Category: Music

10 Questions with The Vigilant Citizen

by Administrator, posted in Interviews, Magic/Occult, Music, Symbols

1. What made you decide to discuss occult symbolism through the prism of pop music, and particularly music videos?

My two passions in life are music and occult history. If I’m not focusing on one, I’m most probably focusing on the other. The more I gain knowledge on western occultism, the more I understand its importance in pop music. The weird or strange symbols I saw on album covers or music videos become easily readable. I collect old vinyls from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and I’ve noticed a great number those groups integrated this knowledge in their songs and artwork. It was done in an artistic way. I’ve however noticed a different type of occult symbolism in recent videos: it is used by mainstream pop artists, insidiously hidden and aimed at a young crowd. Far from being artistic, the imagery used in videos pushed by international media corporations is often deceptive and inherently sinister. I felt the urge to discuss those taboo issues so I’ve created Vigilant Citizen.

2. Do you feel the prevalence of occult symbolism found in pop music comes from the artists and video directors, or is it a coincidence stemming from occult symbolism seeping into the general consciousness?

I believe there are two types of occult symbols: the “artistic” ones – emanating from a desire to express one’s reality through symbolism – and the “corporate” ones – which often come from elite secret societies. A true artist using symbolism to in his/her art will be inspired by his/her surroundings and his/her inner being. Occult symbols are extremely powerful and are believed to be embedded in our subconscious so it is only normal for them to appear in artistic expression.

However, “corporate” occultism takes symbols from organized secret societies such as Freemasonry, or Illuminati and “plants” into mass media in order for them to become the norm. Confucius said “Symbols rule the world, not words nor laws”. In other words, you can recognize who is truly in power by identifying the symbols in popular culture. During the Middle Ages, almost all of popular art was religious and Christian. The Christian Church ruled the Western World.

Now, occult symbolism is increasingly apparent in popular art. Who rules the world? Occult secret societies.

3. I loved your interpretation of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video. Did you see dream analyst Carolyn Wills’ discussion of the video on Leslie Gornstein’s “Answer B!tch” blog? Thoughts?

I’ve read a couple of interpretations of Bad Romance and I can’t say that any of them is flat out wrong. Good art can have multiple layers of interpretations and, I have to say, this video is good art. When it came out, many readers of the site bombarded me with e-mails, pointing out symbols I’ve discussed in other videos. Bad Romance is definitively part of a bigger “movement” in music videos.

4. Often times the occult symbolism you find in music videos paints a dark and ominous picture. However, your analysis of The Black Eyed Peas “Meet Me Halfway” is actually quite uplifting. Does this mean that occultism doesn’t automatically equal bad?

Occult means “hidden”, not “bad”. Occult schools believe esoteric knowledge is too powerful for the profane to dabble with it. So it is kept hidden, the same way mothers hide knives from young kids. It is for their own safety. According to occult schools this knowledge can lead you to two extremes and everything in between: it can liberate you from the shackles of materiality, put you in direct contact with divinity and make you nothing less than immortal… Or it can also make you deal with demons, black magic and leave you into eternal torment.

“Meet Me Halfway” seemed to portray this positive side of esoteric knowledge. It is indeed quite uplifting.

5. In your post “The Occult Roots of The Wizard of Oz” you say, “the entire story of the Wizard of Oz is an allegorical tale of the soul’s path to illumination – the Yellow Brick Road.” However I feel that it could be argued that the concept of the “hero’s quest” or “hero’s journey” can be found before the Theosophical movement. Is this a what came first, the chicken or the egg kind of debate? What came first, the spiritual concept or the basic storytelling device?

Theosophy is nothing more than an attempt to find the common underlying knowledge found in ancient religions. It did not create any new concepts; it tried to put them together in a cohesive way.

Almost all ancient civilizations had allegorical tales which could be fully understood through the glasses of esoteric philosophy. Whether we look at Egyptian mythology, Greek epic poems or Native American legends, there is a “face value” meaning and a hidden meaning that can only be understood by initiates. The Wizard of Oz is what we can call an American allegorical tale.

6. Was there any nefarious occult symbolism in Miley Cyrus’s 2009 Teen Choice Awards performance? Because honestly, that was just evil.

Didn’t watch that, sorry.

7. Do you look at books and film with the same eye towards recognizing occult symbolism? If so, the Twilight series…discuss. Obviously werewolves are rife for the teenage males confronting puberty analogy, and vampires originally reared their fanged heads as a nifty way to confront sexual themes in repressive societies, but did Mormon author Stephenie Meyer accidentally push any big occult buttons?

I’d have to read the books to give a definite answer on Twilight’s underlying meaning (it there’s any). I’ve however watched both movies and I can say there is a definite use of “occult lore” in the movie but it is all done in a very superficial matter.

I think the movies focus on tapping into the primal needs of young girls (and not so young) such as: fascination with the mysterious and dangerous, feeling protected by a strong man, attraction towards the “forbidden fruit” and….oh yea, watching a bunch of shirtless guys.

8. Lady Gaga and Rihanna have both been big on your website as of late. Who is going to be the next artist trending heavy with occult symbolism?

Taylor Swift and Adam Lambert. They are definitively next.

9. I’m going to be honest with you, and in turn, some honesty for me. I love Lady Gaga and own both “The Fame” and “The Fame Monster”. Does Lady Gaga ever make its way onto your CD player?

Honestly, not in my CD player…I…I..just can’t. But I can’t say I get mad when one her songs come up in a dance club. Her music is has better production value than most of the crap out there.

10. Parting shot! Ask us at The Magical Buffet any one question.

OK, you’ve asked for it! Have you ever witness true magic resulting from a magical spell or ritual? If so, can you describe the event?

Alas, I have never witnessed what I would consider true magic.

About The Vigilant Citizen:
My quest for knowledge led me to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Politics. I’ve mainly studied the way power uses mass media to shape and mold attitudes of the general public. My education was perfect to hold a job in marketing or PR but did not satisfy my thirst for truth.

My efforts to further understand the forces governing the world lead me to study secret societies, mystery religions, esoteric sciences and ancient civilizations. I’ve spent the last five years researching Theosophy, Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, the Bavarian Illuminati and Western Occultism. These schools of thoughts have many things in common: they are based on Hermetic teachings (Hermes, Thoth, Enoch, Mercury), they attach EXTREME importance to symbolism and they recruit within their ranks the most prominent people of all fields of society, especially politics, law and public service. The natural result of this phenomenon is the display of occult symbolism in all aspects of society, whether it be music, movies, buildings or else. My goal is to bring out the meaning of those symbols in a clear, concise and entertaining way.

I am also a music producer who has composed music for some fairly known “urban” artists. My work in the music business has led me to deal with talent agents, video directors and record companies. Through my experiences and my contacts, I have discovered some of the darker aspects of the entertainment industry which I found were in direct connection with my studies in occultism. My understanding of the state of mind that prevails in the higher levels of the ladder makes it probably easier for me to decifer the symbolism in music videos than it is for everyday people.

Learn more at The Vigilant Citizen’s website.

Falling in Love with Passion Pit

by Administrator, posted in Music, Reviews

There were these potato chips, which sadly you cannot find anymore, from Snyder’s of Hanover. They were steak and onion flavored. My husband loved them, and took great delight in introducing them to others. “You can’t just eat one, you have to try three,” he would tell people. Why three? Because the first time you tried them, the first chip was just bizarre, your taste buds were overwhelmed with the sheer weirdness of it all. The second chip, you would start to notice the steak flavor, and attempt to process it all. With the third chip you would realize they were great! A potato chip that tastes JUST like steak and onions! How perfect!

One can say much the same of Passion Pit’s first album “Manners”.

At a first listen, Passion Pit’s debut album “Manners” seems to be nothing but sounds that shouldn’t work together: high light male lead vocals, disco rhythms that could easily work for doing The Hustle, catchy pop hooks, and lyrics of a depth that they could be read aloud as poetry. I have to admit, when I played it through the first time I found it a confusing, but enjoyable experience. Having heard their song “The Reeling” on both of my favorite online radio stations (that would be Indie 103.1 and WEQX 102.7, thank you for asking) I was prepared for a more electronic, dance feel (Despite hearing it initially on “alternative” radio stations. Of course now I hear it on my favorite online dance station too, 1Dance.FM, thank you again for your interest.).

On a second listen, things started to mesh together nicely. The album is infectious. I can’t listen to it without tapping my foot or swaying in my chair. I realize that Passion Pit is almost like a Bee Gees 2.0, an updated, next generation version. And let me take this moment to proudly announce to the world that I love the Bee Gees, you hear that world? Love them! I had an awesome Bee Gees lunch box in elementary school and it’s one of my greatest regrets that I don’t have that lunch box here with me now. Ain’t no shame in liking some foot tapping tunes, and Passion Pit gives you the foot tapping fun of disco, with a hip, updated sound.

By the third listen I’m enamored. Passion Pit’s album “Manners” is high light male lead vocals, disco rhythms that could easily work for doing The Hustle, catchy pop hooks, and lyrics of a depth that they could be read aloud as poetry! How perfect!

“The Reeling” that is a link in the previous text goes to the official music video on You Tube, unfortunately they don’t allow embedding. I did however find this live performance from Passion Pit at a radio station, which I can embed….so I did.

Catching Up With Paul

by Administrator, posted in Interviews, Music

Since we last spoke in April of 2007, an Angel named Thomas put his hand through the top of my skull and massaged my soul while channeling a Choir of One Thousand Angels. My music can’t quite match that, but I keep trying…

My 2008 album Garden of Delight , won the New Age Reporter award for Best World Album , was Echoes CD of the Month, Top Ten for Three Months, and featured on Hearts of Space. I also did an OM chanting CD called Gratitude Joy that did not win one single award but still brought peace and joy to many people which is of course, the whole point of all this!

My latest offering is LOVE, which just came out in August. Blissful Lullabies celebrating our highest vibration, LOVE is a temple of sound in honor of Love. A sacred space of deep blissful contentment. The fertile soil of peaceful grace where we are able to feel and free to be our true nature…

I collaborated with legendary New Age artist Kevin Braheny Fortune for the album.

LOVE is my most even, intimate, consistently blissful work that is already bringing lots of simple peace & joy to many souls.

You can find LOVE at iTunes, Amazon, and at my site www.RoundSkyMusic.com

About Paul:
Paul Avgerinos is a Grammy nominated Composer and Producer whose music is broadcast all over the world. Paul’s New Age albums consistently reach the Top Ten in Radio and have won major awards three years running. He has worked on over one hundred film and TV projects with over 3,000 TV licenses. Paul has been involved in a number of Platinum albums and has worked with Aerosmith, Jewel, Run DMC, Willie Nelson & Deana Carter.

Currently, he lives and works in Redding, CT, where the deer pass by his studio windows and the hawks and eagles give inspiration from above.

Learn more at www.StudioUnicorn.net and www.RoundSkyMusic.com.

10 Questions with High Priestess

by Administrator, posted in Interviews, Music

1. I love your music, and we’ll get to discussing that soon, but first, as a woman, seeing a woman who looks as drop dead gorgeous as yourself, I have to ask, what is your secret to staying in such great shape? And if you tell me soda and French fries we’re ending this interview at question one!

In a nutshell? What works for me personally? I hike in an old growth forest with my dogs a few times a week, get a great kitty cat stretch with yoga poses every day and practice aikido. I also dance without inhibition and play instruments regularly. I eat only organically, about half of which are raw fruits. I eat organic vegetables and meats almost exclusively produced locally. I eat no corn in any form, including high fructose corn syrup and dextrose, no wheat in any form including bread, pasta, baked goods, sauces or breading, and no other gluten-containing grains. I use food as medicine.

It’s interesting that you ask, as I am writing a book about Faerie Magic, and it touches on this subject a few times. Obviously, glamour is one of the most well-known types of faerie magic! We have appropriated the word in modern times to refer to high fashion, movie stars and “an air of compelling charm, romance, and excitement, especially when delusively alluring.” The glamorous beauties of the fashion and entertainment world are now uplifted and perfected with the art of modern technology! The magic of Photoshop creates a beautiful illusion which, for better or worse, has seduced the world. So first let me acknowledge that magic in my public persona. However, it goes deeper.

My beauty reflects my magic, because I have cultivated my beauty magically for a number of years. The idea of visualization is becoming quite popular now, but as a child I knew it innately, and formed in my mind again and again the shape I desired for myself.

The other aspect of beauty that I think is really important is self-care. If we tend to our bodies as we would lovingly care for a child, an elder, or even the Goddess Herself, we will reap the benefits exponentially as we age. By tuning into the body’s deeper nutritional needs, and to our spirit’s playtime/physical exercise needs, we can bring our bodies back into natural balance. I have found that people who carry the faerie energy may often be thin, yet are sometimes still fairly out of healthy balance with their natural cycles. It’s more important to play than to work out. Bring the element of play in, and choose a way to get some physical exercise that is so delightful that you will happily put off work for it!

The same principles apply to the dreaded dietary changes required by “health.” Instead of trying to make some dramatic and inevitably ill-fated change, simply start by dropping major sources of bad food in your life 6 days per week. Give yourself a day off per week from any diet you are doing (unless it’s a food allergy). Start by swearing off fast food and coffee, soda or other sweetened drinks. Once you have done this your taste buds will start to readjust to natural food after the ultra-enhanced flavors of pre-made food are done away with. Then it’s time to get creative exploring the exotic world of fruits and vegetables! This should be what you eat most of the time. The choice to eat meat is very personal. It is an ethical decision which has, at times, pained me greatly. My physiology runs at optimum with meat in my diet, but I am scrupulous about only consuming meat which is given a good life, with natural feed, sunshine and grass to roam in. I don’t support any genetically modified feeds, or weird hormones or drugs given to the animals. Insisting on organic will mostly guarantee these standards, but you must trust your instincts and assess each company on its own.

Food has a cultural dimension, which is ultimately reflected in our health as well. The accepted food of American culture is that which is sold on television. Sadly this food is controlled by corporations, who are most often valuing the bottom line over what might be good food for their tribe to consume. It is ultimately a political act to prepare your own food, and an anarchistic act to actually grow or forage your own food. As I perceived the damage that this culturally-approved diet actually does to the human organism, I had no choice but to permanently boycott their “food.”

We live in such a culture of too-many-good-things! A bit of chocolate or a cookie isn’t going to kill any diet… In fact, soul food is very real and famously healing on all levels. When your heart needs it, indulge intelligently in something organic.

2. Your first album, “Sellisternia”, has a very electronic/techno sound to it. You followed that with “OakSong” which is more Celtic rock in its sound. What inspired the change?

Sellisternia, meaning a “feast in honor of the Goddess,” was a priestess alone in her studio learning the art of expression via technology. I had never really played music with other people. My studies were in classical piano and composition… both of which can be fairly solitary. I was dizzied with possibilities as a producer called Mother shepherded me through my first recording sessions with concert harp, flute, trombone and my own vocals. This process was going on in 2000-2002. I had no concept of what he was doing as he used EQ and effects on the tracks. By the time I did OakSong I had been playing with this awesome band, Advanced Bliss, for 2 years. I had taken my education to the next level at USC, and gotten much deeper into technology, arranging and orchestration. I wanted to take those songs that we had been so successful with playing out, and capture them in a studio setting. Here I turned to the magic-man Christian Wood for my engineering and mixing. It was a completely different process… Still some songs were developed with the band, and others came as mystical revelations. The album itself is both dreamy and provocative, much like Radiohead.

3. You’re also an extremely talented harpist. Any chance there will be a solo harp album someday?

Thank you so much! You know how to make a girl feel comfortable! I actually think I might have recently granted your wish! Faerie Archives volume 1 is our latest release—it’s brand spankin’ new, in fact! It features predominantly harp, but it is steeped in worlds of lush high fidelity nature sounds, delicate vocal harmonies, and exotic ancient instrument such as the medieval Viola de Gamba and Sitar. We invoked the faerie realm, created a magnificent faerie altar, left offerings and made invocations (some of which are audible on the CD). We invited the faeries in, and we recorded the music that came to us. The music was so very unique that we were inspired to start the “Society for the Preservation of Faerie Arts.” Learn more at www.faeriearchives.com. Samples of the newest release can be heard on my MySpace page and the best way to purchase the album is via CDBaby.com. Enjoy!

4. On your My Space page there is your version of the Blondie song “Rapture,” including a music video for it. I love the original and your cover; what made you decide to cover that song?

I love the original! Blondie is such an inspiration. I worked on that piece with producer Nick Launay (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, upcoming Cribs featuring Johnny Marr, Arcade Fire) and he thought I would really shine with the range of that piece. We wanted to give Retro-Gothy-New-Wave some “new school” claws. I think it worked.

5. Can you tell us a little bit about some of the folks that travel and perform with you?

I have just posted a video blog of our latest tour on Youtube! You can go to http://www.youtube.com/user/thehighpriestess22 to see the goings-on!

My dearest companion is my husband, Alexander Polinsky. He is my best friend and collaborator. It was his amazing faerie altars which opened the portal to the other realm. He has quite a lot of notoriety on his own, actually. He was a child actor on the series Charles in Charge, and has gone on to a successful career in voice acting. He is heard all the time on shows like Transformers, Batman, Legion of Superheroes and Starship Troopers. He is also an amazing singer, and fronts our band Flow Temple. He works one on one with performers, healing blocks and facilitating authentic singing and voice acting. I couldn’t do it without him.

I also have a very dear butler named James. He and I have been friends for about 13 years now! He actually played piano at my 19th birthday party. We have lived together, and played music together for the last 5 years, and he also is an important person in the tribe. He is a student of astrology, and always advises us on possible arising situations. James plays the vibraphone, which is sort of like a xylophone but dreamy. He comes from a family of musical geniuses, and his brother actually plays guitar with the Eagles.

6. What is the House of Bliss?

The House of Bliss is an outpost of love and authenticity amidst this modern Babylon! It originally started as my place of healing… and by the grace of all the amazing creatures who have passed through the doors, it has become an interdimensional portal, a food garden, a healing oasis and a very effective place for making beauty in a myriad of forms. In short, it is where we live.

7. For you, what is bliss?

Mmm! So many things! For now I’ll say only a few things. A purring cat, the morning sun, the rain at any time, delicious food, chocolate, playful dogs, an unexpected dance, musical or visual inspiration, a well-sung tune, playing my harp, hearing the wind play my harp, long kisses, happy people working together, voices in harmony, union with the Goddess, true awareness of the moment and the open road.

8. Are you familiar with Paul Avgerinos? He’s the only other musician we’ve featured here so far at The Magical Buffet. Anyway, I think a collaboration between you two would be brilliant and inspired. If you two ever do an album together, will you dedicate it to me?

Absolutely! And I’d be thrilled to do an album swap if he’s game!

9. What is one of your favorite albums that would most surprise our readers?

One of the most sublime albums of all time is Beethoven’s 3rd and 4th piano concertos. This is my painting music.

10. Parting shot! Ask us here at The Magical Buffet any one question?

What’s on the menu?

Stuff that is fried, preferably with cheese.

About High Priestess:
High Priestess is the musical project of composer Regan, who is known for her versatile musical ability. High Priestess’s music ranges from Celtic harp to electro-industrial, and Regan is known for her sensual, spiritual and operatic (though often dark) vocal styles. Regan and her posse, who are all known to be practicing Pagans, reside near Los Angeles in the “House of Bliss.” The band can be reached online at www.high-priestess-productions.com and www.myspace.com/advancedbliss

I Love the Ida Maria CD

by Administrator, posted in Music, Reviews

“Find a cure for my life.
Put a price on my soul.
Put a smile on my face.
Build a wall,
Build a fortress ‘round my heart.”
“Oh My God” by Ida Maria

The frantic pace and build up of those words in Ida Maria’s song “Oh My God” cut me to the quick. “Oh my god, oh you think I’m in control. Oh my god, oh you think it’s all for fun.” Is there anyone who hasn’t felt that way at one point or another in their life? Where you’re not in control, that everything is most definitely not fine? Well hopefully you’ll find Ida Maria’s beautiful, edgy voice rising into a scream, as therapeutic as I do.

The rest of Ida Maria’s album “Fortress ‘Round My Heart” is a wonderful mixed bag. The entire album is littered with awesome rock tunes with infectiously catchy melodies. A real stand out in that category is “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked”, a rock tune with an amazingly catchy chorus that you can’t resist singing along with that turns the table on rock clichés by taking a stab at objectifying men. (But not curing a blogger of creating run on sentences.) Maria’s voice is light and feminine but at other times it’s biting and pushing the edges of her vocal range, in a good way. There are a few smoky ballads as well, such as “Keep Me Warm” and “In the End”. But for me, Maria is at her best when she’s yelling into a microphone on tracks like “Morning Light” and “Stella” and “Oh My God” and “Queen of the World” and “Drive Away My Heart” and I really liked this album, can you tell?

Check out the song that started it all for me, “Oh My God”.

And click here to enjoy the ultra catchy “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked”.

The Summer of Sovereign

by Administrator, posted in Music, Reviews

Astute Magical Buffet readers will remember that back in December I commented on a music video by Lady Sovereign, who is a British rap artist. Apparently Perez Hilton wasn’t aware that the video was actually paying homage to the movie “The Warriors”, and instead declared it a video with “Dancing Midget Zombies”. By the way, as proof (as if it was required, but still) that the ladies over at Go Fug Yourself kick ass, they are aware of the film “The Warriors” and name checked it appropriately in a post about Christina Aguilera. Take that Perez! Where was I? That’s right, Lady Sovereign. In the December post I commented that I didn’t know when the album with the song “I Got You Dancing” from the music video would be released. Well it’s out now!

I know nothing about the British rap music scene, or the grime scene, which is what Wikipedia tells me, is the classification for Lady Sovereign’s music. Here’s what I do know. Roll down the windows, slide on the sunglasses, because Lady Sovereign’s new album “Jigsaw” is your summer jam.

The single I’ve been hearing off the album is “So Human” that relies heavily on The Cure song “Close to Me”.

I’m only vaguely familiar with Lady Sovereign’s work previous to “Jigsaw”, so I don’t know how typical or atypical this album is when compared to past efforts. It’s filled with catchy songs, bizarre humor, and flip flopping between spoken word and sort of singing. Lady Sovereign’s voice has a wide range so one song, like “Human” will feature a light feminine voice, and another, like “Guitar”, will have low moans. Also, I suffer from that all too common American affliction of just adoring a British accent, so there’s that too.

If you’re looking for a fun album to tap your foot to while driving in the summer sun, this will do nicely.







Help I’m Alive and Other Lamentations from Metric

by Administrator, posted in Music, Reviews

I love the new Metric album “Fantasies”. If you want, I suppose you can skip reading the rest of this article, but if you like synth pop/rock influenced by the 80’s and Weezer, you’re going to want to read on.

I guess Metric is old news. “Fantasies” is their fourth album but they’re new to me! It’s hard to clearly define the “sound” of this album. Their lead singer Emily Haines has a light, feminine voice which makes the sometimes visceral lyrics really stand out. For example on the song “Sick Muse” her airy voice sings “Watch out Cupid, Stuck me with a sickness, pull your little arrows out, let me live my life.” The accompanying music is low, guttural guitar, and yet it comes around to a chorus that could have been written by Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) for all of the pop perfection that it embodies. In fact, the whole album dances the line of rock and pop quite well. Some songs like “Stadium Love” are straight up, Weezer-esque pop/rock tunes, others such as “Twilight Galaxy” lean heavily on the synthesizer sound, and yet others like “Gold Guns Girls” are female fronted rock and roll excellence.

Lyrically, these songs are not telling stories, they are conveying emotions. I mean this as a complement, but this album would make an excellent soundtrack to any drama on television, particularly a police procedural. If I was involved with the television show “Life” (which is great, by the way) I would be securing the rights to use the whole album. Maybe you won’t hear it when you try out the album, but it’s something that struck me after repeated listening.

Unfortunately there isn’t a music video for their song “Help I’m Alive”, which was the song that got me to pick up the album. However, I did find this nifty documentary clip about Emily Haines writing the song! Enjoy!

Look Ma’! No Instruments!

by Administrator, posted in Music

Nothing fantastically deep or insightful today folks, just a few videos that hopefully will dazzle you.

The human voice is truly fascinating. We were all reminded of this in the 1980s thanks to one hopelessly addictive song by Bobby McFerrin, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and the performances of actor Michael Winslow in the “Police Academy” movies. And then life, and pop culture, moved on.

However, I’ve been reminded again at how imaginative people can be and how versatile the voice is. Not too long ago my husband bought the “Shadowrun” game for his PC. The intro to the game has this fantastic song “Baiana” by Barbatuques. I purchased it on iTunes and it found its way onto every mix CD my husband and I made for months! Imagine my surprise when I finally saw the song performed live….the song is entirely voice and rhythmic step. Check it out!

Then, my friend Jason sent me a video of two guys, Nathan “Flutebox” Lee and Beardyman, performing at the Google offices in London. Technically Lee uses an instrument, a flute, but come on; he’s doing percussion and flute…at the same time! At the 4 minute mark Beardyman comes on. It’s like a full on techno club coming from one tiny British man. It’s fantastic! Not only is it musically impressive, but they both have a real sense of humor and reverence for pop culture that comes through in their performances.

Like I said folks, no deep messages here, no real educational content, just a little reminder that people are capable of amazing things.

This is Not a Review of the new Killers Album “Day & Age”

by Administrator, posted in Movies, Music, Reviews

It was going to be, but I realized I could sum it up easily. This album takes everything that was good about music from the 80’s, smooshes it together and sprinkles it in glitter. Just go buy the darn thing, it’s awesome, and let me move onto The Airborne Toxic Event.

The Airborne Toxic Event is based out of Los Angeles, CA so despite the fact that their self-titled album has been out since August it just made its way onto WEQX out here on the east coast. What do they sound like? Remember that really sweet spot that existed in 80’s new wave music when it would overlap with Goth music? (I think there is some hipster name for that specific genre, like dark wave, or Goth wave, or something.) You know, the way you could dance to Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” knowing full well it was sort messed up to do so. Most of their album reminds me of that. Musically the album is cool. They have a full time violinist, which is always good in a rock band. While listening to it I feel certain I could totally bust out my Molly Ringwald 80’s white girl dance, which believe it or not is a good thing.

Lyrically I find myself feeling like The Octopus from the trailer for The Spirit: “What is it with you and women?” This theme is perfectly encapsulated in the ass kicking song “Sometime Around Midnight”. This song sounds less 80’s but has some tortured shouting towards the end, so it breaks even in my book. The hooking up, getting dumped, pining for women thing is pretty obvious, and fairly staple in rock and roll, I just never felt so hit over the head with it before. Adult me finds it a little tiring, but the teenage me (who I’m in close contact with) finds it kind of hot. It’s all angsty and sexy. Sue me – teenage me wins out more often than I’d like.

A quick trip to the internet provides some back story for this album. According to Wikipedia, “The band was formed in 2006 by Mikel Jollett. During a one-week period in March 2006 while working on a novel, Jollett learned that his mother was diagnosed with cancer, and he also experienced a break-up and was diagnosed with genetic Autoimmune disease. Even though the disease encompasses over 70 different disorders, Autoimmune led Jollet to develop 2 cosmetic conditions: Alopecia areata and Vitiligo. Spurred by these events in his personal life, Jollett turned from writing prose to writing songs, and soon realized he was composing an album instead of a novel.”

Well that explains a lot. Try out “Sometime Around Midnight” and see what you think.

If you want to shake your 80’s groove thang….

By the way, I’m hopelessly amused by The Spirit trailers I’ve seen. How about this one? “Somebody get me a tie! And it sure as hell better be red!”

Dancing Midget Zombies

by Administrator, posted in Movies, Music

Many of you know that here in the northeastern United States we had a vicious little ice storm that resulted in prolonged power outages. Fortunately I was only without power for under 48 hours, which I never thought under 48 hours was good until I talked to people who went 72 hours or more! Anyway, I’ve been busy catching up, and that means hitting all my favorite celebrity gossip blogs. It was during this that I came across the headline “Dancing Midget Zombies” on Perez Hilton’s website. That title was enough to get me to check it out, and I assume it’s enough to get you to click in for my article.

The title is in reference to a music video Hilton was featuring from the female British rapper Lady Sovereign called “I Got You Dancing”. I’ve always kind of liked Lady Sovereign, her stuff reminds me of early hip hop music. (Technically she is part of the Grime genre of music, “a genre of urban music which first emerged in East London, England in the early 2000s, primarily a development of UK garage, dancehall, and hip hop.” according to Wikipedia.) I’ll admit, I was curious as to how a female British rapper was working the concept of dancing midget zombies into a music video. Then I watched it.

This reminded me that not everyone is a big of geek as myself. What Hilton thought was a dancing midget zombie video I rapidly realized was a pretty awesome take on the 1979 movie “The Warriors”. Not only is the song infectious in a good way, but whoever put the video together did a great job of incorporating loads of “The Warriors” references. Obviously Lady Sovereign and her dancers dressing up as the various gangs during the dance numbers is fun, but I’m thoroughly impressed by what an attractive Luther Lady Sovereign makes. (Luther is the character played by David Patrick Kelly who said the infamous line, “Warriors, come out to play!”)

Check out the trailer to get a hint at what I’m talking about.

See what I mean? Good stuff. Unfortunately I don’t know if/when “I Got You Dancing” will be out on CD, but the good news is that “The Warriors” is out on DVD now! Perhaps someone should buy a copy for Perez Hilton.