Galactic Captiva

To me, the only logical way to start a screenplay is with the soundtrack. I feel it is a form of organization, much like an outline. Different songs provoke different emotions and therefor have specific scenes they are allotted to.
I am making a sci-fi film. Inspired by the recent flux in "space" music, I have created a play list that tells the story of Glactic Captiva, a Planet in the M7 Galaxy teeming with bizarre creatures and water. A young cadet, Fletcher, has been sent on a mission to conduct tests and survey the area for future human civilizations. Fletcher finds more than anticipated and cancels the colonization of Galactic Captiva, as he falls for a native Captivan, IngBop.
Below the soundtrack widget, I have made notes of what scenes the songs are in.


"War on Sound"- Credits & intro
"Goodbye Girls"- Mission briefing and shuttle preparation
"Up!"- Lift-off and initial orbit
"ROYGBIV"- Sailing through space and engine room
"Strangers in the Wind"- Approaching M7 Galaxy
"Rocket"- Cockpit and descent onto Galactic Captiva
"Worms"- Encounter with Captivan creatures
"Iris"- Eyes contact between Fletcher and IngBop
"Shadows"- Chase scene/ win IngBop's heart
"Ce Jeu"- Bright lights from planet pressure release and Aroura/ First Kiss
"You and Moon"- Fletcher cancels mission and destroys ship
"Ewan"- -FIN- Credits.

Bunny Hops Down the Aisle.

BMX culture was a huge part of my androgynous childhood. In competition with my younger brother, I insisted that I was to also take part in BMX racing in which he had already begun months prior. I loved every second of it. I wasn't the best, and when the track we went to closed down, me and my brother hung the helmets for good.

It is no wonder that when we weren't racing, we were watching movies about it. In comes RAD, the 1986 film starring Bill Allen as Cru Jones (swoon), and Aunt Becky from full house as his love interest.

Now, what on Earth does an 80's film about biking have to do with music? Simple my friends. Not only is the film riddled with 80's pop music, but they manage to have a BMX/dance/love scene. Not only that, but it is set to the tune of Real Life's "Send Me An Angel". To be honest, this was probably the most romantic thing I had ever seen at the age of 9. But even now, I can't help but dream of having such a spectacle be the "first dance" at my wedding. And you thought I was weird for liking ABBA

Feast your eyes.

Rick Rolled for the Holidays.

So, let's face it. We've all been Rick Rolled from one point or another. Whether it was on youtube, when you thought you found an obscure wonder, or at a club when they turn the lights on and fake you out with that one last song, "Never Gonna Give You Up".

Apparently, MACY's caught onto this, because the Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends float was, yes REALLY, Rick Rolled.

PROOF:

Ah, Misery.

One of the most cliche things a person goes through is a break-up. Let's face it, unless you have never dated or have only been with one person in which you are successfully clinging tightly to this day (jerk), everyone has been through it. Despite this commonality, it is always so specific to you.

We do crazy things for love, and go even crazier when it is taken away. Maybe the misery lies within the want to keep those strong feelings once shared alive. If we can feel strong emotions in either direction it has to be real, right?

And so, with this in mind, it is no wonder that a billion songs are written about heartbreak. Thus, carrying out the task of creating a mix of break-up songs was a cinch to say the least. And no worries, these could possibly be the happiest sounding songs on the topic.

Songs for the Dumped:
Adem- Launch Yourself
Radiohead- Unravel (Pocket Remix)
Antony and the Johnsons- Fistful of Love
Nick Lowe- Rome Wasn't Built in a Day
Caribou- She's the One
Au Revoir Simone- Lark
Bat for Lashes- What's a Girl to Do?
The Radio Dept.- Worst Taste in Music
Devendra Banhart- At the Hop
Jimmy Cliff- Many Rivers to Cross
Belle & Sebastian- I Don't Love Anyone

BONUS TRACK:
Kanye West- Bittersweet Poetry

I Find Myself, Once Again

Missing out on yet another music festival. This time, it is CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival.
One thing I need to say about this festival is that it is INTENSE. I mean, you look at the line-up, and theres literally shit going on every minute, start to finish. From music to film, the list is nearly limitless.

So, instead of taking on the impossible feat of proclaiming all the bands I wish I were seeing, I'm going to talk about a band I have seen, and am very proud that they are at CMJ this year.

Awesome New Republic, has deservingly landed a spot on the line-up (and have probably just finished their set as I type this). The Miami group has been officially ANR since 2004. While they were disbanded for a period, the group resurrected recently to perform and work on a new album, "Rational Geographic." I have seen the band play a few times, one of which being in the Planetary of the Miami Museum of Science, and they just know how to make a Miami night one to remember (which is quite the feat, considering inebriation).

Their latest album is a fusion of multiple genres, but ultimately it's hard to draw comparisons with other bands to this one; the sound is so unique and genuine, you just have to listen.

Two classics from their 2005 EP "ANR So Far":
2K3012
Wheels No Engines

It's pretty amazing, considering how they recorded most of that album in a bedroom and it was given a 7.9 on pitchfork. Not to say that pitchfork is ever a reliable source, but I'm not surprised that their infectious sound has struck yet another listener. They have a big future ahead of them, what with music festivals, reviews, and tons of praise flowing from every music blogging orfus (ahem), the possibilities just seem endless.

Pocket, at 5 AM

<3Richard Jankovich<3
Ladies and Gents, I have stumbled upon a very, very beautiful and talented man that also goes by P O C K E T. (Thanks Benji)
The first full length album by pocket was mixed in portland, oregon in july of 2008. each of these 12 tracks feature a unique vocalist from a variety of genres and styles.

But hey, Let's be self-indulgent (and honest); I just want to talk about his mixes.
His mix template includes Beck, and Radiohead (I suggest downloading "Unravel (Pocket mix)" as soon as you finish reading this) among others, which you can view and listen to here

To make it simple, I've even included his take on the track "Bridges and Balloons" by Joanna Newsom:



MMmmmmmm....

I'm practically drooling on myself. This could be because it is 5 in the am, but I'm just going to make his facial hair the scapegoat.

Dear Science- TV on the Radio

On Spetember 22, the band's third release that has been heavily anticipated quietly emerged in America. I say quietly because I had heard nothing about it until after the fact. While I haven't always been the biggest fan of TV on the Radio, this album is in pretty good standing with my current playlists.

The album begins with "Halfway Home", which is carried by a distorted guitar and is followed by synth beats similar to M83's latest release, Saturdays=Youth. Towards the end of the track, in typical TVOTR fashion, the song diverts into a semi-break-down of noise and chants which are expected to be celebrated on dance floors to come.

Dear Science displays the band's transitions and growth from quick and almost self-indulgent tracks, such as "Wolf Like Me". Songs like "Crying" and "Red Dress" are the most evident representation of the afro-beat influence that is found throughout the album. From quick and repetitive bass riffs, to hand clapping, shifts in the bands influences have become more obvious than before. one-note-blaring trumpets heard on the track "Lover's Day" are highly reminiscent of the band's second album, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, but are accompanied by violins and played in a more classical style on "Love Dog".

While TVOTR's lyrics remain dismal and clever, it is obvious that this is a lighter album. While the band still takes plenty of opportunities to remind us that they are a ROCK band, I could still imagine putting songs like "Family Tree" on a mix for my mom.


Most Likely to be Played/Remixed by Your Local DJ:
Dancing Choose
Golden Age
Halfway Home

Of course, I couldn't leave you without the quirky video for Golden Age:

Their album in it's entirety (excluding bonus tracks) is available for previewing on their MySpace
DISCLAIMER: MySpace's new player interrupts your listening to bring you terrible ads! If you are easily frustrated (like me), I recommend other music hosting site, such as Hypem or Grooveshark.

Pregnant With Possibilities

One thing that I really enjoy about the updated Facebook is the friend hustling segment entitled "People You May Know". This has not only served as a vehicle for finding those Middle School assholes who giddily called me Nicorette for years, but has connected me to many budding families.

I want to take a minute to explain the High School I went to. It was a Private, Prep School in Pennsylvania. Let's just say, our parents had survived in a town that was predominately poor, and given us the gift of an AMAZING education. My classmates and I really had nothing to complain about. Sure, everyone rebels, but I never saw so much as a few stoned kids in my days there.

So here I am, Facebooking, years after I have graduated, and here is one of those persons I should know. However, this person never looked liked an infant when I knew her. In a massive panic, I franticly add this person. In no way am I hoping to reconnect with the girl I had once dubbed "The Make-Up Box from Hell," I am merely trying to drop those privacy settings that are stonewalling me from unveiling important facts. Facts such as if this baby really is hers or just some new sibling, if she is in a relationship, and if the father is one of those incredulous douches I had hoped she would one day end up with. But most important, I am searching for those drunk pictures from that night less than nine months ago when she is holding a red Solo cup in one hand and a joint in the other. Those, my friends, are gold. And yes, I found appropriate answers to all my questions.

It's amazing what the internet can do for us these days. It almost makes me wonder what is to come. Will Facebook someday serve as a collective social time line, displaying all the ups and downs of everyone I have ever known? Maybe not anytime soon, but a little part of me hopes that these "proud" parents serve as some lesson for younger girls. No, my friend, Baby is not the new Black.