by Miné Salkin | Sep 21, 2009 | live action
Sunday, September 20 2009
Seeing the Arctic Monkeys is like an experiment in trying to understand the classic nonchalance of the British. Is it a cool kind of aloofness, or are they knowingly being arses?
The Arctic Monkeys have reasons to be cocky
Coinciding with a beautiful sunset in Stanley Park, the alternative-post-punk quintet came out and started with a slow song. The group’s aesthetic is always a surprising thing, based on opposites. Frontman Alex Turner washed his hair but wore black leather, while lead guitarist Jamie Cook wore a mean plaid shirt that made him look like any other Vancouver hipster.
Despite being a rock band, the show employed an alarming amount of strobe light, which added extra rigour to some of their more popular, catchy tunes like “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” and “Crying Lightning.” They also played “Sketchead,” a bonus track from their latest album Humbug, which Turner admitted to the crowd in his charmismatic Sheffield accent had only been played a couple of times before.
When it came to actual stage presence, AM impressed upon the audience the stereotype of the stiff British upper lip. Albeit the tunes were aggressive, raw — the energy was lacking as the quartet occasionally threw their hair around half-heartedly, lethargically — like they didn’t need any more friends. Or were bored with the ones they already had.
by Miné Salkin | Sep 17, 2009 | news
Hello all,
The tail end of the summer offered little promise as I was spending all of my time in front of the computer, but getting very little done. It had something to do with True Blood, Rod Serling from the Twilight Zone (original), Mad Men and Big Love. I’m not ashamed anymore.
On September 20th, I’ll be covering the Arctic Monkeys show at the Malkin Bowl in beautiful Stanley Park. A tidy review should quickly ensue.
Friday October 2nd will see us some beautiful (and rather bizarre) images of our good friend Deadmau5, an award-nominated DJ currently enjoying fame on the radio waves with his song “Move for Me” which was made in collaboration with Kaskade, another premium spin doktor. Can you say big mouse outfit?
Deadmau5 photo: courtesy of MySpace
Polaris prize-nominee Chad Vangaalen is gracing the Biltmore Cabaret on October 2, and I promise to capture the haunting expression he’ll have when he sings “Molten Light,” god willing he will play that eerie tune.
I’m also working on getting some face time with Matthew Good, so I’ll keep you posted on any developments that way. He’s playing at the ritzy Centre for Performing Arts, with opening band Mother Mother, who you should all know and love by now…
by Miné Salkin | Aug 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
For Sustainability Television
The Arizona State University Art Museum is putting together an exhibit to depict environmental issues through initiating dialogue through artists and the public.
The exhibit, Defining Sustainability, will run between August 26th to February 20, 2010. In collaboration with the ASU Ceramics Research centre, the art show is a non-traditional museum project that will illuminate issues such as the interaction between human beings with the natural environment, the effects of urban human environments and the concerns they place on the individual’s inherent relationship with the Earth. According the university’s press release, the need to further the conversation of sustainability is its goal:
“Each exhibition tells a simple story — an artists’ proposal for green transportation or a designer’s solution for recycled shad structures — which together convey the complexity of sustaining life on earth.”
Through the non-conventional format of the exhibit, the diverse array of multimedia art installations depict the exploration of these real-world environmental concerns by experiencing it through the creative process.
ASU will be presenting three central exhibits, including Native Confluence: Sustaining Cultures by acclaimed artist Nora Naranjo Morse. Jillian McDonald, from New York, is also showcasing her work Alone Together in the Dark, which is an exploration of unsustainable “ghost towns” and cities.
As Arizona’s desert-setting makes it a hot spot for sustainable dialogue, the art show will be featured at several international conferences such as the U.S. GreenBuild conference and other organizations involved with United Nations Climate Change Conference in Denmark.
by Miné Salkin | Aug 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
After the rains settled, we headed back to Deer Lake Park for the second installment of the Vancouver Virgin Music Festival. Still disappointed from missing out on the previous night’s headliners, The Roots, the glorious beaming sunshine gave the warm forebodings of a good festival still ahead…
The SPIN earth team took Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros down to the river for a chat after their energized, folk-rock performance on the stage. Smokin’ cigarettes on the dock, the band talked about what it’s like to live like a band of gypsies, sharing everything with their bandmates except for “dirty underwear.”
Later that afternoon, we hooked up with Emily Haines, singer extraordinaire from Metric. They blazed the Festival stage with an tiger-like fierceness, shredding it up with hits such as “Dead Disco” and “Monster Hospital.” Haines discussed the successes of their latest album Fantasies, which has sold more records than their previous one over four years. Metric’s got a solid base of zealous, loyal devotees that makes them hugely entertaining to watch.
The final set, Ben Harper and the Relentless 7, graced the stage while every woman let out an “oooohhh” and an “ahhhhh” and for good reason — Harper is a beautiful man. Harper howled out some of his classic tunes, sedating everyone through his intoxicating smoothness. The sun was setting in a pink lemonade sky while he lovingly stroked his lap steel guitar. It was a glorious weekend.
Metric Official Website
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Official Website
Ben Harper and Relentless 7 Official Website
by Miné Salkin | Aug 12, 2009 | live action
Decided to put up the rest of the festival’s photos. Here we have Metric, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Sonic Youth, and of course, Ben Harper and the Relentless7.
Just for the record, these photographs are 100% unadulterated, undoctored, just pure talent. No photoshop.
