boasting

I heard a man say these exact words yesterday:

"...and I am responsible for the culture they call hip hop."

His name was Kool Herc.

We travelled up to the Bronx to go to the release party of Jeff Chang's new book Can't Stop Won't Stop, a new history of hip hop. Chang, among other things founded Solesides and has raised the bar in hip hop journalism.

Quite the crowd gathered at the Bronx Museum of Art to celebrate CSWS. Chang assembled a panel consisting of Benjamin Melendez of the Ghetto Brothers, Popmaster Fabel, the Original Jazzy Jay and a deejay named Kool Herc. Melendez discussed making the peace between gangs in the 70s, Jazzy Jay dissaproved of the current state of 'hip hop' and Herc reminisced about the days of old.

Highlights:

• After suggesting that the founders of hip hop hadn't got theirs, Jazzy Jay suggested that everybody who listens to hip hop give Herc a dollar fifty.
• Herc telling the crowd that the owner of the term 'hip hop' lived in Denmark. Jazzy Jay then asked for his address.

It was a blessing to be in such company. Among the legends on stage, Grand Wizard Theodore (inventor of the scratch) was also in the audience.

While the Aesop Rock show made me shrug at hip hop, Herc, Jazzy Jay and Chang made me remember why I love it.

to be teen again

It seems when I was fourteen, the coolest thing to do was go to the mall and play video games. Nowadays, it's Dashboard, Death Cab and the Killers. Ladies and Gentlemen, the OC has a stranglehold on our youth. But I guess it's not so bad.

Ericka and I went out to Hoboken last night to catch Hellogoodbye. Hoboken's nice. Ericka's friend Jesse from Orange County plays the keyboards in the band, and the 100 teenagers (13-16 I'm guessing) ate it right up.

I'm not really complaining about the rise of teenybopper youth loving hearthrob dance-emo-pop-punk. It's better than Britney and it's certainly better than NKOTB (maybe). But for these youngsters (wasn't I just one of them?) to grasp onto this latchkey broken heart sing song genre (at times - it really felt like a dashboard show, if you know what i mean) - is kind of weird. Oh well. I had fun.

aesop's fabled

Made our way to Union Square to check out the Aesop Rock instore. Here's the 30 minute rundown. Some guy named Despot opened up, with absolutely zero stage presence. The fact that there wasn't much of a stage didn't help, as he was probably about five feet tall. Next up was C-Rayz Waltz, who came out wearing a grizzlyadams throwback (faux?)fur hat. He was pretty entertaining, except that he couldn't really keep up with his adlibs on the track, which turned his two songs into a big mush of lyrics that were pretty hard to understand. Seriously rapper, if you're going to put your vocals on the track, at least be able to keep up with them.

Old Bazooka Tooth was next, and I was eager to see what he'd be like live. His first two songs were about what I thought, Aesop kicking lyrics to stuttering beats and moving his hand around in a in that I'm-A-Rapper-and-These-Lyrics-Are-Weird-Way. But it totally worked. He then went into No Regrets, the only Aesop Rock song that I've ever grasped what he was talking about. DJ Big Wiz threw in several different instrumentals under Ace, and it was pretty damn fresh.

Then all the Def Jukies in the house got up and freestyled. C-Rayz, Camu Tao, Blockhead (though I doubt he rhymed) etcetera. At this point I was browsing the record store and pondering the 9.99 purchase of both of the new Bright Eyes releases. I don't what's wrong with me. Four years ago I would have shat myself watching Aesop freestyle with such a cast. Such is growing up and growing jaded.

bushu and fractals i am not

If you thought that you stumbled into Blaz's spot in the internet hall of fame, you're sadly mistaken. Ericka and I went to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens yesterday, and took in the ducks. We then checked out the greenhouses, with their tropical bog marsh desert rooms. The rest of the garden was pretty desolate, as you imagine it would be in February. At least Central Park's gorgeous.

so much tapicoa - so little time

Quite the lovely day yesterday. Ericka and I made the trip out to Flushing, Queens to go to church with Andrew and Lily. Ericka and I arrived a little early and made our way into a bakery. They had the cheapest bubble tea we've ever had ($2) and munched on a tasty taro -filled pastry.

We initially were going to get dim sum, yet due to our consumption issues, our hosts decided to take us to a pan-asian joint instead, which had the very tasty bubble tea. The fact that we'd already had bubble tea was no problem. We ended up having some hot sesame bubble tea, which was about nine times better than our two dollar beverages.

Then out to Living Faith, Andrew and Lily's church, with a great sermon on the fourth commandment and a very friendly congregation.

Our walk home from the train was a little chilly (see bottom picture) and we've got a few inches on the ground today.

of sound mind and heart

Yesterday was somewhat lazy. Late to rise, late to the laundromat, late getting ready. By the time we got ready to walk out the door, we realized we had nothing planned for the afternoon, so we stayed in and read.

We caught the PATH into the city and went to Sammy's (again) and had some tantalizing Chinese food, as well as Boba Milk Tea, which Ericka'd been fantasizing about for the past three days.

Then it was off to the Detour, where the cover's nil and the jazz rolls off the tongue like ice cream in the summer. Will Sellenraad was playing with his band Root Down, and had some guy (pictured) sitting in on tenor sax. They started up a little slow, but quickly proceeded to amaze us with a mash of funky soul jazz.

Last night also marks the first official meeting between this Andrew and another Andrew. Andrew and his fiance Lily (check out his proposal) met up with us at the Detour to chat up hip hop, weddings and everything in between. Andrew's and I have talked sporadically through message boards, instant messenging and email over the past six months. Very nice to finally meet. It was kind of like an internet dating meetup, each of us nervous and full of hopes. Sort of.

Good music, good company. I'll get a video of the jazz up as soon as I find somewhere to post.

it's art dummy!

We went to Free Fridays at MoMA yesterday. I've never felt so much like cattle. The line to get in spans half a block (a new york block, mind you) as well as an empty parking lot. It was pretty cold (understatement) yesterday as well, not to mention the wind chill factor of damn! But we finally made it in to wander and wonder. As you can see, we saw some pretty foolish/amazing/interesting stuff.

Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and Gustav Klempt are among those pictured above.

the lion, the rich and the store closed

The New York Public Library if beautiful. Ericka and I wandered around the marble halls, walked through the reading rooms and took in the Guttenberg and the like.

Here's what's up:

• Trying to plan out our remaining few weeks.
  
• Putting off laundry for the third or fourth day in a row.
• Figuring out if we can really ride on the 'recommended' donations at nyc museums.
• Calling family and friends to spread the news.
• Making sushi.

So far so good. Aesop Rock's doing an instore for his new EP - which includes an 88 page booklet of all the lyrics he's written since Float! That's the killer sell point, because I know that just about everyone is wondering what the hell he talks about.

behind closed doors

Ericka and I wandered into the Meatpacking District the other night, and walked past these nondescript doors into one of the swanker bars I've been to. I got tipped off by the folks at Music For Robots, and this is one place we'll have to be coming back to. Edan is playing this month, and Spinna and Bobbito both have monthly residences. Quite nice, quite nice indeed.

by and by

Some shots from a highrise in lower Manhattan.

a brave new world

Chinatown's newest bestest engagest couple, post fakemeatmeal.

meat, or something like it

A tasty meal in Chinatown's finest. Beef with broccoli and sesame chicken. Only vegetarian.

It's been quite some time since I've had meat, and these (soy, gluten, etc) byproducts are either beginning to warp my tastebuds into thinking they taste like the real deal or they really do.

shaved and engaged

yep.

a tie for a ring

so yesterday was st. valentines day...happy valentines. mine was lovelier than ever, with some rather surprising happenings. i'll tell the story in short... i met this boy. he fell for my indisguisable intellect and fluttering lashes and decided my big feet and pause distraction sentences were small negatives. and then it was decided he liked me enough to spend a distinguished amount of time with me. i must wonder at what point he made this decision. i mean was it when he realized i was never going to pay him for all those lost bets or when he realized how crazy nuts i am about so many things he loves like meat and zoos and dirty feet.

so now we're in ny and supposibly were going to this weird vegan restaurant that is word of mouth only or something. so gullable i dont even get it. we're in the beautiful highrise building where he has chefed up this tantilizing meal. and plays a little of our favorite music. we sing we dance yadaya you say. his voice begins to shake and soon i am too. the night was surreal and ideal. i am feeling pretty lucky. i feel like i need to thank some parents for the making of this beautiful person. his heart is so sweet, thank you. so its official we are engaged and andrews off the market ladies. thank you jesus for andrew.

art, or something like it

I really don't know what to make of the Gates, but they're pretty impressive.

We filed in with thousands of others and wandered through several hundred gates throughout the park before we got tired and went home.

ode to the eighties

Karaoke intrigues me. I just love to watch people get up and sing, especially those with a few years under their belts, and just wonder who these people are and why they're up there pouring out somebody else's heart. In Spokane, Ericka's brought me to a few places that have an elder clientele rocking the jams, and I love watching.

When I was in Japan, everyone (read: everyone) sings karaoke. So.... When in Rome? It ended up being really, really fun. I managed to find some tunes by Boyz to Men, Blondie, and um.... Rage Against the Machine to belt out.

But here it's so different.

Which brings us back to Brooklyn. Ericka and I met Adam, my EWU classmate in Manhattan. We went to this Chinese restaurant called Sammy's, and had the best Chinese I've had in quite some time. Then we were off to Adam's place on the 2-3, to his tiny (read: tiny) studio that he pays a thousand dollars a month to live in. With a roommate.

Adam's going to the New School studying jazz drumming, and seems to be doing quite well.

He takes us to his local watering hole and starts getting winded up on the karaoke that's about to begin. All of a sudden I hear "Andrew and Walt" over the loudspeaker and he's dragging me up there.

Some song I've never heard of starts droning away, and Adam starts crooning. What to do? Croon along, of course! Although I had no idea where the tune was going, I stumbled through the lyrics and did my best to put on a show.

patience

It was great seeing Jacob, who worked with me at Crosswalk about nine months ago. Jacob's going to grad school at City College now, and seems to be doing very well for himself.

Ericka and I caught the L out to Brooklyn and wandered around Bedford for a while. I've sort of idealized Brooklyn, (like America writers idealized communist Cuba or Russia) and it didn't dissapoint. Bedford was hip as can be, but didn't feel like New York was breathing down your neck. I don't really know what it is about Brooklyn, but I loved it.

keep swinging

I did not expect today to be so emotional. Last night, the time difference and the coffee that I drank at 5pm kept me up until 3. Up at 9 and into the city.

The PATH train goes straight to the World Trade Center from Journal Square, and the train shuttles right into the Trade Center. We were provided with a full on view of ground zero at eye level. As we walked up the stairs out of the station (see previous post) I imagined the multitudes of people getting off the train and going to work, school or sightsee.

Ground Zero's bleak. We walked up to St. Paul's Chapel to see what these was to see. Inside were exhibits and showcases of the conditions of volunteers, letters from children around the world, badges of servicemen/women who passes away and pictures of the joes and janes whose lives were so suddenly interrupted.

What really got me was the Japanese Peace Cranes,

"....a fraction of these Shinto offerings received from schoolchildren and other groups throughout Japan - the most precious of which came from survivors of the W.W. II bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki...."

When I visited Hiroshima, I heard the story of young Sadako Sasaki who got leukemia from the bombing. Her closest friend reminded her of the old Japanese legend that if she folded a thousand paper cranes, the gods might grant her wish to be well again. She only managed to fold 644 before she died. Her friends and classmates completed her thousand cranes, and now the paper cranes are in abundance at a statue dedicated to Sadako and all the other children affected by the bombing there.

Yow...

Ericka and I went to Borders and read psalms to each other to recuperate.

Off to Trinity Church (see photo, shot from Wall Street) - New York's tallest building in the 19th century. We witnessed an early music performance that my Music History professor Dr. Dolata would have loved.

Down Wall Street we walked to the New York Stock Exchange, which has quite the security force on patrol.

they have fallen

An altered skyline is all that's left. From St. Paul's.

would you like socks with that?

Today, in less than one (1) hour we visited eight (8) shoe stores on the same street. This is not including the stores not on said street.

Yow.



Ah, and no shoes were purchased on this mission.

methinks, therefore meam

Scissorkick is killing it. I'm sitting back in the Shire listening to Mice Parade and trying to figure out why I've never heard of them before. Thanks audioblog!

I've been looming over several other blogs who do this, so enjoy.

Itunes love volume one. From a random shuffle.

1. Diplo - Epistemology Suite (You're Enron).

2. No Fi Soul Rebellion - Math. The No Fi is one of the most entertaining acts I've ever seen, if not THE best. Mark dresses up, runs around the crowd with a 50 foot mic cord and dumps your beer on him. You'll die laughing, if you're not too upset at losing a few bucks. I picked this Wantage compilation up in Missoula.

3. The Foreign Exchange - Come Around.

4. Gift of Gab - Rat Race. One of the top three hip hop albums of 2004. Gift rants "Signed a deal with a major haven't made it yet... Got a past cable bill haven't paid it yet..." I love it.

5. Minus the Bear - Get Me Naked 2: The Electric Boogaloo. I have no idea why or how Minus the Bear names their songs the ways they do, but no matter how kooky the song titles are (booya achieved - is that a ninja up there?) the songs are amazing.

6. Jay-Z and DJ Dangermouse - What More Can I Say. I love how Dangermouse flips the Beatles on this cut. When they chime in after the first verse, I get chills every time. Definitely solidifies why Jay is number one.

7. Cinematic Orchestra - Melody. Second track on the album before this beautiful live band begins. Strings and accordion get it winding up.

8. Cash Crew - High Power Rap. Received from Soul Sides a few months ago.

9. Rainstick Orchestra - Waltz For a Little Bird. Received from Scissorkick a few months ago. Piano driven downtempo, lovely snare brushing. I love it.

10. The Killers - Jenny Was a Friend of Mine. I didn't really like the Killers at first, but after I heard Mr. Brightside I was sold. I don't really get why quite a few of their song titles shout out girls, but I guess they could be working on some Minus the Bear level or something.

FAO Eat Your Heart Out

Toys 'r' Us in Times Square was complete with giant ferris wheel. No, we didn't ride, but an Italian man gave me advice on the capabilities of my camera's flash.

Anybody else remember how cool FAO Shwartz was? I'm sure it still is, but this Toys 'r' Us was sure giving them a run for their money.

would you like shoes with that?

This is probably the 20th shoe store we've visited in the last two days.

I finally sold out to emo today. Oops. At least it only cost $20. Chuck Taylor what!

does your supermarket?

Seriously. I've never seen anything like this. Whole Foods yall.

remember when metal was mean?

It's funny. I have a lot of friends in heavy bands that are super (read: suuuuuper) serious when they play. Frowns and screams, growls and wide eyes. These guys then get off stage and act like little kids. Smiles and hugs, giggles and laughs. It's totally weird, but I like it. My number one example of the day? Stutterfly.

I've known the boys for four to five years now, when they had a different name and wore jumpsuits. My initial friendship with them started something like this:

"You know, I don't really like your guys' music."
"What?"
"Yeah, but I think you guys are nice enough"

I have since grown to enjoy their music, and they've gotten loads better. It's been two years plus since I've seen or heard from them. Two marriages, an engagement and two new band members later, we finally met up last night.

The magic left off right where we did. Bad jokes, hugs and memories abounded. I caught up the guys on what's been happening in the Spokane music circuit, and they caught me up to speed on the successes they've been having.

I sat back and beamed while they sped through their twenty minute set. They threw themselves all over the stage of the Knitting Factory like rag dolls, playing tight as a corset. It's great to see your friends doing so well, getting to play music all over North America (they're canadian) in a nice van with support from a label, and making ends meet. I'm not saying by any means that they're making their first million by any means, but they're definitely standing on their own feet. I feel so.... proud?

new york, new york

Yesterday couldn't have been a better first day. Slept in, due to that little three hour time difference, and then headed out to the PATH train. A ten minute walk away that brings us by both of our banks and at least six 99 cent stores. OK, maybe five.

Ericka's looking for some new kicks, and asks if we can try to hit up Urban Outfitters if we by chance run into one. We get off the PATH train at 14th, and low and behold is the nicest Urban Outfitters that I've ever been to. We get the call from Bradyn and head out towards SOHO, hitting every shoe store on the way. She's a picky shopper, and I'm patient (methinks)... No luck as of yet.

We run in circles on Broadway trying to locate 303 West Broadway until we realize that West Broadway is not the west side of Broadway. Then, bliss! Huge ups to Manhattan Portage. I've been trying to get my hands on a the perfect sachel for so long. I've finally got it. It's seriously been since Ericka and I went to Seattle to see RJD2 and Bright Eyes (at difference venues). Four months? Long enough.

It's Ethiopian, and Good It Is

We are now living in the realm of Jersey City, New Jersey - some eight miles away from the city that never sleeps. I ended up not sleeping last night (see previous post), and napped the five hour flight away like nothing even happened.

Got to the apartment fine, although our taxi driver didn't seem to know where we were going. But we made it, chatted with Chang and now we've the place all to ourselves.

Down the street are several 99 cent stores, which we're going to have to hit up. Chang, it seems, is the quintessential bachelor. 2 plates and 1 cup. He does have pots and pans though... Well at least pots. We've some shopping to do.

We're also blocks away from a very inexpensive farmers market, with all the produce we could ever ask for. What? Bags of Washington apples for one dollar? Bam!

Leigh and I decided to skip cooking dinner and headed straight to this Ethiopian joint, and they rolled out the goods for us. We got a vegetarian sampler, and it delighted the senses. Yum.

Tomorrow we begin exploring and see Stutterfly.

Got an email from my buddy Steve, who's stationed in Kuwait right now. Steve says it's more dangerous for me than it is for him, technically speaking of course.

Of course.

Darkslides Still Make Me Giddy

Watching Rodney Mullen brings me back, and even though I don't watch 411 with any of the zeal I used to, I laughed uncontrollably when good ol' Mr. Mullen brought forth the darkslides, handstands, fingerflips and flatland madness that he's known for.

Oh, let the boy geek out.

I'm listening to the new Bright Eyes, still sort of trying to figure out young Conner. Not that I don't admire what he's built (saddle creek) or how he does things (2 records at the same time, different albums with completely different sounds). I just don't get his voice. But I'm sure I'll catch on when it's good and trendy to.

I've passed the point of 'boy, it would really be a good idea and sleep' into the realm of 'keep busy so you don't fall asleep.' It's not too bad, and my chauffeur is coming soon enough.

Onward! I shall type until morning comes.

Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride

Oh well. I've cried all the tears I can muster, and they had more to do with scenes like this than sentimental hoo ha. Glen (rocking the Thriller-esque dance moves) was full of pungent, hilarious one liners. Not sure if he realized how funny I thought he was or not, but hey, funny's funny if you know it or not.

My girl got married off fine. I smoothed out her train with such grace and class. New friends were made and old friends were seen. My speech was one upped big time by a kilt wearing drummer who started off his toast with, "When I first learned Leon's last name (Josatis) I thought it was an STD," and then proceeded to tell stories of the groom's fifth level asthmatic condition and his special ability to attract women with his larger than life cough. The dance floor got hot, with corny 80s requests in rotation. But when that deejay (rocking a titanium g4) dropped the anthem of last year (yeah!) the dancefloor just went off. I remember when Parafyn told me you could play that song seven times at the club (in the same night) and that it would pack the floor every time.

Speaking of Parafyn, dude's doing so well. He's making it playing records, baby on the way, I'm real proud of him. Awwwww.

East coast is calling, seven hours to go.

Weigh In Y'all

I may have gotten the date completely wrong in my last post, but Weight freaking killed it last night. Bravo, Dave G. Bravo, Joe. Bravo, Aaron.

Look out Spokane, another contender rises up.

a little disappointed, but still

So the Makers have cancelled their gig tonight, and I'm a little bummed out. I guess it'll just have to be a while before I get to see this Spokane (somewhat) based phenomenon play. So now it's a debate between catching the Jailbirds (a Japanese version of the Makers, so heard) at the B-Side or getting over to Mootsy's for Belt of Vapor and Weight.

Belt of Vapor is the Wilt Chamberlain of the Spokane scene. I first caught onto them when they opened for Pretty Girls Make Graves. I'd seen them around, they'd been in other Spokane rock outfits for years none of which stood out too much. But now, they're heavy, the meter's changing, everything complex and intricate - not to mention playing tighter than Jamie Maker's pants. They've slowly started to own Spokane's rock scene, and shut every last band down in the B-Side's battle for the van (including us). Not to mention that all of the guys are nice and friendly as hell.

If Belt of Vapor is Wilt Chamberlain, Weight is the mid 90's Chicago Bulls. They're debuting with a star studded lineup... Joe Preston, who's played in Spokane's most known straightedge band and then moved to Seattle to drum for These Arms Are Snakes, is back. Weight also features Dave G, who was friends with my brother when I was in the 6th grade, so you know he must be cool. Dave's also making really cool electronica/hip hop these days and working at Spokane's dopest burrito joint Slick Rock.

Hmm, sounds like Mootsy's it is.

On another note, the wedding is about to go into megameltdown. The rehearsal's tonight, family's arriving and I'm sure the bride is pulling out hair. Oh where, oh where can a maid of honor be found?

fire in the belly, soy in the teeth

It's a chilly Spokane morning, but I'm feeling pretty warm. Today's my last day (for a month) to get up for this short but sweet four hour shift. Just recieved a message from Blaz, my good friend in Japan who's started this blogging game, and he's doing just fine. Itunes is blaring, the jacket is warming and all is well.

Jon keeps on rubbing it in that I missed qbert and the rest of his motley crue. But Jon's probably going to miss this one. Guess I will too...

Talked to Terry at the Fat Tuesday, and we're working on locke and the cw5, belt of vapor and for years blue. Mid to late March y'all.

Big ups to Picasa, for making a very nice freeware image eding program that makes me feel like this clunky thing's powered by apple.

by the razor

Seriously. Alemeda's appearance last night took down the house.

On my way through Hollywood Video to cash in on their wonderful MVP program, I ended up splurging. Three sparkling movies in that 3 for $30 bin caught my eye, and I succumbed. Aside from the fact that I'm scraping pennies for this nyc trip, I'm pretty stoked.

1. Napoleon Dynamite. The drummer in my band saw this three or four times in the theater. So much hype surrounded this movie that I was less than enthusiastic about it. Six months later my stepmother's (in tremendous foresight) reserved it for us from the library. And I fell out of my chair. Well, at least figuratively. Now band practices are full of pulled references and rolled eyes from the guys who haven't seen it yet.

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Come on now, anybody who directs videos for Bjork, the White Stripes and the Stones has to be able to make an incredible film. And make one he did. Teamed with Charlie Kaufman's nervous writing and an amazing cast, this love gone erased story blew me away. Gondry's working on a film with Dave Chappelle? Please.

3. Garden State. It seems like almost every twentysomething (is this cliche now?) I know is able to relate to at least one of the characters in this movie. Coming of age with uncertainty, love, regret, mental illness, and parental scorn. Yow. There's me and my friends right there. Definitely not one of the best movies of 2004, but a wonderful start for Zack Braff.

If I could only shake this lost in Translation obsession...

the face of the earth

It's time to get pumped up for episode seven of the best television drama action suspense thriller ever! We're hoping that Bauer can keep up the mayhem, and I'm sure he won't disappoint. Kiefer's demeanor on 24 is hilarious, and the roommates and I eat every bit of it up. I don't know if anybody else gathers up Monday evenings to yell, hoot and holler as our hero blasts into enemy compounds, keeps tabs on the oncoming threats on the country, and still has time to mack the Secretary of Defense's daughter, but we sure do.

This also reminds me of how wonderful Arrested Development is, and how saddening it is that I have to cut the episode short every week to get to work. On that note, Family Guy is airing new episodes soon.

Fox what!

Worked on getting shows set up for when I return in March today. Something for everybody, all ages with indie and heavy bands, dives with funk bands and spots for you and yours. I had to turn down a gig with the Heiruspecs because of the nyc sabbatical. Oh well, oh well.

Before I go, I've simply go to get together with Ajax Starglider from Future Shock. He's moved up from southern California, and we haven't got a chance to meet yet.

I've been coming around to the fact that Dismemberment Plan is blazing hot. Oh boy.

On a happy note, I watched a DVD that the (fine?) folks at PETA sent me, on 30 reasons you should become a vegetarian. I was prepared for most of it, but the section, aptly titled "Meet Your Meat" was rater disturbing. Holy cow folks, rather disturbing is an understatement. Although Alec Baldwin's soothing voice did ease my discomfort and hearkened back to Royal Tenembaums, I still can't get some of the imagery out of my head. Those poor animals.