31 December 2010

art/official's top FIFTY-- 2010!

1) LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening











2) Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me







 









3) Four Tet – There is Love in You
















4) Caribou - Swim














5) Best Coast – Crazy for You
















6) Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest















7) Beach House – Teen Dream














8) Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner














9) Julian Lynch – Mare















10) The National – High Violet














Click "READ MORE" for the rest of the list! 

**Also be sure to check the set times for this evening's truly amazing New Years Party!!**


27 December 2010

About Norma

Do you remember when it began, Norma?
They told you that you were neurotic, dying, almost to death.
You waited for it, didn't you?
In its black silk shroud, brandishing its white, pale, soft fingers on your body.
Pills are so easy to swallow with a Scotch.
These failed pornos from your youth twenty years ago, hidden to the public and these exhibited curves.
"You're a whore, Norma!" spews out their mouths.
Things are fun at first, then you cry. On your name you would write 'Artist', but in your roles of faded girls, you get lost along the way.
Weddings and adventures that follow, the Bay of Angels and you, it isn't the same.
And sedatives are a miraculous invention.
Child-wife, brunette with laughing eyes. We've quickly learned to smile in front of objectives.
The nonexistent love of a mother, men by the dozen, beautiful bastards, egos that rise, rise then fall, this image of perfect. Who wants me, takes me!
How many snapshots have been taken of this character that you like to play at times?

There could have been someone, anyone, to open his arms, to take your hand.
Come, we go.
Hollywood fucks us, Hollywood kills us, Norma.
Everyone runs after you. Years pass.
Thank Heaven, we have never seen the old age take your cheeks, and we will talk about you again and again as long as there are women, Norma.
World hurts, Norma, world kills us.
And no matter if it was from your hands or a stranger's, in the end, you just wanted to rest.

A little rest.

-by Echo


Simply put, Echo is a girl that lives in Europe, that has been writing for over 10 years, and that is friends with the ultra-famous Japayork, and our very own semi-known Aaron. If you like art/official then you'll like her site, Be The List. It's better than a highway sign.

xoxoxo


25 December 2010

FREE live Yeasayer!


I got this email today
_________________________
Hello Everyone!

We hope this message finds you well and that 2010 has brought you it's best. It has been an amazing year for us and we owe a lot to you, our fans and supporters, for all the successes and the ability to do what we love.

In thanks, we have decided to release a live show that was recorded at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on October 28th, 2010. We didn't want to put a value on the live album, so it's up to you to decide what works best for you. This is being offered to you first before any viral spread, so please go here to download: http://yeasayer.net/xmas/

Again, this doesn't happen without you and we are forever grateful. Thank you for allowing us to move forward to 2011 with more ideas and tunes to share.

Peace and Happy Holidays.

YEASAYER Family
www.yeasayer.net
__________________

Pay what you want for this new live album from Yeasayer. Merry Christmas.

-Aaron

XXX

24 December 2010

Wake Up

John wakes up. He slept well, only dreamt nice dreams. His dreams replayed some early childhood memories mixed with some dream logic. He dreamt about his dad and him sitting next to the plastic pool they used to have in their garden. His dad was laughing; the sunlight reflected off his white teeth. They were playing around with a beach ball when suddenly his dad grabbed him and threw him in the pool, with his clothes still on.
  
The water felt nice and cold under the hot summer sun. He lifted his head from the water and felt drops falling from his hair and sliding over his face. Looking up he saw his dad standing next to the pool, smiling even more than before. Then, suddenly, and in a Mary Poppins kind of way, he was lifted up and flew away – straight up like an elevator.

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for all your support in making art/official a reality. Merry Christmas!I hope you guys dig this Christmas rap by Kurtis Blow as much as I do.



Lots of love,
art/official

XXX

23 December 2010

Big History added to NYE Throwdown!!

One of my favorite quickly rising New Orleans acts is Big History. There sound reminds me a bit of the XX and a bit of Beach House. Definitely a "dream pop" sound. You can listen to my favorite track entitled "Every Bone" by clicking here.

Anyways I'll get to the point. That super awesome warehouse party on New Years Eve we've been talking about... Big History was just added to the lineup!! So be sure to hurry and grab tickets because this party will be unreal!! There are a few ticket options including some with an **open bar** all night long and VIP access to special areas of the venue. For more info check out http://www.parkthevan.com/nye2011/.

For more info on the party click here.

DISCOOOO-- New Christoph!!


Last month we posted a track by New Orleans Neo-Disco producer Christoph Anderson. Since then he has created big waves in the blogosphere. Last week he had a great interview in popular dance music blog "Gotta Dance Dirty." I'm sure this will be one of many to come. His tracks are consistently off the hook so without further ado this is CAPITAL!!

Capital out December 21 2010 by Christoph Andersson

22 December 2010

How did I miss this one?!?

I am not really sure how I missed this track earlier this year because its amazing! After hearing it for only the first time the other day I began to ask my friends if they had heard it, and they hadn't either. So I guess I am not the only one. So in case you missed it too, here it is. The song is called "I Need a Dollar" by Aloe Blacc.




UPDATE: Minutes after posting this a friend sent me this really cool remix by Big Gigantic. To check it out click here!

UPDATE #2:  Now they won't stop rolling in. Here is another great disco-ish remix by Tensnake. Give it a listen here!


XXX

21 December 2010

Nosaj Thing- Aquarium

I have been having one of those days were everything seems a bit more overwhelming than it should. I got home and found this video floating around. Nosaj Thing graced us with his presence here in New Orleans last week and blew me away. Just as I begin to forget about what a great show he put on, this video reminds me of what a talented artist he truly is. I hope you enjoy it as much as I.

-Aaron

Oh Baby Baby, Playlist Four!!!

playlist4

Jagga- Modern Day Romance
MONARCHY- Gold In The Fire
Micachu- Turn Me Well
Q Lazzarus- Goodbye Horses
Tanlines- Real Life
Geographer- Original Sin
Javelin- Vibrationz
Restless People- Days Of Our Lives
Ruby Goe- Beat Breaking Boy (Ft DJ Poet)
Lunice- Out Of Touch

Just in time for Christmas cheer comes playlist four!! We tried to include all sorts of tunes this time. Feel free to comment and tell us what you love and hate (hopefully its mostly love :) As always, right click + "save as" to download an individual track. If you just want to download the entire playlist at once click here!

Lots and lots of love,
art/official

XXX

19 December 2010

Descendant Dearest



Alligator pie, alligator pie,
If I don’t get some I think I’m gonna die.

Give away the green grass, give away the sky,
But don’t give away my alligator pie.
-Dennis Lee



Ever since you were little, you've been asking questions of purpose, questions of your existence, to all the wrong people, for all the wrong reasons. Your father and I are extremely disappointed in you, but we talked, and we came to a decision. It's time for you to know the truth about where you came from. So listen up.
Your greatest grandparents are named Bud and Margie, did you know? They were alligators and they've known each other since forever. And boy are they perfect together-- know-it-alls in the truest sense of the word. I mean it-- they know everything! No, they don't live in Florida. No, you haven't met them. Will you let me talk? Thank you. I'm not making this up.
They live in a different world, in fact, it's not even this universe. Do you know about worlds and universes? Good. Well, they live with stars and swamp bears, but not like any stars or swamp bears you know. The bears live off of scrambled eggs with lots and lots of pepper; the stars are assholes. They're all made of mud, and they aren't famous, and they HATE how ordinary they are. This is why nowadays they exact revenge on us, the spawn of our greatest grandparents, by penetrating our minds, making us wonder about our purpose instead of just knowing it.

Beach House vs X-Mas!

Tis the season. Bring on the holiday jams! Gosh I love Beach House :)

16 December 2010

Massive warehouse party on New Year's? Yes, please. Artofcl.com is helping to present THE THROWDOWN!

Scheduale for tonight!!

9:30 Doors
9:30 - 10:30:  Mod Dance Party
10:30 - 11:15 Big History
11:15 - 11:30: YRS TRULY
11:30 - 12:15: Jean Eric
12:15 - 12:45: Sex Dreams
12:45 - 1:15: YRS TRULY
1:00 2:00: Empress Hotel
1:45 - 2:15: YRS TRULY
2:15 - 3:00: Partners N Crime
3:00 - 4:30??:  YRS TRULY & Guest DJs

 Remember, tonight is a CASH ONLY BAR!!! Hope to see all your beautiful faces.
________________________________________
One of the hippest rager's this city has ever seen is on the horizon. Our friends over at OpenHouseMusic recently acquired control of a huge warehouse in Mid-City. The space is usually used to build Mardi Gras floats along with other massive projects.

There are a bunch of utterly convincing reasons why this is the place y'all need to be when 2011 rolls in.


Most of the Mardi Gras floats are still up in the space.Plus the decorating team will be added shit tons of other artsy-fartsy installations.

NOLA's biggest rising stars at the moment will be playing, including Jean-Eric and Empress Hotel.

art/official's very own Justen Cheney--will be performing his live set as Sex Dreams.

Before, between, and after the live sets, DJ YRS TRULY will be spinning the sexiest party beats to shake it to all night long on top of a catapult!?! Plus he said the art/official DJs would get a chance to move some sliders and tweak some knobs too. So if you liked our Saturn Bar party, then you'll love this.

Gogo Dancing by Dames D'Lish. We're not entirely sure what this entails but that only makes us more excited.

Massive courtyard for smoking with even more live music + DJ sets

FREE CHAMPAGNE (at midnight).

Cheap drinks for the rest of the night. No more $13 Gin and Tonics for this guy.

NYE final(2)


True story: At first we were like, "cool an indie party..." Then we visited the warehouse-- and now we won't stop talking about it to our friends.

We hope to see all of your beautiful faces.



Lots of Love,
art/official


XXXX

UPDATE: BIG HISTORY ADDED TO THE LINEUP!!

15 December 2010

WILLIE THE GREAT (Part 3)

The jet arrived just as they had said, but Willie had his head in the clouds long before the plane took off.

A limo was waiting at the landing field, and Willie was welcomed by Carla, a lovely young woman handpicked for this job. She was to make Willie feel just like he belonged. As they stopped for a coffee on the way to the studio, Willie had goose pumps as she told of the possibilities of his story. And so then on to a meeting in the plush office of the CEO of MGM-- writers and a director sat in. Willie took center stage as he began his story. He could not help but notice the genuine interest the writers were taking as he talked. His ego was growing steadily.

Reader submitted X-Mas Playlist!


Here is a very special Christmas playlist brought to you by art/official fan and friend Kyle Lawrence. Thanks a ton Kyle, and to everyone else... ENJOY!!

Click Here to Download

A NOTE FROM KYLE: Mediafire tends to get things a little out of order, so here is the order as I made it:

1. Seeplymouth- Volcano Choir
2. Winter Wonderland- Goldfrapp
3. Carol of the Bells- Bird & The Bee
4. Frosty the Snowman- Cocteau Twins
5. Blue Christmas- First Aid Kit
6. White Christmas- Bright Eyes (but really its Maria Taylor. Its just on bright eyes' Christmas album)
7. Fallen Snow-Au Revoir Simone
8. Got Something For You- Best Coast & Wavves
9. Merry Christmas, Baby (please don't die)- Dum Dum Girls & Crocodiles
10. Baby Its Gold Outside- Johnny Mercer & Margaret Whiting
11. Santa Baby- Madonna
12. My Only Wish (this year)- Britney Spears
13. All I Want for Christmas (is you)- Mariah Carey
14. Sleigh Ride- Leroy Anderson
15. Rain and Snow- Sam Amidon
16. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- Bright Eyes
17. O Come o Come Emmanuel- Sufjan Stevens
18. O Holy Night- My Morning Jacket
19. Winter Vacation- Atlas Sound


XXLOVEXX

Cold War Kids LIVE!!

DSCN4556

My first night home for Christmas break, I was treated to a spectacular Cold War Kids w/ The Cave Singers double bill in Memphis, TN.

The Cave Singers are an outstanding bouncy folk band from Seattle. They boast an extremely collaborative spirit, and do a lot with very little. The band is three strong, but at time it can sound like six or seven. Keep an eye on them.

At this point in their career, Cold War Kids know what they are doing on stage. They have come a long way from their blogbuzz birth in 2006. The songs from their upcoming album, Mine Is Yours, are catchy as hell, and the old favorites still hit home hard. The short, but sweet show was interspersed with both. The California quartet’s rough-around-the-edges brand of catchy blues punk kept the crowd moving throughout, especially during trademarks “We Used To Vaction,” “Hang Me Up To Dry,” and “Hospital Beds.” The Kids have enlisted Jacquire King (same guy who took Kings of Leons from bar to arena) to produce this upcoming album, so it should be interesting to see what he does with it. We shall see!
DSCN4537

--Photos and Article by Connor Crawford

ceo-Illuminata.

I would highly recommend getting the album "White Magic" by ceo if you haven't yet. This morning ceo released a video for the track Illuminata. I don't really think it makes much sense, but whatever, it's a good song anyways. Enjoy!

XXX


14 December 2010

New Release via Adie Kaye

So Henry went a little buck wild and put up loads of lit. After a long day of reading, it's time for some more tunes. Here is a fresh release from Adie Kaye complete with original artwork and poem! The track is called Myster.


soyez


Trees or smoke or massive bloke
poking through the cloud?
Surely, if it was all smoke
it wouldn't be allowed!

x

cruel cassette / adie kaye

Myster by cruel cassette

12 December 2010

Similes are Lame!

I'll trap you like a mouse.
I'll burn you like a house.
I'll sink you like a boat.
I'll haunt you like a ghost.
I'll inspire you like art.
I'll push you like a cart.
I'll break you like a vase.
I'll make you cry like mace.
I'll hang you like a noose.
I'll drink you like apple juice.
I'll hunt you like a dog.
I'll bore you like a log.
I'll curse you like a witch.
I'll scratch you like an itch.
I'll borrow you like sugar.
I'll pick you like a booger.
I'll smooth you like a sheet.
I'll amaze you like a feat.
I'll shoot you like a lazer.
I'll erase you like an eraser.
I'll crash you like a plane.
I'll change you like a lane.
I'll culture you like Europe.
I'll stick to you like syrup.

Juan's Story (Part 2)

Melan was from the small village of Ataxia, Mexico. Melan was always on the lookout for "Mr. Right". Melan stopped in at La Taca, the local pub, one innocent Saturday night. And this decision is where my existence eventually and eventfully stemmed from. As she entered, there sat a single man at the bar. Why not? She took a stool two seats away and ordered a marguerita. Billlie Bob turned toward her and smiled-- she smiled back. “My name's Billie Bob Odeen, and I’m from Louisiana.“ 

A conversation had begun and the more Billie Bob talked, the more comfortable she felt. Maybe it was his slow, smooth drawl, or maybe it was the fact he was a handsome southern country gentleman. Either way, Melan was beginning to like this man. After a few drinks they parted, but not before Billie had secured a dinner date for tomorrow evening.

Melan had been on the lookout for a suitable partner, so after a whirlwind courtship, they were married. At last, Billie Bob had found some peace and happiness and a perfect place to settle down. Billie Bob, whose parents died when he was just a child, spoke lovingly of his grandpa who raised him. He told of the little Cajun Restaurant he owned in Oleana, Louisiana, simply called Justin‘s.

But who was Billie Bob Odeen, and what was he doing in this small Mexican village?

you must be joking.

One day I brought my baby a letter after I treated her real bad. It said:


"Mes emotions sont 'toujour ceux d'un enfant. J'ai aveter tout progres pour te mes sentiments. Cela doit arreter et la maturiteé pent commencer. Le progré ne pent étre carburé que par une chose: la veritá. Mes tendences enfantine ne me permaient de te le dire que dans une langue. Langue de romance et d'amour.

11 December 2010

Willie Cripps Has Lunch (Part 1)

Noon, Friday, time for lunch. 

Willie opened the cabinet and selected a can of Johnson “SECRET RECIPE” Crab Soup from among the 20 or 30 cans on the shelf- his standard Friday noon meal for the past ten years- and opened it. As he dumped it in his dented little saucepan, he noticed a small plastic packet floating on top. Willie fished it out, cut it open, and pulled out what appeared to be a note. He unfolded the damp scrap. The paper was darkened, making it difficult to read. Willie held it to the light only to find out it was written in Spanish. As near as he could determine it read, “Ayude por favor. Esta preso en una cucina se sopa Johnson." Then on the back, “245 Beal St. Macon Georgia". Lucky break for Willie, his girlfriend, Pearlena, or Pearl for short, grew up in Nogales. She could read it for him. Willie had a date with her when she got off work at six this evening. The translation would have to wait till then. In the meantime, his curiosity was doing handsprings.

10 December 2010

Daft Punk!!!

Everyone seems to loves Daft Punk deep down somewhere. Their new album is the soundtrack to the film Tron: Legacy by Walt Disney. You can go buy the whole album now, but for the moment here is the single (in case you missed it).

little brother

148128


Little brother, covered in fur,
is it any mystery when I am sure,
that I find comfort, in silence with you,
‘cause I get so sick of talking to
our brothers and sisters who ask so much,
when all you want is my tender touch.
Rest assured, I want yours too,
it is here that I find comfort with you.
And with our quiet solitude,
we both know there is nothing to prove.
We share our joy; our mutual thanks
go to our mother, our foremost saint.

- Justen Cheney

09 December 2010

we're not over it, oppenheimer

This has been going on for years – at least since I was young enough to still believe that I could run away from my problems. You can’t run away from your problems; and even if you could, they’ll always send a guilty conscience nipping at your heels.  I could count the number of times I made you feel like less than a person. I could throw them all over my shoulder and carry them with me everywhere I go, but it does no good to be sorry if you don't care either way.
            
Joe passes me a fifth of Jim Beam and I take a big, bitter swig; I know it’s how they operate, but I don’t really feel like getting smacked in the face. We sit around in silence, feeling our hair grow.
“There’s something in it that you can create,” says Alex.
“What do you mean?” I ask -
AtomicBombCloud2
I open my eyes. I hear clumsy footsteps coming down the hall in my apartment building. I wait for a knock on my door, and pray that it will be you – then I remember, only half awake, that you don’t even know where I live anymore. I close my eyes and go back to sleep.

Next thing I know, I’m laying face up toward the sky in a boat: not a motorboat, but a small, wooden fishing boat. The sort that looks like something my paw-paw would have gone fishing in as a kid in the Mississippi Delta. You’re curled up in a ball, lying next to me; my heart melts and seeps through the tiny cracks at the bottom of the boat. You’re wearing that white dress I used to love so much – the one I accidentally broke at the shoulder four long years ago. “This is a lucid dream,” I mutter under my breath, insisting that I enjoy it while it lasts.

The next morning I warm up in front my gas heater mounted on the wall. It’s finally gotten cold, and the weather suits me; at least for now. My mother comes by to drop off some leftover soup and the ukulele you’ve been asking to get back for six fucking months. It makes me feel better to hear her say that you don’t deserve me, but she would never know it by the look on my face.

Some people say that Robert Oppenheimer may as well have murdered all those people himself when he invented the atom bomb; could it be that you broke my heart the very first time you looked into my eyes? It’s hard to say, but I think so…

-Justen Cheney

the go! team (ft. bethany cosentino)

the semester is finally coming to a close, and we're all very thankful for that; gather your thoughts and memories (or don't) of the past year and prepare yourself for 2011. there are already plenty of anticipated albums due out next year, and the go! team's Rolling Blackouts is definitely on the list. this track, from the upcoming release, features bethany from best coast and stays true to their super retro 60's sound. Rolling Blackouts drops January 31 via Memphis Industries records. -- justen


The-Go-Team-Rolling-Blackouts


08 December 2010

The Manner of His Scramble


.......................
Here is an aging apartment on the seventh floor of a building. Inside, the countertops, and walls, and laminate, and everything, are tinged with a yellowness that comes with affordable rent for the poor. The outdated kitchen appliances are aching with different gravities, creaking with gossip, and you could hear it in the sounds of their settling if you were there. They are quite fond of their inability to shutup. The person they talk incessantly about has remained the same for thirteen years— a gaunt man named Mr. Boothe, who right now is inside of the bathroom closing the doors. It might be interesting for some to note that this poses difficulty for a man of sixty-six years old; as the door is too big for her threshold, perhaps not unlike a woman who gains weight with age, he had to strain himself to shut it tight. It might also be interesting that Mr. Boothe lives alone, making this bathroom door the closest thing he has to a loving relationship with a woman, making privacy a nonissue, making the situation increasingly strange. So there is an aging man to go with an aging apartment. There is a handful of people who are prone to call this a match made in heaven, but it is most certainly not that.


PANTyRAiD at the Howlin' Wolf

DSC00672

I was one of those guys back in middle school who, when asked what music I liked, would say "everything but rap." Now all I like is rap, (or hip-hop if you prefer). I'm not talking about your common or your mos def--they're all right, I guess--I'm talking about gangster pimp shit, the more references to "Hennessey" and "slappin bitches" the better. This isn't a joke, there's something so unpretentious and likable about this type of music that I can't really take any other genre seriously. Who the fuck actually listens to rock music anymore? Not me.

Which is why I loved the PANTyRAiD show at the Howlin Wolf so much. I must've heard Lil Jon's "WHAT" sampled like 15 times. They sounded great. But of course they did. Individually they're my two favorite producers, and it's not like it's hard to DJ. For those who don't know, PANTyRAiD is two producers/DJs, Marty Folb aka MartyParty and Josh Mayer aka Ooah. MartyParty was the guy wearing the objectively gay shirt, not that there's anything wrong with that. He's kind of a black swan among his peers. He's older, immigrated from South Africa and his day job is as a pretty successful computer programmer--which is pretty dope. Ooah is a New Orleans native. He also spent his set raging with Mike McKenzie's Super Bowl ring. Mike McKenzie also spent nearly an entire hour dancing like an absolute lunatic behind them on stage--glorious.

Now I know it's not rap, but it's not really glitch-hop or dubstep either. In interviews, Marty describes it as "Hip Hop for ladies," but that's pretty misleading too. Their set had it's dark moments sure, but if there's one word I can use to describe PANTyRAiD to distinguish it from every other similar act it's "pimp." It's the swagger of the most opulent self-aggrandizing gangster rap music, with you know, less words and more catchy hooks. Of course there's extremely heavy bass drops, but who doesn't have those? Everyone has "HEAVY BASS" but only PANTyRAiD gives their bass lines a melody that you actually remember.

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But what about the actual show. Not to disrespect any DJs out there, but you're expected to put on a good show and if you fuck up no one notices anyway. It's the production that matters. There are a lot of companies in this city that would be expected to put on this kind of show. ActionPacker and Winter Circle Productions immediately come to mind, but this show was put on by Simple Play; an older, lesser-known company. They started way back in 2006 years ago by Ron Richard (who went to high school with Ooah) and their first gigs were hip-hop shows at Shilo and then the Dragon's Den.

Anyway, my major gripe was that I found the sound to be a little weird. Winter Circle's Bassik event sounds a lot better (since it moved to the Republic from the shit-acoustics of the Maison). Their promotions department put a goddamn flyer on my windshield outside The Boot and I still have a bit of it stuck on there. God I hate that. So maybe I was biased. I just didn't feel any sub-bass, but I guess production involves a lot more than how many expensive speakers you've got. It requires taste. And that Simple Play does have. They brought the Givers a few months ago and they're bringing Mochipet (quality glitch-hop) and Spankalicious (who looks really scary and plays equally scary dubstep, though I met him once and he's super nice).

Anyway, we were told that Ooah sticking around town till the end of the month. He has a side-project called Of Porcelain that everyone who writes for this blog has fucked to. So if Simple Play could hook it up, I'd pay $15 to watch him DJ on laptop speakers.

**A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: That fun light set up is owned by Simple Play so you can expect more cool light shows in the future. For more on Simple Play Productions and their upcoming show check out http://sppnola.com/


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-Article by Jeff Silberman

Flying Lotus + Ensemble= mmmmmmm

I guess I'm a little late on this one, but what the heck. If you have some time, this video is definitely worth a watch. This is The Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble featuring FlyLo!? They play a rework of the FlyLo track "Drips" as well as J Dilla track "Take Notice" and turn them into one nice jam session. Beautiful!!

07 December 2010

panda bear -- last night at the jetty

there isn't really much to say about this one that it doesn't say for itself; except that at times when i don't necessarily feel my best, sounds like these can really make the bad times better.  -- justen



panda-bear-last-night-at-the-jetty

Panda Bear - Last Night At The Jetty

06 December 2010

bitch sonnet


I just need a break, Henry!!!

When they start getting difficult,

Mommy goes off for groceries.

"We'll slit your throat or sit and sulk!"

Warns my 14 kids/employees.

I toss lollis, hoping they'll hush.

But it's still shrieks with emptied skulls.

Cases of good taste out of touch;

Poetasters legal, then null,

Void and bored. Combative bitches,

Sonnets in bonnets won't give chase.

Instead flip the goodnight switch.

So it is existential mace.

Yep. Great are grates for shitty thoughts,

Fertilizing 'should's 'could's and 'ought's.

You Call THAT a Cobbler?!

Most folks might have some quips to toss my way, it bein only a week plus a 72 hour weekender and all, but havin none to talk to beside a southside cellie by the name of Scooter, I'm feelin chattier than a goddam Cathy doll, and I do believe it's writ in the Constitution of Independence that it is an American-born man's Christ-given right to complain freely and without recall.

I think it'd be righteous thing to start with the good things that came out of this messy knot. Unfortunately it aint but one that I can think of. Most likely you'd think I'd mention some beautiful poetry on freedom, and maybe how it tastes, how my heart got fluttery upon gettin out-- but im a man who needs no comparison in order to hold the full appreciation of the matter in mind, so that aint to be mentioned. What I can say was a good thing is commercials hold no weight in the place. Zero calories like your old lady's crystal lite. Like, we were able to watch tv at certain times, such like the Ravens game Sunday evenin, and some wackadoodle ad comes on like the good-for-nothin movie Inception comin out on BluRay next week. You gotta use everything in your human powers not to cause a ruckus rollin on the floor with your laughin tears cryin out BOY NO ONE GIVE A GOOD GODDAM ABOUT BLURAY UP HERE!! Spite of near turnin myself inside out, I kept quiet, but the thought was enough to make me real happy for a few hours. So it's sure nice knowing the so-called "business world" comes to a halt once you in them concrete blocks.

Pretty rad Neon Indian.

Check out this video from Neon Indian for the song "Mind, Drips." The video apparently uses new technology that acts as a video synthesizer. The video synthesizer, like a audio synthesizer, simply manipulates the sound (or in this case video). WooOoOoaaHhhh trippy.

05 December 2010

tennis: pigeons

red curls, and sailing, and tennis. i've been raving about these guys since their first release "marathon," and this one is just as good. production by yours truly. the LP, Cape Dory, drops next january via Fat Possum.

04 December 2010

Cruel Cassette-- LION: Fresh BANGER via Adie Kaye!!

lionlionlion

Today I have a very special track to give away. Adie Kaye is an up and coming London based electronic music producer. His work has seemed to range all over the spectrum from dub reggae inspired pieces to pop while he hones in his sound. Working closely with UK rising pop star Japayork (who's first single drops tomorrow-- get it here!), Adie earlier released a popular lo-fi dubby remix of Japa's Our Now. Below I have included the artwork created by Japayork himself for this truly amazing bass heavy banger! Make sure to have your speakers turned up loud!

Lion by cruel cassette
Click the down arrow on the right to download the track for FREE!

03 December 2010

If I Were You

Thoughts are not things. Thoughts are thoughts.
What with all the connections they bring.
Your tongue ain't sexy, and words can't talk--
even alone together, pen and paper can't sing.

If I was you, I'd start heading east
with roads to trip over clumsy feet.
Those feeble shoulders that shrug you along,
nagging you forward to the gravel's swansong:

"There's two types of suicide: in control and out of it.
To understand the latter is equivalent to suckerfish.
To understand the former is to clown behind the clout of it.
If you understand anything, there's nothing to accomplish."

The song gets in my mouth, a small claims court of hassles,
as the ruling states philosophy has a tendency to travel.
If it's so wrong to bite the hand that feeds me,
is it okay to complain the meal looks a bit seedy?

She said, "I thought you were dead again."
If she throws up in the sink then I might win.
Nevermind, she's fine, she's drinking again
-- evidence that gravity's proof is original sin.

My mouth becomes your medicine cabinet,
yipping on sweet nothings of expired aspirins,
all because you're too foolish to know...

thoughts are just words that have yet to happen
and words are just some substantial noise
that has forever been off-key, clapping
to anything at all, from the crunch of an apple
to a small swampy sample of space
with God's big ol' footprints all over the place
while these muddy skies just take it all brazen-faced
with each molecule sexed up in leather and lace
because that's what were into nowadays.

Yep, he's Our Father, our big-time mack daddy,
smacking around hussy angels when they start acting catty;
and I'm falling asleep to the joke that he didn't bother sharing
and empty threats that some thing might maybe start caring.

I'm left with neon lights and a pocket knife,
and everything is exactly how it seems:
A man, two grocery bags, out in the night,
taping up his fingers to topple my childhood regime.

-hdg

02 December 2010

Geographer--Kites

With exams around the corner art/official is unfortunately pre-occupied with academia. Regardless we hope you will enjoy this track by Geographer. I saw them open for STARS the other evening. I think I may have even liked it more than STARS. Anyways, they remind me a bit of Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy). Enjoy.

28 November 2010

craigslist-->st louis, MO-->free-->chair (reupholster)

My darling fiance and I were on a mission.

Last month we'd met for lunch at Trattoria Marcella, and as we left,  I'd bumped shoulders with a sizable man with a tousled beard. He walked on, but not before muttering "fuckin' yuppies" underneath his smoky breath. Never having heard the word before, we were both curious as to the definition.

As it turns out, "yuppie" is a shortened slang term from the 1980s for young urban professional. Furthermore, it carries a negative connotation, as Webster also mentioned it is used disparagingly. The same remark follows the words "nigger" and "kyke". We were livid.

And so began the mission aforementioned: Dissolve all prejudice behind this word that this bigot of a man had stuck in our side.

zach hill (ft. devendra banhart)

reality will show it's hideous face once again tomorrow; thanksgiving break is over. forget that with this extremely trippy video for a zach hill track off the album Face Tat.



-justen

26 November 2010

The National- Expanded High Violet!

I'm just going to say it. The National has been one of my favorite bands for a long long time. I am a complete sucker. Today the band released a reissue of their newest album High Violet. I haven't had a chance to buy it yet, but it includes b-sides, alternate takes, and some live tracks. Below is one of the b-sides from the album. The track Wake Up Your Saints is far more upbeat than the others chosen to be on the original release of the album. Anyways hear it for yourself.

Bedroom Databank vol. 3&4

What can I say. Bradford Cox won't stop. While I was busy being thankful, Bedroom Databanks both three and four were released! So if you liked volumes one and two we posted earlier last week, give these two a listen.

Get them from Deerhunter's blog. Click here!

25 November 2010

Happy Turkey Day

Gobble it up. Drink it down. Thanks for all your support!

Lots of love,

art/official


24 November 2010

JAPA JAPA JAPA!!!



I am so excited I really am not sure what to do with myself right now. I spent the last year working with and dancing for rising European pop star Japayork. He is incredibly talented and this is for sure the start of a very massive career. His first single "Teenagers" comes out Dec. 5th via Popjustice Hi-Fi. On that date I will have a lovely artist spotlight on him with all sorts of fun stuff for you guys. Until then check out the brand new video for the single and pass it along to all your friends!!!

Japayork - Teenagers from Bullion Productions on Vimeo.


Also if you would like to pre-order the 7" from Rough Trade click here! The poster that comes with it alone is worth the money... trust me ;). All to be revealed on the 5th!

good afternoon.

So a while back Justen posted the Tennis track Marathon. It quickly became a favorite of mine. This morning I would like to bring you a hip hop track by New Orleans very own up and coming G-Eazy entitled Waspy which features Tennis. Be sure to check back in the coming weeks for a spotlight on G-Eazy and more tracks! Enjoy




Oh yea, and then there is this...





Have a lovely day!

XXXX

23 November 2010

STARS

Stars-359

This past Sunday the indie pop band STARS played a packed show at The Republic in New Orleans. The opening act, Geographer, was a surprising last minute addition to the night; a three piece from San Francisco comprised of a vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist, a bassist, who often played an electric cello, and a drummer. Their music was perceptively arranged and they were, at very least, an appropriate opening act for the main attraction.

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After a relatively long wait, the Canadian band STARS took the stage, throwing the pedals of red and white roses, to open with “He Dreams He’s Awake” from their latest full length, The Five Ghosts. The energy of the crowd reached a high at the very beginning that was maintained throughout the entire performance. While it never seemed to bother other fans, I felt as though the band did a poor job of diversifying their set at times; the majority of the first half was comprised mostly of only new material. Therefore I had to wait almost to the very end to get a taste of the STARS I loved during my seventeen-year-old high school days.

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One of the nights highlights came with a medley of The Smiths “Half a Person,” flowing into “Take Me to the Riot” from STARS 2007 effort, In Our Bedroom After the War. The band closed with one of my all time personal favorites “One More Night;” a slower tune from their breakout album Set Yourself on Fire. It was obvious though that they were having just as much fun as the crowd when came back out for an encore that was four songs long.

Though the performance was over all very strong, I felt at times as if the band members were more like showmen (as opposed to musicians), relying on their clever behavior and bubble machines for success. And while this bothered me, along with the dynamic of their set list, none of it ever seemed to bother other fans in the crowd. Everyone had an unusually exciting Sunday night, including the band; if you missed them this time around, don’t worry. They’ll be back.

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** As we mentioned in our Bonobo review, The Republic has definitely changed directions lately and has been hosting a plethora of great music. Be sure to check out their upcoming schedule at www.republicnola.com!
 
-Article by Justen Cheney
-Photos by Josh Brasted
For more pictures from the show,
check out Joshua's Flickr.