ZINENBLOGEN

MACKEREL SKY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 22:28:00 -0400

This post has words about technology followed by some music:

Apple’s overt commitment to the dominant model of cloud computing and its vision of highly portable, slimmed down machines that function primarily as access points to networks of “private” and public data was perhaps the most overt endorsement of this model by any large hardware manufacturer. As alluring as it may be, the promise of actually practical multi-touch and the other as of yet unrealized platforms built specifically to take advantage of the cloud has fogged over some of the consequences of relying on such a system. One of the key considerations is how this shift will affect content creation by individuals, specifically as it applies to creating and editing music and digital multimedia objects.

Two generations’ preferred methods of self-expression have been shaped by an unprecedented access to powerful, portable computers. Visual artists, designers, filmmakers, and musicians have embraced software and accessories designed to operate with these machines, giving the personal laptop the role of studio, editing suite, portfolio storage space, reference library, performance aid, and nearly everything in between. Apple itself helped create this phenomenon, with its best-selling MacBook having become almost standard issue equipment for incoming college freshmen.

What of it? While, in the long term and especially if you’re a transhumanist, the shift to the cloud will probably be a good thing, the short term poses a few problems.

With consumer computing likely shifting towards lighter, less powerful “network portals,” the demand for other computing platforms will at some point drop. In turn, making machines equivalent to what was once viewed as standard more expensive. The pacing of how quickly the general public comes to rely on these cloud-dependent devices and services will determine how disruptive this is. After all, computers are getting exponentially faster all the time, so theoretically, these more portable devices will become powerful enough to fill the roles of their less sexy predecessors. Though it’s likely they eventually will, keep in mind that the newest computing technologies take time to filter down to consumer platforms. Like I said, it’s a possible short-term problem. Long-term, your smaller devices will likely be able to link wirelessly to form a modular computing system or you’ll have 8 chips in your brain. Magic. Something cool.

Secondly, think about what exactly will you be accessing from these nodes. In addition to all the stuff you’d currently expect to find on uh, the Internet, the majority of your personal data storage will likely be held on remote servers, rather than a hard drive in your physical proximity or integrated into your computer. At the time of writing, iPads are already creating 1% of global web traffic. That’s admittedly small for now, but for perspective, consider that iPhones currently make up 2.9% of web traffic in the United States, with Android phones coming in close behind at 2.6%. this clearly demonstrates the quick proliferation and bandwidth reliant nature of the device. Adoption of similar platforms and their increased emphasis on streamed media and reliance remote access to data will create a general need for greater bandwidth that there may or may not be infrastructure for. Currently: infrastructure not there. Later on: hope so.

Not to mention the vulnerable nature of the services that depend on the cloud. If a cloud server goes, everything relying on it for data storage goes, too.

The cloud is exciting because it is a powerful, possibly world changing concept whose biggest boons and dangers are likely yet to be imagined. In the long term, it will likely reshape the creative inclinations of those who have access to it in new ways as well.

I’ve put some thought into this, but if you’ve put more, please do share. What are you the most excited about for the future of cloud computing? What are your concerns?

Now here is some music I think is worth hearing and images worth seeing:

WARBLE AND SHIMMY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 7 Jun 2011 21:18:00 -0400

Where has SIMIAN been? Many places, children. Many places. But he's here now and has come bearing music. On to that

MUSIC

The banjo isn't just for Steve Martin and Kermit the Frog anymore, accomplished musicians though they may be. Jess Williamson's thoughtful songs use this often pigeonholed instrument as a means to string intricately emotional, holistic little moments in to narratives that are dreamlike both in their relation to each other and their scope. The lilt and purr of the vox is almost enough to make you ignore the more ambient approach of some of the backing instruments, but the latter, manned by Austin, TX's own Matt Simon, Jason Chronis, and Eli Welbourne, help make this EP feel much larger than its 5 tracks. Don't take my word for it: get ye to Bandcamp

Even with the soap opera on its last legs, telenovelas live on with Mexico City-based outfit ÑAKA ÑAKA's latest track, "FANTORAMA DRAMA PLUS." This gritty lo-NRG track wraps synth fuzz around your head and leaves it there to smother you in its VHS quality drama. When salamanders start showing up, don't question it. You can enjoy more, including a really amazing mix on Souncloud

Lastly, Wooden is quickly becoming a reliable go-to for chill out music that doesn't make your skin crawl after 5 minutes. Yellow Pipes of Eternity incorporates acoustic instruments into the usual heavily affected/effected loopscapes, yielding a sound that's at once familiar and bizarre. This isn't music that resigns itself to the background, it's music that runs there as quick as it can and owns it. Certainly not pop, but it is, in its own way, quite accessible. WITNESS more on Bandcamp.

AWTHUMFETHT 6666 3/15/11

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:35:00 -0400

SXSWi not interactive enough for you? WONDER AT THE POWER OF AWTHUM. 6 years and running strong, this event is one of the last true refuges of the underground at SXSW. Every year is different. Every year is AWTHUM. THIS INFORMATION IS THE SOLUTION:

"~2:00- LEAD PIPE : Anxious avant-sleaze terrorism, virulently hypomanic funeral funk, corporate porno-pagan improvisation.

http://soundcloud.com/leadpipe

~2:35- XPPR5-9 : Borecore

http://xppr5-9.bandcamp.com/

~3:10- MISSIONS : Intergalactic nu-satanic domehouse.

www.missionsinspace.com

~3:45- BOY FRIEND : Rhythm & bitches b strikin’ again

http://boyfriendmusic.bandcamp.com/

~4:20- COPPERTONE (LA) : Militantly ethereal crimson wave

http://asgtw.org/

~4:55- FLORENE (Denton) : Transcendental space-age motorik

http://florene.bandcamp.com/

~5:30- ZORCH : Swirl of mind-bending atmospheric rising noise sculptors

http://www.myspace.com/zzoorrcchh

~6:05- Archibald Adams and His Shimmering War Choir :

Pre-Peter Pan post-pubescent fairy island afro-art-rockhouse

http://ArchibaldAdams.bandcamp.com/

~6:40- SILENT DIANE : Human Paranoiac Methods/A Constitution of Dis-belief/Pure Moods

http://silentdiane.bandcamp.com/

~7:15- BLACK GUM : Sun-Baked Coleman Beach Cooler of Drug-Wave

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Gum/131095536930583

~7:50- GOD’S GUN : Slagwave (ex-Cry Blood Apache)

~8:25- SL▲GB▲G : maximal synth / tape house

http://slugb.ug/

~9:00 - LITTLE STOLEN MOMENTS: A gang of three rabid tramps dancing to carefully selected tunes for your visceral pleasure

http://littlestolenmoments.com/

~9:35- JETU : angular french fundamentalist brainy zainy duo

(Patrick Healy & Sam Sayre)

+++

LIVE MESMERIZING ECSTATIC VISUAL EXPERIENCES BY:

Ryder Ripps (NYC) : http://ryder-ripps.com/

Wiley Wiggins : http://www.wileywiggins.com/

Stephen Fishman : http://www.macandcheez.com/

Amanda Joy : http://vimeo.com/eihitv"

Wurhaus 5305 Bolm Rd. #2

The same + more details (here)

CONTINUE TO REALITY

STORIES OF THE ONE TRUE TROPHY TREE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:28:00 -0500

Welcome to the first ZinBin music post in quite some time. Some of the music here is free. Some it you have to pay for. All of it is worth the time to listen. You've probably heard a bunch of this.

BEGIN

HONEYDRUM

Honeydrum came onto my radar a few weeks ago when I received a carrier pigeon notifying me of the release of Saturdays. The driving beats and deadpan vocals, along with a complex melodic treatment of what could have easily been flat, do-nothing for me lo-fi, made an immediate impression. When a few weeks later a small heron delivered The Summer Wants You to Be Dead, their latest tape, it soon found its way into my default daily listening regimen, much as its predecessor had. There's not much *n*e*w* here, but who cares? What's here is awesome. Can only hope this rapid-fire cadence of releases keeps up. Follow the links above for free downloads, tapes, and more recordings.

o F F
o F F's latest release, disenchanted fairytale, is a collection of heartbreaking vignettes that somehow dodges the dehumanizing affect that extensive manipulation of pitches and rhythms can create. Simplified hip hop beats laden with carefully applied production touches buoy similarly treated piano and synth. Nothing is overblown or dragged out. It's an introspective take on the 93|\|.-3 7|-|@ |\/|U$7 |\|07 83 |\|4|\/|3|) that chooses brevity and tact over esoteric gloom. Available for digital download above or on cassette from Clan Destine Records.

ESKIMEAUX
Coco's OCD first brought eskimeaux to my attention a few weeks ago with a track from Ixsixán, which is a cool album, though I have not bothered to think about how it would be pronounced. Please share suggestions in the comments. Not long after, Two Mountains worked its way to my inbox.

It quickly became clear that there was something special going on here. Gabrielle Smith's tracks range from heavily orchestrated to ballads ("Hills") to the relatively tame guitar plucking of "Nothing" to the baby-Enya-crammed-into-two-minutes-thirty-seconds of "For Power Animal." The eclectic approach of the songwriting and production are reminiscent of some of Phil Elverum's less esoteric efforts. This all begs the question of whether eskimeaux will focus on a particular approach in the future or continue to diversify her sound. Either way, I'm probably down.

DUNCAN MALASHOCK
Duncan Malashock's Let's Make Sure Everything is a Thing is now available for your listening and buying please from ATX imprint Monofonous Press. There's a whole lot going on here. The tunes are a little bit zolo, a little bit psych, and way more than likely to deny your expectations of what's coming next. The underwater vocals, charged synth, dreamy guitar, and faithfully pounding drums all fit, but in an odd, charming way. Listening is the gateway to understanding.

W-H-I-T-E
While you're waiting for W-H-I-T-E's Twin Tigers (FYI that's an ablum) to come out on 3/14, check out this single. Tasty remix of "Fountain" by Amen Dunes included. And yeah, you can download it for free (here). What's it sound like? I could throw a lot of synonyms for dreamy at you, but that seems unappealing right now. What I will say is that where it'd be easy to wash out everything into a big mess, W-H-I-T-E pulls each bit to the surface and makes it shine. It's excessive in an intentional, controlled way that's extremely gratifying.

HUMAN RESOURCES
Human Resources, proud purveyor of sample-ridden guitar pop, has released a 7-inch entitled Saving Lady/Pauline. It's a tripped out affair replete with nods to the finest points of culture, including Donkey Kong, Beyonce, and music criticism. Plus, having someone explain stuff to you in a pleasing tone accompanied by intriguing music is really appealing (see: Carl Sagan and John Berger). The EP is available for streaming (here) and purchase (here). Eye Bodega is also planning to release a VHS of collaged footage set to the music of this and past HR releases.

BONUS

WODIN'S NIGHT OUT

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:39:00 -0500

It's been a bit. Hugs. Will explain later, meanwhile here is some stuff to do

TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY 2/16)

MUSIC (LIVE)

New favorite Mueran Hermanos have brought their brand of miasmic pop all the way from Berlin for you to enjoy. Bless you, Wierd Night, you and all your children. Details (here)

MUSIC (CURATED RECORDINGS)

Go walking, dancing, and drinking after midnight with a very special No Nonsense edition of Country Night. Ok, actually you should show up before midnight for the full effect (read: there might be pie). There are more details (here) and a special slow cooked rack of mixtape (here)

Two weeks into their winter residency, Harrison Owen and Todd Brooks ov Pendu continue to fill Manhattan Inn with all the dark spectacle and dense vibes you'd expect from this duo. Be sure to stop in next Wednesday, as well. But don't take my word for it, Facebook it for yourself (here)

The weekly dose of post-human jams known as No Humans has moved to 151 Rivington Bar this week. To celebrate, they're even allowing in current-humans. Tolerance is catching on. Get your info upload and watch vids (here)

GHE20 G0TH1K returns with a celebration of NY Fashion Week or Egypt or Valentine's Day or Wednesday? Something. Wear red or white. Fake blood will be provided, so no need to bring your own. Further information (here)

STAY TUNED

2010'S TOP 10 ALBUMS LIST

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:15:00 -0500

Been getting alot of requests for yearly top 10 lists: best, albums/EPs, singles, songs, videos, jokes, ways to launder money, meals under $5, etc. So, I've decided to keep it simple and just to a 10 best albums of the year list. One catch though, because I need your help

MATERIALS NEEDED

large hat, pot, or other enclosed container with an opening at the top large enough to fit your hand through

something to write on that can be turned into smaller pieces

something to write with

your personal taste

the power of *･゜ﾟ･*:.｡.IMAGINATION.｡.:*･゜*･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ゜ﾟ･* !!!!!

STEP ONE

Take your something to write on and turn it into 10 pieces

STEP TWO

Write the names of your ten favorite albums of the year, one on each piece of your something to write on, ranking each according to preference

STEP THREE

Place the ten pieces of things to write on that you have now written on inside your container

STEP FOUR

Shake vigorously. Repeat, if necessary

STEP FIVE

Remove ten pieces of things to write on that you wrote on from your container. You may need to widen the container's opening, if you did not account for the massive size of your hand

STEP 6

Squeal with joy as you slowly realize your taste is being validated

STEP 7

Revisit in a year and mock for short sightedness

STEP 8

Repeat

Works like a charm. Enjoy!

What are your fav "best of" lists?

ZINBIN NEEDS YOU

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 8 Nov 2010 20:07:00 -0500

A few months ago several comrades and I began soliciting you, our friends, and the Internet at large for submissions for an online publication that we tentatively titled "¿?¿?¿?¿?" MAG. The merit and scope of the response we received absolutely blew our minds. There was gold in them there submissions, gold, I tells ye! GOLD. Prospector talk aside, we were and are amazed and gratified by the enthusiasm of everyone who submitted

I (SIMIAN G.) began laying out what was shaping up to be an amazing little cultural artifact, when something terribly shitty happened: my copy of inDesign stopped working and corrupted my main layout file. So now it's with humility and hope I'm compelled to ask for your further collaboration in this effort

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Design types, want to build your portfolio/craft work by young artists from across these fair United States into something awesome and cohesive? YOU CAN

Anyone want to hit me with a inDesign license? YOU CAN

Moral support? YOU CAN

Sound good? CONTACT: zinenblogen@gmail.com

Thanks and let's do this!

BONUZ

_ Quarterly 5/6 Release & Celebration of the NY Art Book Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 2 Nov 2010 20:09:00 -0400

What're you doing this Wednesday? Really. Interesting. I didn't know you were into that kind of thing – my old room mate was, too. He's... blind now. Well, mostly blind. Anyway, you should do this instead

Swill Children & Maddie + Lauren VHS are having an event for your cultural edification at the always lovely Monster Island Basement. A sliding scale donation gets you music from Amen Dunes, MV Carbon, Hunters (playing as the Melvins [!?¡]), and DJ International Tapes; a performance that sounds complex and amazing; and art + publications + art publications. If you need a reminder, you can RSVP (here). A good time for worthy causes. Come on out.

TUNITE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 17:21:00 -0400

minimalism in posting

EARS OF FIRE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:28:00 -0400

This week is going to entertain you in ways that you'd previously only read about on the Internet. Let's get down to it

TUESDAY 9/21
International Tapes and Vibes Management are summoning the giant galactic brain (pictured) at Glasslands this Tuesday. In case the brain can't make it, Laurel Halo, Mark Mcguire, Outer Space, Steve Hauschildt, and DJ Jan Woo will be there. Hope for the 2nd option, because brain juice is a pain to wash out of your clothes. Further details and tasty media (here)

Thee Oh Sees, Sex Beet, Happy Birthday, and Fergus & Geronimo are bringing piles of fuzzy joy to ye aulde Santos Party House. Promises to be as a good time as $12 can get you in Chinatown these days. Deeper knowledge (here)

In case you don't have your magnifying glass handy, I'll fill you in on what the flyer says: Boats, Fance in the Foles, Small Devices, and Phonetag are playing at Don Pedro's (90 Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn) for possibly the price of a single US dollar. Cheaper than a load of laundry and twice as snuggably soft. Links to musics and everything you just read phrased in a different way (here)

It's also Country Night at Heather's! Gluten free beer and heartbreak for all!

THURSDAY 9/23
Tiger Beer is celebrating the equinox/end of the world with cheap beer and performances by These Are Powers or Powers or whatever they're called now, current super favorite GATEKEEPER, and DJ sets from Finger on the Pulse. If you RSVP to uh, RSVP@deathandtaxesmag.com with the word "Tiger" in the subject line, you can get in for free. It's happening at Union Pool, so take appropriate health precautions

SATYRDEUS 9/25
Pendu Disco presents a Rainbow Body Records showcase! $10 gets you WHITE CAR, NIGHT GALLERY, ROBERT A.A. LOWE, GOLDEN BIRTHDAY, and KONNICHIWA. Needless to say, it's a show you definitely don't want to miss. It's all happening at Secret Project Robot. Details and media samplings available (here).

PARTY OVER HERE (BUSHWICK)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:18:00 -0400

It's a good ol' fashioned block party with many favorite/good bands (Electric Tickle Machine, Shark?, Phone Tag, Hunters, The Netherlands, Team Robespierre, Git Real, Knifeshow, y mas) + a super secret guest, DJs galore, a special selection of edible objects from Roberta's, and various other things that pile great on top of awesome on top of neato. The weather will be nice! The Deth Killers are throwing an after party in 3 dimensions! Bikini keg stand competition? OK, sure! Go do it now (Sunday)!

PENDU DISCO: CULT OF YOUTH + COSMETICS + KING DUDE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:32:00 -0400

Oyez! Oyez! Pendu Disco is switching gears! Your favorite weekly has now metamorphosed into your favorite monthly. That means if you miss out on tonight, your life is destined to be an empty shell for the next 30 days or so. With performances by Cosmetics, Cult of Youth, King Dude, DJ magic by Bryan K of White Ring, and light throwing by Laurel Halo, tonight is sure to be a classic. And remember, the fog is always free. More details (here)

And if you haven't already, be sure and become a fan of Pendu NYC on Facebook so as to stay up to date on happenings and other associated wonderful things. See you at Glasslands.

FRIDAY LOVE TRIANGLE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:07:00 -0400

Oneohtrix Point Never, ARP, James Ferraro, Future Shuttle, and Blondes (DJing) are bringing their all natural goodness to Coco 66. It's going to be everything you'd expect from a Visitation Rites/Last Friday party. That means good things, by the way. Full details (here). And there's a super ultra totally superlative words (not) secret after party that's right next door that happens to have all of its info available (here)

Ye auld favorite Phone Tone Boners AKA Phone Tag are making their Santos Party House debut! Think About Life and Tayisha Busay will also be there. They might even play, too. I don't make those decisions. Andrew WK will be there watching your every move through the security cameras, but privacy whatever cuz he's gonna be partyin' hard in his MAGIC MULTI-FEED PARTY CUBE OH YAHZ while he's doin' that. Go! It will be great times. Details (here)

It's ok, I don't know what those tan Pacmans are supposed to be either. Art? Let's go with art. Anyway, the honorable people of Devotion Gallery and 319 Scholes (that place you went to an art show at that one time, remember?) have teamed up to throw a birthday fundraiser in hopes of continuing to bring you more of various kinds of great things. The event features art objects on the cheap and performances from a slew of very talented people who you should probably meet. You can get people to contribute to your zine or something. It'll be magical. Further reading is available (here).

BLACK DEVIL MEETS PENDU DISCO + INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 2 Aug 2010 19:43:00 -0400

The ever enigmatic master($) of tropical punch infused dark dancefloor anthems known as Black Devil --> Black Devil Disco Club are playing Pendu Disco this Tuesday at Glasslands! If you're not excited, come and find out why you should be. Facebook invite is (here). Order your tickets online by midnight tonight (Monday) and it will only set you back $12, as opposed to $15 at the door. This is one of those shows that just won't happen again. Doesn't matter how many electronic music festivals you're going to. + some of the best veteran Tuesday Disco DJs are warming things up. Beyond worth it

In other news, I've started writing reviews for the always fun and unpredictable International Tapes, so be sure and check back there regularly for tapes from across the multiverse, exclusive mixes, and tape reviews. Don't worry, I'll pester you about it, too. Superb entertainment. Exciting stuff all around

I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:10:00 -0400

Take a look at my write up of last Tuesday's Pendu Disco. Shiny pictures of Gatekeeper (above) and Von Haze included (link)

CONTRIBUTE TO "¿?¿?¿?¿?" MAG

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:23:00 -0400

I am now accepting submissions of art, fiction (short), truth, photography, .gifs, music and film for review, comics, and animation for an upcoming online publication that does not have a name yet

The rough theme is "the ladies." Emphasis on rough. Abstractly related works are very much encouraged

Contribute! and spread the word to anyone who might be interested. If you need a reminder, you can RSVP to the Facebook event (here)

Please send submissions to: zinenblogen@gmail.com

GOOD NEWS #1

To accommodate those interested in submitting but feeling a little short on time, the submission deadline is now 9/16! That's one whole extra month, but early submissions will still receive preferential consideration

Thanks to everyone who's submitted their work so far! Things are shaping up nicely already. We're all very encouraged with the process and are looking forward to seeing anything you have to show us. Let's do this!

GOOD NEWS #2

I'm now a regular contributor at Pendu Mag. If you read this blog regularly (read: sit poring over every single entry repeatedly reliving the glory of past), you are probably aware that I've been a huge admirer of everything they do over there at Pendu for a good while. On top of my regular recaps of Pendu Disco and other events, there are plenty of things to watch and listen to, so give it a look. Writing about music is so much easier when the music doesn't suck, am I right?

This week Pendu Disco features the sonic ice sculptures of Gatekeeper, the Britain-bound minimalish pop of Von Haze, and a dancefloor curated by Shawn NoEQ of the post-punkling soundtrack enthusiasts known as LED ER EST and Katie Rose of the always amazing Further Reductions. Be sure and visit the Pendu events page (link) for music and future/past events. See you at Glasslands every Tuesday until the world ends

BONUS

SHOW ME TONIGHT

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 9 Jul 2010 14:17:00 -0400

Read the flyer. Further details (here). Let's make it awesome!

And be sure and check out my write up of last week's Pendu Disco in Pendu Mag. This next week Cruel Black Dove, Other Crimes, and DJ Jeralyn. Come feel the roar. See you there! As in at both of these events! Go/come! Bye!

DOMINO HEART TWIN SISTER

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 2 Jul 2010 18:46:00 -0400

¡5c00p!

What Long Island band is about to go on tour with Bear in Heaven, just signed to a big deal label, and is actually cool? I'll give you a second to look at this album cover while you drink a pot of coffee and think about it. HINT: there is also a subtle clue encoded in the title of the post.

Have you given up yet? Ok. It's Twin Sister. They just got signed to Domino. That's the news. Now you know, but you did not hear it from me. The only reason I know is because I spent 12 hours waterboarding Laurence Bell, but it's ok, we do that every weekend. No big deal.

Twin Sister's schedule of upcoming shows is (here). If you like their songs, buy their albums/cds/mp3s/betamax tapes/wax cyclinders and such, because pretty soon they're going to be doing big(ger) stuff and you can be like "hey girl, I gots this tape" and she'll be like "rad, let me show you the daguerreotypes of I took of that band at SXSW." It'll be love from then on out

LET YR MUSIC ROAM

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:09:00 -0400

comic by Cali

This is a music post. This post's primary purpose is to tell you about music. The secondary purpose of this post is to convince you that Bandcamp is awesome and you should delete your Myspace because News Corp is destroying humanity. Just sayin'. Anyway, on to the aforementioned music

Rattlesnake is quietish folk inspired pop that seems instantly familiar but still hits you with enough inspired and unexpected little touches to make you think, "Oh, this is actually two talented people making well thought out, pretty music," instead of, "Ohhhhh godddddd, thiiiiiis aggggaaaaain, nononono." They also cover Smog! And well! Who does that? Definitely not me ever. Makes me happy. Their live show is only getting better, so if you're in Brooklyn, be sure and check them out. Enough talking, more linking to the free download: Rattlesnake - Make Home EP

Watch Out For Rockets' new EP, entitled Shaman Shit, is a romping chimera of layered guitar and dense vocal harmonies, interspersed with samples, spoken word, and noise. The final product: oh look, it's Indie Rock that's not boring! In fact, it's alot of fun. The EP has actually made me wish it was longer every time I've listened to it. In summary, short, sweet, and good summer listening. Link to free download is (here)

Yeah, I capitalized indie rock. Now I'm not. Why? Clue: it involves the shift key

Have you ever listened to AIDS-3D? You should. They have good ideas. If you've seen me DJ, (I probably owe you an apology) you will understand why I appreciate certain parts of their aesthetic. Oh, and their art has been all over the place. They've been interviewed by much more popular publications than ZinBin. They live in Berlin. Thanks, Google. MP3 picks (here) (here) (here) (here). Whole page of downloads (here)

According to a friend, Las Robertas "have that Brooklyn sound down. Have you seen them play?" No, I haven't seen them play. I'd like to, but they're from Costa Rica. That makes it kind of hard. There's water in the way. And wait, does Brooklyn own every post-punkish genre now? Really? Point being, you should give this band a listen. It's a fresh take on alot of things you probably already like and there's nothing wrong with that at all. Enjoy: (link)

BONUS

listen while wearing for maximum effect

RIP BROOKLYN YARD + PEOPLE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 4 Jun 2010 16:01:00 -0400

RIP Brooklyn Yard. ZinBin is extremely troubled to hear that famed independent venue Brooklyn Yard got the boot from their landlord this week. The double edged sword of throwing gigantic, successful events has struck again. Say it ain't so, MeanRed! You can read the full story (here). Thanks for everything. People have also died

RIP Rue McClanahan. So that's what, all of them but Betty White? Luckily the Golden Girls will live forever on DVD, or at least until a solar flare kills all life on Earth and melts everything that's plastic. Close enough

RIP Louise Bourgeois. Thanks for the nightmares

RIP Richard Dunn. That's too bad

RIP Tobias Wong. People who love smoking and wearing mittens owe this man alot.

STUFF TO DO THIS WEEKEND

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 3 Jun 2010 19:57:00 -0400

I'd love to give each of these events a cozy little post of their own, but lo there is so much going on this weekend. What are these events, you ask? Well, firstly Bushwick Open Studios is going on all weekend. Secondly, thirdly, fourthly, and ok, I'll just do it like I always do

WITNESS FRIDAY
Start your night off with a little light mental trauma, courtesy of GEA's art and Pendu Gallery. 7-10 pm @442 Lorimer #4. Continuing on. Sorry about the poster, Dad

This arts and crafts skull is here to tell you that Popo, Light Asylum, Sundelles, and Translations are playing at Glasslands (289 Kent) for $10. Doors are at 9. This show should fill up fast, so don't pregame too hard. So very glad Light Asylum is back from conquering the universe

Prince Rama (pictured), HIGHLIFE, Amen Dunes, and W.H.I.T.E are going to play music that someone is probably already working on making up new genre names to describe for the benefit of the stalwart analog format live music listings resource known as Showpaper. Yay, Showpaper! One thing you can't do with a blog: use it clean up the coffee you just spilled all over your floor. Yeah, I'm drinking coffee at night. Don't judge. I have a problem. It's at Monster Island Basement (lodged in the ground underneath 128 River), so you know it's gonna be fun. Show starts at 8 and the cost $8ish

Little Women, Shearing Pinx, Nu Sensae, Okie Dokie, and The Dreebs want to put distorted guitars very far into your ears. It's the kind of music that makes people move around and shove each other and stuff. Who does that? Should be good. Details on flyer. BYOB is nice

Late night dance party that is also for the benefit of Showpaper. DJs that are worth dancing to. Details on the flyer. Magic in the air. Blood on the dance floor. Words I am typing

SATURDAY STORM SHOWS

k0M3 J01n 0Ur 900D pHr13nd2 AND 50m3T1M32 8AnD MAT32 Ph0N3 TA9, la 819 V1c, MA1d5, Du7cH 7R347, ANd R1C 0F 1nt3rNAt10naL tAp32 @ pARTy 3Xp0 (929 8R0aDWAY) tH12 5AturDay. 3aR tr3at2 A80uNd. 5TArT2 @ 8 AND MaY83 K05T2 $5 L3wt. k0m3 ch3Ck 0uT PH0N3 ta9'2 n3W 50und AND l1n3up!

And there's another Showpaper benefit at Shea Stadium. BBQ starts at 6. Performances by W.H.I.T.E, Orphans, Human Resources, Say No to Architecture, Darb Modnoc, and Graffiti Monsters will ensue. Ink is expensive, dudes

Have a good weekend, all! Say hi if you see me.

NY EYE & EAR FEST III PHOTOS ARE UP

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 2 Jun 2010 19:37:00 -0400

Check out the whole set (here). Thanks to Pendu Org and all the amazing bands. Enjoy!

RIP RIP RIP

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 1 Jun 2010 20:38:00 -0400

RIP Gary Coleman

RIP Dennis Hopper, one of the best film bad guys ever

RIP Allie-Oddie Woodson

NY EYE & EAR FEST III

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:29:00 -0400

This Saturday and Sunday, NY EYE & EAR FEST III is coming to Brooklyn's Knitting factory. As you can read on the poster, the lineup is absolutely incredible. It's a good cross section of the NY bands I'd be posting about on here if I ever bothered to do music posts regularly. A great balance of vicious and cute. Plus, two days of art and awesome bands for $30 is actually really cheap, considering how much weekend shows usually cost. If you want a preview of what your ears are in for, there are mixes featuring the bands that are playing available for your free downloading pleasure (here) and (here). More music and anything else you could possibly want to know is probably on the event's site. Blank Dogs, Laurel Halo, White Ring, Love Like Deloreans, Xeno & Oaklander, Blondes, Living Days, Omega Jarden, Konnichiwa, and more! I'll be taking pictures, so come say hi! Oh, you don't know what Pendu Org's deal is?

CUE A LITTLE BACKGROUND (MUSIC)

Pendu Org is a precisely tuned multimedia enterprise, rumored to run on adrenaline produced during nightmares, absinthe, and the fur of cats. Unless you live in Rainbow Land, you may have noticed the darker aesthetic is really catching on with the kids. Pendu Org is the smart older brother of that movement. From Tuesday Night Disco, to their amazing online magazine, to their record label, you can always count on Pendu to be a bit dark, startlingly well thought out, and supremely awesome. I had the chance to interview Todd and DJ Harrison earlier this year. You can read that conversation and further explanations of how cool it is what they're doing (here). I am a fan. See you Saturday.

BONUS
Possible future band names

HEY HEY GUY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 May 2010 11:46:00 -0400

Thanks for keeping up with ZinBin through this transition period. I've been juggling several projects and a new job, so this dear blog has not been maintained very well lately. Rather than inundate you with half sincere apologies for being busy, I'm going to go ahead and do this:

Hey, if you are interested in contributing to ZINENBLOGEN, please email me at zinenblogen[a-t]gmail.com

Contributions of any type and scope are welcome - from just wanting to post some of your comics or an essay or whatever to taking on a spot as a regular columnist/contributor. Do it! It'll be fun!

I'm also accepting submissions for a print zine, so shoot those anything you'd like to see in that, too. Let me know if you have any questions

Best,
Luke/Simian/all those other names