Digital is so last year, what you need is a bit of paper tucked in your back pocket, one that you can change without powering up, one that won’t cost you more than a couple of pence, and will keep all the numbers of the local takeaways available in a flash. Make yourself a pocketmod. I saw this in ready made mag and thought it would be quite useful. You can make your own custom version and even download a little desktop app for Mac and PC.
The Guardian has published an extract from a statement on Matthieu Kassovitz’s website. Kassovitz is the acclaimed director of La Haine and in his statement he discusses the recent unrest in France. It is a heartfelt piece, appealling for dialogue and understanding between the government and the rioters. “Zero Tolence works both ways” he says, without “raprochement” the unrest will continue. It seems that France has to ask itself some difficult questions about the nature of integration and racial diversity. More information here about Kassovitz and more at The Guardian.
What a clever campaign from Oxfam, you choose the gift for someone who needs it: you can buy tools and equipment, help plant trees or build a house, you can even club together and buy a camel. If you want your friends and family to join in, you can set up a wish list. This a great idea for Christmas, it’ll make a change from socks and cds.
Almost got the Weezer cd with this image on it – it’s very rare and called “The Lion and the Witch”, but I got pipped at the post. Nevermind. In truth I only wanted it for the wonderful kozyndan illustrated cover. They are two L.A illustrators who have a great site and a blog. I like the detail of these drawings, the views they present, but be warned, you get lulled into thinking they depict real scenes, and then you notice very strange things happening, that you’re somewhere a little bit different.
Also wanted to mention Olivier Kugler who has been cropping up in the newspaper with his beautifully illustrated documentary pieces. There were some great images when the BBC did their China week, at least I think that was the connection. Anyway, I like the scratchy style, oh, here’s the picture I mean, and again the detail and shadow.
It happened about 43 seconds after we’d just left the table and we were sitting on the sofa for a cup of tea, I heard a creaking sound and looked back to see the ceiling falling down. Now we have a bigger hole. But don’t worry, the man is coming round on Wednesday to fix it and it will all be as good as new. Suggestions so far include knocking through and attaching a fireman’s pole, a piece of shatterproof glass so that you can see up into the spare bedroom, filling it in, but painting the new bit red or blue, etc. Its amazing how creative people get faced with a hole. Its going to be fixed, simple as that.
Found out the Tour is heading to Brittany again, great news – a time trail around Rennes, which isn’t too far away from my folks’ place. You can find the route here, check out the poster, what a great idea.
Just got back from a fruitfull weekend at The Badger Press, where I tried out a few things, some worked, some were less successful, but all good and still learning and developing. I always come back with heaps of ideas for the next sessions, Its great to be inspired for a change. I put some of the pieces up a set at flickr so that you can have a look if you want. So now I’m going to relax and watch something good on TV and then crash out.
Aidan Smith’s Fancy Barrel is out now on Analogue Catalogue and finally, after the nibbles, the entree and the aperitif, this is the main course. There are some wonderful songs, the bittersweet of “Alone Askew”, the fun of “Love Song (With Aneurysm), old favourite “Everything is Boring” and some daft moments “Jam will suffice”. Apparently album number 2 has already been penned and is being recorded this winter. There are some tour dates, but none down our way just yet. In the meantime, there’s this super record to enjoy. It’s a fancy barrel all right and it’s worth having a rummage in the sawdust, you never know what you find.
Sorted through a pile of cards and papers we picked up on our trip to the states. Have tons of postcards, if you want any drop me a line and I’ll do you a goodie bag – nothing special, just a few cards. We found this great shop in San Francisco, just up from the hotel which sold really great stationery, and we stocked up with thank you notelets for the wedding, vintage postcards of California and I bought a small sketchbook too. It feels like a long time ago now, but finding mementos from our trip helps to keep the pictures fresh.
New site, new home for imakethings, and I got some photos in my inbox the other day which I might post up. It looks really cool out there in Hokkaido. Hoping we might get to visit some time – its on the list. There is a Japanese version of the site which I quite like, and which has been translated by clever bi-lngual people.
Having a Jam with Rod and Kerry on Friday, and I am trying out a new toy, the Boss – Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal which I got from Nevada – Let’s hope it does what it says on the box. I”ve also got new strings which are quite fat for a nice chunky sound.
Comments now open – what did you have on your mind Mr Groves?
There’s a little night at The Edge of The Wedge to celebrate Peel Day. Hopefully, some noisy records will be played. You can find out what’s going on around the country at BBC Radio 1 and see if there’s an event near you.
*unfortunatley no noisy records were played as the DJ failed to turn up. Was a bit of a let down really, but heard some of the evening on radio1. Colin and Edith played a bit of Kid A and it sounded majestic. I heard that Radiohead never sessioned for Peel, but he said, had someone given him a demo of Kid A he’d have played it ’till it was worn out. Also enjoyed hearing his voice in little clips, felt like good times. Full tracklistings are here, some wonderful tunes.
