Today had to begin a very specific way before I sat down to write this piece: I had to eat cake for breakfast. That’s because the the Dark Arts Festival entertained their guests with a real-life cake-eating contest, in the spirit of the event’s second night’s theme: “Let Them Eat Cake: The French Revolution” Inspiration is important, after all.
When I first heard Ratatat, I figured all they were was just another MGMT, but Ratatat injects that hackneyed formula of sample-laden laptop buggery and spinning with enough absurdest humor for those of us who like (need) some distraction with their electronica music. The New York City duo call to mind France’s The Young Gods — and a lot of the more sample-obsessed groups who utilize distorted guitars and bass lines, most of it at the press of a workstation button. Yes, Ratatat is hip enough to be loved by the elite know-it-alls of the industry, but tracks like ‘Lex’ and the single ‘Wildcat’ garnered them a lot of fans who were happy to know that sample-based electronic musicians could still play their instruments. Judging by their live shows, it’s a near-seamless blend of Gibson SGs and those aforementioned sampling techniques that make it such an entertaining show. Weird visuals that resemble detonating bombs and Hitchcock films floating on a screen behind them doesn’t hurt either. So stop reading about samples and get yourself some on Red Bull Music Academy Radio, haha.
I used to think I was good at sidewalk chalk. I bet you did too. After heading to the Pasadena Chalk Festival last week, however, I almost feel inclined to go back in time and inform my elementary-aged self to put the chalk back into the box and pursue other arts and crafts such as coloring books and Play Dough. The drawings that the dusty fingered festival-participants were creating in the courtyard of Old Town were beyond masterpieces and put anything that I may have ever doodled to definite shame.
Just when I was about to commit harry carrey — Judy Collins unleashes a new album! If that wasn’t enough, a saxy new dosage of Kenny G…Michael Jackson’s dad continues to leech off his dead son with another Jackson 5 collection, Scissor Sisters pucker up for another new release, and rockers get baptized in a Rhapsody of Fire.
Allstar Weekend – Suddenly
3OH!3 – Streets Of Gold
The-Dream – Love King
Kenny G – Heart and Soul
Delphic – Acolyte
Wolf Parade – Expo 86
Scissor Sisters – Night Work
Alex Band – We’ve All Been There
Dwele – Wants World Women
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse – Soundtrack
Indigo Girls – Staring Down The Brilliant Dream
Judy Collins – Paradise
Jackie Greene - Till The Light Comes
Jimmy Webb – Just Across The River
Alejandro Escovedo – Street Songs of Love
Laurie Berkner – Best of the Laurie Berkner Band
Andre Rieu – Forever Vienna [Deluxe]
Gilberto Santa Rosa – Irrepetible
Lee Ritenour – 6 String Theory
The Last Airbender – Soundtrack
Taddy Porter – Taddy Porter
Eric Darius – On A Mission
Rhapsody Of Fire – Frozen Tears Of Angels
Peter Case – Wig!
Parkway Drive – Deep Blue
John Fogerty – Centerfield 25th Anniversary Edition
The Jackson 5 – Live At The Forum [2 CDs]
Oasis – Time Flies…1994-2009 [3 CD / 1 DVD Box Set]
Papa Roach – To Be Loved: The Best of Papa Roach
Fitz & The Tantrums have such an enchanting story…where ex-lovers become sources of inspiration, living rooms turn into cutting-edge recording studios, and tattoo artists become heroes. I got to hear it first-hand on Thursday as I sat in the hallway of the Dangerbird Records headquarters with Fitz himself for a quick interview before he had to run off to take the stage at Silver Lake’s “Hipster Haven” aka Spaceland. It was a delightful little interview. We were offered ice cream mid-conversation and at one point Fitz was even asked to serve as an interim security guard in the absence of the guest list girl.
True to form, the shadowy masterminds of the Dark Arts Festival had all sorts of excitement planned for the ten-year anniversary, beyond live music and DJs. Every night of the event had a theme, and Friday’s was “Ancient Egypt”. We really didn’t know what to expect when we got to Area 31, a two-story nightclub that keeps SLC’s alternative party people out of trouble with nights of 80s, Electro, Pop and everything in between. Would there be sphinxes? Mummies? Sophisticated irrigation systems everywhere? What wonders awaited these weary travelers?
Though I was a little sad to find no pyramids and few attendees dressed in white linen, there was no shortage of wigs, eyeliner, or mummies. That’s right, mummies. One the night’s scheduled events was a mummy-wrapping contest. This too, of course, could have meant anything. Having never been to Salt Lake City I didn’t know how hardcore this was going to be.
One of today’s most massive drummers, Austin Beede from Alberta Cross, gives us his picks this Moody Monday.
Mood: Mirthful
After absorbing all that the Dark Arts Festival’s first night had to offer, I got the most out of our hotel’s in-room hot tub and slept a luxurious four hours while the men spent the night’s end plotting. In the morning, it was time to explore Salt Lake City. We had just a few hours before the Festival’s fashion show began and wanted to make the most of our day. As mentioned before, I’d never been to SLC and wanted to see the namesake attraction. We followed the “Salt Lake” signs in good faith, only to be led into a maze of highway stretches, half-empty amusement parks and a pocket of foul weather. With time running out we scrapped the ill-conceived idea entirely and headed for the nearest Deseret Industries outlet.
“Graffiti and graffito are from the Italian word graffiato (“scratched“)”
As I travel this diverse landscape of ours I oft notice the “gifts” given by the unknown artists of the streets. I say this with a light tone as I know not all are in it for the progression of their respectful specialties(tagging, stencil, aerosol,etc.). Often there is undue property damage and defacing, but there will be no judging here. I hope to use “scRatched” as a way for you to tour the same “galleries” I am afforded in my travels. Enjoy.
I have utmost admiration for any artist, who understands that the creation of the piece itself, most likely assures it’s eventual destruction.
Words and photos by Dustin Downing
Surfer Blood could and should be one of the best indie acts out of West Palm Beach, Florida. They’re already being compared to scene revolutionaries Pavement and Built to Spill (more accurate than the trendy Fugazi comparisons), and their single ‘Swim’ was quite a hit, earning them a spot on Pitchfork’s Top songs of 2010 list. They’re catchy, melodic, and less surfer-rock than a mixture between the above and a dash of — of all bands — Big Country. And no, that’s not a joke (nor an insult)! If ya don’t believe me, listen closely for that ‘bagpipe-y’ sound in the guitar choruses of some of their tunes. While we’re on the subject of influences, I might add that the boys know their roots — a lot of the older punk progenitors like The MC5 can be found in their muic too. But don’t be put off by this laundry list of influences – they only add to the band’s sound that you can dig now on Red Bull Music Academy Radio.