BRITTICISMS

Another month, another sale! The wonderful girls (Alysse,...

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:55:00 -0600

Another month, another sale! The wonderful girls (Alysse, Christine, Kirsten) at The Sometimes Store are holding another sale. Everything white is 1/2 off (I imagine to respond to last month’s goth-themed black sale).

“Infinity Guitars” by Sleigh Bells Mixing the latest...

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:41:27 -0600

“Infinity Guitars” by Sleigh Bells

Mixing the latest episode of “I Love My Wife,” I realized that one of the reasons why I love Sleigh Bells so much is the fact that their music embodies the early-aughts spirit of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Although singer Alexis Krauss is a strong singer, her voice is more works best on tracks like “Infinity Guitars” or “Crown to the Ground” when she is half-singing, half-yelping, consumed by her enthusiasm.

Earlier:

“Crown on the Ground”

“A/B Machines”

THIS LONG CENTURY is an assembly of inspirations, observations and ideas that exist purely through invited contributions from people considered outstanding within their field of work.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:41:22 -0600

THIS LONG CENTURY is an assembly of inspirations, observations and ideas that exist purely through invited contributions from people considered outstanding within their field of work. :

Great anecdotes, short-essays, and photographs to accompany each chosen person.

“Dinosaur On the Ark” by The Very Best ft. Bermuda The...

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:03:40 -0600

“Dinosaur On the Ark” by The Very Best ft. Bermuda

The loveliness of this song is just what is needed during what I imagine to be the last hours of warmth this year. Are you enjoying it?

(via vivresavie)

"Kids are always angry, when they become aware, first of all, of their parents’ shortcomings,..."

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:41:47 -0600

“Kids are always angry, when they become aware, first of all, of their parents’ shortcomings, and then, however briefly, of society’s shortcomings. But society over the past thirty years has become ever more effective and efficient at telling them to shut up. They are expected to shut up and spend, shut up and watch, shut up and join the workforce,”

- Luc Sante, “Strength Through Joy,” from the essay collection Kill All Your Darlings

"This was the era of the rise of disco (and therefore contemporary dance culture), the emergence of..."

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:35:07 -0600

“This was the era of the rise of disco (and therefore contemporary dance culture), the emergence of punk and New Wave and the evolution of hip-hop, as well as the equally important introduction of minimalism in the orchestral scene. Intriguingly and compelling, Arthur was involved in all of these scenes, often simultaneously, and so his biography also became a sort of biography of music in New York across the 1970s and 1980s.”

- Is it All Over?: Arthur Russell and the Art of Fluidic Dance Music…

Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:40:24 -0600

Sometimes a most perfect groove is so undeniable that people want to try their own take on it, as a sign of respect, of course.

The Korgis (1980)

The Dream Academy (1987)

Yazz (1994)

Baby D (1995)

Army of Lovers (1995)

Beck (2004)

Erasure (2005)

Glasvegas (2008)

The Field (2009)

(via piercethenight)

“Is It All Over My Face” by Loose Joints (Male...

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:35:16 -0600

“Is It All Over My Face” by Loose Joints (Male version)

Currently in love with the male version, which is just undeniably hotter than the ice cold cool of the female version. I just can’t deny that opening bass line, the percussion, the certain free-for-all feeling captured by its glorious 10 minutes of unrelenting groove. Goddamnit, I wish music was still this much fun.

Earlier:

“Tell You (Today)” by Loose Joints — One of the best songs in the history of music. If you don’t like this, I don’t know if I can like you.

The Fall 2009 issue of Apartamento is out now. Features include:...

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:22:52 -0600

The Fall 2009 issue of Apartamento is out now. Features include: a coloring book by Andy Rementer, furniture-making workshop with Jordi Ferreiro, an interview with Enzo Mari, and Ye Rin Mok’s photos of the things Geoff McFetridge made for/with his daughter Frances. If you’re like me and have yet to touch a tangible copy, I suggest you order a copy or subscribe here.

Do you like seeing bands like Dirty Projectors or The Feelies for free, in Chicago, in Millennium Park, during the summer? Do you like to grab a group of friends, some delicious snacks, a blanket, and head over to the Jazz Fest during the summer? Do you ever take a break from the monotony of work during the Summer by heading over to the park to check out a free Black Moth Super Rainbow show during your lunch break?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:24:00 -0600

Do you like seeing bands like Dirty Projectors or The Feelies for free, in Chicago, in Millennium Park, during the summer? Do you like to grab a group of friends, some delicious snacks, a blanket, and head over to the Jazz Fest during the summer? Do you ever take a break from the monotony of work during the Summer by heading over to the park to check out a free Black Moth Super Rainbow show during your lunch break?:

SIGN THIS PETITION! Even if you’re not from Chicago, sign the petition!

The city is facing MASSIVE budget cuts, especially towards arts, music, and cultural programs (of course), which besides being enjoyable to attend are beneficial to the city itself. Chicago needs all the help it can get and shutting down many of the programs that make the city exciting during its best seasons (Summer and Fall) is certainly NOT going to help matters.

New Dirty Projectors! “Emblem of the World” by Dirty...

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:49:36 -0600

New Dirty Projectors!

“Emblem of the World” by Dirty Projectors

Not as initially exciting as “Ascending Melody” (also from the Temecula Sunrise EP) but still quite gorgeous for an unreleased track.

Cosmographic Tendency by Jackie Tileston, oil and...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:25:59 -0600

Cosmographic Tendency by Jackie Tileston, oil and mixed media on linen

New paintings, works on paper, and photographs on display in Mesocosmos II at Zg Gallery, opening tomorrow night at 5:30.

Arthur Russell

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:56:15 -0600

Arthur Russell

"Denying gays the right to marry is denying a group of people the right to succeed at something you..."

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:38:20 -0600

“Denying gays the right to marry is denying a group of people the right to succeed at something you are allowed to fail at.”

- the Mattsmith

On fashion blogs:

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:15:00 -0600

It is one thing to imagine different, fantastic pieces of clothing, shoes, and accessories as I go about my daily grind. It is an entirely different thing to constantly see images of tangible items and know that I will never own them. I am embarrassed and ashamed to admit that I was happier without knowing things like this exist or people like this exist. The more I covet, the less content I feel. This materialism is getting the best of me.

According to NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day, this is...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:32:02 -0600

According to NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day, this is the average color of the universe. Not dark and ominous but full of light!

Densely textured sound and an evolving mix of projected imagery...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:33:00 -0600

Densely textured sound and an evolving mix of projected imagery are manipulated in live performances at the MCA with Chicago experimental musicians Haptic and video artist Lisa Slodki. They explore the symbiotic relationship between sounds and images in an installation and series of live performances as part of the monthly UBS 12 x 12 New Artist/New Work series that I have been working on.

The performances will take place every Tuesday in November beginning November 10th. Using found footage, VCRs, video monitors, and a projector, Slodki generates and projects digitally altered and manipulated images. Slodki’s choice of images is a response to Haptic’s improvisational audio compositions generated by amplifying the sounds of Slodki’s video equipment. Haptic manipulates, augments, and replays their audio while Slodki then responds to their performance by producing new images for a continuously evolving and unique live performance. It will be loud and exciting and completely unlike anything done at the MCA this year and I am so excited!

The band will DJ at November’s First Fridays, which is this Friday, November 6. More information is available here.

“Spring” by Saint Etienne (Air France remix) So 90s...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:09:00 -0600

“Spring” by Saint Etienne (Air France remix)

So 90s sexy, meaning a certain vamped-up campy quality mixed with a downtempo-like beat. Things reminds me of Deee-lite, which is always a good thing.

No 578 by Eric Blum (2009) Watercolor, beeswax and silk on...

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:43:09 -0600

No 578 by Eric Blum (2009)
Watercolor, beeswax and silk on panel

Part of “Infuse,” opening at the David Weinberg Gallery this Friday at 5 pm

The Incredible Journey That Is Consciousness a new publication...

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:13:13 -0600

The Incredible Journey That Is Consciousness
a new publication from Chicago’s Alex Fuller and Gabe Usadel

“Squares, circles and triangles are at the core of what makes the industrial world around us. A universal visual language apparent in all things—the tools we use, the fashion we wear, the buildings we live in and the communications we see…”

Golden Age hosts the launch of this new publication on Saturday, November 7th from 7-11 pm.