dots and spaces

The XX Basic Space

Really enjoying this superb video and the equally superb band playing. Seem to be so busy at the moment, with various projects getting off the ground and some exciting news about work. I'm enjoying this time, working with some people with a great sense of their own abilities, extraordinarily generous with their time and immensely encouraging.

Fireworks in the sky all around me as I type, and possibilities are endless.

They might be giants infographic

seen at Information Aestetics, one of my favourite bands take us on a trip around the periodic table.

Magnetic Fields

Magnetic Movie from Semiconductor on Vimeo.

An amazing film from a group that call themselves Semicondutor. In their wonderful films, they tap into science and visualise the incredible shapes, patterns, sounds and images that sometimes can be seen, but more often is invisible to the naked eye. The films have a lovely feel about them, the one above sparkles with magnetic fields, bouncing and shimmering across the screen like tiny mischievous creatures.

Muxtape update

Almost as soon as I posted about the wonders of muxtape, a note appeared on the site saying that it had closed down due to problems with the RIAA Recording Industry Association of America which acts to prevent piracy and copyright theft. Although the note promised users that it would get sorted out and that it would return, my rss feed has been flagging an error sign since.

I checked the other day though, and there's some good news and bad news. read it here. Its interesting, saying that negotiations have been taking place for some time, and that deals were in the off about licensing with the major record labels. Everything seemed to be going well, but then the RIAA intervened, and the site went down, making it harder to get finance, and harder to work. It sounds like Muxtape's Justin was going to meeting after meeting, being bullied by big business who stumbled around, not knowing whether to take him to court or hire him. Of course they recognized the importance of muxtape, and what a great site it was, but they couldn't help themselves, trying to ramp up the marketing, change the way it worked, **** with it, basically.

So, to end this sorry tale, Justin pulled out, walked away. You have to admire him, with great integrity he reminded himself why he set it up in the first place, because he loves music and loves listening to new music. Hang on, the good news is that Muxtape will be back, but in a different guise. It will belong to bands, who can load up their muxes, promote themselves with a page and some pictures, and use it to get out there.

I'm sure the Pirate will help out with a tape. Muxtape is dead, long live Muxtape.

one of the most wonderful things I've ever seen

Norman McLaren

I've been looking for a few early animations to keep the troops interested and came across Norman McLaren, who I seem to have missed - he was well known for his work with the National Film Board of Canada.

I suppose I'm rather partial to some dots and spaces...

house of cards

Another music video, sorry - but I very much like the way this one's been done, using data visualisation that you can download and use yourself from the video's page at googlevideo. Its clever stuff, and I reminds me of all the stuff I love to see at Info Aestetics. Please go and have a look at this site, it never fails to amaze me.

Walk it off

I like this little video that's appeared on The Breeders website - here's the deal - you click the different views (1-4) and you sort of cut your own version. This is the first time I've seen this sort of idea and it is very clever. In fact it's just another example of some new video forms that are floating around the web. At the moment there seems to be some subtle evolutions to the ways we watch moving image on the web. I'm enjoying long photos on flickr - there are some amazing pieces. If you see something you like, tell me about it. (comments are open)

muxtape

Remember those super mix tapes that we all made when we were holed up in our bedrooms all those years ago? I use to record the top 40 but it drove me crazy that you tried to press pause before the dj interrupted the song. There were some seminal tapes growing up - I had a tape that Pete did which had all this rockabilly stuff on it, Guana Batz, Long Tall Texans, Batmobile etc.. then the tape that had a few early pixies songs that I still have now, and then there's this ancient tape with loads of stuff I still haven't figured out who's on the damn thing, just remember now that there is that Elvis song - guitar man, that's great.

Well, there's a web equivalent of everything isn't there - so head over and have a listen to my muxtape and see what you think. I just love the simplicity of this site, its quickly replacing last.fm as my way of streaming music when I work from home, so many surprises to be had. I like that you can update it and that there's even a rss feed to keep you updated with new tracks from your favourite muxtapes.

 

Noir

We had a great time at SFA, a stripped down version of their usual crazy set. Gruff explained that the horn section, percussionist and backing singers had been kidnapped en route. Fair enough, it meant new versions of old favourites, the opportunity for a little refresh and the chance to see how beautiful these tunes can be.

I have to say it was a particular thrill to see Jim Noir in the support slot, presenting some new songs with a new band. I've heard a few negative comments about his old one, that they didn't particularly give him the chance to front up and display his own light and breezy personality. This set up seems to give him a bit more freedom and you can see it reflected in the new songs such as "Alright", which you can listen to on Jim's myspace page.

I've had a fondness for le noir for a while now since my friend Steve directed his "A Quiet Man" video. By the way, please check out Steve's site, full of the wonderful movies he's been making since film school. A talented man I'm sure you'll agree, with many good things in the pipeline. Be sure to check out "A Heap of Trouble" my personal favourite.