Archive for January 2009
I’m glad people are rediscovering the funky side of 80’s electro, even if it’s just an accident. I mean, truly there was a load of absolute crap that came out back then; however there remains a select handful of artists who created uniquely identifiable electronic funk music in the 1980’s. Among them, I have to account for the accomplishments of Heaven 17. The song “Penthouse and Pavement” remains one of my favorite so-called ‘throwbacks’ to drop into a set. The dirty nasty funk signatures in the electronic configurations of this track remain unlike any I’ve heard since.
This video was a staple of MTV back in the day and you might even recognize it. Dig on this, enjoy the track and definitely get your hands on the fully-remastered edition of their crowning achievement, Penthouse and Pavement.
They’re best known for their insane onstage antics — things like making out with each other and pissing into their own mouths. I mean, I can’t make this stuff up folks — I’ve seen it in action (…pause).
But on top of that sideshow freakishness, Georgia’s self-proclaimed “flower punk” band Black Lips are a stunning live rock experience unlike anything you’re likely to ever see. High energy, a group dynamic that is unprecedented, and hey — they can play their instruments in the nude without blinking. Wait a minute….paused again.
Recently, they escaped the jaws of death on a trip to India (in which members attempted a couple of the previously mentioned stage tricks to the chagrin of locals). They survived long enough to give us a chance this aptly-titled track from their highly anticipated upcoming album, 200 Million Thousand, entitled “Short Fuse”.
EDIT: If you tried to download the song before and got a 1 minute clip, try again. It’s fixed (thanks @ViceRecsChris)
More after the jump.
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Apologies to my regular readers that this video contains an ad. As someone with no hair, I am personally offended that it’s an ad for Pantene; however the video, taken from Saadiq’s masterful 2008 album The Way I See It, is worth sitting thru the ad.
The video transports you back to the 50’s when tailored looks, impecable style and choreographed dances defined your Saturday night. Disc Jockey’s ruled the airwaves and Mempis, TN was finally given it’s star power on the map. Imagine you are the audience and Raphael Saadiq is your entertainment for the night. I instruct you to advise on the above before you press play, evoke the mood and the mood is Soul.
That’s from the press release. So Nikki, if you’re reading this, you might should proof that press release — our city’s name spelled Memphis, not “Mempis”.
Don’t worry: in a couple of months you’ll be able to spell it in your sleep. Now dig some Raphael Saadiq.
Here they come — the Memphis Music Foundation is at it once again, offering a free meet-and-greet expo for people in the Memphis music community. This brief expo is intended primarily as a networking opportunity for all of us, a chance to interact with people we know and, also, a chance to meet new faces. DON’T WORRY: if you’re not a member of one of the local organizations or you’re new to the process, there’s no pre-requisite or requirement of any kind of membership for you to attend. This is open to *the entire* Memphis music community and those who have a desire to work within this community.
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This is a very fresh new video for N.A.S.A.’s track “Hip-Hop”. Featuring guest appearances from Slim Kid Tre, Fatlip and KRS-One, it’s a bumping video bound to turn a party out. N.A.S.A.’s The Spirit Of The Apollo (including the song “Hip-Hop”) will be released on February 17th.
Memphis, get ready to stand up. $5 Cover, the highly-anticipated new web series from director Craig Brewer has already made its introductory splash to audiences at the Sundance Film Festival this past weekend.
In the weeks and months to come, the rest of the world will have an opportunity to find out what those of us in Memphis have long known and understood: the richness and depth of our tightly-knit music scene and those involved. For now, take a minute to check out the trailer, and keep your eyes peeled to http://fivedollarcover.com for new information as it becomes available.
Welcome to the dream. It’s important that, in spite of this historic and symbolic celebration of his birthday, each of us recognize that there remains so much work still to do in order that all people are able to truly experience the meaning of freedom symbolized in the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King.
How fortunate we are that we no longer have to wait for someone to help us make the dream a reality.
“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
Happy Birthday, Dr. King.
We got a nice note from Sune Rose Wagner of The Raveonettes today about what’s going on with them for 2009. If you were wondering, here’s a quick update from Sune on their limited tour dates and their upcoming return to studio to record their new album.
Had a great creative talk with Sharin today and we’re so ready to make the best album to date! It’ll be released in September and we wanna do a proper studio album with a genius producer. There’s only so much you can do in your living room and let’s face it, whenever you pull out one of your favorite albums, it’ll stand the test of time because of a timeless sound, excellent production and songwriting. Now’s the right time for us to step it up…
Before we go into songwriting mode, we’ll hit the road on the 15th of January for an intense tour. We’re bringing a 4 piece band on the road so it should sound massive! There’re still a few tix left so get them now!
This will be the last we’ll tour for a while because we wanna spend all our time on the next album. We’re excited about the future.
Rave On
X Sune
1.15.09 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
1.16.09 New York, NY Webster Hall
1.17.09 Washington, DC Black Cat
1.23.09 San Francisco, CA Bimbo’s 365 Club
1.24.09 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theater
We’re all super excited around here for SXSW 2009. Five blissfully insane days in Austin, TX have the ’softies all ready to pack our Aero Beds and laptops and head south. New bands are being added to the lineup on a regular basis, though rumors always fly about last-minute additions to the schedule. One thing is certain: there will be a strong Memphis contingent at the festival this year.
Want to see the latest list? Keep tabs over here at Do512 of both confirmed AND rumored acts appearing at SXSW. And if you’re on Twitter, you can always follow SXSW for their latest updates.
