This is a pillow with a speaker in. You can plug it into your iPod and play music out of your pillow when you're lying in bed.
You see, if you read the label it explains that the pillow is filled with foam and a speak unit. It is effectively an extra large headphone.
Possible uses - a pillow, a large and ineffective headphone, an extra comfy boom box to carry around town, a seat cushion (if your ears are on your arse). I will be listening to Stephen Fry reading me Harry Potter as I lay in bed tonight - pumped directly from my pillow to my brain.
How did I miss this off the top tracks of 2008?? I have no idea. I have also missed quite a few tracks which will be covered in my top 20 albums of 2008, which'll be posted on 1st January. Can't wait for the new Franz album, and to see them play at Heaven next month (they are also supported by Of Montreal - what a treat!) _
1. Rage Against The Machine Reading Festival, August 2008
RAGE were one of those bands that I never thought I'd get to see play live. Zach De La Roche quit the band in October 2000, when I was 15 years old. Unfortunately for me I started to get into the band when I was 16. Their self-titled debut quickly became one of my favourites; working out my teenage angst to the band's raw and passionate funk-metal. When the band reunited in the summer of 2007 for a special, one-off performance at Coachella I was green with envy. I would have loved to have been there, but a plane ticket to Indio, California just couldn't be justified on a student budget. So, when the announcement that the band would be playing this year's Reading Festival it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. Despite the £75-a-pop price tag, the day tickets sold like hot cakes (I'm pretty sure they were all gone within 30mins of being on sale). Having been one of the lucky few to get my hands on a ticket I was ecstatic about finally going to see my teenage idols whip up the crowd one more time.
So, the amount of anticipation surrounding this concert was immense. Arriving on site at mid-day and taking it easy for the majority of the time, we got into the "golden circle" of the main stage crowd, and stayed there through the piss-poor efforts from The Enemy and The Fratellies, and was thoroughly warmed up by the superb Queens of the Stone Age set (more on that later), until it was time for the main act to take the stage.
Walking on stage in Guantanamo Bay jumpsuits, the band proceeded to play the blistering opening track "Bombtrack" completely blindfolded with black sacks over their heads. By the beginning of the second song the band had relieved themselves of their prisoner apparel, and launched into the rest of the set. The next hour and a half was one of the most euphoric, passionate and energetic sets I have ever witnessed. Breaking away from the crush of the crowd, I managed to get involved in the crowd's circle pits, something I hadn't done for years, and fully lived out my teenage dream. As Rage rattled through superb renditions of tracks such as Testify, Guerilla Radio, Sleep Now In The Fire, People of the Sun, Bulls on Parade and Bullet In The Head, the crowd was whipped into an absolute frenzy; Tom Morello pulling out craziest guitar solos I think I've ever seen and Zach De La Roch bouncing around the stage, as energetic as passionate as a 20 year old, and still as determined to change the world. Ending their greatest hits set with a predictable, but very welcome final dance of "Killing In The Name" the crowd was fired up for battle, especially after Roch's awe inspiring speech during the middle of "Wake Up" (see video below - fast forward to 5:12 - I know it does look a bit cringe-worthingly metal-head lads night out, but when you're there it's a different story). The whole event was absolutely insane. I had a wake up call to how nuts the Reading Festival crowd is capable of getting, and had my high expectations exceeded by a band who's records I had worshiped for years. Mind blowing.
2. Radiohead Victoria Park, London, June 2008
Radiohead have been a very special band to me. They opened my eyes to a new world of music when I first saw them headlining Glastonbury Festival 2003, on the night of my 18th birthday. I hadn't seen them live since that night 5 years previously, and my expectations were high. With the price tag for the tickets being a painful £45, I was unable to find like-minded friends who were willing to part with their hard earned cash to join me in seeing them when they took their In Rainbows tour to Victoria Park. So, heading off on my own, and was thankfully able to get pretty close to the stage, the whole event was pretty surreal - being in a crowd of several thousand people, and not knowing one of them. The set list was beautiful. Borrowing heavily from their superb In Rainbows album, whilst scattering the rest of the set with hits and little treats (including Thom Yorke playing a mini-drum kit on "Bangers & Mash" and whipping out "The Bends" to start off the encore). Two things I would say, is that the crowd were pretty unresponsive, often leaving me feeling idiotic for dancing to songs such as National Anthem, Everything In Its Right Place, and Idieoteque - songs that you REALLY would have thought would get the crowd dancing. Also, I missed out on hearing he band play Pyramid Song and How To Disappear Completely (two of my favourites) that they had played during their previous London night. However, moments such the sing-along ecstasy of No Surprises, the beautiful renditions of Nude and Videotape, the fantastic light show, and the burst of energy from the crowd that came forward for Paranoid Android totally made up for it. What a perfect way to spend a summers evening on your own.
(oh yeah, and Radiohead really need to sort out their grammer!)
(and I threw this clip of Thom playing drums for Bangers and Mash in Amsterdam in for good measure, and because he's wearing flying goggles)
3. The Irrepressibles Latitude Festival, Suffolk, July 2008
I was lucky enough to catch two performances from the criminally under-recognized Irrepressibles at this year's Latitude Festival. One in a woodland at dusk, and one by a lake in the mid-day sun, and both just as beautiful. Jamie McDermott's voice has the power to cut straight to the heart, and the theatrical spectacle of their live performances makes you realize just how special this band are.
4. Lucky Dragons Upset The Rhythm, The Luminaire, London, October 2008
Many thanks to Emma Roach for giving me tickets to Upset The Rhythm's London night at the Lumminaire a few months ago. It was a gift that has inspired me ever since. You don't just witness a Lucky Dragons show, you are very much part of a Lucky Dragons show. This Californian two-man band consists souly of sound toys and laptops. Their music is mainly ambient and experimental, but the process of how they make it is centred around the spirit of togetherness and collaboration. When the band starts to play they begin to lead to by example. Their main instrument is this box of tricks from which wires can be plugged into. The end of the wires are then handed to various members of the audience, enabling a small current of energy to be passed from the wire in to these chosen members of the audience. These audience members are then told to hold hands with the person next to them; sending the current of energy further, but also creating music as they touch. Soon a circle of seating audience members become the main accompanying instrument for the band. All seated, holding hands. As the audience members let go, or run their hands along each others hands and wrists different musical notes are created. What results is a truly magical experience of feeling completely part of the music that's being created, but also feeling connected to other people in the audience (quite literally). The experience of sitting and holding two complete stranger's hands was very surreal, but totally engrosing. I have never experienced a concert anything like it. Completely unexpected, but very spiritual, and actually pretty comforting. It's very easy to feel alone in this city, and it's moments like this that can make you feel part of something very special and important.
4. Barr Upset The Rhythm, The Luminaire, London. October 2008
Another act on the Upset The Rhythm night was a guy called Barr. This spoken word poet/musician has one of the most infectious personalities I have ever experienced. Constantly talking to the audience, and just being over joyed at being able to do what he's doing was just amazing to see. Check out his awesome track "The Song Is The Single" below for a taster of his lyrical goodness.
5. Part of the Weekend Never Dies - Radio Soulwax (Soulwax and 2 Many DJs) Royal Festival Hall, London, April 2008
It had been years since I'd seen Soulwax and 2 Many DJs in concert. They have been playing at pretty much every summer festival in the world for the past 2 years, resulting in me having a "I'll catch them next time" attitude towards them. What a fool I was, but how glad I was to have caught them THIS TIME. Starting the evening off by premiering their fantastic "Part of the Weekend Never Dies" documentary to the concert audience was a genius step. This film (directed by Saam Farahmand) totally encapsulates what the Radio Soulwax touring circus is all about; the energy, the hedonism, the lack of sleep, the insane amount of work, and the fantastically good music. Radio Soulwax consists of 3 parts; a guest DJ who comperes the night, Soulwax (the live band), and 2 Many DJs (Soulwax's DJing alter-ego). After spending an hour in the hall's main auditorium being built up to experience the party of a lifetime by watching the documentary, the whole crowd was raring to go when the auditorium's doors were flung open and a thumping bass-line came flooding in from the entrance hall outside. The audience flocked downstairs to witness the Soulwax live experience. Consisting of a set of their own songs from their fantastic Night Versions album, and live versions of remixes they had done for other bands, the live show felt more like a DJ's turntables had grown arms and was playing instruments. There were no breaks between songs, with each song mixing into the other. This show was a non-stop party machine. Once the live show had finished, those that were still standing continued the party dancing to the guest DJ (the name of which unfortunately escapes me), until 2 Many DJs returned to pound the audience's ears with their insanely good electro-clash mix up of modern leftfield anthems, and classic pop records. It's hard to emphasize how good this show was. This is the pioneering band of the electro-clash, dance movement that has reshaped the musical landscape in recent years, playing a set that they had honed to perfection over the course of two years of non-stop touring, playing their final farewell song. AND the mash-up and DJing kings that are 2ManyDJs racking out a superb set that included a premiere of their insane remix of MGMT's "Kids" (video below). Impressive stuff. PLEASE PLEASE check out their documentary "Part of the Weekend Never Dies", and if you missed them over the past few years for the same reason I nearly did. You will kick yourself so hard it hurts, especially when they'll be running away to the recording studio, and they'll be quite some time.
6. Joanna Newsom Latitude Festival, Suffolk, July 2008
The Latitude Fesitval really is wonderful. Where-else can a lady with a harp and a piano perform to a crowd of thousands at 12am on a Sunday morning, and get absolute silence and respect from the audience members. This hour-long set was absolutely magical, and it even seemed to overwhelm Miss Newsom herself. As she played the vast crowd just hung on absolutely every word. They say it's a festival for music lovers, and it really really is. Having said that, once the audience had given Newsom their attention, it was her job to keep it. Playing a variety of tracks from The Milk-Eyed Wonder, and YS, along with a few new ones, the whole set felt as intimate as if she were playing in your front room (well, almost). Her Sunday morning sleepiness seemed to make her forget a few lines from some of her more well known songs, but with a few brave members of the audience stepping forward to prompt her with the lines, it all helped to achieve that intimate feel. I have never seen the impossible festival barrier between artist and crowd been broken down so effortlessly and successfully, and I doubt I will again. Very very special.
7. Sigur Ros Latitude Fesitival, Suffolk, July 2008
I very rarely cry at anything, but witnessing Sigur Ros got my eyes watering. As before, with Joanna Newsom, total respect was given from the crowd towards the band. No one trying to sing in Hopelandic (unless the band asked them too - which they did on a few numbers). No talking. No pushing or shoving. Just the enjoyment of being wrapped up in their wonderful music. Playing a set that mainly pulled from their albums "Me> Su> i Eyrum Vi> Spilum End" and "Takk..." Highlights included the appearance of a bass band for "Se Lest", front man Jon Thor revealing to the audience how he gets that haunting echo effect at the end of "Sven-g-englar" by singing straight into the pick-ups of his guitar, the whole of "Hafol" a b-side that's one of my personal favourites, and the climactic ending of "Untitled 8 (a.k.a. Popplagio)". The whole band were very impressive muscicians, often hopping from one instrument to another, swapping places, and whilst remaining completely in sync with one another, with Jon Thor's highly passionate performances steeling the show.
8. Late of the Pier Heaven, London, November 2008
Loud, sweaty, and drunk (as in I was drunk, not the band - they were tipsy and good). The gig was held within a club night schedule, not a gig schedule, meaning that the band didn't come on until 11:30ish, and the crowd had been dancing all night to a DJ beforehand. It was just one of those really fun nights, with exceptional live music.
9. Bjork Hammersmith Apollo, London, April 2008
She was amazing. The band were phenomenal. A wanker in the crowd (talking through every song, and harassing certain female members of the audience, refusing to move, behave or consider any other members of the crowd, despite all neighboring audience members voicing their opinions quite clearly towards him) slightly ruining the show. Moments of extreme enjoyment, mixed with moments of extreme frustration. I don't think I've ever felt so many emotions at one concert. Should have been a amazing. One man ruined it.
10. Elton John The O2, London, December 2008
Flamboyant. Camp. Giant inflatables. Boobs. Video appearances from Pamela Anderson and Justin Timberlake. Phallic imagery. David LaChappelle's set design. Amazing songs. Amazing voice. Amazing musicianship. Amazing videos. Larger than life, and extremely fun.
11. Queens of the Stone Age Reading Festival, August 2008
The rediscovery of how awesome this band truly are. Highlights include the renditions of "Regular John", "I Think I Lost My Headache", and this amazing version of "Go With The Flow"...
12. Of Montreal Koko, London October 2008
Well, for a band that's renouned for their mixture of performance art and music, there was plenty of fake blood, giant canary costumes, disco- funk dancing, confetti, dancing Buddas, insane video projections, and a very unexpected cover version of Smells Like Teen Spirit. However, there was a distinct lack of "The Past Is A Grotesque Animal". Never mind, here's their version of Teen Spirit...
A special mention should go to TV on the Radio who really should have made this list. They are an amazing live band (one of my favourites) but due to bad sound, a short set, and a frustratingly docile crowd (as in immovable) they had to be excluded from the list. A shame when the band were so good, but all the factors that are out of their control were against them.
Bat For Lashes is back in 2009! Which is very exciting news. I spotted this new bit artwork publicizing her 2009 UK tour in a music publication this week. I thought that logo was pretty damn hot. It has a bit of "Westworld" feel to it. I like that, so I thought I'd scan it in and post it up.
I was toying with the idea of putting up my top 20 singles, but then I thought I may as well face the fact that the ability to buy single tracks as downloads is starting to spell the end of the single format, so I may as well do my favourite tracks. So here they are...
1. Focker - Late of the Pier Still sounding as fresh and frantic as when I first heard this track at the beginning of the year. Brilliant music created by kids that really aren't old enough to really know what they're doing, but somehow hit the nail right on the head. The BoysNoize remix is also well worth a track down. Favourite bit: When the track reaches the 2:40 mark and it sound like a neon tinted synth-heavey universe is collapsing in on itself. Crunchingly euphoric.
2. DLZ - TV on the Radio As a lot of people may have already gathered TV on the Radio's latest offering is superb (not as brilliant as I wanted it to be, but more on that when I review the albums), but this track really stands out from the bunch. A dark, brooding, sing-along classic. The sound is rich and thick, with a good measure of menace and angst thrown in. Favourite bit: front man Tunde Adebimpe spitting out the last bit of looping prose in the second half of the song. "Never you mind death professor!!"
3. In This Shirt - The Irrepressibles The orchestral majesty present in this track just soars straight to the heart, with Jamie McDermott's (the leader of the groups') falsetto vocals really packing a punch. It's a crime this haunting track (and marvelous band) are so unknown - but a very pleasant little secret for all those in the know. Favourite Bit: The impeccably well timed pause, and following crescendo at 3:45 never fails to tug the heart strings.
4. It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry - Glasvegas A real gem out of Glasvegas' debut album, and the last single to be released as a limited 7" before the band signed to Columbia earlier this year. James Allen's beautifuly rich Glaswegian accent wrap the words around every syllable in the lyrics. An appropriately timed anthem to lead us into the recession. Favourite bit: 3:30 onwards. I just can't stop myself from singing along. I think it's actually physically impossible.
5. Wearing My Rolex - Wiley Wiley - Grime to the masses whilst still maintaining the genre's integrity? Nah, not really. This is very much a pop song, and a very very good one at that. A thumbing bass beat, layered over by that instantly recognizable synth progression, and of course Wiley spitting out those killer lyrics. The McCartney/Mills viral was class as well. Favourite bit: "Usually drink, usually dance, usually bubble"! What else!!
6. Weather to Fly - Elbow Favourite bit: Those beautiful beautiful lyrics.
7. My Heart Rate Rapid - Metronomy From the Metronomy album, RadioLadio really does beat this track (but it was released last year), and Heartbreaker is amazing (but I've heard it too much). But let's face it, "Nights Out" is full of so many killer pop songs, you're more than a bit spoilt for choice! Favourite bit: "Ip-pop-pila!! Ip-pop-pila!!"
8. Flakes - Mystery Jets Favourite bit: harmonizing amazingness during those "ohhhh-ohhhh-ohhhh" choruses.
9. Night Terror - Laura Marling Favourite bit: "I woke up and he was screaming" - SUCH a good opening line.
10. White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes Favourite bit: The beautiful harmonization throughout the whole thing. Just gorgeous vocal work. Everybody now! "I was following the eye, was following the eye...."
11. Blind - Hercules and Love Affair Favourite bit: The fact that Antony Hegarty's beautifully delicate vocals and a pounding disco beat really shouldn't work, but really really does.
12. Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants - Wild Beasts Favourite bit: the insane video, directed by superbly talented One In Three.
13. Flume - Bon Iver Favourite bit: It's like warm, creamy porridge on a winter's day; but in a song.
14. Stuck On Repeat - Little Boots Favourite bit: The riff reminds me of "Matinee" by Franz Ferdinand, turned into a rave anthem.
(ok, so I couldn't actually find a good video of the single release version of this song on YouTube, so I'm posting up this version of 'Boots playing it on a Tenori-on)
15. Monkey Bee - Monkey (Damon Albarn) Taken from the opera "Monkey Journey to the West" Favourite bit: 3:48 when the guitars kick in and beat drops of course! Rocking out in the Royal Opera house? Why the fuck not!
16. Walcott - Vampire Weekend Favourite bit: I have actually no idea what the hell they are singing about. Just that Walcott has really GOT to get out of Cape Cod for some reason.
17. Closer - Kings of Leon This album has catapulted the Kings into the mainstream, but I still don't feel it really touches on the awesomeness of "Because of the Times" (or previous albums come to think of it). However, the album opener "Closer" does come close. Favourite bit: that "wah wah wah wah" guitar noise
18. Ready For The Floor - Hot Chip Favourite bit: "You're my number one, number one, number, number one, number one, one, one guy!"
19. Kids - MGMT Faourite bit: "bah bah, bah bah, bah bah bah, bah baaaah". Stupidly catchy, and capable of being completely turned inside out in THAT Soulwax remix, and more specifically THIS YouTube video of THAT remix. It makes me want to vomit with joy.
20. The Fear - Lily Allen Favourite bit: Not actually being shit.
Phhhh... what a monster post! Right I'm off for Xmas. Have a good one! Top albums and gigs still to come before New Year.
I sat down in front of the TV yesterday and caught the last 15mins of Stuart Little 2 (such a bizarre storyline by the way, but I won't go into that now). Some times I find children's movies the most motivational things ever. This quote from the movie was said with such sincerity and with no sense of irony. Despite there being obvious limitations to this theory, the message that this line carries really struck home and inspired me so I thought I'd share it with you.
Although, it still doesn't top the number one song ever about reaching out for your dreams. Take it away Kermit...
The superb record label 4AD have released a free "Best of 2008" download from their website. Featuring tracks by TV on the Radio, Deerhunter, Stereolab, The Breeders, and Bon Iver you'd be an absolute fool to miss out. Download it now before they change their mind! LINK TO 4AD MIX CD
As I mentioned in the previous post, I went out last night. Before I danced the night away I went around my friends Rob, Johnny, and Claire's house. There were lots of friends there. We ate lots, drank lots, and generally got in the festive spirit. The "Steak" motion picture soundtrack was our background music. The soundtrack is a collaborative effort between Mr Oizo, SebastiAn, and Sebastien Tellier, and it got me very excited about going to see Mr Tellier when he finally tours (after a delay of a few months) in January. Click on the clip below, listen, and enjoy.
Last night I went out for a big Christmas knees up before everyone goes their seperate ways for the holidays, and I am now nursing a bit of a sore head. However, the Bon Iver album is easing the pain. Every time I listen to this album it just gets better.
Yes it's exciting that they're working on new material, but they've just released a spunky xmas song as well! Hear it on their MySpace page. It's called "All I Want for Christmas". Unfortunately it's not a cover version of the awesome Mariah Carey track, but it's still quite sweet.
This is something that TV broadcasters have been trying to get their heads around for years, but it seems as if Sky have finally done it. The satellite broadcaster says it has successfully tested the delivery of 3D programming to a domestic television, via a high-definition set-top box. Read more in this article from the BBC news webpage. A big thank you to Will Martin for pointing this one out to me.
The fantastic fine artist and my good friend Claire Dorset has just uploaded some new bits of work on her Flickr. She is currently studying an MA in Fine Art at The Slade, London.
It's true, the Virgin Mary can appear on anything from a piece of burnt toast to a coffee stain, so watch out for it! I think I'll be eating my cereal with extra caution tomorrow morning... or maybe not. (click on the image below for more)
I had the pleasure of visiting the YCN's new home in Shoreditch today. It was a nice visit, I saw old friends, and the YCN even gave me a Christmas present. How lovely. They're also bloody awesome as well. A big thanks to Nick for pointing me in the direction of the "making of" for Johnny Kelly's "Seed" film he made for Adobe earlier this year. Impressive stuff.
Hooray! I've got a new piece of work out in You Tube land! It's a little Christmas present from me to all of you that have been following my work. Have a really great Christmas and a happy New Year.
"I'd rather have an Alsation bite off my cock than watch that show" Elton John, the O2 Arena last night, sharing his opinion of the X Factor with the O2 audience.
Last night I was lucky enough to catch Elton John's mind blowing spectacle that is his Red Piano tour at London's O2 Arena. From the clips I had seen and knowing that fantastic David LaChappelle had art directed the whole thing, I knew I was in for a visual and audio treat, and I wasn't let down. The whole thing was an explosion of colour and campness. Elton played a great set list, playing an (almost) greatest hits set, and thankfully excluding all those 90s horrors (Circle of Life anyone?), and focusing more on his early career. Every song was accompanied my a specialy comissioned video played on the massive screens behind him, as well as a constant stream of wierd and wonderful giant inflatable sculptures (including a pair of giant breasts, and an explosion of falic imagery, glitter and balloons). Highlights included LaChapelle's beautifully directed video accompliments to Daniel and Someboday Saved my Life tonight, as well as some stunning vintage rotascoping work from Intro London. A special mention should also go to some celebrity guest stars in these videos, including Justin Timberlake playing a young Elton for the visuals that accompanied Rocket Man, and Pamela Anderson doing a quite spectacular pole dance routine to accompany The Bitch Is Back.
Massive apologies! I've fallen at the first hurdle, and failed to update my blog for well over a week. I'm really really sorry. I will try my best to keep updates a bit more regular from now on.
Today is my office Christmas party. I am signed to the wonderful Blink Productions, and today the workforce are being treated to a lovely meal followed by Karaoke.
In honor of this I thought I'd post up this wonderful short film about escaping from office life.
Created by the supremely talented Mitchell Rose as part of his Modern Daydreams series - it's well worth checking out the other films in this series if you haven't already.
Buy a lion cub in Harrods, give it to your kids, keep it at home and run around a church yard with it, after a few years realize that this kind of environment may be a bit un-natural for a lion (especially after it's started to get a bit too big to fit through the cat flap, has destroyed your dinning room table, obliterated your best china, and eaten the neighbour's Jack Russell), release it into the wild in Africa, go visit it a year later, meet its "wife" and kids, and get a big lion hug. All accompanied by subtitles and a Whitney Houston soundtrack.
"The Chrono-Shredder is a device that reminds us of the preciousness of our lifetime. It represents the passing of time by shredding the days of the year - printed on a paper roll - at a slow constant rate. To shred one day take 24 hours. There is no "off"-button. As the seconds pass by, the tattered remains of the past pile up under the device..."
As hundreds of people tore open the first window of their advent calendars this morning, I thought it was an appropriate time put up a post about this clock.
Just remember - every second is being shredded - so make the most of them!
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