Lana Del Rey – Born To Die (AlunaGeorge Remix)
via Lana Del Rey – Born To Die (AlunaGeorge Remix).
It’s Madonna meets Gaga served up in a dish full of trance beats, danceable synths and a singable chorus.
More on rcrdlbl.com!
As usual, late to the finish line, but still here with a fresh perspective.
HOMELAND is, by far, the best new show on television.
Claire Danes’ portrayal of bi-polar, manic CIA agent Carrie Matheson is stunning — she’s someone who has the right ideas, but no one around to believe her.
Damian Lewis is equally astounding and incredibly believable as the captured, turned military sargeant torn between his love for an Iraqi terrorist and his own family.
Having just finished the season finale, I am desperately grasping out for more of this show.
Incredibly intelligent and suspenseful, Showtime’s latest hourlong drama is far from a shoot-em up.
HOMELAND explores the intricacies of soldiers returning from war, corrupt American government and a world that is still afraid of Muslims and terrorists a decade after 9/11.
Stephen over at Pop! Blerd describes my sentiments best:
Homeland has left me chomping at the bit to pick up where we’ve left off, so much so that, at least for now, the year long wait seems unbearable.
Simply put, go watch this show. The first season just wrapped up so it will be a few months until its fully available for streaming, download or purchase on DVD or Blu-Ray.
You will not regret this.
02
Jan
12
2011 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 3,700 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 3 trips to carry that many people.
07
Dec
11
Current TV cuts ‘Vanguard’ staff
The 2010 Vanguard team
I can only imagine how my old friends at Vanguard are feeling right now.
Vanguard is — er, was Current TV‘s critically acclaimed, yet underappreciated documentary series.
Vanguard stood out in a lot of ways.
It strived to tell stories that weren’t being reported and investigated issues in a captivating way that appealed to young people. In part, that’s because the personalities you see on the above poster are younger, hipper and more impassioned than your typical TV reporter.
A lot of people are probably familiar with something about Current.
First off, it was started by Al Gore in 2005. Then there’s the two Vanguard journalists who were detained in North Korea in 2009; Laura Ling and Euna Lee.
More recently, the network brought on progressive liberal talkshow host Keith Olbermann and gave him a major stake in the network to help transform and refine what has been a long, drawn-out experiment in really cool things that didn’t always work (pods, or short-form pieces and user-generated material have been two big ones that have been mostly phased out).
The interesting thing here is that Olbermann revered Vanguard and stated the show would be a focal part of the network’s future. To date, that has included the prime-time 9pm spot after Olbermann’s own show on certain nights.
The New York Times’ Media Decoder blog broke the news Dec. 4:
In what some called a cost-cutting move, the channel last week dismissed most of the roughly 10 “Vanguard” employees. Some were offered other jobs. The channel will continue to produce “Vanguard” documentaries, but with freelancers.
David Bohrman, the president of Current TV, said in a statement that production was not being canceled. “But given the network’s new focus on political news and analysis, we have chosen to change the present in house production model for ‘Vanguard.’
It is essential that Current keeps these talented reporters and producers on board in one form or another. Some of them have been around since the inception of this fledgling cable network and it would be insulting to eliminate the staple that has, although flimsily, kept just a hint of the old Current alive in the midst of the new, politically-charged agenda.
Check out my previous posts on Current and Vanguard. I interned with Vanguard in the Los Angeles offices during a tumultuous time that included Ling and Lee’s return from Korea and unannounced layoffs.
Read the full details on Media Decoder.
I’m a little late in the game here, but with all the downloading, television recording and seasons of TV shows on disc, everyone is getting to the finish line at different times.
In my case, I just wrapped up season 4 of True Blood, the HBO show about vampires, werewolves and the like.
HBO’s spin on the vampire saga has been refreshingly original from the get-go and a lot less teen-bop than Twilight.
From the first episode of the first season, I appreciated the modern day twist on what often feels like a tried genre.
The show takes place in the Bon Tempe, Louisiana, which is ripe for characters and weird shit. It’s the classic South, except “true blood” is available as a bottled beverage for blood-hungry vampires who don’t wish to suck humans dry.
Best way to make the make-believe believable? Make present day parallels between politics and coexistence.
So the concept works. Solid writing and generally convincing action, violence and sex contribute here too.
But I got a little lost in season four. The creators have been bringing in new species to the world each season, from shape shifters to werewolves and now witches.
The witches of this latest season have been my least favorite.
The supervillainess was a “nekromancer” (see: witch) named Marty, whose level of obnoxiousness grew faster than her level of destruction.
We’re made to believe that Jason, the brother of the sweet, sassy and sexy protagonist Suki, gets turned into a werepanther (think werewolf, but catlike). Except he never turns, so that’s confusing.
Tara, Suki’s best friend, turns out to be gay. She moves back from seclusion in New Orleans to rejoin the supernatural hijinx.
Suki courts two powerful vampires, Bill and Eric, let’s them suck her blood, then leaves them both.
And on and on.
Long story short, when we get to the finale, I’m pretty bored. Things were all the over the place this season, and the storyline seemed stretched. I figured there would be a twist at the end, since that was what kept me coming back after each episode.
And what started out as predictable — all the love triangles settle, lost loved ones are mourned, and the pieces are being put back together.
But in true True Blood fashion, I’m pulled right back in with the events of the last 20 minutes — warnings about the lovable Terry from a dead pyscho ex, Jason gets a vista from an old friend, looks like someone has dug up the infamous Russell Edgington…
Then WHAM — crazy pyscho ex-werewolf girlfriend Debbie pulls a shotgun on Suki and ends up mauling half of Tara. Suki gets Debbie right back with a vicious shotgun blow to the neck, screams, and end scene.
Phew. Clearly a direct setup for the next season more than a wrap-up of the current one.
And I liked it. I continue to tune in to shows that take risks and keep you guessing even as things appear to get dull. The last few twists and turns in this finale came out of nowhere, and while it seemed a little forced, at least the makers aren’t holding back.
To that, I say thanks. I’ll see you next season!
01
Dec
11
Plug into Digitalism
Feeling off? Disconnected? Offline?
Get online and plug in into the future with Digitalism.
They might as well be the German version of a certain French electronic duo called Daft Punk.
These guys offer a little more dance and a dose of surrealism to bring the sounds of virtual reality to your eardrums.
One listen to “Stratosphere”, the opening track on the group’s latest release, “I Love You Dude” and you’ll be saying “I’m in”, like Flynn in TRON.
The Vibe: Shock therapy
Pair with: Video games
During road trip: Sounds great in a DeLorian
31
Oct
11
Communication, baby
Its funny.
You major in a degree called communication, but in reality, you know nothing.
You take intercultural communication, mass communication, communication theory…
It all seemed pretty silly at the time. One professor talking about “saving face” and another about peeling the layers of someone’s onion.
Most people major in communication because they couldn’t think of anything better.
Not me.
I was one of the few lucky ones who actually knew what they were doing in college almost right off the bat. (After I figured out I actually wanted to go to college, anyway.)
That was journalism.
That magical one word: journalism.
The art and science of writing, reporting and communicating all the crap that happens in the world so other people can learn about the day’s or moment’s events and join the global conversation.
But I don’t need a degree to tell me I don’t know jack when I hit the real world.
All one needs is a romantic relationship; a significant other; a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife.
So much of a relationship relies on keeping the conversation going. Just like a reporter converses with a reader through his/her words, a boyfriend must communicate to his girlfriend with a different set of words — the spoken kind.
Well, more often anyway.
I can write more eloquently than I can talk.
Putting my fingers on the keyboard gets my brain churning in a way that allows me to gather my thoughts and get them “on paper” in a comprehensible way.
But the spoken dialogue can be the biggest challenge.
“That’s not what I meant!”
“I didn’t say that!”
“You take that back!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Its a never-ending series of statements that reflect two people trying to communicate to each other. To say something that the other understands, to phrase something lightly or delicately, bluntly or plainly. The real trick is to say what you mean without getting under the other’s skin.
I’ve learned more about communication in the past three years with my girlfriend than I could in any classroom.
Same could be said for everything — most true trades are learned outside the classroom. But as someone who studies language and follows all the newfangled ways we humans communicate, I’m always surprised by how much I learn.
Always trying to meet in the middle, find a place where two people can agree is a truly challenging thing.
Especially when the conversation between a serious twentysomething couple spirals into the taboo: marriage, kids, moving in together, etc.
How do two people from totally different backgrounds with similar values but opposite timelines maintain?
Through one way and one way only: communication.
Say what you mean and mean what you say. Apologize when you’re wrong or when you said something mean. Stand up for what you believe in, but always be willing to compromise. Because, without that, there’s nothing.
Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson star in the new CBS crime drama "Person of Interest".
New CBS crime drama “Person of Interest” fails to hold its own interest between campy fight scenes and blasé plot points, despite ideal match-ups in acting, writing and producing.
A show meant to involve all the good stuff — grit, guns and government conspiracies, the “Person of Interest” pilot tries a lot and succeeds with little.
The show has all the right elements for a surefire hit, blending conspiratorial thriller with Big Brother paranoia.
But there isn’t much glue holding things together.
An ex-CIA agent played by Jim Cavaziel teams up with a mysterious billionaire (the masterful Michael Emerson) to prevent crimes before they happen, working off tips from a magical machine created for the government to prevent terrorist attacks after Sept. 11.
Where “24” gave us a post-9/11 real American hero, “Person of Interest” gives us an alcoholic bum who cleans up overnight and starts shooting people in the knee while wearing snazzy dress suits.
“24” succeeded in making the threat of terrorism incredibly real and close to home. It kept me on the edge of my seat with the tick-tock pacing, strategic battle scenes and a stellar ensemble cast.
“Person of Interest” does none of that.
Motivation for the two protagonists is weak at best and it’s unclear why these two men want to save people (and the world, presumably) so badly. We’re left to believe its because they’ve both lost someone, but that’s about all that’s offered.
Not to mention, Caviezel’s character slings a stolen machine gun around in broad daylight and loads it up in the back of a New York taxicab. Why?
So he can safely spy on some dirty cops to save or incriminate a woman he doesn’t know based on a social security number some creepy billionaire scientist gave him. Believe that!
The show was created by Jonathan Nolan, who is also the lead writer. If the name sounds familiar that’s because he is brother to renowned director Christopher Nolan. The two have worked together on the “Dark Knight” movies, “Memento” and plenty other critical and financial hits. Unfortunately for “Person of Interest“, there is no thought-provoking dialogue or real-world grittiness to be found.
Caviezel is not bad as the brooding John Reese, but his performance in the pilot doesn’t come close to what I watched in the excellent 2009 AMC miniseries “The Prisoner“.
Emerson, better known as Benjamin Linus from “LOST“, feels like he’s watering down the same stark and cryptic guru. All-knowing and all-confident, with a dark past and unknown loyalty.
To round off the talented team, the one and only J.J. Abrams is executive producer. That’s right, the guy who brought us “LOST”, “Alias”, “Cloverfield”, “Super 8″, the “Star Trek” reboot and “Fringe” is on board too.
J.J., this is strike two.
Last year’s “Undercovers” wasn’t great either. Maybe you should stick to movies for a while. I mean, “Fringe” is still great, but it feels like you’re not even trying.
“Person of Interest” is “Enemy of the State” meets “Minority Report”, with none of what made either of those movies good. No pre-cogs or laser-engraved name balls, no hologram computers or people freaked out and on the run, nervously thinking they’re being watched.
Instead, the buzzworthy show jumps between too many events in the first hour and feels campy and implausible.
Like when Reese hijacks a gang’s weapons by shooting them all in the knees with their own gun, loading up a rifle in a New York taxicab and slinging the gun under his peacoat in an alleyway like somebody isn’t going to notice.
You can’t (shouldn’t?) judge a book by it’s first few pages, but “Person of Interest” better get a lot better in the next two episodes if it plans to 1. stay on air and 2. have me keep tuning in.
Don’t agree with me? Neither do the reviews from the San Francisco Chronicle or Screen Rant.
Rx Bandits said goodbye in San Francisco on August 7, 2011 at the band's farewell show. The Seal Beach, CA group announced breakup plans earlier in the summer.
It happens to the best of us.
We get tired.
And that’s how it appears the road-weary RX Bandits are after a decade of constant touring.
The Seal Beach, California group is known for its transformation (see: evolution) from a late ’90s ska band to a four-headed beast of a band playing spacey, prog-rock with reggae and Latin influences.
At the height of the group’s career, RX Bandits played a trio of shows in New York and San Francisco, devoting each night to a full album performance of the band’s last three: The Resignation, …And The Battle Begun and Mandala.
Then, a few months ago, the band said they’d be calling it quits.
After 16 years and 7 studio albums, Rx Bandits announced on its website the following:
“Dear friends,
We would like to express our love and appreciation for all that you’ve done for us and how much a part of our growth you have been. We have all mutually decided that this summer will be our last tour. We love each other and love you all and hope to see you at the shows.Much love & respect,
Rx Bandits”
When I heard the news, I was shocked and saddened. I’ve been following these guys since I saw them open for Reel Big Fish at the Fillmore in San Francisco around 2004.
The political messages about peace, not war, call and response sing-a-longs, extended jam outs, frenetic guitar noodling and improvisational drum solos are just a few of the
———- that make the bands’ live show a true performance.
I made it out to two shows on the band’s farewell tour — The Catalyst in Santa Cruz on July 30, where Berkley’s Facing New York opened and the FINAL PERFORMANCE at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco August 7.
The Regency Ballroom was a the perfect opportunity for the band to bring out the big guns — a two-piece horn section to beef up older tracks. Both shows were packed, but the energy and emotion in San Francisco was over the top. Each cord resonated just a little extra for both the band and the crowd.
There were no goodbyes, just “I’ll miss you”s and the four members hugged, held hands and bowed at the end of a high-energy, two-hour set.
With a group of such talented musicians — Matt Embree’s powerful croons and free-flowing guitar licks, Steve Choi’s flying fingers on guitar and keys (and sometimes drums), Chris Tasgakis’ tight rhythms, and Joe Troy’s bass grooves — its apparent that the great music these guys play together will not cease.
The four core members have been playing together so long (more than a decade), they’re basically brothers. Choi insists in interviews that this is not the end of RXB, just the end of touring.
Not to mention, members of the group are distinctly connected to rising independent record label Sargent House, which they helped form in 2006.
Embree already plays solo as Love You Moon, and has started a new project called ME & LP, which is sounding oh so sweet.
Check out ME & LP – Bonnie Says (No Shitty Ride) below:
Embree and Tsagakis also have a Sound of Animals Fighting-esque project called Biceratops, and Tasagakis plays in a group called Technology.
Other projects from band members include Apotheke and Coke vs. Bill. The group’s involvement with Sargent House will keep them fresh as they continue to collaborate with bands like current touring partners Zechs Marquise.
Here’s to the end of an era…can’t wait to see what comes next.
- (Editor’s note: It worked out pretty well for Gatsby’s American Dream, a popular Seattle indie band that broke up in 2006 and went on to form Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground, Wild Orchid Children, Search/Rescue, RedRedBlue, Keith Ledger, Zero Cool, Razia’s Shadow, Princess Dinosaur, Places and Numbers and TickTockMan)
VIDEOS FROM TWO OF RX BANDITS’ FINAL SHOWS:
RXB “Only For The Night” @ The Catalyst in Santa Cruz 7/30/11
RXB “Hidden Track” @ The Catalyst in Santa Cruz 7/30/11
RXB “Drum Solo” @ The Catalyst in Santa Cruz 7/30/11
Openers Facing New York play “Me and My Friendz” @ The Catalyst in Santa Cruz 7/30/11
Yet another news publication has bitten the dust.
Its not quite the headline-breaker like Rupert Murdoch‘s recent folding of the News of the World, the 168-year-old British tabloid that has received allegations for hacking into the cellphone of a murdered schoolgirl.
But, the free, LA Times-owned, weekly arts, entertainment and culture magazine known as Brand X has been a staple in the Los Angeles youth scene for a few years.
And by youth, I mean the twentysomething hipster population that has taken over spots like Silver Lake, Echo Park, Eagle Rock and West Hollywood.
Its strongpoints, at least to me, were extensive reporting on the rising Los Angeles craft beer movement and its coverage of the indie music scene.
There is, however, a silver lining. The Los Angeles Times Media Group also announced in a memo that it will be expanding its roster of community newspapers.
I interned at Brand X (formerly thisisbrandx.com, the site was taken down July 8th) when it was still Metromix Los Angeles (formerly la.metromix.com, folded into the Times, then morphed into Brand X). This was back in 2009 and was my first of three journalism internships after college.
I was really going to miss the weekly tabloid, as I’m moving (back) to the Bay Area in a few days.
But now, everyone will miss this fun and edgy guide to what’s what, who’s who and what’s happening in LA.
I’m sure it was only a matter of time.
Best of luck to Deb Vankin, Alexandra Le Tellier and the rest of the staff with their new roles at the Times.
More information check out LA Observed‘s coverage.
One of my first non school-related publications was on Metromix.com in 2009. The short blog contribution is below:
Published on Metromix.com in 2009.
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