When you get an e-mail on a Tuesday asking if you’re free to join Taco Bell on a party bus to see Chiddy Bang in their hometown of Philly on Wednesday, you don’t think. You just go. An intimate party bus for 15 packed to the brim with Taco Bell goodies and Margaritas? You know it’s gonna go down.
And it did.
Inside a historic church in the heart of Philly. An interesting setting to hear the talented Chiddy freestyling to tracks off their new mixtape: Peanut Butter and Swelly. Despite the hot sweaty scene and oil slicked floors inside the basement of the old church, the crowd was hyped. Check out photos from the boys from Rule4080 here.
Brooklyn-based band Shinobi Ninja hosted an album launch party Monday night at SOBs with special guests Das EFX and Bazaar Royale. Their debut album, ROCK HOOD, which was released yesterday is an eclectic mix of sounds and stimulation. As the album title would suggest, the group blends a hip hop/reggae aesthetic with some pretty heavy metal overtones.
My musical tastes are more HOOD HOOD than ROCK HOOD, but I can appreciate what the group is doing. Especially when it comes to how they are utilizing new media. Last year, the group released an iPhone app, Shinobi Ninja Attacks, which allowed users to participate in a video game adventure with members of Shinobi Ninja. As players completed various levels, they were able to unlock new content and tracks. Even if you’re not a fan of their sound, you can appreciate the innovation they bring to the scene.
Check out their debut album, ROCK HOOD, on iTunes or check them out on shinobininja.com to see what these crazy kids are up to next.
Our neighbors to the north catch a lot of shit for their accents, excessive use of “eh?” and un-ironic flannel shirts. But god damn if this addition doesn’t change the way you think about Canada…. Just released last week via Toronto, House of Balloons from The Weeknd (aka Abel Tesfaye).
I’m not even going to describe the sound for you. Just do yourself a favor: light some candles, put something sexy on, and download the album here: http://the-weeknd.com/
Earlier this week The Creators Project hosted an event downtown to talk about the launch of The Studio, “a multimillion-dollar global studio that produces and distributes works from artists representing a cross-section of creative disciplines. It will release albums, artwork, and films, while providing artists with resources and new technology…Participants will retain intellectual property rights.”
Part of their plans for 2011 will also include a take over of Coachella. “The Studio will partner with major acts like Interpol (US) and Animal Collective (US) (who are collaborating with Black Dice) to transform their sets into technologically advanced and dramatic multimedia visual experiences. The Studio will also work with returning Creators United Visual Artists (UK) to redesign Coachella’s main stage. Using a combination of integrated lighting technologies, UVA’s iconic sculpture will unfold, reveal and evolve over the three days, creating a dynamic canvas for live performances.”
What would make the Coachella project even more amazing? If they would sponsor the tickets and VIP section for the JetBlue #partyplane.
I’m a huge fan of The Creators Project, the creative partnership between VICE and Intel. I mean, really. Has Intel EVER been cool before? (Computer nerds, stand down on your response) The way that this seemingly stale and uninteresting technology brand has injected such street culture and gangster into their brand has me utterly captivated. It’s trickery, for sure. But Intel: I applaud you. You made it cool to be a fan of a computer processors.
The success of the Jersey Shore has led MTV to create a spin-off: On The L Train.
Instead of living in a shore house, the new cast will be living in a studio converted into a lofted 4 bedroom that will sleep 8. And instead of schilling tourist t-shirts at a boardwalk shop, they’ll be working at the new American Apparel on North 6 Street. It’s hipsterrific.
