Doll and Knits by Françoise Cactus. Design by Cabine.
In honor of "2009 Berlin Days in New York City"...
Guten Morgen! Stereo Total's new four track EP Anti Love Song is out now on Kill Rock Stars. All songs are self-proclaimedly sung in "really bad English," but are noted to be "negatively lovely." As always, the same great retro flair...Wunderbar! US/Canada Tour lands in NYC's Irving Plaza on April 17, 2009.
An extensive interview by Eve Wood with legendary DJ John Peel at his home, Peel Acres, in 2001. With the debut of his original show Night Ride in 1968, Peel declared, "This is the first of a new series of programmes on which you may hear just about anything." Indeed, Peel was responsible for introducing once radical and obscure genres such as punk and reggae to BBC listeners, who were as passionate and eager as he to discover "something that was going to shake things up a bit." Peel was probably the single most authoritative voice on new music during his lifetime, and for bands just starting out, his shows were important legitimizing platforms that broadcast to an audience of enlightened music-lovers, some of whom became prominent musicians themselves.
Read John Peel: Margrave of the Marshes (Chicago Review Press, 2005) - a self-portrait by John Peel and Sheila Ravenscroft.
"Berlin celebrates 20 years of freedom, change and creativity. After the fall of the Wall in 1989, Berlin reinvented itself and generated a wealth of free space that continues to attract creative artists from all over the world. 20 Years of Change = 20 Years of Impressions, Inspirations and Impulses. In 2009, Berlin is the place to be.
The City of Berlin cordially invites you to attend 20 Years of Change - Berlin Days in New York City (March 31-April 2, 2009) at the New Museum, 235 Bowery, New York, NY 10002." -Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin
"In the Soviet Union, the music of the Beatles was repressed by the government. Melodiya, the only record manufacturer in the Soviet Union, did not release their music stating "musicians such as these, who have plunged to the depth of musical decline, do not deserve a place on Soviet records." However, an underground culture grew which used ingenious ways to discover and disseminate the Beatles' music. Once a Beatles record had been smuggled into the country - a particularly difficult and dangerous task - it was quickly copied and distributed. Paul Gambaccini reveals the extraordinary ways that the Beatles' music was listened to in the Soviet Union during the 1960s. Did the music and spirit of The Beatles help to end communism?" [BBC World]
"The British label Warp Records is to celebrate its second decade with a series of special gigs, previously unreleased archive material and an appealingly democratic compilation CD. They have already invited votes for Warp 20, a celebratory "greatest hits" album that will be co-curated by the public. By logging into the website, fans can vote for their favourite Warp tracks - everyone from Aphex Twin to Grizzly Bear. On 8 May, voting will be closed and the 10 favourite songs of the great unwashed will be combined with 10 picks by Warp co-founder Steve Beckett. Users' comments, memories and messages will be printed as part of the album art." [Guardian UK]
The Cure's Trilogy DVD set from 2003 has been re-released on Blu-ray. Recorded on two consecutive nights - November 11-12, 2002 - at the Tempodrom Arena in Berlin, complete track listings from Pornography (1982), Disintegration (1989) and Bloodflowers (2002) are played in their entirety and in the order in which they appeared on the albums. The idea came to Robert Smith after seeing David Bowie's gig from the Heathen tour at the Royal Festival Hall in London where Bowie played 10 of the 11 songs from Low (1977), and the whole of Heathen (2002).
The Cure's latest effort 4:13 Dream (Geffen) is out now.
Produced by Frank Black over twelve days last December, Art Brut's new album Art Brut vs. Satan (Cooking Vinyl) will be released April 20th. The band plays NYC's Mercury Lounge June 1st-3rd.
"I love the first Frank Black And The Catholics album" explains Art Brut frontman Eddie Argos. "He did that in one day. It made me think-that's how I want records to be made. So we came to the conclusion, let's ask Frank Black to produce it, and do it like that"
To the band's surprise, Black -a fervent fan- said yes. Accordingly, the band found themselves packing their bags and heading for Wavelength Studios in Oregon last December.
Eddie: "The studio Frank uses is in Salem. It's in the middle of nowhere. We were staying by the motorway, and he'd pick us up in his car every day. We'd do eight hour days then back to the hotel. We did the whole thing in twelve days. It was very simple."
With the band set up in one big room, their amps in the kitchen and Eddie singing his vocals in a cupboard ("It was ok, I had drinks in there") they set about exorcising the demons of the previous two years. "I had an album's worth of songs written, but once we got there we wrote four or five new ones. It all just flooded out." [Art Brut]
"Mick Jones has turned from punk rock to museum curation, opening his collection of vintage music memorabilia to the public. Temporarily on display at London's Chelsea Space gallery, the former Clash guitarist said he hopes to find a permanent site for his archive. [...] For the 53-year-old art-school graduate, the music collection is "one big living artwork" that is still growing. "Ultimately, I'd like to have a permanent place to exhibit the whole collection like a museum, like a library where you can come and see the stuff and maybe get a copy or sit there and read it." [Guardian UK]
Rock and Roll Public Library runs at the Chelsea Space, London until April 18th.
Matt Tyrnauer's documentary traces the two years leading up to fashion legend Valentino's 45th anniversary in 2007. Beyond pugs and arguably the greatest love story of all time, you get an amazing look into the process of couture creation - from a sketch by the designer through to its translation into 3D form by an army of sassy seamstresses (complete scene stealers). Valentino's absolute dedication to the art of fashion underscores the bittersweetness of the couturier's decision to retire after the company's sale to private equity firm Permira. Truly an end of an era.
The Beastie Boys' second LP (my favorite) Paul's Boutique (Capitol, 1989) has been remastered "for your pleasure." Check out the album's interactive website, which features news, audio commentary and a blog.
Moore speaks to the BBC Collective about Sonic Youth's collaborations with artists such as Raymond Pettibon. His premise that music, art and literature interact dialectically has served the band well - providing a fertile breeding ground that has produced some of the most iconic images (and of course music) of the early 1990s.
Style.com profiles Boy George - New Romantic poster boy - as they continue to dispatch reports on the ubiquitous eighties revival seen on the runways this past season.
"As it turns out, the crooner has an affinity for the kind of nostalgic escapism fashion gave into this season. "It's ironic," he told Rolling Stone way back in 2000, "that if you go back to Thatcherism and Reaganism, a lot of cool things happened during that decade. A lot of sexual attitudes were loosened up a bit, and we had some interesting music. So sometimes, within these right-wing climates, you have an artistic reaction." What the runways proved for Fall is that a financial crisis breeds a similar inventiveness. Call it karma." [Style.com]
In response to news that Depeche Mode are coming to Madison Square Garden this August, I decided to look into what they've been up to. I randomly came across the link above.
Loved them live when I caught the Ultra tour back in 1997. The highlight for me was Martin Gore wearing what looked to be a silver lame suit with tiny mirrors attached allover - they refracted light in disco ball fashion as he sang Somebody. Lyrics that long for love and understanding will always transcend warped ideas like the ones contained in aforementioned page. A good laugh though...
Depeche Mode's new album Sounds Of The Universe (Mute) out April 21st.
"The Rough Trade story begins more than thirty years ago on 20th February 1976. Britain was in the grip of an IRA bombing campaign; a future prime minister was beginning to make her mark on middle England, where punk was yet to run amok; and a young Cambridge graduate called Geoff Travis opened a new shop at 202 Kensington Park Road, just off Ladbroke Grove in West London. The Rough Trade shop sold obscure and challenging records by bands like American art-rockers Pere Ubu, offering an alternative to the middle-of-the-road rock music that dominated the music business.
In January 1977, when a record by Manchester punk band Buzzcocks appeared in the shop, Rough Trade found itself in the right place at the right time to make an impact far beyond that of a neighbourhood music store. When Spiral Scratch was released in 1977, the idea of putting out a single without the support of an established record company was incredible. But Rough Trade was to become the headquarters of a revolt against this corporate monopoly - it was stocking records by bands inspired by the idea that they could do it themselves.
But selling a few independent records over the counter was not going to change the world. Early independent labels had to hand over their distribution to the likes of EMI or CBS. But one man at Rough Trade challenged that monopoly. Richard Scott joined Rough Trade in 1977 and became the architect of a grand scheme that was nothing short of revolutionary: independent nationwide distribution." [BBC Four]
Eagerly awaiting for this to be posted on YouTube!
"Let's hope another nine years doesn't pass before a Scream show this awesome comes to L.A. again." [NME]
NME's Parker recounts Primal Scream's historic gig from 2000 (which featured guest appearances by none other than My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields and Sex Pistols' Steve Jones), and reviews their recent show in L.A. (below). Primal Scream play New York City's Webster Hall on March 28th.
New album Beautiful Future (Atlantic, 2008) out now.
"Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe talk to The Guardian's Paul MacInnes about their 25 years in the music industry, life in the Xenomania house and having Tony Blair as a muse." [Guardian UK]
New single "Love etc." released today...new album Yes (Parlophone/EMI, 2009) to be released on March 23rd.
Photographer Wolfgang Tillmans has the singular ability to capture a fragile beauty in the ordinary. His vision is further empowered by the democratizing vehicle of free PDF downloads of several books and catalogues on his website. Take advantage!
Went browsing for new music today and came away wondering why so many bands seem to have a lack of discerning aesthetics (as manifested by the lackluster album covers I witnessed). I craved Peter Saville. Designed (Princeton Architectural Press, 2003) by Peter Saville showcases some of the best album covers of all time...brainchildren of the man talking to Mr. Sumner above. Another publication on the visionary, Peter Saville: Estate 1-127 (JRP|Ringier, 2007).
Interview magazine reviews Pugh's Fall collection...
"Last week, British designer Gareth Pugh presented one of the most directional collections of the Fall 2009 season. But this time, it wasn't just his cyberpunk couture that turned heads. Equally unorthodox was Pugh's choice of presentation: audiences experienced Pugh's collection via video display. Lucky for us, Gareth Pugh gives Interview exclusive insight into the concepts and inspirations behind the execution of his Fall 2009 fashion film." [Interview]
FACTORY: Manchester From Joy Division to Happy Mondays
A worthy tribute to the late Tony Wilson (1950-2007)...journalist, impresario, pioneer. Every man has his destiny...the world is a better place that the men profiled here realized theirs. Long live Factory.
Photography: Collier Schorr, Styling: David Vandewal
Flipping through i-D mags from last year, I came across advice on an effective method for stress release. "Make like Julien, relax, listen to Morrissey and dream yourself beautiful."
Alan McGee on music: Why Freddie Mercury is a punk-rock icon... Queen have always been considered the antithesis of punk. But if punk rock was about never being boring, then Mercury's camp, Bollywood theatrics were almost a political weapon.
"I spent yesterday arguing with a friend that Freddie Mercury was punk rock. He hates Queen. I love Queen. That's the kind of band they are. And when I tell people that I consider Freddie Mercury a great songwriter and punk-rock idol, some get it and others don't. John Lydon paid tribute to Queen in 1977 when he was recording Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols in the same studios as them. Lydon crawled in stealth-like fashion to say hello to Freddie Mercury (before crawling out again). He wasn't the only icon who admired the Queen frontman. Kurt Cobain, in his suicide note, wrote of how he both admired and envied Freddie Mercury for basking in the love from his audience." [Guardian UK]
The interviewer is a TWAT, but you get to hear Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine speak (on future projects among other things). I bet he also thought the guy was a total goon.
The Notwist, "One With the Freaks" The Rolling Stones, "Jumpin' Jack Flash" Jarvis Cocker, "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time" The Culture Club, "Miss Me Blind" Lou Reed, "Walk on the Wild Side" My Bloody Valentine, "Sometimes" Glasvegas, "Geraldine" Weezer, "Island in the Sun" The Cure, "A Letter to Elise" Radiohead, "High and Dry"
Mopey Indie - a term I'd use to describe the genre of music that most influenced my life. The melancholic side of post-punk and some of its offshoots, perfected in the early 1980s. This blog is a collection of random musings and finds by a fashion historian who lives and works in NYC. Maybe there are more mopey indies out there too.
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