"You needn't take it any further, sir. You've proved to me that all this ultraviolence and killing is wrong, wrong, and terribly wrong. I've learned me lesson, sir. I've seen now what I've never seen before. I'm cured! Praise god!"
The anticipation of the unknown strikes fear in the hearts of many. As we journey into this dark abyss, searching for unholy relics to sacrifice at the altar of ARAWA in celebration of the forthcoming day of the dead, remember there's nothing to fear. At least not yet..... waahahahahaha
Once again the dark spirits take back their rightful spot within these pages, back to strike fear and wonder into the hearts of even the most jaded ARAWAn. Once again these pink and purple walls run red with blood, once again these palm trees burn in a sort of ceremony, a tradition born of a blind and rabid devotion to all things Halloween.
You've found the hidden door. Muster up what courage you can and step through.
Back again with more RVNG radness. Once again they put together quality, quality, quality for their ongoing edit series, RVNG of the Nerds, this time around with Sweden's Jackpot (!) taking over the editor's desk. The second track, Night Flight, seems just right to me, an epic take on a house classic, that will have us all cutting earthly ties and looking skyward. Even if only for a moment.
Our dear friend in Rotterdam, Odessa, just sent us this amazing new video by The Hasbeens featuring a single from their upcoming 12" release, available on Clone Records. The Hasbeens feature the talents of Netherland dream team duo, Alden Tyrell and DJ Overdose. Their carefully crafted sound epitomizes the grim glamour of dystopian disco. The video for "You and Me" showcases this appreciation for the murky shadows of night life. Directed by Billy NoMates (Mathilde "Odessa" Karrer and Jasper Verhorevoort) and shot on beautiful RED (for you A/V geeks), the video comes off as a seedy homage to French New Wave cinema in it's existential exploration of the human condition. Look for the boys cruising by in a 'Benz near the end of the video. Love the hangman in the rear view mirror. Nice touch! Keep an eye out for the release, it's going go fast!
New 12" of The Hasbeens (Alden Tyrell & DJ Overdose). Clone Records 2009 - (Clone West Coast Series 03) - Directed by: Billy NoMates (Mathilde Karrer & Jasper Verhorevoort) www.clone.nl - www.reel001.com
You might remember our friend Ben Aqua from the amazing Bollywood mix he dropped on us a few months ago. Well, he's back again and bringing the heat. This time sharing with us an exclusive demo from his alter-ego and synth assault project, MVSCLZ. This scorching homage to High-Energy, Italo Disco would make Sylvester swoon and even Lime blush. So hot!
Apparently we're not the only ones paying attention to Ben's awe inspiring work. His blog, AQUABOTIC was recently featured on director Spike Jonze's"We Love You So-Where The Wild Things Are" website in reference to it's influence on Jonze's film making process. When he's not posting on his blog, or making music, he's actively creating art in the multimedia conglomerate Totally Wreck Production Instute, as well as DJing in the interdimensional outer space outfit, MenRG. He just doesn't quit. Big props to Ben for all his good work. Expect this star to keep rising people. Enjoy this clip of MVSCLZperforming live on Austin Public Access via EIHITV.
Olivia Newton-John hasn't really meant much to me in the past. I never understood the fascination with her body of work. I sort of loathed "Grease" growing up and only recently was able to appreciate the over-the-top kitsch of "Xanadu". Other than her 80's aerobic disco hit, "Physical", I assumed her music catalog was total rubbish. But for some reason her likeness and sound is always close to me, in a sort of 6 degrees of separation kind of way. I have my neighborhood gay karaoke bar to thank for most of it, but at home I'm consistently reminded of her. The image you see above is actually hanging in my living room. A few years ago I found an LP at a thrift store that randomly had 3 fold-out original posters of Olivia in the case. I had just moved into a new place and needed stuff to hang on the walls, so making a collage with this image seemed like a no-brainer. I felt strange creating an homage to an artist I didn't really appreciate, but it was really just kitsch for kitsch sake. So, Olivia's been on my wall looking over me like a catholic Jesus painting for years now, going relatively unnoticed and collecting dust. Little did I know that this image was going to mean something to me later in a totally different light.
A few months ago one of my favorite video blogs, Videothunder, turned me onto this amazing film called "The Beaver Trilogy". My words can't adequately describe how beautiful and bizarre this film is. The story starts out like a documentary as a TV cameraman comes across a lonely, attention starved local yokel (Groovin' Gary) with a strong desire to share his Olivia Newton-John impression with the world. As you can imagine, the movie goes downhill from almost the very start. What really makes this interesting is the unflinching eye of the camera as the absurdity of this story unfolds. This movie is essentially 3 different takes on the same story. The second and third installment of this film feature Sean Penn and Crispin Glover reprising the role of "Groovin' Gary" as they impersonate the impersonator's impression of Olivia. Convoluted enough for you? These performances have to be seen if you're a fan of either actor, especially Crispin Glover's portrayal. Probably my favorite piece he's ever done. I don't know, there's something about this repetition of theme, a story within a story, that really speaks to me. I really find it strange that I found a song I like from Olivia Newton-John because of a horrendous impression of an impersonator. I haven't been able to get this song out of my head. My brain keeps bouncing back and forth between the different takes on this beautiful song. So now when I listen to Olivia, I think of this movie, these dudes, and the picture on my wall. Sort of a Holy Trinity if you will. I'm not one to repeat songs much in a playlist, but this one has been going back to back for a while now. I can't get enough of this track
I highly recommend grabbing "The Beaver Trilogy", especially if you like movies that are quintessentially kitsch. The movie can be found here in .rar rapidshare form. I'll leave you with a highlight from Crispin's performance which will hopefully entice you to investigate further.
Spectral Empire - Black Shark is now available for purchase on Thisisnotanexit Records. Our friends at 20JFG were kind enough to introduce me to this group and requested my video treatment for the single. After hearing this gorgeously dark, brooding instrumental piece I was immediately hooked. The song really has a wonderful cinematic feel to it, which fit easily with the video narrative. I was also aided with an intense storyline that the always amazing writers at 20JFG came up with to compliment this release. All I can say is, Spectral Empire was very specific with the details pertaining to the song. I hope my video does this story justice. Regardless, it was a blast to make. Please read the comment section for the backstory to this video. My work is intended to be the prequel to this saga. I'll leave you with this wicked tune. Enjoy the feature kids!
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing one of the best live shows I've seen in a long, long time. You might remember we posted about //TENSE// last year during our Halloween freakout period. I've been dying to see this guy in the flesh ever since and last weekend it finally happened. I'm really feeling this guy, his passion, his sound, so much so I felt compelled to throw together a little tribute video for his single, "Sin Realite". I'm so stoked for this video, shots were taken from the live performance and video feedback loops from my TV using the iPhone. Love bringing the high-tech to lo-tech approach. This video is a definite homage to classic EBM videos from Front 242, Klinik, and Cabaret Voltaire. My video, like the song, strives to honor this tradition by following in the aesthetic.
I asked //TENSE// to share some insight about his sound. His words:
//TENSE// is a vehicle created simply to voice my frustrations. My frustration with myself, feelings of inadequecy and frustration with the world. It's simply a platform to express my desires that go unspoken throughout my day to day life. At this point my goal is to have an actual lp out. I want something that can be added to the canon of great music that influenced me and shaped who I've become. Music has been the love of my life since I was old enough to press play on a recorder or flip an lp. My fantasy is to put out a 12" single on WaxTrax! Records. So I like to imagine that they still exist and will be calling me at any moment begging //TENSE// to give them some master tapes! Haha.
"Sin Realite"....is about my utter lack of emotion from day to day. We go to work every day, working for someone else, usually unhappy and completely unfulfilled. I've learned to just repress my anger and try to smile and go with the flow....all the while pictures of punching people in the face float through my head....Money and greed also play a role in what I do.
This project is NOT about any sort of financial gain, I truly just love doing what I do. If this ever feels like work then it's done. It's a shame to see music treated like a business by so many. Ugh.
I never learned to play an instrument and can't write music, so if I should die and someone had to read my notes for songs they'd be in trouble! //TENSE// IS me. Mariana (MKF, Medio Mutante) was definitely a HUGE influence on everything so far and continues to be awesome during the live shows. Rich (Twisted Wires, Indian Jewelry) was also an integral part in the scheme. Lending me equipment and teaching me new tricks!
I think this sums it up perfectly. If ever an artist captured the heart of EBM, it'd be //TENSE//. I'm so proud of these Houston people too. In just one post I get to talk about Medio Mutante, Indian Jewelry, Twisted Wires, and //TENSE//. I'm telling you now, Texas is coming hard. Catch up if you've been missing out. There's good music here.
This single is from the MEMORY album on Desire Records. Enjoy the darkness kiddies
"You needn't take it any further, sir. You've proved to me that all this ultraviolence and killing is wrong, wrong, and terribly wrong. I've learned me lesson, sir. I've seen now what I've never seen before. I'm cured! Praise god!"
Wendy Carlos- Title Music from A Clockwork Orange
