Don't make my feel good go away

So. Jamie Lidell. I fell in love with him at last summer's Pitchfork Festival, and haven't been able to give him up quite yet. I think he feels the same, as this video shows:


He's got this nice soulful sound unlike a lot of the crap that's churned around on the top 40's.

DJ Dead Bunny

ha HA!

Recent news: I DJ Dead Bunny, have just purchased my tickets to the lovely Pitchfork music festival. So far I have been given the chance to see:
-Public Enemy
-Animal Collective
-!!!
-Vampire Weekend
-Dizzee Rascal
-No Age
-Atlas Sound
-Fleet Foxes
-Spiritualized
-M. Ward
-Boris
-Extra Golden
-El Guincho

and more will be involved, but added in the near future. And who knows... maybe with this little blog here I can be lucky enough to obtain a press pass (and get some Chipotle thanks to it!)

Check all of this out at: Pitchfork Festival Website

It's gonna be a lot of fun. The tickets are reasonably priced too, and who doesn't love Chicago?

We are family

I guess we weren't supposed to be taking a break over our break... so here's a little video by a band I love. Mr. Adam and the Ants have a nice punk sound (not like recent punk bands, more of a poppy sound.) And I have to say while I LOVE my music, another even bigger thing for me that just happens to go hand in hand with music is fashion, and these boys had some great choices. Take a look see ("Kings of the Wild Frontier," from their same titled album):

Maybe I should start attending parties with a stripe across my face....

DJ Dead Bunny

WILDBIRDS & PEACEDRUMS

OH MY GOODNESS EAR QUEEFS!

WILDBIRDS & PEACEDRUMS = THE MOST BITCHING 'n TWITCHING HUSBAND/WIFE DUO EVAR!!!!!!

Like The Fiery Furnaces, but TRIBAL and more FOAM AT THE MOUTH RABID.


(The Window by Wildbirds & Peacedrums from their release party in Stockholm, Sweden 7/5/07)

EAT YOUR HEARTEHZ OUT.

luv, DJ AMAZON

SXSW Diary by Moonsake

South By Southwest is going great. Yesterday I was so hammered I do not even remember anything. Hopefully my hangover is not going to keep me from doing my job. Sorry.

DJ Moonsake.

Mitsubishi Madness

Since everyone seems to be on hiatus from posting, here's a little "I'm-watching-too-much-television" gem.



Check them out here if you can read in french.

<3 Deej Peej.

Brain Batteries

As of late I've been raiding the Disco archives; scouring for the deepest and loudest of dark beats and marimba, appropriately squashed into glossy glossy pants. And of course, Germans effortlessly steal my heart again. Trans-euro seems to repeatedly dominate the hot-cut disco scene every time I make a search like this, but I was surprised by the group NEONMAN. 

First, they weren't exactly stuck by the roots into disco. In fact, this group rides the line between NoWave/Post-punk + Disco Love/Nostalgelectronica with dexterous balance. Also, they even hit a few Clash nerves, along with the lovely High Top Fade of groups like Moulinex & Kraftwerk. Best of all, they have some songs that land full force in the electronica ball-pit, and other's that roll around in the rock slide.

mp3 > Neonman- Nightclubbing (Jack Tennis Remix)

They just finished their new album: Knights Of Error

One's a Londoner, One's a Berliner, and neither are Jelly Donuts. 

Sidenote, when googling "Neonman" I get this funky fresno sign maker. go figure

Let Them Eat Cake,

*DeeJay PeeJay*

Elvis From Hell

Apparently before Frank Black there was Jeffrey Lee Pierce. A front-man of L.A. post punk band, who rips your soul out and makes your body move like a spider monkey. Mix of blues, punk, and a little nice early 80s flavor that makes your ears bounce like Snoop Dogg's hydraulic, vintage Pontiac. I myself almost broke mine knee caps by bouncing on the floor to fifth track For the Love of Ivy. Basically if you wanna just stop feeling pain listen to this sex beat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXiAMfjybx4&feature=related

Also 80s might be good for music, but that decade has nothing to do with oldies. Actually 80s sucked in overall, except for like Rap music and some ridicules post-punk, other then that shit went down the gutter with shoulder pads. So all the oldies stations, which think that 80s should be included into the playlists, think again or stop swallowing melatonin like it is Skittles and let the 80s stations walk in the dark woods.

DJ Moonsake

On a similar note

Similarly to our long-legged Amazon Lady, I've found some comic greatness (watch top to bottom):

DJ Dead Bunny

Midterms Week - Time for a Novelty Band

HEY SHITFOOTS,

Happy midterms week!

Here's my new favorite novelty band, Cheese On Bread.

I think their name says it all.

Watch them! Turn that frown (noose) upside down (into a lovely game of cat's cradle)!!



:) :) :)

Love, DJ AMAZON

http://www.cheeseonbread.com/

A little Respect

I'm thinking we all need a little love in our lives (I know I certainly do) so in honor of this thought I'll provide you all with a little flashback:

xoxo,
DJ Dead Bunny

AMERICA'S Blog

Greetings Ear Fartsies,

There's something you all should know.

23-year-old Meghan McCain (John McCain's daughter, duh) now has her own music blog, McCainBlogette.com.

It's no Ear Footsie, but it's certainly cooler than the Republican platform as a whole.

Here's her latest (sorta) masterpiece, "Blogette Playlist Volume 7: Back on the Road":

Boy Like a Timebomb - Noonday Underground - Surface Noise
O Valencia! - The Decemberists - The Crane Wife - The Crane Wife
EMI - The Sex Pistols - Nevermind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols
Club Foot - Kasabian - Club Foot Single
Connection - Elastica - Elastica
Ramalama (Bang Bang) - Roisin Murphy - Ruby Blue
Against I - Bad Brains - I Against I
Ruby, My Dear - Thelonious Monk & Coleman Hawkins - The Best of Thelonious Monk
Bam Bam - Sister Nancy - Stalag 2000
Modern Girl - Sleater-Kinney - The Woods
Cruise Your New Baby Fly Self - Girls Against Boys - Cruise Yourself
All My Days - Alexi Murdoch - Time Without Consequence
Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 1-5 - Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Hong Kong Garden - Siouxsie and the Banshees - Once Upon a Time: The Singles
Moss - GusGus - Afterhours 3 (Deluxe Edition)
Dudley - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones
Punk Rock Girl - The Dead Milkmen - Beelzebubba
Run Run Run - Phoenix - Alphabetical
Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight
The Funeral - Band of Horses - Everything All the Time.
Glory Box - Portishead - Dummy
Please Be Patient With Me - Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

Really, the girl's not half bad. Maybe one day she'll consider writing for Footsie. Until that day, I shall remain the blog's porn-faced poster child.

I am just as sexy as those McCains.

Love, DJ AMAZON

http://mccainblogette.com/

Just wanted to share

Here's a little ditty from both the Klaxons and Rhianna. So great, love that they collaborated. For a little background, this is them playing @ the Brit Awards.

I feel a little bad that the Klaxons were more a part of the background...

DJ Dead Bunny

Hiya

I want you to be crazy cause you're boring, baby, when you're straight.

So it's Miss DJ Dead Bunny again.

I'm here to tell you about the loverly Canadian guy +band that is Sam Roberts. I was first introduced to them way back when the days used to be warm (with humidity) and sunny, yes, at Lollapalooza '07. Now, let me tell you, they are some cuties. They've got the whole shaggy hair, comfortable rock-ish clothing down. Check 'em out (and click on the actual image for the whole effect):

So, I guess you could also classify them as a 70's inspired rock band, there's this certain comfort they've got going on. They have a tiny psychedelic sound, but also the edge of full on rock 'n roll. Two of my favorite songs of theirs is "Bridge to Nowhere" and "An American Draft Dodger in Thunder Bay." They've so got it down, and I think they deserve more publicity. An added bonus, one could practically become high off the other patrons' weed fumes. So just check out their album (ie procure) and dream about those warm breezes on your face, with some chucks on your feet, denim cut-offs, and a v-neck. They're coming soon enough, but why not have the tunes that go to it now?


+Here's a little linky to their music video page:
Sam Roberts' Official Page Music Videos

toodles,

DJ Dead Bunny

Funky Grooves

Midwest Funk: Funk 45s From Tornado Alley (Compilation)

We cannot wait till tomorrow.

Tell Her

What-cha Feel Is What-cha Get.

A Day In The Life with this funky, soulful proclamation that will bring the Mr. Machine back into snow white like grits life. 

Take a ride on an avenue of your dreams, while the speakers of your car are covering you with constant bass.

Buy It

DJ Moonsake

Discover yer Roots with the Young Marble Giants

GREETINGS EAR TOOTSIES,

The day started out FAB for me- I slept through my 8 a.m! I ate a a perfectly ripened banana! I even pumiced my feet!

Then I accidentally dropped my ID into the toilet. (That’s a necessary “accidentally.” I know about all you Intentional Toilet Droppers out there. Sickening.) Major day foul.

Which is why I’m taking this opportunity to lift my spirits (and I suppose my ID) with a mention of some happy retro music. Introducing Young Marble Giants- extremely influential, known by few.

The Welsh post-punk trio formed in 1978.
Then I guess they just experimented with some low-tech drum machines and shitty synthesizers and, oh geez, would I be crossing the line if I said they came out with “gold?” Because they are really marble, see? LoLZ!

YMG released their one major album, Colossal Youth, in 1980 on Rough Trade records. The album is pure and simple experimental sound that, somehow or another, proves prophetic.

Listen. You’ll hear its echo in music from all of indie pop’s sweethearts- Yo La Tengo, Belle & Sebastian, Stereolab. ESPECIALLY Stereolab.

YMB is like Stereolab understated by a factor of 10 million. Incredible.

Here’s a video of them performing “Colossal Youth:”






Ahhhhhh, I no longer feel like I’m swimming in toilet juice.

Love, DJ AMAZON.

Hidden Cameras + Projectors

Out of order post, but i find it appropriate:

I just re-discovered a wonderful music video for the group "The Hidden Cameras" by a fantastic artist who visited one of my classes last spring semester named Daniel Barrow

check it out:



Lieben,

DJPJ

:():

Ok, DJ Dead Bunny, friday morning...

Today's not technically my day for writing, but I think it's time to pour my heart out onto the bloodied trampled floor.

I've been in a foul mood all this week, not really sure why because everything's gone on just like normal. That might be why, I'm sick of the normalcy... So I'd been thinking about how as of recent I've been listening to only my newest purchases, giving them a try; and then last friday while I was silk screening, a kid in my class turned on some nice blues... nothing obvious, but I couldn't even recall a name. So I got to thinking that I needed to down myself in my comfort music. I don't know, there's something about listening to Al Green and Otis Redding that just put me at ease.

Love and Happiness just gets me every time. I just love it. I mean, I grew up listening to Al Green, so I know them all (at least from my family's Greatest Hits album) and listen to the album in its entirety. I don't know... you know that feeling you get when you experience (or watch/read in my case) a great moment/showing of love... you heart beats harder and you can't help but squeal? That's kind of how I feel when listening to Al Green's Greatest Hits.
As for Otis Redding, I absolutely love Try a Little Tenderness. I guess I just love songs ending in -ness... but yeah. It reminds me of the oh so great scene of the 80's where Duckie serenades Andy.

I don't know... he just had an unconditional love for her. I guess I'm just being super sappy right now... but I'm alone in this world forever and always (except for my friends...) but I do love the song. Classic Rhythm and Blues just gets me there. Gets me through things, lame situations.

Either way, remember. When you get in a funk, like I seem to permanently be this week, just revert to your fail-safe music. The kind you grew up on. Whatever that may be, no judgement.

Stumbling Into Nets

Too much carbon monoxide in the water here.

Unfortunately, out of the finger lakes, Syracuse is the green thumb. Gangrene. Everytime I gush my Brita filter with a healthy dose of Onondaga Reservoir's finest, miniscule bits of charcoal rise to the surface of the straining cup. Who knows whats in there that I'm not seeing.

Thus, I'm finding that the more Syragua that one ingests, the more tense and upset they become.

The cure? Well, most folks around here defensively resign themselves to a heavy cloud of solipsism; locking their hearts away on the internet (case in point: Ear Footsie). In light of this, I have decided to pervade my uneasiness into every positive, inspiring, and mind-opening offering that lays available in the labyrinthine pages of this here internet.

How about this guy, Kyle Fields

Fabulous artist, fabulous musician, with a fabulous band "Little Wings"

Check them out here

Also:

AATOAA

They're a design/production group that collaborate to make film/video/web/music design for groups like The Arcade Fire, Glenn Gould, Rhizome.org, etc.

It's stumbling on these kinds of things that keeps me above the waterline so to speak, and until we figure out this mp3 posting business, its the best I can offer in my effort to counteract the chemical depression that leads so many people home alone to their beds here in Upstate NY.

More soon,

Love - DeeJay PeeJay

Victorian Ice

My car is dead. I drove to the woods to get some herbs for my dying dog, and I left the lights on. It is late night. The moon is pale and rain drops keep on hitting my face faster and faster. Because I love music so much I always have my ipod on me, however, sometimes I forget to bring my headphones. This time i did it again, i forgot the goddamn headphones. Music-less and without shelter in the wild, dark woods i have no reason to wait for the sun to rise above me. I start walking and I am playing PJ Harvey's White Chalk in my head. My lips are mumbling "what formally had cheered me now seems insignificant" the last lyrics of the opening song. My mind recreates jittery piano that makes my soul tremble in-front of one thousand year old oaks. My eyes picture simply sang complicated narratives. Through branches I see a moving sealing that PJ compares to conveyor belt. I think of my grandmother when I recall Harvey's cold to the bones voice. I am running out of breath. My breath is turning into smoke. I shall lay down and fall asleep by the mountain.

White Chalk is in stores now. You should buy it too, so PJ can buy a new dress.

DJ Moonsake

Old and Crotchety

Evening Babies,

Tonight I’m feeling worn. Tired. Shabby, but certainly not chic.

I feel like an old lady.

Naturally, all I want to do is go to sleep.

In honor of my decrepit state, I would like to introduce you all to One Foot In The Grave, self-anointed “Oldest Punk Band in the World.”

They hail from the retirement community of Sun City, Arizona, and their lead singer, JoDina Errichetti, is a ripe young thing at 67. Her day job consists of selling books (ANARCHIST BOOKS!) and globes (OF FIRE!) to schools.

In the band’s own words (kind of), One Foot is all about fucking shit up with their geriatric-slaying blend of Geritol and p-p-p-punk.


Their repertoire includes such favorites as “Menopause,” “Golf Cart Drivers from Hell,” and “Aches, Pains, Capital Gains.” Of course, they also cover such punk staples as “Sedated,” and “Sheena.”

Really though, I’ll take songs about ceding menstrual cycles any day. Any fucking day.

All I can say is that at 67, I hope I still know how to rock. Because every time I leave my rock arena, whether it’s for the land of academia or an extra-super-duper (+/- one more duper)long masturbation session, I only come out feeling old and tired.

Love, DJ AMAZON

http://www.onefoot.com/

A Special Endtroduction (cliche) + Word To Your Mother

Mr. Bombastic, Super Fantastic, Gonna Get Spastic...

Look forward to posts by this fella here: MC Asswipe.

He's our newfound long distance lover from SUNY Purchase, a fabulous musician, and an all around hip-cat in the realm of aural and rhythmic pleasure...

Each week, Monsieur Asswipe will be blasting out these extensive album reviews, so eat your heart out.

- DJPJ -

***************************************************

The Lowdown on the Get Down:


THANGS FOR Y'ALL TO CHECK THE HELL OUT...



1) David Bowie – “Quicksand,” Hunky Dory (1971)


What might be Bowie’s greatest existentialist anthem of all still burns 37 years later. Obscure references to the Tibetan Book of the Dead and WWII politics propel the abstract “Quicksand” to an almost-E.E.-Cummings level of weird conceptualism. The lyrical content is full of phrases you have never yourself written and will never need to write, but you’re sure that they pretty accurately describe how sad you were when you were a teenager. There is a demo version that accompanies the remaster, offering a stripped-down, unfinished-sounding take on the same material. Honestly it’s even a little sadder.

Sandwiched between the two worst cuts on the record (“Kooks” and “Fill Your Heart”), this tune is often overshadowed by the prominence of tracks like “Oh You Pretty Things” and “Queen Bitch,” but I think it’s important to recognize it as an underrated classic. Matter of fact, this whole album is underrated. That is, except for “Kooks” and “Fill Your Heart,” which are terrible, terrible songs.

The importance of “Quicksand” is not to be understated; It survives as the ominous precursor to the entirety of the metaphor that is “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust…” Putting the latter next to “Hunky Dory,” it’s pretty evident that this is the iceberg that the drug-addled self-analysis of “Rock n’ Roll Suicide” was the retrospective tip of, 6 months later, without the troubled allegory of the Ziggy character, and without another 40 minutes of recorded material.

FOR FANS OF: Nietzsche, heroin, makeup on dudes, definitely makeup on dudes.



2) Chris Potter’s Underground – “Train,” Follow The Red Line: Live At The Vanguard (2007)


I really and truly believe that the only people qualified to write about jazz are Jack Kerouac (dead) and Amiri Baraka (unavailable to help me with this review). So fuck it. Chris Potter has, as of late, become my favorite saxophonist, as well as everyone else’s. He combines the genuine melodic “outness” of Dolphy or late Coltrane and the motivic development of Sonny Rollins with a kind of angular rhythmic precision that is reminiscent of a young Mike Brecker, whose illest-mother-on-earth-throne he by all accounts ascended when the late innovator passed in January of ‘07. On top of it all there are subtle allusions to soul masters like Grover Washington and Maceo Parker…but neither of them ever came close to being as hip rhythmically or harmonically as Potter. Backing him up are Scofield disciple Adam Rogers, a veteran of gigs ranging from John Zorn to Elvis Costello, as well as Gotham mainstays Craig Taborn on rhodes and Nate Smith on drums, who between the two of them have played with everyone from bass legend Dave Holland to pop sensation and consummate kid-toucher Michael Jackson.

“Train” starts as a slow, soft 6/8 that eventually morphs into a dirty off-kilter funk groove, reminiscent of a wasted but well-educated George Clinton falling down the stairs. The interplay between Taborn and Nate Smith during Potter’s solo reminds me of the first time I heard Elvin and Herbie on “Witch Hunt.” Adam Rogers is nothing if not a love maker, but the ferocity of his playing reminds me a lot more of fucking than love making. He is at once raw and polished. A profound Hendrix influence shines through even in his use of traditional and modern jazz vocabulary.

This track is a great representation of a movement that critics- and even players- have had trouble accurately giving a name since it began sprouting in the downtown NYC scene a few years ago. It is characterized by free takes on post-bop harmony, hip-hop-influenced drumming, and Mahavishnu-rooted mixed meter (songs on “Follow The Red Line” range in meter from 5/4 to 11/8). But despite its complexity, a lot of it is legitimately down-home and bluesy, and truly digable on a visceral level, moreso than almost any other contemporary jazz record that I’ve heard in the past few years. It achieves what Herbie achieved with “Headhunters,” and what Miles was going for with “Star People,” but it is twice as raw and half as self-aware. I can’t in good faith try to explain it any further- just go out and buy this record.

FOR FANS OF: Barack Obama, Stella Artois, blowjobs.



3) Kanye West – “Good Morning (Intro),” Graduation (2007)


Kanye! What are you doing these days buddy? More importantly, what were you doing when you were supposed to be writing rhymes for this album? Anyone who is into hip-hop will agree- the beats are unreal. Yes they are. I copped the instrumentals, and they catch heavier rotation on my ipod than the mp3’s of the actual album. I just can’t get past chuckling at some of your silly ass lines. Granted, it must be hard to rap with Jay-z’s dick in your mouth, but come on. Some of these verses couldn’t make it onto a Lupe Fiasco album.

I was with you when you told me about Jesus walking. I was with you when you were talking about diamonds and bulimia, or something. I was all set to be with you on this album too…but Yeezy… “I’m like the fly Malcolm X, buy any jeans necessary”? How am I supposed to put that on when other people are around?

The standout track on this record is the lead single, “Stronger,” which pulls the beat back and puts a slight Jay Dilla (R.I.P.) twist on a Daft Punk sample, successfully taking an electronica classic to the next level. I’m all about it- most hip-hop heads I know love this song even though they know Kanye is at the whack end of the stick, but a good deal of the less worldly cats I know hate it outright because of the Daft Punk rip, which I have heard compared to “punching your grandmother in the stomach.” Whatever the case, lyrics like “Let’s get lost tonight / you could be my black Kate Moss tonight,” will keep you drinking red bull and vodka until you pass out in a soup of gawdy jewelry and dance club date rape.

FOR FANS OF: Dr. Seuess, cocaine, overhyped records.

***************************************************

S'all for now.

Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams,

- MC Asswipe -

Bloody Oneself

Hello Hello, DJ Dead Bunny once again.

So I'm going to write a little bit about what I'm sure we have all read about and maybe have listened to, the newly released, self titled, Vampire Weekend album.
I had heard a few of their songs around, well, I don't fully remember when I received a mix (more on this subject later) with some of their songs, but I fell fast in love. I believe, had they released this album sometime in the summer, I would have received it a little better, but it does help me look forward to warm breezy days drinking juice and walking around in flip flops. Oh do I want summer to come! But seriously, it's funny/great to think that these Columbia Grads got so big pretty damn quick too.

But as for mixes, I think there needs to be a resurgence. I mean, with all the technology we've got kids should be making more mixes and sending them off to friends, that's what'll help everyone hear some better music. Plus, its fun (and completely terrifying) to think about a person and what their tastes might be and how you can accommodate. It's always thrilling to receive too and get a taste of some new stuff. Or, at least you'd get to hear some tunes in a combination you'd never have chosen.
Maybe I'll have inspired some and find some cds on my doorstep?

Until next time,
DJ Dead Bunny

Monkeys Gone To Heaven

I've been a videophile this week.

Embed Fellows:

a lovely find on vimeo:


bodysnatchers from sanddunesandsea on Vimeo.

check out his other work, its phenomenal.

The new Arcade Fire Video (which provides the option of toggling it's six audio channels, for you to remix their single "Black Mirror")

http://rorrimkcalb.com/arcadefire.html

To throw a little Whitney Biennial into your lives:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/video/2008/historyofglamour_video200801

I stumbled across this video by the late Theresa Duncan/ Jeremy Blake, and its fantastic. Irony. Grandeur. Indie-harrassement.

**************************************



As a treat, Mademoiselle Deadbunny happened to stumble across a funny parallel between the new MGMT video for "Time To Pretend" and the film "Holy Mountain" by one of my personal favorites, fabulist director Alexandro Jodorowsky

http://mgmt.imeem.com/video/V3vx5CAD/mgmt_time_to_pretend_music_video_premiere_music_video/

you'll have to watch the film for yourself, but the bit where they push all their money into a ring of fire is a direct reference. I highly reccomend you netflix it babies.

Love,

DJ PeeJay

Cave Diggers

Opponents be aware that Nick Cave is bringing the dead back to life. With Dig, Lazarus, Dig coming out in a few months, Nick Cave is not sleeping. Just yesterday we were reading Plato's Republic in order to understand Nick's last name true meaning. He turned on his collaboration with Warren Ellis a soundtrack for The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford.

 My thoughts:
I am tired of the goddamn sand in my boots.
My nose is dry, my ears are filled with wax, and I can never satisfy my thirst.
Another lonely, forgotten by everyone town is behind my horse's ass.
Whores are pleasant only when I am drunk.
Guns are my only children.
Sunrises and sunsets are my family.
Trust only your horse, for the horse cannot speak.
Never have business with dead man.
The moon is in the belly of a giant whale.
Think of yourself as a king, for losers die sooner.
Money is my main fuel.
Beware of the carny, for carny will eat your horse.
Love is an escape from reality.
Newspapers can be used as toilet paper.

The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis is being released on Feb 5th.

DJ Moonsake.

Neko Bliss

This past Saturday my sister and I went to see Neko Case play in Ithaca.

I don’t even know how to supplement that.

Alright, I’m just going to break it down for you real quick. And vague. And in verse.

Neko Case
Flaming red-head chanteuse
Queen of the Alternative-Country Underworld
Oh, how you sing disaster of a human nature!
Tragedy of circumstance!
Bitter triumph.

How cryptic AND irritating! I think I’ve finally found my voice.

Oh, and here’s some authentic, albeit illegal and crappy, footage I took for your viewing pleazzzure



Love, DJ AMAZON

Monkey 23

Hello, it’s DJ Dead Bunny once again.

I'm in love with the Kills.



They're coming out with a new album March 18th and I’m looking very much forward to its arrival. You see, ever since my senior year of high school I’ve pretty much been in love with the duo comprised of Alison Mosshart (VV) and Jamie Hince (Hotel.) Mosshart, a Floridian, met the British Hince, and originally communicated their versions of music through the mail, eventually coming up with their album “Keep On Your Meanside” (2003.) I do think that their little phone segments (from the tapes they sent back and forth) adds to their lo-fi quality sound. Both “Keep On Your Meanside,” and their sophomore album “No Wow,” (2004) have a dark and dirty sort of feel surrounded by their two guitars and fake drumbeats. It’s the kind of stuff that makes those illegal-substance-filled nights magical, similar to the feeling of flailing around with sweaty hair in your face and your eyes rimmed with black eyeliner.

As for the little visual glimpses the public gets, we have an introduction to their first two video singles, “URA Fever,” and “Cheap and Cheerful.” It seems as if the band has segued slightly into the world of the new wave, the Henry Hollands, the sparkles and the neons. Their music is a little more uplifted and “popular.” Don’t get me wrong, it still seems magnificent, and in the same Kills fashion, their videos are little mini concerts and interactions between the playful Mosshart and Hince.

Here are the two videos:
"URA Fever"


"Cheap and Cheerful"


And, if you can’t get enough of these videos, make sure to check out their website. It’s filled with their artwork (they’re not just musicians, but photographers and create collages.) They have a full page of photobooth snapshots and polaroids of their friends.

Do it! Do it!
www.thekills.tv


Fuck the People,
DJ Dead Bunny

K-K-K-Kiwi

When my godbrother, a well rooted brooklynite, tells me a band will blow my mind, I tend to listen.

What I didn't understand was he meant I risk decapitation by listening to the group he was talking about.

Nocturnal Projections are the post-punk band from NZ reponsible for my having been forced to walk around sans cranium for the past few weeks. Their entire album is available at http://kiwitapes.blogspot.com in a .zip file. Be careful though, after its unzipped, that beast won't get back in its cage.

I recommend a hearty steak dinner, followed by some zulu war-drum practice, some squats, leglifts, and a visit to the cardiologist before attempting to tackle this beast of a record.

And don't dare call this aussie rock.

-DJPJ-

Syracuse nights...

Are kind of like this.

Love, DJ AMAZON

For more info on The Knife, check out http://www.theknife.net

The Starlight Mints Built On Squares Is A Magical Goldstar Ride

What is going on with my favorite little, fiery flowers? I am talking to you, my fellow comrades, the readers of our new Ear Footsie product. As we mentioned, the radio station in Syracuse was lame. The rent was so high, that I myself could no longer get high, so I confronted my teammates with a water gun in my hand and forced them to destroy the contract with the radio station. As part of our celebration, DJ PJ and I decided to go on a road trip.

We both packed our things. Our car-trunk contained two sport bags by North Face, which were filled with shirts, socks, and underwear. Those are the only items of clothing that should be changed constantly in our opinion. DJ PJ was wearing his pajamas, and I just wore simple suit pants with an unremovable ketchup stain by the crotch, (which is actually a part of design.) Those pants were hand made by a very famous designer from Ecuador. In the back seat, we had a cooler filled with Mikes Hard Lemonade, which we brought for picking up bitches (kidding). Our personal drink was in the glove compartment, which was a nice bottle of 12 year old malt. With that said I will get to the point.

When the two of us are driving, we listen to music. Each of us takes a turn in picking this music. So, when we left a rest area at the border of Tennessee and Kentucky, I picked my friend, Allan Vest's band, The Starlight Mints. My personal favorite product of Vest and his band-mates labor is the album Built On Squares.

Issued in May of 2003, Built On Squares became one of my favorite albums after I met the lead-singer Vest, at a small show in a little downtown bar in Norman, Oklahoma. That meeting took place in 2004. There, I saw the Starlight Mints perform, and later partying at the venue. I walked up to Allan, introduced myself, but soon realized that I was actually just tripping on brownies that my friend's grandma had cooked for us. However, I am a type of a guy that thinks any illusion is a reality, that is, if one believes what one sees without question.

This particular time, I thought I was inside of a Mario Kart game or something. With the opening song, I felt like I was trying to shoot Bowser with a giant spiked mushroom, (which I ended up eating,) and apparently, in reality, Bowser was just a big truck on the highway during our trip.

Anyway, the music got me totally in a mood. Trippy lyrics and even trippier music makes this album a must-have on any indie-pop shelve. Vest's lyrics are filled with melancholy, adventure, love, and are so truly playful, that you fall for them right away. Of course, tunes warm like IHOP syrup play a huge role in the success of the album.

The Starlight Mints produce up-lifting guitar riffs, floating in the watery bass, and delightful drums that make your body wanna move. Adding spices like keyboards, and violins like summer bees, even a "St. Peter" style of horn playing.

All these tasty characteristics in every song of the album, as well as the album Goldstar in particular made DJ PJ and I feel like we had our own Goldstar, allowing us to go 30 miles over the speed limit. We felt like we were Michael Cane and Sean Connery in a cinematic adaptation of Kipling's The Man Who Would Be King.

When we got pulled over for speeding, PJ just burned a copy of Built On Squares for the cop, and we got away scot-free. When the cop finally got to track number 6 "Irene", he let us go, because apparently it reminded him of a turtle he used to own in his childhood, of the same name. We were glad that the cop did not ask what was in our cooler though.

-Yours truly DJ Moonsake

FREAKS, ASSEMBLE! part 2 of 2

FREAKS, ASSEMBLE! part 1 of 2

I've been on a freak folk kick for quite some time now.

"Freak folk?" you say. "Is that some sort of obscure racial slur?"

Well, if you find mountains of facial hair and occasional lute ballads offensive, then yeah, maybe. Otherwise, no.

Freak folk is the musical marriage of traditional folk music and psychedelia. A 2006 article from The New York Times just about nails it:

"The new music is more a mind-set than a genre. It usually employs acoustic instruments, though it's as likely to have roots in progressive rock, free jazz or Brazilian pop as in Appalachian ballads.
Vocals tend toward the willfully eccentric, arrangements toward the exotic, lyrics toward the oblique. The sound can range from gentle ensemble music befitting a Renaissance fair to electric psychedelia befitting an acid test. The musicians often conjure the 60's in grooming and countercultural/utopian/back-to-the-land vibe." http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/arts/music/18herm.html)

You got it? Good.

I've been following Alela Diane, a rising freak folk poster child, for about two years now. The Nevada City, California native taught herself the guitar at age 19, and a few months down the line (and I assume many, many aura-cleansing chai teas later) released "Forest Parade," her first collection of songs.

She wrote her second group of songs during the summer of 2004, "while on a journey of solitude." (http://www.aleladiane.com/) These songs make up the bulk of her highly acclaimed and widely blogged about album "The Pirate's Gospel," which Alela first recorded, released and distributed completely by herself in 2004.

Alela made the first 650 copies of the gospel by hand, sewing lace and paper bags for the case, drawing in golden ships, lettering ink, and burning each cd.

Holcene Music then reissued (in revised form) the album in 2006, and Alela quickly emerged as a premier member of the ethereal freak folk community.

Alela's music is achingly beautiful. Sparse musical arrangements, heavy in fingerstyle guitar and subtle handclap percussion, set the perfect backdrop for Alela's deep, plaintive and haunting vocals. Alela describes her sound as "campire gospel." And I'll warn you, campfire gospel is not a genre for the anemic, unimaginative listener. (Hear for yourself at Alela's myspace, www.myspace.com/alelamusic.)

Every time I listen to Alela I have disturbingly pleasurable heart palpitations, and my body decomposes into something like top soil. At once, I feel that I am drugged-up on opium and scaling the earth with my insect friends... Just as the Freaks intended.

Here's a video I dug up of Alela performing "Dry Grass and Shadows," a single off the "Grass Roots Record Co. - Family Album." (Unfortunately I have to post it separately, because I can't figure out this feckin' blog .) Download this track (as well as some other beauties) FREE at Daytrotter.com!

And don't be alarmed if you find yourself morphing into a tiny woodsland creature; like I said, it's just as the Freaks intended.

Love, DJ AMAZON

Free MP3's available at:
http://www.daytrotter.com/article/1005/free-songs-alela-diane-encore

Let the Games Begin

Welcome! It's DJ Dead Bunny. I guess one could say I'm new at this whole music blogging thing; you see, I'm a photographer so I've spent more time showing off my work than anything else. I'll be the first to admit my music vocabulary is rather minimal, so I'll be here to help our blog out visually as well as add some of my personal flavor to the mix.

Now, I can't say that I'm on the cutting edge and know when bands first come out. I'm lucky to know people like my fellow Ear Footsie DJs and others to keep me in the know... but I shall remain humble and just speak on my c

urrent listenings and obsessions (because I can swing from one way to the next), and will now begin:

The album I haven't been able to stop listening to this past week was the soundtrack to The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. In my mind this is all new music to me. Yes, I recognize that most of the artists have been around for a while, but I couldn't help coming out of the theatre NEEDING the soundtrack. It contains quite the variety of sounds from classic French tunes from the late 40's- "La Mer," by Charles Trenet, 60's NY Rock 'n Roll- "Pale Blue Eyes," by the Velvet Underground, to "Don't Kiss Me Goodbye," (my favorite song on the album) by Ultra Orange and Emmanuelle. It's all just very fresh with the sound. Generally I'm disappointed that not every song can be included into a soundtrack, and with this on at 36 minutes I wanted to hear more songs that would remind me of the film. Totally give it a try, the film was beautifully done as well.

Now, the school year is generally off-season in terms of shows for me. I'm luckily located in Chicago and expect to attend many shows after the next few months so I'll be able to switch it up and show my experiences through photographs and what not. We at Ear Footsie WILL be on the lookout for reasonably located shows, though, through the rest of the term.

Hopefully I haven't disappointed with this first post. Once I get into the swing of things (and see what my fellow DJs write about) I'll be able to impress.

Over and out,

DJ Dead Bunny

P.S. I will shamelessly take the photo credit for our little banner... unfortunately it's a little dated, but we all figured it was appropriate.

Turn your sex on.

Hey babies. How's your mom doing? Good.

Having been forced to dismantle our lovely weekly radio show on WERW 1570 AM (here in sunny Syracuse, New York) for a myriad of reasons (crippled listenership, party management, SARS outbreaks), we have chosen instead to rock the mystical

wonderment that is the realm of blog-a-spherez. When we say "we"..."we" mean the Ear Footsie team, a magical collaboration assembled by:

DJ Pajamas! DJ Amazon! DJ Moonsake! and a new addition, DJ Dead Bunny!

The fo' of us are gonna be slapping opinions all over this blog like a muvabitch. Stewing, reviewing, and all around screwing the music scene until it's blue in the face. We hope to provide a more fuck-you-up sort of personal touch to our blogiverse. 

We'll be posting a weekly podcast, as well as mp3's, album reviews, rants, raves, pictures, discussions of feminism and kantian realism, doody humour, and videos of our sweet sweet glorious dancing.

We are ridiculous, and we hope to make you a little more ridiculous by proxy.

Bitches.

So read up, and taste the magic. OR ELSE.

-The Ear Footsie Team