Archive for the 'videos' Category

28
May
2009
tags: The Tank, Uncle Monsterface, Surprising in a good way, Creatively awesome, videos, Mp3.

Mashed Potato vs. Vampire

I’m sitting at The Tank, at 10:30 in the morning, dressed like some hot pink and black combination of The Eat Me / Beat Me Lady, Cindy Lauper, and, I’ll admit it, Avril Lavigne (who bit my style, not the other way around). Shaun and I are beside ourselves with excitment over tonight’s RES party, exchanging twitterpated texts and texting to Twitter (add us– we’re at www.twitter.com/resmag). There’s a staged reading of a musical about Lady Bathory called, appropriately enough Bathery, that is about to premier, and the stage manager is outside of my door periodically saying “Please help yourself to coffee and madeleines, we’re just waiting on the pianist to arrive,” but his enunciation makes it sound like he’s saying they’re waiting on the “penis” to arrive. This is something I L-O-V-E love about The Tank. This afternoon, there’s a musical. Tonight, there’s RESRawk. (By the time you read this on Monday morning, we’ll have just thrown the second in our kick ass new monthly of awesome, awesome music– be sure and come back on June 20th for MOAR!). 

And at The Tank on June 6th at 7:00, Uncle Monsterface, the Sock Puppet Rock Band, will be blowing minds with the premier of “Mashed Potato vs. Vampire,” in which a giant mashed potato and a giant vampire will fight each other on stage. FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER (that anyone knows of, anyway).  

Uncle Monsterface!  

When I first heard about Uncle Monsterface, I have to admit I felt ambivalence. I mean, yes, what’s cooler than PUPPETS? Nothing, that’s what. BUT… it’s easy for a band with this kind of schtick to rest on its knitted, wooly heels and just let the gimmick do the work. Though Marty, who makes the sock puppets and also sells their portraits in NYC’s Union Square and, currently, from The Tank lobby gallery, gave me a stack of their albums, it wasn’t until I was at work one day, bored with all the music that I currently had on my computer that I turned to my co-worker and said, “Should we listen to Uncle Monsterface?” Her enthusiastic “YES! They’re so good! They sound like Math the Band!” wasn’t exactly the recommendation I was looking for, and I was still wary… After the first chords of the title track off of This is and Adventure!, I was sold.  

While there are appropriately nerdy anthems like “The Gary Gygax Song” and “Save Our Superheroes,” which are lyrically (obviously) dorky but musically sound with great back beats, there are just straight up punky, snarly rock songs. “Kill Your Boyfriend!” details an ex’s desire to rid the world of his rival (though, apparently, this song is now performed as “Kill Your Fiancé!” and soon to be “Kill Your Husband!”) and “Mashed Potato vs. Vampire” is a driving, pogo-worthy bouncey bit of surrealism. I, for one, am pulling for the Mashed Potato, if only because I want to know what a mashed potato looks like.  

Check out the preview video for the show:  


And, for your listening enjoyment:

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Kill Your Boyfriend! - Uncle Monsterface  

See you on June 6th @ 7:00 at The Tank! I’ll be singing along to all of the songs– you should buy the albums and do the same.

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08
February
2009
tags: Hope For Agoldensummer, videos.

here come your friends…again.

Kudos to big.peaches from the wayne fishell experiment (all lowercase, all the time) for pointing out to me that one of my favorite Atlanta bands, Hope For Agoldensummer (that I will miss, with all my heart, when I leave, and am determined to find a way to get to play New York gigs with a recurrent passion and fervor), shot a video for one of the standout songs on their Ariadne Thread album, “4th Night”.


Hope for Agoldensummer - 4th Night from jason miller on Vimeo.

There’s nothing I can say further about this song that I didn’t already write the day it kinda-sorta-maybe saved my life, or at least got me on steadier footing. The video, however, definitely features the sisters Campbell, a photo of third H FAGS member Deb Davis playing an accordion, and a farmer’s market that appears to either be in Acworth or Buford GA, or maybe possibly Buford Highway (GA locals represent!).

If you haven’t already gotten your hands on Ariadne Thread, do so at the H FAGS site. It’s a gorgeous collection of dark, melancholy, often-strange folk. You’ll have to content yourself with an MP3 download, though, as I think the hand-stitched hand-illustrated CDs have long since run out.

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14
January
2009
tags: videos, Rex The Dog.

New Rex The Dog Video!

What kind of internet friend would I be if I didn’t put up the new Rex The Dog Video? (a terrible one, that’s what!)

So here’s the new -and as always- adorably awesome video for “Bubblicious”




Rex the Dog Vimeo Channel | Previous Rex The Dog Coverage

< hacks / >

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20
July
2008
tags: 8GB, Aliceffekt, trash80, The Tank, Pulsewave, videos, 8bitpeoples, Mp3.

Massive Cheaptoon Update

Oh, hai guise… Ok, ok, ok. First of all, I’m not going to do the usual “…trixie shows up and apologizes for not posting for three months” thing because, honestly, I’ve been busy working on my life long dream of being the female, short, blonde, American version of Tony Wilson, and that’s why you haven’t seen me in awhile. I’m still working hard bringing people new music, I’ve just kind of limited my scope to the “live” and “NYC” part of that job. You guys wouldn’t believe how hard it is to jump on to Res and write a post after sending ten thousand emails to coordinate people playing shows or after a successful show with a few beers in my stress-related-ulcerated stomach.

BUT… The “day job,” as they’re called because it’s what you DON’T want to do and not because of the time it takes place, has ended and I am doing the “making cool stuff happen” thing full time, so now I have the chance to come back to you guys with some really sick music. In the spirit of my new position at The Tank, NYC’s stronghold for 8-bit, here’s a whole slew of chip music that I’ve been enjoying this summer.

First off, trash80’s absolutely brilliant Icarus EP* has been the soundtrack to this summer– lush, sexy, sundrenched Balearic-bit for those who dream of an alternate reality Ibiza where Nullsleep and Bit Shifter hold court like Sasha and Steve Lawler once did at Space. Like all 8bitpeoples releases, it is free for download and sharing under Creative Commons, so follow that link and grab it.

Despite technical difficulties as a result of him overpowering the house system during his set at May’s Pulsewave, he kicked off my summer with an ear to ear smile stretched across my sweaty face. Here’s 2Player Productions’ rather disorienting video of “Missing You” from that night:


Trash80 @ Pulsewave in NYC, 05.24.08 (1/1) from 2 Player Productions on Vimeo.

Though “Missing You” seems to be the universally sanctioned hit from the release, “Sodium Sonet” is actually my favorite.

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Sodium Sonet Extended - trash80

On the other side of the spectrum from trash80, I’ve been digging the 8bit + sparkling speedcore hybrid side project of industrial artist Aliceffekt. Called MALICE, it’s the sonic equivalent of grinding metal against metal to shoot dazzling sparks– one part hard and savage bass line to one part silver-filigreed synth lead, it’s definitely an exciting first entry into chiptunes and I’m looking forward to how this project progresses (as well as a super-secret OTHER side project of lush, melody-driven IDM that Resonator will probably be lucky enough to preview in the coming months).

MALICE

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Malice - L
(Note: The ID3 tags for this release come up with a bunch of Japanese stuff, so you may not be able to find it in iTunes by typing “MALICE.” To preserve the integrity of what the artist wants, however, I didn’t change the ID3 tags. Go blame them.)

MALICE is also available for free here. I definitely recommend downloading the entire album, as each track is mixed into the other so it’s hard to really listen to one on its own without hearing the tail end/beginning of another.

And finally– Argentina’s 8GB is pure, full on, hands in the air dance-till-you-can’t-move insanity. If you missed his set at Pulsewave’s 2nd Birthday back in March where his set rocked so hard that he caused a black-out, here’s a sample of what you can expect when he returns this month! (More on that coming later in the week– look out for it, because it’s going to be BONKERS!)


8GB live @ Pulsewave - New York - march 2008 (8/9) from Kiken Corporation (????) on Vimeo.

*All 8bitpeoples releases are released under this Creative Commons License.

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29
April
2008
tags: Hope For Agoldensummer, Lykke Li, Judi Chicago, videos.

VideOverdose

Oh, man, with the green pollen tides of spring lapping against the bedroom doors of the world (and, no, I have no f-ing clue what that means), it would appear a pool of incessant distraction has overtaken Res. Hacks is somewhere in my ‘hood and I can’t find him, Trixie is doing…uh, things, probably (make your own joke *here*), and I am also doing things, but not the same things I’m normally doing, nor the same things Trixie’s doing. Truth be told, I’m not even trying that hard to find Hacks. He’s a big boy, he can take care of himself. Besides, if he gets too lost in his old stomping grounds, I’m sure the folks at Ed Banger pass out, like, Justice crucifi that can function akin to bat-symbols for deejays-in-distress.

Musically, there’s a lot to sort out around here, and to buy us some time, I thought I’d unload a few vid clips that are due by a minute, but not so overglazed as to be irrelevant, or even late.

The first two come courtesy of our Atlanta friends Criminal Records, from whence Record Store Day originated.

My new favorite band, Judi Chicago, performing “Chick Feeler” in the Crim parking lot on said Record Store Day:

My old favorite band, Hope For Agoldensummer, covering the Aaliyah jam “Are You That Somebody”, inside Criminal on Record Store Day:

And, finally, NOT at record store day (or at least not in America, but possibly in SweNordLand, the magical place of cupcakes, unicorns, rainbows and the best fucking pop music ever, where tap water tastes of raspberries), Lykke Li playing the most stripped version of “I’m Good I’ve Gone” you’ve yet heard, in the back of a cab

Resonator Mag: we’re not lazy, just busy and sober. More music coming soon.

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20
April
2008
tags: Animal Collective, videos.

tickle vultures

I’ve admitted very recently that the Resonator distaste for the freaky mask-clad hippie furry-fetishists Animal Collective is beginning to break, at least in terms of my personal listening.

First, there was the discovery that the Panda Bear record was stunning.

Then, there’s this new EP, Water Curses . It’s hallucinsane, especially on an iPod, and I can’t quit it. Wish I knew how to.

But now…my god, TICKLE VULTURES. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE PRESENTS: TICKLE VULTURES.

What? You don’t know ’bout Tickle Vultures? Just watch

Yes, that video is one of the most meme-worthy things in recent memory, and it hits the current pulsevein of the blog-verse smack on the nose.

And, yes, Animal Collective’s stuff is growing on me. If Panda Bear were to make a song about petting his cat, I’d be all over it.

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17
April
2008
tags: Lykke Li, videos.

Lykke on the grind

Lykke Li, currently a fascination in the…

aw, screw the intro. You know Lykke by now. There’s a video for the studio version of “‘I’m good I’m gone”, which has it’s own, more multi-layered pleasures to discern (my new indie-rock trio record: Pleasures to Discern) than the hollerin’ hootenanny of the acoustic version (which shows Robyn who’s who). And it’s f-ing out there, in that Lykke way.

Stomp. Start. Shout. Scream. It’s all good. The entire album, that is.

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01
March
2008
tags: Sweden!, Lykke Li, videos.

Further Lykkeing

Lykke Li stands to be the bundle of whiskey & honey that once again manages to unite the forces here at Res. No sooner had I posted that last bit on her than both Trixie AND Hacks came slumming on AIM, all stammering and shuffling and “uh, yeah, dude, upload that whole album, if you would?”.

Made my freakin’ day, it did. I mean, because all they listen to is Justice. Not really, but in my head that’s what I like to think. Sometimes I imagine Hacks petting bunnies to D.A.N.C.E., and I chuckle and cry. Simultaneously.

Anyway, pretty much the only music bloggazine that I like more than this one, The Fader, posted a couple more infinitely-craveworthy, infinitely obsession-grade Lykke Li videos. Since apparently in Sweden you either wear masks and pretend to be monkeygoblins or you play your stuff in weird locations, Lykke’s two Takeaway Show-esque clips, one for “Little Bit” on a street corner and one for “I’m Good I’m Gone” (aka the single best song of 2008 thus far, hands down, unless that Erykah album I haven’t yet listened to has some jam-bangers, and sorry but I doubt it) in the bathroom, Lykke’s basically both keeping it real and being completely bonkers. Love her even more for it all.

“Little Bit”:

Soundvenue won’t allow embedding of the Lykke L Singin’-Your-Heart-Out-In-The-Potty Revue, but it’s so worth it. Granted, Bette Noire seems to think that the (spoiler!) “last second tap water” bit isn’t as effective as, say, Arcade Fire’s page-ripping from the aforementioned Takeaway Show, but Lykke’s way cuter than either of the Butler boys, so I’m gonna nix that one right now. You can click here to see the third best version of “I’m Good I’m Gone” out there. The second? Aw, it’s worth a reposting…

Lykke Li: I’m Good I’m Gone

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And the first? Hell, you saw that repost coming, too, didn’t ya?

Like her? Hell no. Love her.

1 Comment



19
February
2008
tags: Free Blood, videos.

I can taste the blood

Ok, look, it’s been a couple days (ok like two weeks). We never claimed to have our act together

Anyway, this isn’t a full-fledged “hot new stuff” post, but rather a little somethin’ somethin’ from a duo I earmarked quietly to myself at the end of 2007 to watch. Free Blood, namely former !!!-er John Pugh and his fellow pughilist, fashion designer Madeline Davy, have taken that whole “hey, we’re two people that have some cash for gear, let’s make elecro-rock that goes puuuurrprprprprpuuuuurprprprprprurrrrrprprprrrruuurp” concept and, somehow, despite all the forces working against them (”uh, !!! may be awesome, but individually they’re, uh…hairy” “…and a fashion designer making dance rock? oh jeez, are we back in 05 again?” etc), made a handful of tunes that are dark, moody, infectious and pretty damn powerful

To wit: their first video, for “The Royal Family”

Some things to note:

–John Pugh is obviously possessed by the holy freakin’ spirit of Tiefschwarz circa the Goldfrapp remix, or something. He’s overtaken by a power much larger than himself, or his razorbass.

–Madeline Davy can’t dance for shit. Sorry, but that arm thing is how hipster girls cover up their inability to do anything short of standing still to any sort of propulsive beat.

–The song is fucking good.

–The breakdown’s better than the rest of the three minutes combined

I’m waiting to see how this whole Free Blood thing pans out before I make a judgment call.

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07
February
2008
tags: Bit Shifter, Bubblyfish, glomag, 8bitpeoples, Nullsleep, Shows, videos, Mp3.

Reformat the Planet– The Movie

So… It’s getting to be that time of year again, where the Res kids tell you about all the cool shit to check out at SxSW because, well, we’re not going.* This year is a great year at the old Austin festival because it’s going to be chiptunes madness.

That’s right– not only are the lovely 8bitpeoples going to be hosting a showcase, but the movie (yes, MOVIE!) about the Blip Festival is going to be playing at the film festival. Featuring all of my favorite chiptunes artists, Bit Shifter, Nullsleep, glomag, Bubblyfish and loads of other musically brilliant nerds, it is going to be THE must-see movie of the festival… What I’m saying is take a break from dancing your ass off and GO SEE THE DAMNED MOVIE.

As if you needed more convincing, here is the trailer for Blip Festival: Reformat the Planet:


BLIP FESTIVAL: REFORMAT THE PLANET trailer from 2 Player Productions on Vimeo.

And in case you just need full length choons to carry ’round with you, here’s the namesake track of the movie by NYC-based Bit Shifter:

Reformat The Planet — Bit Shifter

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Yes, that track’s great… But my favorite, and I think SORELY underappreciated of the Shifter’s tracks is the self-titled off of the “Information Chase” EP.** The symphonic hold breakdown is enough to make college girls the world over have Garden State-like make-out moments… Well, provided that they’re cool enough to dig on Gameboy music.

The Information Chase — Bit Shifter

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*Res doesn’t go to SxSW because we are too damned old to be drunk and sleepless for a week. Just ask Shaun about his old Winter Music Conference days. But while YOU are down there, make sure and get your chiptunes on AND check out our darling Loren Hynde’s party over at the Planetary Group bbq– we hear there is soy meat and hardcore (the guitar kind, not the electronic kind).

**All 8bitpeoples releases are released under this Creative Commons License.

3 Comments