upbeat sitdown

JONTI - SINE & MOON (THE ALBUM) FREE DOWNLOAD

2012-01-17T15:32:00.000-05:00

Here's a New Year's gift from the folks at Stones Throw. The album blends chillwave, acoustic elements, psychedelia and downtempo. I particulary liked the track, "Flesh of Morning." I'll be looking for more from Jonti from now on. Thanks Stones Throw.

From the folks at the label:

Last summer, while prepping his debut album Twirligig, Jonti put together the "Sine & Moon Mix" for the Stones Throw Podcast, a collection of earlier songs he'd recorded on 4-track. In the months since the mixtape, he's been hit up with requests for the individual tracks, and so Sine & Moon (The Album) came about.

“People liked the songs on the Sine And Moon podcast, so I wanted to get them out for free. So I turned it into an album with extra's, new mixes and original Jeff Jank Artwork. I really love these songs and I hope you enjoy!” - Jonti

FREE ALBUM DOWNLOAD:

GRAB IT HERE!

01. Saturday Night Songs

02. Red On Green

03. Confused Birds

04. Nagoya Train Station 3AM

05. Nightshift in Blue (Alternate Version)

06. Koi Moon's Daughter Pt II

07. By This Shore

08. Flesh Of Morning

09. Lost Machines

10. Young Wildebeest

11. Nagoya Interlude

12. Moon Goddess

13. Sugar High

14. Lovers Stone (Alternate Passaros)

15. Vendas Newly Won Dream (Bonus Track)

Steel Wheels

2012-01-04T10:44:00.000-05:00

9'6" SLINGERLAND

2011-12-29T11:35:00.003-05:00

$880 NEW is a pretty good deal for this Slingerland shaped shop board. Available at the one, the only: Surfy Surfy.

MoMA NYC 2011

2011-12-21T22:35:00.000-05:00

Portion of Keith Haring's massive Untitled panel from 1982. Snapped at MoMA on a recent trip to the city.

My Sanctuary

2011-12-17T14:05:00.002-05:00

There's no better place to get work done or to not get work done.

Tis the Season

2011-12-16T10:09:00.000-05:00

FIRE

2011-12-09T11:59:00.005-05:00

Funk Dance Disco Friday

2011-11-30T09:45:00.001-05:00

For more info: Facebook & WXDU

Duchess Says

2011-10-30T21:13:00.001-04:00

Intense? I've been listening to Montreal's post-punk electro band, Duchess Says. They just came out with a new album, and I'm digging it. The above video is from 3 years ago. Yes, it's intense.

The Psychedelic (Jazz) Artwork of Dick Luppi

2011-10-15T23:05:00.002-04:00

On the way home from work the other day, I got to thinking about what my answer would be if I were asked what was my all-time favorite album cover. The first one that popped into my head was Chick Corea's Tones for Joan's Bones on Vortex. I bought this album purely on aesthetic from the Princeton Record Exchange years ago. It was and is still sealed. At the time, I wasn't a big Corea fan, but have since come around some, and listen to his Innerspace album on occasion. Innerspace also happens to have the all of the "Tones..." tracks on it. Allmusic.com likes the album quite a bit.

So when I got home, I pulled out the Lp along with Dave Pikes Doors of Perception which is also on Vortex, an Atlantic subsidiary. Doors is a rather interesting album, and literally could be labeled as jazz psychedelia with fuzzed out vibraphones, echo chambers and piped-in recordings. Allmusic also gives it a pretty strong review. Check out an audio sample of the title track below. I had pulled Pike's Lp along with Corea's because I was certain that the artwork was created by the same artist, and that turned out to be true. The illustration credit is given to Dick Luppi on both albums, and Roy Ayers' Virgo Vibes (also pictured above). All three albums were under the art direction of Atlantic's go-to guy, Haig Adishian.

While the psychedelic style suits the time period (late 60's), it was an unusual, and rarely utilized medium for jazz. Luppi's work was well-chosen for these three albums; it very-much compliments the sound pocketed inside. I wanted to see more albums and art by Luppi, and figured the internet would be fruitful. However, even creative searches came up short. These three Lp's are the only I could find, and there was no information on the man himself. I'm guessing and hoping he did more than these albums. If anyone knows more about this talent or other Lp's inked by him, please let me know.

WXDU Record Fair: The Finds

2011-10-04T16:24:00.000-04:00

Lp's: The Dave Brubeck Quartet "Take Five", Devo "Duty Now for the Future", Digable Planets "Blowout Comb" Promo, Billie Joe Becoat "Let's Talk for Awhile" , Hamilton Bohannon "Stop & Go" (This was a longtime want!)
45's: The Intrigues on YEW, The Esquires on Bunky, & The Modulations on Mozel (local Durham, NC rarity)
Also picked-up a couple of clean issues of Downbeat Magazine from 1967... maybe for framing.
I love music.

Time to Record Shop - WXDU

2011-09-22T21:12:00.000-04:00

OM My God

2011-09-08T13:54:00.000-04:00

Thanks Doane!

Shaka

2011-09-03T08:08:00.009-04:00

Beautiful rides are being carved over at Shakastics

The High Life

2011-08-31T10:51:00.000-04:00

I came across this photo from a camping and surfing trip in southern California. Sleeping in the Subaru and on various couches... great times. I miss that car and San O'.

2011-08-15T21:21:00.002-04:00

Great showing by Tune-Yards on Fallon

Black Lips - Family Tree

2011-08-13T01:37:00.000-04:00

Great vibe in Black and White. Love the bouncing.

HAKOSUKA

2011-07-28T11:37:00.006-04:00

A Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-X on my desk

THE REAL THING from Japanese Nostalgic Car

Visiting Oklahoma

2011-07-13T15:34:00.001-04:00

Flying Lotus - Lovers Melt 2

2011-07-08T22:18:00.002-04:00

Flying Lotus presents a two and a half hour mix, all dedicated to some memorable summer listening.

FLYING LOTUS - LOVERS MELT 2 (MIXTAPE)

HEY! - A MIX OF GARAGE, FUZZ & SURF

2011-06-29T13:18:00.001-04:00

While hardly momentous, I’m proud to say that this compilation is finally finished! For the last couple of years, I’ve wanted to put together a (primarily) garage-rock mix, but I didn’t feel like I was knowledgeable enough to do it justice. Starting last November, I became entrenched in what could be described as a fuzz bender. If it was from the 60’s, came charged with pre-punk grit, and asked to be played loud, then I was listening to it. Please understand I’m not claiming expertise in this expansive and regional genre. I’ll leave that to the ultimate collectors; those who hunt down bands who may or may not have released a couple hundred 45’s in, say, rural Missouri. Instead, I chose to compile the artists and tracks that fueled my interest to begin with. While many of the bands featured here are well under-the-radar of mainstream listeners, these are guys that “made-it.” Most of them released at least one full album, which is rare enough in this genre. Some have even been featured in films like Rushmore (The Creation) and High-Fidelity (The 13^th Floor Elevators open the movie). All have served as an influence to recent punk, rock and independent music (See Arial Pink’s cover of Bright Lit Blue Skies by The Rising Storm).

So please… roll down your windows, turn it up, and enjoy your summer!

GRAB IT HERE!

Panda Bear - "Surfer's Hymn"

2011-06-23T22:40:00.001-04:00

Hipped via Quality Peoples

Hermosa Beach Pier 2004

2011-06-15T21:15:00.001-04:00

Taken with a Polaroid Sx-70 using Time Zero film

Manhattan Beach Pier 2005

2011-06-11T16:31:00.003-04:00

Taken with a Polaroid SX-70 using Time-Zero film

Wanted

2011-06-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Convoy

2011-06-04T21:55:00.000-04:00

I'm glad my daughter loves my old Hot Wheels. I still love playing with them.

I'm Glad Summer is Here

2011-05-24T21:40:00.000-04:00

URGH!

2011-05-14T22:44:00.001-04:00

Eroc aka Michael J. Roxx crowing it up

Mayer Hawthorne - Impressions Ep - Free Download

2011-05-11T16:55:00.000-04:00

Here's a free download from Stones Throw records:

Mayer Hawthorne has released a FREE EP of cover songs. Grab it here, and read the track by track descriptions from Mayer below.

DOWNLOAD: MAYER HAWTHORNE - IMPRESSIONS

1. Work To Do
This one features my live band, The County: Quentin Joseph on drums, Topher Mohr on guitar, Quincy McCrary on piano, and Joe Abrams on bass. It was recorded live in a radio station studio somewhere during our Winter 2010 US tour. The tapes recently surfaced, but nobody can remember exactly where we were. The song is originally by The Isley Brothers, and that’s the only version I was familiar with until we started playing it in our live shows and people would come up to us and say “hey, loved your cover of Average White Band!”.

2. Don’t Turn The Lights On
My favorite track from Chromeo’s latest LP. On the surface it’s an electro-funk, dance floor filler, but underneath is a brilliant love ballad with lyrics that reminded me of something from Tyrone Davis. Dave1 (of Chromeo) told me the song is about a guy who falls in love with a ghost, so I wanted my version to have an eerie, ghostly feel to it. Quincy McCrary played the creepy piano solo at the end.

3. You’ve Got The Makings Of A Lover
Textbook Northern Soul from a little known Dallas, Texas group called The Festivals. I was digging for records in NY with my homey DJ Kurse, and the shopkeeper played the 45 in the store. Both of us immediately ran up to the counter and said “yo! what is THAT?!”. The original version was recorded in the late 60s, and the mix isn’t very good. I wanted a version that I could bump. Quentin Joseph played the drums and we recorded them at Sam Beaubien’s studio in Detroit. That’s Sam playing the trumpet as well.

4. Fantasy Girl
This song was written and composed by an amazing man from Pasadena named Steve Salazar. He was born with a heart condition and passed away at the young age of 27. Before he died he recorded one incredible album of demos in the mid-70s with a band called Shorty’s Portion. Peanut Butter Wolf found a copy of the album and I loved it so much that he gave it to me (thanks Wolf!). The vinyl had a handwritten note tucked in the sleeve that was addressed to anyone who could help the band with management, a record deal, radio airplay, etc. I’d estimate there were less than 300 copies pressed. That’s my Dad playing pedal steel guitar and Topher Mohr shredding the guitar solo on my version.

5. Little Person
Jon Brion is not from this planet. He penned this song for the soundtrack to Charlie Kaufman’s film “Synecdoche, NY”. I didn’t get the film at all, but I really got the soundtrack. The original has only female vocal and piano, but I always heard a larger arrangement. Hubert Alexander played some of the piano and I did everything else.

6. Mr. Blue Sky
This one also features my band, The County, and was recorded live, in one take, in a tiny makeshift tent, at a festival in Dour, Belgium.

RAP SNACKS: BIGGIE

2011-04-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

One of my all-time favorite videos. Conceived & directed by Spike Jonze.

Record Store Day 2011

2011-04-17T22:51:00.001-04:00

Nice balance of New:

Numero Group 35.5 2xLp / Fleet Foxes 12" / Kings of Leon 10" / Blitzen Trapper 7" / Dennis Coffey 7" / Freebies: Local Zine & some sampler CDs

& Old:

Zoo Lp / Bar-Kays Lp / 2 Kool and the Gang Lp's / Donovan 7" / The Critters 7"

PAST MIXES REPOSTED: COLOR (JUNE 2004)

2011-04-14T07:56:00.002-04:00

Last weekend, I cleaned out a corner of my basement to make room for a record cleaning station (sad, but true). During the purge, I came across a group of mixes and compilations that I had put together between 1998 and 2005. Many of them were created for a now defunct mix club. Every couple of months a group of collectors and DJ's would assemble a compilation around a common theme, and then share them with members from across the country. In June of 2004, the theme was "color." This particular mix was one of my favorites. As I did for all of the comps, the tracks were recorded from mostly original vinyl (in this case, not the Timothy McNealy or Lee Mason). While the selections span a number of genres, and range from obscure to commonplace, I tried my best to maintain a cohesive flow. Anyway, if folks dig it, I may post a few more... so let me know whatcha think! Enjoy!

Get Some Color Here

Deus SX225 Street Tracker

2011-04-12T11:09:00.000-04:00

ABSORB MORE HERE

more travelin shots

2011-04-02T02:33:00.001-04:00

been travelin

2011-03-27T22:56:00.000-04:00

Atlantic Beach Pier, North Carolina

2011-02-17T11:33:00.000-05:00

2011-02-09T13:55:00.000-05:00

Mellow beauty brought to you by Atiba & Panda Bear.

RAEN and Alex Kopps

2011-02-05T08:08:00.000-05:00

talk about honing in on a vibe then nailing it with perfection... well done.

excuses are lame...

2011-02-02T14:17:00.001-05:00

a beautifully restored FJ45 from a recent ONSC gathering

... so let's just pretend that I've been posting a ton. Fortunately, I have been keeping positively busy with stats courses, full-time employment, meet-ups (see pic) & (ad)ventures with friends and family. Speaking of projects, I've been pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with the friendly and talented folks at Square Magazine. I've been primarily tackling the musical side of things by scouring the internet for top quality mixes, and then sharing them with the masses. I'll be offering up some of my own in the near future. Go check out the offerings thus far if your iTunes library needs a little refreshing.

OK, Fair Game Mix

2010-12-13T23:59:00.000-05:00

This year I had my first opportunity to attend the OU vs Texas football game, held at the State Fair Grounds in Dallas, TX. Being a southern-raised, college basketball fan, it was truly a unique and memorable experience. Highly Recommended. Anyway, here's a hip-hop mix I quickly compiled for the post-game road-trip from Dallas to Tulsa. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD OK FAIR GAME HERE

A Musical Mix for Shredders

2010-10-20T23:08:00.000-04:00

Because cool weather is upon us, I decided to compile an upbeat punk/rock/beaty mix for all you shredders: mountain, document or otherwise. As always the tracks are tagged, labeled, pictured, and whatnot in iTunes. Just download, play & get energized. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD TREACHEROUS GNARWAL HERE

HipHop comp to follow shortly... It's done been uploaded.

Getting "Out There"

2010-09-19T23:19:00.000-04:00

So many things have been distractingly busy as of late. Sometimes its necessary for me to get out to clear my mind, body & soul. Nature works best.

Unrelated... I've been digging this track quite a bit. Don't go making any kind of conclusions from the track's title. Things haven't been that heavy.

Cooperstown Magic

2010-08-26T13:29:00.001-04:00

There was no questioning my excitement about visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame. Like many, I was a kid who grew up collecting cards (old and new). I also followed and played baseball. Initially, I was thrilled with having the opportunity to see amazing artifacts like Babe Ruth's jersey or Honus Wagner's T206 card, but my experience ran deeper than that. The nostalgia of "America's Pastime" resonated strongly with me. Hats off to the curators for they have done an excellent job of telling baseball's story. The sport's history is long, and the museum gracefully highlighted how baseball has intertwined and changed with significant eras of America's social and political history. You need not be a fan of the sport (maybe of American history) to enjoy the Hall of Fame. I had a blast. I'd go back tomorrow if you asked me to.

When it comes to design, in my opinion, baseball has been always been the tastemaker of sport. Their use of font (especially script), logos, and overall branding have, for the most part, been exquisite. I love old logos, so naturally I took many photos of those that have been favorites of mine since I was a little leaguer.

Vacation Post & More

2010-08-19T22:56:00.001-04:00

I'm quickly blogging from Norwich, NY. The fam and I have cruised through the mid-atlantic states on our way to some sleepaway camp-type fun this weekend. Today we had a blast touring the Northeastern Classic Car Museum. We had the place to ourselves. The senior volunteers made us feel at home, and gave us plenty of tidbits on the collection and surrounding area. In-house were some truly beautiful automobiles; many makes that I had never even heard of. While not rare compared to the 20 or so Franklins in the collection, the above pictured Bel Airs were mint in two senses of the word. Well worth the $9 to get in. I'm also pretty stoked to visit Cooperstown tomorrow.
(killer segueway!)

In other news, I'm not about to turn this site into a Bulls and Fernando Perez fanboy page, but IndyWeek.com just published an article on the quietly fascinating pro:

Discussing the sporting life over three lunches with Durham Bulls outfielder Fernando Perez

by Adam Sobsey

When the Indy originally solicited Durham Bulls outfielder Fernando Perez to write something about a Bull's life in Durham, he said he was too busy. That seemed at first like an excuse, but in fact, as it turns out, Bulls don't have much of a life in Durham, nor time to write about it.

Ballplayers tend to keep very different hours from the rest of us: They roll out of bed quite late, go out for some breakfast at lunchtime and then arrive at the ballpark in the mid-afternoon for practice. As far as Durham is concerned, notes the 27-year-old Perez, visiting ballplayers really like the trips here: Teams stay at the downtown Marriott, which gives them many eating options and the ability to walk to the ballpark. "This is a place where [visiting players] get people to visit them," Perez says. "It's a pretty nice setup."

Perez is of Cuban descent, but he's American and grew up in an affluent New Jersey suburb, where he went to a private high school before attending Columbia University (he's one of just a handful of Ivy Leaguers in baseball). He moves freely and easily between the white, black and Latino players in the Bulls clubhouse (he speaks Spanish fluently) but seems something of an outlier to all. He is a gifted athlete—blazingly fast, he was a child soccer prodigy before he found baseball—yet he speaks more passionately of poetry than he does about the sport he now plays professionally. Perez has in fact gained a sort of cult notoriety as that baseball player who writes poetry.

The lunching Perez, unlike the ballplayer, isn't fast at all. He carefully considers the menu and sometimes has trouble deciding what he wants—most athletes don't seem to care, as long as it's filling—and has a tendency to pick at his food. Each time we went out, it took him more than an hour to eat his modest portion. Perez's speech, too, is slow. He talks the way a poet thinks: self-aware, as though listening to his words as he utters them, revising them, laboring to articulate his ideas.

Perez has had to labor on the field this year, too, the worst of his seven-year pro career—largely the continuing result of injuries he sustained last season. He badly dislocated his wrist in spring training of 2009 and missed several months; last October, he had shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. Lately, his shoulder has been hurting again: a few days after our interviews, Perez went on the disabled list.

Perez offered to meet the Indy for a few lunches; he chose the three spots from a roster of places he likes, all located between the house he rents in Walltown and Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Lunch No. 1: The Federal

Perez seems to decide on the chicken and waffles but changes his mind at the last second and orders grilled beef tenderloin over an Asian stir-fry with black rice—which he ends up not much caring for. He drinks coffee and water.

Independent: It seems like a lot of sports is just trying not to get hurt.

Fernando Perez: Baseball accelerates your aging. I feel very different at 27 than I did at 22. At 22, you can show up to the field and pretty much just start playing—immediately. Now, you see—when you're playing with older guys in Triple-A and the big leagues—you see that there's a long process of trying to prime your body to be able to do anything, all these things that are degenerative to your body. The torque of just taking a swing. If I just rolled in today and just took a swing, I'd feel it in like six different places.

When my editor and I originally talked about this, we wanted to ask you, "What do ballplayers do when they're not playing baseball?" But you probably don't really have a lot of extra time.

It seemed like there was more downtime when I first began. There was literally less going on. The ballparks [in Class A] are not as cozy; guys don't spend as much time there as [in Triple-A]. I don't think we went to the field as early in A-ball. There's nothing to do there.

Do you have obligations to do those community ...

Usually they are voluntary, like a visit to some hospital. Often they're things to your benefit, like if you show up you get like a hundred bucks to sign autographs ... Nobody wants to say it, but that's what everybody's after, 'cause nobody would [play baseball] for free this many times a week. Maybe twice; I don't know what's the appropriate number of times that I would do it for free. That's the underlying thing. It doesn't make it into the papers because it's a very unsexy thing to talk about.

Would you rather I leave that off the record?

No. I don't care.

You've got to make your money while you can, because as soon as you can't, say, throw a curveball anymore ...

You're totally unskilled otherwise. The skill is so narrow, it's played at such a high level. All you have to do is just work on your skill; otherwise you're kind of like an ape. There's nothing to do but to cultivate this skill for which there is an amazingly high demand.

You're gifted with a lot of speed.

Yeah. An inalienable tool, which many guys have.

Do you do things to work on your speed?

I just do things to not deplete it, really. I do things to help myself be able to do the thing that I know how to do. There goes the rabbit, and there I go chasing it, and I know how to it. I'm trying to run as fast as possible all the time. I do things before the game so that, when I do that, I don't hurt myself. When I was in the playoffs for Tampa Bay [in 2008; Perez was often called on in the late innings as a pinch runner], from the sixth inning on, there was an exercise bike and I was just riding the bike, waiting for someone to say, "Go do this, now."

[Conversation turns to food.]

I go into the clubhouse and I watch what you guys are eating [at the team buffet]. Big things of fried stuff and starch. You're an athlete, your job is take care of your body. That [food] can't be useful.

And soda. So much soda. Why is there a soda machine in the clubhouse? Soda? Really? In winter ball—I played in Mexico—all there is is beer and tacos. You hurt your leg? Here's a beer. Put a beer on it.

When did you last play in Mexico?

I played in Mexico in 2007 ... For me, winter ball made more sense because I'd been learning how to hit left-handed [Perez is a natural right-hander who became a switch-hitter in 2006]. I was just getting at-bats. Most guys go down there just to make money because you can make much more money ... It pays much better than Triple-A. The Triple-A minimum is $2,300 [per month]. You can go down there [to Mexico] and make $10,000 tax-free, per month. And if you have a good game, there's some 20s on your chair ... When you're playing in Venezuela, in the Magallanes-Caracas games, it's like a nationally televised event. The stadium's packed, it's an absolute zoo. It's the craziest sporting event I've ever been to. The World Series had nothing on this. They care more.

Are the players really aware of the fans?

Actually, we are. It's important: that buzz. I think about it a lot in terms of just pure entertainment; we're obviously a bunch of showmen. The more people there are, the easier it is to do everything ... I get such a kick out of that in the dugout, when you see how indifferent everybody actually is ... You see somebody hit a home run, and the manager is just like, writing something down. I loved that; I thought that was so funny and impressive when I was in the majors. [Tampa Bay Rays manager] Joe Maddon would say, "If he hits a two-run homer, you're gonna have to go in."

Without saying, "It would be cool if he hit a two-run homer!"

Exactly. And then it happens, and he's just like, "You ready?" Maddon is very calm.

It seems like people really like playing for Maddon.

He's really anti-old-school. Joe's thing is all about, there are no rules. Winning is the only thing that's important. There's no wrong way to do things ... The best sports advice I ever got is from Maddon. He said you have to be trying to succeed as opposed to trying not to fuck up. I said, "Joe, that's the story of my life."

Lunch No. 2: Parker & Otis

Perez orders the curried chicken sandwich ("I don't think I've ever gotten anything else here," he says) plus a bowl of gazpacho, accompanied by a Naked brand juice drink and, later, a cup of black tea.

How's the soup?

Good. Much more refreshing than gazpacho usually is.

Do you think that your numbers are down just because you're not comfortable swinging [due to the shoulder surgery]? It looks like your strike zone discipline is not as good this year as last year.

It's a tough question to answer. I have not done anything well this year ... Even in the outfield, I didn't play very well, and that sucks ... I sincerely felt all year kind of crazy, like I was always thinking the wrong thing. A lot of times, I was not interested in swinging and I knew it, and I couldn't shake it from the on-deck circle. I'd be walking up [to the plate] thinking, "I'm probably gonna take two strikes."

The whole thing about hitting is not freaking out, not assuming, and we're talking not assuming in like four-tenths of a second. I felt like an A-ball player in Triple-A this year. There was a while this season when I felt really good, and that was actually when I started going south [after a strong April]. I was still taking Celebrex then. [Celebrex is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with potentially dangerous side effects; its cousin, Vioxx, was pulled from the market.] Without it last year, I don't know how I would have played at all.

Are you taking anything now?

No, I'm not. I'm just not into doing it anymore. It's really not good for you, and if I'm gonna be playing for a long time, I might as well learn how to not take it right now.

It's funny: You're coming off of this big-time physical setback with your shoulder, but it almost sounds like it's—

Mental? I felt that it was very much mental. I felt that I didn't have the control I usually have. I don't feel like I need help. I feel like I know what I need to do; I'm just not doing it. ... A lot of what I need is strength, physical stuff, and that, a lot of times, gives you all the confidence in the world.

Hearing what you're saying, it makes perfect sense why players are tempted to do steroids.

If this was the '90s, somebody would come up to me and say, "Here, rub some steroid cream on your wrist." I wouldn't feel [pain] at all.

Lunch No. 3: Dos Perros

Perez orders a chilled watermelon soup special (which he loves) and a shrimp burrito. Coffee again, which he drinks plenty of during the 90-minute lunch. The talk lands on the subject of high school.

Did you [act] in high school?

I did a musical.

Which one?

A Chorus Line.

Who'd you play? [Perez can't remember the character's name.] Richie?

Yeah. The black guy. [Laughs] I played the black guy. But I didn't do [theater] for very long. I considered doing it in college, but my coach said, listen, you're gonna gain 15 pounds and you're gonna be the Ivy League Player of the Year. I don't think [it's] gonna work for you. That coach was a huge motivator. So he got me a lot stronger, and was in my ear about how possibly awesome I could be. That's around the time when I knew [I would be a pro ball player].

It must be hard to manage the workload in college when you're playing a sport.

Yeah, reading all this classic literature, hanging out in New York City. I was certainly not able to do great in school and also go to baseball practice and also have the sense that I was having fun. I wanted to do well; I just couldn't do it.
[The conversation moves to Perez's childhood.]
The thing was that I played very serious soccer, almost at a child-star level, and it ended very abruptly with horrible mismanagement by parents and ridiculous politics that kids should never be exposed to ... Everybody quit. Nobody on that team plays soccer anymore. We should have had guys on the U.S. national team. Soccer was my identity sport. I played baseball because I lived next door to a baseball field and my friends played baseball, and our parents liked it ... The thing about baseball is that I never loved it like I loved soccer. I just always thought baseball was hard.
Do you look forward to some day when your career is over?
Yeah, totally.
Do you want to write more than you do?
Yeah, but if I was not playing baseball, maybe I wouldn't even be writing poetry. Baseball is this perfectly fertile situation for poetry. Poetry is not like a machine built to do anything other than be itself. I also don't think that just because I can hit a fastball, I should be allowed to publish a book of poems. You will never be able to take away from it the fact that I hit baseballs.
When you say fertile, is that because baseball is also not a machine?
No, I say that because I've got this job, I'm engaged, it's what I'm doing, I have no pressure to doanything. I find poems to be very ... not lazy, but there's another word for it. There's no reason for me to take that into any other state than just the ideas. Since I have a job, I don't have any reason to make any of these things be some sort of sustenance for myself. I guess that's what it's about. If I didn't have a job, [poetry] might be something that I have to make fit into something.
Once that starts to happen, once you're trying to sell your poetry, that pressure builds around it.
More than it already does. There already is some pressure. But I've never had more pressure ensuing, and that's nice.
"A poem should not mean, but be." I think that's Archibald MacLeish ["Ars Poetica"].
That [describes poet John] Ashbery, certainly. I wrote about Ashbery in the off-season. I went to see him read at this little café. He just, like, gets out of a cab and walks in; and he gave me this hard look as he walked in the door. A month before, when players come out to the parking lot—I've done next to nothing in the major leagues but it's like a deal: "Hey Fernando!" Screaming. I was contrasting these things, seeing this poetic titan, like a Hank Aaron kind of a guy. [An interviewer] says to him, "What got you started writing poetry?" And Ashbery replies, "I thought, 'I could do that.'" So honest. "What were you thinking when you got that single when the bases were loaded?" In the instant, you're not thinking anything. It reminds me so much of them asking Ashbery why do you do this. This guy wanted this gorgeous explanation, and he got the truth.

2 Mixes from Soul-Sides

2010-08-15T23:18:00.001-04:00

While there is little to no similarity between the two, both are chocked full of quality listening. Check'em!
From O-Dub & the famous soul-sides blog:

01. Floating Action – So Vapor

02. Paul Parrish – English Sparrow

03. Sublime – Steppin’ Razor

04. Nairobi Sisters – Promise Land (Dub Mix)

05. Francoise Hardy – Je T’ Aime

06. Gal Costa & Caetano Veloso – Que Pena

07. Bibio – Jealous of Roses

08. Shuggie Otis – Inspiration Information

09. Seu Jorge – Mania de Peitao (Jamais Plus Jamais Mix)

10. Mgababa Queens – Akulaiwa Esoweto

11. Hermas Zopoula – Seigneur Apprends Moi

12. Bitty McLean – Walk Away From Love

13. Gaylads – I Need Your Loving

14. Rita Lee – Minha Vida (In My Life)

15. Serge Gainsbourg – Ballade de Melody Nelson

16. Yo La Tengo – The Summer

17. Commodores – Night Shift

DL here

Side A
New Hope – Godofallofus
The Inspirational Gospel Singers – The Same Thing It Took
The Week Sisters – What Will It Be Like
Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens – I’ll Take The Long Road
Andrew Wartts and the Gospel Storytellers – There Is A God Somewhere
The Religious Souls – Heaven Sweet Heaven
T.L. Barrett & Youth For Christ Choir – Like A Ship

Side B
Charles May and Annette May Thomas – More Faith Is What It Takes
The Art Reynolds Singers – Down Here Lord/How Did It Feel?
The Joubert Singers – Stand on the Word
Donny Hathaway – Lord Help Me
Robert Vanderbilt – Especially To You
The Truthettes -So Good To Be Alive
G.C. (Gospel Clouds) – Let Us Pray
The Relatives – Goodbye World

Download Hereski

Summer Rules

2010-07-27T21:53:00.000-04:00

It's passing by so fast.

Fernando On His Musical Selections

2010-07-25T15:02:00.002-04:00

What’s in a Song?

New York Times
May 13, 2009, 4:53 pm
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/whats-in-a-song/

By FERNANDO PEREZ

Fernando Perez of the Tampa Bay Rays is out with a wrist injury. But the Columbia University graduate is biding his time, occasionally writing for the Bats blog.

When Lou Gehrig put on the Columbia University baseball uniform to pitch and smash home runs, the school’s ball field was at the center of campus, across 116th Street, near Harlem. After Gehrig’s tenure, baseball was relocated to the northern tip of Manhattan, a 20-minute subway ride away.
The first televised sporting event in this country was a Columbia baseball game against Princeton, and let’s just say that in the 80 years between Gehrig’s time at Columbia and when I attended, there was a decline in sports’ priority. The only folks watching us play Princeton were our parents.

We might have been lacking some athleticism, but we were not short on personality. College is really where I consummated my love for the game, with a great cast of characters perpetrating this superengaging sport when it seemed that nobody but us cared and the rewards were negligible.
For some reason batting music had some inflated status to us. As a sub-.500 season approached, we would talk at practice and in the locker room about our theme music, like Peter Griffin, who sided with something sexy if i remember correctly. There was a former player who, according to lore, made his own remix to be used in what would be his only home college at-bat. He used Eminem’s song “My Name Is,” except he edited out “slim shady” and overdubbed himself saying his own name. I wasn’t there but I don’t think he sounded much like a rapper.

There was only one song that I would choose for myself, and that was the “Price Is Right” theme. The horns are so brave! It’s pretty much as funky as possible, especially the extended edit. But I would come up to the plate during midweek games against more sportsy schools that loved beating up on the geeks and hear the infielders laughing. I distinctly remember a guy playing right field who asked, using language more often heard on a baseball diamond than in The New York Times, who is this guy?!?
I hit a homer. I had no choice. I remember being so embarrassed by the song that I had to lock in and put a good A.B. together. The same sort of psychosis followed our best relief pitcher, who warmed up to “Ode to Joy” before his barrage of slow fastballs, slower sliders and Jedi eyebrow tricks.

Music aside, it’s interesting to contrast all the different feelings players associate with being “ready.” Sometimes it’s an energy potion, with the word “extreme” somehow incorporated into the label. I’ve seen (and love) aromatherapy oils on the bill of the cap. I’d say 75 percent of players square themselves with a pregame shower. When I played in Mexico, the cigarette and beer were the leading tonics.

In the way of “pump up” music, I used Talib Kweli and the Walkmen, but quickly learned it wasn’t advantageous to feel like I wanted to jump or scream about ex-girlfriends.

The California league can be maddening no matter how it’s going for you. The desert has a very confusing energy for an outdoor summer performer, and my music selections were marked by their effect on me. You might just say I was going crazy. I was trying to forge a dialectic that was personal, even climactic — there was experimental electronica (Prefuse 73’s “With Dirt and Two Texts — Afternoon Version), which I used in the throes of heat exhaustion to feel less human, more machine-like at the plate. There were desolate rock ballads to put pitchers to sleep like Wings’ “Band on the Run.” It was a little too decadent, though I was just about the only one listening to really judge.

I continued this indulgence through AAA and began dismissing songs as if the gimmick lost its poignancy or when I suspected that the tunes were not raising my on-base percentage. The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight” went over great, but was dismissed before a string of day games. “Are You a Hypnotist,” by the Flaming Lips, was just too dramatic for baseball. I also couldn’t hit anything. Just like “Milestones” (Miles Davis), it was quickly nixed by my teammates. I tried to use Curtis Mayfield’s “Move on Up” and Devotchka’s “We’re Leaving” to help get me out of Durham.

When a player uses the same song over a long period of time, the song disappears to the player (which is likely advantageous) and really becomes property of the fans. When Evan Longoria comes up in a big spot and the first few seconds of “Down and Out” by Tantric plays, it cues the crowd to follow in a chorus of excitement and irrational expectations that thrillingly thwart out the announcing of his name. As Evan came up to the plate with the bases loaded against the Red Sox on May 1, this all became so clear. While the staff and most of the players play it cool, you may catch any one of us on the bench rolling our neck into position to play air violin along with the riff.

The crowd wants a six-run homer. Evan hits a grand slam, “breaks the game,” the crowd goes wild and minutes later is similarly frenzied into the same expectations from Carlos Pena as soon as his song plays, which, after a moment like that, never sounded so good. He obliges and delivers a back-to-back homer to seal the victory.

When I got to the major leagues, I went Motown. My friend asked why, and I said it was a diplomatic selection, that Motown, like Chinese food, is one of the few things people of all sorts can agree upon. Ideally, I’d come out to solo Monk or trance-inducing traditional Indian music, but the more I get to be around here, the more I realize it’s all about the fans. This is a circus, and we are the clowns. Nobody boos after Stevie Wonder anyway. But in the event of my signing any sort of deal that includes one of those awkward press conferences, I’m going back to my roots, “The Price Is Right.”

Durham Bulls Press Release: Fernando Perez

2010-07-22T22:40:00.000-04:00

Cool little article on Bulls/Rays outfielder, Fernando Perez. I didn't know he was a poet. I do know he's got great taste in music. Like most clubs, players get to choose their up-to-bat music. Over the past couple of seasons, he's chosen quality tracks from Motown to The Walkmen to Camp Lo. Anyway, dig it:

by Diana Holoman

How many people can say that they have graduated from an Ivy League school? Not many. How many people can say that they graduated from an Ivy League school and were a part of a Major League Baseball World Series? Even fewer. But one of those lucky individuals is Durham Bulls outfielder Fernando Perez.

"Just being a part of a team that made it to the 2008 World Series is an experience I am so grateful to have under my belt" Perez said. "There are people who I look up to, like Ken Griffey Jr., who have played for 20 years and make it to the Hall of Fame but never make it to a World Series. For me to get to play in a World Series after just stepping foot in the major leagues a couple weeks prior is just an experience that I feel really, really lucky to have been a part of"

Perez, a stand-out baseball player at Columbia University, was drafted in the 7th round (195th overall) in the 2004 MLB draft to the Rays. Perez was one of six Ivy Leaguers on major league rosters at the beginning of the 2009 season. At Columbia, Perez studied American studies and completed the creative program. He later used his creative writing skills to become the first Major League Baseball player published in Poetry Magazine.

According to Perez, in an article entitled "Para Rumbiar" he wrote for the Poetry Foundation, baseball and poetry have more things in common than most people might suspect.

"Like poetry, baseball is a kind of counter culture. The isolation from the outside world (which I often opt for); the idleness about which - and out of which - so many poems are written or sung" Perez said "I see this state of mind as a blessing. Sometimes, in fact, when I haven't turned on a television or touched a newspaper for months, freed from the corporate bombast, poetry is the only dialect I recognize."

While rehabbing from wrist surgery in 2009, Perez wrote columns for the New York Times and the Rays game-day program. He also participated in "Hot Stove, Cool Music," which benefits nearly a dozen inner-city social programs in Boston and New York.

Although Perez is an athlete with a lot to brag about off of the field, he prefers to stay focused on baseball as much as possible instead of taking the time to chat about his off field accolades.
"I try to keep my focus here (on the baseball field), and yes, there are other things that I do in order to carry on a normal life," Perez said. "But really I try not to think about those things during the season, and I try to just keep my focus on baseball.

Coming off of injuries, it has not been an ideal season for Perez thus far; however, he refuses to let this season get the best of him. Perez is determined to get through this year and to continue to focus on the big picture.

"I have never had to push my self like this before," Perez said. "This year, fighting through injuries has tested my resolve and it has been hard, but my goal is to get back to playing the kind of baseball that I am capable of playing. This year is all about having simple goals."

LA: (Some of) The Food

2010-07-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

LA: Days 3 & 4

2010-07-20T22:34:00.000-04:00

LA: Days 1 & 2

2010-07-18T22:12:00.000-04:00

California Pics on the way...

2010-07-15T23:46:00.000-04:00

Just went thru 300 or so. One for now:

Los Angeles Bound

2010-07-07T11:57:00.000-04:00

I'm heading back after a long hiatus. It'll be great to see good friends and local haunts. See ya when I return.

The Reason I Have 3 Toyotas?

2010-06-30T21:51:00.001-04:00

Those brand new T100s look nice.

My Feet Thank You

2010-06-18T15:11:00.001-04:00

Big ups to Matthew for letting me get all bohemian at work! While the name is more complex than the design, these Vans Organic Canvas Rata Plus are super comfy. I love secret gifting. Thanks for keeping a lookout for me. See you soon!

Speaking of bohemian... It's the summer, Friday afternoon and about time for one of these:

Run For Cover: A Reggae Compilation

2010-06-11T10:36:00.004-04:00

My musical selections are definitely driven by the season.* It's pretty much inevitable that when the weather begins to warm up, I start listening to more and more sun-drenched rhythms. So far this summer, it's been reggae dominated by rocksteady staples. Here, I've assembled songs that have begged me for multiple listens. Thrown in are classics, twists on classics and a few under-the-radar selections for you to enjoy. Crack open a lager or pour yourself a cool glass of water, throw those feet-up and take-in the breeze. Hopefully, you have one.

Download "Run for Cover" Here

*My beer sampling also follows this pattern. In the winter, it's stouts and porters, where as now, all I'm sipping on is pilsners and pales.

Still down with the P-Rod Commercial

2010-06-04T10:03:00.001-04:00

So well done. It's worth another look.

I just noticed that Lance Mountain was one of the cops.

Father / Daughter Stroll

2010-06-01T23:40:00.002-04:00

Two photos taken by my 2 year old daughter on a morning "picture walk." She loves taking pictures, and as a result has pretty much commandeered our digital point and shoot. It's funny to see how much she seeks out opportunities to capture pics of little details (i.e., a drawer pull) that we overlook or simply tune out as visual noise. It's refreshing to see her fascination for most everything in her new world. I hope she keeps it for a long, long time. FYI, I don't know where her camera is hiding. That's toddler responsibility for ya.
My favorite of the walk:

hilarity

2010-05-30T08:00:00.004-04:00

He felt he was making some important points, but his sister refused to acknowledge it, and focused instead on her fishsticks.

(Photo: Patrick Reynolds; Dwell)

...another from the extremely witty Unhappy Hipsters Blog.

Logging in NC

2010-05-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

unknown surfer / wrightsville beach, nc / march 2010

Birthday Mix with a Heavy Texas Influence

2010-05-26T13:12:00.000-04:00

In honor of my three, Texas-born, amigos who share birthdays quite close to one another, I've created a compilation of songs that I think they'd like. Some will definitely be familiar or favorites, but others are those that I envisioned them listening to and enjoying. Happy Birthday, fellas! Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Download: The Ballad of Doyle Hargraves

Alaia-Sliding in Wrightsville Beach

2010-05-24T16:04:00.002-04:00

As we are well into the warm-water months here in NC, the (above) full suit and gloves probably looks a little out of place. I guess this is just a good example of my proclivity to procrastinate. Anyway, back in March, the family and I made a trip out to Wilmington to see an old friend and spend a little time at the beach. The kids and I were digging in the sand when we saw a fellow stroll up with a couple of alaias tucked under his arm. While these crafts are increasingly popping-up in videos and on the web, I hadn't seen one out this way. The rider and shaper (and musician) introduced himself as Jason Andre. He's been shaping the boards under J sun Alaias (now linked on the right) out of paulownia wood from South Carolina. At the time, Mr. Andre was about to begin selling them at Surf City Surf Shop in Wrightsville. So be sure to look for them next time your in. I asked him if it was cool to take some photos of the cold water (51 degrees F) session, and he obliged. Enjoy!

His alaia blog has some nice (and warmer) shots of some solid surfing on his craft. Also, visit his music website and myspace page, and support some local progression. Nice to meet you, Jason! Keep it up!

O.Y. ("Oh Yeah"): The reggae comp has been compiled... I just need to upload it. Thanks for the reminder emails. Stay tuned.

Rockers - REMOVE YAAAAA!!!

2010-05-01T13:00:00.000-04:00

I've been on a reggae tear something awful. I watched Rockers the other night, and I never get enough of the Dirty Harry & Horsemouth "takeover" seen. Classic material as I would say!!!

Lookout for an upbeat sitdown reggae compilation (60's/70's) in the next couple of weeks.

Musical disc from the flick of my wrist to make you jump and twist!

Arthur Verocai: Time to Get Familiar (Downloads Within)

2010-04-24T16:59:00.002-04:00

Arthur Verocai in 1972.

From NPR:

August 10, 2009 – I was standing backstage at Cal State’s Luckman Theater when I saw him: tall and thin, dark and intense, his lanky frame barely filling what was supposed to be a fitted suit. Though he was missing the mane of black hair he wore on the cover of his self-titled 1972 album, he was unmistakably composer, arranger and producer Arthur Verocai. Largely unknown in his home country of Brazil, Verocai is worshiped by the likes of TV on the Radio, Cut Chemist, DOOM and Madlib — all of whom were in attendance at this historic event, in which Verocai led a 30-piece orchestra in the first and only performance of his legendary album.
The evening didn’t disappoint. Watching him on stage was transfixing. He didn’t have to do much; he’d done all the hard work at age 25, when he wrote the original charts that this orchestra, under his watchful eye, played to the note. You got the feeling that he recognized just how important this concert was — not just for himself, but also for the lucky audience of 1,200.
The next day, as I fielded emails, text messages and IMs from those who were there, Cut Chemist put it best: “That was one of the best shows L.A. has ever seen.” I felt the need to review my collection for some high points of Verocai’s varied career — which stretched from the heady psychedelia of O Terco (whose first album he arranged) to the gorgeous pop of the little-known duo Ana Maria e Mauricio.
For the playlist assembled by Egon for this article click: VEROCAI

From vtech's music site:
Arthur Verocai is a mysterious figure even in his native Brasil. He has composed and arranged for such giants as Jorge Ben, Gal Costa and Leny Andrade. But hiphop heads know him for his often sampled (see Ludacris, MF Doom and Lil Brother) self-titled solo album. The album came out at the height of the Brasilian dictatorship and was a commercial failure. His performance of this seminal 1972 record complete brought the sold out crowd at the Luckman Theater to a stand still. According to Verocai, he had never played the record, “alive or dead!” His delight at the opportunity to play this music in its complete form can be seen on the Timeless DVD box set.

This song, “Flying to L.A.” was written specifically for the concert at the Luckman. Tt starts with open drums by Mamao from the famed Brasilian trio Azymuth, and then goes on a beautiful harmonic journey. Enjoy, share and turn it up. Download from here. (Right Click & Choose "Save as")

FULL SCREENThe Sounds of VTech / Arthur Verocai: Flying To L.A.

Audio Only:

The Sounds of VTech / Flying To L.A.

Besides being an amazing mix in itself, this is a wonderful way to experience Verocai's talent as a musician, composer and arranger. You need this in your life... especially with the weather warming up! See more info on the mix below.

The Sounds of VTech / DJ Nuts - Arthur Verocai Mix

On the eve of the Verocai show, DJ Nuts was supposed to perform with Madlib. He made the arduous journey from Brasil after completing a show with Marcelo D2. He endured a punishing series of flights that took 20 hours to complete, and in the end, a plane delay caused him to miss his own set at the start of the show.

In a pinch, J.Rocc stepped up to the plate and performed a stellar set at the Luckman in his place, and Nuts went on to DJ a mind-blowing two hour set at the after-party.

So much of Mochilla’s dealings in Brasil would not have been possible without Rodrigo Teixera (known to the world as DJ Nuts). The Verocai concert surely would never have happened without him. His role in helping with the pre and post co-ordination was enormous.

DJ Nuts is an astute and rigorous historian of Brasil’s vast and varied musical culture. His record collection is legendary; his skills as a DJ are world class. We commissioned him to make this mix to help people understand the extraordinary legacy of Verocai. Many by now know Verocai’s self-titled album, some even know the more popular compositions and arrangements, but none have dug as hard as Nuts. Years of collecting and a strong friendship with Verocai himself have made this historic mix possible. 78 minutes of all Verocai compositions and arrangements is a dream come true.

For such a mix to be made, only a true Brasilian music aficionado could have created this, and we are honored to be able to share it with you.

Right Click to Download: DJ Nuts – Arthur Verocai Mix

Riding on a High and Windy Day

2010-04-16T15:33:00.000-04:00

Here's to ushering in a beautiful weekend with The Paragon's classic! Have a good one.

Cosmic Literary Marketing

2010-04-16T12:40:00.003-04:00

The local library's "BookMobile" was in the neighborhood. Catchy...

Cool, Quick & Clean

2010-04-13T11:27:00.002-04:00

Rad little teaser of a video by the folks at Korduroy TV. This was hipped to me by NC's own, Ryan Tatar.

I noticed some Greg Weaver footage in there. Duane and I interviewed him in Park City a couple years back. Mr. Weaver proved to be both humble and hilarious. I'm sure that Duane would agree that hanging with him was the highlight of our trip. Here is a snippet of that interview:

Care Package

2010-04-11T22:42:00.000-04:00

My oft-mentioned friend, Duane, sent me a surprise package a month or so ago. My daughter was extremely excited, as it had all sorts of toys and goodies stashed inside. With my interests, it was difficult to tell which items were specifically for me or for the 2 year old. There was a smattering of fun and random trinkets, all packed carefully with thought and anticipation. Thanks friend! T'was ahsum. I'm glad you liked your response delivery.

Two Stonesthrow Videos - They're Quite Good

2010-04-06T21:41:00.001-04:00

Slo-mo San Francisco Smoothness.

This song was rightfully suggested by Baker a week or so ago. Stonesthrow just released the official video. Both are excellent, and worthy of a re-mention. Enjoy.

One Got Fat: Bicycle Safety (1963)

2010-04-04T20:47:00.001-04:00

From the cool moving images (movies) portion of the internet archive website.

A group of children, all wearing ape masks, rides their bicycles to the park for a picnic. Along the way, all but one are eliminated for violating basic bike safety rules. This strange film was narrated by Edward Everett Horton. Script and Direction: Dale Jennings. Photography: Max Hutto. Art Direction: Ralph Hulett. With Dick Hutto, Janice Powell, Lucie Hagens, Ralph Hulett, Clyde L. Johnson, Dave Hembree, Colleen Hutto, Charles Hagens, Kevin Lindsay, Dan Whitehead, Don Moody, Diane Chambers, Shirley Hulett.

This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Interlude Films
Sponsor: N/A
Audio/Visual: Sd, C
Keywords: Bicycles; Safety: Bicycle; Animals: Apes

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

MG MGB GT

2010-04-02T10:59:00.000-04:00

I'm working on a holiday, but it appears some some other folks are, too. I spotted this beauty in a University parking deck on my way in. While I'll toil away for the next several hours, I'd rather be driving this down a windy, sun-drenched road. Oh well.

From wiki:
The fixed-roof MGB GT was introduced in October 1965 and production continued until 1980, although export to the US ceased in 1974. The MGB GT sported a Pininfarina-designed hatchback body. The new configuration was a 2+2 design with a right-angled rear bench seat and more luggage space than in the roadster. Relatively few components differed, although the MGB GT did receive different suspension springs and anti-roll bars and a different windscreen which was more easily and inexpensively serviceable. Early prototypes such as the MGB Berlinette produced by the Belgian coach builder Jacques Coune utilized a raised windscreen in order to accommodate the fastback.
Acceleration of the GT was slightly slower than that of the roadster due to its increased weight, though handling improved due to significantly increased chassis rigidity and perhaps slightly better weight distribution. Top speed improved by 5 mph (8 km/h) to 105 mph (170 km/h) due to better aerodynamics.

Right Up My Alley

2010-03-30T12:14:00.000-04:00

To Have & To Hold is a 'musicmentory' to celebrate the age of vinyl records...including interviews, fresh graphics and good music. Directed by Jony Lyle for Goosepimple Productions 2010.

I came across this via Glen E. Friedman's blog.Thank ya, sir!

Spring + The Kingstonians

2010-03-25T13:56:00.001-04:00

Things are warming-up & I'm so glad about that.

Let the Madness Begin

2010-03-18T16:39:00.001-04:00

t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t t i m e t o u r n a m e n t

Here is a direct link to the OFFICIAL NCAA TOURNAMENT SITE which has all the scores and you can watch the games LIVE in HIGH-QUALITY for FREE!

Cross It Off The List: Gilberto Gil in Concert

2010-03-15T23:04:00.003-04:00

Last night, we double-dated with Eric and Emily to Gilberto Gil's Acoustic (String) Trio at UNC's Memorial Hall. Gilberto is arguably Brazil's most famous singer/songwriter. He has been recording for over 4 decades and co-founded the Tropicalia genre in the late sixties.

Initially, while excited, I was hesitant to get my hopes up. Over the last 5 years, I've pulled from Mr. Gil's catalog again and again. I'd set a mental reference of how he should sound and (somehow) perform. In the end, I was not disappointed in the least. I'd honestly have to say that it was one of the best performances I've seen. He sounded wonderful: sharp, both vocally and musically. He exuded charisma and humility. After the performance, Eric summed it up well, " That was amazing. It was one of those experiences where you knew how special it was as it was happening."

If you haven't heard Gilberto's music, make your way to your local music shop. Here's a sip from his 1971 album:

PDUB: HB, CA

2010-03-12T10:54:00.001-05:00

Artist and friend-extraordinaire, Mr. Duane Fernandez, is currently visiting our old stomping grounds of Hermosa Beach, CA. While having lunch at Los Muchachos, he came across a PDUB sticker placed about 5 years ago. Duane produced these stickers from a stencil he made shortly after Powell "PDUB" Williams was killed by a drunk driver in March of 2005. For both of us, he was as close of a friend as you could have. He is no less missed today as the day he left us.

In honor of Powell, Corrina and I are volunteering and walking with MADD in Raleigh, NC on March 20th. We'd love for you to join us! If you're able, we'd greatly appreciate a donation to support a charity so dedicated in ending these daily (and avoidable) tragedies. Please visit Corrina's MADD page for more information.

A Demon Deacon Dunk

2010-02-27T23:47:00.001-05:00

This is one of my favorite sequences taken this season. I love setting the camera on the floor, aiming up & firing away. The power of this slam and the sheer size of the Dean E. Smith center comes across quite well here.

I LIKED THIS ONE

2010-02-22T21:26:00.000-05:00

Coco at Duke Gardens this past weekend. It reminded me of this...

Past Mixes REposted: Duders (October 2007)

2010-02-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here is the 2nd mix from WTW#4. It's available for download as a zip file. It's mixed together, so you should set it as a "gapless" album when you import it to your iTunes. The cover images for both the mixes are 6X6 so they should fit a standard CD case. Enjoy.

Tracklist:
01. Lee Austin – Screwdriver
02. Edan – Funky Voltron feat. Insight
03. Outkast – Int’l Players Anthem feat. UGK (Jaymack Remix)
04. Jay Z and the Escorts – Song Cry (DJ Soul Remix)
05. The Roots – Can’t Stop This (DJ Soul Remix)
06. Black Milk – So Gone
07. Talib Kweli – Funny Money (Madlib Prod.)
08. Clipse – We Got it for Cheap
09. Wild Style – Subway Theme (instrumental)
10. M.O.P. – Pounds Up (DJ Soul)
11. Black Milk – Sound the Alarm feat. Guilty Simpson
12. Jay Z – Encore (Paul Nice Remix)
13. 50 Cent – Straight to the Bank (Jaymack Remix)
14. Black Milk – Applause
15. Royce Da 5’9” – Boom
16. Daz Dillinger – In California
17. Dead Prez – Hip Hop
18. Jermiside & Brickbeats – Do ya Thing
19. Jay Dee – Ritmo Suave Bossa Nova

Download the DUDERS Mix here

Past Mixes REposted: Chickadees (October 2007)

2010-02-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a mix I put together for WTW#4. It's available for download as a zip file. It's mixed together, so you should set it as a "gapless" album when you import it to your iTunes. The second mix will be up in a day or so. Enjoy.

Tracklist:
01. Donna Corbett - No More Bang Bang (Version)
02. The Dynamics – Seven Nation Army
03. M.I.A. – Paper Planes
04. Western Roots – Rockers Galore
05. Clipse – Mr. Me Too feat. Pharrell
06. Jay Z - 99 Problems (Paul Nice Remix)
07. Beastie Boys - Shake Your Salt (Jaymack Remix)
08. Mark Ronson – Oh My God feat. Lily Allen
09. Modest Mouse – Dashboard
10. Good Shoes – Wait
11. We Were Promised Jetpacks – Moving Clocks Run Slow
12. Mark Ronson – Valerie feat. Amy Winehouse
13. Robots in Disguise – Turn it Up
14. Justice – The Party
15. Justice – D.A.N.C.E.
16. M.I.A. – Bamboo Banga
17. Mark Ronson – Pretty Green feat. Santo Gold
18. Peter, Bjorn, and John – Young Folks

Download the CHICKADEES Mix

Past Mixes REposted: GROWN Mix (January 2008)

2010-02-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a mix I made strictly for moi. It's a blend of rock: southern, classic, country, and folk. Overall, pretty mellow. I made it a bit before Cadence was born. At the time, I had been listening to music that I was exposed to growing up in North Carolina. Some of the songs were actual ones that I remember being played around the house, while others are numbers I've found later that are in a similar vein. I wonder if the music I'm playing today will leave a profound impression on Cadence. I hope so... better than the junk currently played on mainstream radio stations. See I am getting old and bitter!

Anyway, it's available for download as a zip file. Love it or hate it, it's all one track blended together. I kinda like that format for the iPod. Anyway... enjoy.

Past Mixes REposted: A Wintry Mix (December 2008)

2010-02-16T12:15:00.000-05:00

While home sick most of last week, I got around to putting together a mix. It does reflect the season's change from fall to winter, and the songs chosen were probably influenced by the way I felt. Not to say that it is a downer of a compilation, although that's just where I was coming from. Anyway, it's in a mellow vein with acoustic and soft synth stylings. It's a contemporary version of the Grown Mix (also available) from a year or so ago. The tracks selected were also ones that I felt Corrina would enjoy even if she had never heard them. It's one long track, which I happen to like for mixes on the iPod. Oh yeah, Coco liked the mix. So... take a sip of the juice or go ahead and download the whole thing. Tracklist is in the comments. Leave a critique, please. Enjoy!

If I May Recommend Some Valentine's Soul

2010-02-14T13:44:00.001-05:00

Last year about this time, I had put together a Valentine's Day Mix for my lady friend (aka my wife), but this time I decided to suggest two solid soul Lp's, one a bit harder to find than the other. Different in scope and arrangement, Issac Hayes' "Hot Buttered Soul" and William DeVaughn's "Be Thankful for What You've Got" are both well worth your time. Enjoy a sample of each:

night + snow

2010-02-14T00:32:00.000-05:00

Room with a View

2010-02-07T17:25:00.002-05:00

We're planning on an Outer Banks trip in March. I really would like a rooftop tent for the Land Cruiser. I figure it pays itself off after a few nights of camping vs. paying for a hotel. That's decent logic, right?

Snow Day Drive

2010-01-31T23:26:00.001-05:00

I took many a picture this snowy weekend, but Firefox crashed as I was uploading them. I don't have the patience to do it again right now, so here's one of Stanley. While he kills it in the snow and ice, I think he was just happy to stretch his legs a bit in 4WD.

The Unhappy Hipsters Blog

2010-01-29T13:37:00.002-05:00

"The things that once so defined him — shag carpeting, Room & Board sofas, monogamy — now suffocated him."

-from the "Unhappy Hipsters" blog

Getting beyond the irony that Unhappy Hipsters is most likely the creation of an actual hipster, it is definitely witty and fun. I'll readily admit that this site was tipped-off to me through the wonderful 2 or 3 Things I Know blog.

D U N K

2010-01-21T23:37:00.000-05:00

Cool shot taken by fellow photographer, Chris Flori from a camera he mounted to the post. You'll notice me (green shirt) geeking instead of snapping the moment. Oopsy.

A Gallop Through Your Mind

2010-01-20T09:22:00.001-05:00

Here's a 60's to early 70's compilation of rock and folk with psychedelic tinges. All of the tracks have an underlying tie to animals (the creatures, not the band). As per usual, there are some ubiquitous selections intermixed with obscure, and sometimes odd tunes. I hope this isn't selling some of these short, but a few of the songs are so bad (not really) that they're good. As always... enjoy!:

Download Pyschedelic Horse Here

Just in case... the cover and title are an homage to the exploito-psychedelic bands and compilations from the sixties. Facetiousness is hard to communicate in print.

dreamride

2010-01-16T00:03:00.000-05:00

Porsche 356 via the often linked Loudpop Voyager. Those black-walled, white lettered Goodyears on black steel wheels just kill it... really makes that red pop. Put one in the mail for me, porfa.

M.I.A.'s Latest Offering

2010-01-13T13:44:00.000-05:00

Just released via her twitter, and it has already spread across the web. She manages to kill it time and time again. Great tune.

The West is the Best

2010-01-13T11:49:00.000-05:00

Maybe as a form of self-punishment, but for some reason I decided to check a few of the Southern California spots that I (and tons of others) surfed regularly. While NC's waters may be far less crowded than L.A.'s, you do need waves to actually surf.
Have fun out there. I miss you.

Random Flicks from 2009

2010-01-01T21:45:00.000-05:00

These aren't gallery shots, just those that resonate with me for some reason:

Edan's Echo Party - KILLLLLLLLLLLLUURRRRRRRRR

2009-12-16T22:37:00.000-05:00

video directed by: Tom Fitzgerald
music by: Edan

After Edan labored for a year to complete his new project Echo Party he was very happy with the outcome but wanted it to have a visual accompaniment to help compliment his live DJ set. He approached Tom Fitzgerald who also happens to be Cut Chemists go to video guy and film archivist who works for the The Silent Theatre in LA. What has been created in nothing short of a perfect visual marriage for the unmistakably unique album. There will be a full length version for the whole album with a party at The Silent Theatre in LA to debut the full length video in early 2010 (and yes Mr. Edan will be DJing). For now peep this shorter version and dont forget to check out the album Echo Party out now on new boutique label Five Day Weekend.

2 Beautes

2009-12-11T09:23:00.001-05:00

A stunning BMW R65/7 from the always tasteful loudpop voyager.

This one is a long-time favorite. This was Japan's answer to the European roadsters of the day. The Datsun Fairlady roadsters of the sixties are compact, well-engineered beauties, that can still be grabbed pretty decently when compared to their euro counterparts. I'm all for keeping classics stock, but when they shoehorn a V8 into one of these it's a killer!

C'mon, Man.

2009-11-25T15:10:00.001-05:00

From the Reserve website: New shoe collaboration with Freshjive and Etnies Plus out now. Available at Reserve on Fairfax. Phone orders welcome. Ltd to 36 pairs.

Limited to 36 pairs??? I know this was a friend collaboration between FJ and Etnies, but c'mon. If you're going to release them, how about a couple hundred at the least. I'm not fanatical enough to be called a sneakerhead, and I might not purchase these off the shelf whether there were 40 or 4000 produced, but for such a limited production, why not just give'em out to your friends and call it a day? Maybe Etnies was worried they were going to be sued by Vans for jacking their chukka:

New Lens Excitement Remains

2009-11-22T21:12:00.000-05:00

Thanks to a pro pal, I've been having fun with a new hand-me-down lens. Not that this is an impressive shot by any means, it's an example of the fun I've been having with impromptu sessions. Taken in the kitchen whilst sitting on my wrist.

CHICKADEES2 Mix

2009-10-24T21:19:00.002-04:00

Well, I've been meaning to put this together for quite some time... probably at least a year. I've been keeping notes on songs that struck me at the moment, and some went, but most stayed. The first Chickadees mix was created for the final WTW get-together in Oklahoma. In fact, I posted it exactly 2 years ago today. My original intentions remain, make a solid, somewhat poppy, pre-partyesque compilation that folks would want to dance to. The main difference between this mix and the original is that there is a whole lot more synth this time around. As always there are some just- or non-released gems, modern classics, and a few that have been around the block a few times. Hopefully you hear something you like... new and old. Enjoy!

(Tracklisting in the comments)

Jus' Your Typical Blogapology

2009-10-23T23:48:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately, blog posts have been more miss than hit lately. I've barely been on the internet to check my email. Between bummers (12-hour stats midterms, long(er) days at work, & standardized testing) & righteousness (health, separate getaway trips with old friends & family, & beautiful weather), there's been little time to share the randomness all around. Currently, I'm deep in SC, enjoying the beach with the family. I've had a mix finished, but the internet connection is too slow to upload. Maybe I'll try and see if it'll go through overnight. Anyway, here's a snippet of the good things that have been keeping me going over the last few weeks:

Furniture Find: JL Moller Chair No. 78

2009-10-21T22:33:00.001-04:00

While looking for a potential "Mayor of Tulsa" suit at a local thrift store, I came across this Danish keeper. Chair No. 78 was designed by Niels Moller in 1962. It's back and the top of the front legs (I call'em knees) are unique, and beautiful. These were only produced in Denmark... funny how one ended up in South Durham. The chair is in great shape overall, just needs a bit of cleaning and maybe a light oil. I wish there were more than one. We still need dining room chairs. It's a start I suppose.

A little about the little teak wonder and the original company that still produces them in Denmark from JL Moller's kind of hard to find website:

Since 1944, J. L. Møllers Møbelfabrik has produced chairs of outstandingly high quality in timeless designs.
The chairs are sold over the whole world and the Møller chair has become the epitome of Danish Design.

Chairs from J.L. Møller are assembled using the old craft traditions. As far as possible no modern technology or assembly lines are used. Each employee is a specialist in specific work processes for creating the chair, giving it a unique quality and elegance.

At J.L. Møller tenons, mortices and dowels are all glued by hand. This is the only way to ensure that all surfaces have been treated. Dowels are dried down to 5% humidity (in the other components this is 8%), so that when the dowel contacts the glue it expands and is immoveably fixed in position. The chair’s tenon construction also strengthens the chair.
Cramping is performed with compressed air in a hydraulic press.
Polishing machines are not used for the final polish, as they treat all wood alike. Instead the chairs are polished by hand. This is J.L. Møller's policy in all production phases. If the latest technology does not give a better and more satisfactory result than the well-known craft methods, it is quite simply not employed in the factory.

When the chairs leave the factory they are dispatched FULLY ASSEMBLED. Not as knock-down furniture in a box. This costs more in transport, but at J.L. Møller our view is that what can be assembled by the recipient can also be accidentally disassembled by the consumer. It is literally impossible to pull a Møller chair apart. Before packing, our chairs undergo a final inspection, where everything is checked one last time before they are packed and sent off.