Posts by Beamer

Back it on Kickstarter and get some crystals

Bleu Nuit from Le Révélateur’s forthcoming LP on Gneiss Things, Fictions.

Robert Schröder – Harmonic Ascendant (1979)

Amazing work. More awesomeness here:

• http://www.ryantatar.com
• Shakas and Singlefins

So I recently picked up my new surf van and headed on a road trip to Santa Barbara for a few days to build a new board with friend Ryan Lovelace of Point Concept.

The project: 4’11” (21″ wide, 2.25″ thick) Velosim shaped, glassed, and surfed within 24 hours.

Ryan’s a total prodigy. An absolutely phenomenal shaper who has perfected his craft at the ripe age of 24. His hulls have changed how I look at surfing, and my new my new board has changed my style forever.

The outcome:

If any of you are considering a new sled, or never ridden a displacement hull before, look no further.

We took it for a spin at the local favorite the next morning. This board screams. Thank you Ryan. And most importantly, thank you Herbie.

Everybody go check out his boards, follow his blog, and get out in the water.

Keep track of surfing adventures on my blog semi-radical.

If I had more plugs, I’d put them here.

I took two weeks off work while the rest of the gang was in London for a conference to go surf camping down the West coast. I’m on the last leg of the trip and it’s been absolutely phenomenal.

I’m camping out of my Prius. A little awkward but it’s been just fine. Luckily friends down the coast have kept me company and offered their couches.

For the fellow sliders out there, I brought my 8’3 Malwitz noserider, 6’2 Hobie “Mini Bird”, and a 5’11 Taylor quad fish. Unfortunately my 2 new customs weren’t ready for the trip, so brought the old sleds. It’s turned out to be a pretty well rounded quiver for the slow summer conditions. I’ve mostly ridden the Hobie.

I’m keeping a blog, so if you’re interested – feel free to follow along. Lots of photos.

Semi-Radical

The Beach Boys – Surf’s Up

Coming across a 100% album isn’t very easy to do. On first listen of Song Cycle, it’s pure perfection blinded me. There’s not a single note I would change or a track I’d skip. Solid gold.

Parks was only 23 when he was asked by Brian Wilson to work on the famed Smile album with him. He pumped out “Heroes and Villains”, “Surf’s Up” (one of the best songs ever written), and many others with Wilson. After leaving the project, he went to write his first solo project Song Cycle at age 25; one of the most expensive albums ever recorded.

Give it a listen, and go buy it. You can get some great 180g analog master pressings on eBay.

Van Dyke Parks – Palm Desert

Van Dyke Parks – All Golden

Van Dyke Parks – Public Domain

“I should think he’d fade away; the way that bohemians often bare the frigid air.”

As far as Italian prog goes, PFM are the poster children. I’ve yet to find another group in the genre that makes it so smooth and buttery. The segways between movements (or lack there of, generally) is to die for. This album fails to leave my rotation.

There’s not much to say. The music speaks for itself. There’s quite a few movements, so give it a full listen.

If you’re looking for similar stuff, be sure to check out:

• Locanda Delle Fate’s “Forse le Lucciole Non Si Amano Più”
• Camel’s “Moon Madness” (England)
• Grobschnitt’s “Rockpommel’s Land” (Germany)

Premiata Forneria Marconi – Appena un Pò (1972)

Premiata Forneria Marconi – Per Un Amico (1972)

I’m sure everyone’s on the Sorcerer bandwagon, but it’s too good not to post. I want to blare it from my rooftop.

Brainchild of Daniel Saxon Judd (part Call & Response, part Windsurf) he really nails the summer surf tunes.

Enjoy.

Sorcerer – Surf Wax

Sorcerer – Popsicle Orange

See Also:

• Windsurf + Project Sandro via Jakub

Fantastic album from Italian-based Baffo Banfi. Seems to be a mix of his previous albums “Ma, Dolce Vita” (1979) and “Hearth” (1981) mashed together for CD; but if anybody has better info than that, please comment!

Right at the time where Krautrock was morphing into the New Age sound, these albums straddle the fence very nicely. Very reminiscent of Manuel Göttsching at the time.

Released under Klaus Schulz’s new label at the time (Innovative Communication) – you can definitely hear his hand in it.

Baffo Banfi – Quelle Dolce Estate

Baffo Banfi – Dancing on the Ship