchess) - At the MN State Fair Grandstand, 25 Aug 2007. Fergie is what I call a 'hussy trollop', [Editor's Note: ...and no good in the sack, either. Hey, don't shoot the messenger.] But if you can listen through the shit-syrup production and the roomfull of boyz (You know who they are, no need to mention them here) crowding her out, she does have a phenomenal voice, and I'm pleased to hear they actually let her shine on her latest single, "Big Girls Don't Cry". [Writer's Note: WTF, did you think I only listen to Suzanne Vega and Nightwish all day?]
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - at the MN State Fair Grandstand, 26 Aug 2007. Joan Jett actually sweat on me once, at a concert in Austin, Texas, and I swore I would never bathe again. Not the first time I've lied, nor the last, and I'm sure Joan would understand. Joan Jett is one of the few artists who never had to tell you she was 'going back to her Roots' because she never left them. She knows full well who she is, and what she does, and what she does is Kick Ass.
Suzanne Vega - 2 Oct 2007 at the Varsity Theatre. I'm sure I will get into trouble of Mythical Proportions for telling you this, but Suzanne Vega is a musical genius - a songwriting goddess with more talent in her toenail clippings than Sarah McLachlan, The Indigo Girls, Sade and Fergie combined [Editors Note: Great Z, thanks a lot. Let the hate-mail begin! And for the record, Fergie was a throwaway...]
The Dollys - 2 & 3 Sept at the MN State Fair, Heritage Stage. Now, I don't like country, but IF I did, then I would like the Dollys. My Image Consultant has asked me not to disclose the fact that they sound like Angels... [Image Consultant's Note: This section deleted.]
Andra Suchy - 9 Aug at Kozy's Steaks and Seafood, Galleria Summer Music Sampler. One third of the vocal brilliance behind The Dollys, Andra Suchy can also be heard as the voice of "Hookers And Blow" as well as branching out on her own. If you are looking for a more intimate and less crowded setting than her State Fair appearance with The Dollys, check her out at the Galleria on Aug 9th.
Nightwish - 28 Oct at First Avenue. I haven't quite caught the Nightwish bug, and the fact that they swapped out lead singers after the "Once" album means I have no clue what they sound like now, but one word describes their music: Epic.
Tank Girl Minneapolis - From what I can tell, this is a sort of 'Lifestyle Outfitter' store, run by women who most likely have a third "X" chromosome. [Editors Note: Three "X"s, get it? As in "XXX", as in "Triple X"? Come on people, work with us here! It just isn't funny when I have to explain it!] Anyway, the website is a little sparce now, but check back, because I personally would like to see more "Empowering Accessories for the Urbane Motorist"...
Anyways, a bloggers 'Tip O The Cap' to the ladies, thanx for making life here beautiful.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
0 Comments
Permalink
Fergie (The Dutchess) - At the MN State Fair Grandstand, 25 Aug 2007. Fergie is what I call a 'hussy trollop', [Editor's Note: ...and no good in the sack, either. Hey, don't shoot the messenger.] But if you can listen through the shit-syrup production and the roomfull of boyz (You know who they are, no need to mention them here) crowding her out, she does have a phenomenal voice, and I'm pleased to hear they actually let her shine on her latest single, "Big Girls Don't Cry". [Writer's Note: WTF, did you think I only listen to Suzanne Vega and Nightwish all day?]
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - at the MN State Fair Grandstand, 26 Aug 2007. Joan Jett actually sweat on me once, at a concert in Austin, Texas, and I swore I would never bathe again. Not the first time I've lied, nor the last, and I'm sure Joan would understand. Joan Jett is one of the few artists who never had to tell you she was 'going back to her Roots' because she never left them. She knows full well who she is, and what she does, and what she does is Kick Ass.
Suzanne Vega - 2 Oct 2007 at the Varsity Theatre. I'm sure I will get into trouble of Mythical Proportions for telling you this, but Suzanne Vega is a musical genius - a songwriting goddess with more talent in her toenail clippings than Sarah McLachlan, The Indigo Girls, Sade and Fergie combined [Editors Note: Great Z, thanks a lot. Let the hate-mail begin! And for the record, Fergie was a throwaway...]
The Dollys - 2 & 3 Sept at the MN State Fair, Heritage Stage. Now, I don't like country, but IF I did, then I would like the Dollys. My Image Consultant has asked me not to disclose the fact that they sound like Angels... [Image Consultant's Note: This section deleted.]
Andra Suchy - 9 Aug at Kozy's Steaks and Seafood, Galleria Summer Music Sampler. One third of the vocal brilliance behind The Dollys, Andra Suchy can also be heard as the voice of "Hookers And Blow" as well as branching out on her own. If you are looking for a more intimate and less crowded setting than her State Fair appearance with The Dollys, check her out at the Galleria on Aug 9th.
Nightwish - 28 Oct at First Avenue. I haven't quite caught the Nightwish bug, and the fact that they swapped out lead singers after the "Once" album means I have no clue what they sound like now, but one word describes their music: Epic.
Tank Girl Minneapolis - From what I can tell, this is a sort of 'Lifestyle Outfitter' store, run by women who most likely have a third "X" chromosome. [Editors Note: Three "X"s, get it? As in "XXX", as in "Triple X"? Come on people, work with us here! It just isn't funny when I have to explain it!] Anyway, the website is a little sparce now, but check back, because I personally would like to see more "Empowering Accessories for the Urbane Motorist"...
Anyways, a bloggers 'Tip O The Cap' to the ladies, thanx for making life here beautiful.
KTHXBYE,
-CZ
Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event, music, Ubercool
Friday, May 04, 2007
Praise for Neil Gaiman
I love Neil Gaiman.
I mean in a *manly* sort of way...you know, like the movie "300", like, "Dude! You're an author, and I'm almost an author..I mean, we both write right? Let's go Man Up and run half-nekked across the moors with swords and cut down enemy forces outnumbering us one-hundred-and-fifty to one! See those three-hundred Spartans over there with their tiny little abs, HA! Dare they pit their ten or twelve tiny chicklet abs against my giant one? Why settle for a 6-pack when you can have a pony keg!"
Then Neil and I could open a can of Whoop-Ass, clean up, do lunch, and talk about writing. We would be sure to sit on opposite sides of the table though. Manly, like I said.
Anyway, I'm reading Neil Gaiman's 'Fragile Things' right now. It's quite good. I'm on page 3. I'll let you know when I have enough info to augment my opinion.
But I did read Good Omens long ago. Great book. Very funny. If you enjoy a 'dry as a funeral drum' sense of humor not too dissimilar from Douglas Adams, then you will like it. I have somehow managed to avoid reading the Sandman series; I keep meaning to stop over at Dreamhaven Books and pick up a copy of Ultimate Sandman when Neil is visiting there and tell him how much I love the first three pages of his new book, but our schedules don't seem to mesh.
How can you Not like Neil Gaiman? He's a famous author who doesn't act famous. He answers his fan mail. And he has a cool accent.
He links to cool things like this.
And this.
Meanwhile, I just rip him off, and post the cool links here.
(On the other hand, I do make sure to give him credits.)
On the other-other hand (?) I notice that Neil has enough fan mail to run his entire blog just off simply responding to them. I do get some questions from fans, but they don't seem very blog-worthy. Here is an example:
Dear Zero,
I just read the synopsis of your upcoming book, "The Demonslayer's Handbook". What the hell is wrong with you?
Signed,
Disturbed
See what I mean? Anyone who reads my blog should know that I don't like Disturbed. Their cover of Genesis's' "Land of Confusion" was pretty good though.
But Neil Gaiman gets the Ubercool Seal of Approval in my book.
Blog on,
-CZ
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I mean in a *manly* sort of way...you know, like the movie "300", like, "Dude! You're an author, and I'm almost an author..I mean, we both write right? Let's go Man Up and run half-nekked across the moors with swords and cut down enemy forces outnumbering us one-hundred-and-fifty to one! See those three-hundred Spartans over there with their tiny little abs, HA! Dare they pit their ten or twelve tiny chicklet abs against my giant one? Why settle for a 6-pack when you can have a pony keg!"
Then Neil and I could open a can of Whoop-Ass, clean up, do lunch, and talk about writing. We would be sure to sit on opposite sides of the table though. Manly, like I said.
Anyway, I'm reading Neil Gaiman's 'Fragile Things' right now. It's quite good. I'm on page 3. I'll let you know when I have enough info to augment my opinion.
But I did read Good Omens long ago. Great book. Very funny. If you enjoy a 'dry as a funeral drum' sense of humor not too dissimilar from Douglas Adams, then you will like it. I have somehow managed to avoid reading the Sandman series; I keep meaning to stop over at Dreamhaven Books and pick up a copy of Ultimate Sandman when Neil is visiting there and tell him how much I love the first three pages of his new book, but our schedules don't seem to mesh.
How can you Not like Neil Gaiman? He's a famous author who doesn't act famous. He answers his fan mail. And he has a cool accent.
He links to cool things like this.
And this.
Meanwhile, I just rip him off, and post the cool links here.
(On the other hand, I do make sure to give him credits.)
On the other-other hand (?) I notice that Neil has enough fan mail to run his entire blog just off simply responding to them. I do get some questions from fans, but they don't seem very blog-worthy. Here is an example:
Dear Zero,
I just read the synopsis of your upcoming book, "The Demonslayer's Handbook". What the hell is wrong with you?
Signed,
Disturbed
See what I mean? Anyone who reads my blog should know that I don't like Disturbed. Their cover of Genesis's' "Land of Confusion" was pretty good though.
But Neil Gaiman gets the Ubercool Seal of Approval in my book.
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Authors, Book Review, Praise, Ubercool
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Art-A-Whirl 2007
Don't miss the 2007 Art-A-Whirl!
FRIDAY, MAY 18th - from 5-10:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 19th - from 12-8:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, MAY 20th - from 12-5:00 p.m.
http://www.art-a-whirl.org/
Blog on,
-CZ
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FRIDAY, MAY 18th - from 5-10:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 19th - from 12-8:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, MAY 20th - from 12-5:00 p.m.
http://www.art-a-whirl.org/
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Event Review: Voltage - Fashion Amplified 2007
Local Fashion Maven*, Anna Lee, pulled out the stops again, for another top-notch production of Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2007, and showed the rest of the world what flyover land had to offer in terms of fashion and music.
This year's show was all the sweeter due to its absence last year, and now popular enough to pull the lead story in all the local press, and pack First Ave to the hilt. I mean, I've Never seen it that full up before.
One goal of Voltage is to not just 'present' bands and designers, but to connect them to the audience. To that extent, a well-designed "Look Book" was distributed at the show. People could pull the book out later and visually identify the designer and their designs. There were also short video interviews with the designers and bands, which aired before each segment of the show, and this helped the audience get a glimpse of their personalities. The "look book" and the videos really helped to connect the audience to the artists.
Voltage also helps the artist community in other ways. Proceeds from Voltage go to the Springboad for the Arts which helps artists gain access to healthcare, and Voltage has also birthed MNFashion.org which seeks to help designers access "professional development and resources so designers can establish a sustainable livelihood"
There are a lot of factors that make the Voltage show pretty fucking amazing, not the least of which is that Anna Lee is behind it. While she is quick to point out that it takes many people to make the show happen, it takes someone with the moxie that Anna has to pull it off.
Another amazing fact is that the show was Packed. I'm pretty sure it was sold out, and that really says something. People want to see this, and hopefully, the success (and continued success) of Voltage, Art-A-Whirl and such will pave the way for more showings of art and fashion. Hopefully they can learn from Voltage to set up symbiotic relationships with the community, instead of consumeristic nonsense like the Uptown Art Fair.
Congrats to Anna Lee, her team and all the designers and artists who made Voltage a big success in 2007. Click over to http://www.voltagefashionamplified.com/ and check out the bands and designers, go to their websites, go to their myspace pages and add them as friends, go see their live shows or designer studios, buy their music if you like it, and most importantly, Spread The Word, and support local art like this. It's something we are fortunate to have, and something people on the other two coasts take for granted.
Blog on,
-CZ
*It was in fact, I who first bequeathed Anna Lee the title of Fashion Maven...
...back in Feb of 2007 when Voltage 2007 was first announced...
...and originally way way back in 2005.
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This year's show was all the sweeter due to its absence last year, and now popular enough to pull the lead story in all the local press, and pack First Ave to the hilt. I mean, I've Never seen it that full up before.
One goal of Voltage is to not just 'present' bands and designers, but to connect them to the audience. To that extent, a well-designed "Look Book" was distributed at the show. People could pull the book out later and visually identify the designer and their designs. There were also short video interviews with the designers and bands, which aired before each segment of the show, and this helped the audience get a glimpse of their personalities. The "look book" and the videos really helped to connect the audience to the artists.
Voltage also helps the artist community in other ways. Proceeds from Voltage go to the Springboad for the Arts which helps artists gain access to healthcare, and Voltage has also birthed MNFashion.org which seeks to help designers access "professional development and resources so designers can establish a sustainable livelihood"
There are a lot of factors that make the Voltage show pretty fucking amazing, not the least of which is that Anna Lee is behind it. While she is quick to point out that it takes many people to make the show happen, it takes someone with the moxie that Anna has to pull it off.
Another amazing fact is that the show was Packed. I'm pretty sure it was sold out, and that really says something. People want to see this, and hopefully, the success (and continued success) of Voltage, Art-A-Whirl and such will pave the way for more showings of art and fashion. Hopefully they can learn from Voltage to set up symbiotic relationships with the community, instead of consumeristic nonsense like the Uptown Art Fair.
Congrats to Anna Lee, her team and all the designers and artists who made Voltage a big success in 2007. Click over to http://www.voltagefashionamplified.com/ and check out the bands and designers, go to their websites, go to their myspace pages and add them as friends, go see their live shows or designer studios, buy their music if you like it, and most importantly, Spread The Word, and support local art like this. It's something we are fortunate to have, and something people on the other two coasts take for granted.
Blog on,
-CZ
*It was in fact, I who first bequeathed Anna Lee the title of Fashion Maven...
...back in Feb of 2007 when Voltage 2007 was first announced...
...and originally way way back in 2005.
Labels: Culture, Fashion, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Thursday, April 05, 2007
NIN YEAR ZERO!
As if we needed further proof that Nine Inch Nails kicks every manifestation of Ass conceivable, you can go to this link, and listen to the new album Year Zero in it's Entirety. For Free.
Click on "Listen to Year Zero" and enter your e-mail, Bam. Stream The Entire Album For Free.
This should tide me over until April 17th when the CD comes out, and the conspiracy should rise to new heights. The CD Packaging hides a secret which only heat will reveal...
Blog on,
-CZ
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Click on "Listen to Year Zero" and enter your e-mail, Bam. Stream The Entire Album For Free.
This should tide me over until April 17th when the CD comes out, and the conspiracy should rise to new heights. The CD Packaging hides a secret which only heat will reveal...
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: music, new release, NIN, Ubercool
Friday, March 30, 2007
Snark Attack!
Not to be confused with the band of the same name.
I want one.
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Cool Invention, Cool Product, Ubercool
Friday, February 09, 2007
This is the NEW new shit
Marilyn Manson has been working on quite a few things: Fashion Shows, Art Galleries, New Album, New Religion (Celebritarian), Marriage, Lawsuits, a new line of Perfume...
...and a horror movie called Phantasmagoria.
I want to bring back the experiments in terror, which is actually a DVD that documents the attempts of 1944 filmmakers to insert subliminal elements. Whether in sound or in frames of the film, to enhance whatever tense or fear they're looking to create at that moment in the film. I think technology allows me to go much further than that. I'm going to do a lot of things that may end up being illegal. Until they are, I will do them. I think it will change people's opinion about horror films and they will realize they're not all about slasher.
No insult to Rob Zombie; People might predict that to be the type of film I would make. That's absolutely the opposite of what I want to do. That's not an interest of mine, anyway. If I had to pick, stylistically, people that I admire – it would be Ingmar Bergman, Roman Polanski, and modern filmmakers; Takashi Miike, who made the film Audition, and Gasper Noe who made I Stand Alone and Irreversible. It's kind of a return to Hitchcock-style psychological horror about letting your mind do the damage and sometimes what you don't see is scarier.
From http://www.mansonusa.com/celebritarian/?page=3
Do you SEE now why I love Marilyn Manson? This guy GETS IT! He fucking GETS IT! I'm bored to tears with Hollywood Horror movies like The Boogyman, Jeepers Creepers and all the I-Scream-While-You-Got-Stabbed-Last-Summer clones. Rob Zombie's movies top the list - they aren't worth a wad of used toilet paper, and are almost as horrific, which is to say; not at all.
Now whether M.M. can Follow Through on this big talk, or whether it turns out to be a pile of pretentious crap like Doppelhertz... I guess only time will tell. In the meantime, I would very much like to see him succeed.
Blog on,
-CZ
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...and a horror movie called Phantasmagoria.
I want to bring back the experiments in terror, which is actually a DVD that documents the attempts of 1944 filmmakers to insert subliminal elements. Whether in sound or in frames of the film, to enhance whatever tense or fear they're looking to create at that moment in the film. I think technology allows me to go much further than that. I'm going to do a lot of things that may end up being illegal. Until they are, I will do them. I think it will change people's opinion about horror films and they will realize they're not all about slasher.
No insult to Rob Zombie; People might predict that to be the type of film I would make. That's absolutely the opposite of what I want to do. That's not an interest of mine, anyway. If I had to pick, stylistically, people that I admire – it would be Ingmar Bergman, Roman Polanski, and modern filmmakers; Takashi Miike, who made the film Audition, and Gasper Noe who made I Stand Alone and Irreversible. It's kind of a return to Hitchcock-style psychological horror about letting your mind do the damage and sometimes what you don't see is scarier.
From http://www.mansonusa.com/celebritarian/?page=3
Do you SEE now why I love Marilyn Manson? This guy GETS IT! He fucking GETS IT! I'm bored to tears with Hollywood Horror movies like The Boogyman, Jeepers Creepers and all the I-Scream-While-You-Got-Stabbed-Last-Summer clones. Rob Zombie's movies top the list - they aren't worth a wad of used toilet paper, and are almost as horrific, which is to say; not at all.
Now whether M.M. can Follow Through on this big talk, or whether it turns out to be a pile of pretentious crap like Doppelhertz... I guess only time will tell. In the meantime, I would very much like to see him succeed.
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Hollywood, Movie News, Ubercool
Friday, February 02, 2007
Voltage - Fashion Amplified 2007
Mark your calendars! Minnesota Fashion Maven Anna Lee is bringing back Voltage after a year hiatus!
11 April 2007 at the First Avenue Mainroom.
If you haven't been to a Voltage show yet, you are missing out. Voltage: Fashion Amplified showcases local fashion designers, who have models parade their latest designs on a runway, while local bands perform on the stage behind them. A brilliant marriage of local music and local fashion. This is the kind of thing N.Y. and L.A. might take for granted, and the kind of thing that will help put Minneapolis on the culture map.
Check the new website for more info and updates.
Also, Anna is trying to raise money and awareness for Springboard for the Arts’s “Artist’s Access to Healthcare” program.
According to Anna, Springboard is also helping to establish a new non-profit- MNfashion, a resource for the local fashion community.
If you know of any companies, organizations, or individuals that you think may be interested in sponsoring, send them a link to the site, or have them contact sponsor@voltagefashionamplified.com
Even if you can't go or can't donate, you should send Anna Lee an e-mail ruby3annalee@gmail.com and tell her what a great job she is doing, supporting local music and fashion, and keeping Minneapolis from becoming a barren wasteland of culturelessness...
Blog on,
-CZ
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11 April 2007 at the First Avenue Mainroom.
If you haven't been to a Voltage show yet, you are missing out. Voltage: Fashion Amplified showcases local fashion designers, who have models parade their latest designs on a runway, while local bands perform on the stage behind them. A brilliant marriage of local music and local fashion. This is the kind of thing N.Y. and L.A. might take for granted, and the kind of thing that will help put Minneapolis on the culture map.
Check the new website for more info and updates.
Also, Anna is trying to raise money and awareness for Springboard for the Arts’s “Artist’s Access to Healthcare” program.
According to Anna, Springboard is also helping to establish a new non-profit- MNfashion, a resource for the local fashion community.
If you know of any companies, organizations, or individuals that you think may be interested in sponsoring, send them a link to the site, or have them contact sponsor@voltagefashionamplified.com
Even if you can't go or can't donate, you should send Anna Lee an e-mail ruby3annalee@gmail.com and tell her what a great job she is doing, supporting local music and fashion, and keeping Minneapolis from becoming a barren wasteland of culturelessness...
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Concert, Fashion, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Revolver Modele Concert - Sat Feb 3
THE DEBUT CD RELEASE PARTY!
w/ THE ALARMISTS, REVOLVER MODELE, and WHITE LIGHT RIOT
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3RD
VARSITY THEATER
1309 4TH AVE SE
$5 in advance $7 @ door, 18+, 9:00 PM
You really should come to see this show, and get there early. Revolver Modele always puts on a great live show, but this concert will be filmed, so it should be awesome! Also, we need lots of people in the audience in case Ehsan falls off the stage again, he will need something to land on...
Look sharp!
-CZ
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w/ THE ALARMISTS, REVOLVER MODELE, and WHITE LIGHT RIOT
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3RD
VARSITY THEATER
1309 4TH AVE SE
$5 in advance $7 @ door, 18+, 9:00 PM
You really should come to see this show, and get there early. Revolver Modele always puts on a great live show, but this concert will be filmed, so it should be awesome! Also, we need lots of people in the audience in case Ehsan falls off the stage again, he will need something to land on...
Look sharp!
-CZ
Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool
Friday, December 15, 2006
The year in vlog reveiw
I was just compiling a list of vlogs I'm more or less keeping up with.....
www.zefrank.com I pointed this out ages ago, but without a doubt, Zefrank wins my VLOG OF THE YEAR...um, if I had one.
http://www.askaninja.com/ Ask a ninja. Sehr lustig. Second place.
Honorable Mention: In other words, if youre really really sick, you could kill a day sifting through them.
http://vlogsanta.tv/
http://www.hopeisemo.com
Yeah, that's about it. I don't watch TV, and I don't have time to spend an hour a day watching stupid video blogs, but now and again, these tend to cross my cursor...
If you have others, please let me know...
Blog on,
-CZ
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www.zefrank.com I pointed this out ages ago, but without a doubt, Zefrank wins my VLOG OF THE YEAR...um, if I had one.
http://www.askaninja.com/ Ask a ninja. Sehr lustig. Second place.
Honorable Mention: In other words, if youre really really sick, you could kill a day sifting through them.
http://vlogsanta.tv/
http://www.hopeisemo.com
Yeah, that's about it. I don't watch TV, and I don't have time to spend an hour a day watching stupid video blogs, but now and again, these tend to cross my cursor...
If you have others, please let me know...
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Blogging, Cool Website, Ubercool, VLogs
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Cool Website of the Day
Where else can you find kewl sites like this?
Why, at www.coolsiteoftheday.com of course.
Make sure to bookmark this site (Warning: Slow Load time, even with high-speed)
and check back after Dec 16th for the 2006 "Running of the Santas" which will make you wonder what the hell is wrong with Philadelphia.
Ever want to know where you would end up if you dug a hole straight through the earth? Where would you come out on the other side?
Wonder no more.
Need Obscure Horror Movie Reviews? Look no further. Where else could you go to get a review of Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter?
And, I'm not sure I understand this one, but hey, I heard that some people even like Dashboard Confessional; I guess it takes all kinds....
OMG! If U really need 2 kill some time on the Interr-webb, ch3ck th1s 0u7 -
http://www.1041jackfm.com/pages/89325.php
Blog on,
-CZ
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Why, at www.coolsiteoftheday.com of course.
Make sure to bookmark this site (Warning: Slow Load time, even with high-speed)
and check back after Dec 16th for the 2006 "Running of the Santas" which will make you wonder what the hell is wrong with Philadelphia.
Ever want to know where you would end up if you dug a hole straight through the earth? Where would you come out on the other side?
Wonder no more.
Need Obscure Horror Movie Reviews? Look no further. Where else could you go to get a review of Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter?
And, I'm not sure I understand this one, but hey, I heard that some people even like Dashboard Confessional; I guess it takes all kinds....
OMG! If U really need 2 kill some time on the Interr-webb, ch3ck th1s 0u7 -
http://www.1041jackfm.com/pages/89325.php
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Cool Website, Ubercool
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The Ring in thirty seconds (with bunnies!)
This should keep you busy for 30 seconds or so, and save you about four bucks rental on the full version....
If you go to www.angryalien.com there are LOTS more, including 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', 'Jaws', 'Brokeback Mountain', 'Fight Club', 'Alien', 'The Exorcist', 'Borat', 'Casablanca'.....
Blog on,
-CZ
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If you go to www.angryalien.com there are LOTS more, including 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', 'Jaws', 'Brokeback Mountain', 'Fight Club', 'Alien', 'The Exorcist', 'Borat', 'Casablanca'.....
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Cool Website, Funny, Ubercool, Videos
Friday, June 02, 2006
MyLifeBits Project
Every now and then, I look to see how the MyLifeBits project is progressing, and I ran across the link above. The goal of the project is for people to be able to record every aspect of their lives to searchable computer files. Every piece of paper you handle, bills, cards, junk mail. Every e-mail. Every phone conversation. Every blog post. Every photo, movie and song. Everything. Even to the point of having video and audio recordings of your daily life stored to terabytes of hard drive space. Your entire life, digitized, tagged, indexed, and archived forever.
Why? Probably because we can. The technology is there, and space is cheap. The limiting factors are having the ability to search such a large quantity of data, and obsolescence of the data format. Just you try to open that old Amiga text file now, you know, the one on the 5.25 floppy disk! It is estimated that data becomes obsolete after about ten years, and that is if you pick your formats carefully. Otherwise, you need to continually convert your data to the latest/greatest format.
Make all the Big Brother jokes you like, but if this technology takes off, it could change personal and social relations Significantly. Imagine these scenarios:
An officer arrives on the scene of an accident, and the five or six people each whip out their pocket pc and playback the audio/video of the events leading up to the accident from their own perspectives.
Instead of saying "I told you so!" or "I never said that!" you could play back the conversation.
Ask your computer "What was that red wine I had on vacation in Chile six years ago?" or "What was my favorite song in 1999?"
Best of all, when you die, hand off the data to your heirs. then they can see what kind of person you really were...
This is phenomenally awesome, and I can't wait...
Blog on,
-CZ
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Why? Probably because we can. The technology is there, and space is cheap. The limiting factors are having the ability to search such a large quantity of data, and obsolescence of the data format. Just you try to open that old Amiga text file now, you know, the one on the 5.25 floppy disk! It is estimated that data becomes obsolete after about ten years, and that is if you pick your formats carefully. Otherwise, you need to continually convert your data to the latest/greatest format.
Make all the Big Brother jokes you like, but if this technology takes off, it could change personal and social relations Significantly. Imagine these scenarios:
An officer arrives on the scene of an accident, and the five or six people each whip out their pocket pc and playback the audio/video of the events leading up to the accident from their own perspectives.
Instead of saying "I told you so!" or "I never said that!" you could play back the conversation.
Ask your computer "What was that red wine I had on vacation in Chile six years ago?" or "What was my favorite song in 1999?"
Best of all, when you die, hand off the data to your heirs. then they can see what kind of person you really were...
This is phenomenally awesome, and I can't wait...
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: Technology, Ubercool
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Music Review: Discotheque Crypt
If Punk had worn a condom when it screwed Death back in the 70's, the Bastard Child of Goth wouldn't have been born when it was, and future generations of music appreciators would have traced the roots of Gothic Music back to Minneapolis, and the band Revolver Modele, who would have appeared 'a priori', without previous influence. This fact is overlooked by many other reviewers who can't seem to listen to Revolver Modele without imposing influences, and drawing comparisons to other bands because they are too (A: drunk B: high C: lazy D: all of the above) to write an original review. ('INXS? Um, they are like Cheap Trick, only, um, Newer.' 'Jethro Tull? Um, they are like Pink Floyd, only more so.')
It was a dark and stormy night when local fashion maven, Anna Lee suggested Revolver Modele to me, and I stumbled down to 'The Kitty Kat Club' for a look-see. I was not prepared for the lead singer (Ehsan) to become possessed by demons and begin thrashing around on the stage. The only hint that he still held onto a small piece of his humanity was the fact that he was able to continue singing, and keep the microphone near-enough to his mouth so we could all hear it. When he rolled off the stage and dropped, crashing to the dancefloor in an indeterminate spasming heap, no one rushed forward to help. The band played on; Mikal (guitar) climbed up onto things and jumped off them, all whilst playing guitar, his actions as dangerous as his guitar work. Jesse (drums) belted out clockwork timing, oblivious to the impending threat of being landed upon, and Natasha (bass) simply watched with all the non-enthusiasm of your cat watching you have sex.
It was then that I realized, even though Ehsan's body had now become a marionette for other-worldly forces to control, even though a portal to Lovecraft's 'Ancient Ones' had certainly been opened, even though myself and everyone else should flee in terror, we could not leave. Because through the portal came music.
The music was awesome.
Thankfully, they were able to capture that music on their latest release, 'Discotheque Crypt'. Amazingly deep sound for such a small group (Guitar, bass, drum, vox) and Ehsan has an amazingly deep voice for such a slim body. Mikal does a fantastic job of switching between rhythm and lead guitar, and from flat-out-distortion to crystalline ethereal echoes to undead silence. Natasha (AKA: The Nun) bottoms-out the songs with clean, prominent and punctual basswork, and a beautiful, catlike stare. (I am fairly certain that she does not ever blink. Or smile.) Jesse holds the songs together with all the tight timing of a Swiss Swatch, and calls attention to his drumming by Not calling attention to his drumming.
The lyrics actually make for good reading and are as meaningful as you make them; a kind of Rorschach Lyrics Test, to see what you read into them. And you will probably have to read the lyrics to distinguish some of them; the vocals on Discotheque Crypt are intentionally thick, and syrupy as if they were drowned in old blood. The feeling roller-coasters between deeply emotional and deeply emotionless, often within the same song.
You might hear Les Diaboliques if you listen to 'cool' radio stations, and you certainly should request Revolver Modele at request@radiok.org (770 Radio K, for you whipper-snappers) and 893dj@mpr.org (89.3 Current, for you old folks) For those of you who decided that anything New is also Bad, and glued your radio to 104JACK(off) a little Revolver Modele might be just the cure for you, and restore your faith in local music.
It's hard for me to pick a favorite, I tend to listen to the album in it's entirity, much like a concept album, but I will admit that 'Les Diaboliques' and 'Body Without Organs' tend to make me drive way too fast, and it is almost impossible to sit still during 'Deca-Dance' without tapping some part of your body against something else.
So if you fire up Revolver Modele at home on some dark and stormy night, and Cthulhu suddenly possesses your cat, which falls to the floor, spasming, gargling and pawing at the air uncontrollably, just laugh and tell it 'thats what you get for staring at me while I'm having sex.'
Blog on,
-CZ
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It was a dark and stormy night when local fashion maven, Anna Lee suggested Revolver Modele to me, and I stumbled down to 'The Kitty Kat Club' for a look-see. I was not prepared for the lead singer (Ehsan) to become possessed by demons and begin thrashing around on the stage. The only hint that he still held onto a small piece of his humanity was the fact that he was able to continue singing, and keep the microphone near-enough to his mouth so we could all hear it. When he rolled off the stage and dropped, crashing to the dancefloor in an indeterminate spasming heap, no one rushed forward to help. The band played on; Mikal (guitar) climbed up onto things and jumped off them, all whilst playing guitar, his actions as dangerous as his guitar work. Jesse (drums) belted out clockwork timing, oblivious to the impending threat of being landed upon, and Natasha (bass) simply watched with all the non-enthusiasm of your cat watching you have sex.
It was then that I realized, even though Ehsan's body had now become a marionette for other-worldly forces to control, even though a portal to Lovecraft's 'Ancient Ones' had certainly been opened, even though myself and everyone else should flee in terror, we could not leave. Because through the portal came music.
The music was awesome.
Thankfully, they were able to capture that music on their latest release, 'Discotheque Crypt'. Amazingly deep sound for such a small group (Guitar, bass, drum, vox) and Ehsan has an amazingly deep voice for such a slim body. Mikal does a fantastic job of switching between rhythm and lead guitar, and from flat-out-distortion to crystalline ethereal echoes to undead silence. Natasha (AKA: The Nun) bottoms-out the songs with clean, prominent and punctual basswork, and a beautiful, catlike stare. (I am fairly certain that she does not ever blink. Or smile.) Jesse holds the songs together with all the tight timing of a Swiss Swatch, and calls attention to his drumming by Not calling attention to his drumming.
The lyrics actually make for good reading and are as meaningful as you make them; a kind of Rorschach Lyrics Test, to see what you read into them. And you will probably have to read the lyrics to distinguish some of them; the vocals on Discotheque Crypt are intentionally thick, and syrupy as if they were drowned in old blood. The feeling roller-coasters between deeply emotional and deeply emotionless, often within the same song.
You might hear Les Diaboliques if you listen to 'cool' radio stations, and you certainly should request Revolver Modele at request@radiok.org (770 Radio K, for you whipper-snappers) and 893dj@mpr.org (89.3 Current, for you old folks) For those of you who decided that anything New is also Bad, and glued your radio to 104JACK(off) a little Revolver Modele might be just the cure for you, and restore your faith in local music.
It's hard for me to pick a favorite, I tend to listen to the album in it's entirity, much like a concept album, but I will admit that 'Les Diaboliques' and 'Body Without Organs' tend to make me drive way too fast, and it is almost impossible to sit still during 'Deca-Dance' without tapping some part of your body against something else.
So if you fire up Revolver Modele at home on some dark and stormy night, and Cthulhu suddenly possesses your cat, which falls to the floor, spasming, gargling and pawing at the air uncontrollably, just laugh and tell it 'thats what you get for staring at me while I'm having sex.'
Blog on,
-CZ
Labels: music reviews, Ubercool
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