It's a bold logo that belongs to the Green Lantern. The logo doesn't belong to a person per-say. Well... YOU could become the Green Lantern. All you need is a Power Lantern. And a Power Ring. These majestic instruments allow a control of the physical realms through powers of force-field generation, flight towards the speed of light, invisibility cloaking, teleportation and even time travel, amongst many others. All of this only if you are deemed worthy enough (you need strength, wits, will-power, imagination) by the Guardians of the Universe to join the galactic police force that is the Green Lantern Corps.
How about a T-shirt in the meantime?
The Green Lantern movie is released on the 17th of June and features a stellar cast including Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively (yeah, the blonde from Gossip Girl) and Mark Strong.
To win ANY Green Lantern T-shirt from the Urban Species collection: simply answer "Which Superhero group that also includes Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman is Green Lantern Hal Jordan a founding member of?" Message us the answer on our Facebook page and leave us an email address for us to get back at you if you win.
Here Jon Phonics presents us with a healthy injection of electro bass lines and splatter patterned snare on a pair of tracks guaranteed to ram the floor. Bruck Out combines neck snapping grooves with shimmering neon synths while The One flips the sound of spacious eighties soul with twinkling digital motifs to create a glowing future scape.
Either track is as deep and cerebral as it is danceable and euphoric and demonstrate the breadth of Phonics' talent as a producer and a welcome new direction for an ever evolving artist.
The word fusion is too often a dirty one, the forced cojoining of usually separate styles resulting in a mutant hybrid. However, occasionally music can combine the essence of differing styles to find a shared fundamental. As the opening finger picked guitar line of Could She Be Loved winds it's way around the speaker a misty scene somewhere between Western Ireland and Western Africa is evoked. Similairly the at once recognisably Carribean influenced vocal further blurs the lines by taking on a sea shantyish melody. All this gives the narrative of the lyrics an at once dark and timeless quality, a song which could be sang on ships for many years to come. The HeyZeus! remix further develops this cryptic atmosphere, employing warped samples of tribal singing, bamboo flutes and rattling percussion to create a sound reeking of smoke from the camp fire and the mysteries of the night. An excellent combination of strong song writing with distinctive arrangement to create a thoroughly interesting listen.
Art You Grew Up With have an extensive range of DC fine art taken directly from original archive material. This includes a range of collections including "retro," "covers," "inked" and even lovely "romance" with Supes and Louis Lane in courting sweetness.
For those of you with no father available to bestow gifts upon - fret not, as any DC fan will revel in these pieces featuring all the universe favourites like Batman, Catwoman, Flash, Aquaman, Wonderwoman, Green Lantern and the whole JLA.
To obtain a real flavour of this fabulous range, flick through the DC Fine Art e-book
Chuck D with voice like granite said: "Bass. How low can you go?" We're going to find out this Saturday at KOKO where Soundcrash bring the beautiful noise once again via their residency.
Harmonic 313 aka Mark Pritchard. "His latest project sees him join forces with Steve Spacek to form Africa Hitech. Their soon to be released album ‘93 Million Miles’ on Warp Records is already gaining huge critical acclaim with its explosive fusion of juke, dancehall, dubstep and anything with a BIG bassline." My goodness.
Kode9 is the terra-watt force behind Hyperdub records (Burial, Zomby, Ikonika). This guy has written a book on flipping sonic warfare. That's pretty much about how soundwaves can be weaponised to kill or at least seriously hurt you. Saturday is going to be immense.
Next see a member of Flying Lotus' band and new recruit of Ninja Tune, Dorian Gray "using his amazing Mini Korg skills to create his unique fusion of jazz, electronica and club music which always wow the devoted crowds." The bar remains higher and higher.
The emotional future funk resonance will be courtesy of three piece band King Midas Touch for an incandescent exhibition of honest music expression.
And just in case there were any doubts regarding future sound-bombs, Alex Nut (co-founder of Eglo records) will bring even more noise for your poise. Wonderful.
Did Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster know in 1932 that Superman renouncing his American citizenship in 2011 would make international news?
With comic books dominating the box-office in recent years, did Bob Kane envision his creation to be the benchmark for all other comic to screen aspirations? Whether Jim Lee or Neil Adams; or Joe Shuster owning a print isn't simply owning a nice picture. It's having custody of a piece of the person who crafted it. It's Art. It's a little piece of history.
Harvesting critical acclaim from the Guardian and making fans of fore-bearers such as Rusko, Nitin Sawhney, Adam F and Liam Howlett; ENGINE-EARZ EXPERIMENT are melting solid rock in their path.
Such is their heat having just been touring with the likes of The Streets and Tricky. New single 'Reach You' (featuring the syrupy vocals of Lena Cullen) is spiralling to dizzy heights. The single is out NOW and you can stream the remixes here for your aural pleasure.
Here cometh a Perry Dominoes conducted interview with the Engine-Ear maestro Prash himself:
Described as the 'Massive Attack of the Dubstep Generation,' Engine-Earz Experiment's in-progress album "aims to reconcile Prash's varied musical passions; smashing what he sees as 'glass divides between genres and ideologies'; fusing indigenous musics from around the world with dubstep and elements of drum'n'bass, electronica and alternative rock." Check this BBC 1Xtra video for mind-blow effect.
I. Engine-Earz Experiment have been commissioned to produce the soundtrack to the Yug of Kali. You can have your pick of any collaborators - what would the ensemble be?
Ha Ha...by that do you mean we're scoring the destruction of this age and the beginning of the next!? I'd probably pick the same guests we've invited to feature on our album...Lisa Gerrard, Ane Brun, Akala, Jenna G, Nitin Sawhney, Get Cape Wear Cape fly to name but a few...and of course our frontman Data.
II. What was your epiphany moment for 'Yes! This is it! Music making is what I'm going to do'
Hmm it's hard to say, but probably the first time I ever played a chord on the piano as a kid, just kinda new it was the way forward - cheesy but true!
III. Who are your heroes?
Gandhi, Liam Howlett, Zack de la Rocha and of course my parents for managing to escape Uganda during Idi Amin's dictatorship to this country and raise me and my brothers.
IV. Who would win a fight between Mahatma Gandhi & Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan?
Trick question - Mahatma Gandhi had a strict policy of non-aggression ;) V. What things do you hope listeners will take away from your album?
Hopefully they will be inspired to create something themselves, whether it be audio, visual or just write something - the more people express themselves honestly i guess the closer we'll be to knowing ourselves and each other!
VI. Who are your favourite Superheroes? Why?
Ha ha probably Batman because he's just a normal dude with a load of gadgets fighting crime...slightly dubious about him being a rich millionaire beating up poor people tho, i think he & Wayne industries should be investing in some community youth programs as well - give something back Batman!!! :/
VII. If you could engineer anything to help aid the production of music - what would it be?
Probably a piece of software that linked all other DAW's so everything was finally freakin' compatible!! Also a miniature grand piano in a box that when mic'd up with a small condenser mic sounded like a real grand piano in a huge room :)
VIII. If you could engineer anything to help the advancement of humans - what would it be?
I'd make a Zero-point energy battery to provide free energy forever to everyone freeing us from the vast control grid - google "Tom Bearden" for some great research on the subject!
VIII. You can re-score any movie from any era. What would you do?
Probably John Carpenter's "They Live" using disgusting modern synthesis and a comedy Bollywood soundtrack
X. What has been the best live experience you've had on road?
Probably supporting The Streets last ever gig at Brixton Academy in London...that was just epic!! Check out Facebook page for the photos to see what i mean :) Also touring Europe in a tourbus with Tricky was an experience!
XI. All the records/CDs in your house get burnt in the fire except one. Which one?
This wins the award for the darkest question ever asked in an interview!!!! However..."Nitin Sawhney - Beyond Skin"
XII. Who has the nicest voice on Earth. Someone you could just fall asleep listening to.
Bjork
VIII. Complete this sentence: "If you do not check for Engine-Earz experiment you will________________"
...just have to wait until your friends tell you about us :)
Engine-Earz Experiment will be rocking festivals including Glanstonbury and Shambala. Visit their website to stay in the loop with new music, show dates, freebies and news. The Discovery Playlist on Youtube is also a definitive introduction to their sound.
LUDOVIC DE PASS - BRAZILIAN SONATA/SHABBAZ - OUT NOW WITH SUPPORT FROM LUCIANO, DEETRON, AUDIOJACK...
Citing everything from the NYC house music of Tenaglia, Junior Vasquez and MAW to the pop music of The Beatles as musical influences, Ludovic De Pass makes an electrifying debut for Claude Monnet’s Analog imprint.
Infused with Latin heat, oozing sexual grooves and with a use of percussion that could moonlight as the sound track to a David Attenborough rain forest special; Brazilian Sonata EP is as elegantly finessed, as it is innately primal.
Kicking off with the Original Mix of Brazilian Sonata, De Pass delivers a true Ibiza summer session anthem that unashamedly calls on your body to move. Layer upon layer of percussion, muted drums, dreamy synths and earthy rhythms carry faint strains reminiscent of early liquid drum & bass. Sucking you in, it’s like happening at a rave in the middle of the Amazon. Claude Monnet’s Drum Interpretation Mix takes the original and gives it an altogether darker twist, using wooden percussion samples with genius precision to evoke noises of the night, inducing a slightly more eerie feel while managing to keep the rhythm and the pace of De Pass’s Original cut.
Second track on the EP, Shabbaz, keeps with the dark and deep vibe of its predecessor. The Douala Mix blends together muted percussion, popping rhythms, sweeping filters, deep and gentle bass sounds and brush drum effects to create a gorgeously dubby, deep house track that still has its feet firmly in the South American country. With an elegantly delicate break, Douala’s edit is as much at home in a chill-out session as it is on the deeper dance floors. Meanwhile the Sugarhill Mix injects such a huge dose of funk with its bass-licking rhythm guitar, it sounds like the track wandered out of the Amazon and ended up in Spanish Harlem. The Dub, as expected, strips most of the higher elements out, but with a track so dominated by rhythmic sections, even with a reduction in parts it still maintains its chugging drive and tribal momentum.
Ludovic De Pass – Brazilian Sonata EP is released on Wednesday May 25th 2011 on www.beatport.com.
The Guerilla Zoo presents MODERN PANIC an exciting major exhibition of over 50 international surreal, provocative and controversial modern artists in an old London abattoir.
Featuring work of provocative artists from around the world, including work from infamous prisoner Charles Bronson, Bolivian enfant terrible and coca-leaf artist Gaston Ugalde, taxidermy artist Iris Schieferstein, who's hoof boots have been sought after by the likes of Lady Gaga, the provocative Kira O'Reilly, Tank Girl comic artist Rufus Dayglo and many others.
Guerrilla Zoo Presents MODERN PANIC 4TH- 12TH JUNE 2011 11am- 7pm
“All the quirks of a Bestival but in a far more beautiful and sunny setting” THE GUARDIAN
“Perhaps the summer’s most beautiful site” TIME OUT
Soundwave Croatia Festival is delighted to announce yet another SOLD OUT year!!
Festival promoter Rob Waller said "its amazing to have sold out in even quicker time than we did last year, the festival is going from strength to strength and the addition of a new arena this year means that we've been able to increase our capacity slightly, whilst keeping the wonderful intimate atmosphere we managed in previous years"
The festival’s capacity this year is 3000 and co-promoter Noah Ball says "Our line-ups are getting bigger each year we run, and our plans for development of the event are really exciting, we want people to see the love we put into this weekend, keeping the ethos for the weekend the same as it develops naturally within its idyllic setting.
Soundwave is Croatia’s best loved and best kept music and travel secret. A festival that stays true to its roots with three Sun packed days of the best boundary pushing music, its own private beach, ten fantastic individually curated boat parties, an amphitheatre, Run To The Sun car rally and much much more.
The festival is also much cheaper, and much less commercial than most other music festivals. With its top dollar line up combined with its low budget ticket and travel cost makes Soundwave is one of the true gems of the European festival calendar, all at a ticket price that is the same as train trip to Glastonbury AND with guaranteed Sun it is no wonder Soundwave punters head back year after year for THE party of the summer festival calendar.
Burn studios partners with industry leaders to launch innovative electronic music platform
www.burn-studios.com Ibiza, Thursday 26th May, 2011 - burn studios has today announced the launch of an innovative electronic music portal for the cloud generation, enabling music creation, discovery and sharing. Rooted in electronic music, burn studios is set to democratize music production by bringing together music makers within an open creative network and state of the art cloud recording studio. Burn studios will offer opportunities for breaking music talents from producers to DJs, to take part in exiting contests, exclusive educational and mentoring programs and get a chance to showcase their music to the world.
Richie Hawtin launches public version of burn studios’ Audiotool and becomes creative director Legendary DJ and technology maverick Richie Hawtin was announced as burn studios Audiotool Creative Director and will spearhead the development of the music creation platform. Since launching the open beta version of the burn studios Audiotool in late 2010 and asking the music community to feedback and participate in the development of the platform, over 80,000 members have signed up. With over 300,000 visits a month and growing, its popularity is spreading throughout the world.
Burn studios announces pan-European producer contest with Sasha and Beatport This summer burn studios will team up with legendary DJ and producer Sasha and electronic music portal Beatport to search for the most exiting and promising music producers from across Europe. Fourteen promising electronic music stars of the future will win the chance to take part in an exclusive production bootcamp at the burn studios Hacienda in Ibiza.
To be in with the chance of winning this money-can’t-buy opportunity entrants must remix this year’s IMS anthem, a track created by Pioneering DJ and producer Sasha, using Burn Studios Audiotool or Beatport’s Sound to Sample site to download remix parts. Entries must be uploaded to the cloud before 4th July 2011 when fourteen remixes will be hand selected by Sasha. The winning producers will be flown to the Burn Studios Hacienda in Ibiza. a state of the art equipped villa where Burn Studios will relocate for the summer. They will then take part in a 5-day intensive production bootcamp from 26th July to 30th July developed by SAE Institute, which includes mentoring sessions and master classes from some of the biggest names in the industry. Then, at then end of the Hacienda program, the student with the most overall votes and support for their remix will go on to be crowned winner and be awarded the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Sasha on his next release! Go to burn-studios.com or beatport.com for more info on how to get involved in the contest.
Dan White, Global Head of Burn, comments: “burn studios is the epitome of Burn’s personality, it captures the essence of the brand and blasts it into a real life dimension of energy filled passion and fearless creativity. I’m proud that we are able to ignite creative passion and bring the community together with this pioneering studio concept.”
Dates: Friday 27th & Saturday 28th May 2011 Times: 10.00pm – 4am Venue: Plan B, 148 Brixton Road, London SW9
DJs Just Blaze & Alchemist Going head to head in a 2 hour sound-clash on 4 turntables Spin Doctor The Last Skeptik Mr Thing & Chris P Cuts
Limited £12 adv tickets / 0844-477-1000
Friday tickets here / and skiddle Saturday tickets here / and skiddle
£15 on the door if available Two of the hottest producers in the world are coming to London to battle each other head to head for two nights back to back. With a catalogue of hits for the biggest names in the game these two legendary beatsmiths are showing their skills on the decks as they go up against each other in a display of skills and selection in true soundclash style.
Having hosted this event last year for two sold out crowds on a Tuesday and Wednesday last time around The Doctor’s Orders are guaranteeing another packed house for two night is a row in one of London’s best loved party venues. This is a must show for all real Hip-Hop heads.
Just Blaze is one of the most creative forces in the game. Having cut his teeth in the late 90’s creating underground bangers for the likes of Buckshot. His distinctive sound soon caught the ear of the biggest players in the game and he soon had beats featured on albums for the likes of Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Big Pun & Jadakiss. It was however as an in house producer with Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella records that he really made waves producing instant classics for Kanye West, Cam’ron, Freeway, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and of course the main man himself Jay-Z who has featured Just Blaze beats on 6 of his last 7 albums, all of which have gone platinum!
The Jersey born producer, also known as the Megatron Don, has a distinctive soul drenched sound that still bangs so hard that it rocks dance-floors across the globe. Despite his credentials with the more mainstream names Just Blaze still has his ear in tune and hand in with the underground as he creates incredible soundscapes for the likes of Jay Electronica and Saigon. He will no doubt be treating a packed house to a fantastic mix of his own productions and the influences behind them in this exclusive sound-clash set.
The Alchemist, as the name would suggest has a knack of turning things into gold. Having got his start in the production game under the tutelage of two of the biggest names in the game, DJ Premier and DJ Muggs, this California native has made a name for himself for rough Boom Bap style hits. Through his work on albums for underground favourites Dilated Peoples & Defari he came to the attention of Mobb Deep who chose two beats to feature on the classic Murda Muzik, The Alchemist has not looked back since.
With a resume that now reads like a who’s who of Hip-Hop including work with Nas, Ghostface, Lil-Wayne, Emimen (for who The Alchemist is tour DJ), Big Pun, Fat Joe & Raekwon to name just a few this battle between two of the most respected names in Hip-Hop is set to tear the roof off as is did last year especially as now we are rocking on the week end!
Providing the warm up for this incredible night of Hip-Hop are three of the most respected names in the UK scene; Spin Doctor, The Last Skeptik & Mr Thing. With a wealth of experience on radio but most importantly rocking clubs up and down the country they will all be making sure that this side of the pond is well represented while in such distinguished company.
BLACK ATLANTIC present a show veiled in more secrecy than a London shoot for the Dark Knight Rises. All we can confirm from their Facebook is that it's somewhere 'east.'
"Arguably one of the most important figures within the Detroit techno scene is cult producer / performer Moodymann aka Kenny Dixon Jnr. Drawing heavily on jazz, soul, disco and funk, his unique form of house music recycles the sounds of the ‘black atlantic’ for a new generation. He is one of the four members of the Three Chairs (along with Rick Wilhite, Theo Parrish and Marcellus Pittman), helped DJ Stingray bring his debut Urban Tribe long player to fruition and has delivered epic remixes for both Innerzone Orchestra and vocalist Norma Jean Bell.
A reclusive figure during daylight hours, KDJ comes into his own at night and is well known for his charismatic performances - from his one off live shows to his infamous DJ sets. He is an outspoken supporter of the vinyl movement and his own releases are often hard to find gems themselves, with limited runs of his work on both his KDJ and Mahogani Music imprints, as well as the likes of Carl Craig’s Planet E."
JOY ORBISON
"Meanwhile, Doldrums boss Joy Orbison continues to push things forward, as his sound moves from 2-step to deep house, developing more of an affinity with the sounds coming from Detroit, Chicago, New York and Berlin, than the UK. His limited release schedule and London club appearances have only intensified the demand for the young producer, with talk of another twelve via his own label in the next few months, as well as recent work for Scuba’s Hotflush Recordings and, if the rumours are true, Loefah’s Swamp 81."
and PHOTOMACHINE
"PhOtOmachine, a faceless Brixton resident who puts square pegs in round holes. Embracing the rawness of Techno with the distinctive bounce of UK club music. Never one to be restrained by drum pattern or tempo, since his debut release Technicolour, PhOtOmachine has been building a reputation as a DJ and producer for the serious music lover and he's whipped up this mix exclusively for Black Atlantic ahead of the show"
Red Snapper, one of Britain’s most groundbreaking musical outfits are set to release their brand new album. 'Key'. After forming in 1993 and releasing various EPs, the band debuted in 1996 with the album Prince Blimey, at the time a unique use of traditional jazz instrumentation with a contemporary approach. However, it was their live show that impressed many and influenced other ‘dance’ artists to fuse acoustic instruments with electronic sounds. They quickly went on to remix for the likes of Garbage, David Holmes, Sabres of Paradise, Troublefunk amongst others, and broke through on the European continent with their subsequent releases on Warp records, Making Bones and Our Aim is To Satisfy Red Snapper.
Red Snapper, originally Rich Thair (drums), Ali Friend (Bass) and David Ayers (Guitar), were joined on stage at a show in 2007 by Tom Challenger on Sax and the new band line-up was born. A few EPs followed, but it wasn’t until 2010 that the band decided to put all their energy into a new full length album, resulting in the blistering 'Key', their best piece of music in over 10 years.
“Key” will be the first full length Red Snapper album featuring the aforementioned Tom Challenger, and also sees contributions from vocalists Gavin Clarke (UNKLE, Clay Hill), and in a bold move UK folk songstress Eliza Carthy, plus vocals by the band themselves.
Rich Thair: “The album is a nod to all things Red Snapper, afrorockabilly to dubjazz via pounding bophop, a soulful and raw mix of passionate music”.
Venue: Jazz Cafe Address: 5 Parkway, London, NW1 7PG Date: Saturday 28th May Time: 7pm Cost: £14.50 + booking fee
Having watched hyper-space-traversing Thor and just read the time travelling Batman opus 'The Return of Bruce Wayne' (feature coming soon: one is left feeling nostalgic about Time Bandits; reveling in the Doctor's misadventures with the latest season; from Quantum Leaps to Quantum Art - time just doesn't seem the same.
And thus: Ghostjumps and Wormholes.
Chin Keeler and Emma Tornero's art presents the meta-
The Surreality. Some's preferred plain of existence.
Ghostjump translates literally from the German word geistessprung indicating a freeform mental jump from one idea to another. Wormholes are hypothetical shortcuts through space and time. Ghostjumps and Wormholes is a collection of images in which narratives have no linear structure and will transport you back and forth through time and space; leading to the improbable and the unlikely. KEELERTORNERO have cast their pantheon of favourite characters and creatures in an epic soap opera in which seemingly unconnected events can be traced back to a hidden framework. Drawing on all manner of influences from mythical creatures, existing characters and political figures, they attempt to salvage the sublime from the ridiculous. A fisherman from the island of Terschelling can rub shoulders with John Wayne who, trapped inside the body of a stag, is trying to escape his future by becoming the son of Mies van der Rohe.
You can experience this event at the Book Club:
The Book Club>100 Leonard Street> EC2A 4RH Runs until June 16th
For more information about the show, press or interview with the artists, please contact Liat on chimera.production@gmail.com
Soundcrash at XOYO Tickets: £10 advance, £15 on the door
All profits from this night will go to a Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund.
Dj Kentaro is a beast. Watching him scratch while listening to what sounds he makes defies one’s sense of reality and logic; how can he create these sounds with just a pair of decks? How can his hands move quite that quickly? And where the hell are his headphones? Yes, Kentaro is a mad dexterous surgeon who slices and dices beats into a breathtaking sonic concoction in his Sendai laboratory and at events all over the world. When Kentaro is behind a set of 1200s and a mixer, things go off. His shy demeanor betrays a true master at work… the true master at work. Following victory as Asia’s first World DMC champion in 2002 with on of the highest recorded scores he has gone on to conquer the world with appearances on almost every cover of every hip-hop magazine in print and a string of highly acclaimed LPs and mix-tapes on Ninja Tune. DJ Kentaro is something else. See it to believe it.
Smerins Anti-Social Club are a nine piece multi-genre band from Bristol. Back in their home town the expectation they raise is such it’s practically impossible to get into one of their gigs. And thanks to touring the biggest festivals in the UK they are now steadily making a name for themselves nationwide as one of the most vibrant and exciting bands around. Watch out for their single “Dr Who” on Tru Thoughts records later this year, a dub/reggae version of the TV theme tune of the same name with Tenor Fly on vocals, setto be the track of the summer. And we really mean that.
In Room 2 Bonafide magazine bring out the treats for their magazine launch party with One Handed Records’ own Bullion on the beats and Big Dada’s Infinite Livez on the mic. The combination of Bullion’s penchant for quirky and unusual samples for his heavy instrumental beats, and Infinite livez disticntly deranged vocal prowess makes for a very special and out there show. If you’re looking for something a bit different in your life look no further. In support the always reliable, always on form, always on time… the one and only Mr Thing, (aka the best party hip hop dj in the UK aka the good one from the Scratch Perverts).
Line-up:
DJ Kentaro Smerins Anti-Social Club Mr Thing
Bonafide magazine issue launch party: Presenting Bullion (Young Turks/One Handed), Inifinte Livez (Big Dada) and Bonafide DJs in room 2.
The smoky, mystical voice repeating testament over flying Lotus double bass driven smolderer transcended remedial listening experiences and in the process caught attentive ears of Warm Records.
GONJASUFI's LP 'A Sufi and a Killer' (which also featured production by eccentro-frisco-kid Gaslamp Killer) showcased an erudite voice telling haunted stories; a fine Aurora Borealis mist in a desert wilderness amidst fluorescent scorpions and whispy apparitions. Roots Manuva has a lyric that can perfectly describe Gonjasufi: "Ain't no blood in my body, it's liquid soul in my vein"
With a full live band accompanying Gojasufi; SOUNDCRASH have again brought to the London weekend; a night where music can be wholly/holy engulfing whilst celebratory. Bong, bong.
To win TWO TICKETS to this aural extravaganza, do as follows: head over to our Batman range and name TWO villains that appear on what we have displayed http://www.urbanspecies.co.uk/store/batman/
It's quite simple ain't it? We're quite clever. Find Urban Species on Facebook and message us the answers.
GONJASUFI LIVE WITH FULL BAND AT XOYO - PRESENTED BY SOUNDCRASH. Support will by in the form of KUTMAH, who has Egyptian and Scottish parents so will be great. His DJ sets are killer.
Menhaj Huda is the British-born Bengali director of gnarly youth drama Kidulthood, which won the 'Douglas Hickox Award' at the British Independent Film Awards (2006).
Whilst East is East and Bend it like Beckham encapsulated the culture-clash dichotomy of being a British-Asian, Huda along with many others couldn't relate. So for the unrepresented many, he presents Everywhere and Nowhere.
The sheen of Holly/Bollywood scrubbed away by true grit; this drama delves to and fro the London club scene and a traditional British Asian nuclear family home as protagonist Ash (played by James Floyd whom you may have seen in The Infidel with Omid Djalili)plays seesaw with his own pursuits (being a DJ) vs. honouring family obligation and duty (you know, stuff). Uncompromising, straight to the point realisms are promised.
An ensemble cast consisting of Adam Deacon (Kidulthood, Anuvahood), Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock...), James Buckley (Inbetweeners), Shivani Ghai (Bride and Prejudice), as well as seasoned thespians Saeed Jaffrey (Gandhi, Passage to India, Eastenders, hundreds of Bollywood flicks) and Art Malik (the terrorist in True Lies, bliaow!) ensure attention is kept.
And because every effort should be made to include a photo of Art Malik in any blog:
So if you're looking for a movie to watch next week: why not let it be a homegrown pot with a blitzing Bollywood, hip-hop and D&B soundtrack sizzled with nudity, swearing and drug references. Released May 6th. Bong bong.
Michael Bay's third (and final) installment of the cinematic spectacle that is TRANSFORMERS will be a race of Oxford/Cambridge boat rivalry proportions - Decepticons v Autobots in flight to the Moon where a mystery Cybertronian (Cybertron is the planet the Trasnformers are from, duh) craft awaits. All of this is existentially vital and perhaps Alpha Trias will be involved, let's see.
Shia LaBeouf reprises Sam Witwicky in a cast that inludes Hugo Weaving who will voice the now cowl wearing Megatron: as revealed by the Hasbro toy
Tyrese Gibson, Leonard Nemoy (yay!), Ken Jeong, the maestro John Malkovich all star, plus Rosie Huntington-Whitely replaces Megan Fox as Sam's love interest. Apple are releasing the new trailer on the 28th - and I don't think we're alone in hoping there may be some revelation of UNICRON, who is only a flippin' planet sized badass.
The Dark of the Moon is released July the 1st and is also a 3D IMAX experience. Bring it on Shockwave!
Roots Manuva and Banana Klan have a recent history of creamming venues in and around central London full of cool and giddy revelers so it doesn't even matter that the header photo is small. Even if you don't go, it'll be a rammed dance.
But if you are coaxed to go, beyond the dubby, bashy, toasty warmth of the Klan warriors, there is the promise of THE BUG (Poison Dart featuring Warrior Queen is Perry Dominoes' anthem of recent years. And Micachu? She'll deliver some soul strumming song.
Zack Synder, bringer of cinematic galore such as 300
& Alan Moore's The Watchmen (it divided opinion but Perry Dominoes thought it was a faithful and exciting companion to one of the best comic books ever)
Now brings this:
Traumatized by personal tragedy and imprisoned by her step-father, a dainty young lady's foray into a divergent reality creates a conflict between life and imagination. There's plenty of girls with guns, fighting, Nazis, explosions and escape from a facility with Carla Cugino in fine Madame form.
London's BFI, champions of classic cinema, independent film festivals and the Arthouse, present this Warner Bros spectacle to special people for a preview screening 31st March & general release for the rest of you 1st April. Oh yes, it's an IMAX experience too.
The Soundcrash trailblazing force field has supplied numerable sonic experiences including Anti-Pop Consortium, Coldcut/Hextatic, Kentaro, Krush, Herbaliser in recent memory already.
So on forth to XOYO for the first release of the Wagon Christ moniker since 2004’s Sorry I Make You Lush. How does Luke Vibert’s live laptop funking; knob twaddling keep up in a scene so hegenomonically shaped by electronic manipulators of the dance-floor, a contrast from yester-year scenes were digi-tech was still a new-tokyo futurology fixation.
But first. Other notable scribblings.
XOYO (ex-oh-why-oh? Zoyo? Apprantly it’s…Ex-Oh Yo?) - funnel/bottleneck indoor waiting area where guest-listers and civilians clamoured for space alike; before a Dante-esque ascent up stairs forced a choice between the two rooms. (I love Acid soundsystem and downstairs for the Wagon Christ et al live PAs) All spurred by rambunctious bouncer-types but still; it provided a ceremonious atmosphere.
Downstairs, as a Handsome Boy Modelling School playlist massaged a handful of attendees, the intellectual maelstrom that is the Mike Ladd led Infesticons hit the stage. Digi sound-scapes powered by an engine of a drummer, who looked like a pharaoh, conjured up hundreds of revelers from nowhere to kick-start the night. If you don’t know the Infesticons v Majesticons back-story, it’s something of a righteous polemic hip-hop purist factions vs the exaggerated ‘bling-era’ superficial but party-ass-kicking shine of the Majesticons. By way a love for toy-soldiers and transformers.
Mike Ladd isn’t unlike a Mike Patton figure, talk-rap-singing dense futurisms but with hilarity, charm and a magnetic very few vocalists have. Backed by the vocal uzi power that is Juice Aleem (maker of the critically acclaimed album Jerusalaam Come), this stage show entranced a lively (and singing along) audience through sexy talk ‘Move Slow,’ and the industrial power funk of ‘Bombs Anthem’ and ‘Plane Anthem.’ (the latter two from ‘Bedford Park LP’) ‘Jump out the Plane!’ the chorus hollers. In times of more middle-eastern invasions and botched helicopter jobs, it’s through the leftfield narrative eccentricism of Like Madd Mike Ladd, music becomes a timely reflection of current affairs. (Plus there was a Stalin themed freestyle but unless you were there, you wouldn’t really get it all. It was pretty amazing.)
After a tentative grace period, and much stage shifting with the mounting of reflective panels for live visuals; three men dressed somewhere between Homebase boiler suits and Berber nomadic robes stepped to the stage. Any pretence was swiftly washed away though as rich African melodies and Moorish string scales sweeped over the packed room. Master of the electronics revealed Xavier Thomas a.k.a. dÉbruit – modulated Arabic key singing plus neck snapping J-Dilla Detroit swing drums accented by a live band transcended Saturday night booziness into a somewhat mystical experience. The amazing thing once again was where the audience were chanting to the lyrics of Infesticons songs, here they were transfixed by a luscious ocean of musicality. When was the last time a Saturday night celebrated music as more than a quick-fix in this way?
And so it drew to the headline. Luke Vibert’s Wagon Christ is a playful assault using the breakbeat movement evolution an history as ammunition. He seamlessly mixes a pantheon of vocal samples to rival the dramatics of MF Doom over solid, chest thumping drums to brew a soup that maybe the Avalanches coulda/shoulda/woulda served up. ‘Toomorrow’ lightened the night’s vibe into party territory as fans delighted their appreciation of old considered classics mixed into tracks from the new album. Who can fudge with the Lazer Dick? An ebullient figure, he managed to make-organic the modern experience of watching artistry hunched over an apple symbol and gleaming aluminum casing. Make no mistake, the night was heavy. Dare any staunch b-boy not to get down to ‘Manalyze This!’ or tip a trilbee to ‘Ain’t he Heavy, He’s my Brother.’
Yes.
The artists sang. The audience sang. Thanks to Ninja Tune and Soundcrash.
No thanks to the man who when it was half 9 and barely anyone was in the room, still managed to bump into my friend and knock her drinks over. How do you manage such a catastrophic walk circumference when so much space is available? Sucker.
Check out the Soundcrash site for forthcoming aural benders
SOUNDCRASH are presenting another immaculate sound bombardment via the Wagon Christ (Luke Vibert) album launch Saturday 19th @ Xoyo. Expect a mighty support system too.
COMPETITION: For a pair of tickets answer this question - "What label is Wagon Christ's new album released on?" Easy like one, two, three. To enter, head over to out facebook page (Urban Species or )- MESSAGE us the answer. Leave your email address/number and we'll get at you if you have won. Superb
Here are more event details - we'll be there and be posting up a review after the weekend
XOYO 32—37 Cowper Street (Old St Tube station) London, United Kingdom
Soundcrash proudly presents a night of forward thinking hip hop and electronica laced with acid bleeps and squelches. Not for the faint hearted. . The one and only Luke Vibert returns to the fray under his most celebrated and wondrous moniker, Wagon Christ (to clarify, he is not under a wagon. Nor on one. Nor is he, strictly speaking, Christ, though we can’t rule out his messianic status). The king of stoned exotica, ridiculous vocal samples, toothsome puns, swinging rhythm and the psychedelic groove, Vibert has never been one to take himself too seriously, but his music continues to delight. His new album, “Toomorrow”, out on Ninja Tune records on March 14th is a case in point. Built around a dizzying array of vocal samples – by turn funny, vacuous, pointed and occasionally threatening – the album spins out in a hundred and one directions whilst always being recognisably a Wagon Christ production. Tonight Wagon Christ plays live to mark the launch of “Toomorrow”, and you don’t want to miss is, even if we say so ourselves. Which we do. . Support comes courtesy of Parisian Synth Magician Xavier Thomas, aka dÉbruit, and his melee of jack-knifing riddims, booby trapped syncopation and bass heavy collisions. His Music is a no holds barred assault through dark Congolese sound systems, downtown L.A. block parties gone wrong, haze filled Kingston recording studios and freaky Tunisian backstreet souks; all powered by a fat hip hop engine. Having cemented his reputation with a string of releases on Civil Music, including the massive “Nigeria what?” 12” single, dÉbruit is now preparing a full album and a brand new live set with a full live band featuring live drums, heavy bass, thumb pianos, african drums, talk box, highlife guitar, sax and ethnic oddities galore. All that coupled with the sensational electronic performance we’ve come to expect from Débruits world renowned solo show… think J Dilla meets Konono#1 + live visuals from rainbowmonkey.de . BIG.
Info & Tickets: http://www.soundcrashmusic.com/wagon-christ-lp-launch-debruit-live/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the 9th and 10th of April, London's Business Design Centre in Islington will be re-animated with gamma ray bursts, immaculate wall crawls, super healing, time travel rescue missions, electromagnetic forcefields and even supreme sorcery.
For fans of the vast comic pantheons, "an event dedicated to the comicbooks and the films, TV shows and games they inspire" promises much:
Attractions include:
the first of what will be annually coveted Stan Lee Awards include categories such as "best comic," and "best sci-fi/super-hero film" amogst others; panels with creators of Spiderman and 2000AD, and special advance screenings.
There's even a chance for budding future comic stalwarts to have their portfolios reviewed (but make sure you register online)
For in-depth information, cast less than x-Ray vision to:
