I am excited to announce that one of my favorite bands Silk Flowers have asked me to produce their next full length which will come out on LA based label Post Present Medium. I brought in Chicago/NY based engineer Emmett Farley and we began basic tracking in late April/early May. We have finished basic tracking in their rehearsal studio in Dumbo and it was unreal. They have really captured live sequenced electronic music and made it their own. Their new material is emotive, original and a great extension from their last self-titled full length, Silk Flowers.
Next step is to bring them into the studio and began recording the vocals and basic over-dubbing. We are bringing more of a studio sound into this record, while maintaining the absolute incredible live nature of this band. To say the least I am very honored to be a part of this record.
Here are some photos from the basic tracking sessions.
In February (2010) 0th debuted our first month long installation entitled When Queen’s Muscle Aced Infinity at 21 Grand Gallery in Oakland, California. The opening show was Feb. 5th with a bi-coastal performance (Brooklyn to Oakland) via skype, which consisted of robotics, performance art, sound, and 0th designed instruments. The closing party was on Feb. 26th, which was a sound/live movement performance.
The show included black vinyl embroidered speakers, sculptures, mobiles, bucky balls, home made instruments, performance artists/models, sound, robotics, interactive media, and performance art. These themes explored the basic elements of life through carbon molecules and allotropes, obstructed realities and perspectives, and the human form.
Here are some photos below. The credit to pulling off this amazing show goes to Caryl Kientz, Jacqueline Gordon, and Canner Mefe.
oth is currently working on a performance/workshop on June 25th and 26th. This event will be held simultaneously at Live With Animals (BKLYN) Souther Exposure (SF), and The Bank (Baltimore).
Amanda Blank and MNDR along with Pacific theater are playing a benefit for Keep-A-Breast on Monday April 26th. Here’s some information about Keep-A-Breast and the show.
“100% of profits from this event will go to the Keep A Breast Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to help eradicate breast cancer by exposing young people to methods of prevention, early detection and support. Through art events, educational programs and fundraising efforts, we seek to increase breast cancer awareness among young people so they are better equipped to make choices and develop habits that will benefit their long-term health and well-being.”
Here are the details for this party!
Amanda Blank/MNDR/Pacific Theater @ The Bell House (149 7th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215). If you say I HEART BOOBIES, you get 5 dollars off of the cover. whoot!
I am super excited about Baltimore’s own Mz Streamz. She has collaborated with Gorillaz, featured on Lily Allen’s new release, and is signed to NYC’s own Aaron LaCrate’s label, Milkcrate Records.
At the young age of 19, Mz Streams is already at legendary status as an MC in Baltimore.
She won so many consecutive rap battles on radio station 92Q that she was retired from competing, and her first mix tape, the 30-track “It’s Alive,” comes out Thursday. -Sam Sessa, Baltimore Sun 4/16/2010
I met her through Aaron LaCrate during the last Mark Ronson’s East Village Radio show of 2009. She is a star and her skills as an MC are game changing. She is the real deal and has an ill mix tape that is undeniable called It’s Alive. Check it out here!
Mz Streamz is killing it…time to understand it. Check out her write up in the Baltimore Sun and more importantly check her mixtape now.
I have been trying to decide what to write and how to express my deep sadness for the untimely passing of Alex Chilton. I thought I would begin a post that I will edit and evolve and I hope to see a lot of comments about Alex Chilton’s music and life from fans and hopefully make some new fans of his work.
I grew up in the Northern Plain states and also spent a lot of time in Minneapolis/St. Paul. The music of Big Star and Alex Chilton seemed to reverberate deeper in these desolate areas and college cities with strong independent college radio stations. Big Star was really the catalyst for all that is known as college and independent rock. They influenced REM, Husker Du, Soul Asylum, The Replacements, Nirvana, The Soft Boys, The Pixies and countless others.
Big Star is an example of music that is timeless and “era-less”. It exists completely outside of its contemporaries of the time drawing upon influences from the early British invasion to Nashville country western. This may also be the reason why they never seemed to be able to reach the career successes they deserved. However, their influence on music is staggering. I hope that Alex Chilton will be recognized in The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, even thought that shit seems cheezy and political, I still feel like he is the true “musicians musician” and an unsung hero….and responsible for a huge paradigm shift into what is now modern music.
There is so much to say and write about Alex Chilton that it is really difficult to begin. I think I want to bring awareness to his death due to lack of health coverage. Here is an article that was sent to me on Spinner.com. To pull a quote:
“At least twice in the week before his fatal heart attack, Chilton experienced shortness of breath and chills while cutting grass,” the article reports. “But he did not seek medical attention, Kersting said, in part because he had no health insurance.”
I became aware of his death in Austin at SXSW where Big Star was supposed to perform. Bleh I am just really sad about this. I would love to see this post grow with comments and ever evolving edits, so that it can be an great homage to Alex Chilton’s and Big Star’s impact on music and in people’s lives. So please share your thoughts.
The Os Mais Potentes (kuduro group from Angola)/MNDR 7 inch split with artwork by Keren Richter is available now through FADER!! This 7 inch series is a split release curated by FADER. This is the first vinyl and 7 inch for MNDR…so to say the least I am taking a bath in rainbows right now!
There are only a limited amount available so click this link FADER 7 inch and follow the directions to receive your 7 inch. Also MNDR made a special FADER extended mix of Jump In for this release with special breakdown and other secrets. This will be the only release of this version of Jump In. So seductive.
The autobiography of Frank Zappa, The Real Frank Zappa is one of my favorite books of all time. His life is truly unreal; framed as a pornographer in Orange County, fights with John Wayne, locked in a closet for days by Captain Beefheart, etc.
He fought for free speech until the bitter end. It is shocking what was once considered taboo (Duran Duran).
In today’s society we are distracted by reality tv, social networking, web 3.0, etc. Our free speech is always in danger of censorship. Today more than ever, we have to pay attention and swim through all of the distractions that keep us submissive to the people and structures who have power. Don’t ever think that those who want to control the masses don’t absolutely love that the majority of society spends more time talking about Jersey Shore or networking on Facebook than paying attention to the abuses of power.
