Dez & Nobs - Rocky Dennis

Can't wait until I get my hands on this piece of candy!

Sunday

Book Recommendations

Now I finally bought some books that I've got recommended to me. It will be interested to see what I think of them. I'll let you know. And for you who have recommended other books, no worries. I'll get there eventually.

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

Perfect for snowy bus rides from Gothenburg to Stockholm.

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

Marvel Zombies Return

Damn! I've really been looking forward to this one, and now it is in my hands. Love it!

Prinzenallee - Don’t Let Nerds Take Over Your Life

Finally some good stuff to post. The video Don’t Let Nerds Take Over Your Life by Prinzenallee. A duo consisting of bleubird and Jayrope. It is released March 2 on Endemik Music and is produced by Scott Da Ros who also is one of the directors behind the video.

The Return of That Tall Man

I really hope that I have at least one friend in Stockholm that wants to go with me to Debaser Slussen next Friday. Because I really don't want to miss out on seeing The Tallest Man on Earth there. His performace at Storan last year was one of the best shows I've seen in a couple of years so I know it will be a treat. It also seems like it will be his only show in Sweden this spring so don't miss out now!

We're Gonna Fight

I know. I haven't written much lately. Mainly because of 3 reasons. Firstly because I've been working a lot. And when I haven't done that I've been going to shows and hanging with friends. And another reason why I haven't really been posting is because nothing special and interesting worth posting has turned up. Don't really believe in posting for the sake of posting. One thing I've been doing though is listening to a lot of old school hardcore and bidding on punk vinyl. Yepp, I'm living large.

Can't Think Of A Title

So how was the show yesterday? Interesting has to be the best way to describe it. Adam Green and his band were really good, but also really drunk and high. If you had removed the dozen of times he made out with teenage girls on stage I might have been more impressed. But all in all, a good show. And I also have to mention Jukebox the Ghost who performed earlier in evening. Their music made me plain happy. Tomorrow it's time for The Swell Season @ Trädgår'n. Live shows are fun.

Adam Green @ Parken

After a couple of rough days at work I'm looking forward to tonight. Then it's time for Adam Green to enter the stage at Parken. It may be great, it may be crap. But never the less, it will be an evening of live music.

American Hardcore

How come I never got around to watch this before? Shame on me!

American Hardcore

AC4 // Surprise Sex Attack split 7"

Finally here.

Sage Francis - Li(f)e

I have to admit that I haven't really bothered too much this last couple of years when it comes to my old favourite Sage Francis. But I must say that his upcoming album Li(f)e sounds really interesting. On this album, which will be an album-length critique of organized religion, he will team up with people such as Modest Mouse/Iron and Wine producer Brian Deck, Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla, ex-Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle, Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous, Buck 65, Tim Fite, and members of Califone and DeVotchKa. Here's the tracklist, along with a list of contributors, below. The album will be out on May 11 on -Anti.

Li(f)e:

01 Little Houdini (written by Sage Francis and Jason Lytle)
02 Three Sheets to the Wind (written by Sage Francis and Chris Walla)
03 I Was Zero (written by Sage Francis, Richard Terfry, Brian Deck, Tim Rutili, Jim Becker, and Gordon Patriarca)
04 Slow Man (written by Sage Francis, Joey Burns, and John Convertino)
05 Diamonds and Pearls (written by Sage Francis, Thomas Hagerman, Shawn Gilbert, Jeanie Schroder, and Nicholas Iurata)
06 Polterzeitgeist (written by Sage Francis, Tim Rutili, Jim Becker, and Brian Deck)
07 The Baby Stays (written by Sage Francis and Tim Rutili)
08 16 Years (written by Sage Francis, Kurt Read, Brian Deck, Tim Rutili, Jim Becker, and Gordon Patriarca)
09 Worry Not (written by Sage Francis and Tim Fite)
10 London Bridge (written by Sage Francis & Chris Walla)
11 Love The Lie (written by Sage Francis & Mark Linkous)
12 The Best of Times (written by Sage Francis & Yann Tiersen)

In Company with a Party Monster

My viewing today:

Party Monster: The Shockumentary



























Party Monster

sole leaves anticon records

Here's the words from the man himself:

February 9th, 2010 -- Today, with a heavy heart I end 11+ years of working with anticon. In the early days of the label, anticon was a pet project of mine, a life-long dream. We fulfilled the dream of a collectively run record label and put out many great records and stood as an image of defiance against the music industry. Those memories, I will always have and be proud of. Sadly, those times are gone, and I need to live in the present as I prepare for the future.

Leaving the company was not an easy decision, but it was made necessary by a number of factors. Upon returning to the states from a 2-year exile in Spain, I found myself increasingly at odds with the business end of anticon and began doing more DIY work via soleone.org. Running my own website and taking a more hands on approach with my art has always brought me great satisfaction and it is what I am choosing to return to. There are no ill feelings between myself and members of anticon. I will continue to work with many of the artists and will always love them as brothers and consider them allies. This is a decision to change the way my music will be exploited and adapt to shifting paradigms.

We created anticon as a response to what was going on at the time in the music industry - the indy boom of the late 90’s. There were still a viable music industry then and people bought records. That’s how we built up our empire. The music industry isn’t just dying, but what it means to be a recording artist is changing. Technology is making everything cheap, and cheapening everything it touches. Soon the old ways of selling records will be a distant memory, along with magazines, working musicians and employed blue-collar dads. It’s not a time to cry about the recession, or urge people to go to their local mom and pops and pick up the new sole & skyrider LP. Technology is working its magic, and instead of being a passenger on its ship, I have decided to plot a new course for myself.

The very fact that I have thrived in this environment still sometimes is a surprise to me. I’m 32 today. I put out my first vinyl when I was 16. For me its always been about ethics & passion, doing what felt right in my core and acting on that, whether or not it was the popular or conventionally wise thing to do.

From now on now all my releases will be made available @ soleone.org via my new label Black Canyon Records and exclusively distributed worldwide via Revolver USA. There is an email newsletter list ton soleone.org, if you wish to be kept in the loop on my releases/updates that will be the best place.

Peace
Tim “sole” Holland

My Way of Ending a Great Week

An Education




























Copywrite Criminals


























Fantastic Mr. Fox

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Precious

The Future of Def Jux

OFFICIAL UPDATE FROM EL-P:

OF HOOPTYS AND HOVERCRAFTS

Dear Inter-web, fans, friends and JUX family,

People keep asking me what’s up with JUX. There’s been some talk, there have been some rumors. Some half true, some way off. Reports of our demise have been mildly exaggerated. Here’s what it really all boils down to: (read on)

This year, a decade after starting DEF JUX and after overseeing the releases of some incredible albums including the forthcoming release of my dear late and great friend Camu Tao’s brilliant “KING OF HEARTS” LP, I’m stepping away from my duties as artistic director for the label to concentrate on what I love most: being a producer and an artist full time. This is something I’ve been contemplating for a few years now, and can’t think of a better time or, with the eventual release of Camu’s record, a more poetic way to transition into a new direction.

This means change for JUX. Of course we’ll still have our website, we will still sell our catalog, merch and more as well as bring you news and updates on all our projects and artists. We will be releasing “KING OF HEARTS”, a DEF JUX remix compilation, a 10 year anniversary retrospective and some other goodies. But then as a traditional record label DEF JUX will effectively be put on hiatus. We are not closing, but we are changing. The process is already underway, and the last several months (for those wondering what the hell we’ve been up to) have been spent dealing with the technical aspects of wrapping up the label in it’s current form and re-imagining our collective and individual futures.

In 2000 starting a traditional record label made a lot of sense. But now, in 2010, less so and I find myself yearning for something else to put my energy into. I also see newer, smarter, more interesting things on the horizon for the way art and commerce intersect, and as an artist and an entrepreneur, I’m eager to see them unfold. The evolution of this industry is, in my opinion, exciting, inevitable and it would be nice to see the DEFINITIVE JUX brand be a part of it. In other words, maybe we can turn this hoopty in to a hovercraft.

All business aside, and regardless of what form JUX may inevitably take, my focus for the immediate future is going to be back-to-basics. The fun stuff: sitting in the studio and immersing myself in music, performing it for for my fans when the time comes and whatever (or wherever) else might be out there creatively for me. Thats how it all started and that’s how the next phase will begin. The days of me dedicating the majority of my time and energy into providing JUX with a constant stream of physical releases from multiple artists are on hold for the time being. My heart (and what little common sense I possess) is telling me to simplify my focus and it has always been my policy to listen to my heart.

Truly, DEF JUX has been amazing to be a part of. So many good people. So much fun. I feel very lucky to be friends and collaborators with people who have affected and continue to affect my life and work deeply and indelibly. Working with the likes of Amaechi Uzoigwe, Jesse Ferguson, Jason Drake, and Katy Eustis at JUX as well as allies like Kathryn Frazier (biz3), Michael Bull and Lisa Socransky-Austin (to name only a few) has been incredible. These are people who worked for generally meager wages because they loved what they did and they believed in the artists and the idea of DEF JUX. Anyone would be lucky to have worked with even one person as dedicated and passionate as all of them are. They are true champions of indie music and they (and too many others to mention here) have my gratitude and loyalty forever.

None of it would have existed, though, if not for the artists. Artists who rolled the dice on us the same way we did on them, and were there with us as we battled it all out. CAMU, MR LIF, AESOP ROCK, MURS, CAGE, ROB SONIC, HANGAR 18, CHIN CHIN, CANNIBAL OX, THE PERCEPTIONISTS, RJD2, DESPOT, SA SMASH, YAK BALLZ, CRAYZ, THE MIGHTY UNDERDOGS, DIZZEE RASCAL, DEL, P.F.A.C, ACTIVATOR, COOL CALM PETE … the list goes on. I consider them all geniuses at what they do. Every victory that they have had and will have will always feel like a victory for myself and all of us at JUX. It’s been a joy to create and even struggle with them all. It has not always been easy, but it’s almost always been fulfilling. I only hope the work we put in together helped build a path to their collective futures. They have my sincerest well wishes and genuine respect.

Lastly and most importantly are the fans… holy shit THE FANS! Our fans are no joke. I can’t tell you how humbled I am to have felt the love and respect that they have shown us all. Even when we did things they didn’t like, they stuck around. This was their label as much as ours. We answered to them, and yet they respected that we did what we loved, nothing more and nothing less. We always will. You are why we do any of this, and I’ll never be able to express how much your support means to all of us. I think I speak for all of us Jukies when I say I love making music for you and can’t wait to make more.

Until then, on behalf of everyone here at JUX and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

EL-P
Founder/Artistic Director/Recording Artist
DEFINITIVE JUX

urbanears

First of I just have to say that Henry Rollins yesterday was just as good as I had hoped. I was full of energy and in a very good mood when I left the venue.

I usually don't write about gadgets and stuff here on this page. Firstly because I very seldom buy gadgets and technical stuff, but also because this is not that kind of blog. But I just have to mention the headphones that I bought yesterday. I bought a pair of white Urbanears Plattan and am totally in love with them. Both when it comes to the design and the sound. I have to thank lovely Maria for showing me this Stockholm based brand.

The Real King Henry

Today it is time again. Time for some quality Henry Rollins. As I've mentioned earlier, his show in Gothenburg 2 years ago totally rocked and I hope it will today also. And according to the reviews of his show in Malmoe the other day there is a good chance it will be an awesome night.