A Single Man

words: molly

This Friday I have a date with A Single Man.

The film by Tom Ford looks nothing short of splendid…

two for one

words: clare

Everything Everything were flavour of the month at this year’s Eurosonic Norderslaag (Europe’s answer to SXSW). So I was happy to see that the Manchester-based band will play London’s Koko on March 22nd, supporting the (deservedly) much-hyped Wild Beasts.

Two great bands. One Night. Buy tickets here.

digital love

& there’s more… click through to Dazed Digital for the complete interview!

odessa

words: tom

Odessa by Caribou (formerly known as Manitoba) sounds like the bastard lovechild of Arthur Russell, Erlend Oye and Kieran Hebden. All lovely clattering echoing percussion, hefty analogue tuba bass, and jangling guitars… but my descriptions do this track no justice at all. It’s fair to say I love this record! It’s a belter, and the lovely Caribou is giving it away free to promote his new album Swim (if it’s half as good as this I will be grabbing myself a copy, post-haste).
Download Odessa here and find out more about Caribou, there.

a bit chipper

words: molly

Do like a bit of Hot Chip… especially their new tune One Life Stand, from the album of the same name. But instead of buying the CD, I might invest in this instead: The Vinyl Factory has produced a limited edition gatefold album with artwork by the Chip’s long term designer Wallzo. On super heavyweight vinyl, it is limited to 1000 hand-numbered copies worldwide. One of those tasty consumer goods that no doubt feels as good as it sounds.

It began in Afrika

words: tom

This little Afrika beauty is by young Spaniard John Talabot. It was released it on his Afrika EP last year… and I’m currently loving it. You may also have come across his Naomi track from the same EP, which featured on Permanent Vacation’s tasty ‘If this is House I Want My Money Back‘ compilation. Visit Perm Vac’s shiny new website for this and other back catalogue treats.

Bankable

words: molly

So, Banksy has made a film. Called Exit Through the Gift Shop, it premiers at the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday – a taster below. Coined as ‘the world’s first street art disaster movie’, it’s narrated by Rhys Ifans and follows the story of a shopkeeper who tries to track down Banksy. Part documentary / part fiction, the film features interviews with famous streetartists, whose work you’re sure to recognise. But though Banksy speaks, he doesn’t reveal his face. What a tease.

everything

words: clare

Primrose Hill. Not usually associated with London’s contemporary art scene. But here, hidden away in a former dairy, you’ll find one of the city’s most unusual exhibitions. The Museum of Everything opened its doors in November and was initially planned as a pop-up exhibition but it’s been extended due to popular demand.  This show focuses on the unknown artist, the untrained… the outsider. As well as works by mediums, nuns, schizophrenics and hobos, you’ll find a display of (somewhat disturbing) fairytale illustrations by  Chicago janitor, Henry Darger, and ceramic sculptures from road worker, Nek Chand (below). The Museum of Everything is without doubt one of the most baffling, awe-inspiring and captivating exhibitions I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Make it your mission to catch it before it closes on Feb 14th.

the swiss

words: jack

As the musical recycle bin makes headway through its rough 20 year incubation, ‘nu-disco’ might well have gone past its sell-by date in 2009. It was exactly two decades ago that the glitter-ball was famously lynched by the mob of the Disco Demolition. With old-school house flavours set to dominate in 2010, the contemporary rabble will unlikely be as violent in their transition of taste, however one quick listen to new Aussie act, The Swiss, proves there just might be life in the old disco dog yet. The trio of live instrumentalists have been snapped up by Modular Records, and first single Bubble Bath is due for release later this month. Danceable, catchy, with a Tensnake remix on the way… I smell an anthem.

xx marks the spot

words: molly

If I’d have been in London last night I would have popped into the launch of ‘xx: A Sculpture of the Album’ – an audio visual collaboration between band The xx and director Saam Farahmand. And had I of gone, I would have been able to describe it better now. Open to the public from today until 12th Jan at The Vinyl Factory, the free exhibition sees Farahmand’s 3D interpretation of The xx’s eponymous album using film, light and sound – and the display promises a unique art/music experience for each and everyone of us. After the 12th, the whole shebang will upstick and travel around Europe. Catch it where you can.

artee

words: molly

T-shirts don’t get more arty than this. LA design group Balls-Nogues Studio used 10,000 American Apparel tees for their installation at 2009’s Shenzhen Biennale in Hong Kong. While it may be a ruse for a life’s supply of free T-shirts or clever advertising on the part of AA; the Chinese-dragon style effect of the hanging tees is pretty spectacular. I like it.

me so hungry

words: new york kev

Tom and I once spent a week in San Diego seeking – among other things – the perfect taco/burrito/enchilada. We never did find great Mexican food that week, but we did find a case of beer that Jesus left for us in the back of a pick up truck (another story). Now, if my friend Jason Lam had lived in San Diego our cravings would have been covered. Luckily for me, Jason lives in New York and writes food blog Me So Hungry. Jason eats just about everywhere and if you’re visiting NYC his blog is well worth reading – for tips on great places to eat, how to cook chicken with beer cans or general NYC adventures. Funny, personal and well written… check it out.

yacht classic

words: jack

For those unfamiliar with the ‘yacht’ genre, Linda di Franco’s ‘My Boss’ is an excellent point de depart. A measured soliloquy on the cruel nature of sexual harassment in the workplace, di Franco’s warbling perfectly encapsulates the breezy, yet ever-so-slightly nauseating experience of being aboard the vessel to which this vastly underrated style of music owes its name.

Closer inspection of the lyrics pays dividends for the plight at hand, namely that di Franco’s sex-pest of a superior needs a good old kick in the gonads.

Give him one from me, Linda!

levan man

words: tom

Here’s an interview with the legend that was Larry Levan from Kiss FM circa 1991, brought to my attention by my friend Adam at New Kanada. A shame that it’s by lord-of-pointless-dance-pun himself Judge Jules – who coined classic DJ lines such as ‘like prawns in a seafood sauce… I’m on a roll’ – but it’s a good listen nonetheless and features Larry’s best tunes of the time.

Patrónising

words: molly

Like the idea of dining inside a giant snowflake? Or maybe you’ve never thought about it. Patrón Silver Reindeer pops up in Kings Cross this weekend care of the guys behind Bistrotheque. Pablo Flack and David Waddington always go balls out to create a super special dining experience… and this one includes an elaborate snowflake structure by designer Gary Card plus a seasonal feast by chef Tom Collins. At £67.50 a head it isn’t cheap, but it might make a tasty Christmas present to yourself.

filmy presence

words: christine

The internet can bring the world of cinema to your computer screen, but quality is another matter.  The Auteurs plan to change that by amassing a database of high-definition streaming films with a focus on art house, independent, lost classics and world cinema.  It already has a diverse catalogue; from the classic 1960 South Korean melodrama The Housemaid, through to recent masterpieces like There Will Be Blood. With viewing prices ranging from ‘free’ to €5, plus user profiles, interviews, reviews and discussion forums, The Auteurs looks set to become the ultimate online space for art house film fans.

party hearty

The party season is upon us – oh yes.

We asked our friend and Millionhands blog contributor Eames to do us a festive dancing mix.

Download it!

Tracklisting…

LCD Soundsystem – Bye Bye Bayou

The Phenomenal Handclap Band – You’ll Disappear (Munk remix)

Lindstrom and Christabelle – Baby Can’t Stop (Aeroplane remix)

Joakim – Love & Romance & A Special Person

SMD – Cruel Intentions (Maurice Foulton remix)

Bottin  – Disco For The Devil (In Flagranti remix)

Detachments – Circles (Mighty Mouse remix)

Prince – Hot Thing (extended mix)

Hot Toddy – I Need Love feat Ron Basejam (Morgan Geist’s Love Dub )

Munk – You’ll Never See Me Back Down (L.U.C.A. remix)

glass candy

words: tom

Some mellow Thursday business - Geto Boys by Glass Candy. Am liking the dreamy warm NYC flavours.

see me

words: molly

Dazed Digital’s new sister site AnOtherMag has launched and it’s a joy to circumnavigate. Featuring edits from their favourite blogs, ‘beautiful things they love to share’ and general eye-catching goings-on you can’t help but get sucked into its portally goodness.

azari & III

words: christine

For shameless throwback fans like me, Azari & III is one of the best breakthrough acts of the year. Although they sound like they’re teleported directly from the late 80s/early 90s New York club scene, in reality Dinamo Azari and Alphonse ‘III’ Lanza craft their authentic old-school house in modern day Toronto. Their debut track Hungry For The Power combined early Chicago house with electro-funk for a super camp and  infectious dancefloor treat. Reckless With Your Love, their latest tune doing the rounds, is perfectly timed amongst talk of house music’s renaissance and is a surefire contender for house anthem of the year, with piano stabs, strings aplenty and soulful vocals.