You've probably already seen this, but just in case, I had to share it:
Well, I can't believe how fast its been, but I've just completed three months in California. Something about the sun or maybe the food, but my tastes but at my April 2009 list, I've realized that I'm become more mainstream. My eclectic tastes from the margin seem to becoming the main.
I rather be open and host then try to built "indie" cred. That is why I've included guilty pleasures like Lady Gaga (please don't gag, I am trying to be completely honest here).
So, with that disclaimer, I present you with my April list:
The Pitch: Based on the music of John Williams, Star Wars - A Cappella Tribute to John Williams was originally released in May 1999 to celebrate the release of Episode 1. On October 31st, a video version of the song was produced with the help of the Moosebutter comedy group. This video was featured on YouTube last week.
Source: slashfilm
MTV launches MTV Music. Hmmm. Looks very similar to Hulu (NBC and Fox). I'm surprised it took 'em this long to get something out.
Whoah...Radiohead's latest music video, House of Cards, uses 64 lasers instead of a camera.
Read Creativity's has a Q&A with director James Frost.
I visited the starbucks yesterday and noticed that they seem to have restarted the "pick of the week" with apple.
And much to my surprise, I did a double take when I noticed it was Priscilla Ahn (I did the same thing when I saw Frederico Aubele). Her song, Dream, welcomed me into the new year.
I later found her website to see if she was going to be touring to promote her new CD. She is, but not in Chicago. She's playing later tonight tomorrow (June 16) in NYC. Alas, its not fated for me to see her live. (I emailed K and implored her to go... for me).
While I won't be able to see her live, I went on a mini shopping spree to make myself feel better. One-Click(TM) later, I bought the digital album off amazon. But for those who want to hear before you buy. Here's the Download Code from the starbucks "Pick of the Week" card: W94HXWPKYJAN. (I don't need it because I have her album).
You go into iTunes and redeem the code. First come, first served. If you like her stuff and want to support her, you can pick up her album, A Good Day.
Last weekend I finally got a chance to check out Bonsoirée. Located in Bucktown, its one of the best BYOB places I've been to (so far) in Chicago. Every Saturday, they hold an "underground" event--an invite only 5 course tasting menu (menu attached below).
I got there a bit earlier than my friends and decided to pick up a bottle of wine. The server quickly gave me directions to the nearest store with their recommendation. (tip: skip the 7-11 and go to the Food Smart). As Ask the server, they know what's in stock at the Bonsoiree what pairs with the dishes of the evening.
Shin, the chef, first amused us with foie gras with a blueberry sauce. It's a big deal for Chicago who recently made foie gras legal after a prohibition stint.
The chef had just returned from an "eating tour" in Japan so a lot of the meal was Asian-inspired. I loved the Fennel and Edamame salad--delicate and crunchy--great for a warm summer night.
The course climaxed with a a couple juicy Kobe Beef cubes that melted in my mouth.
Next time I go, I'm going to try to catch the early seating and sit in their back patio.
Tips:
If it ain't broke there's no need to fix it. While that may work for some people, I sit on the other end of the spectrum. Maybe its because this was the first year I closely followed American Idol and heard David Cook's many interpretations or because I've always been a huge fan of Ztrip's mashups.
Whatever the case, there is something about covers that I find intriguing, perhaps its the familiar that becomes transmuted into something new. Here are my most memorable covers [combination of faves and most intriguing]:
Radiohead joins MTV's EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign, producing a music video for All I Need. Pretty strong video.
You can read more about it here.
Tomorrow morning, me and my college roommate, will be driving to Austin. A city definitely worth checking out, for the past week and for the next two weeks, the city is teeming with people.
But, I may not partake. I will be about 20 miles outside of the festival. Away from the hubbub, I am going to go fishing, hiking, and communing with nature (it does have its benefits). We may go in, we may not. I'll report back after I get back sunday night.
Scratch that, i fly back and immediately drive to Jeff's place to watch the season finale of the wire.
Can life get any better?
Sam Sparro's black and gold was one of my favorite songs in December of last year. And it looks like he's created a video to go with the music. While the song is still one of my faves, the music video is.. well... underwhelming.
It's stuck between a cliché and a disappointment. With a song this good, the video tarnishes the song black and blue.
Chicago is still freezing. I think that's why I needed some funk and energy for February.
Rcrdlbl.com (or record label... took me one or two seconds to get it) is where I hear of 80% of all the new music that enters my eardrums.
Rcrdlbl is a joint venture between Downtown Records (Gnarls Barkely and more) and Peter Rojas, an entrepreneur who founded the respected technology blogs (Gizmodo and Engadget). What is unique about it is that the music is free and DRM-free. What? How? The website is funded by advertisers--nikon, virgin, bmw, puma, and nokia so far.
In an era with shrinking CD sales, the rise of iTunes, and increasing music pipeline of mypace, its inevitable that the business model for music needs to change. The WSJ (yeah, WSJ) has a pretty interesting piece about rcrdlbl.
There. The cat is out of the bag.
Colin Munroe, a Toronto-based r&b producer and songwriter, recently remixed Kanye West's Flashing Lights. I've attached the video of "I want those flashing lights."
I've also included a link to his myspace account where you can download the song along with instrumentals and VOX versions.
Like what you see?
Visit Colin Munroe's myspace page.
Download the song.
Read more about him from PF.
At last, bored Japanese drivers have a new way to amuse themselves. Engineers from Hokkaido have installed roads with grooves at varying intervals. It produces a series of "notes" as cars drive over these grooves. You can read more about it in the Guardian here.
I can't really complain, the Japanese have made everything more fun. From trying to get a better mileage through the meter of my parent's Honda insight, to trying to control the speed we drive. What games will they come up with next?
