L Vis 1990

I don't blog as much as I'd like to these days, however, when I find something that is really worth sharing I stop editing and go for it. Nic James - one of Dublin's finest DJs and resident of Toe Jam at the Bernard Shaw, told me about L-VIS 1990 a few weeks ago, mumblings about being an old man at a gig with youngsters/hipsters but gushing about a great young DJ that makes his own crazy music videos. Nic James was correct with his trend predicting as L VIS 1990 has the most exciting 'sound' I have heard in a long time. Hyper Bass draws on all 'aspects of dance music that have really inspired me over the last 6 years. Electro, Breaks, Dub step, B-more, Booty Bass and Drum & Bass… its all about the energy.' ( L VIS 1990 via Electrique Boutique )Hyper Bass does express an energy infused amalgamation of genres and subgenres with tribal drum beats thrown in for good measure.

What's interesting to me and to the ethic of this blog, is the cut and paste aesthetic of LVIS 1990's videos. The visual is synching to the sound and tempo of it, something I am aspiring to create in my own work. DJ Yoda uses popular references (eg. The Simpsons) in his live 'multimedia' shows but what visual sources does someone use whilst playing a sound that is essentially 'new'?

'the bass music sound is a lot more complex and varied. I have this thing in mind for my AV set. There is a Japanese film called Tetsuo, a really dark, hyperactive, industrial film about guy whose body mutates into to a machine…There are some incredible visual snippets that I'm going to try and match to my sounds. Its gonna be intense audiovisual assault!'

Have a look here at United Groove as a recent sample of work:

L VIS 1990 is playing at The Button Factory, Dublin on December 4th.

Zombie Land

After a difficult week, I went to see Zombieland. If you follow this blog you may have guessed that I am kind of fond of the living dead. I loved Max Brooks book World War Z and am currently reading Pride and Predjudice and Zombies. (It funnily enough puts me to sleep at night) I could list Columbus' (the narrator and main character of the film) rules for surviving zombie land, however, I am going to return to the theme of this blog and look at the director of the film, Ruben Fleischer's music video back catalogue.

A select few:

1. Kid Sister's Pro Nails featuring Kayne West

2.Dizzee Rascal- Stand Up Tall

3.Dizzee Rascal - Fix Up Look Sharp

4.MIA - Galang

5.Wiley - Who ate all the pies

Fleischer's music videos may not be ground breaking, but all have a slick aesthetic and contain some nice shots. My favourite music video, of the few I selected is Stand Up Tall (2007). Here we can see Dizzee becoming 'a man', confident in his own performance and lyrics. Have a look at Fix Up Look Sharp (2003) for a visual comparison.

Crag Hill (2009) @ Straylight - The Darklight Film Festival's Art Programme

Crag Hill - Video Still © Anne Maree Barry

Crag Hill heaves to-and-fro. Through it’s expansive greenery comes a figure. A barefoot girl in a yellow dress walks towards the camera. She speaks about a road and a moment of clarity. Crag Hill explores issues of displacement and attachment to a particular event in the filmmaker’s life. It is a surrealist infected story blending truth and fiction.

Crag Hill is the second collaboration between Anne Maree Barry and the artist Sunken Foal. Sunken Foal has recently contributed to the online music project Relay Project, commisioned by the Model Arts and Niland Gallery, Sligo.

Crag Hill will be installed in a room on the lowest floor of the Light House Cinema by screens 1+2 from this Thursday the 8th of October until Sunday the 11th.

The launch of Darklight is on at 7pm at The Court Yard Restaurant, Duck Lake, Smithfield, Dublin. Please private message me if you would like an invite.

***Update

I have been quite busy and creative lately, so excuse my absence. I also have been reading instead of going online at night - who would have thought that this past time would induce sleep and relaxation?

Music I am currently listening to:

Major Lazer, of course, saw them last year at Carnival (suckers!)

James Pants - saw him at Sonar 09

Empire of the Sun - for moody floaty contemplation whilst I make work

Doorly, Joker, Rusko, Skream - dubstep flava of the moment...Rusko's mix of Amanda Blank's new track is awful - actually I hate the line ' i might like you better if we slept together' - don't go gaga Amanda...

Projects:

In Post Production on my documentary short Rialto Twirlers

Filming my experimental short for Straylight as part of Darklight 09 this weekend - still of location above

Working with Sunken Foal on both soundtracks - very exciting.

Where you can see my work now

Where you can see my 'dear diary' thoughts and day to day incidents: AM8B

**new official website coming, when I'm really bored - (November at a guess)

The Wire Bible

Yeah, yeh, i've finished the series ages ago guys. (smug smile) What if McNulty had being called McCardle?It would have enforced the Irish stereo-type even more. Click on the images below for initial character descriptions. I am particularly fond of the description of Herc - 'dumb as a box of rocks and an anabolic steroid addict to boot.'

Tweet Tweet

Looking forward to Soundtrack 09 at the Tripod May 31st. Nice mix here from Rusko, that I found by following Seth Rogan's twitterings. Nothing left to say, just listen.

all grown up

This track has been out a while, but wow, look at Ciara. I love the rawness of My Goodies, however this is channeling a more J Lo and Beyonce sound plus Gaga styled pants. The more I listen to it the more I kind of like it - talking about love sex and magic is way more fun than being a poker face.

crystal maze

I don't know if anyone remembers the show but this Easter gift reminded me of it.

this is where i wander

Boy 8 Bit

Tomorrow night Mad Decent's Boy 8-Bit will be playing with Nic James at the Twisted Pepper. If you've been anywhere near the internet in last couple of years you will have heard some of his many remixes or even seen him playing guitar for the Black Ghosts.

The music kicks off at 11 and I have some space on the guest list if you want to email or text me.

Also on the night will be Reach in the Basement and Alphabet set in the Mezz. For more information have a look here.

I also found the gem below on You Tube. Diplo gets hit by a toilet roll at 1min 29, whilst Boy 8 Bit throws an inflatable crocodile into the crowd before the 'roll' incident. ouch.