La Blogothèque: Concerts À Emporter

It seems as if you can't stumble upon creative things without finding a few things French people are good at. It sounds redundant after a while, but when it comes to culture, they've got plenty of it, and they don't mind sharing it.

La Blogothèque produces a series of 'Take-Away Shows', with Indie Rock, Folk & Alternative artists where they perform songs in impromptu settings for a crowd or otherwise. The idea was started in April 2006, by Vincent Moon and Chryde, and since then, a skew of artists have strolled the streets of Paris, the sidewalks of New York, and the parks of Los Angeles, gyms, bathrooms, car parks, you name the place, surprising fans, and passersby alike :

"Every week, we invite an artist or a band to play in the streets, in a bar, a park, or even in a flat or in an elevator, and we film the whole session. Of course, what makes the beauty of it is all the little incidents, hesitations, and crazy stuff happening unexpectingly. Besides, we do not edit the videos so they look perfectly flawless, instead we keep the raw sound of the surroundings. Our goal is to try and capture instants, film the music just like it happens, without preparation, without tricks. Spontaneity is the keyword."

The first time I saw one of those Take Away shows, it was back in 2007, when the Kooks played an acoustic version of 'Ooh La' in a nearly empty Parisian walkway, in the summer of 2006 and landed meticulously on an all-girl high school where they made their way through the multiple cellphone capturing competition, and the amazement of a load of teenage girls singing along with Luke. 

#12.3 The Kooks - Ooh la

But my favorite Take-Away Show, was hands down, Yeasayer en route to an apartment 'with a piano', and along the way, pour their hearts out in the Metro, the alleyway, the staircase, and finally, at destination, where they cause such a ruckus, the neighbors had to interrupt the session with complaints. What's great about that one, is that the band was reluctant to go ahead with the plan in the first place,and to add insult to injury, Vincent wasn't really a fan of Yeasayer after seeing one of their shows in Brooklyn; but by the end of the show, everyone had a treat! And balance was restored, both band and Vincent was delighted to have been part of the experience:

#87.1 - YEASAYER - No need to worry / Redcave

#87.2 - YEASAYER - 2080

2080/Tightrope - La Blogothèque Take-Away Show 87.2: Yeasayer

Lately, Current has been teaming up with La Blogothèque to bring the videos to the small screen, so if you have Current, you shouldn't miss the chance to catch these shows, in way better resolution than a PC screen.

To see the full lineup of artists and bands who have made Take-Away shows, go here!

And as a last treat, here's Beirut, performing in Paris:

#64.1 - Beirut - Nantes

And Fleet Foxes, in Paris:

Introducing...

Raise Magazine. A magazine dedicated to spotlighting new and young photographers, alongside upcoming writers and contributers. It's a trimonthly magazine, and each issue showcases 7 photographers, and 7 writers, and they are all given the freedom to write/include whatever they want. They also feature some pretty decent music, like...some Valerie spawns [Anoraak, The Outrunners] The magazine comes from the already amazing Paris, France; so the contents are French.

Oh, and the best part, it is f-r-e-e, free.

You can download or read the entire first issue on the Raise website.

Enjoy Kiddies!

Coolcats Are Here

After, what seemed like a century, So Me's much anticipated Coolcats website is officially up and running. Although the store isn't quite ready yet, there's a blog page where you can follow rants and ramblings by Busy P, Mehdi, Fafi, & So Me himself.

This guy, on the other hand, oozes greatness, I mean seriously.

But So Me's wins because he managed to whip out some old school Barack pics.

Olympic Airways

Combine the geniuses that are Foals, with Ewan Pearson, and Happines, you get...

Foals - Olympic Airways [Ewan Pearson's Return to the Villa of Joy Remix]

The End

It's funny how every end-of-year, I always look back how truly amazing/weird/awkward the year has been, and of all year prior to this one, 2008 has by far, been the most amazing/weird/awkward. Hands Down.

Of all the brilliant new mixes, the live shows, & the 'sorry kid, you must be 18/21 to get in there', the ones that stand out [they don't really stand out, it's just the ones I can remotely remember!], I think the following events have been the most crucial to me having a good/bad time in 2008:

- Free Movies at McCarren Pool hosted by The L Magazine [thanks to
 the strangers/hipsters smoking what I & Co. believed to have been the best weed in the area]
- Getting accepted at St.John's [technically, this means little, but if it weren't the case, there are some cool individuals I probably wouldn't know *hint]
- Skipping to London for the next 3 years [where all the doors are fucking OPEN]
- Graduating [Goodbye uniforme de merde]

- Getting a bike [Vital, much?]

- Barry Obama [self-explanatory] 

- News of a possible new Daft Punk Album in the works [ohmagahwtfbbq!]

- Skins, axing out the entire cast [& the replacement ain't that much 'wicked', folks]

- Laughing my ass out at 'fights' on williamsboard

- The 'Closing Down' of McCarren Pool [ahhhwtf?why?]

- Meeting possibly the biggest junkie [yet, so well dressed] I know, who's now my barely legal partner in crime, & fellow francophone.

- Pillow Fights in Union Square, Manhunt in Washington Square

- Justice at Matter

- The 'Closing Down' of Studio B, & The End

- Realizing that if I do not back away from my iPod & it's unrealistic level of volume, I most definitely will lose my hearing by the age of 23.

& Finally,

- Getting a camera [wisest decision of the year]

If I remember correctly, this is a music blog, so here are the tracks that I seriously overplayed all year [New & Old]:

- Daft Punk - Voyager [Revolte Remix]

- Dragonette - I Get Around [Van She Vocal Remix]

- Kleerup feat. Lykke Li - Until We Bleed

- SebastiAn - Dog [Choreo Edit]

- Midnight Juggernauts - Shadows

- Mystery Jets - Half In Love With Elizabeth [Foamo Remix]

- Van She - Kelly [Breakbot Remix]

- Timbaland - Miscommunication [Bloody Beetroots Remix]

- The Presets - This Boy's In Love [Lifelike Remix]

- Ghostface Killah - Charlie Brown [Guns'N'Bombs Remix]

- Knobbers - Crookers

- Danger - 11h30

- Maroon 5 - This Love [Cut Copy Galactic Beach House Mix]
- Elvis Presley - Crawfish [Pilooski Edit]

- College feat. Anoraak - Fantasy Park

- MGMT - Electric Feel [Justice Remix]

- Pnau - Baby [Breakbot Remix]

- Lil' Wayne - A Milli

- M83 - Kim & Jessie

- Bon Iver - Re:Stacks

- Van She - Strangers [Strip Steve Remix], honorable mention [Yuksek Remix]

- autoKratz - Stay The Same

- Louis La Roché - Love

Now I'm Going To Stop There, Cause Seriously This List Could Go On...

God knows what 2009 has in store, if the Mayans were right, it only means were closer to annihilation. Not that I am pessimistic or anything, I do look forward to seeing the earth graze a black hole and make it unharmed*. HA.

No, but seriously, if that does not kill us, the electro war will for sure take one of your limbs.

But Bam Bam's in charge now, so it'll all go smoothly. Half of Europe & All of Asia's already welcomed 2009. Guess it can't be that bad, folks!

Pictures by Hedi Slimane, & ICanTeachYouHowToDoIt

"You Guys!"

I hate crossing seas, let alone oceans. Atlantic Oceans. Eight-hour flights are just not fun, but if you're like me and you pull an all-nighter, powered by 3 cans of Red Bull and a cup of java, you seriously don't give a shit cause you're passed out most of the trip. And you'd think I'd get a nice welcome home, [not that I didn't], but I run down to re-collect my most prized mp3s on my old computer, just to find out they've ALL been deleted. *sighs*. Oh, but it gets worst. 

Attempting to venture out to the places I haven't been in ages, I make my out to Greenwich village, oh but the weather's a solid - 18 F [perfect]. My blood froze just in time for Christmas celebrations. But somewhere, somehow, we've managed to make this little trip back to New York a very exciting one. Bike racing from Columbus Circle to South Street Seaport, via Broadway ; illuminating dancers across Union Square, "dirty minds" at Barnes & Nobles,  and hosting a round of Free Hugs. 

Well, you know what they say: Home Is Where The Heart Is.

 'Here's A Little Treat For Ya'

- Soulk!d

Picture By: Soulk!d

Lykke Li - Little Bit [AutoErotique Bootleg Remix] Click!

Chromeo, Oh, Oh!

Christmas came early. Christmas came mad early.
Chromeo put on a chrometastic show at Sheperd's Bush last night, all in the name of Christmas. These guys can seriously get down, and the crowd was down to get down. Adding DJ Mehdi in their lineup sure as hell didn't hurt. Mehdi literally tore the house down [my fucking seat was shaking] for a solid 2 hours. And then, the opening act, is really what got the funkateers & chromettes started, that is Frankmusik.
So, this Frankmusik guy, I mean, the music, is quite cheery, and dance-y. Seems like everyone is working the synths and electronica these days, but it's hard to pull it off without sounding like you're trying too hard.



When he plays live, believe me, it's a treat. Now, thanks to Chromeo, I now have new musik, Frankmusik, on my iTunes Library. Mad Nice.
Chromeo came out two times, for encores of 100% & Waitin 4 U because the crowd went wild and wanted more [all in unison, Chromeo-oh-oh].
I also would add, that the boys provided me with some pretty damn good shots, very photogenic, very photogenic indeed.

Right then, if we're gonna go out with a big one, we best do it properly.

Chromeo - Me & My Man

Joyeux Noel!

Pictures by : Soulk!d (more over hurr)

We Have New Blood

I find myself lurking into places I wouldn't begin to imagine myself being, say 3 years from now. It's awfully strange, to say the least, it's not everyday/night you get a casual invitation to do the rounds at a Strip Club, by the guitarist from a band from Cambridge, saying it would be 'fun', and another dude who pulls out little plastic cows, with a bow on it, from his pocket. I swear to God, I'm not abusing any substances, I'm not even into the vast availability of alcohol, but I do find myself in peculiar situations. But besides that, I find also, that I am not doing my JOB, as a "music blogger" (if I may call it such). There are countless new breeds of musicians, every fucking day, some of them sound the same, others are a bit more inneresting.
So, no more of this nonsense. Here are three bands, I think have a decent chance, if not massive; of capturing your attention, for the next few months/years/minutes.

Representin' Brooklyn, New York : It's Boy Crisis


First heard about them through Platform, then read more on the P.I.X, so third time, it was only fair I gave them a listen. As soon as you hear Dressed to Digress, in it's entirety, you'll suddenly feel like you'd want to pat them on the back, or some shit, for their cleverly thought of lyrics. Yes you will.

Dressed to Digress - Boy Crisis

Representin' Hackney, London : C'est La Grève Générale!


A duo who makes mashup sound better than the originals, they've already catered to Vice, Modular, CMJ Festival, and Fabric. They're also a favorite of a handful of, what you would consider to be the GMs and Fords of the music blogosphere [IHeartComix, Big Stereo, Missingtoof, blah blah]. Long story short, you want them on your playlists, you seriously do!

Representin' Paris, France: S.P.A!


They win for best facial masks, cause we've pretty much seen the high level of importance 'masks' play, in the electronic industry now [and the 'security' behind it, really, oh yes]. I've only seen two posts about these dudes and frankly, I fail to understand why. Bangin' tunes, bangin outfits, all in the name of music, you gotta love that.

Pets Dance [Thoughtless Hussies Remix] - S.P.A.

Et voila! I suppose I should just stick to this, while I'm at it. Next up, Chromeo on Saturday, with DJ Mehdi, and I can't think of a better way to spend 'Pre-Xmas' weekend, before going back to Brooklyn.

Satisfied

If there's anything to be learned from going out at night, is that past 10h30 p.m. the temperature goes from a comfortable 55 degree Farenheit, to a -90. While Camden may be warm and snuggly, Richmond and the area surrounding the Thames is DEFINITELY not.
Enough environmental rant. I just saw Lykke Li tonight, and it was every bit of brilliant.
Did some dancing, did some shaking.

What I love about Lykke Li thought, is her energy. She sings about dancing, and boy does she play the part. You couldn't help but at least flail your arms from side to side.
But in any area with a heavy concentration of these, and there is music/concerts involved, do not expect anyone to be gesticulating an inch of their body; which sparked Ms. Li's comment of "Come on, Manchester was better than you guys, and there were like fifty people". She was not the only one to notice, as the band I will talk about in a few dedicated their "Don't Dance" song to the crowd. Class!
True story. Manchester probably WAS better than that crowd at Koko.
still an awesome show.
I guess it wasn't until we reached the end, when people realized they should start appreciating this a bit more, and well...really got down.

The best part about the whole night was that Esser opened for Lykke Li.

Esser is fucking incredible. Yes, we have some funky acoutrements involved, questionable hairstyles/cuts, but the sound is unlike nothing I've heard before. It's as if Crystal Castles [Alice Glass] and Vampire Weekend [Ezra Koenig] had a baby. That's what Esser sounds like.


Why exactly do they not like dancing?

photos by Soulk!d

In A Nutshell: A Pictorial Reaction

I'm two months in. Still fresh and all, but after countless trips here and there, dodging TFL 'construction work' [codename for fucking up transportation for the rest of us, as does the MTA], I can pretty much paint a decent picture of this city.
So. There isn't a shortage of some pretty freaky shit around here: public bathrooms who turn into underground clubs at six in the morning, clubs under tube stations, and San Pedro Cactuses sold in open-air [please, do look up San Pedro Cactus]. The hipsters, are, as expected, pretty much everywhere, but their main concentration include the area surrounding Liverpool St. up until Chesire St. [yep, that whole block, and that's only the part I've seen...so who knows really], and around Old St., Shoreditch, Hackney, bref, Hoxton, it's notorious for 'the creative types' as they call them here.
They use 'reconstruction' as a euphemism for gentrification, those bastards.
People take looking good seriously. I mean seriously. The girls all look the same though, dissapointing. The guys all wear plimsolls, ALL OF THEM. Jesus.
Eerily enough, loads of French people in town every two weeks, or so. I mean loads, they're EVERYWHERE.
This place [where these kids are standing], is Blackman's. They sells plimsolls for £5, and you don't go inside to get your good either, you order up front, description/color/size, and head off happy, like at a swap meet, you know.
This seemingly normal building [yeah, the one riiight at the center] is The Old Blue Last, Vice's official pub. It looks peaceful from here, once night breaks, and sun goes down, it's fucking chaos. Trivial fact: there is a Gross Jar atop this building that I wish I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT.
The CobraSnake left his mark pretty much everywhere.
As did IHeartComix & Only Joe.
And CobraSnake again...

Everyone's a DJ...
They love Bam Bam
You can see where Coldplay got their inspiration...
You cannot walk into Soho and not be delighted by this fella. At all.

It is impossible to walk a mile, and see blank walls. Simply impossible...
Because London has been invaded.
They loooove this.
They do a lot of this.
But Mark Hunter wants to make it clear to you that he's been here...a lot.

All pictures by Soulk!d

Une Petite Diversion

I'd love to talk about how stellar Hedi Slimane's black and white photography happens to be.
I've got distracted by the Vogue Homme March 08 Josh Beech spread that he was in charge of.

And the ones of the Californian skaters.

Whoever suggested he should go back to Dior Homme? The guy's just fine with his lens.
Okay, so maybe skinny boys would be happier if he did go back, but he better not drop his camera.
Cole Mohr, Louis Garrel, Daft Punk, Ash Stymest, Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse, Gus Van Sant, Beck. Is there someone he hasn't shot?
City Slick wrote a superb post on Slimane's Photography. He's mustered a solid appreciative fanbase for his works as a photographer, cause he's pretty much good at everything he does.

Touch Too Much [Fake Blood Remix] - Hot Chip