precisehero

I don’t want to say too much about this track because it would spoil the stuff in the lyric/memory book. One thing I can say with certainty is that this is indeed a demo of an idea that I’d started. Have a listen.

Credits.
Lyrics/Melody Arrangement: PreciseHero
Vocal Performance: Velben
Track Arrangement: Mr. Keyes
Cover Design: PreciseHero

“House Cat (pt. 1)”
You might’ve heard this one at the live sets or when I posted it on the various sites I’ve maintained across the interwebs. Here it is in it’s entirety of 4 minutes + 28 seconds for downloadable enjoyment. Bask in that ‘singing in the shower’-style outro!

“Thinking Aloud ep. 07”
I haven’t done one of these proper since ep. 04. Here’s a tongue-in-cheek quickie. Hm… that sounds dirtier than intended now that I’m seeing it in print.

Winter blues got ya down? Feeling trapped inside? Cabin fever creeping in? Grey skies affecting your mood? Me too. I miss ‘colour’. Remember that green stuff that covered the ground? Or that big yellow thing in the sky that kept us warm? Yeah that was cool too. Until they return to us, I put together a few songs that at least put me in the warm weather mind state.

Tracklist:
“Anywhere, Anytime”, Jimi Tenor & Kabu Kabu
“When She Smiles She Lights The Sky (4Hero Remix)”, Plantlife
“Colour of Days”, Jazztronik
“Seven Days In Sunny June”, Jamiroquai
“Waltz For Life Will Born”, Uyama Hiroto
“Groove Intermission”, Sol Uprising
“Recreate”, Strange Fruit Project
“Fax Shadow”, Toro Y Moi
“Beneath An Autumn Star”, P’Taah

“Daydreamer Dialogue” (audio sampler)
01: “Dream Sequence No.2”
02: “Once Upon A Time” [feat. Velben]
03: “House Cat pt. I” [guest prod. by Kimi]
04: “Chasing Valentines” [feat. Moona]
05: “House Cat pt. II”
06: “Ahab’s Conclusion”
07: …..

Welcome to another edition of “Thinking Aloud”. This is another text edition where I make statements or ask questions that might just make others think to themselves or get annoyed with my opinions. Let’s start shall we?:

Classic aesthetic is ok but, what are you adding to it?
A lot of times it comes down to empty plays on nostalgia or this perpetual need to take it back/keep it real.

So many rules to ‘being hip-hop’.
If you don’t do this then you’re not hip-hop, You can’t do that it’s not hip-hop, you don’t know who that is? Then you’re not hip-hop.

Stop waiting for revivals and crowning artist as saviours.

Dear Artist,
Instead of bashing other artist or lamenting the genre or waxing on about the glory days in your work, how about you create the type of things you’d want that no one else isn’t giving you?

Interviews are more like sales pitches than getting to know the artist and their process.

Stop lying about being a big fan of (insert mainstream pop artist) that’s on your album.

Dear Rapper,
You’re not as diverse as you think you are because you did a track with said pop act/rock band. And how come with all of that artist’s talents the best collab you could come up with is them singing the hook on a song that sounds just like all of your other songs?

Artist make 1 out of the box album that isn’t a commercial success so they go back to making the same ol’ same. What’s crazier to is that fans will complain that their music has become the same yet applaud the shift to ‘real hip-hop’ as if the artist reinvented the wheel. Probably didn’t support the change in the first place. Goes to show that people only want change when it’s comfortable & progress when it’s easy.

Is it fair to say that (usually) If you want to be commercially successful you have to lay all of your cards on the table with your debut? Because if you deviate too much from your established formula then the results won’t be in your favor.

Could a serious sub-genre system work for hip-hop? It exist to some extent but, I don’t think the artist especially don’t embrace it. [see: every ‘conscious rapper’ that lays on their street image extra thick to prove that they’re not weak.]

I think this clip kind of sums up my work method. I remember when I first started writing songs, I’d endlessly write in notebooks. Even going as far as to write entire albums: plotting out which of my friends would be featured on which songs, a full track listing, ideas about what it’d be like once I release this highly successful record, and have the thank you’s done before I’d actually recorded a single verse. These days, I only write when I’m super-inspired or for a purpose. If I’m not actively working on a project, feeling something, or have some sort of idea I want to express then I’m probably not writing any songs. At one point I might’ve seen that as less dedication to the craft but, now I see it as more focused. Quality vs Quantity. In rap especially, you’re expected to be ‘on your grind’ but, (un)fortunately - that grind isn’t for me. I don’t want to release a mixtape every week of empty material just to stay on the public’s mind. If I happen to pass away, whatever my last project was or whatever I was working on at the time will most likely be the last time you’ll hear me because I won’t have volumes upon volumes of unreleased works and generally, some things are unreleased for a reason.

Look what’s popped up in the world of buyable things: modest signal vinyl! As promised, the original debut ep is available for all interested parties to own. Actually, there’s a catch - there’s a limit of 50. But you’ll get a cool handwritten note that’ll say stuff like “Thanks!”, “You’re rad!”, maybe a doodle of something, or whatever the last fortune cookie I ate said; Who knows? If you don’t like your note then trade it with a friend! (…or buy multiple copies ‘til satisfied)

quick note: I’ll be shipping these myself so, give me a couple days before you e-mail me wondering where your stuff’s at. I’ll try my best to contact you after your order to let you know when I’ve made it to the post office to ship your disc of plastic joy.

Catching a little break between working on my own stuff; Here’s the 11th mix of things to dig! What’s in it? A dash of my current interest, a splash of something old, a sprinkling of video game music, and touches of Japanese Hip-Hop that I brought back.

Tracklist:
“Norway”, Beach House
“Warm In The Shadows”, Music Go Music
“Stop Talking”, Memory Tapes
“If By Yes”, If By Yes
“Hannin”, Chimunii
“Heaven Can Wait”, Charlotte Gainsbourg & Beck
“Wishing”, Electric Light Orchestra
“Summers”, The OneUps
“CD-R demo track #2”, Yuru Yuru Punch
“菫”, Smile Blossom
“Soup To Nuts”, ktriton
“Awakening Black - track #3”, Roujiura Band
“Diplomat’s Son”, Vampire Weekend

By the time “Hours + Miles” is released, this will also be done.
A book of memories/thoughts, lyrics, and details about my past - current works.
Any worthwhile bits of information about me will be included thus closing out this chapter. This all feels so final doesn’t it?

For everyone that downloaded the “Particle (moments)” project from iTunes this track isn’t anything new to you but, to those that got the cd then you might not have even known that it existed. No longer so exclusive, I’ve set the song free for any & everyone to enjoy!

I’ve been listening to a mostly complete version of “Daydreamer Dialogue” lately which in turn means that the EP is coming your way in the fairly near future. How near..? After today but, before March. How’s that for a time table? While you wait though, feel free to download the demo of “Autumn’s Subjects” that I’d posted before for streaming. This time with snazzy new cover art!

In other news, I’m thinking about putting together an official PreciseHero lyric book & compilation of songs to mark the end of this creative era after I record the songs for “Hours + Miles”. Just wanted to put that out there.

What’s this? A stealthy update on the site? What’s it all mean? Here’s the skinny:

• This will probably geek up all of you collectors out there, “Daydreamer Dialogue” will have a vinyl release most likely in May.
• “modest signal” hasn’t been available anywhere outside of live sets for awhile. That’s all going to change. Along with the vinyl release of “Daydreamer Dialogue”, copies of “modest signal” will be reissued.
• “Particle (moments)” …well, nothing really changed here…. moving on -
• “Hours + Miles” The next/last PreciseHero EP. Expect it hopefully around late Spring, early Summer. Don’t worry, I’m not quitting music or staging one of those phony retirements. Let’s just say, I’m rerouting.
• The Constant: You can still download free digital copies of the projects directly from me [via BandCamp]

It’s Saturday and only 16° outside. Might as well kick back & listen to some tunes!
Tracklist: [download]
“B For My Name”, Beastie Boys
“Lucky Dayz”, Shinsight Trio
“Beno”, Count Bass D
“Where Do You Go”, Q-Tip
“Wizard Of Finance”, Parliament
“Where I’m Coming From”, Funky DL
“Cheeba”, The Lyman Woodard Organization
“Things To Do”, Mountain Brothers
“Gigolos Get Lonely Too”, The Time
“Online”, Gnarls Barkley
“Sound Check (Gravity)”, Gorillaz
“Native End”, STS9
“Ray Gun”, The Bird & The Bee

Looks like this is the end of the journey my friends. The last PHcast of 2009. I hope you’ve enjoyed this exploration of past & current tunes I dig and just maybe there’ll be 10 PHcast in 2010. Turn this one up after the ball drops & welcome the new year with a snog! You say you want a resolution? Well… y’know: I promise more PreciseHero material in a few interesting incarnations in 2010 so keep and ear + eye out for that. Best of luck in the new year folks & as always thanks for the continued support.

Tracklist: [download]
“Somewhere In The Night”, Cal Tjader
“Feel All My Love Inside”, Marvin Gaye
“The Panties”, Mos Def
“Everyday”, Jamiroquai
“Super Heroes”, Esthero
“After Hours”, Aya
“Silent Treatment”, The Roots
“Unequalled”, Stateless
“Burning Brightly”, Ayro
“Take It Off (Dim The Lights)”, Pharrell & The Yessirs

It’s a common myth that goldfish have the memory span of about 3-seconds. One of those mythical goldfish (aided by Ginkgo biloba) got behind my Flip camcorder & filmed this footage.

Continuing the march to 9 podcast for 2009.
Tracklist: [download]
“Futures”, Zero7
“Acorn Factory”, The Dodos
“English House”, Fleet Foxes
“Innocent Bones”, Iron & Wine
“The Field”, Family Band
“Tsunagaru Haruka Kanata”, toe
“Reprise”, Grizzly Bear
“Through The Front Door”, Vetiver
“Chase You”, James & The Rainbros
“Wouldn’t You Like To Know”, Secret Twins
“The Birds & The Bees (demo)”, The Nobility

Don’t you hate it when artist are all like, “hey look at me!”, “check out what I’m doing!”? Yeah me too. So, in opposition of that I’ll invite you to come listen to me instead of watch me recite an EP’s worth of songs. Should be more interesting than anything else that’s happened on a Monday.

When: 9pm, doors open
Where: PJ’s Lager House [1254 Michigan Ave]
Who Else Is Playing: AB & Coconut Brown and PickUp
PS: “Particle (moments)” was 2007… “Daydreamer Dialogue” is still on the way.

I plan to release 2 more of these leading up to the close of the year. Expect another Tuesday then the final one on Thursday. Thanks for tuning in to my taste in music!

Tracklist: [download]
“The Dreams That I Saw Yesterday”, Chemistry Set
“Queen of Cans and Jars”, Guided By Voices
“Coronado II”, Polaris
“Keep Me In Mind”, Little Joy
“Coffee & TV”, Blur
“Home”, Sean Lennon
“Cast Off Crown”, Deerhoof
“Lovely In Akron”, The Van Allen Belt
“Lights Out”, Santogold
“Center of Gravity”, Yo La Tengo

Sunday is a fine day to mash sounds together isn’t it? PHcast ep. 06 is the result!
Tracklist: [download]
“Everyone Is Guilty”, Akron/Family
“The Promise”, Starving Artists Crew
“Music Will Not Last”, Jamie Lidell
“Nowhere Fast”, Blackalicious
“I’ll spend all my time right in the Middle”, Mick Bassett & The Marthas
“Wolfman Jack”, Todd Rundgren
“If You Can’t Get Me Off Your Mind”, Amp Fiddler
“Kenetic”, tREBLEFREE feat. Natural Born
“No Me Moleste Mosquito”, The Doors
“October Fires”, Wolf People
“She Goes Through Phases”, Starling Electric
“The Void”, Papercuts
“You’ve Won The Lottery”, The Pop Project
“Next”, SP
“Late Night” 3582 feat. Pase Rock
“We Choose Our Own Adventures”, Social Studies
“Everyone I Know”, Lightning Love

Wow, people really dug ep. 03 huh? Well, moving on from that - ep. 05 is done! Enjoy and show ep. 04 some love too while you’re at it. As always (if you hadn’t noticed) the old episodes are available for download so, you can go back and revist whenever you feel like it.

Tracklist: [download]
“L’enfant Samba”, Cortex
“Right Now”, The Heart Attack (Jack Splash + Cee-Lo Green)
“Someday”, Alice Russell
“Morning Bell (RadioHead cover)”, The Randy Watson Experience feat. Donn
“That Goose On My Grave”, The Quantic Soul Orchestra
“Wintertime”, Bill Withers
“Sweet Sour You”, Bilal
“Mr. Mista (remix)”, J*Davey
“Move Slow”, Obsidian Blue
“Love Has Fallen On Me”, Rotary Connection
“What’s Happening Here”, The Natural Four
“Uncle Remus”, Frank Zappa
“When I Find Time”, Cody ChestnuTT
“Remember”, The Jimi Hendrix Experience
“Sagittarius Red”, Eugene McDaniels

Taking to the stage one more time before the year ends. Goodbye 2009…!

“Japan Memory Collage”
A re-edit of my footage of artist that I met, hung with, know, and saw in Japan. If you’ve watched the last few segments of “Thinking Aloud” you’d know that I’m planning to make my own live sets more rare/something you can only experience live and you can rest assured that I’m going to bring something special when I visit Japan again!

Artist of Today PSA #003:
I got an invite to try out Flavors.me & I highly recommend it to any artist out there that are looking for an user-friendly, simple to design yourself (without being a web designer) hub for all of their links. It’s still in the early phases but, so far it’s headed in the right direction. If they connected with Bandcamp, Myspace, ect. then this service would be perfect. Oh! And they’re working on custom domains so if you wanted to, you could even make it your official website. Spiffy!
my url: http://flavors.me/precisehero

Track list: [download]
“Moonchild”, Cibo Matto
“Tiden Flyver”, Boom Clap Bachelors
“No Love”, Little Dragon
“Gold Splatter”, Black Moth Super Rainbow
“Blessa”, Toro y Moi
“Always A Relief”, The Radio Dept.
“Parker Posey”, The Car Is On Fire
“Lately”, Washed Out
“Walls”, Beck
“Knife”, Grizzly Bear
“Smoke & Mirrors”, Sean Lennon
“Caroline No”, Owusu & Hannibal

Another batch of my musings. Worked out some of the technical issues and this should be a bit better on that level.

Thinking Aloud 03.:


Thinking Aloud 04.:

PHcast #03, now with the added bonus of a track list!: [download]
“Brazil”, Antonio Carlos Jobim
“A° 3”, Som Imaginario
“Mar Azul”, Rosalia de Souza
“Menino”, Patricia Marx
“Onda”, Cassiano
“Anoiteceu”, Nara Leao
“Barbarella”, Jorge Ben
“En la Cueva de Tan”, Papo Vazquez
“Vou Pular Neste Carnaval”, Eliana Pittman
“Dedicada A Ela”, Arthur Verocai
“Springtime”, Mongo Santamaria
“Só Tinha de Ser Com Você”, Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina
“The Girl From Ipanema”, Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto

“Thinking Aloud 02.”
Yes thinking is allowed. Aren’t I a clever lad? Episode 02 appears before episode 01 even had time to settle in! If I keep up with this then what will I have to say if I ever get interviewed?

“Thinking Aloud 01.”
I started a series of vlogs where I discuss different aspects of my working process + my views on music. This’ll work the same as PHcast. I’m saying weekly but, I already have ep. 02 ready to go so, I’ll update them as I think of more things worth rambling about. If you have any questions you’d like answered or topics you’d want to hear me go on about, feel free to drop me a message & I’ll respond in the next update.

“Weather Report”
A new single is on the way soon. Something simple, something easy. Arranged with my brother from Osaka, Kimi. You might know him from his work with monologue, production, his new band newton(e), or even a previous track we’ve collaborated on, “House Cat”.

see also: back cover

Times are changing. Recorded music is basically a flier for live events + other things and as such, I offer up downloads of my projects for free.99 via Bandcamp. Working on a few (exclusive) bonuses for early adopters of the new project. All I ask in exchange is a working e-mail address. That’s not too much to ask is it? Don’t worry, I won’t SPAM you but, I will hip you to noteworthy happenings and give you 1st dibs on songs & other Hero-related projects. Deal?

Ep. 02 arrives just in time to help you over the mid-week hump!

Track List: download
“Sunday Morning”, Margo Guryan
“Let It Shine”, Rod St. James
“Civilization I Can’t Hear A Word”, Earth Island
“Castle In The Clouds”, Gong
“I Wanna Be There”, Blues Magoos
“Live”, Catch
“Life Is Short”, Billy Nichols
“As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still”, Soft Machine
“Fogbound”, The Smoke
“That Was Only Yesterday”, Spooky Tooth
“Gonna Cry Today”, Nazz
“The Words”, The Cyrkle

I’ve been thinking about podcasting for awhile. Nothing fancy, simply putting together mixes of songs I like or sometimes adhering some sort of theme to it all. I’ll start off weekly since I have a few ideas already lined up but, after that I’ll post them as inspiration strikes. To kick things off, I offer up a hip-hop heavy collection of a few of my influences + inspirations.

Track List: download
“Invocation”, Common
“Jettin’”, Digable Planets
“The World Is Yours”, Nas
“Lyrics To Go”, A Tribe Called Quest
“Kumbuka Watu Penda Pesa, Pt. 1”, Count Bass D
“Foe tha Love of $”, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
“Lick The Balls”, Slick Rick
“Hey Ladies”, Beastie Boys
“Where It’s At”, Beck
“Plasma Avenue”, Five Deez
“Ear Drums (remix)”, Dilated Peoples, Defari, Phil Da Agony, Everlast, Planet Asia
“Fake Bonanza”, Mos Def
“Aquemini”, Outkast
“G’z Up, Hoes Down”, Snoop Doggy Dogg
“Guillotine (Swordz)”, Raekwon, Inspektah Deck, Ghostface Killah
“Show You How To Hustle”, Pharrell
“Ain’t Sayin’ Nothin’ New”, The Roots
“Swing”, Camp Lo feat. Butterfly
“U 2 Soft”, I.R.$. (Ill Rhyme Society)

Artist of Today PSA #002:
Sending a Flash version of your music player, online store, flier, advert, and other junk to someone’s inbox or comment section is about on par with people that send those glittery sexy doll thingies with graffiti text reading “Too Hot”, “Sexy”, or “Thug Angel”. It’s annoying, lame and yet another quick way to get blocked/ignored/labeled SPAM. Don’t do it! What’s most shocking to me is that I have all sorts of ‘security’ set up, CAPTCHA codes and everything so, someone has to make a very deliberate attempt to send these things. Again, I know it’s tough to gain listeners when everybody out there is pushing something & bombarding potential fans with stuff but, this simply isn’t the way to make it happen.

see also: “A Fine Example of Myspace SPAM” [via Life.txt]

When working on a project I don’t go about the process by recording a ton of tracks, picking the best ones & applying a title to it. My method is to have all (or at least most) of my concepts & ideas already somewhat organized before recording even happens. This track was one of the times that an idea didn’t quite get finished. With the EP nearing completion I figured it was time to share this instead of stashing it away somewhere. Who knows, the song could end up being reworked at some point but, until then please enjoy this early outtake from the “Daydreamer Dialogue” sessions.

credit(s):
lyrics written/performed by: PreciseHero
production/arrangement by: Obsidian Blue

We call down from our high perch to alert all that we’ll have three tunes to deliver before we’re summoned back to the skies to rest on our clouded thrones. Our return visits will be rare but, we will always have affection for the ground & sea!

The Pedalbirds land this Summer…

Seen while out on today’s bike ride

“The Meteor Man”
Afternoon flick before I head out to enjoy the day a bit.

New book to read, new game to play

“Kino’s Journey”
Night before last to today I’ve been watching “Mushishi”; Tonight, I’m shifting to “Kino no Tabi”.

Another on-point blog from Scorp.

*starts a slow clap*

hipsterrunoff:

Stream: http://www.myspace.com/lovelives1986

[MP3]
LOVELIFE – Jimmys

Understanding the success of Neon Indian means understanding the failure of the now defunct band Ghosthustler…

I actually like the songs.

1. Tanya Morgan (18)
2. Mountain Brothers (17)
3. OutKast (16)
4. The Pop Project (12)
5. A Tribe Called Quest (11)

Imported from Last.fm Tumblr by JoeLaz

“Highschool of the Dead” (act 24)

Kimi works on a million projects at a time. Here’s his latest band; They’re called soWhat. Gotta admire this cat’s ambition/determination.

“To Flunker, With Love”, Starling Electric
Looking forward to when these guys get their new project together. C’mon Caleb, make it happen bro! (I’m one to talk…)

tomatofactory:

I read Post Secret most Sundays. Most times I can sympathize with the somber postcards, and I laugh at the silly ones. Once in a blue moon I find and read a post that I totally agree with. For those who you don’t know I live in East Harlem and I shop at the PathMark at 125th and Lexington. The expierence is never an easy one because the store is always busy and the checkout lines are always deep with people that have huge cart fulls of groceries. My least favorite thing to see is a person buying pop, Doritos, and Jimmy Dean sausages with food stamps. At the store there are thousands of healthier options that won’t make you morbidly obese or give you diabetes at 25.

…the things I could add to this topic… things like this.

hellaposer:

Hey, look, it’s the Beastie Boys:

“Don’t you tell me to smile,
you stick around I’ll make it worth your while.”

Actually, this was taken by college student Alex Innes at an orphanage in Malawi. Rad.

They look like they should be fighting monsters & aliens that attack Tokyo.

(via lazertits)

*pew-pew!*

(via vizualize)

Games I Loved: “Go Go Ackman 3” [Long Play]
sidenote: Here’s the OAV of the series that I didn’t know existed til about 5 minutes ago.

Games I Loved: “Ganbare Goemon 2” [Let’s Play]

Games I Loved: “Pop’n Twinbee” [via UCHG]

Games I Loved: “Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden 2” [Let’s Play]

Games I Loved: “Kung Fu Heroes” [Let’s Play]

Games I Loved: “Mappy Land” [Let’s Play]

“Summertime in the LBC”, The Dove Shack
There’s always space for g-funk on my tumblr! Another flashback: singing bits of this with a classmate on a field trip.

“The Points”, various
I remember a friend’s brother gave me this cassette single. I think I dubbed “E. 99, Eternal” for him in exchange.

“Round & Round”, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti [heard on HipsterRunnoff via GorillavsBear]
Heard the name of this artist but, never quite got around to checking out the music. I can say that I dig this song, “Round & Round”.

“Still Raining, Still Dreaming”, The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Cloudy/rainy day outside. Breathing in the smells, watching trees grow leaves and grass turn green. Nowhere to be that I don’t want to go. Doing nothing today but letting my mind wander + reading a little bit.

Games I Loved: “E.V.O. Search For Eden” [Let’s Play]

Games I Loved: “Robotrek” [Let’s Play]

Games I Loved: “Illusion of Gaia” [Let’s Play]

by Tom Ewing

working down a list of childhood dreams. Everything I want to do (or currently doing) is basically something I thought of when I was younger. I’m almost done with one thing and transitioning to the next.

“Ico & Yorda”, Anthony Wu [via GameLife]

“Generation Rex” (first reveal)
Looks like a decent action cartoon. I still think “Megas XLR” should’ve never gotten the axe. (or “Samurai Jack” …or “Justice League”)

“Aquemini”, Outkast
Next in rotation. To me, 80’s/90’s hip-hop is on par with 60’s/70’s (and some 90’s) rock. Those are the golden eras with only flashes of greatness & indie gems appearing occasionally in present day.

“Midnight Marauders”, A Tribe Called Quest
Haven’t spun this one in awhile. It’s about due. Been on a 90’s (or 90’s influenced) hip-hop kick over the last couple of days.

Odd Games I’ve Loved: “Sim Ant” [Let’s Play]

“Uniform Behavior”, Rocko’s Modern Life
This morning has been me just indulging in cartoons of yester-year. Plus, I heard that “MTV’s The State” (and “Daria”) are coming to dvd. So, I’ve been browsing through Youtube and Wikipedia looking for even more stuff from the 90’s. Everything from clips of Stick Stickly to Liquid Television to Cartoon Express. Even network television still had some gems back then. Everything had this bit of oddness to it. Either weird for weird’s sake or like the creators were making it up as they went along. It still exist today but, it’s not as much of it as it used to be. Maybe it was just a really creative/refreshing time period. Were kids of the 80’s & 90’s the last ones that grew up on too much tv, video games, toys, junk/fast food AND still had fun outside? Sorry, my oldness is showing.

“A Yard Too Far”, The Ren & Stimpy Show

“Barbeque Story”, Rugrats
Maybe it’s cause I’m getting older that phrases like “remember when…?”, “back in my day…”, “kids nowadays…” are becoming increasingly popular in my everyday speech but„, Remember when “Rugrats” used to come on? Back in my day that was great. Kids nowadays don’t know nothin’ about that.

“Talamak”, Toro y Moi [via P4K]

1. The Beach Boys (15)
2. Iron & Wine (15)
3. Black Moth Super Rainbow (13)
4. Little Dragon (11)
5. Jamie Lidell (11)

Imported from Last.fm Tumblr by JoeLaz

“Look At Us Mean”, SP feat. The SAC
Broke my guy’s album out today while I kick back around the pad & read.

Morning bike ride!
Unfolded it from the closet, pumped air in the tires, about to have a couple laps around the neighborhood to get myself going for the day. Trying to take advantage of this mild weather because when the Summer hits, I doubt I’ll want to be out biking in the billion degree weather.

“RZA’s Wu-Tang vs The Golden Phoenix” (trailer)
lo-fi effects, some big names in HK cinema, African-based martial artist. Hm.. this could be alright. Not feeling the faux-aged effect applied to the video but, ignoring that it could be kinda cool. It seems like it’s a comic geek/kung fu fanatic’s pet project. For that alone, I can’t be mad about it. This seems like something RZA’s wanted to do forever and he’s getting his chance to do it. A Childhood dream realized.

“Freaknik: The Musical”
Some will be up in arms about this (some already are) but, I thought it was kinda funny. I took it in on level of “Friday” or “Bebe’s Kids”. There’s been worse depictions of black folks in media and quite honestly, the reality is a bit scarier than the fiction at times. Or sometimes it seems like they’re competing with each other.

“Deep”, Elzhi
I go in on rappity-rap style rappers all the time but, y’know what - in small doses I can dig it or at least I dig this. Got linked to this also and it wasn’t bad either.

“Fooled By My Charms”, Secret Twins [via Front Row Detroit]
Even though I’ve not been in the mood to attend (or do) live sets, it’s nice to be able to see what’s happening in the local scene thanks to Front Row Detroit. They’re kinda like They Shoot Music (don’t they) or Black Cab Sessions but, for my own backyard. I’m feeling a bit more lively now that the weather is shifting so, maybe the next time my buddies or just an act I dig decide to do something, I’ll head out and photograph + film some stuff myself.

also groovy: “Misery”, The Muggs [link]

New reading material!

“Center of Gravity”, Yo La Tengo

“Max & The Magic Marker”
This is coming out today I guess. It seems charming in “A Boy & His Blob” sort of way.

Inside a jar, multicoloured pieces of candy.
One taste like her first kiss. Another like the day she was born.
The next reminded her of grandchildren she hasn’t met yet.
A fifth flavored of deja vu. So, she eats an eighth that taste like 10 minutes ago and an 11th the smelled like 4 weeks ago with a texture of 6 months from now. Everything known and unknown stored in a mason jar.

“Did I ever tell you about the time I rode my bike over the edge of the world? No? That wasn’t even the best part. What I saw at the bottom was incredible!”

When I woke up the world came alive, everything was Spring in it’s newness.
By midday the heat settled in like a haze, burning a Summer memory.
Twilight was covered in Autumn’s tones & comfort. I was so reflective.
Finally, a lull in the pace; I slept in a blanket of snow on a Winter’s night
The next day it all repeated.

The shadow of a fallen soldier attaches itself to the weakest kid in the village. Together, they protect the villagers from bandits, goblins, dragons, and whatever else attacks the normally tranquil town. Skeptical elves doubt the hero and try to expose him to the public at every chance. The shadow’s original owner appears to retrieve the shadow and it turns out that he wasn’t a champion at all! He was a villain with plans to overthrow the king & that was the reason that the shadow fled when he died. What does the princess know?

Everyday in towns across the globe, kids sit on their respective porches telling each other stories about what they speculate is around the corner of their neighborhood. These stories have been passed down from one kid generation to the next. Too young to venture out on their own and it’s mandated by adult law that they can’t go pass the border of their world. Who knows what’s around that edge? Is their neighborhood really the margin to reality as they know it? The eldest kids are soon to find out but, as soon as their age reaches the double digits they lose connection to their old world so, how can the truth ever be told to the others? A trio breaks off from the porch then quickly dash around the bend to find out on their own and bring back new stories!

Thought to be long extinct yet, evidence from recent news headlines point to the fact that there might still be surviving cowboys in the area! Cowboy fossils and artifacts are already of high value but, what if they could capture a live specimen to study?