DON RIMINI

It seemed like Italian DJ’s were going to steal all the dance thunder away from the Frenchies. Acts like Crookers and Bloody Beetroots are blowing up and ruling DJ mixes. But Don Rimini

said ENOUGH! Even though his name sounds Italian, dude is from Paris. And he is bringing that dirty Italian sound to his countrymen. But more importantly he is bring that sound to L.A. tomorrow night on his U.S. tour. He will be performing at the Roxy opening for local DJ’s Guns N’ Bombs for HARD presents Turkey Soup. 

Rave On is the single from his new EP “Kick N’ Run” on Delicious Gutter Records. I picked it up from the best dance record store in L.A., Turntable Lab. Shit is just some dope hype dance. 

Don Rimini – Rave On

One of everybody’s favorite 80s dance songs gets a rave remix. It’s actually taken from the album “RMXXOLOGY,” where dance producers breathe new life into some Hip-Hop classics from Delicious Vinyl artists (Pharcyde, Masta Ace).

Young MC – Bust a Move (Don Rimini Ravekid Remix)

He makes a remix of Ghostbusters? That’s just funny.

Ray Parker Jr. –  Ghostbusters (Don Rimini Ectoplasm Edit)

And of course Golden Bloggen faves Crookers have something to do with it.

Don Rimini – Let Me Back Up (Crookers Tetsujin Remix)

MVM – VIDEOS I WORKED ON!

Simian Mobile Disco – Hustler (2007)

Dir: Ace Norton

In the summer of ’07 I worked freelance as a production manager on some Partizan music videos. It was a lifelong dream. Obviously I am obsessed with music videos, and I went to film school to learn the basics so I could direct music videos and eventually movies. But come to find out music videos are dead. It’s not the 90’s anymore. MTV doesn’t play videos and record companies don’t pay for them anymore. So no one’s making millions as a music video director, shit people are barely making a living. But hey, I had fun while it lasted.

Rising director Ace Norton makes some sick videos. His US version of SMD’s Hustler is a very strange video, but it was a really fun shoot watching these hot chicks cover themselves in gravy and chili. It was pretty disgusting, but a little hot. His video for Aesop Rock was another amazing shoot. It was a long two days, but Ace’s videos are always fun as shit. I actually make an appearance in the video. I’m the guy behind the screen who gets his arm ripped off and beaten to death with it.

Aesop Rock ft. John Darnielle – Coffee (2007)

Dir: Ace Norton

This video was one of the coolest shoots you could ask for. We shot it at the artist’s ridiculous house in the hills of Silverlake. We basically just chilled by the pool for the first day of shooting. Not to shabby. 

Redcar – Can’t Be Stopped (2007)

Dir: Toben

Cat Solen is a rare female director. There is definitely a shortage of female film and music video directors. What up with that? She is best known for her work on CSS’s music videos. But this was a very long shoot, Cat is a perfectionist. She cut all those tiny little leaves by hand and built all the puppets. She be crazy. Check out this very imaginative and ambitious video.

Sea Wolf – Winter Windows (2007)

Dir: Cat Solen

This was a very easy short video shoot. All the work was done in post. All I did was chill on set and hang out with Wyclef. He came for a 2 hour video shoot and brought 10 motherfucking people with him.

Wyclef Jean ft. Paul Simon – Fast Car (2007)

Dir: Andrew Gura

This was a very long overnight shoot. From 6PM to 6AM. It sucked. In the end I think Andrew made a really good video.

Thrice – Digital Sea (2007)

Dir: Andrew Gura

John Legend is legitimately the coolest guy I’ve ever met. Homey pulls up in his brand new Lexus LS with his supermodel girlfriend in the passenger seat. When we weren’t shooting he would play the piano for the crew. He was cool as fuck and very professional. Yeah I have a guy crush on John Legend. So what, you wanna fight about it?

John Legend – Another Again (2007)

Dir: NEON

FUTURECOP! + PARALELLS

This is that futuristic 80’s synth-pop. You know that shit that immediately reminds you of the 80’s and the year 2000 at the same time. Like Back to the Future or that amazing TV Show “Out of this World.”  Both of these dudes are the shit. There has been a ridiculous 80’s revival over the past few years and these guys are fond supporters.

Futurecop! has more love for the 80’s than I do. Didn’t even know that was possible. His Myspace page is covered with ictures of The Corey’s, Thundercats, and Molly Ringwald. “Starworshipper” sounds like it could have been the theme song to “Just the 10 of Us,” while “Hey! Heartthrob” is a crazy boogie down dance anthem that would hold its own alongside harder dance productions.

Futurecop! – Starworshipper [zShare]

Futurecop! – Hey! Heartthrob [YSI]

Futurecop! – Transformers

Crystal Castles – Alice Practice (Futurecop! Remix)

Not only is that Futurecop remix dope, but it links us to Parallels who is the drummer for Crystal Castles when they play live. See how I did that?

Parallels resembles the same kind of sound and nostalgia as Futurecop! Just imagine Futurecop! in space.

His new track sounds like a cool electronica track with Debbie Gibson on vocals.

Parallels –  Reservoir

Parallels – Ghost Machine

Parallels – Ultralight (demo)

Parallels – Magnetics

Here are some 80’s loving new wave mixes from each artist.

Futurecop! – We Are Future Mix

Parallels – Back to Earth Mix

MVM – BEST OF THE 80’S

A-ha – Take on Me (1985)

Dir: Steve Barron

I know its cliche but Goddamn that video is good. I was watching VH-1 classic and they were counting down the best videos of the 80’s. I was like damn that’s a good idea.

I don’t have a countdown but these are some of the videos I loved as a kid. I remember running to the TV every time I saw this video come on. Tin Roof Rusted!

The B-52’s – Love Shack (1989)

Dir: Adam Bernstein

I love all these videos, but this video was ground breaking when I was a kid. I love animated videos and when I saw this when I was 3 I immediately became obsessed with music videos. And thus, here I am.

Peter Gabriel – Sledge Hammer (1986)

Dir: Stephen R. Johnson

Peter Gabriel’s old band also made an amazing animated video. It’s maybe the creepiest video I’ve ever seen but it’s oh so cool. What’s wrong with Phil Collin’s face?! Ah!

Genesis – Land of Confusion (1986)

Dir: John Lloyd and Jim Yukich

Not sure what’s going on here. There’s a sexy librarian, Toto is playing on a giant stack of books, some dude chucks a spear? Hmmm. But you know you love it.

Toto – Africa (1982)

Dir: Steve Barron

One of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard and a great cheesy video. 

Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time (1984)

Dir: Edd Griles

Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
Uploaded by hushhush112

I contemplated for hours which whether I should post this video or Janet’s Rhythm Nation video. But after watching 30 seconds of this there is no way I couldn’t post it. This is one of my favorite 80’s songs ever. And the video is just so simple. Janet just dances around in some abandoned warehouse working on her moves for “So You Think You Can Dance” I guess. But it’s adorable. If you want to see the amazingly cool, high budget futuristic Rhythm Nation video click here.

Janet Jackson – Pleasure Principle (1987)

Dir: Dominic Sena

What would the 80’s have been without Michael Jackson? A lot more boring, that’s for sure. But did you even know the Jackson 5 was still making music in the 80’s? Actually it became the Jacksons because they added another brother making it 6 of them total. Some cool facts I learned from VH-1’s Pop Up Video: Michael is not actually in the video, if you think you see him it’s actually a wax statue. Vh-1 just coming through with 80’s music video knowledge.

The Jacksons – Torture

OBAMA AND GOLDEN BLOGGEN

It’s been a full week and it’s still all America can talk about. Barack Obama is going to be our next President. As exciting as that is, I’m also excited that our boy Jeremy’s T-shirt made it all the way to Barack Obama himself. The story goes that Obama saw the T-shirt, recognized it from Golden Bloggen and said I must have picture of it. You believe that right?

“This t-shirt is dedicated to the national mood” – Jeremy (aka Rejemy aka J-Remy)

MVM – OLD SLOW GIRL VS NEW SLOW GIRL

THE OLD

Fiona Apple – Never is a Promise (1997)
Dir: Stephane Sednaoui

My friend Erin thought I should do a Music Video Monday about one of my favorite genres, Slow Girl, and I should compare the new videos to the old ones. I said great idea. If you’re not familiar with the genre, it’s simple: Slow Girl is just like it sounds, female vocals over slow melodic music. Most SG artists are categorized as electronica, dream pop, or indie rock, but Slow Girl is an inclusive genre for artists that transcend genres.

Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos are maybe the two most pivotal artists in bringing the Slow Girl sound into mainstream pop. A lot of shit gets talked about Sarah McLachlan. She’s become somewhat of a joke because she started Lilith Fair, but I thought Lilith Fair was cool as hell. A bunch of hot chicks making cool ass music. This was her follow up to her blockbuster single “Building a Mystery.”

Sarah McLachlan – Sweet Surrender (1997)
Dir: Floria Sigismondi

Of course everyone knows Natalie’s song “Torn” but she also had this really good single from the same album. Legendary fashion photographer Matthew Rolston made a really slick looking music video for her.

Natalie Imbruglia – Smoke (1998)
Dir: Matthew Rolston

This is something you don’t see very often. A legitimate Slow Girl artist from the early 90’s. A little electronica, a little foreign, and an early video directed by Michel Gondry. What else you need?

Stina Nordenstam – Little Star (1994)
Dir: Michel Gondry

And here is that indescribable, slow, sexy, smooth sound that is Mazzy Star. It was bands like this these that started that whole slow girl sound. But no other slow girl artist could ever make a song so sweet as this.

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You (1993)
Dir: Merlin Rosenberg

THE NEW

In 1991 Massive Attack released Blue Lines and invented a new genre, Trip-hop. More importantly they helped start a trend of making electronica music with female vocals, with guest appearances by artists like Sinead O’Connor. This would lead to the creation of so many other genres like chill-out and eventually Slow Girl. Tons of electronica artists since have adopted that impossibly sweet combination. Morcheeba, for all intensive purposes, is an electronica group but fit the mold for a great Slow Girl artist.

Morcheeba – Otherwise (2002)
Dir: Shynola

Best known for doing the opening credits on Grey’s Anatomy, Psapp is the epitome of slow girl. They have that perfect blend of electronica and acoustic girl rock. Not only do they make amazing music but they make such great videos to go with it. I dont know what it is but SG and animation just fit so well together.

Psapp – Hi (2007)
Dir: Thorsten Levin

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen recently. It’s so simple and cool. Great cheoreography and such a great song. I think this band will do great things in the future.

Bat for Lashes – Whats a Girl to Do (2007)
Dir:

I love Cat Power’s raspy voice. She can make anything sound good. Also check out her “Living Proof” video directed by Kids and Gummo creator Harmony Korine.

Cat Power – He War (2003)
Dir: Brett Vapnek

There’s tons of small European SG acts out there. Hanne Hukkelberg is an indie artist from Norway. She makes great songs and here’s another cool animated SG video.

Hanne Hukkleberg – A Cheater’s Armoury (2006)
Dir: Unknown

As this is a Versus their must be a winner. And the winner of this week’s MVM battle is….. NEW Slow Girl. Slow Girl has just grown into its own so much in the past few years. It’s becoming a very strong genre in both pop and indie culture. Especually recently with artists like Ingrid Michelson, A Fine Frenzy, Colbie Caillat, and a ton of others breaking through.

So the prize is an extra video. Who else but the SG Queen … Feist. This is her most recent video off her amazing album “The Reminder” and what do you know, its animated.

Feist – Honey Honey (2008)
Dir: Anthony Seck

HARD HAUNTED MANSION

First off I have to talk about the election last night. Yes We Did! I can’t believe Obama is our new President. I have to agree with all the texts I got last night saying “I’ve never been so proud of our country.”

I also want to post the link to my review for the HARD Haunted Mansion Halloween concert I wrote for the LA Weekly.