Archive for March, 2009McRiprock’s Lonestar Sixpack ProjectMarch 31st, 2009 by hux The Woes: Heaven Knows– Out of big ol’ New York City this band comes to us with a CD release on April 21st. Described as down-home blue/alt/country with a touch of soul, jazz, Americana and funk (what can’t they do?). Read the rest of this entry » Best Worst MovieMarch 31st, 2009 by christine Michael Stephenson was the child star of Troll 2, arguably the worst horror film ever made. Ironically it is now a cult sensation, and Michael has made a documentary about it. In “Adventureland”, first comes love, then comes…March 27th, 2009 by Bree
“New World Order” Filmmakers Luke Myer and Andrew NeelMarch 27th, 2009 by Bree
Interview by Bree Perlman While media outlets were saturated with AIG backlash and increasingly grim developments both here and abroad we were dancing atop the escapism-happy-place-protective clouds of films like “I love You, Man”, “Adventureland” and “Observe and Report”–guaranteed good natured chuckles in the dark without a care in the world. The same could not be said about the documentaries shown this year. Case in point: “New World Order“, a behind the scenes look at an underground movement of people who want to expose “global elitists”, whom they claim are covertly masterminding a series of destructive events to cause a mass breakdown of the world’s economy and socity.
The Iguanas’ Rene ComanMarch 27th, 2009 by Bree Austin Daze had a chance to steal away Rene Coman from The Iguanas to answer some questions about life after Katrina and their new album.
Interview by Rosie Gomez.
AUSTIN DAZE: Was it good to be back in Austin for SXSW?
RENE COMAN: It was great to get back and see all our Austin friends. People there have always been so nice to us. Nice to see some hills.
AD: Anything you’re particularly looking forward to?
RC: I’m looking forward to eating some good Mexican food and hearing some new music.
AD: You guys have a really unique sound mixing Latin, Rock, and R&B. What inspires this mix in your music?
RC: I think we just have a sense about what works for us. We started out in one place, and we added to it bit by bit, feeling it out as we went. The central thread is the collective personality of the group.
AD: Judging by the message board on your web site it seems like you all have a really personal relationship with your fans. Can you feel the love?
RC: We feel it. And it feels good.
AD: Your latest album “If You Should Ever Fall on Hard Times” has a lot to do with the effect Hurricane Katrina had on your hometown and families. Is this album closer to your heart than previous albums?
RC: You love all your children, just in different ways. This new music is an excellent addition to the Iguanas canon.
AD: Have you all recovered from the storm?
RC: I think we’ve recovered about as much as we are going to any time soon. The easier parts have been done. The rest may take a while.
AD: What’s next for the Iguanas?
RC: If anything, the last few years have proven that you never know what’s around the next corner. One thing I know is we’ll be playing music. Keep an ear out for us.
Third Eye BlindMarch 25th, 2009 by christine Stephan Jenkins, lead singer, writer and guitarist of Third Eye Blind, talks to Bree Perlman during SXSW.
Observe and Report – SXSW Red CarpetMarch 25th, 2009 by christine Actors Seth Rogan, Anna Faris and writer Jody Hill talk to Michele at the red carpet premiere.
McRiprock’s Lonestar Sixpack ProjectMarch 24th, 2009 by hux Philip Masorti—Father’s Eyes—Pennsylvania-based singer-songwriter blends many different flavors of country, blues and folks while using strong literary references. Read the rest of this entry » “My Suicide”, Interview with David Lee MillerMarch 24th, 2009 by Bree
Regenerate Films is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to amplify voices” using film and video. They “seek out and explore stories and issues of interest, consequence and social heft.” “My Suicide”, which showed at SXSW, captures the essence of the organization’s mission and will no doubt speak to the technologically advanced, twittering, multi-media, I-phone using, Wii generation of kids out there that despite all their technological advances are not immune to the pain and difficulties of being a teenager. If anything, as writer/director David Lee Miller explains, they are more susceptible than ever. AUSTIN DAZE: How did this film come about? We had been approached by concerned parents in our neighborhood about car crashes and we wondered if there was something he could do, using film, to communicate to his peers the dangers of car crashes and the other top killers of kids– suicide and violence. He ended up getting a grant from our local city of a Thousand Oaks and he decided, with me, to form Regenerate and empower youth to communicate through media to their peers. Wavy Gravy to Lead Million Musician March from the CapitolMarch 20th, 2009 by christine Wavy Gravy will lead musicians on a march from the State Capitol to City Hall on Saturday March 21st. Join Carolyn Wonderland, Guy Forsyth, Shelly King and many others at noon at the Capitol. Director of Instruments for Peace Richard Bowden and Bill Oliver invite you to come on out with your instrument and join the parade.
Hux McRiprock goes to SXSWMarch 19th, 2009 by hux M Ward: Wednesday night show at the Central Presbyterian Church. He played acoustic solo and would take samples and loop them around while singing on top. Read the rest of this entry » The Time of Their LivesMarch 19th, 2009 by Magnus One thing’s for certain, you gotta know that three women whose ages total over 300 are going to have a few things to say, and boy I wasn’t wrong on that score. This film concentrated on three English women residing at a home for the elderly. The youngest let it be known time and again her distaste for the male species. Another was a walker, a gung ho peace activist who was ready to go to sleep and never wake up. The third was a writer who was a swell dresser, and a very wise woman. Died Young, Stay PrettyMarch 19th, 2009 by Magnus Long a fan of graphics, I was eager to see where the state of the poster artform was these days. Man oh man, can you say thriving?! This film didn’t get into all the historical background of music posters, instead concentrating on the recent surge in popularity beginning in 2001. This film showcased hundreds of posters and the art was dizzyingly good, the camera taking you up close for the details that go into these works of art. Mindblowing! And then of course, there were the characters who are creating these works. Talk about a quirky lot. They are totally driven, as there’s virtually no money to be made, but these guys just can’t stop silkscreening. Each of them go to the nth degree to make sure they are making wholly original statements which beg for anarchy on several fronts. And anarchy was at the root of their desires. A need to tear down all walls everywhere. Again, great editing and cinematography, and that is what I’m noticing more and more, editing is getting better and better with indie movies, and cinematographers frame each shot like you would an art photo. Love it Love it Love it! Dug this film and all the characters contained therein. Woof! -mo Amanda Palmer of Dresden DollsMarch 19th, 2009 by christine Bree Perlman caught up with Margaret Cho, Girl in a Coma, and Amanda Palmer. Amanda and the band are collaborating with Margaret on a new CD. Amanda offers up perhaps the best advice we’ve ever heard to budding musicians – it’s the truth, and it’s near the end of the interview. Enjoy! Margaret Cho and Girl in a Coma collaborationMarch 18th, 2009 by christine Interview by Bree Perlman Margaret Cho and Girl In A Coma collaborate. Now that’s girl power.
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Growing up, Adventureland was the “other amusement park”, known less for its rides and more for the “social opportunities” it afforded excitable pre-teen girls who didn’t need much to get excited. It was cooler than the mall and edgier than Parkwood skating rink but not quite as edgy as Laces roller rink where “real making out” could be witnessed first hand in velour purple booths strategically located in dark corners. Adventureland, if you were lucky enough to have been born in June, July, or August, was the place to have your birthday party. It was the place to scope out boys and hope that one of them would scope you back and maybe even win one of those hard cheap toys for you or dare you to try and touch their hand on Gravitron while you spun around to club music you were too young to hear in an actual club. As a kid, Adventureland epitomized every romantic notion of just being alive–an uncomplicated playground of blinking lights and silly tea cups, friends, fun, music, summer…what more could you want?
