...see you on the other side of Christmas...
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Friday, December 17, 2004
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Winter in Paris
First you have to hack into the access terminal...
Un distributeur de tickets.
...Then after a ride on the 'Lite-tram'...
...Then after a ride on the 'Lite-tram'...
Le pont du Bel Air
...you finally get to the sinister Encom Corp HQ.
Un batiment soporifique de Paris.
Just a few pictures from this last week taken in and around Paris.
Photos de Paris et alentours.
Calling all geeks
What film does Encom Corp. appear in?
First correct answer on this post's message board gets an unreleased photo from my digital backlog.
Dans quel film est-ce que l'Encom Corp. apparaît-elle?
La première réponse correcte sur la section commentaire de cette entrée recevra une photo non publié de mes archives digitales.
Coming Soon
Photos of the toy cars I'm going to give to my two cousins G & G for Christmas.
Photos des voiturettes que je vais offrir pour Noël à mes deux cousins G & G.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Drifting in Paris sheds its skin
Drifting in Paris fait peau neuve
Tell what do you think.
Donnez moi votre avis.
In other news, I just recently got myself some headphones so that I can listen to the basslines on ESG records.
Autres faits divers d'importance: je me suis acheté des écouteurs pour pouvoir entendre les lignes de basse de ESG.
Drifting in Paris fait peau neuve
Tell what do you think.
Donnez moi votre avis.
In other news, I just recently got myself some headphones so that I can listen to the basslines on ESG records.
Autres faits divers d'importance: je me suis acheté des écouteurs pour pouvoir entendre les lignes de basse de ESG.
Tight
Location Hunting for possible film project
These sorts of angles would be cool for a surveillance/conspiracy plot-idea. Tight and flat perspectives.
These sorts of angles would be cool for a surveillance/conspiracy plot-idea. Tight and flat perspectives.
Photos of the Bastille district and le Vesinet (78)
Photos de la Bastille et le Vesinet (78) - Avant et après la viste chez Monsieur D.
I got on the wrong metro, the picture was taken when it was on its way to the depot.
J'avais pris le mauvais métro et je me suis retrouvé tout seul.
One day may be.
Un autre jour.
A Pac Man-like creature blinds the Che Guevara-esque stencilism.
Pac Man contre Che Guevara.
On the faultline between St Germain en Laye and Le Vesinet.
Photo des premières maisons du Vesinet prise depuis les remparts St Germain en Laye, j'étais congelé quand je l'ai prise.
All of a sudden I expect to meet Jack the Ripper.
L'allée de la Mort, St Germain en Laye.
Bel-Air Corner
Voici les photos que j'ai prises le Mercredi dernier, une journée où je me suis baladé par le quartier de la Bastille et j'ai découvert un pétit magasin qui s'appelle Lazy Dog, entre eux et Kokon To Zai je peux me passer de Colette sans problèmes.
Le soir j'ai causé de littérature tout en faisant de support technique gratos, chez Monsieur D un amateur de rock progressif et musique classique.
Photos de la Bastille et le Vesinet (78) - Avant et après la viste chez Monsieur D.
I got on the wrong metro, the picture was taken when it was on its way to the depot.
J'avais pris le mauvais métro et je me suis retrouvé tout seul.
One day may be.
Un autre jour.
A Pac Man-like creature blinds the Che Guevara-esque stencilism.
Pac Man contre Che Guevara.
On the faultline between St Germain en Laye and Le Vesinet.
Photo des premières maisons du Vesinet prise depuis les remparts St Germain en Laye, j'étais congelé quand je l'ai prise.
All of a sudden I expect to meet Jack the Ripper.
L'allée de la Mort, St Germain en Laye.
Bel-Air Corner
Voici les photos que j'ai prises le Mercredi dernier, une journée où je me suis baladé par le quartier de la Bastille et j'ai découvert un pétit magasin qui s'appelle Lazy Dog, entre eux et Kokon To Zai je peux me passer de Colette sans problèmes.
Le soir j'ai causé de littérature tout en faisant de support technique gratos, chez Monsieur D un amateur de rock progressif et musique classique.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Coming Soon
Prochainement
Rouge
Jaune
Prochainement
Rouge
Jaune
Vert
More photos from Paris (Bastille district) and from Le Vesinet at night after discussing Stendhal and sorting out Mr D's computer over some not-so-fine wine and cheese. As well as an English translation the Ratatat gig review.
Encore plus de photos de Paris (de la Bastille cette fois ci) et du Vesinet après une nuit légèrement arrosée chez Monsieur D où nous avons discuté au de Stendhal (que j'ai toujours soigneusement évité) en lui réparant son ordinateur.
Ratatat Live Review
(Nouveau Casino, Paris 28-11-04)
(Nouveau Casino, Paris 28-11-04)
E*Rock or E*Vax (can't tell which one) puts his liquor down to return to his guitar.
Thrashing it out.
One final sip
10 Raisons pour lesquelles le concert de Ratatat m’a plu
1. Ils n’étaient que deux sur scène. C’était simple et percutant à suivre.
2. Basse, guitare, un clavier (Nord Electro) et un shaker…les seuls instruments dont ils avaient besoin pour être fidèles (mais pas trop non plus) au son de l’album.
3. Ils jouaient largement sur des parties pré-enregistrées. Je crois qu’il n’y a rien de plus excitant dans un concert que de déceler la partie playback. Au début on peut penser que c’est un accès de commodité, mais c’est tout le contraire. Jouant sur des pistes préfabriquées, c’est ce qu’il y a de plus dur. Tout les instruments doivent être accordés parfaitement, ou sinon c’est la mort sonore. Un enregistrement n’est pas aussi tolérant qu’un musicien en matière d’erreur ou de variation. Tout concert de ce type est une bataille entre studio et scène, entre passé et présent.
4. L’un des membres de Mouse On Mars est venu jouer de la batterie.
5. La qualité sonore du concert. Les rythmes percutaient avec une élasticité satisfaite, tandis que les guitares et les claviers coulaient comme du yaourt.
6. Mike Stroud et Evan Mast se laissaient aller, tout en restant dans les contraintes établies par les parties fixes.
7. Les projections complétaient parfaitement la musique, sans être une distraction mais non plus juste un « afterthought » à la mode.
8. Le « jeu de la frustration » (courtesy of DJ Aï). Ils ont joué un set assez court, arretant les morceaux brusquement. Sur « Seventeen Years » (le dernier) ils nous ont fait croire qu’ils iraient uptempo vers un rythme house mais sans jamais y arriver. Tout le monde anticipait une progression mais ils ont coupé court avant qu’elle ne soit réalisée, donc nous laissant instinctivement frustrés.
9. Les mélodies héroïques et le jeu de guitare explicitement phallique sans jamais avoir recours à des solos masturbatoires.
10. Leur amplis Orange (rien à voir avec les portables), ils me font toujours sourire quand j’en vois dans des concerts.
En moins :
- « Leur look Devendra Barnhardt. » (courtesy of MPB)
- Mes photos ratées (je sais pas ce que j’avais ce soir)
www.audiodregs.com
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Monday, November 29, 2004
News-Fix
Spanking Light Show
Vintage Stereo Delight
This weekend was a little supercharged. It was C's Birthday Party, she has a lovely lamp from Stockholm y'know (not pictured), and she got a wonderfully feline t-shirt and loads of other presents. There was localised drunkeness and too much Britney Spears and Blondie for some of us but other than that it was enjoyable.
Also went to the Palais de Tokyo, perplexingly situated on New York Avenue, which half sucked it has to be said. They did have some rather tasty +41 T-Shirts though which I may have to snap up at some point. Oh dear
Weekend Top 5
1. O. was nice to me (relatively speaking) - didn't try to bite or slice me to bits.
2. Watching South Park, eating cheeseburgers (under the rain) and applying lipbalm (badly) with M(ouah).
3. Acquiescing with dj Aï on the merits of Ratatat, then dancing to Mouse On Mars.
4. Seeing Exploding Flyboy again.
5. Returning to reasonably clean flat and getting an e-mail from Tinycatt.
Ratatat & Mouse on Mars Live Review and Pics (Hopefully) Imminent.
This weekend was a little supercharged. It was C's Birthday Party, she has a lovely lamp from Stockholm y'know (not pictured), and she got a wonderfully feline t-shirt and loads of other presents. There was localised drunkeness and too much Britney Spears and Blondie for some of us but other than that it was enjoyable.
Also went to the Palais de Tokyo, perplexingly situated on New York Avenue, which half sucked it has to be said. They did have some rather tasty +41 T-Shirts though which I may have to snap up at some point. Oh dear
Weekend Top 5
1. O. was nice to me (relatively speaking) - didn't try to bite or slice me to bits.
2. Watching South Park, eating cheeseburgers (under the rain) and applying lipbalm (badly) with M(ouah).
3. Acquiescing with dj Aï on the merits of Ratatat, then dancing to Mouse On Mars.
4. Seeing Exploding Flyboy again.
5. Returning to reasonably clean flat and getting an e-mail from Tinycatt.
Ratatat & Mouse on Mars Live Review and Pics (Hopefully) Imminent.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
DIY Boogie Picturama
DIY Boogie JPEG-o-rama
Two hours before the grand opening, we were frantically laying out tables, setting up computers and video projectors.
Deux heures avant ouverture, on était en train de monter les tables, les ordinateurs et les videoprojecteurs.
I'm sorry I just loved the view.
Je suis désolé je trouvais cette vue paisible superbe.
The 'backroom star'.
L'étoile des coulisses.
Disco Babel's tasty produce.
Le stand Disco Babel.
Customised Home tapes and sweat bands by Superheights.
Le stand de "Superheights".
Let there be people...
...et les portes s'ouvrirent...
It was more than just business.
C'était plus un échange d'amitié et inspiration que d'argent.
A lively stand.
Un stand movementé.
The David F Studio. MP3 track written and produced on the same day, click here
The Bimbo Tower vs. Born Bad DJ clash
Bimbo Tower contre Born Bad, l'affrontement aux platines.
Needless to say, let the image talk.
Inutile d'en parler, c'était un succès.
For more pictures click here
Pour plus d'mages cliquez ici
Discobabel and its partners put together an outstanding exhibition of underground talent and attitude. On every table, there was something that caught your eye, at every corner someone to talk to, dj's filling your ears with synthetic and/or rocking sounds and a colossal eyecandy of flyer design and two-tone madness (by yours truly).
Tiring, yes, but rewarding, much more so. Setting up went smoothly; probably the first time I have set up a projector and got it working first time round without any sort of heart-throbbing tinkering. Once that was done it was like a fun day out, see below.
Memories from the event:
1. Dancing and being photographed with Marie-Pierre.
2. Being embarrased in front of Nine.
3. Music making bliss on an iMac, thanks to David F.
4. Claire the TOP 5 queen, Franck the PR master and Virginie the "Paymaster General"
5. Picking up a fresh warm copy of the TOP 5 fanzine at the end.
DIY Boogie JPEG-o-rama
Two hours before the grand opening, we were frantically laying out tables, setting up computers and video projectors.
Deux heures avant ouverture, on était en train de monter les tables, les ordinateurs et les videoprojecteurs.
I'm sorry I just loved the view.
Je suis désolé je trouvais cette vue paisible superbe.
The 'backroom star'.
L'étoile des coulisses.
Disco Babel's tasty produce.
Le stand Disco Babel.
Customised Home tapes and sweat bands by Superheights.
Le stand de "Superheights".
Let there be people...
...et les portes s'ouvrirent...
It was more than just business.
C'était plus un échange d'amitié et inspiration que d'argent.
A lively stand.
Un stand movementé.
The David F Studio. MP3 track written and produced on the same day, click here
The Bimbo Tower vs. Born Bad DJ clash
Bimbo Tower contre Born Bad, l'affrontement aux platines.
Needless to say, let the image talk.
Inutile d'en parler, c'était un succès.
For more pictures click here
Pour plus d'mages cliquez ici
Discobabel and its partners put together an outstanding exhibition of underground talent and attitude. On every table, there was something that caught your eye, at every corner someone to talk to, dj's filling your ears with synthetic and/or rocking sounds and a colossal eyecandy of flyer design and two-tone madness (by yours truly).
Tiring, yes, but rewarding, much more so. Setting up went smoothly; probably the first time I have set up a projector and got it working first time round without any sort of heart-throbbing tinkering. Once that was done it was like a fun day out, see below.
Memories from the event:
1. Dancing and being photographed with Marie-Pierre.
2. Being embarrased in front of Nine.
3. Music making bliss on an iMac, thanks to David F.
4. Claire the TOP 5 queen, Franck the PR master and Virginie the "Paymaster General"
5. Picking up a fresh warm copy of the TOP 5 fanzine at the end.
Monday, November 22, 2004
STOP PRESS !! DIY BOOGIE PICTURES COMING SOON !!
A DIY Boogie pictorama will be online very soon for your eyes to feast on. Starring DIY Boogie All-Stands & All-Stars
ARRIVAGE IMMINENT !! JPEG-O-RAMA DIY BOOGIE !!
Un JPEG-o-Rama du forum DIY Boogie sera mis en ligne prochainement. En affiche les stars les plus glam du monde des fanzines.
For further informations follow the links in this post
Pour plus d'infos suivre les liens sur cette entrée
A DIY Boogie pictorama will be online very soon for your eyes to feast on. Starring DIY Boogie All-Stands & All-Stars
ARRIVAGE IMMINENT !! JPEG-O-RAMA DIY BOOGIE !!
Un JPEG-o-Rama du forum DIY Boogie sera mis en ligne prochainement. En affiche les stars les plus glam du monde des fanzines.
For further informations follow the links in this post
Pour plus d'infos suivre les liens sur cette entrée
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
BPitch Reclaim the Dancefloor
Kiki
Run With Me
(Bpitch Control, BPC 095)
What an album. Kiki manages to maintain a relentless dancefloor pace from beginning to end. Beginning with the darkly epic and effective End of the World – a gothtech hit in the making surely, Arnaud Rebotini must love it and be jealous at the same time. Kiki then changes the mood with So Easy to Forget which reminds me of Daft Punk. Run with me is a slightly more jacking track with abrasive pads that provide a heady groove. Those first 3 tracks contain some low and moody vocals which enhance the eerie and timeless quality of the tracks.
Moving on, The Big Picture counterpoints a one note Detroitesque bass line with some rather lush swoons and swooshes. From here on the moods develop and break out of the electro-techno mould. Classix Nouveaux slows down and breaks up the pace. Drawing Circles moves into discotech territory whilst Up does what it says: uplifting breakbeat rave. The Calling is one of the highlights of this album, pre-Plaid(esque) horns juxtaposed with a hookish guitar line and raveoid stabs which will keep you dancing all night long.
To close the album proper, Kiki Turn(s) the lights down with a Terrence Parker Detroit-style piano loop and the eerie voices beg us to turn the lights down. As a juicy bonus, a slightly retooled Luv Sikk Again (sic) is included to take us through the finishing line with a grin on our faces. Listen to this on your Track & Field training sessions or at home dancing whilst you are washing up or in a discerning DJ set. Wherever you are Kiki is your favourite athlete.
Favourite Tracks: The End Of the World, Classix Nouveaux, The Calling, Luv Sikk Again.
What an album. Kiki manages to maintain a relentless dancefloor pace from beginning to end. Beginning with the darkly epic and effective End of the World – a gothtech hit in the making surely, Arnaud Rebotini must love it and be jealous at the same time. Kiki then changes the mood with So Easy to Forget which reminds me of Daft Punk. Run with me is a slightly more jacking track with abrasive pads that provide a heady groove. Those first 3 tracks contain some low and moody vocals which enhance the eerie and timeless quality of the tracks.
Moving on, The Big Picture counterpoints a one note Detroitesque bass line with some rather lush swoons and swooshes. From here on the moods develop and break out of the electro-techno mould. Classix Nouveaux slows down and breaks up the pace. Drawing Circles moves into discotech territory whilst Up does what it says: uplifting breakbeat rave. The Calling is one of the highlights of this album, pre-Plaid(esque) horns juxtaposed with a hookish guitar line and raveoid stabs which will keep you dancing all night long.
To close the album proper, Kiki Turn(s) the lights down with a Terrence Parker Detroit-style piano loop and the eerie voices beg us to turn the lights down. As a juicy bonus, a slightly retooled Luv Sikk Again (sic) is included to take us through the finishing line with a grin on our faces. Listen to this on your Track & Field training sessions or at home dancing whilst you are washing up or in a discerning DJ set. Wherever you are Kiki is your favourite athlete.
Favourite Tracks: The End Of the World, Classix Nouveaux, The Calling, Luv Sikk Again.
Ellen Allien
My Parade Mix CD
(Bpitch Control, BPC 094)
When I read that this mix was meant to represent Ellen Allien’s love of beats and breaks, I thought: “Oh dear, whatever next”. But in fact, Ellen’s mix has nothing in common with what I had in mind. Instead, Ellen Allien takes us down nostalgia lane with vintage tracks from labels like Warp, R&S, Vinyl Solution and Ellen’s previous label Brain Candy.
So what does it sound like? Well to me it sounds more like early 90’s techno and electronica mixed with some inspired Bpitch exclusives from the likes of Modeselektor, Apparat, Tomas Andersson and Ellen Allien herself, but if you want to call it breaks ‘n’ that’s fine by me. The mixing style is very proficient and smooth. That is partly a problem because the tracks mix so well together that the listener may feel sedated by it all. But if hi-hat overkill and delayed plinky synth stabs are your thing then this is right up your street. Also handy if like me you need a crash course in old-school techno styles.
My only criticism is that may be this mix is too short and 808 State, A Guy Called Gerald or LFO are nowhere to be seen on the tracklisting. Other than that, this showcases Ellen Allien’s superb turntable skills.
When I read that this mix was meant to represent Ellen Allien’s love of beats and breaks, I thought: “Oh dear, whatever next”. But in fact, Ellen’s mix has nothing in common with what I had in mind. Instead, Ellen Allien takes us down nostalgia lane with vintage tracks from labels like Warp, R&S, Vinyl Solution and Ellen’s previous label Brain Candy.
So what does it sound like? Well to me it sounds more like early 90’s techno and electronica mixed with some inspired Bpitch exclusives from the likes of Modeselektor, Apparat, Tomas Andersson and Ellen Allien herself, but if you want to call it breaks ‘n’ that’s fine by me. The mixing style is very proficient and smooth. That is partly a problem because the tracks mix so well together that the listener may feel sedated by it all. But if hi-hat overkill and delayed plinky synth stabs are your thing then this is right up your street. Also handy if like me you need a crash course in old-school techno styles.
My only criticism is that may be this mix is too short and 808 State, A Guy Called Gerald or LFO are nowhere to be seen on the tracklisting. Other than that, this showcases Ellen Allien’s superb turntable skills.
More info: www.bpitchcontrol.de
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
DIY Boogie Poster
Go and download the super-duper poster I made for the forthcoming DIY Boogie event organised by those crazy guys at Discobabel. Print it, distribute it and come to DIY Boogie at Point Ephemere on Sunday 21st November. It's free and it'll be damn good fun.
DIY Boogie: http://discobabel.free.fr/diyboogie.htm
Discobabel: http://discobabel.free.fr
Point Ephemere: www.pointephemere.org
Friday, November 12, 2004
OSCAR vs. Tigersushi Night 29-10-04 Nouveau Casino, Paris.
Panico singer 'Eduardo' and guitarist 'Memo' w/ Crazy Girl.
Panico guitarist tweaking his amp before the moonshine onslaught.
Panico's sultry bass player giving it some low end.
A melancholy drumkit.
Poni Hoax do the dutch head thang.
Poni Hoax's guitar pedals
Park Attack's singer lays down some buzzsaw guitar moves.
The Park Attack epiphany.
What a night !! I was in the club for almost ten hours with very little in the way of nutritional sustenance:
- a rank snack bar well past its sell-by date
- a beer (much much later on)
The bands were great, especially Panico (www.panicoband.com) who are originally from Chili and are now based in Paris. They play a thoroughly boisterous brand of roasted latin psych-out and this time we were graced with the presence of labelmate 'Crazy Girl' who brilliantly counterpointed the lead singer's vocals. As you can see from the fotos they all have great hair too, essential for any band wishing to wig out the crowd.
After the bands, the Optimo guys dj'd their heart out. An ESG track I hadn't heard before remains the highlight of their set for me.
It's also on this night that I met a really special person, like all the best things it was totally unexpected. So I guess I have to thank Optimo and Tigersushi for soundtracking the beginning of some sunkissed strobe-lit happiness. To Be Furthered...
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Cobra Killer Night Photo Review
Berglind opened the night with an endearingly punky show. Great songs that tinkled and thrashed in all the right places. Alone onstage with just a mike, a cd player, her lyrics and a puppet.
Berglind croons...erm...the crowd swoons.
Berglind on her knees at the close of her set.
At this point Gina V. Dorio (Cobra Killer - Monika Enterprises) was singing about venereal disease.
Cobra Killer montage 1
Cobra Killer montage 2
A great night was had by all, and now I remember a funny moment when someone, who shall remain nameless, offered me their sweat. I'm really pleased with the way Berglind's photos came out but less so with the Cobra Killer ones which seem to accentuate the tittilating side of the show and not what I thought was the most gripping aspect which was the spontaneous and epileptic energy of their performance. The impression I got and which I treasure from the Cobra Killer gig was of two girls who had escaped from a mental institution stole the first clothes they found, slept rough in some brambles and then, not knowing quite how, found themselves onstage at the Nouveau Casino.
Berglind opened the night with an endearingly punky show. Great songs that tinkled and thrashed in all the right places. Alone onstage with just a mike, a cd player, her lyrics and a puppet.
Berglind croons...erm...the crowd swoons.
Berglind on her knees at the close of her set.
At this point Gina V. Dorio (Cobra Killer - Monika Enterprises) was singing about venereal disease.
Cobra Killer montage 1
Cobra Killer montage 2
A great night was had by all, and now I remember a funny moment when someone, who shall remain nameless, offered me their sweat. I'm really pleased with the way Berglind's photos came out but less so with the Cobra Killer ones which seem to accentuate the tittilating side of the show and not what I thought was the most gripping aspect which was the spontaneous and epileptic energy of their performance. The impression I got and which I treasure from the Cobra Killer gig was of two girls who had escaped from a mental institution stole the first clothes they found, slept rough in some brambles and then, not knowing quite how, found themselves onstage at the Nouveau Casino.
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