This was just to good to pass. The legendary Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Andrew WK in the studio working on Lee's album. This seems like an odd duo to start with, but throw in a big bag of green, group clapping, some colouring markers and Jesus Christ, and it makes for one crazy studio session...and by crazy I mean crazy. By the way, Lee's hat and kicks are serious, and true evidence that Lee is from the future, and has been sent here to relay messages from Jesus in the form of ill dub beats. Jesus crystals don't lie...Respect. [via PitchforkTV]
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How is it possible that I have never stumbled upon this ridiculously awesome website before?! The Take-Away Shows are video podcasts of artists or a band that have been invited to perform on the street, a bar, elevator, subway, etc... Since 2006, founders Chryde and Vincent Moon were seeking a new way to share and film music. Currently, with other directors globally joining forces on this project they are planning for a world wide expansion.
This type of project is exactly what makes the internet so brilliant. The footage is raw, real, candid and no editing is involved -- one take. The clip that I posted above is of the one and only Tom Jones, performing We Got Love in his hotel room. This is truly a moment...a moment of many moments on this site. Check out the footage of Bloc Party performing out front of a pub too.
What a ridiculous library of exclusive live music performances this will become one of these days...one I'm sure the founders will retire on.
When people take the time to put thought into a project, and think about what their fans want...well, the end result is a happy customer, which in turn will translate into sales. Canadian band Metric, has done a great job to promote and sell the latest album via ilovemetric.com. Big record companies take note.
Offering your fans a choice, good value, and maybe a bit extra isn't that difficult. Why wouldn't I pay for something like that? Metric's site offers many choices to purchase their new album, Fantasies. Buy just the digital download, digital + vinyl, digital + vinyl + cd, or the deluxe edition (full of good bonus material) all priced accordingly from $8.99 to $64.99. Visit their store to see all the offerings which include everything from posters to clothing.
The best thing they did though was the addition of a media player that can be shared across social networks or embeded on a website like I have above. Its a nice touch. Embedded are 2 full tracks, a documentary, and a music video. Good stuff and if by any chance Metric or their label has come across this blog, I just want them to know that I'd love to work with them on any future digital media projects, I've got lots of ideas...call me!
There is some crazy hot talent online. Kutiman is an Israeli funk musician and producer. And Thru-You is a website where he showcases some masterful-monster-mashups using music tutorial videos from YouTube. Its simply genius!
Great music video which captures a 24 hr period of tourist crossing and posing on Abbey Road -- the street crossing made famous by the Beatles album cover. Formerly known as "Goodnight Vienna", indie folk-rock band was forced to change their name due to legal threats by Ringo Starr's legal team. You see Ringo's forth studio album had the same name. So, out of spite the band renamed themselves "Blame Ringo" and seem to be on a mission to have their revenge by exposing the former Beatle via their website.
New Next Networks is a web company that merges the elements of TV programming and internet philosophy to create what they refer to as micro-television networks for targeted audiences on the web. Their latest project is called $99 music video, aimed at music audiences, the formula is simple, one part indie musician, one part hungry filmmaker, one day to shoot, one day to edit, and $99...voila, art! In addition to the video they capture all the behind-the-scenes footage as well. I'm looking forward to see the results! [via Mashable]
David Byrne's new video "The People Tree" featuring Chali 2Na, Gift of Gab, and Z-Trip. This track is just one of many incredible collaborations off of the debut album by N.A.S.A called The Spirt of Apollo. Yah that's right people, get excited, cause N.A.S.A has brought together some mad peeps on this project. There is also a music documentary to be released as well. [via Boing Boing]
You gotta love Kanye. He's had his share of meltdowns, inappropriate moments, and battles with the paparazzi. No Kanye isn't the most politcally correct but let's be real, he makes great music...videos' too. So you won't be surprised when you watch his latest video for "Welcome To Heartbreak". It looks like they've pioneered a new look using a pixelating layered effect that resembles my old Pentium 486 mmx when the video card was overheating. However, prior to the release of Kanye's video there was Chairlift's "Evident Utensil" directed by Ray Tintori which uses the exact same technique. I would pay to be a fly on Kayne's wall when he found out, or better yet, to be at this year's MTV awards if Chairlift wins! You lost the rat race but if it's any consolation I think both video's sucked, and so did my Pentium 486 mmx.
The i24R3 wireless multi-room speaker system, despite it's name, looks anything but something related to r2d2. This audio system is pure designer goodness created by renowned industrial designer Michael Young.
Some of the features of this system is a motion sensor that read hand movements to operate functions, multiple inputs/outputs, two step wireless connection, wireless remote, and get this...wireless USB audio transmitter so that you can stream iTunes from your PC or laptop.
The website states an early 2009 launch date. [via Design Milk]
The one thing the internet has always been particularly useful for is documenting and archiving the rare and ridiculous. Unfortunately for some, they probably wish the internet never existed. Behold the 50 worst album covers.
In the period when Steve Jobs left Apple, did he travel to the future and come back to implement what he saw? I guess only he will ever know, but there is no doubt in my mind that Steve Jobs is not only the smartest man in the world, but also a visionary that has shaped and evolved our culture through his innovations and his seamingly innate connection with the future. Greg Sandoval wrote an article that follows up a archived Rolling Stone interview with the great Steve Jobs from 2003 where he makes predictions on the future of the music industry and the impact of the iTunes store.
I came across this neat iPhone app on Gizmodo. It basically mirrors the mini remote that comes with your MacBook Pro on your iPhone device over Wi-Fi.
Click here to download the Rowmote app.
After reading an article about Boxee in The New York Times this past weekend, I decided to download the software and try it out for myself. Wow, was I ever pleasantly surprised, in fact I spent the majority of the weekend streaming videos and music on my TV. I've had my Mac mini connected to my 40" LCD TV for a while now but using a wireless mouse and keyboard just doesn't allow for a smooth experience. Boxee does away with browsers and makes accessing media from the internet seamless.
What makes Boxee great and stand out from the rest is that you can navigate through this media center using the apple remote control that comes with your Macbook. The interface is so easy and well thought out. Within minutes I was a pro user.
I've never been more excited about an application. Go download this NOW!
By
the way, for those of you that want to set up your own internet TV but
don't know how I will be posting a video tutorial in the coming weeks.
My favourite new discovery is the streaming "Animated Music Video" channel on Crackle.com. Sony Picture's next-gen entertainment site. Crackle also offers lots of other great original content as well which I will cover in a future post, so enjoy this for now.
