GIVE ME A GUN AND I WILL MAKE ALL BUILDINGS MOVE

Want….

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:35:44 +0000

Want….

Amazing video…

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:35:02 +0000

Amazing video…

Video

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:33:46 +0000

The big battle of the year, who will win? Is Apple TV really Apple's big move?

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:40:41 +0000

The big battle of the year, who will win? Is Apple TV really Apple's big move?

EDITS

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:22:00 +0000

EDITS :

”Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

This quote from R.W. Emerson to introduce the first edition of EDITS, an online photography and video magazine, is apt not only for the content (for which it was intended) but also for format of the magazine.

A quick look at the site reveals a visually stunning online magazine, that instantly delights and surprises in equal measure, drawing you in from the title page to back cover. Proof, if you needed it, that elegant publishing can happen on the web as on well as on paper. Personally, I love the embedding of video, the feel of pages turning, and how vivid the imagery is when set like this. All the stunning imagery is offset with great typography that gives it that journal, fanzine feel, of something well designed with care and craft. Great work - can’t wait for edition two.

Saw ‘Beats, Rhymes & Life - The adventures of A Tribe...

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:27:19 +0000

Saw ‘Beats, Rhymes & Life - The adventures of A Tribe Called Quest’ last night. The film was great, and it was followed by an even better gig by the diminutive giant of hip hop, Phife Dawg, who has still got much charisma and fire in his belly and verse, despite his struggles with diabetes. All round quality evening, and great to immerse yourself in something so great again.

High street retailer, Urban Outfitters, with an interesting bit...

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:03:54 +0000

High street retailer, Urban Outfitters, with an interesting bit of brand extension here… Music video production. Really smart idea to generate PR for both band and brand - and as music looks to shift and be innovative in its business model, I think this kind of tie-up makes more and more sense. Fashion and music have always been inextricably linked, why not make this happen more? A great for brands to get content made to a standard and put out there. Would have been cool to Vivienne Westwood direct a Sex Pistols video, Issey Miyake to make a Pet Shop Boys video, or Adidas designers do a RUN DMC video… not that Urban Outfitters and Black Lips are quite at that level.

"We understand the trajectory of cities not as being instanciated through replications of the..."

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:08:51 +0000

“We understand the trajectory of cities not as being instanciated through replications of the present, but as a set of potentials which contain unpredictable elements as a result of the co-evolution of problems and solutions. Each urban moment can spark performative improvisations which are unforeseen and unforeseeable. This is not a naive vitalism, but it is a politics of hope.”

- Amin, A. & Thrift, N. (2002) Cities: Reimagining the Urban.

Photo

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:22:49 +0000

I once got on a plane from LA. The man next to me was a Russian...

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:13:00 +0000

I once got on a plane from LA. The man next to me was a Russian emigrant to Orange County, CA. He was also a keen Scientologist and, unsurprisingly, virulently antisemitic. His views on how awful London had become with recent migrations were particularly disturbing. He basically wouldn’t shut up, despite me wearing headphones and putting a magazine up to my face. He then got onto his theories of the world economy and current economic crisis. I really had no idea what he was talking about, but have now the video to explain…. this is amazing.

Anish Kapoor x Richie Hawtin

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:41:13 +0000

Anish Kapoor x Richie Hawtin:

Anish Kapoor x Richie Hawtin for the Creators Project. Would loved to have had the chance to see this. The spatial element to techno music, its intrinsic futurism and minimal nature go hand in hand with Kapoor’s work. Could imagine Booka Shade’s Body Language being amazing with this too. Sans the pilling hipsters would have been good though! (There video player isn’t compatible with Tumblr posting)

Super interesting little interview on Creators Project website,...

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:42:22 +0100

Super interesting little interview on Creators Project website, with an inspiring young visionary. With a passion for music and art, and empowered by collaborators and the internet, she is forging ahead as a creative catalyst for a whole bunch of young, geographically disparate, but creatively proximate, people. Under the guise of her label she is bringing musicians, artists, editors, designers together to bring their vision to life. Love this story. Really love this video. Read the blog.

Different from usual posts. LA love song…

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:30:56 +0100

Different from usual posts. LA love song…

M83 - ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming’ and how to...

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:56:38 +0100

M83 - ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming’ and how to launch an album

The music industry model has changed, it is well documented. The nature of the ‘album’ and it’s launch has changed dramatically. Perhaps best seen in the launch of the new Kaiser Chiefs album where you select 10 out 20 tracks and choose your own artwork, share and recieve remuneration from anyone who choose your version…

Anyway far less disruptive and I suppose innovative, but in my opinion no less effective and creatively questionable, is the launch of French synth-pop outfit M83. This type of launch something you see much more of, and is something I really like, it uses multiple online social platform and really works to drive anticipation and ultimately sales (be that through buying MP3’s, paying for subscription players, or more likely attending a gig). So anyway I’m just going to document how I’ve been enjoying and participating in the launch of M83’s new album, ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming’ in the last 24 hours.

1 - See my brother’s tweet about new M83 track on soundcloud

2 - Check it out, listen, and love - a band I really like. Listen again looking at the comments on the soundcloud player.

3 - Notice you can download the launch single ‘Midnight City’ for free on IloveM83.com

4 - Immediately click through to the site. Notice they are lauching album with America tour - check for dates in case I’m out there when they’re touring. Unfortunately not.

5 - See they have beginning of another track and small youtube video as a promo for new album (above) - so I watch and I like!

6 - Click through to free download, sign in via twitter to share with my followers - the pay off for new single. Which is no problem as I think all my followers should listen to it.

7- Play song in iTunes and transfer onto iPhone

8- Share song link direct over twitter with a mate, who immediately downloads as well, sharing with his followers (notice my brother has shared on Facebook for his free single)

9- process over apart from listening to on repeat, searching for new on full album launch, possible UK tour dates, and blogging about the process.

All I’m saying is done well, the album isn’t dead it has just evolved, and it is about empowering fans to be able to share and enjoy the excitement of a launch like they never were before (queuing outside Ourprice on a cold monday morning).

Tony Alva - Pass the Bucket on Off the Wall TV by Vans. I...

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:31:34 +0100

Tony Alva - Pass the Bucket on Off the Wall TV by Vans.

I watched this video a while back on Vimeo and really wanted to post it up for a number of reasons. Primarily it is being a big fan of Alva and the skate culture to which he was so integral - more than most his attitude and outlook form some the core values of this now global subculture. From a marketing perspective, the other reason to write this post, which rooted in the above, is this is the latest part of a really interesting journey Tony Alva and the Vans brand have been on since the 1980’s.

I’m not going to go the history of the Alva, the Zephyr Skate Team, and the visionary Craig Stecyk III in too much detail - for that you should watch Stacey Peralta’s awesome Dogtown and Z-Boys. But in short, and because it’s so interesting, Stecyk was an artist living in the area who helped create the look and world of Alva and the rest of the Zephyr skate team - think long hair, skinny jeans, navy Zehpyr T, and Vans Vulcanized! Stecyk was an artist but he helped define, refine and package the Z-Boy look for the world to enjoy - whether that was his intention or not - and the world is a better place for it.

However what’s interesting in this video is how long this relationship between Vans and Alva has been going and what form it’s current incarnation is. Alva, who has struggled with addiction amongst other things that young fame brought, is clearly in a reflective state of life and looking to give back, rediscover and promote the core values of what he enjoyed most in those early days - exploring yourself, your city, and your friends through the art and attitude of skateboarding. The relationship with Vans and the platform they offer to reach today’s disadvantaged and vulnerable youth is a great way to tell this latest part of the story, and amplify what matters most to him as an individual and the values at the heart of the brand.

Sir Richard’s Condoms - Doing Good Never Felt Better This...

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:54:40 +0100

Sir Richard’s Condoms - Doing Good Never Felt Better

This makes me laugh, I thought this was a step to far but now I think what a great idea and their line is great - premium, quality with social responsibility. Really love the quotes… ‘The Toms shoes of Rubbers’

CALEDONIAN KIM STRIKES AGAIN! Caledonian Road Underground...

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:42:38 +0100

CALEDONIAN KIM STRIKES AGAIN!

Caledonian Road Underground station’s resident artist and ‘happy activist’ strikes again, spreading her goodwill and humanity with Berol whiteboard marker art in the station foyer. Mad love for Kim and her campaign. Check out last month’s offering here

AFROPOLITANS @ V&A Friday Night Lates Enjoyed a really great...

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:28:25 +0100

AFROPOLITANS @ V&A Friday Night Lates

Enjoyed a really great night at the V&A friday last, this has been my first chance to post. Called Afropolitans, the event was an exploration and celebration of a cosmopolitan African identity. Amongst the talks, workshops and live sets, drinks were served and drunk by a well-turned crowd of interested Londoners - which included many who could subscribe to an Afropolitan identity if they so chose. It was a friday so lectures felt a stretch, and queues for workshops seemed too long - however what I really enjoyed was roaming around, people watching, soaking up the atmosphere and popping into open installations.

The highlight of the evening was no doubt Spoek Mathumbo playing his UK debut in a rain soaked courtyard. His music is pretty far from the sunny, upbeat afro-pop we often associate with that part of the world. Being an electronic music fan, I like what he does, and it translates really well onto the stage. It is his energy and lyrics that feel distinctly different to what you’d expect from a similar sound in Europe. This is about pushing a global genre from a place not often associated with that sound. Above is his video for Control, a cover of Joy Division, which is directed by Pieter Hugo one the featured South African photographers at the Figures and Fictions exhibition from which the Afropolitans event stems. Great video, great track, and great live.

Peter Falk - Rest in peace. Favourite of the American TV...

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:47:19 +0100

Peter Falk - Rest in peace. Favourite of the American TV detectives. But loved him in Wings of Desire, a truly endearing character.

"I see a curator as a catalyst, generator and motivator – a sparring partner, accompanying the artist..."

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:18:18 +0100

“I see a curator as a catalyst, generator and motivator – a sparring partner, accompanying the artist while they build a show, and a bridge builder, creating a bridge to the public.”

- Hans Ulrich Obrist - I think a lot of brands, planners, cultural mediators, should really take the role of curator seriously, look at what the greats say versus assemble things of interest