The Face Bank

Some Friday randomness - the creepy piggy bank; the Face Bank.

Source: Jzool

1

Taio Cruz Acoustic Session at Big Top 40

I was recently invited to the Big Top 40 studios in London to attend an intimate acoustic performance from UK singer, songwriter and producer Taio Cruz. I was among a selection of UK bloggers present in the Big Top 40 studios with the presenters of the show, Rich and Kat, who gave a great interview before the artist performed three songs incluiding "Dirty Picture" and "Break Your Heart" - he's got a great voice.

Come On Girl

Break Your Heart

Dirty Picture

The Big Top 40 show runs every Sunday from 4-7pm and each week they are giving away the entire Top 40 in music downloads, all you have to do is listen out for the song on this Golden Ticket and enter the "artist name" and "song title" in at this website. Check it out.

1

Sub Focus Feat. Coco - Splash

I like this. "Accessible" drum and bass, but it has an awesome UK vibe and the vocals are sweet!

1

Vice Guide To Film: North Korea Part 1 of 3

VBS.TV has dropped the next three part mini-series of its 'Vice Guide to Film' documentaries, exploring bizarre and often extreme international film industries.

In 'Norh Korea Part 1 of 3' Vice Co-Founder Shane Smith clearly had a (government approved) wild time putting the pieces together of this wild and freaky territory -- and went on the weirdest of missions to get into the country in the first place. North Korea has a completely unique industry given that its dictator, Kim Jong Il, is not only the country's most obsessive film-buff (an avid fan of slasher-horrors, Godzilla and Elizabeth Taylor) but also its leading film-maker; having even built a movie studio in the nation's capital, Pyongyang. It's interesting to note how multi-talented Kim Jong Il is, and quite hard to believe! He also wrote a book on the theory of film called "On the Art of Cinema".

Kim Jong Il is obviously a nutter, especially since in 1978 he kidnapped director Shin-Sang Ok (who made films such as "Pulgasari" and seems to be linked to classic franchises such as "3 Ninjas") because he didn't have anyone to make a film he had in the works.

I am not even going to mention the rest... Unreal.

There is a great competition over at Vice to win a holiday in North Korea. Enter if you dare.

1

Ellie Goulding - Sweet Disposition (Live - Radio 1 Live Lounge)

1

Banksy in Chinatown, San Francisco

Banksy in Chinatown, San Francisco on Grant St. & Commercial:

Sources: Warholian, Hooked

Paul Dateh and inka one - Hip Hop Violin

Paul Deteh on the violin with cuts from inka.one, both from California, USA.



1

REVIEW -- Deadly Rhythm - Elijah & Skilliam, Spyro & Kito at The Legion

I started a new job last week and it was a job I set as a target to get before Friday 23rd April. This was because last Friday a dubstep night took place that I have been eagerly awaiting and one I set my sights on as a celebration of getting said new job - which thankfully I got just in time. South London promoters Deadly Rhythm teamed up with UK bloggers Better Never Than Late to hold a night at The Legion in Shoreditch presenting Elijah & Skilliam, Spyro and of course the first London gig for Kito.

I had been looking forward to this gig for months ever since I saw it listed on MySpace. Despite being ill all week and then being faced with a couple of setbacks and travel issues that night, I powered through and we eventually arrived fashionably late to the gig. By the time we were through the door I well and truly felt like a ten year old on Christmas Day!

Upon arrival Elijah & Skilliam were on the decks spinning out some severely rudeboy beats: blending up fresh tracks, modern classics and old skool garage-inspired bass music. That's why I love dupstep - it is such a broad spectrum. There was once a track I thought of as the best garage track ever made, a track by Dem 2 that I heard on Kiss 100 when I was about thirteen years old. It took me until 2010 to do my research and identify the tune. Under the alias US Alliance, Dem 2 called the track 'Da Grunge Mix' of 'All I Know' and when I found it on YouTube I was ecstatic (after all that time). I also found it on an Elijah & Skilliam mix set that I downloaded and so whilst they were mixing it up at The Legion I had to ask them to play it, however they didn't have it on them. This is the track, and the vibe that has long inspired the music that descended from it to date:

'Destiny' has got nothing on that right? What a majestic tune!

So I head nodded and had a little bounce to their set while getting my drink on and as the night progressed I got more and more excited. Spyro was up next, however, for me, it was hard to distinguish his set from the set before, as he took over with a similar ragga-stylee grime-oriented selection of tunes. The crowd was loving it, this is just my view -- this branch of the dubstep tree isn't my particular favourite. Or maybe I was just impatient, the mixing was immaculate of course.

I am the shittest photographer, especially when I am drunk (as you can tell) and I tried to capture the moments of the night but every photo I took was just completely shite. My mate and I were both thoroughly enjoying ourselves though (she'd been on it since 1pm).

At this point some goon in a suit swiped my beer off the table and walked off - so I swiftly reclaimed it. What a f*nny!

I have heard people speak of Kito as an amazing DJ and I have been lapping up the sets of hers that I have downloaded, but seeing her spin live was something else. The Australian-now-London-based producer and DJ truly inspired me when I first heard her innovative sound. Her tracks introduced me to a flavour of electro and drum and bass inspired breakbeat music that I had never heard before. By the time she was on the ones and twos I was on that dancefloor ready to be taken away.

From the first tune it was clear that some people in the audience were taken back by her beats -- that they were hearing something new, fresh and incredibly unique; gradually absorbing it and moving with it. By the second half of the set those people who just came for a 'dubstep' night were stepping up and dancing with the real heads. I myself was raving from the start, unable to resist moving and jumping to the increasingly awesome set blended seamlessly track after track. Every piece of music she played was stunning, with immense drops, epic bass lines, beautiful musical progressions, futuristic sound designs and elaborate rhythms. It was no surprise that a lot of the tunes sounded as if they were her own productions; the signature of her funky beat patterns, mutating synths and lush vocals was all over the set.

I was very happy when she dropped her new track 'This City', currently one of my favourite tunes:

By the end of the night I was sweating out a little bit. I like getting carried away! Kito's set was absolutely rinsing and I am certain when I say that she is one of the best DJs on the planet (and a very modest one too). Her skills and choice of tunes (yet alone her productions) mark Kito as a genuine pioneer, holding the future of 'dubstep' in her hands.

There is something very exhilarating about seeing an artist play or perform their own material. The first time I saw Paradox live was a night I'll never forget.

I left The Legion on Saturday morning a very happy boy! My mate and I missioned it home in our drunken states and dealt with the hangover on Saturday. The night was such a memorable celebration. The only disappointment was that Kito didn't play 'Cold'...

1

Stormtrooper Pony

1

Sunset Waterfall

"Taken at Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park, California. When the sun sets over the falls, a vivid red amber glow shows up, and it leads to re-name the waterfall as Yosemite Firefall."

Source: News

Close-Ups of the Sun

NASA has released these images of close-ups of the Sun, taken from an unmanned spacecraft called the Solar Dynamics Observatory:

Source: CBBC

1

A Little Bit of A Nightmare on Elm Street Clip

The first 30 seconds is all you need or want.

Source: MovieWeb

Simian Mobile Disco - Smirnoff Experience Berlin.

Simian Mobile Disco will be performing live at the Smirnoff Experience Berlin (say you are German from Germany to access the site).

This video is nuts!

1

The Big Top 40 Golden TIcket

This week The Big Top 40, which is the only official radio music chart based on digital downloads alone and is played on many stations across the UK, is launching The Big Top 40 Golden Ticket Competition to offer one listener each week the opportunity to win the entire Top 40 music downloads.

Throughout the course of the week a code will be released via great websites and blogs (containing an 'artist name' and 'song title'). When the song is played during The Big Top 40 show every Sunday from 4pm, visit The Big Top 40 website and enter the code while the song is playing for a chance to win.

On top of this there will also be a monthly competition for someone to meet a Top Ten music artist at an intimate gig.

The code this week is:

Diana Vickers, Once

  

Hear the song, click here, type it in!

1

VBS.TV - Skate Denmark

VBS.TV are launching more films to their 'Skate Europe Season 2' -- 'Skate Denmark' explores the Danish skateboarding scene; looking back through history to the 1970s all the way to the present day.

The first piece profiles pro-skaters Anton Juul and Hjalte Halberg, exploring their passion and their influences.

  
The rest of the series will be coming out as follows:

TUESDAY APRIL 20 Part 2

WEDNESDAY APRIL 21 Part 3

THURSDAY APRIL 22 Part 4

FRIDAY APRIL 23           Part 5

See Skate Italy.


1

Hickup - "Hakazou!" Free Download at XLR8R

There is a free download of Hickup's track "Hakazou!" from Dirtybird Records over at XLR8R. Go get it now! It is absolutely rinsing - bouncing, techy house. Prime meat!

1

SpectraSoul - Absentis

 SpectraSoul - Absentis

This tune is deep. All about those vocals... Imagine rushing to this in a club.

1

Deadly Rhythm - Spyro & Kito

South London promoting crew Deadly Rhythm and trend blog Better Never Than Late are putting on a dubstep night this Friday 23rd April at The Legion, in Old Street with Kito,  Spyro and Elijah & Skilliam. I cannot wait.

See you then.

1

Scrutton Street Re-Opening Party - Goldie & Pariah

London's music and art venue Scrutton Street Studios is re-opening its doors this Saturday 24th April for an amazing re-opening party with Goldie, Pariah, Greena, Jam City, Lemmy Ashton and DJ Stixx.This is going to be one epic night! Details below. Buy tickets at We Got Tickets.

1

Iceland Volcano - Marco Fulle

These photographs of the Icaland volcano are a true spectacle. Taken by Italian volcano-specialist photogropher Marco Fulle.
 

Source: Stromboli Online

The New Apple iPhone 0S 4

I would be so happy if I was the guy that found the next generation Appple iPhone (0S 4) which was 'accidentally' lost in a bar in Redwood City, California. I would revel in the fortune. The funniest thing is that it happened to be found and picked up by someone from Gizmodo; the most awesome of gadget and tech blogs (what are the odds?) and my personal bible of iPhone applications (what are the odds?). Gizmodo have convincing evidence that it is real. Hype?

I've stolen one of their pictures, as I believe in sharing the wealth; and they have released a short video. It looks wicked - now I only have to wait a year and a half for my current mobile contract to expire:

" What's new

• Front-facing video chat camera
• Improved regular back-camera (the lens is quite noticeably larger than the iPhone 3GS)
• Camera flash
• Micro-SIM instead of standard SIM (like the iPad)
• Improved display. It's unclear if it's the 960x640 display thrown around before—it certainly looks like it, with the "Connect to iTunes" screen displaying much higher resolution than on a 3GS.
• What looks to be a secondary mic for noise cancellation, at the top, next to the headphone jack
• Split buttons for volume
• Power, mute, and volume buttons are all metallic

What's changed

• The back is entirely flat, made of either glass (more likely) or ceramic or shiny plastic in order for the cell signal to poke through. Tapping on the back makes a more hollow and higher pitched sound compared to tapping on the glass on the front/screen, but that could just be the orientation of components inside making for a different sound
• An aluminum border going completely around the outside
• Slightly smaller screen than the 3GS (but seemingly higher resolution)
• Everything is more squared off
• 3 grams heavier
• 16% Larger battery
• Internals components are shrunken, miniaturized and reduced to make room for the larger battery"

Source: Gizmodo (lucky bastards) 

1

1940s Time Traveler Caught on Candid Camera

This is the weirdest thing. It kind of hurts my brain a little bit, especially after one of those annoying nights when you can't sleep very well. The following photograph was taken during the 1940s and contains some random dude that looks suspiciously out of place. Could he be a time traveler caught on candid camera?

Forgetomori has gone to town with a rigorous analysis of the evidence.

1

Heartless Introduction & Featurette

Noel Clark introduces 'Heartless':

The bible (aka Empire) has an exclusive featurette for the film here.

1

Kokeshi 003: Alley Cat & Kiat

To be an international DJ, artist, label owner and director of one of the worlds biggest electronic artist booking agencies must be an amazing thing. Alley Cat, owner of fresh dubstep / drum and bass / "all things subby and magical" label Kokeshi and director of booking agency ESP International (which represents Black Sun Empire, dBridge, Dom & Roland, Klute and Club Autonomic to name a few) transcribes the inner-workings of her musical-mind in the third release via the Kokeshi label; in a collaboration with Singapore based producer Kiat. These tracks emphasize the mystical and unique style of the label, which delivers a dreamy sound with heavy electro and breakbeat influences.

Kokeshi 003

Kiat & Alley Cat - 'Purple Clouds'

'Purple Clouds' has a celestial, choral vocal that introduces industrial, jumping beats and flows through the track as it becomes more ferocious and drifts into darker territory. The beats intensify and glitch with ripples of Aphex Twin and you will float away with rich pads that soothe heavy eyes.

Kiat - 'Missing Channel'

'Missing Channel' has a more fantastical feel; as if the introduction and recurring melodies were the soundtrack to a legendary adventure. Pure sub-bass pumps the track into a minimal and profound journey of sound through a vast landscape in which the adventure unfolds and comes to a peaceful climax.

Buy Kokeshi 003 here.
Check Kokeshi on MySpace.
Get the Kokeshi Podcast.
Follow AlleyCat.

1

Online Reputation Management

My online reputation has been soiled. I could delete the evidence, but I have chosen to embrace it. One meaningless, piss-taking comment has received backlash (albeit from two people, but it's still upsetting) and I have been textually abused. I am refering to my post about a Mystery Jets gig in which I made a meaningless comment about dressing slightly less impressively than majority of people there; which I linked to on another website and made yet another meaningless comment about being caught on candid camera. I admit the comments do sound stupid (and I do sound like a tw@) if I look at them from a serious perspective, but I don't; I really don't care. I didn't take what I wrote seriously when I wrote it and I certainly don't take myself too seriously, which is why I am writing about this instead of hiding away from it or quarreling about it. The one thing I took seriously was the music and that's what the post was about in the first place. The internet allows people to express themselves freely, which is what this is all about.

If you want to know what was said and done click here, or click on the image below, which contains offensive language:

1

Excision & Noiz | EX7 Dubstep

If you like cyborg-spawned dubstep that is as heavy as it is warped out, then Excision is your man. I am personally not too big on the noise-ridden, head-banging side of the dubstep world, but I like these tracks from the Canadian EX7 label:

Filthy basslines and bouncy riffs of synth collide:

Excision - 'Subsonic'

This tech-stepping spiral of potency is impossible not to nod your head to:

Excision & Noiz - 'Force'

Check Excision on MySpace.
Follow Exicision.
Check Noiz on MySpace.

1

Deadmau5 - Ghosts N Stuff (SuRJoN Remix)

I am loving SuRjoN's remix of Deadmau5's 'Ghosts N Stuff', which takes the lead melody of the original track and twists it up with an unusual LFO'd-up bass line, atmospheric chimes and industrial techno-stynth; laid back with a minimal dub vibe that becomes hyper in the mid-section:

1

A Nightmare on Elm Street New Clip

This new clip for A Nightmare on Elm Street looks like the people behind it have gone to town. I am positive this film is going to be top doller. And very dark.

1

New Predators Clip

Edwin

1

Dark Sky Dubstep

Some raw, angry, devil's nintendo dubstep from Dark Sky:

1

VBS.TV 'Vice Guide to Film' - Russian Parallel Cinema

VBS.TV has commenced the next three-part episode of its 'Vice Guide to Film' series, which focuses on Russian Parallel cinema.

Parallel Cinema Part 1 of 3:

Soviet Parallel Cinema emerged from the revolution of Old Soviet Russia during the 1980s when "the walls of Eastern Europe were coming down". Essentially Parallel Cinema is the messed up, independent cinema of the 80s; underground cinema embracing artists, actors, rock musicians and film lovers and which Shane Smith rounds up as "anti-establishment (and) madness on film". This experimental cinema was criminalized and watched by the KGB.

The Vice founder went to Russia to make some Parallel Cinema of his own. During his trip he explored the experimental cinema explosion of the 1920s including films such as 'Battleship Potemkin' (1925 - Sergei Einenstein) and 'Man with a Movie Camera' (1929 - Dziga Vertov).

In Moscow he met several of Parallel Cinemas founding fathers, including Boris Yukhananov,  Gleb Aleinikov (who now runs the second largest TV station in Russia) and Oleg Kulik; a performance artist who famously lived as a dog for a year and has done many other extreme / dark / messed up things.

The film also profiles Andrei Silvestrov, the father of 'Alco-Cinema' (a concept embracing arts, entertainment and alcohol) with whom Shane Smith made a movie.

Part 2 of 3 of the Parallel Cinema mini-series is now up. I have not yet had a chance to watch it but here it is:

1

Iron Man 2 Interactive Trailer

As an addition to my previous post about the Avatar Interactive Trailer (which was only available as a downloadable Air File) Paramount and Marvel have created an interactive trailer for 'Iron Man 2', only this one is embeddable and shareable across multiple platforms, as below.

The widget contains "clickable hotspots", which allow you to delve deeper into the story and characters. It's bad! This is about as modern as it gets.

1

MyFace

This is a track that I have produced and I haven't felt so high about my own music since I was 17. This is one of two tracks I have made in years. It isn't quite finished and still quite rough, but please listen and I appreciate any and all criticism; so please do comment?

  MyFace by hughrb

1

The Gift - Phillips Cinema Parallel Lines

This is so good -- a short film from Carl Erik Rinsch made for Phillips Cinema Parallel Lines; an initiative in association with Ridley Scotts Associates that sees all participating directors create a short film that utilizes the same lines of dialogue:

"What is that?"

"A Unicorn."

"Never seen one up close before."

"Beautiful."

"Get away."

"I'm sorry ."

'The Gift' caught my attention at Empire Online and is supposedly in-line to be adapted into a major feature. The piece portrays a dismal reality, with humans living among robots and coveting a secretive box:

'DarkRoom', by Johnny Hardstaff, is an equally sinister piece of tech-noir that presents a twisted kidnapping plot in a Blade-Runner-esque city:

1

Butterfly Crash - 'Fracture'

This itchy, roller from Butterfly Crash called 'Fracture' is like a violent pod-race:

1

Bar 9 Remix of Deftones - 'Shove It'

Bar 9 Remix of Deftones - 'Shove It'. Heavy:

1

Sneaker Hats

I am calling this 'Sneaker Hats', I have no idea what the official title is for this great concept from Jose Morraja:

Source: Sweet Station

1 

Noisia & Phace - 'Floating Zero' (Invisible Recordings)

This amazing space-age drum and bass track from Noisia and Phace on the new Invisible Recordings label is coated with crisp, rugged beats and exotic sounds:

Floating Zero

1

Ghost Stories

I want to see this:

1

New Inception Stills

New Inception stills:

Source: LA Times

1