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Thursday, June 29, 2006

Seu Jorge and Amadou & Mariam at Millennium Park, Chicago

seu jorge and amadou & mariam music

I heard someone mumble that Millennium Park is more impressive than Red Rocks. Now I've never been to Red Rocks so I can't back that up. But it's nice to hear that the Millennium Park sound system is in the same league. Frank Gehry and the acoustic engineers are geniuses.

It's hard for me to find the superlatives to describe tonight's free show at Millennium Park. Seu Jorge was terrific, but Amadou & Mariam were simply brilliant. How many times have you felt the urge to spontaneously jump out of your seat and shake your butt to the beat? There were kids and grannies getting up and getting down also. It was a unified vibe unlike anything I'd experienced before, outside a rave. I am not exaggerating when I say that the majority of the crowd was out of their seats and dancing, and those that weren't were bouncing and bobbing joyfully.

This is Seu Jorge performing Ziggy Stardust.
seu jorge music

Seu played selections from this album as well as Rebel, Rebel and Ziggy Stardust. He also picked the winner of the Brazil-France game. Brazil 4, France 0.
seu jorge music

Amadou & Mariam simply rocked. They didn't even play 'Senegal Fast Food', but I didn't care. They played an energetic 75-minute set, then came back for three encores. As the night wore on, the crowd actually got more into it and the dancing spread across the seating area and into the lawn.
amadou & mariam music
amadou & mariam music
amadou & mariam music

DJMonsterMo | 10:49 PM | View Comments »



Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Chocolate Swim EP, Brian Eno & David Byrne (MP3), Shapes and Sizes (MP3). more

DJMonsterMo | 12:48 AM | View Comments »



Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Beck - Girl (video), Arcade Fire news, The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma at Millennium Park, more

  • beck girl video Beck - Girl (video)
    Pretty cool video: the world as a series of giant fold-ins.

  • Arcade Fire ready new album

    Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma
    Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma
  • Last night, there was a terrific free concert featuring the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma at Millennium Park. I know nothing about world music, yet I was floored, as were most of the tens of thousands in attendance. Yo-Yo is a great ambassador for classical and world music. The night opened with a Chinese piece, then a Venetian canzoni, followed by other Chinese, Indian, and gypsy selections. It was quite an eclectic ethnic mix. The first highlight was Sandeep Das going crazy on the tabla on "Tarang". I swear he used all of his interphalangeal joints to play that thing. The finale entitled "Ambush from Ten Sides" was among the most phenomenal live performances I've ever heard, combining cello, viola, tabla, violin, bass, guitar, and various exotic instruments. For those that wouldn't leave (pretty much everyone), they entertained with at least two encores (I left before the second one concluded).

    Trust me, you don't want to see the garbage pictures I took with digital zoom.

  • Obscure Sound has some live Radiohead goodies.
    Pretty good quality unreleased songs. Some of these are keepers.

  • The Residents sell blank CDs.
    $15 for two blank CDs. What a deal! The concept is that they actually give you the material via download, updated every other week during the summer like an old-time radio show. A cool but somewhat aggravating task for fans.

DJMonsterMo | 4:45 PM | View Comments »



Monday, June 26, 2006

No day 2 for me, New Fiona Apple (MP3), Free shows at Millennium Park

  • Sorry, I didn't make it to day two of Intonation. Let's just say that next time, I'm gonna boil the spicy sausage before sauteeing it with my pasta. I know, TMI. Showers probably didn't help matters either, for those that were there. I invite you to check out Chicagoist's coverage.

  • ONTD has a new song featuring Fiona Apple: Come On And Get It (Up In 'Dem Guts)
    Cringeworthy but hilarious. Let's hope this is not a new genre direction for her.

  • Free shows at Millennium Park:
    Today (June 26): Yo-Yo Ma
    I don't know much about classical music, but any chance to hear the best cellist in the world for free is an opportunity not to be missed.

    Seu Jorge music
    Amadou & Miriam music
    June 29: Seu Jorge and Amadou & Miriam
    I remember fondly Jorge's hilarious renditions of David Bowie songs in Portuguese in Wes Anderson's 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou'. You bet I'm excited about this free show. Amadou & Miriam hail from Mali. They are a blind married couple who fuse Mali, African, French, and Syrian influences for a unique and funky world sound.

DJMonsterMo | 8:36 AM | View Comments »



Friday, June 23, 2006

Royksopp - Remind Me (video), Pitchfork's 100 Awesome Videos, Intonation Music Festival, Lollapalooza schedule

  • royksopp video Royksopp - Remind Me
    Easily the coolest music video of the year. In fact, it almost immediately shoots into my top 10 of all time. I love the infographic overload.

  • Don't forget to check out Pitchfork's feature: 100 Awesome Music Videos

  • Intonation!
    Damn, Saturday's lineup kills Sunday's. If you're gonna be there, don't be a stranger. E-mail me.

    Where am I at Intonation? Shows I will probably be attending:

    Saturday
    3:10 p.m.: Jose Gonzalez
    5:20 p.m.: The Stills
    6:55 p.m.: Boredoms
    7:50 p.m.: Ghostface
    8:45 p.m.: Lady Sovereign
    9:20 p.m.: The Streets

    Sunday
    2:30 p.m.: Constantines (maybe)
    3:10 p.m.: Rhymefest
    3:45 p.m.: Annie
    6:15 p.m.: Jon Brion (maybe)
    8:15 p.m.: Dead Prez
    9:05 p.m.: Bloc Party

  • Lollapalooza schedule is out!
    Damn them for scheduling Stars with the Editors, Lady Sovereign overlapping with Iron and Wine, Ween vs. Death Cab, Feist vs. The Go Team, Gnarls Barkley vs. Sonic Youth, Blackalicious overlapping with Dresden Dolls, Common vs. the Flaming Lips, Thievery Corporation vs. The New Pornographers. Day 3, it's pretty clear I'm going to Wilco, Broken Social Scene, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

DJMonsterMo | 10:33 PM | View Comments »



Saturday, June 17, 2006

Chicagoland Stuff, 3kstatic, Spin DJ Short Film, more

  • Well, I'm all moved into Chicago. I think I love the city. Everything except the parking. Damn expensive or non-existent. Anyway, here's the view from my studio near the Navy Pier:




    Night view:


  • I explored Lincoln Park today. I found a parking lot where the first 45 minutes were free. So I ate my Boston Market meal faster than a school of piranhas devouring Mary-Kate Olsen, then ran to the barbershop, only to find out it was booked for the next hour. Oh well, made an appointment for tomorrow. I've been running around all day and still neglecting stuff I need to do before I start work. I was unable to make it out to the Taste of Randolph, which features Son Volt, The Bellrays, The Black Keys, and Toad the Wet Sprocket, among others. Hopefully, I have time to stop by tomorrow.

  • All ye that live in Chicagoland, note these upcoming free shows!
    Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Bloodyminded, Oscillating Innards at Empty Bottle (Monday, June 19, 2006)

    Seu Jorge, Amadou & Mariam at Millenium Park (Thursday, June 29, 2006)

    And of course, don't forget Intonation, next week at Union Park!

  • electronic mp3 3kstatic - Give Us Even More
    Not sure how to classify this. It lives somewhere between acid jazz, acid house, and muzak. It might be a worthy addition to your electronic playlist.

  • spin dj short film Spin
    Great short film. Gives new meaning to "Last night a DJ saved my life."

  • Remix the Barenaked Ladies.
    If I have time, I might try this contest.

  • pixar Ratatouille trailer New Pixar trailer: Ratatouille

  • Robots in heat
    Oh no they di'nt! NSFW?
    The sexed robots are autonomous wheeled platforms fitted with nylon genital organs, respectively male and female. They are programmed to explore their environment, occasionally entering a "in heat" mode, where they will try and locate a partner in the same state. If a partner is located, the robots will attempt to mate.

  • The Monkey Chow Diaries
    Some dude tries to survive on monkey food pellets. Gross.


  • USA! Let's go, gringos!

DJMonsterMo | 9:05 PM | View Comments »



Wednesday, June 07, 2006

The Bird Flu Dance (MP3), New Broken Social Scene video

DJMonsterMo | 1:30 PM | View Comments »



Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Number Stations, New Regina Spektor video, Cold War Kids (MP3), Iceland's next big thing?

  • Number Stations
    Shortwave radio. Strange music. Strings of numbers. What does it all mean? While no one knows for sure what information is being transmitted by number stations, it's speculated that it is a way for spy organizations to communicate with their operatives. A very interesting read at the above link and here.

    I found the original number station clip that Wilco used for their "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot sample". It is quite intriguing. I love the woman's accent, but I wonder what the hidden message was.

    yankee hotel foxtrot mp3 The original Yankee Hotel Foxtrot sample
    Credit to The Conet Project.

  • regina spektor video Regina Spektor - Samson
    This song is lovely, and the trippy video only enhances my appreciation of it. I must admit, I am really getting hooked on Regina's new album. You will too when it finally comes out next week.

  • cold war kids mp3 Cold War Kids - The Soloist in the Living Room
    Man, I love the drums in the intro. Toobad the song is so short. The Cold War Kids hail from Cali. The lead singer sounds like Walter Martin of The Walkmen, which I guess isn't a bad thing.

  • At the recommendation of the Sigur Rós site, I checked out Iceland's next big thing: Jakobínarína. Say that 10 times fast. Haven't yet decided if I like it or not (there's only one song clip).

DJMonsterMo | 3:00 PM | View Comments »



Saturday, June 03, 2006

Bjork in Street Fighter (video), Bobby O'Donnell - United Creations (crazy megamix MP3), Curious GWB (video)

  • bjork street fighter video Bjork in Street Fighter
    OMG, this is a must-see. Don't mess with Bjork!

  • megamix mega mix mp3 Bobby O'Donnell - United Creations (MP3)
    This is seriously an almost all-inclusive megamix:
    Trip-hop? Yup. Alternative? Check. 80s? Got it. Mash-ups? Uh huh. Detroit? Yeah. Jungle? You betcha. New wave? Yes. Pop, Big Beat, Gangsta Rap, and lots more. You get the idea.

    Here's the source. Some songs are improperly attributed and some things are misspelled. I've made a few corrections. One of the risks of making a mix to appeal to all comers is that it will appeal to no one. Well, I certainly appreciate the effort. Hats off to this guy.

    Intro - Brian Cant Camberwick Green
    1. Sneaker Pimps - How Do
    2. Kate Bush - Runnin Up That Hill
    3. St Germain - Rose Rouge
    4. Dj Muggs and Tricky - For Real
    5. Coldcut - Beats and Pieces (Kola Kid mix)
    6. Go Home Productions - (Smile Remixed)
    7. Miss Kitten and the Hacker - Kopfstand
    8. Mory Kante - Yeke Yeke
    9. Swing Out Sister - Break Out
    10. Mr Scruff - Sweet Smoke
    11. R.E.M. - Loosing My Religion
    12. Sneaker Pimps - Suger is Sweeter (Armand Van Helden remix)
    13. The Avalanches - Electricity (remix)
    14. Aphex Twin - Windowlicker
    15. Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science
    16. Propellerheads and DJ Craze - Big Dog
    17. Audio Bullys - Face in the Clouds
    18. Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus
    19. SL2 - On A Ragga Tip
    20. Brooks - Roxxy
    21. Lemon Jelly - Nice Weather For Ducks
    22. Manic Street Preachers - Repeat (US)
    23. LTJ Bukem - Horizons
    24. DJ Zinc - Reach Out
    25. The Cure - Boys Don’t Cry
    26. Zero 7 - Destiny (Roni Size remix)
    27. Roni Size - Murder Dem (instrumental)
    28. Beatles vs Radiohead - A Day in the Life of a Karma Policeman
    29. The Avalanches - Electricity (Harveys edit)
    30. Go Home Productions - Beastie Boys Come Together
    31. RJD2 - Loose Ends
    32. Sneaker Pimps - Six Underground
    33. Chemical Brothers - Exit Planet Dust (intro)
    34. Mike Theadore Orchestra - M (intro)
    35. Fields of Nephilim - Moonchild (intro)
    36. Bill Hicks - Puppet People
    37. Grandmaster Flash - The Message
    38. Bill Hicks - Send in Vanilla Ice
    39. DJ Shadow - Hardcore Hip Hop (Beats only)
    40. Ganga Kru - Super Sharp Shooter
    41. Goldie - Inner City Life
    42. Tears For Fears - Inner City Life
    43. Eric B and Rakim - Paid in Full (Coldcuts 7 minutes of madness mix)
    44. Focus - Hocus Pocus
    45. UNKLE - Without You Im Nothing (Beats only)
    46. Sixtoo - Chainsaw Juggler
    47. Danny Breaks - The Jellyfish
    48. Max Tundra - Lysngie
    49. Billy Squire - The Big Beat
    50. Soul II Soul - Keep On Moving
    51. The Smiths Vs The String Quartet - Heaven Knows Im Miserable Now
    52. Bran Van 3000 - Old School
    53. Beastie Boys Vs Kraftwerk - Intergalactic Robots
    54. Jurassic 5 Vs The Doors - Golden Peace
    55. DJ Shadow - Organ Donor (Intro)
    56. DJ Vadim - Children Of The Deepfreeze
    57. T.V. on the Radio - Walking The Cow
    58. Rae and Christian - A Different Invitation (Beats Only)
    59. Renegade Soundwave in dub - Holgetron
    60. DJ Zinc - Voodoo
    61. David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World (Intro)
    62. David Bowie - Magic Dance (Intro)
    63. Angelo Badalementi - Twin Peaks Theme
    64. Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall
    65. Elliot Smith - A Question Mark
    66. DJ Shadow - Six Days (remix feat Mos Def)
    67. DJ Shadow - Six Days (Soulwax Remix)
    68. Bomb Da Bass - Bug Powder Dust (Kruder and Dorfmeister Remix)
    69. DJ Food - Spiral
    70. Bill Hicks - Fevered Ego’s
    71. Fields Of Nephlim - Moonchild (Intro)
    72. West Street Mob - Breakdance Electric Boogie (Beats)
    73. N.W.A. - Express Yourself
    74. Jurrasic 5 - Jayou
    75. Dizzie Rascal - Fix Up Look Sharp
    76. System Of A Down Chop Suey
    77. Placebo - Daddy Cool
    78. Ludus - Let Me Go Where My Pictures Go
    79. Roni Size - Child Of The West
    80. Manic Street Preachers - Love’s Sweet Exile
    81. Motorhead - The Ace Of Spades

  • curious gwb video Curious GWB (video)
    Well, 50 praised W as a gangsta. Here's his debut video.

DJMonsterMo | 3:23 PM | View Comments »



Thursday, June 01, 2006

The Onion on M.I.A., Busta Rhymes mp3, Itchy and Scratchy archive, more

DJMonsterMo | 10:48 PM | View Comments »