Mbongwana Star - Malukayi (feat. Konono No.1)

I promise it's really worth taking a moment to check out music from the indescribably cool band Mbongwana Star via their new album From Kinshasa which is available today. Do yourself a favor and click on the video below to sample their unique and noteworthy sound. Mbongwana Star - Malukayi (feat. Konono No.1) Mbongwana Star hails from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo—a network of shantytowns and night shelters where founding members Coco Ngambali and Theo Nzonza (of Staff Benda Bilili fame) pulled together members of a new generation of Kinshasa musicians embodying the concept of “mbongwana,” or “change.” Along with maverick Parisian producer Doctor L (Tony Allen, Stomy Bugsy), the band has created a sound that embodies the “smashed-together” nature of the surroundings from which it was born—a sound that fuses traditional Congolese rhythms with European post-punk bass and busted electronics from recycled and reconstructed instruments miked and distorted in unexpected ways. Doctor L (who also mixed, produced and played on the album) said of the sessions, “It’s all recorded in the red. Sometimes I over-boost mikes that are recording nothing, just to pick up the environment. Can you hear it? There are three TVs going full blast. Distortion multiplies the energy.” U.S. tour dates have yet to be announced.

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis

“Very often a tension can happen between music and picture that is about chance and a kind of unknowingness that can be really amazing. Just by putting together two things that were created in isolation, music and film, suddenly something quite magical can happen.” - Nick Cave The latest score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis is for director David Olehoffen’s Far From Men and is available on Bad Seed Ltd. Far From Men was adapted from an Albert Camus short story and has won three prizes at the Venice Film Festival (2014). You may hear some of the score via the film's trailer:

Calling All Edward Gorey Fans

Incredible news! There is an Edward Gorey documentary that's been shot and is in need of some funding. When I read this I might have exclaimed "SQUEEEE!" Or I absolutely did. I'm all in to promote this any way I can! I'm so excited for some insight and personal interviews of Gorey, a man whose work has given me countless hours of joy in my macabre little heart. For further information about this incredibly exciting Edward Gorey film directed by Christopher Seufert, visit https://www.facebook.com/edwardgoreyfilm.

Let Tom Lehrer Solve Your Family Problems.

Not getting long with your family? Let "The Irish Ballad" solve those troublesome relatives. Rickety Tickety Tin. Tom Lehrer: The Irish Ballad (studio solo) (1953) And a bonus! "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park"

Finest Moments in Retro Pop Culture History

Today I bring you Moon Zappa lip synching to the record she made with her dad Frank Zappa "Valley Girl." The Solid Gold dancers are really in their element here.

Todays Must See Cartoons related to Parliament/Funkadelic

I bring you an episode of Nelson : Rock & Roll Detectives written by Jay Barba & Brian Farrelly. Artwork by Ronald Childs and animation Jay Barba. I hope they keep doing this and soon are paid for their efforts. In somewhat related amazingness A PFunk Cartoon Part One The Name is Bootsy Baby I wanted to post the story of Funk from The Mighty Boosh episode "Old Gregg", but sorry compadres.

Todays Genius Cover Version: "Bela Lugosi's Dead (Undead is Forever)"

It's more of an artistic re-imagining than a cover version, but I can't believe I forgot to blog about this Bauhaus (grave) revisitation performed by original Bauhaus member David J and the amazing "Dark Cabaret" and Classical artist Jill Tracy. If you could all climb in my mind you would just know these things. And yes I'll be silly and Gothic - loving it and mocking it both in equal measure until I die.

HBO To Air Documentary "Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck"

Tomorrow evening HBO will air the documentary Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. Director Brett Morgen revealed to NPR that the film neither attempts to exalt nor disparage Cobain. Morgan states a guiding force for the film came from executive producer Frances Bean Cobain, whom Morgan quoted saying, "Listen, whatever you do, keep it real and make it honest. That's the best tribute we can do for Kurt. Wherever I go in the world, people say, "Oh my God, your dad is so cool and he's like Santa Claus," and I think that Kurt was about honesty, and let's make an honest film." As someone who is definitely a Nirvana fan, but does not worship in the church of "Celebrity Cult," I look forward to a portrait of Cobain made with integrity. It's refreshing perspective, one which I feel will allow people to learn more about Kurt Cobain as a person and artist and perhaps take away some of the idolatry which may have made made him uncomfortable and makes identifying as a fan, for me, a bit difficult at times. The film which includes private home movies from his childhood in addition to family life with wife Courtney Love and daughter Frances Bean Cobain, sees an HBO premier tomorrow, Monday May 4 at 9pm (check local listings).

Death Note to Become Feature Length Film in U.S.A.

According to Hollywood Reporter and IMDB.com, Director Adam Wingard (V/H/S and The ABCs of Death) has signed on to direct a feature length U.S. film for the popular anime Death Note. For those who have been following, Shane Black was originally slated to direct but it appears Wingard is the final choice at the helm for this supernatural / horror themed anime feature. The U.S. version (adapted from the original Japanese Desu nôto), will be produced by Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Jason Hoffs and Masi Oka. For those new to the series, a boy finds a magical book with the power to cause the death of anyone whose name he decides to write in the pages. He decides to use the mystical powers to eradicate people he deems evil in an effort to save the world.

Unreleased track by Lou Barlow, Dave Grohl Dale Crover, Imaad Wasif & Nate Mendel

Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr & more) has just posted a lost supergroup video from a session with members of Melvins & Foo Fighters. Of the project, Barlow said, "i recorded a couple of songs with Imaad Wasif and Dale Crover about two years ago at 606 studios ( home of the Foo FIghters ) ..it was meant to be for a benefit 7" which has yet to be released.. in the meantime i've made quick vids for both of the tracks so's you can hear what we did before it possibly vanishes in the haze.. the session was simultaneously documented for a possible pilot for a possible Foo Fighters related documentary series.. haven't heard much about that either .. Greg Jacobs was also there photographing making it the most thoroughly captured recording session i've ever done..cheggit" He's possibly referring to Foo Fighters documentary series Sonic Highways which was directed by Dave Grohl and recently aired on HBO. The intended single project had a working title of "Father's Day" by Tres Padres. Dale Crover(Melvins), Imaad Wasif (guitarist & solo artist) and Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh) recorded the song for an unreleased benefit 7" June 15 and 16, 2013 at 606 studios with John Lousteau. The track features bass by Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters, Sunny Day Real Estate) with photography by Greg Jacobs. Enjoy this little seen video courtesy of Mr. Barlow.

New Band Alert! Broken Bat

Brothers and sisters I'm setting off the fire alarm and clearing the way for a brand new band who call themselves Broken Bat. I have nothing to stream or embed as they are currently recording, but it will surely be amazing. Broken Bat are: Ty Segall (Fuzz, Ty Segall Band & more), Steve McDonald (OFF!, Redd Kross, Ze Malibu Kids & more), and Dale Crover (Melvins and more). In the spirit of promoting things I truly recommend and artists I believe are great without any corporate bs in the way, I'm hoping I can get an interview or an early preview of their music for you! Stay tuned!

Book Review: Kim Gordon, Girl In A Band: A Memoir

Kim Gordon's recently published book Girl In A Band: A Memoir), touches upon varied subjects as she is a complex and intelligent woman with a myriad of talents and interests. For fans little tidbits about backstage events or songs being recorded, such as "Kool Thing" are gems mined for you via Gordon's memories. Sonic Youth "Kool Thing" from the album Goo Book Review: Girl In A Band: A Memoir, by Kim Gordon The world of rock music (and music journalism) is one big boys club. And it’s no surprise that the title of Kim Gordon’s memoir, Girl in a Band, is partly in reference to the incessant query “What’s it like to be a girl in a band?” Despite possessing two X chromosomes, Gordon adeptly chiseled her own space in music with her own rules, coupled with intelligence and dignity. As far as her emotions, she has historically played her cards close to her chest, even appearing aloof, but when she performed “Aneurysm” at Nirvana’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, my body tingled and I was momentarily slack jawed. I don’t care what anyone else says about it, and opinions vary wildly, but Gordon’s performance was one of the most visceral, authentic, fearless, perhaps cathartic, but certainly intense moments I’ve ever witnessed in rock ‘n roll. So despite only being a casual fan of Sonic Youth, I was excited at the prospect of reading Gordon’s book. Girl In A Band elucidates upon Gordon’s extensive background in visual arts and her experience with art as a citizen of old school New York City. It’s about how women, particularly of a certain age group, have to fight against being “people pleasers.” It’s about how our family, and in this case siblings in particular, can form our self image and the image we project. The book is about the life of Kim Gordon, but it is not strictly a Sonic Youth book, nor is it specifically about the dissolution of marriage between Gordon and long-time husband and bandmate Thurston Moore. In the latter case, Gordon manages to sum up the lack of extensive love story regalia with the quote “knowing what I know now, it’s hard to write about a love story with a broken heart.” She explains the situation in a way that is both honest and respectful. Anyone who has experienced divorce or a messy break-up can relate to many of the posed but unanswered questions and the new found practice of second guessing and re-evaluating one’s own history. Of course the marriage and band are mentioned, because they are part of Gordon’s life story, just as being a good mother is some—but not all—of who she is (which is something only a woman in a band would have to explain). Gordon makes it apparent she has many more aspects to her life, including many forms of art, to pursue. She seems to hold a bright future doing just that.

David J (Bauhaus) and Patrion Crowd Sourcing

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Today's "Must See" Video Gem

Today's must see video gem is brought to you by '80s Kiss. "All Hells Breakin' Loose" "Street hustler comes up to me one day And I'm walkin' down the street, mindin' my own business Now he looks me up and he looks me down and says "Hey man, what be this" and "What be that" and "Why you gotta look like that?" Well I just looked at him, I kinda laughed, I said Hey man, I am cool, I am the Breeze."