Our interview for Art in the Age blog

We did an interview on the Art in the Age blog. We discuss the creation of the song “The Fantasy of Waking With You That Leads to the Loss of Job and Peace" that is featured on their Fall Lookbook video.

Thanks to The Walrus and AITA. Go to their store on 3rd street in Old City Philadelphia. Classy.

Art in the Age

Art in the Age used our song "The Fantasy of Waking With you That Leads to the Loss of Job and Peace" in the launch promotional video for their fall line of clothing. We are also featured artists along with No Age and Times New Viking.
Watch the video....now.

Art In The Age Fall 2008 Lookbook from Art In The Age on Vimeo.

Why is getting "RICKROLLED" a bad thing?

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
Uploaded by trashfan

Still dont understand why this is offensive or funny. "Never Gonna Give You Up" is such a great song. No joke. Nerdy white dude who sounds like a black dude...wierd video...but GOOD song. This is not even a guilty pleasure...it is just a pleasure. Sang this song at my friends wedding...as well as, a family member's wedding (but they got divorced after a year). Anyway, the way I see it, is whereever this RICKROLLING occurs, it is a wondeful excuse to just kick back and enjoy a sweet pop tune.....so, please, by all means, let the rickrolling continue. Hopefully, GEORGEMICHAELROLLING will start, and "Last Christmas" will be emailed to a million people?

Last Christmas [1985]
Uploaded by eXsistenZ1968

Obama...A Mental Shift

stoked on the obama victory...prevailing thoughts...the fact that a black man is president shows that there is def a mental shift in this country, which could mean people may be stepping out of their comfort zone and be willing to start making changes in their own lives, their immediate community, and larger, etc.....
also, the fact that younger folks and blacks came out in larger numbers is promising.

"change" starts with us, as individuals. change for the individual american MAY be to step out of the unreality of tv/internet driven fantasy and start spending time with PEOPLE. change MAY be letting go of that entitlement of the "american dream" (which at this point is a time-consuming nightmare)... these impending financial challenges will be a good thing for us, may wake us out of our bullshit and have us focus on what is real (work a bit, help others, have fun, save a bit, take care of ourselves). if our whole financial system was essentially an INFLATED bunch of bs, then MAYBE we werent supposed to live the way we have been? maybe living like we have was unbalanced? maybe we dont know what is good for us? im stoked for the next 5-10 yrs in this country, a place with super creative, intelligent people who will be awakening...

Best Halloween costume in Philadelphia this year?

Arts and crafts

Our Xmas Wish List....feel free to complete our dreams

Novation Nova

Dave Smith Prophet 08

Access Virus TI Polar

Elektron Machinedrum

We know how nerdy this is, but visualization is an effective tool.

"WORLD FUCKING CHAMPIONS" - Chase Utley

The infamous words of the Phillies second baseman Chase Utley. It was aired LIVE on all radio and local TV stations in Philadelphia area during the parade. As the Phillies winning the Series was essentially a collective orgasm of millions of people who follow Philadelphia sports, the "world fucking champions" quote by Utley summed up EXACTLY how real sports fans feel in this city. I once had a teacher, a well spoken, astute man, who said that the word "fuck" is a powerful word that should only be used to make a bold point. In this case, it was FUCKING PERFECT.

Friends car flipped and ruined at Phillies celebration...PLEASE HELP

My friend Ted Passon was one of the unfortunates that had his car senselessly flipped and destroyed during Phillies celebrations on Wed night. His asshole insurance company WON'T PAY FOR THESE DAMAGES...so he's screwed! Ted is truly a gentle soul, one of those people you are glad your friends with. He could use a little bit of your help...

PLEASE, check this link to help...You rule!

Dude hit in head with bottle at Phillies World Series celebration

LAST NIGHT RULED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Except...

drinking + Phillies winning World Series + climbing street lights = DUMB
check this

Tonight on Broad St....PHILLIES WIN!

In anticipation for the rioting and looting after the Phillies win the World Series tonight, I googled "car flipping" and a picture of Rick Grizzly Brown came up...If you google "Rick Grizzy Brown" all you get is pics of bears. Keep an eye out for Rick tonight.

You gots ta chill...

EPMD, Eric B. and Rakim...always on current rotation (in the mind). When rap was worth listening to.

@ Kung Fu Necktie w/ Love is All

Apparently, Human People is the first band to ever perform on the KFN stage in Philadelphia. Noice. The show was well attended. Love is All were pretty dope.
photos by Rachael Santillo

Our new video...

Human People - Count It All Good from Human People on Vimeo.
Download MP3 of "Count it All Good"
Shot and edited by Steve Perrong throughout Philadelphia in August 2008. Although this video is quite cliche, we like it because it is a documented day of the five of us hanging out, enjoying beautiful weather, being with each other, etc. The short of it: Mike walks through city, Biaggo and Ken walk through woods and discover instruments, we walk up a hill and perform to a barren field below and the city skyline in the distance...then, we end up performing in a tree. Nice. This is the first of a series of music videos we are creating for several of our free monthly downloads. Many thanks to Steve and Amy Di Lorenzo.
We perform w/ Times New Viking and Love is All this Sat
@ Kung Fu Necktie (Fishtown)
1250 N Front St
Phila
9:00
$10

Mercury Rev - "Butterfly's Wings" video

Dope video from the aging "rockers." They have turned the guitars down (more)...and turned the synths up.
Thanks be to The Walrus

Instamatic - Synth pop from Philadelphia

The Crimp Yr Hair boys have recently teamed up with Phil Schorn and Steve Haslam to create some synth jams under the name Instamatic. The CYH duo bring the dancefloor to the dreamy synth-pad world of keyboard virtuoso Phil Schorn. Rick from YMD is on vox while Steve Haslam pumps the synth basslines. Give a listen...Instamatic's debut performance is w/ Pink Skull @ Silk City on Sun, Nov 2.
Listen to "Papers From Skyscrapers" MP3

Heartbreak - Hate to like this....

We hate to like this, but this duo has us hooked... Arrpegiated synths reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder, annoyingly cheesy hooks, and distinct (if not embarrassing) vocals and lyrics all done with in a minimalist framework. These songs rule!... until the vocals come in.
www.myspace.com/heartbreak1

New artist we just found...so peaceful

bob marley-jammin from julian on Vimeo.

Bob Marley is a mon (man). He hails from the island of Jamaica mon. His message is freedom, his music a political force of love. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST mon. (video looks retro...think they used old, 70's film techniques)

Thom Lessner - Screenprinter, Artist, Musician

Thom Lessner is a visual artist who currently lives in Philadelphia, USA. He makes real rad screen prints of his favorite rockers and heroes. He gave me a Hall and Oates print for some remix work I did for his band Sweatheart...then, he asked me to be in the band. Anyway, Thom is real active at Space 1026, creating art for a motley (cru) assortment of clients and fans. His art is fun, funny, and reflects Thom's incredible sense of AWESOME. You can buy his art online or in boutiques, galleries, etc.
Buy one of Thom's shirts HERE
http://www.spectorspector.com/gallery/2004/thumbs/index.html

Radiohead - "House of Cards" vid - spectacular

House of Cards - Radiohead from shin_matsuda on Vimeo.
ahhhh...ho-lee shit! As easy as it is to be "over" Radiohead, they are still doing real cool shit. Guess that's what creative multi-millionaires can do?

Deep Sleep Clothing - hips and lips...

Deep Sleep Clothing is Olde City Philadelphia's premiere clothing boutique for sure. Super friendly staff, super dope clothes (if you're hip), and an owner who rules the school (Philip). Can get tickets for R5 Productions shows there too. Constant support of local musicians and artists. Go.
54 N 3rd St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 351-9124
deepxsleep.blogspot.com

Cut Copy - The good and bad.....

Cut Copy's "In Ghost Colours" has been on HEAVY rotation in my car in 2008 (just ask ANYONE who has been in my sportscar this year). The production is right on (Tim Goldsworthy produced), the arrpeggiated synths sound great, good combination of dance with rock sensibility, and the MBV-esque flow to the CD makes for quality listening. So, the dudes have written two albums worth of good tunes. Now, the bad news...CUT COPY SUCKS LIVE. Granted, if you want get drunk with your Myspace buddies and go dance with the band onstage (because that's all they are really doing) then go right ahead. That too can rule (except I don't drink and don't have Myspace buddies). However, I have seen these "bros" twice and was sorely disappointed both times. Fake singing and fake playing keyboard onstage is like an illustrator tracing an image. IT's FAKE, STUPID, AND I'M NOT GONNA DO IT ANYMORE EITHER!!!!! haha. This kind of illusory showmanship is what I was trying to make fun when I did Holland Boys' performances, when not only would I lip-sync the songs, I would lip-sync talking to the crowd in between songs.
I will say Cut Copy's performance in Philadelphia with The Presets (who I was pleasantly surpised by) LOOKED AMAZING. It appears that Modular put out some sweet bucks for their two prized bands' live show, and thank god for that saving grace. Unfortunately, the lack of dynamics in their music is such a disappointment given the strength of their recorded music.

The Knife - holy sweet video...

The Knife have been slicing their way to the top of AWESOMENESS...felt the need to post this dope video...(check the scene just to see if you'll need the gloves)

www.theknife.net

My Bloody Valentine - MIND-MELTINGLY LOUD at Roseland

For the last two nights I had my MIND MELTED by My Bloody Valentine at Roseland Ballroom in NYC. The performances were the most beautiful, violent, spiritual, loud, all-consuming experience I have ever had. I experienced what its like to be INSIDE a jet engine shooting through the middle of a category 5 hurricane (it was THAT loud).
I honestly feel sad for anyone who likes MBV and didn't get tickets. I too, was skeptical and didn't buy one. However, a few days ago, my friend Aaron said his girlfriend couldn't go because she didn't want to MISS CLASS (nerd alert!) and that I could have her ticket for FREE. Then the next day, after recovering from 3 hours of sleep, I craisglisted another ticket and made the trek back to NYC with some friends. MBV ruled counties, provinces, states, regions, countries, continents, galaxies, and anything larger than all of those things COMBINED.
Instead of spending $1 trillion to change the hearts and minds of Iraqis, The US Govt should have just paid MBV $5 million to tour the entire Middle East. Nobody dies. Everybody lives...AND...Osama Hussein may have just been so stoked on the enormity of MBV's music that he would give the Bush family a direct pipeline of oil out of gratitude.
If you haven't yet heard 'Loveless' you are have been living in a Dark Age. Enlighten yourself today. If you haven't seen MBV live you will never know what dinosaurs and atomic bombs sound like.

Amazing...seriously

Always loved waking up on Sunday and watching these kind of videos on public access TV in Phila area. Don't have a TV anymore. Thank you youtube. If anyone wants to make a music video like this with HP, contact immediately!
wearehumanpeople@gmail.com

Ted Passon - he makes videos and short films

Kimya Dawson Music Video "Lullaby for the Taken" from Ted Passon on Vimeo.

Ted (pictured below as a GIANT) makes music videos and short films. Not only is he very talented, he is one of the nicest people in the City of Brotherly Love. Some of his work includes videos for Plastic Little and Kimya Dawson (made soundtrack for movie 'Juno') We hope to work with this "bro" someday soon. "I know it's gonna happen...someday" - Morrissey

Go to his site and then go to one of his screenings...
www.tedpasson.com

Plastic Little are "holding it down"

"Plastic"- Little dopeness
Uploaded by evian2005

Plastic Little have been "holding it down" for years now. Based in Philadelphia, their raunchy party rap has garnered them enough attention to tour with Jay Z and Mark Ronson in 2008. Don't know if you caught that or not, BUT THEY TOURED WITH JAY to the Z. Jaysun tells me that when they go to the UK to tour, they do DJ sets from time to time and play Holland Boys' "I am Gay," which reinforces that not only to these dudes have balls, brains, and a great sense of humor, they have exquisite taste in music. This video was done by Ted Passon.

Meet Joe - Philadelphia folk artist

We stumbled across this old dude a while back. His name is Joe Robinson and he makes these strange wooden figures, as well as some other visual art. Trained at Tyler School of Art YEARS ago, he exhibits his work in the greater Philadelphia area. Thought we'd share his stuff with you.
www.joerobinsonart.com

When all your equipment is stolen - ASPERA

Mike used to be in this space-rock band called Aspera. Actually, when he was a contributing song writer and lead singer it was called Aspera ad Astra (which not only has to be one of the dumbest band names EVER, it is shared by three other touring acts in the US - duh.) On the last leg of a tour in 2002, the boys played in Chicago. After spending the night at a friend's house, they gave thanks to their host and walked out to start up the van and begin the 17 hour trek back to Philadelphia. Tired, but stoked to be home within a day, they opened the doors to the van, only to find...NOTHING. Every piece of equipment was stolen, including Chris Powell's (Man Man) customized drums. Pain. Disbelief. Stunned, like a car accident victim who gets out of the car and walks around with a gaping wound, two of them walked down the street in the hopes that the assholes who stole their equipment MAY have left a clue behind. One block away, Justin spots a wheel to his Twin Reverb amp. Clue number one. He yells to the others. They begin to desparately look in boarded up store fronts on that block. One of the store fronts had newspapers covering the windows. Drew peered in and miraculously spotted Chris drums. Elated, they saw that a bakery, adjacent to that building, would open shortly. They waited and approached some of the Spanish speaking employees who worked there (you don't have to speak Spanish in order to get the point across that "you will die unless you help us recover our belongings"). They pleaded to have access to the store where the stolen drums were located. One of the employees ratted out the "kingpin" of the operation. After police were called and several delays, two of the Aspera boys were in the middle of a Chicago Police sting in an attempt to gain access to the remaining equipment at the "kingpin's" residence. He eventually came home only to find two tired, angry, white boys at his door (unmarked police cars were parked on the street...cops with weapons drawn). King Pin opened his front door to Justin and Drew's knocks, and Chicago's finest "bumrushed the show" busting into the house and eventually recovering EVERY SINGLE PIECE of Aspera's equipment. Half of the band loaded up the van and BOLTED for Philadelphia, while Justin and Drew stayed behind to give a statement to police (which would ensure that the thugs wouldn't return to a life of crime for at least...a week or so). Justin and Drew rented a Camaro to drive the 17 hours home. The two drove over 100mph and got home in 14 hours. True story (none of the names were changed to protect any identities).

Big Digits - Boston's dopest

This is Mac from Boston-based "band" Big Digits. TD (the other half of BD) is not pictured. Mike went to college with Mac. Big Digits has opened for M.I.A., Diplo, and many other hip acts. Check their myspace page.
www.myspace.com/bigdigit

Human People at Northern Liberties Fest

One word about playing outdoors: really strange. Thanks to James Lipovac for the pic. He is a visual artist living in Philadelphia. We will post some of his stuff soon. He loves his girlfriend...A LOT.

Meet Mike

This is Mike. He loves running, white jeans, V-neck tees, sunny days, writing pop music, and singing. His ego tells him he is more relevant than he really is.

Meet Biaggo

This is Biaggo. He enjoys walking the fine line of hip fashion, wearing vests, sporting mustaches, and wearing the tightest jeans EVER. He also enjoys creating synth-dance music. The main reason he is in this band is because he loves Depeche Mode.

Meet Ken

This is Ken. He loves sleeveless sweaters and long sleeve button-ups in August, slicked hair, fake glasses, and piece of shit guitars, as well as, writing pop songs. Ken is also looking forward to changing his myspace relationship status to "married," as he marries a very sweet woman in October (truth: he doesn't have a myspace account...she made him erase it two years ago)

Daft Punk...rules the nation.

Not only was seeing Daft Punk live in NYC life changing, it set the bar for us for achieving thought-provoking performances. So...if anyone enjoys what we do AND has $2 million, we are available for a partnership. Check out this sweet scene from Daft Punk's Electroma. The movie is a bit slow, but beautifully shot.