AMAZING voice, guitar, and artist.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Camera Ready
The clothes don't always make the model, sometimes it's what happens behind the lens. This is certainly the case with San Francisco photographer Anthony Deeying.
Music for the Moon
The New York producer, DJ, and mixer, Max Tannone, who created Jaydiohead, that dope mash up of Radiohead and Jay-Z, and brought a reggae flavor to Talib Kweli and Mos Def on Mos Dub, and the sequel Dub Kweli, is the first man to mix the moon.
"Moon" as in the 2009 sci-fi movie directed by Duncan Jones and starring Sam Rockwell, and Kevin Spacey. Tannone's new project is called "Selene." He teamed up with Brooklyn rapper, Richard Rich, to create a "5 song hip hop EP" featuring samples from the film's original score.
This is a pretty rad project and an interesting concept, and it's got some tight beats. My favorite track by far is "You are Here," which I've been bumping non-stop for the eerie piano, and vocal samples.
I had to watch the movie just to get the full effect. Tannone says they explore themes of "isolation, separation, self-realization, cloning, and all kinds of craziness." Don't be scared, just be aware.
Check out the Selene web site where you can stream and download it for free.
oh and just in case you wanted to see what "Moon" is all about, here's the trailer.
Sneak Peek
Remember that behind the scenes video for 2ETN's upcoming photo shoot posted earlier this week? Here's another sneak peek at the photos!
They wrapped up shooting on Sunday in San Francisco with photographer, Anthony Deeying, and the pictures will be officially released on the 2ETN web site in March.
The set is a mix black and white and color photos with class and fierce, and a touch of modern goth. Can't wait to see the rest!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Odd is In
Tyler the Creator is one of the many talented cool kids from the hip hop super group Odd Future aka Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGK) coming out from Los Angeles. Man, these kids are dope! They write all their songs, make their own beats, release their own music, and are only like 16 whaaa!
They are blowing up BIG. They just gave a sick performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Tyler the Creator just signed a deal with XL Recordings. Here is his debut video for "Yonkers" that he wrote, produced, and directed himself. This is a pretty ill video, "ill" as in cool, and ill because he eats, and regurgitates a cockroach...but it makes for great imagery.
Bellowing
Sister Crayon isn't dying anytime soon, contrary to their new video "I'm Still the Same Person," off of their debut album release "Bellow" on Warpaint's Manimal Vinyl Label.
The Sacramento band has gained popularity and a strong following, despite the fact that their first album has only just been released TODAY. Yes that's right, today you can find Sister Crayon's album on iTunes, Amazon, and in stores!
This is a pretty big deal for the band who was recently named one of GQ.com's "Six new bands for Spring." They are also on the roster for the SOLD OUT San Francisco Noise Pop Musical Festival with Dan Deacon, and will be soon heading out west for Austin's South by Southwest Music Festival.
(top left: Terra Lopez, right:Dani Fernandez, bottom left: Jeffrey LaTour, right: Nicholas Suhr)
This past Saturday, they had their album release show in Sacramento to a packed crowd of fans and local supporters. They were definitely feeling the love, as the crowd sang along to their songs. "We've never had anyone sing along to our songs before," said an excited Terra Lopez, Sister Crayon's front woman.They played a full set, performed songs they never had before, and brought back old band mate, Genaro Ulloa to the stage for a song.
Sister Crayon is gaining nothing but momentum, especially having toured with Little Dragon, Baths, Schools of Seven Bells, and Warpaint in the past. Sister Crayon is Sacramento's sweetheart, and soon they will be yours, and a music favorite in your iTunes shuffle.
Here's their new video, the hauntingly beautiful, "I'm Still the Same Person"
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Radiohead Returns
TODAY! TODAY! TODAY!
Radiohead returns with a new album, "The King of Limbs" which is available for digital download today. They haven't released anything as a band since their 2008 album "In Rainbows," Thom Yorke's side project Atoms for Peace, and a few Twilight gigs.
Their previous album which was "pay whatever you please," even if it was nothing, something which no other established band had done before, which started a trend of free downloads.
Unfortunately this isn't the case this time around, but still a new album is great news to Radiohead fans, like myself, who will definitely fork over a measly $9 for one of the greatest bands around today.
Download "The King of Limbs" here.
Here's the video from their first single off of the new album "Lotus Flower." Man I missed these guys..
R.I.P. Holly Brook, Hello Skylar Grey
The Wisconsin singing sweetheart, formerly Holly Brook, has changed her stage name to Skylar Grey and is making has been making a splash in the mainstream music scene since her recent performance at the 2011 Grammy Awards.
I still remember her back when "blood was like honey," her debut CD under her former name, "Where'd You Go" with Fort Minor, and when I saw her perform an intimate set in Madison, Wisconsin. I always knew she had it in her.
Here's her song with Dr. Dre and Eminem, "I Need a Doctor."
Souls of Gold
2ETN is the name of the beautifully hand crafted jewelry of Pamela Tuohy and her husband, artist, Edward Thomas Novinsky. Together they create masterful one of a kind pieces that have been drawn to perfection and assembled into gorgeous neck pieces, bracelets, brooches, and rings.
Their pieces are an homage to the 18th and 19th century, combining elements of precious stones, metals, and whimsical designs alluding to the natural aesthetic. Each piece has a story, and the story unfolds onto the person wearing it.
To check out some of the jewels, click here.
Here is a behind the scenes video featuring from an upcoming 2ETN photo shoot made by Nick Avey of TakeOverTokyo.com
video featuring Harlee (female), Vee (male), and Pamela Tuohy of 2ETN)
6th Sol
When I walked into the Sol Collective for their 6th Anniversary art show, I was in awe of the walls. So was everyone.
There were murals covering the entire space, painted directly on the walls. A month in the making! Big ups to Shaun Burner for putting together an amazing night of art, music, and good people.
Featured artists of the night were: VYAL and BOUNCE, Shaun Burner, Erin Yoshi, Big Chuck, Steven V Williams, Waylon Horner, 2 Hermano, Aeon (Colombia), Andy Lankford, and live silkscreen by Xico González
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Jaydiohead in my head
Jaydiohead Ignorant Swan Medley
The Inferno of Helnwein
Gottfried Helnwein isn't just an artist. He is an inspiration, a voice, and his masterpieces will capture your eyes and touch your soul. His art has been around for decades, and it was truly a pleasure to discover his work.
amfm had the opportunity to see some of his most striking and beautiful pieces up close at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento for their latest exhibit "Inferno of the Innocents" featuring the artist. When you walked into the exhibition it was as if the mood shifted from the hustle and bustle of simply checking out art, to gazing at a piece in awe of it's wonder.
Helnwein's pieces aren't just grand in size, but they are on a grandeur scale. Many of his pieces feature children, a motif of his work, in the most compromising of positions; guns in hand, like soldiers, wounded, bloodied, scarred, statuesque, and yet ethereal. His artist's statement explains his choice to personify children because they are the the definition of innocence.
The Director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Henry S. Parker III said, "For Helnwein, the child is the symbol of innocence, but also of innocence betrayed. In today's world, the malevolent forces of war, poverty, and sexual exploitation and the numbing, predatory influence of modern media assault the virtue of children."
Helnwein also addresses the media unconventional ways in his use of Disney characters, particularly Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. These iconic images, also relating to childhood and innocence, become dark, and at times are portrayed as villain-like caricatures, or are displayed completely out of their element than in the films and cartoons they belong in.
His art is controversial, and thought provoking--everything that art has the power to be. Be it in his alluding to times of war, like that of the Holocaust, political beliefs seeping through, or in his provocative imagery. The images themselves appear real and instantly make you feel.
His paintings are so realistic and intrinsic that they could almost be photographs. Your eyes will be fooled, especially given that he has worked with many forms of media, including watercolor, sculpture, and photography, like that of the Marilyn Manson portraits "The Golden Age of Grotesque."
If you haven't had the chance to see the exhibit or any of his work for that matter, you are missing out on one of the great artists of our time. Check out some of our guerrilla photography from the "no camera zone" exhibit. We managed to get in some great pictures in between getting yelled at. There was no stopping me from showing Helnwein's art to you.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
amfm at The Crocker
It's always nice to take in some good art once and awhile. All the museums in Sacramento were free last Saturday, so amfm went to the Crocker Art Museum and checked out what the museum had to offer.
Here are some of the things that caught my eye from their permanent collection. Most of these were taken on the 3rd floor, aka the best floor.
Check out the amfm facebook page to view the entire album: A Day At the Crocker
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
SEMF: BONJAY
I have paid as much as hundreds of dollars to see a show, but never before have I paid $5 and had one of the most epic concert experiences of my life. I'm talking about Bonjay, the Canadian music duo consisting of Alanna Stuart and Pho Swain, who brought their Toronto cool to the States, and to Sacramento for the very first time for the Sacramento Electronic Music Festival. Let me tell you, it was definitely worth the flight.
Pretty Blue Presents turned me onto this band one day when he asked me to check them out and if he should book them for a show in San Francisco (he did), and I was immediately a fan. Some of the people in the audience might not have heard of Bonjay before, but all of that changed Saturday night, they surely do now. By the end of the set, the crowd was screaming their name and singing their praises, so much that lead singer, Alanna Stuart's ears were ringing like never before.
(Pho Swain of Bonjay, photo credit: Harlee Ria DeMeerleer)
They started off the set strong with "Stumble," probably my favorite song by them, and one of the most popular, and from then on it was nothing but musical bliss. Stuart has great stage presence. Her style and grace, her soulful vocals, and Swain's fancy finger work make Bonjay a great act to see. For a up and coming band, she's got the chops to be on Santigold status, and the entire crowd knew it.
(photo credit: Harlee Ria DeMeerleer)
There was such energy in room. Even when they tried to slow down the momentum with a slow tempo song, the results were kinetic. "I don't know how you guys do it in Sacramento, but back at home in Toronto, we like to get down," reggae dance hall style, Stuart said, and boy did she break it down. She got low, down to her knees, her voice booming; the audience ate it up.
(photo credit: Harlee Ria DeMeerleer)
Ironically their last song was "Gimme Gimme," when all we wanted was for them to give us more. This will not be the last from Bonjay, they are making their rounds, in Chicago one day, and San Francisco another. "Sacramento, we love you!" Stuart told the crowd. And we love you too Bonjay.
If you have the opportunity to see them perform don't miss it, you won't be disappointed. My ears recognize a good thing when I hear it.
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