Doing The Right Thing

When my friend Paul was managing a band, his email signature was a quote attributed to Hunter S. Thompson: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved seeing that quote every time I got an email from Paul.  I took it to mean that he was determined to retain his humanity. 

But it turns out that Hunter never really said or wrote this. 

Still, it resonated enough to proliferate right?  

And why should we let something like factual research get in the way of a good gestalt?
 
But in reality, as I have shadowed the music industry in my career for the past 17 years, I have actually come across some real stand up, honorable people. People with principles. It is good to be reminded of that once in a while.

This week I was given a sterling example of how amidst the rip-offs and the screw-overs, you can still find people to admire for their courage and tenacity to do the right thing. 

  This guy - who would probably prefer to be nameless - he stuck to his plan to help out the non-profit I work for even though it meant a LOT of headaches and bullshit obstacles. 

It would have been more expedient for him to shrug his shoulders and say, "at least I tried."  But he dug his heels in and found a way. 

He didn't do it for the glory or the recognition.  He wanted to help out people that many others have forgotten.  He did it because he wanted to stick to his original deal and because he has integrity. 

I would like to take this moment to thank him. 

DES-SAH!

I have no idea what prompted my buddy Riot Mike to book Dessa for Riot Fest but I am so grateful he did. 

If you have not seen Dessa perform live, then I feel sorry for you.  It is a mesmerizing, diamond bright thing to witness.  

Her lyrics are unique - tough but humble - seething with a hunger, wracked with mortality.  Right at the moment that you think she is just trying to be too clever by half she eviscerates herself.  If that isn't the soul of poet then I don't know what is. 

I once read a blog call Dessa, "a very photogenic person of substance".  That is putting it mildly. Her beauty is so severe that it just levels me.  It is bone deep, you just know that she is going to be turning heads well into her sunset years, like Lena Horne or Julie Andrews.  

It is also completely incidental to her career and talent.  I wouldn't even bring it up except that I don't want cynicism to creep in while you look on this picture and think that I just am smitten by her looks.  I mean, I AM smitten, but that is y'know, like I said, incidental.   

I have also never seen an Official Lyrics video done so artfully.  You might want to strap on the headphones and put this one on full screen.  Oh and grab a sweater cuz you might get the chills. 

Maybe Reckless should start selling kale...

File this under "Aw, Hell To The No!"

Not to be outdone by Urban Outfitters, Whole Foods has started selling vinyl.

C'mon people!  There are a LOT of amazing record stores to shop at.  They are sacred spaces, like churches...

I don't know what to really make of this at the moment, just shaking my head at it.  It DOES give me a great excuse to post this video though... 

2 short zombie films worth your time

I make no attempt to hide my unabashed love for zombies.  They are my favorite monster genre by a WIDE margin.  

But there are so many zombie cash-ins at the moment that some decry it as a tired and played out trend.  And there is certainly evidence to support that argument: Zombie modes in countless video games, the flashy yet soulless Resident Evil movie franchise, Jane Austen novels re-written to include zombies...

But a lot of it has been pretty awesome too and received deserved attention: The Walking Dead, World War Z, Zombie Dust beer...

Here are two short independent films that are really well done.  They have a lot of heart.

CARGO  - 7 min.
   
Cargo from Daniel Foeldes on Vimeo.

SPOILER - 17 min



Watch 'em both and tell me which one you like better? 

I am reminded of a sketch that I once commissioned for my buddy RW.  It was a zombie dad cradling his baby daughter.  It was a dicey proposition - it could have turned out horribly in the wrong hands - but the artist did a tremendous job.  Both these filmmakers did the same in my opinion.   

So Apparently This Is A Thing...

And I might just finally succumb to it.  

September 7, 2013 is Cassette Store Day. 

I have not understood the minor resurgence in cassette tapes among the experimental music fringe.  It felt like they were just being contrary for no good reason.  

I mean, you lose on artwork, audio fidelity, collector value; I really can see no upside...and yet...and yet...

Right now cassettes are all that I can rock in my car!  And I am getting a little tired of being stuck at least ten years ago as far as my musical choices. 

Exactly one store in Chicago is participating.  A place I have never heard of prior to this post but is brand new and operating out of an old Currency Exchange/Payday Loan place.  It looks very junk drawer-ish from their FB page. 

So now Cassette Store Day is also an excuse to check out a new record store...enticing...worth considering...

Hold the phone - here comes the 411 to seal the deal.  One of the releases is from Pulled Apart By Horses.   

Dem turned me on to this band a few years back and I like their moxie.  Their very first record was "Live At Leeds" and they even swiped the album cover.  



There is really no other way to close out this post except with this video.  You are welcome. 

Epic Pukes

I often fall out of habit with this blog and I feel bad about it.  I gotta get better at the short share.  If you find something cool, just pass it along.  

Epic Pukes by Pablo Iranzo is a great example. There is nothing really to say about these pieces except that these three are my favorite. 

Shout out to the very prolific AudioPorn Central where I found this. I guess this is what they mean by the technicolor yawn.

This Pablo guy is super talented - After spending a little time tooling around his site I also have to say that this video could easily be one of those montages that seem to start every Redbox rental that encourage you to check out other titles. 

The Beatles "Help"- Film Trailer Version from pablo iranzo on Vimeo.

Fun with Hair

Serious question:

Which one of these two videos is having more fun with hair?

This one?  

Jack by Breach

Or this one?

It's You by Duck Sauce
(Suffer through the fifteen second ad, it's Duck Sauce - they put out great videos)


While you ponder that - Here is a picture of Billy Gibbons.