Thanks to my lovely Jodi Ann for creating this wonderful representation of what it’s like to be in my head.
Saying that there’s going to be “six more weeks of winter” carries with it the implication that there’s been any amount of winter in the first place. Obviously, the groundhog is full of it on both accounts.
I think one of the nicest things about having moved to where I am now is that I finally have proximity to Chicago. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always felt like whatever trend is big in the musical world, Chicago bands have a knack for pushing the boundaries of what that trend is capable of producing. When grunge was big, the Smashing Pumpkins came along and injected it with psychedelia and stadium-sized riffage. In the rap world, Chicagoan Lupe Fiasco offers stark contrast to the crunk sensibilities that currently dominate the landscape.
And now, in the synth-pop world, I am pleased to see Chicagoland electronica group Loyal Divide offering up a brand of electronica that, refreshingly, doesn’t sound like it was only slightly altered from the synthiest moments the 80s had to offer. Injecting psychedelics into electronica, and acoustic riffs that almost sound inspired by the Pixies quieter moments, the Loyal Divide are, ahem, a breath of fresh air from the Windy City.
Check out their song “Flights” below. These guys definitely have a knack for creating a really cool tune.
Their cleverly named album Bodice Ripper is out now.
Today, members of Poland’s Palikot’s Movement dawned Guy Fawkes masks while in parliamentary session in protest of ACTA.
ACTA is widely being labeled as the “other SOPA.” If you want a better primer on ACTA than I could ever provide, check out TechDirt’s article here. Suffice to say that, though it’s not exactly SOPA, it’s not exactly not SOPA either. Regardless of how it’s being labeled, it does seem to be a fairly aggressive expansion of legislative power on the part of both corporations and nations.
However you feel about ACTA/SOPA/the Easter bunny, it’s pretty cool to see a bunch of politicians rocking it Fawkes-style.
This post courtesy of Skinny Legs Bailey.
If you’ve always wondered how blues musicians like Big Bill Broonzy or Blind Lemon Jefferson came up with their names, the answer is finally here: The Blues Name Chart.
Check it out. In three easy steps, you can get a moniker that will last a lifetime. For best results, add 12 bars, a 4/4 shuffle, and inhuman amounts of talent.
…Not really, but it might as well be. Apparently training for the Chinese Army involves playing “hot potato” with live explosives.
Where do I sign up, and what’s the Chinese word for “cajones?”
