Last weekend I was at the MBLGTACC '09 conference in Bloomington Indiana. Aside from the excitement of hawking free temporary tattoos and stickers in the exhibit hall, doing a workshop at 8:30 in the morning for 3 to 5 people and getting to see some very dear friends, I got a new CD! Hurray for me!
During one of the workshop sessions, I ditched out with my friend T and he took me to this excellent record shop he had discovered earlier. It was in an old house that also had a coffee shop in it that made peanut butter cup coffee drinks. Very tasty. If you are ever in Bloomington, IN go check out Soma coffee shop and the record store in the basement.
Anyways. So my acquisition at the record store was Psapp's new album "The Camel's Back." My prior exposure was Krista's blog post last October about them. As was mentioned in the October Psapp post, their song "Cozy in the Rocket" is the Grey's Anatomy theme song. So there's the tie in for TV/Movie month.
This song is called the Monster Song and has a really excellent music video to go along with it. Psapp makes really quirky electronic music, and I really enjoy Galia Durant's voice. So. Enjoy the Monster Song. For an added bonus, check out their myspace page, where you can listen to lovely tracks like a cover of "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" and how to pronounce "Psapp."
The day many of us have been waiting for finally came, went, and we got an outcome that changes EVERYTHING. An empowered electorate showed that we, as a country, are ready for a change. We fought, we took to the streets, took to the phone banks, spoke to our friends and family, and fought to find the change we wanted to see. And we got it. And now the work begins.
On the same day, Californians passed Proposition 8 on Tuesday, banning same-sex marriage in the state. Court challenges have been filed against the ban, and the legality of the ban is in question. This does not, however, negate the absolute unjust nature of this measure.
One huge step forward, but two steps back. The fight for equality continues.
In the spirit of the fight, I'm choosing the song "FYR" today from Le Tigre, everyone's favorite feminist radical dance-punk band. I saw them in 2005, the first summer of Bush's second term. I, like many Americans, was angry and bitter at the elections process. Still reeling from the 2000 elections, further beaten down by the whack election of 2004, and completely frustrated by the endless war and a conservative government, I felt completely hopeless. When I saw Le Tigre, I felt empowered by the band's seemingly endless spirit to continue the fight for equality, stand up for feminists, for the GLBT population, and fight against social injustice. And I loved their sweet "Stop Bush" outfits (see image). Sure, they were angry. But so was I. Like the bumper sticker says, if you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention.
The results from Tuesday's election leave me with a whole new feeling. For the first time since I became a legal voter, I feel a sense of hope, pride, and agency. I feel that there is a chance for resolution. A chance for something better. But California's approval of Propisition 8 is a grim reminder of the injustice that will continue to rear its ugly head.
Obama, his cabinet, the house, and the senate have a whole lot of work to do. And we, as citizens of the United States, do too. It is not the time to give up the fight - rather, it is time to get involved. Democracy starts at home, with all of us. So, let's own this country. Let's own our communities. Let's make a difference everyday in whatever way we can. And through our small actions, we can start to create the change we want to see. And we'll be working with a leader that recognizes the power and potential that lies within an empowered nation.
In the spirit of empowerment, I am choosing the song "FYR" (abb."Fifty Years of Ridicule"). This song calls out to feminists to stand up for equality. It references many things that were current to 2004, when the song was released, but are still relevant today. I think it translates beyond feminism to any struggle for civil rights, calling for unity in the fight against injustice of all types. And now, thankfully, we can continue our fight under a president that openly recognizes the need for equality and social justice.
Plus, this song is just bumpin', so it is always a good choice in my opinion.
FYR
by Le Tigre. From the album "Feminist Sweepstakes" (Mr. Lady Records)
Ten Short Years Of Progressive Change Fifty Fucking Years Of Calling Us Names
Can We Trade Title Nine For An End To Hate Crime Ru-486 If We Suck Your Fuckin Dick One Step Forward, Five Steps Back
One Cool Record In The Year Of Rock-rap Yeah We Got All The Power Getting Stabbed In The Shower And We Got Equal Rights On Ladies Nite
Feminists We're Calling You Please Report To The Front Desk Let's Name This Phenomenon It's Too Dumb To Bring Us Down
F.Y.R. Fifty Years Of Ridicule F.Y.R. Take Another Picture
F.Y.R. Fifty Years Of Ridicule F.Y.R. Take Another Picture
Mrs. Doubtfire On Mother's Day On-the-job Stalker For Equal Pay Toss Us A Few New Aids Drugs As National Healthcare Bites The Dust
While You Were On Vacation Black People Didn't Get Reparations You Know These Days No One's Exploited Sorry Dude Can't Hear You With My Head In The Toilet
Feminists We're Calling You Please Report To The Front Desk Let's Name This Phenomenon It's Too Dumb To Bring Us Down
F.Y.R. Fifty Years Of Ridicule F.Y.R. Take Another Picture
F.Y.R. Fifty Years Of Ridicule F.Y.R. Take Another Picture
You've Really Come A Long Way Baby It's You, Not The World, That's Totally Crazy 'Cause We Rocked The Fuckin' Vote With Election Fraud In Poor Zip Codes
Celebrate Gay Marriage In Vermont By Enforcing Those Old Sodomy Laws One Step Forward Five Steps Back We Tell The Truth They Turn Up The Laugh Track
Feminists We're Calling You Please Report To The Front Desk Let's Name This Phenomenon It's Too Dumb To Bring Us Down
We are coming up on our 1st birthday/anniversary on November 18th! So stay tuned for something exciting. (We don't know yet what it is.. but I'm sure it'll be exciting) As of just a few seconds ago, we've had a total of 32,475 hits ever on the blog, which is pretty amazing. So thank you for continuing to stop by and check out our blogs.
On to the music! Today I'm blogging about PlayRadioPlay!, the creation of a young man from Texas named Daniel Hunter. He signed with Island Records as a senior in high school, which is really quite impressive. He's not with their label anymore apparently. He makes electro-pop music that covers a variety of topics, including his father's death, the end of relationships and drug abuse and rehabilitation. I think he sounds similar to The Postal Service.
This song is called Confines of Gravity and has a funny music video of Daniel running around in the snow on a "rocket" sled.. So enjoy! Happy Wednesday
As I exhale I think of questions to ask myself What’s your plan? Do you think you're a man? Has your small amount of success gone to your head yet?
I wanna be an astronaut And get high Break the barrier of sound into the sky Just want to be free From the confines of gravity
As I take it all in The altitude has an effect on my skin I grow a space suit in the blink of an eye And shortly after, The atmosphere comes to life.
I wanna be an astronaut And get I wanna be an astronaut And get I wanna be an astronaut And get I wanna be an astronaut And get high I wanna be an astronaut And get high Break the barrier of sound into the sky Just want to be free From the confines of gravity
Prepare for landing as we come back to earth Prepare for landing as we come back to earth Prepare for landing as we come back to earth Prepare for landing as we come back to earth
I wanna be an astronaut And get high Break the barrier of sound into the sky Just want to be free From the confines of gravity I wanna be an astronaut And get high Break the barrier of sound into the sky Just want to be free From the confines of gravity From the confines of gravity From the confines of gravity
Holy buckets batman! I've been so preoccupied this week, again I forgot to blog on Wednesday. I've been feeling a little loopy lately, so this song fits in well. The lyrics are vague, but could have a multiplicity of meanings. I'm currently enjoying thinking of it as an anthem to alternative lifestyles that are more emotionally fulfilling than the rat race of the business world.
The Tough Alliance (TTA) is an electro-pop duo from Sweden. This particular track is a little moody and yearning, with a really catchy chorus and excellent percussion. It definitely sounds more like british/european pop than american pop, partially because of the well used electronic embellishments.
There's a crowd, talking loud, but they ain't saying nothing Slow and stale, weak and pale, while we're running and laughing Cause there's something else, something bright and pure, Something that you've never felt before Something you can't touch, something you can't see, you just don't believe
AA-AAAA
Don't you die yet, first class riot You can't buy it First class riot
You don't know where to go, still you point our directions Black and White, so uptight, while we run for perfection Cause there's something else, something bright and pure, Something that you've never felt before Something you can't touch, something you can't see, you just don't believe
AA-AAAA
Don't you die yet, first class riot You can't buy it First class riot
AA-AAAA
Don't you die yet, first class riot You can't buy it First class riot
Hurray for iTunes free song of the week! Otherwise I don't know if I would've ever come across Cut Copy. After doing a little research using the great wikipedia, I found out that Cut Copy hails from the great city of Melbourne Australia, and that they've actually toured with some pretty big names in the indie-dance and electropop genres. For example, Junior Senior, Daft Punk, Fran Ferdinand and Bloc Party. I like the song, I've found it's excellent to play in the morning when I'm getting ready for the day. It's not too vigorous so it's not overwhelming, but its catchy, repetitive and in a major key which all are important components of morning music. The music video is a little trippy, and kind of reminds me of the music videos that get shown really late at night on VH1. Just the band kinda rocking out while there are pretty lights and colors around. It works either way.
This is where we walk today For your birthday Secrets that we held that day Will be kept straight
All your friends have gone away So let’s celebrate With holding hope open for the one Making new way
Lights and music Are on my mind Be my baby One more time
Lights and music Are on my mind Be my baby One more time
Fading will become of you Seeing my face Cold and crystal you can hide But your tears race
I’ll be waiting by your time Put your dreams away With holding hope, hoping for the one Making new way
Lights and music Are on my mind Be my baby One more time
Lights and music Are on my mind Be my baby One more time
I've liked Goldfrapp in the past for incredibly sultry dance music, especially Ooh La La and Ride a White Horse. It seems like no one can talk about the new Goldfrapp without contrasting it to the old Goldfrapp and making a big deal of "how different" Seventh Tree is, but I say it's not that big of a departure. Sure, it's not the same pulsing electro-pop that I crank before I go dancing and makes me wish I wasn't too scared to take Ecstasy, but the synth stuff is still there.
Let's talk about the video for a minute here. It's almost like the band is even acknowledging the new direction they've taken with a video motif that's less industrial or electronic than they've used in the past. Here we have Alison singing by herself in the middle of the woods in a flowy white tunic on a gorgeous fall day--the more natural and organic elements seem to be a visual recognition of the new toned-down and organic sound. Again, I would say there's more of a mixing of old and new here. It's not the kind of video we're used to seeing from them, but there's still that Goldfrapp quirkiness that we love so much. Alison doesn't come riding in a horse made from a mirrored disco ball like she does in Ooh La La, but she is being worshipped in the woods by a horde of leaf-people, for Chrissake. What gets me about A & E is that it really gives Alison Goldfrapp a chance to show off her pretty impressive range. This is different from the band's earlier stuff, but I would say it's a welcome change. The classic Goldfrapp kind of kept her voice in one end of the scale for an entire song, probably because that kind of repetition lends itself well to decent dance pop. In A&E, she sings these warm low tones in the verses but still gets into the high-energy falsetto in the chorus and builds into a pretty powerful bridge and ending. The electronic junk even makes a good play at this point; but instead of pounding into your skull and forcing you to dance your ass off, it makes you lean forward and just listen a little harder.
A&E::Goldfrapp
It's a blue, bright blue Saturday, ay, ay And the pain has started to slip away, ay, ay
I'm in a backless dress on a pastel ward, the shining. Think I want you still But it may be pills at work
Do you really wanna know how I was dancing on the floor? I was trying to fool you when I'm crawling up the door And theres a tune at things you say that you don't do Why don't you ring?
I was feeling lonely, feeling low Feeling like I needed you Like I'm waking up surrounded by me A&E
It's a blue, bright blue Saturday, ay, ay And the pain has started to slip away, ay, ay
I'm in a backless dress on a pastel ward, the shining Think I want you still But it may be pills at work
How did I get to accident, emergency? All I wanted was you to take me out high I was feeling lonely, feeling low Feeling like I needed you Like I hoped you'd call and hoped you'd see me A&E
