Don't Sweat The Critique

Airport

2011-08-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

I am presently in the midst of some traveling. This morning brought an interesting moment, but while reading keep in mind it was just that; morning. Early enough without being absurd. I was going through security with my close aide and confidante Stanley, whose name has been changed for regional security reasons.
First of all Stanley and I get moved from our 'Express Departure' queue to another line that, although shorter, was filled with regular civilians. Both flying business, albeit on separate airlines to different continents, Stanley and I were not quite ready to be shuffled in with Joe Everyman and his slightly overweight wife. Let alone their obnoxious, disabled kids.
Yet with my working class background, I was ready to mix it up in the trenches with Mr. and Mrs. Weekend in Noosa. Stanley was more reluctant about our shift down the socio-economic ladder. It was only to go through security I told him; we'd soon be back in the reclusive safety of our respective Platinum lounges.
I should have listened to Stanley and his gut feeling.
While in the frantic process of putting wallets and laptops in trays there was some failed communication between Stanley and a fellow businessman. This Gazman clad nine-to-fiver failed to catch his eye in the exact moment Stanley hit him with a look that apparently everyone knows means "Can you please pass me and my colleague three or four of those large blue trays?". Needless to say, Stanley did not like his look being lost in this overcrowded and overheated customs terminal.
This man either disregarded the look or took it to mean something else. In any case, the trays were not forthcoming. So Stanley gave him a furious shake of the head and some serious nostril movements.
In hindsight, these were the signs I should have been attentive to. Disaster was looming, and the airport Gods were trying to warn me.
Nostrils de-flared and the safety back on his eyebrows, Stanley and I were making our way through the line, pushing trays and taking off belts. Yet I could still sense hostility in my friend's movements. After telling Stanley to relax multiple times, he responds with "Well...people are telling me to hurry up and giving me the wriggle on, where I am I supposed to go?!"
So I enquire; "Who is telling you to hurry up?"
After a short, sharp exhale and a frantically quick swivel around to find some poor single figure to shoulder all the loathing he is currently feeling, Stanley gestures behind him to a man. He is a non-descript man in a suit who probably does not even work in the airport. This man is a good 5 feet from our line taking no notice of Stanley, me or our line.
"Fugg him, don't worry about him." I tell my by now visibly disheveled friend to "Just relax".
He does not “just relax”.
Moving closer to the conveyer belt as we put laptops in our respective trays, his the Hewlett Packard 9kg business standard, the tension is already high. His tray is also filled with various half full silver foil packets of pills and blackberry accessories, making him look like a business tragic on the verge of a heart attack (perhaps not far from the truth).
Anyway, a helper girl who is surely employed with one of the vaguest job descriptions of all time ("Just wave people through, smile if you want, but only very, very rarely and only at hot young ethnics that take your fancy") says "move down please" in straight monotone.
Stanley does not like this.
He gets so flustered, he pushes his tray and bag (one of those exceedingly large wheelie carry-ons, as well as his suit carrier) down the bench so hard they all fall off spectacularly, bits of Hewlett Packard business model splattering everywhere. An innocent Norwegian backpacker three queues over narrowly escapes the death sentence that is an SD card reader to the eye. The noise of the crash brings gasps from fellow travelers, by now wholeheartedly turned against Stanley and his Me Against The World mentality. No one is moving. Even the old man doing the P.A form a remote room on the other side of the airport stops his dull buzz of a broadcast, and his mic temporarily feedbacks with a sharp hiss. A thousand eyes are concentrated on Stanley, myself and monotone girl.
Stanley has invested too much bile to sheepishly grin this off and apologize his way through the rest of the security check. He exhales deeply. Stands there with one hand on his hip, the other resting on his wheelie carry on bag handle which sits on the ground. He looks down at the mess of strewn about black electronic goods, then back up to monotone girl, then back at the mess. Back to her and so on intermittently for what seems like an eternity. It was probably about two seconds, but it's enough to make me start sweating too.
The three of us band together to pick up all Stanley's stuff, "Are these your pills sir?" No reply. And then he goes through the body scanner.
There was another incident on the other side of the x-ray machine but even I was so turned against airport workers and humanity at large at this point,, my view would be so hate distorted it would corrupt your very soul to hear it.
Three ski yoghurts later for me, two heavily buttered pancakes for Stanley and things were back on track and heart rates restored.

Dom interview

2011-03-28T21:50:00.001-07:00

DOM is a quality band out of Worcester/Hadley, Massachusetts. You may know them from such mid 2010 hits as Living in America. With bass fuzz that befits your local discothèque and more than enough synth to get you moving, this pop gem enjoyed solid rotation on Triple J in Australia and was a blog darling the world over. Far more than just one tongue in cheek track though, the band is turning 2011 into its canvas, and spraying some Dom watercolours and acrylics all over the place. Staying true to its DIY roots and playing small shows in artsy neighbourhoods (and universities) around the US, it’s clear their recent signing to Modular hasn’t gone to the bands collective head. This year will see the release of a new EP in May, and today DOM was announced as part of the stellar lineup for Sydney’s Vivid Live, taking over the Sydney Opera House May 27th to June 5th.

Joining a handpicked label like Modular will expose the band to Worldly, Artistic, Namedropping, Knowledgeable, E-savvy, Raging Soundnerds (W.A.N.K.E.R.S). These well educated music consumers are probably already across their debut EP, Sun Bronzed Greek Gods. Released May 2010 just three months after the bands formation, the album is seven tracks of glitzy, dreamy pop tinged with electronic nous. The EP’s infused with a definite garage quality that validates their homemade sincerity as much as it does their alternative labeling.

While the infectious pop sensibilities make DOM’s music incredibly accessible, their lyrics proudly subvert the seemingly upbeat lo-fi parade the arrangements suggest. At times painfully earnest (the song Jesus is about doing ecstasy to ease the pain of a breakup), at others just plain mundane (Bohica is about Dom’s cat), the lyrics are undeniably honest.

The best thing about this EP though is that it’s pure pop magic. Every song is two to three minutes of pure escapism into a dream world, where the only desire is dance. Any of the songs could be your favourite – and that’s rare.

Rude as Jude is an ode to lethargic teenage/ lagging twenty-something life. The burden of today’s youth, it would seem.

Fronting the band is the lead singer and titular Dom. He is about as enigmatic as it gets in modern music, especially amongst the contrived public personalities of pop music.

As revealed in a past Pitchfork interview, he doesn’t reveal his full name because he “owes a lot of money”. When asked why he grew up in a foster care home, he matter of factly reveals “There was something about me that my mother didn't like from the very beginning, so she just dumped me off when I was eight and kept the rest of her kids. It just didn't click. None of my brothers or sisters want anything to do with me and my dad is kind of crazy."

This seems too fantastical to be true, (this particular anecdote is true, and this melancholy doesn’t elude Dom’s music). But is exactly this world which Dom the man, and band, seem to inhabit. And boy do they do a good job of it.

To get a handle on the man, I caught up for a brief chat in February.

Dom the man is well known for crossing into make believe land in interviews, and he does so below, but beneath his playful exterior of extremely long hair is a talented musician and an interesting person.

DOM? Is it rli you?

Wats goodie

Where is it so sexy to be living?

Puerto Rico

Correct. Good political AND tropical climate. So you’re on modular now? Did pavlovic give you a year’s worth of free coke?

As promised

Cool cool. All they gave to cam from architecture in Helsinki were some leftover presets tshirts. When’s the ep coming?

May I think

How did the band form?

Bobby and I met in December 09. We made the band January 10

Did you meet at university? And how does an area like worcester cultivate the very Un-worcester music you make?

No I dropped out bobby + erik were goin diff schools. And sonics are from jams not location

True. You excited about this upcoming tour? Is it more or less partying on tour?

More party on tour! Mad excited, i wonna meet new people + party it up dawg!

Excellent. Any plans on touring internationally? You have a pretty big following in Australia.

ily aussies xoxo totes wanna go I don’t know bout plans

I just read in one of your interviews about your 9am triple drop of ecstasy in Minnesota. I can respect that, but the moment of panic when you think you may have finally overstepped the line is something that interests me. You guys seem pretty liberal about drugs?

Yeah

Any advice for budding artists?

Get as many free meals as possible never sign major

Does living off foodstamps help with impressing girls?

Sometimes. Fulfills their motherly instinct

Has the new ep been named yet?

Yeah sorta it changes daily tho

Who are your fav bands?

King tuff. judy nylon. Mariah carey

Mariah pre eminem beef or post?

Rainbow album

What does a typical day look like for you guys at the moment?

A lot of calls

Do you consider yourself a celebrity?

No. Celebs have money

Is it in DOM’s five year plan to get rich and move to Malibu?

No. Soon as the lease is up I’m moving into collective living probs in L.A.

Groovy. What was living in a foster home like?

It was sad at times and liberating sometimes lonely but def an adventure

When you did a collab with Gucci, did you compliment on his face tattoo?

He didn’t have the ink yet. He called me up

Do you or any other bandmates have tattoos?

Yeah just me. Got a face tat + some knuckle ones

What are your favourite films?

Pink flamingos, holy mountain and satyricon. 3 flicks I like.

Any bandmembers married/pregnant?

Cosmo is married.

And there you have it folks. A decidedly “2011” interview with the mysterious figure behind one of the most exciting bands out.

Dom play with The Go! Team at the 930 Club in Washington DC Wednesday April 13th.
They play in Sydney as part of Vivid Live on Friday June 3rd and Saturday June 4th at the Sydney Opera House.

They debuted a few new songs at SXSW earlier this month and they’re on the band’s soundcloud page, as well as three tracks of the first EP.

Living in America by DOM
Jesus by DOM

Boy

2010-10-02T19:34:00.001-07:00

Last night I had the privilege of attending the premiere of Boy as part of the All Roads Film Festival at the National Geographic Society Headquarters in Washington. The All Roads Film Festival highlights the culture and stories of 21 indigenous cultures from around the world. Boy has been out for a minute in NZ and Aus, but we can call it a premiere if you want. It's showing eight months ago at Sundance doesn't count (who's ever heard of this "sun-dance"?). Pagans.

Anyway. That's not important. What is important is that it's an incredible film. Taika Waititi is a very talented fellow. He wrote and starred in what can only be described as his brain child. There was a lil Q&A (nice to see it NOT written as #qanda - Sam Simmons' tweets derailing the questionable growth in popularity of that great show are spot on) after the screening, and Waititi spoke to how he wrote the original script in 2005, let it rest for a couple years, workshopped it at Sundance a year ago, started filming in early 09 and had a finished product by December 09, ready for its premiere at Sundance in January 2010.
He was also asked what the people in the rural NZ town where Boy is set think of it, as it's set where he grew up, and many extras are his actual uncles, cousins and friends. They loved it apparently. And so they should.

I spoke with Waititi briefly after the screening, and he identified that among the issues the film faces relating to US audiences is getting the exposure to get people to sit down in front of it. Aside from the obvious problems it may have finding distribution in the US (a mate commented "it doesn't have guys running around warehouses shooting each other/it's no rubberstamp production"), this film is definitely worth finding and sitting down to watch with anyone you can grab. My Mum dragged my Dad off to it last weekend in Melbourne. She'd been seduced by Waititi's good humour, good looks and good fashion when he was on Good News Week some months back. I remember talking to her in the aftermath of that viewing; she thought it was about Michael Jackson. The Jacko elements are definitely there but certainly aren't central to the film. Anyway, she sees a film set entirely in a very small New Zealand town, a week later I see it on the other side of the world and also love it. I thought that was kind of cool.

Boy Basics
The plot was explained to a 16 year old: '
Plot Explainer (P.E): A bunch of kids live in a house with their grandmother. Their father comes to live with them.
16 Y.O: And then what happens?
P.E: That's it
16 Y.O: Sounds shit/boring (shoring?)

Needless to say, if that little rascal took the time or had the good sense to go and see it, he would've enjoyed it.

The reception and little award presentation before the screening was great. I was happy to crown New Zealand beer as the next best thing to Australian beer for the night, and the Montieth beers I had were great. The New Zealand lamb was also well received in abundance. The stockpile they keep at the embassy is definitely well kept. They must have that new salt hut. Mildly Fun Fact: Salt was used to keep meat and fish from going off before the refrigerator was invented in 2005. History can be fun.

The panel discussion afterwards followed the lighthearted nature of the introduction before the screening, as Waititi won the crowd over with his off the cuff humour pleasantries. He sealed the deal by announcing before he left the stage he had "found a bracelet in the toilets. It's this big gold bracelet. I understand if you don't put your hand up now, because this is a bit girly and it was found in the men's bathrooms. Just go to security afterwards." And he locked the audience in his palm when, after a snippet of the film was shown in an ad for the All Roads Film Festival, he announced to the pitch black theatre; "That wasn't the movie."
Boy facts learned in the Q & A discussion after the film:
- Despite the recurring motif (frizzy-mullett-tif?) of Michael Jackson, they didn't use any Jacko music as lisencing fees of $500,000 were required to re-record 30 seconds of instrumental a Jackson song. Probably not worth it, and Waititi astutely noted the arena anthems of Thriller wouldn't fit in such an intimate film.
- The cemetery in the movie was blessed by the local tribe, but was facing the wrong way as all other (real) cemeteries in the area are required to face a certain way. So in one morning costing $10,000 and a near heart attack to the Set Designer, the cemetery was redesigned and faced in a new direction. The spiritual elders of the tribe blessed this new version, and the enhanced cemetery seemed more authentic to Waititi. Producer Ainsley Gardener described the incident as "for the best", saying that any time cultural or traditional practices are involved, it's better to recreate them and follow the advice of relevant locals to the dot.
- The boy originally cast as Boy ended up getting shafted for James Rolleston, who ended up playing the titular lad. Rolleston started as an extra, one of the kids in the classroom scene at the beginning of the movie, but the young man originally cast in the lead had, by the time of shooting, become just that - a young man. Waititi understood all too well to ask a 13 year old to remember what it's like and behave as an 11 year old wouldn't work, so after many talks with his parents, he relinquished his role. Rolleston was spotted as a potential Boy on a Friday, worked with over the weekend, and shooting began the following Monday.

As it turns out this was an inspired choice. Rolleston's portrayal of an 11 year old caught between the mysteries of the big cities, Michael Jackson glam and inescapable family problems - all while not knowing what the word "potential" means - is impossible to fall for.

- The pet goat in the film was indubitably harder to work with than children. Animal trainers (why not Wranglers? I know it sounds mean, but it's a cool word..like Jeep.) were used for three months to train the goat to lie down. When it came for the scene in the film in which the goat must lie down, however, it became apparent he'd only been trained to lie on a piece of wood, certainly not gravel. So a way around this was thought up; a cushion was put down for the goat to lie on.
- Children in comparison were wonderful to work with (and it's their performances that really make the film so appealing.) They would learn the lines the night before, meaning Waititi, a stand up comedian as well as an actor, kept improvisation to a minimum.

Boy Trailer

Also showing as part of the All Roads Film Festival at the Nat Geo Society HQ in DC is Australian film Samson and Delilah and a many others.

All Roads Film Project
Boy at Wikipedia and IMDB

^--Look at the reception info on Wikipedia. Definitely the only film I know with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes!

INTERVIEW: Wolverine - W.A Hip Hop's Proudest

2010-03-13T16:57:00.000-08:00

So I did an interview with Werstern Australia based artist Wolverine this time last year, early March 2010, and for a few reasons, it's sat unpublished for over a year. With apologies to the man Wolverine, here now is the interview and piece.

Wolverine is a 24 year old MC/producer/label manager and founder from Perth, Western Australia. Combining rugged lyrics with upbeat production, Wolverine gives listeners a new take on the seemingly jagged, rough lyrical style that so many South and West Australian artists boast.

Aside from being an MC, Wolverine is also the founder and manager of Creative Street Art Records. With artists already signed on from Tasmania and Adelaide, big things loom on the horizon not just for the label, for Wolverine himself. We caught up with him in the midst of his chaotic preparations for his upcoming tour and album(s). Apart from giving us an insight into his life as an artist, he shares some interesting takes on the state, and direction, of Australian hip hop.

Interview conducted March 2010

First of all, when and how did you get into hip hop?

Well I started listening to hip hop around 88/89 and began writing down my favorite artists rhymes and wrote little poems and raps myself, but it all really started around 93/94 with one of my mates, we'd crank out the old casio keyboard through the inbuilt drum loops on and just rhyme for hours and we'd record it all onto a boom box.

I've read your love for music doesn't stop at hip hop, even reading that you played in a band. What other sorts of music do you like?

I pretty much love all music, being a producer as well I listen to everything from classical to world music.
I love my rock music and growing up was a huge heavy metal and punk fan.

How did the name come about?

My mate came up with it, it was around the time Wu Tang were big and everyone had comic book aliases. I was always reading marvel comics and especially X-Men and Wolverine, so he started calling me by it.

What was it like working with established and well respected fellow W.A act Porsah Lane?

Well it's always great working with Porsah cause she really is a special talent, her voice is just amazing, but we didn't actually get to work on it together, cause I was in Melbourne.
I had the beat and the verses recorded and I knew it needed a female singing on there, so my first and only choice was Porsah, and she was more then happy to help out, I said to her that it really needed something catchy and almost poppy, so while I was away she wrote and recorded it.
When I got back and heard it, I got shivers because it was exactly what I had been hearing in my head, to say i was ecstatic would be an understatement, she did an amazing job.

Who else have you worked with?

I've worked with Clandestein, Optamus & Dazastah of Downsyde, Hunter, Porsah, loads of local and up and comers Australia wide, currently working with Maggot Mouf, Bunks, Adroit Effusive, Evolve, Batttlehoggs and many more..

Tell us about getting the album ready.

Well with this one I started writing and recording around a year ago,the beats where my main focus I wanted to let them shine because I'm seen as only an MC a lot of people don't know I produce as well.
After the tracks were recorded, Shaker went ahead and did the mastering, and I got one of my mates Konflict to do the art work, which he did an awesome job with.
Then it was time to get it pressed and get the promo and marketing going, along with sending out press kits to radio and magazines.
Then I was ready to get my hustle on and start performing the album live.

What's next?

Really busy at the moment, working on 4 solo albums at the same time, the first one is Street music which is a DIY album of previously unreleased material.
The Prequel which is the official follow up album to The Wait is Over my debut, also following that release will be The Maestro which is in the same vein as The Prequel I've been working on that one for more then 3 years, lots of collabs and some of my finest work is on there, had many a sleepless night with that album, trying to get it perfect.
Next up is my new alias Charlie Jones which is quite similar in style to The Summertime Vibe, banging funky beats,singing along chorus and catchy rhymes.
I'm also kicking off my new record label CSA Records and getting the website done for it, already got 2 artists signed, Dee Dare from Tasmania and Drekt from Adelaide along with all my material and my production will be available.
So I'm looking for talent, so contact me at csarecords@live.com.au
Loads of gigs,collabs and merchandise.

From someone on the inside, what do you think about the state of aussie hip hop?

The state of aussie hip hop is really exciting at the moment for many reasons, artists are being promoted in areas they wouldn't normally be, which leads to a wider fan base and puts them on a level playing field with any rock band out there, which is great.
More and more radio stations and magazines are featuring hip hop, and we've been accepted within the Australian music community as a whole which would never of happened years ago.
Also there's a really strong DIY ethic within the hip hop community, there's more gigs being put on, radio shows popping up and artists recording and putting out their own products themselves.

What are your thoughts on the influx of the, for lack of a better term, "new generation"?

Umm yeah, it's good and bad, but to tell you the truth there's only a handful of artists out there that are really good, I personally feel there are too many youngsters rushing their product out there before they're ready and you can tell by listening to it.
They should get their flow, style and music to a high quality before releasing anything.

There are already established young acts ( eg Spit Syndicate, Horrorshow, Illy as 'mainstream' eg's) becoming more known and successful. Do you think this is a good thing for hip hop in Australia?

For sure its a good thing, but we all know its gonna backlash, the major labels will only [give it] exposure it while its still the flavor of the month, real heads try to stay independent so they can have control over how their music is marketed etc

And to clarify for us interstate n00bs, was Drapht talking about the same group of guys when he talks about Syllabollics (sbx) crew, Brothers Grimm crew, A.M crew etc? haha

(Laughs) Nah they're all separate groups.

Dante's Divine Comedy goes HD & other Florentines

2010-02-26T17:38:00.001-08:00

Those Florentine's just keep making ~~$$$$~~ headlines don't they. First Dan Brown/Tom Hanks ft. Ewan (wouldn't it be great if Ewan McGregor [E-Mac to those deep in the Scottish acting game] was at that one-word recognizable status like Cher, Kobe, Nene, Yao or apparently Mozart and Plato! Look at this incredibly definitive list of one-word-recognizable celebs. Good stuff!). But I digest (my food, usually within 6-8 hours of eating it). I also digress. So the Da Vinci Code at least was influenced to some degree by Leonardo (not on that one word level...yet. Also, he has been dead coming up 500 years, so it looks like I can't claim first name basis either), but I never saw this movie. Angels and Demons, however, was a very groovy movie (the first of 16 bars? Fortunately, no). Instead of Da Vinci, the A&D (certainly the name of an extremist break-off-faction-branch of Sony Records) film leaned on Galileo, another famous one-worder, but didn't see fit to give him titular props like Da Vinci was afforded in 'his' Code.

Sidenote: Galileo could also technically be considered a Florentine. When he was born in Pisa, his Italian city in the region of Tuscany, it was at that time part of something called the Duchy of Florence. Countless man hours from my team of Graduate level assistants have not yet been able to figure out just what this "Duchy" was, yet all evidence points to it either being some sort of Professional Boxing gambling syndicate (Italians!), or the medieval forerunner to the caramel inspired Spanish candied milk flavour Dulce de leche. One of the two.

What a Pisa!
Also, while counting Da Vinci as a Florentine could rile up some Tuscan purists, you can swap him for Raffaello, Donatello, Michelangelo, or any of the other Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. How much better prepared for life in the gutters and giant cats would Stuart Little have been if he had Master Splinter to instill in him some goddamn discipline. The same can be said of the culinarilly gifted but black belt lacking mouse from Ratatouille.

Galileo, Da Vinci and Michelangelo: A formidable brains trust. Not pictured: Raffaello, out getting hair cut.

Florentine Senior Secondary College class of 13th & 14th Centuries: Most Likely to Succeed With Help of Untamed Beard

Getting back on track, a bunch of guys from this city called Florentine (which, incidentally is the birth place [at least syllabolically] of the mother of all teeth-rotters), have made a resurgence in films recently. As a result, more people have at least heard the names Da Vinci and Galileo, even if it was in a Tom Hanks American accent. But this pales in comparison to bringing Dante and his Divine Comedy to the attention of greasy 14 year old LAN gamers who want little more than button mashing, puberty relieving, skull crashing good times on their Xbox360 or PS3.

Needless to say, this is a fantastic idea for a game, and hopefully an equally well thought out and aesthetically pleasing movie follows in the not too distant future.

The trailer for the game shown during halftime of the 2010 Superbowl. Bill Withers sold out, man.

Unfortunately, Dante's Inferno has been censored a lot. This article puts it down to games being regarded as boasting inferior artistic merit than films, even when literary luminaries like Dante lends their name to the title. The article also makes a great comparison: a 1935 film adaptation of Dante's Divine Comedy has a similar amount of nudity to the contemporary game; that amount being not much.

Alas, the game itself is still by all reports pretty good. This is a great review on the youtubes with cool trailer bits and gameplay footage.

Another thing the game has going for it is the character of Dante is voiced by a guy called Graham McTavish. It is not yet known whether Graham is any relation, despite the seemingly conclusive differences in spelling, to our SAS hero John "Soap" MacTavish, of C.O.D 4: Modern Warfare fame. Encouraging signs all round.

I wanted to mention something about EA's marketing for the game, but I don't want to give them any more publicity (then again, Russel Crowe Beautiful Mind delusions of grandeur aside, we aren't strictly in the business of creating hype here - of the three 'people' who are currently reading this, one is a homeless man hitting the keyboard in pained frustration on the library computer I used this morning and froze the screen on this page, and the other two are bots trying to go phishing) seeing as after the lengths they went to, and all they did in a very unorthodox manner (we'll get to that), it resulted in relatively little buzz about the game.

EA have come out and admitted to hiring people to faux-protest and stage a crazed religious protest against the game. Then they boldly sent out $200 cheques to game critics with ambitious notes about greed, warning that by accepting and subsequently cashing the cheque the critics were obligated to say nice things about the game. Yet this was choosing the path of greed, one of the nine circles of Dante's Hell. And by opting to disregard the bribe and offer an objective review, this would be laudable yet 'dumb'. They also sent an elaborate music box to someone at IGN, that, when opened played Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up. It remains to be seen how rickrolling game critics has anything to do with game adaptations of virtuosic 12th Century Italian literature. What they are going for, presumably, is that all their little notes were to do with the layers of this lovely place called Inferno. The layers themselves are a discussion for another time, and right now are just making me think of chocolate ripple cake, or any good layered baked confectionery.

So while this isn't the first time Dante's gone mainstream (allusions and references have been spotted in familiar places like Futurama, numerous films and games and Japanese anime), the ol Florentinian bastard got himself on the title this time and good for him. Apparently consulting with him, specifically when EA had to break the news to him that they would be deviating a little more than originally thought from Inferno, was made much easier by his unexpected death 500 years before pre-production.

Also, the video for Depeche Mode's Try Walking in My Shoes, directed by Dutchmen Anton Corbijn, lends heavily from Dante's imagery and thematically looks very dark. This director, Corbijn also did videos for Echo & The Bunnymen and U2 and more recently has directed videos for The Killers, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Metallica. He did many other Depeche Mode videos too..anyway, back to this one. At 1:44 in the video, which in the song is the start of the second verse, the three bandmembers of Depeche Mode are shown sitting in what looks like an overcrowded Purgatory waiting room with naked women on their lap. Apparently this was taken out of the version MTV showed. MTV never really "got" British new-wave though (and nor should we expect them to). So for those of you with heavily censored internet who find yourself in the grip of some hormonal struggle that sets in like it only can in a disgruntled console gaming teenager brought here in the hopes of an actual review of the game (a happy welcome to our 14 year old Burmese readers!), pause it at 1:44 and do what you need to do.

A nice little update there! Take out the words nice and replace "little" with "unnecessary" and "update" with "ramble" and you've got yourself some truth! Still, good to be back.

RYAN EGAN is nice

2009-09-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Melbourne based MC Ryan Egan, formerly Fly Rye, is back. In a major way.
In anticipation of his upcoming mixtape The Intern the internets are abuzz with tweets, status updates and blog posts.

He's put up two preview tracks for download to give you a taste of what The Intern will sound like. So far, it sounds incredible.
Listen and download "Blogroll (At My Girl's House)" via zshare and rate the track on the Ryan Egan blog here.
The second track out for preview is "Take Flight". Zshare and rate it.

My favourite out of the two that have been released early for preview is definitely "Blogroll (At My Girl's House)". When the beat kicks in, after the highly relate-able intro, you know it's on. Listen to Egan rattle off, in his vibrant Australian accent, the trendiest hipster blogs that are now wedged into the lives of the young and chic worldwide.

Is he taking the piss out of contemporary young people? Is he adopting a voice for the sake of the narrative or is this how he leads his life? Give it a listen and decide yourself, but whether or not it's a scathing condemnation of the in vogue yet brainless or an open, introspective window into Egan's life, the beat, the hook and his lyrics are on point.
In my opinion I don't think it matters; I can relate to spending (wasting) days/nights blogjumping, and to me the track is a comment on modern life in the blogosphere.

On "Take Flight", Egan uses a classic Dilla beat, which may leave him open to criticism from hip hop elitists, if they find the time to stop scouring the craigslists for authentic vinyls.

The previews are only a minute or so long, so keep your eyes on Ryan Egan's blog, and get inside the artist's mind at Cassette Walkmans

http://www.myspace.com/thisisryanegan
http://cassettewalkmans.com/wordpress/?p=1453

Ghostface - Stapleton Sex video .. Subtle!

2009-09-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

Today Ghostface Killah's newest video Stapleton Sex came out. I guess it's a track too, but at 2 minutes it's not exactly his most prolific work.

I have no idea how this made it onto youtube.
Aside: It mocks of a mockery of everything youtube swore to uphold!
Edit 17/09/09: Just like an old man returning to pick up his freshly deli-cut parisa he left sitting in the hot, unrelenting sun 7 hours ago, youtube took it down. But thanks to the good people at flawlesshustle.com we can still watch it.

Wow right. Incredibly subtle. I think he wanted to talk about sex. Did you get that too?
To be honest it's probably the most 'watchable' music video I've seen in a while. How many music vids can you watch to the end? I rarely make it all the way through even a 4 minute video. (Jay-z's [zzzz's] Death of the Autotune being the most recent exception. You see LeBron in there! Doing rim grabs! Great stuff..and they edit that bit so it looks like Jay can actually play, sinking a 14 foot jumper. Nice)

First blog post in a while. Not much to be said of that. Don't call it a comeback seems to fit nicely with the title of the blog. But I won't make that connection - not intelligent enough. As Groucho Marx once said, presumably about me; "He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot, but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot."

Thanks folks

Atlas Shrugged, then flung Ayn Rand across the room and set her ablaze

2009-03-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

Ayn Rand's 1957 literary classic has been brought up recently in not only this writer's luminarious discussion but also in the media. It is thought by some, that Rand's sci-fi-tinted, philosophical novel, in which the incompetence of the masses is lamented - to a punishable extent - has strong parallels to the contemporary economic climate. Whether or not Obama's bailoit policies smack of tryannical socialism, sales for Atlas Shrugged have gone up of late, and a worthless blog post is therefore merited.

Essentially, the story goes (how can a story go..what an ugly turn of phrase [how can a phrase turn]. It's been a while) that in a time of economic recession, the 'talented', supposedly worthy contributors to society get tired of supporting the dreg filled lower classes. The 'captains of industry' withdraw from society, leaving behind the "moochers, looters and parasites" to look after themselves. John Galt leads an attempt to "stop the motor of the world" by retiring from society and beginning life again in a separate community, stopping only to have a physical relationship with the heroine of the story, Dagny Taggart.

While writing Atlas Shrugged, Rand developed her theory of Objectivism, and described it as "a philosophy for living on earth" (good thing she had a relatively modest regard for her findings).

Objectivism holds, among other things, that that "the proper moral purpose of one's life is the pursuit of one's own happiness or rational self-interest; that the only social system consistent with this morality is full respect for individual rights, embodied in pure laissez-faire capitalism."
This is however in stark contrast with Rand's personal beliefs on homosexuality. She claimed homosexuality is "immoral" and "disgusting".

From the novel's wikipedia:
"Atlas Shrugged portrays fascism, socialism and communism – any form of state intervention in society – as systemically and fatally flawed. Rand said that it is not a fundamentally political book, but that the politics portrayed in the novel are a result of her attempt to display her image of the ideal person and the individual mind's position and value in society.^[5]

Rand argues that independence and individual achievement enable society to survive and thrive, and should be embraced. But this requires a "rational" moral code. She argues that, over time, coerced self-sacrifice causes any society to self-destruct."

According to Rand, any form of state intervention in society is systematically and fatally flawed, and yet after the leaders of industry are asked by the government to take over and run society, they are, inexplicably, granted immunity to this rule and are there solely to intervene. Evidently, there is a problem with the continuity and equality of imposition of this philosophy.

Furthermore, whilst it is reasonable to argue that "Independence and individual achievement enable society to survive and thrive", there is no rational nor moral code of any sort displayed by John Galt and his band of self perpetuators. The fact that Galt is referred to in the novel as the "Mystery Worker" alludes to the fact each and every contributor and beneficiary of society has within them the essence of John Galt, and yet ironically, Rand presents Galt as not just unwilling, but emotionally and ethically unable to consider neither the plight nor purpose of the masses.

The bourgeois must either have a degree of disinterest and apathy towards society, or a genial belief in altruism and veracity.

As Atlas Shrugged suggests, indeed the 'men of the mind' need to be appreciated, but championing their every move, to the extent that their withdrawal from society is supported, is a step too far. The 'men of the mind' are just that; men, and would do well to remember that.

The inherent problem with this philosophy is that all men are men of the mind, no matter how seemingly lame their labour or theorized role in society is.

Of course, people are entitled to the personal freedom to withdraw from society and form their own reclusive, elitist communities in the hills of Colorado, or any other world famous mountain range for that matter. Indeed, the role of the hermit is an important and glamorous one, whether it is filled by architects, doctors, inventors and other disgruntled captains of industry is of no concern. Besides, the guy-to-girl ratio in this gated community lead to some surprisingly liberal sexperimentation by some very otherwise conservative ageing men.

gta chinatown trailer + new ghostface n mf doom

2009-02-26T22:40:00.000-08:00

Notorious Diary Series: Extended Movie Trailer

2009-01-06T17:39:00.001-08:00

Has Fly Rye been listening to Cudi?

2008-12-20T20:34:00.001-08:00

check out Rye's Galaxy by Melbourne's own Fly Rye. Not new by any measure, I've just been hella slack, so with apologies to Mr. Fly, here it is.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/53048647ae8c176c/

Rye sounds slightly different on this track, something that can be put down to the focus on delivery as well as just lyrical content.

The keyboard infused synth-soaked beat was nailed by S.A.K.I. The scratches are done well enough but the samples are really cool, despite sampling what sounds like 50..

The beat seems to nod at the recent trend of using more melodic, synth based beats. You only have to look at guys who have had incredible hype for the last 6 months to see why it's caught on; Cudi and Wale spring to mind, as they've both enjoyed huge success in 2008 with this fresh, new wave influenced sound to coat their lyrics on.

Rye's Galaxy sees a more introspective artist, appreciating the little things while still being frustrated that some things are out of our control. And that's something we can all relate to. While being inspired by bigger things, (namely space..and the moon...n shit..which is pretty big...) it's still Fly Rye at heart, rapping about Nas.

Excellent track, created by two local artists and a step in an exciting direction for the emerging talent Fly Rye.

Earlier in 2008, Fly Rye released a compilation of tracks from various years that were either unreleased, or didn't get the recognition they deserved when they were put out called YO! CHECK YA CASSETTE!.
Download YO! CHECK YA CASSETTE!

Fly Rye at Triple J Unearthed
Fly Rye at myspace

9th Wonder x Wale - Back to the Feature cover

2008-12-20T19:56:00.000-08:00

Brilliant.

Low Budget Music Videos That Got it Right

2008-11-11T02:14:00.000-08:00

It can be done so well and yet it can equally be done so very, very poorly. Some favourites of mine that pull it off..SPECTACULARLY! *broadway style flourish*

First up, Still Flyin's video for 'Good Thing It's a Ghost Town Around Here'. Nifty little group on Moshi Moshi records. This is an awesome song, and a hilarious video.

An aussie hip hop anthem, Muph N Plutonic's 'Heaps Good' is next. This has been nodding heads for a minute now, and in my experiences, even the meekest fans of aussie hip hop will know this one.

Instantly likable song. Great video. The cost's involved: finding and paying the artist who turned the office supplies into cool little bits of hip hop art.

This song came up early on in one of the many Aussie Democratic Hiphop Discussions (A.D.H.D. for short) I've had this year with a particular mate of mine who shares similar interests to me.

He concluded about Heaps Good, "There's just something about it, the beat, you know, I could drive to this song."

Of course, for legal reasons, he can't drive to this song.
Despite being tried as a minor, it turns out juries aren't so forgiving on 'third strike repeat offender pryos'. Now we know. Only seven more years, Zac!

The video is directed by Anto Skene aka Romanto, Giant Stink Horn and ManTooth.

Also look at the rest of Anto Skene's videos here for some other cool ones. Warning: some are pretty shit. There are however a whole lot of TZU videos tho. "In Front Of You" is a good song.

Hinrich latest white guy to succumb to Xbox injury; NBA to launch awareness campaign

2008-11-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich needs surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and will miss up to three months.

The Chicago guard is the latest in a slew white NBA players to seriously injure themselves while console gaming.

"I'm frustrated," Hinrich said Saturday. "I worked hard in the offseason. FarCry 2 came out, so I really had to apply myself. I'm still trying to figure out how long 12 weeks is going to be and, really, what I'm going to do with myself. I mean, without gaming, what is there to do? "

The villain in this instance was Microsoft's Xbox 360, but earlier this year Sony's Playstation 3 was responsible for a bone chip developing in Brad Miller's elbow.

The recent phenomenon has concerned the league, with Commissioner David Stern believed to have been overheard lamenting; "Damn white guys..can't they go to the club like everyone else.."

The NBA announced plans to launch an official awareness program in response to the 'attack'. The program, believed to be still in development phase, is being run by prototypical white guy Danny Ferry. The overhyped Duke prospect reportedly jumped at the opportunity to host the educational seminars.

"I'm just super psyched to be able to share, through my experiences, how dangerous these things can be."

The League is working closely with Ferry to develop a workshop style seminar, in which Ferry will use personal experience to reach the white players of today, who he believes, are in danger.

"Towards the end of my career, when I was with San Antonio, one night on the road, I think we were in Orlando...anyway, some of the guys went out, gang banging or what have you, and Steve Smith and I stayed at the hotel in the computer room."

Ferry paused at this point, ostensibly pushing back the awful memories of that fateful night. After turning his head away and brushing away what looked like the onset of the steaming hot tears of technology trauma, he continued;

"Anyway..Even though that was a PC, I think it's still relevant. I really want to help these guys."

Obama finally officially elected; immediately uses power to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond

2008-11-05T23:21:00.000-08:00

Seriously, Obama elected. A lot of people happy.

The campaign just seemed like a marathon. Exhausting even to spectators, it must've been utterly life consuming for participants.

The number of people involved was spectacular. This new breed of campaigning the Democrats employed was hardly revolutionary in its idea, but in implication, it was the most effective campaign in recent history (read: that I know of).

A grassroots approach in widespread campaigning was nice, and it lead to an abundance of Blue doorknockers, but the single most effective facet of the Obama campaign was their approach to donations.

No longer focusing on extravagant, expensive gala nights where society's upper elite fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars, the shift towards employing the internet, in conjunction with an emphasis on small, routine donations attracted not only a lot of individual donations, but offerings from first time donaters.

Obama channeling his inner Tim Meadows from Mean Girls.

Anyway. Enough's been said of the election.

Even in Australia, TV coverage on election night (day in Australia) was rampant. ABC, 7, 9 and 10 offered election coverage, with SBS offering something about an old guy (possibly an 'artiste') and his wife traveling the world to see art.

Personally I found ABC's feed from CNN to be the of the highest quality, both in terms of analysis (often contrived and hardly insightful at the best of times) and updates on polling.

Also the panelists the ABC had in from the Lowy institute and the Centre for U.S Studies were the best political guests I've seen on TV in a long time. Clearly this was their day of relevance in Australia to people of wavering political interest, and they nailed it. Well done guys.

Also did anyone else see will.i.am appear live on CNN...via hologram! Yes! That's what U.S politics needs, more blatantly fickle facades. Cool though. Apparently it was the firs time on T.V. The best bit's during the thank you's, as will is clearly pretty thrilled to be appearing as a hologram and does a few little groovy motions saying 'check it out', and just gets nothing from the CNN face who opts for the smile-and-nod. Some brilliant internet minds have dubbed it the 'will.i.gram.' I didn't say this was going to be funny.

Now that it's over, some campaign moments that captivated us global-cultured folk, or perhaps stuff you missed:

Fox News Joking About Killing Obama:

Mike Huckabee jokes about Obama getting shot:

And the apparently politically inclined folk over at ninemsn have put together a suitable list of funny youtube videos they call "Election Moments". It'll suffice. Really annoying it's not all on the one page though. The link to the next one is at the bottom of the page.

Also the spurs beat the T-wolves today in double O.T, which pissed me off. How sweet would it have been if the Spurs started the season 0-4! Compounding these Anti-Spurs sentiments further is the fact that Tony Parker dropped 55...no comment.

The Most Hilariously Biased View of The Election

2008-11-02T20:58:00.000-08:00

Website One Nation Under God has on its front page a repugnant video they call "Game Changer." The whole thing is suitably biased and constructed in a way to present Barack Obama as, among other things, a radical racist, un-patriotic, left extremist (and possible terrorist), chronic flip flopper, and unfit in every facet to be President.

I'm no way against these sorts of productions, they make politics a fantastic spectator sport. Politicians, of course, understand the nature of the beast when they decide to get into politics.

It's just funny how such an extreme point of view supposedly echoing "the Catholic tradition" uses embedded videos on a dynamic website, complete with flash features, to get across its point. You get the sense that this group is particular proud of themselves for keeping with technology in a bid to reach the catatonic youth.
Warning: If you go and watch the video, it does contain an artist's confronting depiction of an abortion, and a graphic discussion of what is presumably a real, dead baby .

Nothing, however, validates the ridiculous opinions spurned on this page.

On the top right of the home page, below their subtly woven in backdrop of a U.S flag (which, surprisingly, is not digitally manipulated to be draped over the shoulders of a Pope or hearty, trustworthy meatpie) is a section "Call to Action". The graphic again features the U.S flag, this instance transposed with a cross, which is possibly emblematic of their appreciation for the French electro-dance scene.

After calling Catholics "to arms", we are told "Senator Obama's abortion policy positions undermine your parental authority. view his answers to a questionnaire from RH Reality Check."
Not my parental authority! I just fixed all the issues I had with Senators undermining it! Goddammit Obama..

If we click to "view his answers to a questionnaire from RH Reality Check" straight away we're told "There should be no doubt after reviewing Senator Obama's position on abortion rights that he is "disqualified" as a candidate a Catholic can support." Interesting that an organization which so vehemently argues for the preservation of "pro-life" values, albeit in a specific context, tells Catholics who is suitable and who is "disqualified" to receive a Catholic vote.

Which brings us to the "How to Vote Catholic" page. When there we get probably the best graphic of the lot. I mean, we've had an abundance of U.S flags, we've had crosses, we've even had sunlight shining down from the top of the Church enveloping the U.S flag (brilliant), but this one takes the cake. It incorporates the Big Three. The Catholic Version of takeyourpick. (Unrelated, but terrible, this is probably the worst Big Three video out there. Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph/Stephon Marbury and Eddy Curry do NOT make the cut! Firstly there's four of them. Secondly, together they account for approximately 1.5 decent NBA players. Nor does Brook Lopez classify as "big" yet..anyway). The cross, the flag and the wedding ring.

Their junction (probably in holy matrimony) seems to suggest, in a whiny, annoying voice; Nice! Now by arguing against us, you're really arguing against not only your country and the Church with which your country was founded, but also the sanctity of marriage - you unpatriotic, radical beatniks!

The whole notion of zealously evoking the argument of fundamental principles of democracy, and then telling people who to vote for is fantastic.

"In defending the cause of life, we are not only fulfilling our vocation as Catholics, but we are also defending the vision of democracy that ... we are all created equal and are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, the first of which is the right to life,"

- Cardinal O'Malley, Boston

If we accept that we were in fact created by God with "certain inalienable rights" such as "the right to life", a possible oversight on the behalf of Cardinal O'Malley is the subsequent right afforded to the citizenry of a democracy - the right to choose who to vote for. If some Catholic voters want somebody pro-life, fantastic. If others want want somebody pro-choice, great. If others want to piss their vote away or note vote, marvellous. But let people make that choice for themselves. You can campaign, you can spiel, preach, sermonize even threaten, but in polling stations, people are (hopefully, presumably) going to punch a ticket, or find and circle the candidates name in a WordFind (as is the case in Florida) based on their own opinion. Anyone can form that opinion, exert pressure and directly influence it, even buy votes - but sooner or later Democracy will catch you out. No President can rule under a guise of Democracy, his policies will be too far removed from the electorate.

You can pick on Barack all you want, but please, for the life of me, leave Joe out of this!

"Certainly policies on welfare, national security, the war in Iraq, Social Security or taxes, taken singly or in any combination, do not provide a proportionate reason to vote for a pro-abortion candidate."

- Archbishop John J Myers, Newark, N.J.

All well and good as your opinion Archbishop Myers, but what if the issues of welfare, national security, war or taxes, not to mention the economic climate do "provide a proportionate reason to vote for a pro-abortion candidate"?

Probably the best pull quote:
"...it is outright frightening how many Catholics think they can vote for a pro-abortion candidate." Fr. John Corapi, "Form Your Conscience, Vote Your Conscience"

It's similarly frightening to consider the notion of somebody, anybody, let alone a voice from the religious community, talking about who people "can" vote for. Autocratically shaping voters opinions on candidates under the veiled facade of religious righteousness is bullshit.

Retired Bishop Rene Garcia prefers to keep it simple, stating merely; ""Barack Hussein Obama is a pro-abortion candidate". This doesn't deserve anymore discussion. Even heartland Republicans got over it.

Another thing I find ridiculous; "Once the Freedom of Choice Act is passed and signed into law, no Catholic doctor will be allowed to refuse abortion services on account of conscience." You mean they'll have to do their jobs, just like everyone else? Oh, God! Won't somebody please think of the Catholic doctors in this mess!

Like everything here, this is of course my opinion and, regrettably, legislation mandating you adopt a similar stance is still pending (I thought the dissolution of the Democrats meant we wouldn't have any more 'morally controversial' bills..).

Banksy

2008-11-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

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

—Banksy

When I begun this post (several hours ago..time is a fickle, fickle thing) I didn't want to write anything, or more accurately, I didn't want to dilute any messages Banksy's work emits. Then I realized there needs to be some explanation, as this is the first time Banksy's appeared on DSTC. So some suitably brief, suitably shit contextualistion follows.

Guerilla artist Banksy proves graffiti can be art. His amalgamation of stenciling techniques and traditional grafiti have captured the imagination of people around the world. Growing up in Bristol in the 70s and 80s, the majority of Banksy's pieces are in England, but have been found in L.A, New York, New Orleans and Palestine.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie spent U.S $200,000 at a Banksy auction.

The thing I hate the most about advertising is that it attracts all the bright, creative and ambitious young people, leaving us mainly with the slow and self-obsessed to become our artists. Modern art is a disaster area. Never in the field of human history has so much been used by so many to say so little.

—Banksy

Segregation Wall, Palestine.

Disneyland, California - Guantanamo Bay.

http://www.banksy.co.uk/menu.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy

It's back. So is Greg Oden.

2008-11-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

The NBA season started a few days ago, and I am G-L-A-D it's back.
First things first, opening night - the Blazers open their season in L.A playing the Lakers. Greg Oden. He's gonna be a player. People think with his humble demeanor in the public eye he will be a good player, maybe even a very good player, but never a champion. Don't be fooled, Oden will be remembered as a champion. There's a distinct aggressiveness in his game - he won't back down from anybody.

Early in the 2nd qtr, early in the shotclock, the Blazers go to him in the post. Single coverage. He just started backing into Andrew Bynum really violently (it was awesome to watch), until he got close enough to the basket where he could spin - quickly - and jump at the rim, where he was fouled. He said himself in the off season, it's well known, and he agrees, that his offensive game is probably the weakest facet of his game right now. Already though, he's much better offensively than Emeka Okafor, for example. In continually developing offensively, while maintaining all the other things he can do on a basketball court, and adding the knowledge of the game that inevitably comes to a willing-learner like Oden, he'll have an incredible package.

His defense, rebounding and shotblocking is never in doubt. On one play Andrew Bynum had the ball about 15 feet out on the wing with Oden guarding him. They had the whole side of the court to themselves. Bynum took a dribble baseline, spun middle, picking up his dribble, and ended up just on the cusp of the no-charge zone directly infront of the rim.
Oden stayed with him on the move, comfortably. So comfortably he was waiting for Bynum's ~~bitch-ass~~ jump hook. They both jumped. But Oden jumped higher. Or maybe he has a longer reach. Or both. Anyway, he sent it out - emphatically. And Oden loved it.

Clearly that doesn't prove Oden > Bynum, it was just awesome to see him finally running around out there. Until he got injured (!!! [the first time that's been seen on any blog, ever, that isn't talking about avant-garde electro-indie music]). Whilst it must be highly frustrating for him, this latest injury is nowhere near as serious as last year's season-ender-before-it-beginnered. Besides, his Blazers (actually, they're probably Brandon Roy's Blazers at the moment) beat the Spurs today anyway.

As a parting gift, even though this has thoroughly done the rounds (originally from deadspin), some you chavs may be yet to see it.
We don't need to question him. Campus life. Yes!

Nas: Vote or Lose

2008-10-21T02:15:00.000-07:00

From a lil over two weeks ago in Virginia.
Exactly what's called for in the U.S.
Who would be the sort of person Australians would listen to if Australia did away with compulsory voting? Probably not Bliss n Eso or Hau.

Super cool Pippen & Barkley Coca Cola ad

2008-10-19T22:44:00.000-07:00

As the title suggests.
I think it's from '92, maybe a bit before. Coz anytime after that and Barkley's in phx.
Good stuff.
The NBA needs more of these ads.
It's good to see them happy together..albeit in somebody's ad - this was before their media bout when they were teammates in Houston, which should have ended with them both retiring, not Pip being dealt to Portland and Barkley staying with the "contending" Rockets.

The Election Made Easy, Decoding the Latest Merchandise

2008-10-17T01:25:00.000-07:00

Oh wait...there are more than the Republicans and the Democrats? No. Can't be. There's just the red and blue. It's like…universal. There are the red guys and the blue guys. The bad guys and the good guys. Right? Yeah, it has to be. The blue guys are the goodies, and the bad guys are the red guys. It's a historical thing, it's tradition. We know this because, kindly, under the Oslo Accord of 1923, the bad guys agreed to wear red (this includes capes, logos, unnecessarily sharp letter openers, monocles etc) and the good guys blue (including all possessions passionate Democrats must have, eg. rasta hats, lava lamps, water beds and bong paraphernalia.) It really is that simple. Occasionally these Yellow or Green guys show up and yell stuff about Liberty or the environment, but they have funny mustaches so no one pays attention.

Let’s get real, douchebag! This election year has seen an abundance of unique issues arise, and as a result most people are well versed on key issues of the U.S election, which double as current global quandaries facing the world in its entirety. You’re probably homeboys with McCain, down with Obama, facebook friends with Biden and you know a guy who impregnated Palin’s daughter. Whilst all that is fantastic, it seems many people lack an understanding of the election process itself.

Given this large, gaping hole where our knowledge of foreign concepts such as the electoral college, malapportionment and those adorable Libertarians should be, it’s time to focus on what is truly important…Awesome election merchandise!

The Official Democratic Party website recently sold out of Batman-esque skygrams used by thousands of P.P.A.C’s (Previously Politically Apathetic Citizens) who are now enraptured, and need a meeting place (or 'buzzpad') to gather their collective thoughts. It's important to note P.P.A.C's differ form the diehard Dukakis era Democrat.

Surprisingly the Republicans have not had as much success selling merchandise to supporters. It was revealed recently the store at the Republican Party Headquarters in the fiery labyrinths of…Texas…recently had to order in one million more Celine Dion greatest hits CDs, without having sold a single one. It is alleged an extremist faction of the Democratic Party broke into the Headquarters during the designated party enforced afternoon nap (3-5pm), and stole “back” the CDs, claiming Dion is a Democrat at heart.

A comment on the radical Democratic faction’s facebook page justified the mass theft by claiming it is what Dion would have wanted; “She’s is almost certainly, although presumably wealthy, a newly galvanized Democrat. Yes, that fits nicely; her happy-go-lucky song lyrics make her a fleeting Democrat beyond doubt. Surely.”

The Republicans vowed to take retributive action however, and although all within Red HQ remained tightlipped, a policy advisor close to McCain, who wished to remain anonymous, said merely: "Much like the Empire did in Episode V, circa 1980, we will Strike Back."

LRG x Wale x 9th Wonder

2008-10-15T02:19:00.000-07:00

Wale's mixtape, Back to the Feature is yet to come out (still!), but some tracks from it have been doing the rounds the last couple of days, and it got me thinking.

about Wale:
Wale is good. Even without his predilection for heavy keyboard beats and synth hooks, he would be good. But for some reason he wants to get down with an electro feel, which is why he's got every moron and his dog on the internet talking (myself shamelessly included), but for some reason - luck, skill - his flows rli suit that style.

Clearly there's a lengthy process of matching lyrics to beats during the production of albums, and I'm not sure if Wale gets a beat, goes away and writes, then comes back with a song made with the beat in mind. That process, however, is not what's done for mixtapes - which how most of Wale's stuff has come out.

Anyway, Wale's good. He's something different. It's not revolutionary, the electro feel - it's kind of like what Youngbloodz and to a lesser extent Street Lord n even Blaqstarr have done a lot of. Klever has remixed a lot of 'straight' hip hop with a heavy electro tinge as well. Afrika Bambaata, KRS-One and his cronies at BDP were doing it twenty years ago. And unfortunately 2 Live Crew did it. Then kept doing it. For 2 decades. Which was probably 2 decades too long. But I digress. Wale's good.

About LRG:
Awesome brand. It's not huge in Australia, but there are plenty of people who appreciate and/or sport LRG. The fact that they support underground artists is cool, but you have to wonder how involved they are in the process - which is probably fine by the artist, but it just means maybe the ties between LRG n independent, underground music shouldn't be hailed as that fucking magnificent.

9th & Mick Boogie are down

And finally, 9th Wonder:
The prolific beat making 3rd of Little Brother. I've been hooked on his beats for a minute now, and while not everything he does is awesome, a lot of it is. God's Stepson is incredible. Maybe it's the fact that it's Nas, but that is an incredible album. Even if it's not a proper retail release.
2008 has already been a big year for 9th, any buzz Back to the Feature creates, will only top off what a huge year he's had.

It's kind of insulting to be writing about 9th in a paragraph about a Wale mixtape. His tracks are basically all I played the last few months!

Anyway three things to take out of this, not necessarily in order;
1. Keep your ear to the ground and your cursor ready for Back to the Feature. Check Elitaste for news about it.
2. Check out 9th Wonder's super amazing awesome produced tracks if you haven't already.
3. If you have enough money, go out and buy some LRG tees (or hoodies if you are that way inclined)

word..life.

Fly Rye. New Track. Peep Game.

2008-10-13T02:27:00.000-07:00

Vibrant Melbourne based emcee Fly Rye's latest track is called 'Cardboard Memories'. Cool concept, and one central to a heap of Fly's tracks - an old school vibe, and a reminiscing about a 'golden era', when times were more simple, when small pleasures in life weren't over burdened by the monotony and overbearingness today's society can exert.

Maybe he's right, maybe the early-mid 90's were the golden age. They certainly were the pinnacle for a few things close to both Fly and this writer's heart: basketball and hip hop - critics might recognize that it is the inherent, universal conjunction of basketball and hip hop that Fly Rye explores, but at a really basic, grassroots level, the two are joined. Married. This an essay in itself, but if you know - you know.

Heads already understand.

Evident in his music, Fly Rye is realizing that growing up leads to mingling with hollow people, who are ruled by pragmatism rather than aspirations. That's not so relevant in this track, though. But check out his myspace and see some other tracks.

Either way, give it a listen. The guy is making good, soulful music and that in itself makes him stand out from some of the tripe being churned out these days.

Earlier in 2008, Fly Rye released a compilation of tracks from various years that were either unreleased, or didn't get the recognition they deserved when they were put out. Download YO! CHECK YA CASSETTE!

Fly Rye At Triple J Unearthed (contains download link for Cardboard Memories)
www.myspace.com/cassettewalkmans

The Vice-Presidential Debate, and other such animals

2008-10-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

Since today was the day of the Vice Presidential debate, now seems like a good enough time as ever to focus on the US Presidential Race. I remind you, however, that even if the VP Debate wasn't on today, I could still write on the Presidential campaigns coz I don't need an excuse - I'm flexible like that.

On the debate itself, ABC fortunately felt obliged to screen it, and did from 11 to 1230 I think. From what I saw of it, Palin not surprisingly held her own. The people putting words in her mouth understand preparation is paramount and she seemed to maintain the facade of at least being human (although some suspected she was Canadian at various points). So in that regard, the debate didn't confirm what we (probably) already know, that Biden is to Palin as Lenin was to Trotsky.

The debate did however give room for Palin to 'showcase' (and the word is used in a sense looser than change) her range of idiosyncratic quirks. Little eccentricities like winking at the camera, or wiggling her nose, or shuffling her feet in a manner I refuse to put down to the nerves brought on by such an event (although this could be Palin signaling her affiliation with Melbourne based organization 'Hard Style Dance'). It remains to be seen just how these zany traits will help the Republicans get into office, but this is exactly the sort of thing that could win over a slew of Democrat voters who are, among other things, fickle enough to mindlessly support a campaign because of buzzwords and progressive appeal. Perhaps the 'change' revolution is about to learn you live and die by the same sword. Another, very similar, potential problem for the Democrats that could arise out of this is the fact that we're dealing with Americans here. Some may feel this point is self explanatory.

Her peculiarities were noticeable, even though she didn't striptease.. although you get the sense that a) Biden would be hella down for that, and b) shit would get freaky in there if they did take their clothes off. Is it wrong of me to be even considering the ramifications of a lusty Biden-Palin encounter? Yes. On many, many levels. Is that going to stop me picturing such steamy scenes? No. Not in the slightest. :)

In terms of the actual debate, Palin did well. She did about all that could be asked of her, and maybe then some. Her well known lack of foreign policy credentials was evident (ask her to define what foreign policy is, Joe! Then you'll have her!), but overall she was solid. Maybe even better than solid. Having said that, asking her to go into this debate and ~~win~~ do well is like asking her to be become a neighborhood door to door saleswoman, and go around the Vatican trying to sell 'DIY At Home Abortion Kits'.

Biden was sturdy as a rock. Rocks don't get the proverbial beaten out of them, and rarely even come off second best, but in that same token they also don't turn into rainbows or unicorns and ride around and look magnificent. That's Biden. He's solid, bordering on very good, without being spectacular or glitzy. And that makes for a very well complemented ticket; appeasing Obama's perceived lack of substance. Just because he can galvanize people doesn't make him tantamount to a shallow, semi-Kenyan bimbo).

Over a 17 minute span, Palin said "darn right" 163 times. That means she said "darn right" every 6 seconds. She's cut back, at least.
Her grassroots, 'we're-the-little-guys-and-we've-had-enough' shtick did however allow for some enlightening back and forths with Biden:

Palin: Darn right, the folks back home, we know the only way to cook a freshly speared Atlantic salmon is on a stove.
Biden: Oh, come on Sarah, we both know shantys don't have the structural capacity for hotplates.

Evidently Biden is not to be tested on his sound architectural knowledge, too.

The appointment of Palin as McCain's runningmate was an interesting one from the outset, some people marked it as a career threatening move by McCain & Co (although certainly not as career threatening as this choice of album name by Nelly Furtado - who is almost certainly, although presumably wealthy, a newly galvanized Democrat. Yes, that fits nicely; her happy-go-lucky, 'carefree' (tampon conspiracy?) song lyrics make her a fleeting Democrat beyond doubt. Surely).

But I digress, Palin's perception has changed dramatically; it was bad ("she's inexperienced, she's going to be overwhelmed, and she's possibly a budding anarchist/modern day incarnate of the devil in the divine body of Kim Carnes), then it was good (she's making the Republicans relevant again!), now it's bad again (the first brackets). But no matter the end result for the Republicans, how it's unfolding is proving to be a lot of fun to witness.

Pyramid Rock Festival 2nd Line Up Announcement!

2008-09-30T22:46:00.000-07:00

"Just added to Pyramid more stellar acts are now set to join us at Phillip Island;

LADYHAWKE (NZ), STARS(CAN), THE VINES, BOB EVANS, THE MESS HALL, DJ VADIM & YARAH BRAVO (USA), CHILDREN COLLIDE, FRIGHTENED RABBIT(UK), BEHIND CRIMSON EYES, BANG GANG DJS, DRAPHT, THEREDSUNBAND, THE PAPER SCISSORS, YVES KLEIN BLUE, RESIN DOGS, CARUS & THE TRUE BELIEVERS, DOWNSYDE, SUGAR ARMY, THE SCIENTISTS OF MODERN MUSIC, GOOD BUDDHA, BONJAH, HERCULES IN NY, THE FUNKOARS, SUNSHINE BROTHERS, ROGERTHAT, THE JEZABELS, TWELVE FOOT NINJA!"

A shit load more acts have been added to the line up. I'm excited. The reason for this..Drapht and The Funkoars were added! Yehh bitches.

I've been playing Drapht's new album Brothers Grimm non stop for about a month now. Whenever I have to go anywhere, the first 3 tracks I bump in the car are "Falling", "The Money" and "Jimmy Recard". A Drapht post has probably been brewing in my mind for some time, so now seems like as good a time as any to celebrate Drapht's quality emceeing.

He first popped up in '98 on Culture of Kings CD, a vast, all encompassing compilation series. I didn't hear that till about 2 years ago, but thankfully Drapht's first album, Pale Rider (2003), got to me first. That was followed up in 2005 with Who Am I, and 2008 brought Brothers Grimm. As far as I'm concerned, every album has been an improvement on its predecessor, yet that's also reflective of the production, which is headed very competently on Brothers Grimm by Trials (of Funkoars..if only they were at Pyramid too..oh wait, they are!!) and features tracks from Plutonic, M-Phazez and Simplex.

I missed out on seeing him last time he came to Melbourne, in part because like most local hip hop acts that play Melbourne, it was at revolver..and that joint presents lifestyle challenges.

Back to Drapht. Hailing from Perth, Paul Ridge aka Drapht is part of the Syllaboliks crew but has emphatically etched his own place in hip hop with a slew of albums, and the latest, Brothers Grimm, sees a maturing MC impressively deal with (occasionally) difficult subject matter while sounding sublime. Don't get it twisted, there remains the element of the drunk anthem/alcohol influence on Brothers Grimm, but Drapht is undoubtedly maturing as an MC, and what's that saying about life mirroring art, and the other way round - on an interview with Street Press Australia, Drapht aptly summised: "With Brothers Grimm I tried to tackle subject matter more, and tried to make every single word more clear - not so intense. I wanted it to be more personal and truthful with what I stand for and have gone through in life"

Representing W.A but doing Australian hip hop at large proud, there are 3 Drapht albums already; impressive at only the ripe young age of 25. Signed to powerhouse label Obese Records (monopoly anyone?), free-flowing syllabolic orientated rhymes typify Drapht's flow. And boy is it smooth. His voice is kind of high, which could be annoying to some people, but dude knows how to flow - emphasising the end of words and changing his tone to suit the rhyme. It's these nuances like altering the prosody of his voice that affect rhythm.

The covers are awesome..done by Perth based artist Dash.

One definite way to win me over is to namedrop 80's/90's ballers, and whilst he no way focuses on vintage NBA, it's enough. On the song "Sound Man", in which he's lamenting an apathetic sound man who won't turn it up loud enough, Drapht drops: "But can you believe this clown? / Now no one wants to jump like Kareem rebounds." Kareem never did jump on boards! Or on hook shots! Or on dunks! Word!
And on "Insomnia", which is a track that I at first didn't like (and still don't like as much as some of the others, but I can get past the intimidating hook and tolerate it now), lack of sleep is expressed as "I feel like a zombie, slumber's beyond me / nights get longer, long as Luc Longley." W.A keeps it in the fam!

I know "Jimmy Recard" is 'the' song. And rightfully so; it's catchy as ~~bird flu on the set of Sesame Street China (bad call)~~ velcro. But don't sleep on any of the tracks till you've given them a proper listen. The whole album is ipod worthy.
The first stand out track to me was "Falling": Awesome beat, stand out vocal sample & lyrically earnest, refreshingly profound. "The Money", "Dreams & Dreamers" and "A Good Year" are also instantly likable.

"Don't wonna work" with it's chorus coming off a lil forced is the weakest track to me, and "Rest In Peace" sees the crew get involved, and after a whole album of unique flows and verses from Drapht, it's tough for anyone else to shine.

N as a parting gift I leave you with the video for "The Music" from 03's Pale Rider, featuring Melbourne! Try n spot fed sqaure.

There is some quality aussie hip hop to enjoy at Pyramid now; The Herd, Muph n Plu and Resin Dogs, and now Drapht and Funkoars and Downsyde. Stacked!

Full lineup:
"THE BLACK KEYS(USA), THE LIVING END, MORCHEEBA(UK), CUT COPY, FAT FREDDY'S DROP(NZ), MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS, THE VINES, STARS(CAN), DIGITALISM LIVE(GER), LADYHAWKE(NZ), KARNIVOOL, GYROSCOPE, THE TEENAGERS(FRA), THE HERD, DR. DOG(USA), BIRDS OF TOKYO, BOB EVANS, THE MESS HALL, THE GETAWAY PLAN, LITTLE RED, SALMONELLA DUB(NZ), THE BLACK SEEDS(NZ), RESIN DOGS, PPP aka PLATINUM PIED PIPERS(USA), BEHIND CRIMSON EYES, FRIGHTENED RABBIT(UK), DRAPHT, MUPH & PLUTONIC, YO! MAJESTY(USA), BANG GANG DJS, MAMMAL, CHILDREN COLLIDE, DJ VADIM & YARAH BRAVO(USA), DOWNSYDE, THE PAPER SCISSORS, YVES KLEIN BLUE, CARUS & THE TRUE BELIEVERS, GOOD BUDDHA, THE GALVATRONS, THEREDSUNBAND, SUGAR ARMY, BONJAH, THE SCIENTISTS OF MODERN MUSIC, THE FUNKOARS, SUNSHINE BROTHERS, ROGERTHAT, HERCULES IN NY, THE JEZABELS, TWELVE FOOT NINJA!"

www.thepyramidrockfestival.com
http://www.obeserecords.com/artists_drapht.htm

Sarah Palin's Foreign Policy Credentials

2008-09-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

CBS recently aired an interview in the U.S with Katie Couric asking Palin why she cited being from Alaska as laudable with respect to foreign policy.
It's a convincing argument: "Yes! I so did negotiate with Putin! His plane flew over AlaskaLOL!"
Actual part of the interview (which, worryingly, doesn't differ hugely from the smug satirical made up pull quote above):

Move over Sauron, all fear ALASKARGH - America's all seeing eye!

Valuable Life Lessons Learnt From Cigar Aficionado (V.L.L.L.F.C.A - Vol I)

2008-09-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

IF you thought Cigar Aficionado was a publication only for 'elder statesmen' and pretentious rich kids, then you'd only be partially correct. For you see, all of us can extract something valuable from the monthly magazine, and in doing do, enrich our lives in ways previously unfathomable. What's that? "Even me?" I hear young Miguel ask. Darn' tootin, Miguel, even boundary hopping Mexicans can benefit from the until-now unshared wisdom hidden within C.A's pages.

Here it is, in full LCD filling glory, Valuable Life Lessons Learnt From Cigar Aficionado, or V.L.L.L.F.C.A - The First Installment.

1) C.A has taught us, primarily through the Chuck Norris cover edition, that "good guys smoke cigars." Throw out what you think you know about good guys from misleading figures of benevolence like Superman, Santa Claus, the Easterbunny and Bob Hawke - unless you smoke a cigar, your as much a baddie as those bastards at the IRS.

2) Denny Crane, allegedly also known as William Shatner, is as much an appreciator of fine cigars as he is of women, money and success. And he owes his vast wealth in the latter two enigmas of life solely to his love of a well aged, moist, rough, cigar.

3) Cuba exists to produce high quality cigars. The state serves no other purpose and if found by any high ranking contributing editor of C.A to be dabbling in activities deemed unnecessary under the Cuba-Cigar Aficionado Accord of Versailles (circa 1918), such as pretending to be a real country or trading or negotiating or any of this business, the agreement will be terminated and the location of Cuba will be transformed back into a giant country club.
NB: A recent reader survey conducted by C.A revealed two thirds of its readers thought Cuba was in fact an exclusive high-end country club, with the other third believing Cuba was a Titanium Golf Club producing company.

4) Signed and framed hangings of C.A covers are pricey, highly sought after "game room decor" for the most astute businessmen. The more of these any given person owns, the more wealthy they are. There exists companies who sell these (and profit from the selling of these). There are too many fantastic ones to post, but highlights include:

Matt Dillon! Doing the rebellious 'my-middle-finger-is-up-in-a-non-provocative-shithead-way-that-still-says-FU!'
Not to mention the Michael Douglas, Tom Selleck, Kiefer Sutherland and Claudia Schiffer prints. And then there's the suitably zaaaaaaany Jack Nicholson edition.

Finally, rumour has it the pages of the magazine are made from 'used' $100 bills. But we already knew that once someone else touches them they're not suitable for use, right?

The Mighty Boosh

2008-09-23T04:15:00.000-07:00

If you know, well done. Skip straight to the youtube videos further down.
For those previously unaware; SBS, 9pm Mondays.

The Mighty Boosh is a quirky Brit-sit-com. Generally outlandish, the show is the brain child of Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt. It didn't start out all world-dominating, it was once a radio show and before that presumably an idea - one kept in a glass jar so as to not get all sticky from people touching it. Presenting the viewer with a myriad of focus points, there is no expected audience response. As a general rule though, there will be hilarious moments (Stalin says so!), occasionally uproariously ones.

That's what makes the show great though..anyway. You don't want to read about that. You Gen-Xers are into 'embedded' links from that gallivanting 'youtube' website now aren't you. It's ok. There's no need to answer. Your silence and comatose, fixated gaze says more than mere words ever could.

Recent Boosh highlights include (in the same episode no less!):
The four way crimp off - proof it can be done!:

And never before, to this writer's keen eye, has a show boasted a character who owes so much of his expression to interpretative dance. Watch. And hold thy breath in awe.

Worryingly though, this is of course ammunition to those left-wing-art-fairy types who'd rather campaign to see interpretative dance become more prevailent than support our the troops/economy/president/caravan window cleaning industry. Beatniks. The unofficial government stance on these 'citizens' is the ol' 'lets-see-you-disarm-the-bomb-with-your-rad-jazz-jam-now -you-fucking-mavericks'.

Anyways.
The live stage show version is also currently touring Britain (late 2008, early '09). Unfortunately the last time they were in Melbourne, I was a mere fetus of my current self. (In 2000, Boosh Live swept through the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, stopping only to collect the Barry Humphries award. Cool.)
www.themightyboosh.com

Marxism, the FBI and Harry Potter

2008-09-18T03:51:00.000-07:00

In 50 years time, Education Institutions (in this day and age referred to as 'schools or universities') will be studying JK Rowling's Harry Potter novels as literary classics. In students attempt to extract wider social commentaries from the texts, the following readings will be applied, eloquently, to the series:

- The entire series will be interpreted as escapist from Blair's harsh regime of pragmatism (and later celebratory of Gordon Brown's night watchman state)
- The ideal of egalitarianism and collective sense of common good shown not only by Dumbeldore, but by all budding Wizards and Wizardresses will result in it being studied as a Marxist text.
- Progressive students in underground left-wing colleges will deduce Snape's constant bumbling, in conjunction with his malevolent intentions, as pointed commentary on the the eight years of (a bumbling, malevolent intention-harboring) Bush administration. (Which, the same prog-students will point out, definitely not coincidentally, is the exact time the Harry Potter books have been published, 2000-08.)

Seriously tho, a film not too dissimilar Harry Potter in it's uplifting-ness (but rli very different form Harry Potter if I'm being honest), "It's a Wonderful Life", was considered by the FBI communist propaganda when it came out in the 40's.

This post on a relatively unique site called Wisebread discusses just how ridiculous that is.

The original FBI memo, in it's entirety, is as follows:

They're hard to read, so, on the count of three everyone cheer a hearty thanks to the poster on Wisebread as they've transcribed it for us.
Transcribed for your reading pleasure, "for free", it reads:

"To: The Director

D.M. Ladd

COMMUNIST INFILTRATION OF THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY

(RUNNING MEMORANDUM)

There is submitted herewith the running memorandum concerning Communist infiltration of the motion picture industry which has been brought up to date as of May 26, 1947....

With regard to the picture "It's a Wonderful Life", [redacted] stated in substance that the film represented rather obvious attempts to discredit bankers by casting Lionel Barrymore as a "scrooge-type" so that he would be the most hated man in the picture. This, according to these sources, is a common trick used by Communists.

In addition, [redacted] stated that, in his opinion, this picture deliberately maligned the upper class, attempting to show the people who had money were mean and despicable characters. [redacted] related that if he made this picture portraying the banker, he would have shown this individual to have been following the rules as laid down by the State Bank Examiner in connection with making loans. Further, [redacted] stated that the scene wouldn't have "suffered at all" in portraying the banker as a man who was protecting funds put in his care by private individuals and adhering to the rules governing the loan of that money rather than portraying the part as it was shown. In summary, [redacted] stated that it was not necessary to make the banker such a mean character and "I would never have done it that way."

[redacted] recalled that approximately 15 years ago, the picture entitled "The Letter" was made in Russia and was later shown in this country. He recalled that in this Russian picture, an individual who had lost his self-respect as well as that of his friends and neighbors because of drunkenness, was given one last chance to redeem himself by going to the bank to get some money to pay off a debt. The old man was a sympathetic character and was so pleased at his opportunity that he was extremely nervous, inferring he might lose the letter of credit or the money itself. In summary, the old man made the journey of several days duration to the bank and with no mishap until he fell asleep on the homeward journey because of his determination to succeed. On this occasion the package of money dropped out of his pocket. Upon arriving home, the old man was so chagrined he hung himself. The next day someone returned the package of money to his wife saying it had been found. [redacted] draws a parallel of this scene and that of the picture previously discussed, showing that Thomas Mitchell who played the part of the man losing the money in the Capra picture suffered the same consequences as the man in the Russian picture in that Mitchell was too old a man to go out and make money to pay off his debt to the banker."

Pretty ridiculous, but is the view of the FBI all those decades ago so different to views harbored today? We can be quick to judge, and apply beliefs - even stereotypes - which may not actually be relevant.

Lastly, to show that the (hypothetical, joke) future is perhaps not so far away, I give you:

"HARRY POTTER and the SORCERER'S STONE: A Marxist and Feminist View of the Boy Who Lived
Literary theory on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling.
It will be my goal to show how this novel can also be criticized for using Marxist theories and the negative portrayal of women in the novel."

peace!

The Ride

2008-09-15T04:13:00.000-07:00

The driving gloves add a whole new 'edge' to my behind the wheel persona.

Raef LaFrentz to Undergo Surgery; World To Hold Collective Breath

2008-09-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

"The Portland Trail Blazers announced today that center/forward Raef LaFrentz will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Friday, September 26 to repair a tear in the labrum of his right shoulder.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the surgery at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles, Calif.

“I was really hoping to avoid surgery,” said LaFrentz, who sustained the injury during Portland’s game at Seattle on February 22, 2008. “I was hopeful that an off-season regiment of physical therapy and treatment would heal the injury, but unfortunately it’s become clear now that I need to move forward with surgery.”

A timetable for LaFrentz’s return will be set following the arthroscopic surgery."

From Portland Trailblazers

All this breaking news about Raef prompted the question of just what is he up to these days? Not a lot it seems.
There is "no recent player activity" on his widget (that would be a cool one to put on your myspace, all you budding 7 foot sharpshooters!), and his 2007/08 season stats of 1.7 and 1.7 are well down from his glory days of bombing away in Denver, then for a short time Dallas, (and then briefly in Boston), before the tired and weathered Raef express stopped altogether in Portland.

Also interesting to note is a supposed highlight of LaFrentz on his nba.com Player Profile is titled; "Block of the Night: Jason Maxiell." Presumably Raef is on the receiving end. Or possibly sitting in the stands. Although it is possible he was part of TNT's colour commentary team on that night, and offered his own particular shotblocking anecdotes.

For the true Raef fan, now that our man is in the twilight of his career, it's time to rli get to know him. And thankfully, his profile has taken care of us here as well.

His parents, Ron and Ellen, took his name from the 1969 movie, "Home From the Hill"
Chose jersey No. 45 in part because his favourite handgun is the Colt. 45
His sister, Ann Kielkopf, played college basketball at Northern Iowa First, and was instrumental in developing the U.S's nuclear arms program in the 50's.
Favorite team growing up was the Chicago Bears, although he did not know what sport they played. He liked the ferocity of bears.
First dunked in the seventh grade. The death toll was 3.
Enthusiastically served as a spokesperson for the Nuggets Read Team program in the 2000-01 season, mistakingly thinking he was part of some sort of 'Dream Team.'
Was a McDonald's, Parade and USA Today All-American in high school, despite not knowing what any of those things are.

Quite Possibly The Worst Eurovision Performance Ever

2008-09-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

By no means do I consider myself some sort of guru well versed in the long (?) and proud (??) tradition of Eurovision, but each year I do support SBS's landmark TV event and tune in for a bit of a geez each year.

Whilst hard at work I stumbled across Lithuania's 2006 efforts. An absolute howler..I'm not sure if that means it's good or bad, and that's fitting in this scenario. They are legitimately trying to brainwash the audience and judges!

Skip past or endure the sponsor bit in the first 30 seconds and then it's down to business. Look at their facial expressions..did they think they would get away with it? Brainwashing or indeed any form of mind manipulation performances have been outlawed since Romania's infamous '72 performance.

Highlights include the lyrics, which walk the line between direct and (james) blunt. Starting out broad; "We are the winners", they then specify "..of Eurovision." Helpful. It's a risky technique, and evidently it didn't pay off. What they did was tell us they're "the winners (...of Eurovision)", and then go on to say "so vote for the winners..of Eurovision". They came 6th. Which is worrying.

Look at the two lead singers' eyes when they tell us they're the winners. Scary. Luckily I broke his gaze just before I voted for them. Also note the guy on the far left, who, despite the crazy mind-control antics of his peers, does not move. He evokes feelings of a young Special Agent McGee, of NCIS fame.

Backing vocals in brackets.

"Everyday we are on the radio" {"Radio."}
"Everyday you see us in the news" {"That's right."}
"Doesn't matter in mono or in stereo" {Better stereo.}

Genius.

10 Countries The Australian Government Advises You Avoid

2008-09-09T00:22:00.000-07:00

You may have seen those ridiculous ad's on tv (probably channel 9) that depicted a handful of seemingly happy-fun-yay-holiday times in various countries around the world, and then told viewers that one scenario was in fact an Australian tourist doing something *gasp* illegal.

Then the Smart Traveller logo n link flashed up, seemingly as a God-sent mechanism which will rescue Australians abroad from any particular foreign menace.

Perhaps I'm being too harsh, as it is a good site which does contain a lot of useful information. So let me say as a precursor that; a) Smart Traveller is a great idea and very relevant for anyone planning to travel overseas, b) it's a necessary precaution taken by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to, presumably, remove all liability and effectively let them play the "we told you so" card if any unsavory incidents occur to expats abroad, and c) is actually a good source of legit information on many different destinations. It is very detailed, even to a regional scale within most of the countries, and outlines specific regions to be wary of, and which are safe to visit.

Direct from the "do-not" page:

"We advise against all travel to these countries:

And from the re-consider page:

"Destinations for which we advise you to reconsider your need to travel:

Interesting to have a look through. The 5-tier Danger-O-Meter is more or less self explanatory. The 5 different statuses a country can have are:

Be alert to your own security (eg Hungary, Norway and Guam.)
Exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety (eg. Solomon Islands, The Gambia, Azerbaijan, Singapore)
Exercise a high degree of caution (Nicaragua, Kosovo, Russia)
Reconsider your need to travel (Pakistan)
Advised not to travel (Sudan, Iraq)

The status attributed to each country "reflects our overall assessment of the security situation in the destination and is designed to help you assess the level of risk you would face in that country."

How they calculate it:
"In determining the level of a destination we consider the security risks and compare these to the general security threats in a large Australian city. We also take into account the capacity of a foreign government to deal with the risks. We don't employ strict formulas. At times our advice may not fit exactly within one of the levels - in such cases we will use language that is best suited to a specific situation and provides the most practical advice."

You'd have to think tho, some of the advice being dished out..would just fall under common sense.

The 'Travel Health' page offers would-be travellers such insightful gems as: "Staying healthy while travelling can help to ensure your trip overseas is a happy and enjoyable one." Wow. Thanks, DFAT. Without that, I probably would have not only stopped taking my regular asthma medication, but I would've started mixing then injecting heroin and insulin shots twice daily just for the hell of it.

Campaign Media - mp3 and mov's
Travelling Tips

NB: Allow me to re-emphasize that the Australian Government and specifically DFAT are to be applauded for providing such useful, insightful and current - if occasionally hilarious - information.

Hall of Fame Class of '08

2008-09-08T00:27:00.000-07:00

Although they've been announced for a minute now, the newest inductees into Springfield were um..inducted last night, and this year, it looks like they've got it right.

The seven inducted were:
Hakeem
Pat Ewing
Pat Riley
Dick Vitale..!!
Adrian Dantley
Bill Davidson (Detroit Pistons and Shock owner)
and Cathy Rush (former Immaculata University coach)

It seems pretty fitting; Hakeem n Ewing were together their entire careers, and now even in retirement they can't catch a break from one another. They don't have pivots like they used to, and the big men of the glorious 90's are a testament to that. Aside from Ewing n Hakeem, also drop-stepping back then were Zo, Dave Robinson, Deke and young Shaq, and then that mean second tier, including some (fantastically) white big men including, but not limited to; Gheorghe Muresan, Rik Smits, Herb Williams, Manute Bol, Chris Dudley and Yinka Dare. :)

Re-living the '94 Finals is sweet, but I feel an inconsolable sense of sadness knowing that Pat Ewing wouldn't win..and he'd never win. Hakeem and his Rockets got the two 'asterisks' rings in '94 n '95 when Money retired for the first time, which is good coz Hakeem had Sam Cassell, Vernon Maxwell and Rob Horry, but bad coz Ewing rli deserves a ring! He was the man!

His ringlessness doesn't detract from the great story. Ewing came from Jamaica at age 12, and like Hakeem (who came from Nigeria later in his teens), found comfort in basketball. That comfort became a livelihood, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Riley got his as a player, then had four more thanks to the Lakeshow during their Showtime reign, and won again, forgettably, in Miami in '06 (seems like a long time ago..)

The highlight (read: tremendous lowlight) of the night was undoubtedly Dick Vitale's speech. Generally brief, the induction acceptance speeches are usually humble and may involve a few anecdotes and a large amount of praise being heaped upon close friends and family. Not Dicky V.

He reportedly spoke for 30 minutes, on issues ranging from college basketball to, well, college basketball. He then thanked everyone for recognizing him as a PTPer (Prime Time Player) and said he had to get back to the broadcasting booth, as in little over 9 months, it'll be "tourney time baby!"

It was alleged he later shared some "industry secrets" at an exclusive after party event. Those in attendance revealed Vitale "literally went nuts explaining how he insisted on having a bowling ball washer installed in his dress-room, coz he said he polished his head with it." Others in attendance then claimed to have been "licked in the head" by a power-lusting Vitale.

20syl in the studio

2008-09-04T02:00:00.000-07:00

As you meticulous readers know, he's a French MC and producer, and the heart n soul of Hocus Pocus. He's also creating his own legend.

Have a geez at him in the studio.

Starting from scratch, he makes an incredible beat and does it the legit way. Guy’s a musical genius; he not only samples (and recognize what he’s sampling, all you new jack DJs!) but he plays real instruments too. The most impressive aspect, however, is perhaps the fact that he knew what he wanted to hear – he had the blueprint (if you will..and I know you will) in his head – before he started, and continually manipulated and tweaked the sound till he got it.

This relentless quest for perfection is a breath of fresh air, and the jazz influenced beats evoke feelings of hip hop’s golden era, when A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots and Madlib were all contributing to a vibrant scene teeming with quality.

Anyone who has ever even played around with an MPC or anything similar will be in awe at the skill 20syl possesses, and true heads, of course, will appreciate what he uses these skills for and what sort of music he’s making. It all helps..

Latest track

Hocus Pocus’ newest track is called ‘Mr. tout le monde’ (which translates as: ‘Mr. Everyone/Mr. All the world’). See if you can appreciate the message even if you don’t speak the language..

The track has a pretty dope video too. Directed by the legendary DJ/artist Arthur King, a former forerunner of French music and art culture in his own right. Dude has serious credibility..there’ll prolly be a post solely on him eventually.

Mr. tout le monde: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UgbC02BYHo

The vid for ‘Hip Hop?’ is also directed by Arthur Miller. Dude has game!

Hip hop ? feat The Procussions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HSmnIMvgyE

Australia & the United States

2008-09-03T01:34:00.000-07:00

The Simpsons episode featuring Australia was on tonight. You know the one where Bart is forced to apologize to the Parliament of Australia (depicted as "Parliament-haus der Australia"). It's funny. But it got me thinking..

Both Australia and the U.S are former British colonies, but only one so demonstratively broke free from the shackles (the term is used loosely, pun intended) imposed it on by the British Empire. The U.S fought doggedly to achieve independence, and the garnering of freedom in the late 18th Century is constantly referred to as the foundation stone of the value of liberty, which the modern day U.S holds so dear. Australia on the other hand is still linked in name to, and technically under the rule of, the British monarch.

Does this mean the United States boasts a history far richer and more laudable than Australia's, based on its uniqueness? Is Australia's sovereignty tarnished because it still falls under British rule - even if it's only by name?

And finally, Will Australians ever support a referendum so vehemently that it achieves the double majority (attaining a majority at both state and federal levels) needed?

"Word..life" - o.c

Hocus Pocus – If you didn’t know..

2008-08-27T01:40:00.000-07:00

To those yet to have their lives enriched; Hocus Pocus is a 1993 kids movie about witches starring the divine, if worryingly buxom, Bette Milder. To the uninitiated; Hocus Pocus are a French hip hop crew. To heads; they are reviving hip hop in its essence.

Formed in mid 90’s, 20syl (English pronunciation ‘van-seel’) was the only MC then and remains the smooth lyrical presence on their tracks today. The number of different musical stylings they incorporate is phenomenal – a prototypical sample for instance is a sample of Fred Wesley (the American jazz n funk trombonist, who was James Brown’s right hand man throughout the 60s and 70s), scratched by DJ Greem (it rhymes with Preem..dude must have game), brought to life with a band of musicians playing instruments including drums, fender Rhodes, horns, bass and battery and laced with the passionate lyrics of 20syl.

20syl had a vision; to make hip hop the way it used to be made, the way it’s supposed to be made – a juicy blend of funk, soul and jazz fused with the traditional elements of hip hop. Greem has talent on the turntables and knows how to leave you wanting more – he doesn’t dominate tracks by ripping them to shit. Dude knows his stuff, and is clearly on the same page as 20syl; they both know what hip hop is, and they know where they’re trying to take it (guy even samples Common’s ‘The Light’). The instruments bring the music to life and create a sense of warmth in their soulful instrumental ramblings. And it’s all finished off with 20syls suitably leftist lyrical dopeness.

Hocus Pocus made a splash with their ‘73 Touches’ LP in 2005, which solidified their reputation as heavyweights of the French hip hop scene, and confirmed they were the premier force at the forefront of French hip hop. The album has many featured guests, and boasts appearances from U.K rapper Ty, heavy influences from the now unfortunately defunct U.S hip hop group The Procussions and turntable input from French based DJ crew C2C (2003 n 2004 DMC world champions), of which both 20syl and Greem are members.

The LP ’73 Touches’ not only turned heads but also got em nodding as far as Japan, where they still maintain a strong fan base. That’s gotta be a testament to the fact that even though the well thought out and impeccably delivered lyrics are in French, there is an appreciation for this type of hip hop that transcends language. Over the past 3 years, Hocus Pocus have been welcomed by fans across the globe as they’ve started to gain mainstream recognition. Never in danger of selling out, 20syl stays grounded and the music is always fresh.

73 Touches, for example, kicks off in head nodding STYLE with ‘OnandOn pt2’ (also the name of their label, the track is a follow up to the release that confirmed their relevance in French hip hop and legitimized their label). Instantly bumping, 20syl spits about their reputation being built slowly over four years in France, and the group’s firm dedication to stay independent with their label. Basically, he tells us you don’t have to be on a big label to make quality music, and then he proves it. Brit based rapper Ty has a verse towards the end of the track, and his accent complements 20syl’s nicely. A great spot.

True heads constantly yearn for this – hip hop the way it’s supposed to be, and if you weren’t already down with these guys then it’s about time you became acquainted. Even if you don’t speak French, the lyrics still jump out at you and the classic musical stylings from 20syl, who has built a reputation as producer extraordinaire as well as emceeing, treat the listener to a recipe of jazz and funk influences, cut n scratched aptly by Greem.

Apart from laid back soul beats, Hocus Pocus lets you know they can make good ol’ head nodders and, in addition to ‘On and On pt2’, ‘Hip Hop?’ stands out. This is an anthem. And carries another great message.

Hip hop? feat The Procussions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HSmnIMvgyE

OnandOn part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAoCCcIntSo

http://www.myspace.com/hocuspocushiphop

http://www.last.fm/music/Hocus+Pocus

Like they never left - just don't call it the Dream Team

2008-08-25T03:56:00.000-07:00

So the olympics just finished over in Beijing, which is good and bad - good because no longer do we have to hear about Stephanie Rice being the greatest human to ever live (She's an athlete, yes a very good one at that but greatness is measured with longevity of success..let's see how she does in London before we offer our collective seeds to be placed in her belly). The downside of the Olympics finishing up is that who knows how long it will be before we see a U.S team, or any U.S players, this hungry and this united again!

It was dope seeing Kobe take his swag and put it on display in front of literally every basketball fan in the world (..watching the olympics), and the way Lebron routinely just took over games whenever he felt necessary. He was a beast on the defensive end too, which begs the question - within Lebron, where's the ceiling? Imagine if he took that lock down steez into the L next year and averaged 2 blks a la Josh Smith to go with those 30, 8 n 8 per. SCARY!

Full credit to Spain for taking it to the U.S in the final (at least it wasn't the dirty, unshaven, balding, flopping Argentinians there), but I was happy to see USA take gold. It feels right; like the natural order is being restored. You know how hard they worked for it, we all know coz they kept shoving it down our throats (see: The Road to Redemption). Failing to heed the loss in the World Championships in '02, the Athens Olympics were a disaster. Lebron became 'Lebronze' (i reckon SLAM coined that 1st..) and A.I, tattooed and outspoken as ever, effectively banned himself from ever representing the US again - however unfair that may be, losing was a national disgrace, and the American media like themselves a scapegoat. There were positives to come out of Athens, however; Tim Duncan n Larry Brown got Bronze too, which matches their "Just-water-thanks,-cordial's-full-of-sugar" personalities.

Since then Jerry Colangelo took over, Coach K got sold them all some Marxist collective goal steez n ESPN/the internet began emitting a Goebbels-esque propaganda campaign. You know the rest.

Coach K & 'K'olangelo: Making like Gang starr, putting in work and watching their status escalate

One thing though; do not ever, ever, under any circumstance, call any USA outfit the Dream Team. There was only one Dream Team, and I've had more than I can stomach hearing about how 'this year's Dream Team aims to recapture Gold' or 'up next - China v the Dream Team.' Enough! That team blew the world away - opposing teams turned up to get photos with the Americans, and, if they were lucky, some of Michael Jordan's sweat on them. (P.S. Anyone else still laugh at Christian Laettner taking Shaq's spot to Barcelona!?)

Above: Actual photo of KG in Sydney. Yes.

Money & Magic - Never again

Love the Academic Steez!

Personally, I reckon the few losses in '02 and '04 just reawakened the sleeping giant, and now that they're back on top, the U.S won't be letting go anytime soon. It's a good story; the best of the best being beaten at their own game, then the embarrassment as the complacent has to work their way back to the top. Regardless of how long they dominate for from this point onwards, however, the rest of the world knows it can compete with US teams. '92 was the unveiling, the best players of that, and probably any, era were showed off to the world. For the first time, the rest of the world saw what the pinnacle looked like, and since then the world has worked hard to get to that level.

Potentially the greatest photo ever..where to start...

The Boomers did well too. Goorj proved he not only possesses a killer year round tan which belies his white-beard deserving wisdom, but also some offensive steez to go with his defensive scheming. Pleasingly, Bogut dominated in a couple of games and that is exactly what he needed, and what Australians back home needed to see. Australia beats Croatia and Argentina in the opening games and it's a completely different tourny; a quarter-final game with USA is avoided, in it's place a game against Lithuania potentially...then who knows? The ever elusive medal round? .. Next time

Peace

And so it begins...

2008-08-25T02:29:00.000-07:00

yo! Welcome to DSTC Head Quarters, or DSTCHQ for short, although that looks suspiciously Nordic. But I digress...

This page isn't going to; try to keep up with fads (that's what hype machine's for), tell you what music to listen to (that's what hype machine's for), tell you what clothes to wear or which B-Grade celebrities to assassinate (that's what hype machine's for).

Here you will however find stuff I find interesting and therefore you too will find fascinating. Think Myanmar but online.

Who knows how this'll turn out.

“stay far from timid, only make moves when ya heart’s in it, and live the phrase ‘the sky’s the limit’ – Notorious B.I.G RIP

Check back at your own peril (peril..eril..eril.. - Going for the profound echo effect. Nailed it.)