by Miné Salkin | Mar 14, 2010 | news, television
In less than 12 hours after its world premier, the video for “Telephone” hit more than half a million views. A day in, and it’s looking like it will hit 15 mil.
The best part as it has attempted to debunk the myth that Lady Gaga has a dick—a humorous possibility that has reached the proportion of an urban legend. I’m still not completely convinced though. The collaboration with Beyonce, musically, is fruitful. The acting could use a bit of work.
The video was directed in the style of a Quentin Tarantino film, with a plot reminiscent of the Kill Bill films, and contemplative one-liners and non-sequiturs. Lesbian jail scene, you’ve got that too.
Watch the epic video here! Perhaps someone can explain the undeserved Americana dance in the diner.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ95z6ywcBY&feature=player_embedded#]
by Miné Salkin | Mar 2, 2010 | news
After suffering a near coronary reading a story from Exclaim saying that my all-time favourite electro-duo Thunderheist was planning on a break-up, I was disheartened to say the least.
Grahm Zilla is one of the main focal points of my upcoming documentary Remixing Culture, which looks at how technology and the digital format has changed cultural consumption, production and relationship to music.
Singer Isis Salam posted information about her own solo projects, while DJ/ producer Zilla’s been a little more secretive. After a brief Facebook chat session, Grahm relieved much of my anxieties and assured me that he’s been making music like crazy, and will make an official announcement about the status of Thunderheist in a few days. For Zilla fans, like myself, it’s come as a bit of a surprise, but rest assured. There are bigger and better things on the horizon for these talented musicians.
Check out the video of the first interview I did with Thunderheist last year for SPINearth.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehQWFdVtzhg]
by Miné Salkin | Feb 21, 2010 | live action
Stars make great bedroom music
For anyone who’s listened to Stars’ 2004 album Set Yourself On Fire, it’s hard not to shed a tear for their beautiful, eloquent and heart-breaking indie pop. After a week in the craziness of the Olympic cultural hullabaloo, this show was like a much-needed sedative that lulled the attendees into a peaceful, thoughtful musical reverie—though not entirely replete in energy—with frontman Torquil Campbell balancing the melancholy with humour and frequent curse words.
Hey Rosetta! took the stage just as someone in the crowd screamed out “You are so cute,” an arguable reference to vocalist Tim Baker’s irresistible smirk. The band, originally from St. John’s, has progressed tremendously from their garage-rock sound to their performance which was lush and complex. Layered with Romesh Thavanathan’s cello and Erin Aurich’s violin, the string section added a sultry, soulful dimension to their indie rock trademark sound.
Stars’ performance, on the other hand, was something rather cathartic, as Amy Millan’s velvet voice can often inspire. Playing mostly from their 2004 singles, they sparked up the show with “Set Yourself on Fire,” then quickly went into “What I’m Trying To Say,” now the anthems for any romantic break up. Campbell, as the son of the two Shakespearean actors, waved his right hand quite a bit, which gave the lyrics a more dramatic, soliloquy-type quality. Between songs, he advised that if anybody shook his hand on the street, that they fail their drug test. Then seeming visibly embarrassed, Campbell quickly said “Don’t do drugs” in a way that was both cute and a complete lie.
The Montreal-based group indulged fans with a few new songs from their upcoming album. “Open” followed the Stars formula in that it was upbeat and catchy, but had less vocal harmonies in it. “Dead Hearts” was a spooky, lullaby-sounding tune that alluded to dead children Millan once knew. After three encores, the group finished off their set with “One More Night,” which Campbell said was about “fucking someone to death.”
Taking place at Vancouver’s historical Orpheum Theatre, a seated opera house with velvet cushions in the lobby and bartenders who called you “madame,” the show was certainly the best edition of the Cultural Olympiad to date.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v8FJhQ-teE]
by Miné Salkin | Feb 19, 2010 | albums, news
another seeming classic, complete with their collage-pastiche artwork aesthetic.
Arts & Crafts baroque rock legends Broken Social Scene unveiled a new single from their upcoming album Forgiveness Rock Record available here. It’s an epic, seven-minute montage of their greatest musical talents, and it foreshadows an even more epic album.
The band, a musical collective of some 19-members, has ties to Eastern Canadian bands such as Metric, Feist, Stars and Do Make Say Think to name a few. Their collaborative spirit embiggens every noble man and woman.
The full studio album will be released on May 4, which has been greatly awaited since their last, self-titled work from 2005.
Check out this video for “7/4 Shoreline,” a catchy tune from their third eponymous work.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uev2J_cBHjQ&feature=related]
by Miné Salkin | Feb 11, 2010 | news, television
Exclaim! Magazine published today that notorious rapper Kid Cudi apologized for punching a fan in Vancouver last December. Involving a miscommunication over a wallet being thrown on and off the stage by concert attendee Michael Sharpe, Cudi later called him on the phone, apologized, then offered him an all-expense paid trip to New York City! Apparently the booze coursing through the Cleveland, OH’s blood caused the temper outburst. Blame it on the a-a-a-al-co-alcohol!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXydZ9kiX9E&annotation_id=annotation_386248&feature=iv]
In less than 12 hours after its world premier, the video for “Telephone” hit more than half a million views. A day in, and it’s looking like it will hit 15 mil.
