Justin Hand

This cracks me up every time i see it. I’m definitely a fan of slapstick. Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated physical violence or activities (e.g., a character being hit in the face with a frying pan or running full speed into a wall). I grew up watching three stooges beat each other up every sunday with my brother after kung-fu theater. There is something just plain funny about when people do doubt stupid shit ie. run into glass doors they think aren’t there (ive done it before and had to laugh at myself, it was hilarious) This commercial is the prime example. Mj and I were talking about funny commercials yesterday and I had to look this one up and post. Being from DQ’s MooLatte adverts, This one in particular is a taste test comparing it to “the name brand” latte. Regardless of the fact that I like Starbucks, the commercial rocks and their advertisement department gets kudos for this one. Check it out!!!

*** special thanks to findinternettv.com and megavideo for the vid

I caught yet another cool link and discussion via RA today on the ongoing music genre skirmish. Most of this discussion refers to the recent argumentative reviews in electronic sites like Resident Advisor, who delve primarily in underground dance versus indie sites like Pitchfork, labeled by one of the readers as the “definitive indie launch pad” (loosely quoted), where reviewers are trying to examine and rate techno releases with inadequate backgrounds on the subject matter. The focus of the blog’s rhetoric is on “techno vs. indie” and the ongoing crossover between the two. I recommend you read, as I did, from start to finish. The exchange of opinions is quite insightful. Unlikely for me, coming from a more techno purist type stand, I found myself meeting halfway on their points because i’ve had to move alot between the underground and pop realms over the last few years, being the “working dj” that I am. One commenter named FRED, whom I agreed with, had this to say:

…crossover is happening, and it will continue. How else would I, indie kid living in the United States, gotten into techno/house? The answer is because I listen to anything that I judge as good, and the indie and dance music scenes are proving in these days as some of the most fruitful. I don’t lament the crossover, either– I embrace it. Perhaps I’m not “purist” enough, but I think music that bends genre or defies it generally turns out to be some of the best. But for this to turn out well, both parties (i.e. the indie and dance scenes, Pitchfork and RA, marijuana and ecstasy, etc.) are going to have to learn the other’s parlance.

One of my close friend’s girl and I always get in to discussions about this very thing. It’s something I think is hard for the extremists, like us, to wrap their “ears” around. Each day I discover new music, artists, labels etc., sometimes by my own accord or through others recommendations and its an undeniable fact that crossover occurs in all of these layers of music. I find it as a dj, that sometimes crossover is what you aim for, trying to gain new listeners, new followers and hopefully turning your “indie” friends on to the “dance” music. Before I get way to into my own opinions here on the matter, check out the blog and let me know how you feel.

Simply delightful. Being the geek that I am, I’m drawn to things that glow, have cool knobs, sound electrifying and often resemble objects only those who bear pocket protectors would love. Case in point, the 40h. After reading a recent RA article on Gui Boratto and his on-stage gear, I was drawn to a cool object he held in his hands. After seeing it, I had to inspect further. In A few clicks, BAAM! . . . a Philadelphia based company called: Monome.org. The beauty of this is it’s simply a device that does nothing, as mentioned in an interview with one of the makers, loosely quoted of course. This device, other than obviously looking cool, can control step sequencers, show light patterns based on a computer program, etc. The device comes in a 64, 128 and 256 button model. If you are not among the technically challenged, you could be daring to piece one of these bad boys together yourself with their DIY 40h kit. The pic here is from XNDR’s photo documentary of his assembly project. Needless to say I’m completely beguiled by this lovely techno thing and I’m going to have to get one, immediately.

Also mentioned in the article is the cool ass LEMUR programmable surface controller. At a whopping $2999 price, its only a daydream that has the potential to become reality. Damn cool and with the ability to configure at your own pleasure, its practically limitless, still…. for that price, ill need to put my hands on one first.

HANDOUT v.2

Runtime: 1hour – 8 mins – 57secs

Tracklisting:

Painikattack – Plastikman
The Curse – Voodeux
Dust Noise – Mono Music
Elevation – Tiger Stripes / Jerome Sydenham
Your Face is a mess – Gel Abril
Deliverance – Pig & Dan
Blink – John Dalhlback
Do Us Part – Par Grindvik
Anon – Fergie
Mumbling Yeah – Kabale Und Liebe / Daniel Sanchez
Evolve – Prompt
Bonus2 – Bryan Zentz / Stare5

You can listen in the audio section or if you’d like a downloadable copy, hit me up either through phone if you have the digits or leave me a message here or via AIM / GMAIL = jayman (at) gmail (dot) com