Archive for October, 2008

A mysterious and compelling video for a song from the mysterious and compelling Benoît Pioulard (the recording project of Thomas Meluch– we had his “Brown Bess” here on ISO50 blog earlier). “Ragged Tint” as a song hints a certain desperation beneath Meluch’s velvety purr of a voice, with its rapidly plucked chords and steady forward movement, and the video picks up on the underlying anxiety. A figure wanders through fields, comes upon a strange house, and unearths a magical box of some sort. Director Ryan Jeffery knows how to set the scene. – Pitchfork Media

Warp’s Max Tundra and Black Moth Super Rainbow lead man Tobacco ready their LP’s for October, here’s a sneak peek of album favorites.

Tobacco – Hairy Candy

Max Tundra – Gum Chimes

Update: The above spy shot of what’s believed to be the new Macbook case showed up on Engadget today. While this seems promising, a lot of sites have been reporting that the release will not happen October 14th as previously anticipated. If and when these new Macbooks come it will most likely be November or January. Guess I’ll have to limp along with my DV9000 hackbook a little longer.

I’ve been anxiously awaiting the (supposedly) impending release of the updated Macbook and Macbook Pros. Word has it they’ll be announced and possibly available on October 14th and will feature a case carved from a solid block of aircraft grade aluminum (known as “the brick“) driving down the cost and increasing strength thanks in part to a revolutionary new manufacturing process. This is a pretty interesting theory, but along with all the other theories about what the new Macbooks will look like, it’s just that: a theory. A seemingly unlikely theory at that; last time I checked, solid blocks of aluminum weren’t called “bricks”, they’re called billets and carving them up isn’t cheap (although I wouldn’t put it past Apple to somehow reinvent this process).

Whether or not any of the rumors are true, it’s a safe bet that some form of Macbook updates will be announced next Tuesday. glass trackpad or no. This is pretty exciting because after much deliberation I’ve finally settled on getting a Macbook Pro to handle my laptop duties. I’ve been using a HP DV-9000 running OS X for a couple months now to test the waters and it’s been a very nice experience all around. I still use the PC for all the production work (music, design, etc.) but OS X is just so much better for blogging, quick video edits, and playing live. At this point I honestly wish I could switch over entirely but I still can’t quite go all in for music production. The software I use (Sonar) is PC-only so I’ll have to stick it out at least until I am done with this current album.

Anyways, long story short: If you’re considering a new laptop purchase you might want to hold out until next Tuesday because your choices might get a lot more interesting. Those of you considering upgrading, what new features would it take to convince you?

Above mock-up via Cult of Mac

One of the greatest images I’ve ever seen. You think it couldn’t possibly get any better but then you realize that DEC logo is set in Hellenic Wide (zoom in).

Seems like attention to aesthetic detail is the first thing to go when money is short, here’s hoping for the best. Current Economic crises aside, name the blue DEC hiding back there.

Image via Dreamchimney

Here’s a small collection of tracks that i’ve been listening to on repeat this weekend. I’m really loving this City Center track, anyone have anymore info about them?

Biosphere – Birds Fly By Flapping Their Wings

City Center – Summer School

The Verve – Already There

Foncercolor has a very nice collection of book scans at their Flickr page featuring some quality disembodied-head-action by the likes of Happypets Products and Bastien Aubry.

Via This Isn’t Happiness

Blog contributor Forrest sent in these Mexican stamps his girlfriend found at an antiques store. They all look to be 60’s era and at some point were laminated and turned into a bookmark. The Mexico 68 example is the standout, of course. I think it’s interesting that Lance Wyman’s name is mentioned right there on the stamp, pretty nice touch and great typography. Thanks Forrest!

Grain Edit (one of my favorite blogs) has turned 1! To celebrate, they’re having a giveaway with all sorts of prizes including a chance to win 2 ISO50 posters. So head on over and enter to win: GrainEdit

I was going to save this for Halloween but its October and i couldn’t wait.

Delia Derbyshire’s “Dreams” was made in collaboration with Barry Bermange (who originally recorded the narrations). Bermange put together The Dreams (1964), a collage of people describing their dreams. It was set by Delia into a background of pure electronic sound. “Dreams” is a collection of spliced/reassembled interviews with people describing their dreams, particularly recurring elements. The program of sounds and voices is an attempt to re-create in five movements some sensations of dreaming: running away, falling, landscape, underwater, and colour.

Delia Derbyshire – “Dreams” part 4: Sea