Friday, February 17, 2012

To Be Continued

The Suburban Guide intends to keep you all informed on what is new artistically.  That includes, but is not limited to, film and music.  This weekend we will be sending a correspondent to Lincoln Center for the critically acclaimed War Horse.  Not since Avenue Q have their been more popular puppets.
War Horse Montage Scenes
Official War Horse on Broadway Site


This same humble reporter starts the weekend on the Upper West Side for NY duo Sleigh Bells, tonight at Terminal 5.  
Click here to watch the show live tonight at 10:30  Bowery Presents has begun a streaming website that is worth a look.  Even if you cannot get to a show you can watch from the comfort of your home.  Good way to avoid the people that keep leaving and coming back in the pit.  Where are they going?  What are they doing?


If all goes well there may even be a Museum trip to discover the World of Lego.     The Morris Museum (http://www.morrismuseum.org/) in Morristown, NJ, is a great spot for an hour of learning and/or new experience.  Put a pin in any town within 20 miles of NJ and you can find a place like this.  Can you do the same in your hometown?  When is the last time you visited?  The Guide encourages, er, challenges you, to go get your Art on this weekend.


How would Washington and Lincoln feel if they knew there big Holiday had more to do with car and mattress sales than art and culture?  


This weekend try two hours doing something out of the ordinary.  Engage a part of your brain that has been stagnant for too long.


American Idol does not count.  Nor does The Vow or anything including Reese Witherspoon.  


Let Whitney rest in peace.  Look away from the spectacle that has become her death/coverage.


Football is over.  Baseball has yet to begin.  Hoops and Hockey will be playing into the summer.


Enjoy the long weekend folks and remember: 


If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.  John F Kennedy


Art is not a treasure in the past or an importation from another land, but part of the present life of all living and creating peoples.  Franklin D Roosevelt


Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. Pablo Picasso

Some good videos to jump start your creativity:

Mayer Hawthorne "The Walk"   Is this guy the male Adele?  Not even close.  But his influences are certainly the same.  Young folk singing the standards.  Get used to this trend.  It appears it is here for a while.
The Kooks "How'd You LIke That"  There is something very comfortable about these kids from the UK.  This is a live version from Abbey Road show, itself a very comfortable show.  No smoke and mirrors here.  Fun.  Guitar. Melody. Pop.
You may also want to try some of this:  Naive

Dr Dog "That Old Black Hole"  Philly boys reaching the masses with their latest LP.  Folk driven rock with some good twang.  Guys have roots with the Howard Stern Show too which gives some added cred in our opinion.  This is a live performance from Conan O Brien.

Ducktails "Killin the Vibe"  If you have followed this blog from its inception this songs inclusion will not surprise you.  Easy grooves reminiscent of surf wax America.  Mellow, easy going cruise rock of the Real Estate/Caveman variety.  Have a cool one and relax.  And for the record Ducktails Ducktails is the solo project of Matt Mondanile (Real Estate.)  

Battles "My Machines"  Interesting for a few reasons, the song actually among them.  Techno pop from Battles with guest vocalist Gary Numan (yes, the guy who sings "Cars.")  Take a look and listen.  The video is smart and imaginative, as many today are.

Best Coast "Our Deal"  Distinctly left coast stuff from Best Coast and video director Drew Barrymore.  Yes, Gertie from ET.  Another take on West Side Story which is itself a take on Romeo and Juliet.  It's LA, no original thought, right?

Smith Westerns "All Die Young"  Live from Seattle's KEXP.  Proof that 1) FM radio is still relevant.  This station constantly provides a platform fro up and coming artists.  Then it puts them on YouTube/the interweb.  2)  This band can play rock and roll.  Similar to Portugal, the Man.  Clean and efficient.

WU LYF "Spitting Blood"  What you need to know: WU LYF (pronounced "Woo Life", stands for "World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation") are a band from Manchester, England that originally became known for creating a mystery about themselves by declining requests for interviews and not releasing much information to the press. ]The band describes their music as "heavy pop"  Pretentious for sure.  Compelling nonetheless.

Holy Ghost! "Wait and See"  If Danny Elfman and Harold Faltemeyer got drunk and hung with Thomas Dolby and the boys from Weird Science they might want this to act as the score.  Brooklyn synths poised to make an impact.

Cloud Control "There's Nothing in the Water We Can't Fight"  Australian pop.  Released an LP in 2010 that has now made its way stateside.  Soft and melodic beats and a nice way to settle into your easy chair.

For more:  Like us here!!!

No comments:

Post a Comment