It’s been a rough summer, especially for those of us who were kids or teens in the 80s.  Our icons are dying and I’m talking MVP’s.  Michael Jackson’s death hit me HARD, much harder than I ever would have imagined.  It wasn’t just the man or his music that stopped, it was my childhood that stopped, froze in mid-air and dropped off into this chasm called “The Past”.

Now, with the news of another MVP who helped me come-of- age, John Hughes’, I’m officially sad both for the man and my childhood.  I watched Molly Ringwald (justifiably!) pout her way through “16 Candles” and then get her man in the end (oh, how I LOVED Jake Ryan) no less than 30 times.  I am still mesmerized by that movie to this day. And don’t even get me started on “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “She’s Having a Baby” or “The Breakfast Club” all “some kind of” cinematic perfection.  Hughes was ahead of his time. His soundtracks unforgettable and his characters heartbreakingly relatable.  I watched his films as if they contained the secrets of the universe within them.  And you know what?  For me, an American, suburban kid growing up in the 80s and 90s… they did. -Miss. Ash-

For more on John Hughes... or check out the John Hughes Film Montage (more…)

You know after Kanye’s acceptance speech our Miss. Ash was going to have something to say…

Miss Ash:
Although he had no reason to throw a full-on tantrum this time, Kanye West still managed to act like a complete douche at the 2008 Grammy Awards last night. How you gonna scold the entire Grammy orchestra in the name of “good taste”? Irony much?

Listen Kanye - you won an award just like all the other winners. We all know it is not in your vocabulary to humbly accept the award and keep it moving. But how about you thank Mama FIRST and THEN find time for redundant assertions about entitlement and what not? That way, the cheesy orchestra music only cuts into your self-aggrandizement and not your “tribute” to your mother.

Watch the clip below for evidence of Mr. West’s boundless arrogance and complete absence of tact. Then watch Vince Gill’s hilarious and well-timed clowning in response:

(This vid was put together by some joker on youtube but it’s funny and shows all the original footage.)

(I have a feeling we’ll be hearing something about Vince Gill or country music on the next Kanye album.)

I asked Miss Ash if she was secretly crushing on my boy Kanye, that is not the case.
Stay tuned the Beef Continues.

She’s Not There

After seeing “I’m Not There” yesterday, my reaction to the film as a whole was a mixture of “huh?” and “eh” plus “good music”. I cannot, however, say enough about the frighteningly realistic portrayal of the “troubadour of conscience” by Ms. Blanchett. Her depiction of him at his most ornery was so seamless that it inspired the title of this little PSA. Is it possible to be more Dylan-like than the man himself?

Now for the PSA part:Go see this film before she wins the Oscar and you wonder what all the hoopla is about. Also because it is some of the best acting you will likely ever see.
Words by: Miss Ash

While trading music with my boy Joseph he blessed me with the Soundtrack to
I’m Not There.
It’s two discs worth of music in tribute to Dylan. Happy Holidays to you all of you, enjoy.
Sincerly,
Blac Ren
Download the full soundtrack here.

I’ve been in love with creating mix tapes since I was in the 5th grade (1987- whoah). I’d just throw on whatever caught my fancy at the time (The Replacements anyone?) and shove the cassettes into my friends’ hands, confident that they’d enjoy them as much as I did.
I was thinking about my birthday this year with the podcast idea swirling around in the background. And then in a POOF (as most good ideas tend to manifest), the idea of a ZODIAC PODCAST popped into my mind. I asked myself, “What if I would create a podcast dedicated to each month’s zodiac sign?” I decided I would try my hand at compiling a group of songs that were a. cool and b. reflected the complex inner makeup of people born under that particular sign. This first installment, released in my birthday month (fellow Sagittarians Holla), is the answer to that question:

THE QUINTESSENTIAL SAGITTARIAN PODCAST (Download Here)
1. Truth is (Clean Version) – Brother Ali
2. As Above, So Below (Justice Remix) – Klaxons
3. Would I Lie to You (Bassilleuro Remix) – Charles & Eddie
4. True – Darondo
5. Straight No Chaser – Thelonius Monk
6. Stop Me (feat. Daniel Merriweather)– Mark Ronson
7. I Ain’t Saying My Goodbyes – Tom Vek
8. The Overly Dramatic Truth – El-P
9. Mo’ Fire – Lil’ Wayne
10.Night on Fire- Vhs or Beta
11.Reckoner – Radiohead
12.Someone Great – LCD Soundsystem
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS. ASH

You know how Miss Ash be finding random shit…
Mos Def performing the R&B classic Poison. Shit is hot!, download the track.

While searching MySpace Music for Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from their beloved album “Kid A”, I stumbled upon an artist by the same name. This KID A happens to be a talented 19 year old woman from Virginia who blends sassy, jazzy vocals and bangin’ beats into something uniquely her own. Her EP “Night//Vision” was released on the 18th and can be purchased on her MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/kidakidauk). Go get an earful while you learn more about her below:

Q: What is your real name? How did you get the name “KID A”?
Well, I was born in ‘88 as Ann Alexander Thweatt (pronounced like “sweet” with a lisp). That last name is a handful. Not a lot of people can pronounce it right at all. So, I knew I was going to have to use some other alias.

When I was thinking about a name I started to look through my Cds; you know, at album titles or their track listings. Nothing sounded right until I saw Radiohead’s KID A album. It’s my favorite album by them. It’s their best moment in music, I think. Just absolutely brilliant. I just wanted to take that name and use it as my own creative identity. They’re a group that has always inspired me so it’s a bit of an homage as well.

Q: Who is “KID A”?
KID A is a 19 year old girl with an intense love and appreciation for music. Good music. Music today is in jeopardy. It’s so sad. It’s passion, creativity, and distinction is gone. So, KID A is a new alternative for listeners.

Q: What is your musical background?
I’ve been around music since I was born, thankfully. My grandpa always played jazz around me musicians like: Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, and Dizzy Gillespie. And groups like: Weather Report. So I love jazz. Jazz fusion. My mother was my source to rock n roll. She got my started with The Beatles, David Bowie, and Steely Dan.

I first began playing instruments in the fifth grade. I played the viola. By sixth I played the clarinet. I gave that up and learned to play guitar and bass. I only practiced at home, but in high school I was able to form a band with friends. I discovered my vocal ability when I was started singing lead. That was an interesting experience for me.

Q: How would you describe the music you make?
Eclectic, refreshing, and different.
Q: Who are you listening to these days?
These days I’ve been really crazy about Dj Mehdi, TTC, YELLE, Joy Division, The Cure, Prefab Sprout, Kate Bush, and Klaxons. The French electro scene is just so crazy. I love what they’re doing. It’s so amazing. And I always look to Britain for great, great music, whether it’s a band from the yesteryears of the latter 70s to early 80s. Or a new band that has resurrected an old sound.

Q: What do you want to say about the imminent release of your EP “Night//Vision”?
Night//Vision is mash-up of school girl trials and tribulations. Secrets. Stories. Light in some areas, dark in others. My heart goes into everything I write and produce, but this, by far, is my favorite EP. I knew I was leaving for university soon and I just wanted to leave music behind that I would be pleased with. Music that people would want to and love to discover.
Words by: Miss Ash

When MC Pearl Dragon friend requested me on Myspace I thought to myself
“Oh no, another no-talent band request”. Then I went to his page
(www.myspace.com/thepearldragon), listened to his tracks and saw Spank
Rock MC Naeem Juwan’s full endorsement. I see why. Pearl was asked to
open the West coast leg of Spank Rock’s tour. Here is a Q & A with the
up-and-coming wordsmith:

Q: Can you explain the story of how you met up with Spank Rock?

A: We met in a Seattle after-hours sneaking in back stage to get at
the Grey Goose Vodka. I went back there and met him and told him to go
to the Egg Room and he said he was already djing there. We met up and
started rapping, talking about music, freestyling a little bit. I said
we should keep in contact so we kept in contact. Then they were having
a West Coast tour, so me and my boy, Thomas (Gray), were invited to
tour with them after corresponding back and forth about music. It’s
normally not that easy. Those guys are good folks.

Q: What’s it like being a hip hop artist coming out of seattle? is
there a scene there?

A: Seattle hip hop has been around for a long time but it’s been more
underground. It finally now is emerging more and a lot of MC’s are
making headway and getting themselves out there and heard. Definitely a
potent scene but it is so far up North that it hasn’t been as
accessible to other areas. It’s pretty good to be an artist from
Seattle.

Q: What is your favorite album of all time?

A: Outkast ATLiens

Q: If you could work with anyone, who would it be and why?

A: Laura Zucker. She’s the illest female rapper from Seattle…EVER!
or Quincy Jones.

Q: Being from Seattle, who was your favorite grunge band and song?

A: Definitely would have to be Nirvana - Lithium. I use it in Seattle
Anthem, “…Sunday mornings everyday for all I care, and I’m not
scared, light my candles in a daze cause I found God in my head.”

Q: Funniest/weirdest thing that’s ever happened at a performance?

A: At a show in Portland a guy fainted from touching my hand. It was
like a Bible revival. We made teenage girls faint and start crying as
well.
Words by Miss Ash

French label Kitsune has put out 4 electro-indie (I think I’ll call it “eclectro”) compilations. So far, number 4 is my favorite. When I first heard it, the version I had was just a promo mix and the songs were in a different order and flowed really well. The last song was “Be My Friend” by Darkel (aka Jean-Benoit Dunckel of Air). Its quirky 80’s hairband guitar effects mixed with a slightly Asian flourish behind Dunckel’s demure and lispy croonings about eternal friendship was a sweet finish to a really dope mix. On the complete Maison 4, “Be My Friend” is actually first and I’m not sure it works as well there. Either way, it is still a great song in my book.

Some other highlights include the Boys Noize bangin’ remix of Feist’s sultry and upbeat “My Moon My Man”, Adam Sky’s remix of the annoyingly infectious “La Musique” by Riot in Belgium (it really jumps off after the 1:23 mark into some French chic semi-rapping sexily), Punks Jump Up’s “Dance to Our Disco” breaks out with punk/funk mayhem that evokes the Stray Cats without the kitsch and finally Toronto duo Crystal Castles “Knights” which is probably my favorite track on the whole compilation. It is spacey, hiccupy and somewhat surly. Just the way I like my music. Check it out:DOWNLOAD WHOLE COMPILATION BY CLICKING PIC. WORDS BY:Miss Ash

I must admit that until somewhat recently I viewed “graffiti” as nothing more than the thoughtless yet selfish doodles of bored teenagers who felt powerless in the world. Well, maybe that’s partly true still but I have since gained an appreciation for the sentiment behind it and the artistry as well.

Although it pains me to see bright pink scrawl across the glass surfaces of the new bus stops in my neighborhood, I do appreciate a well-placed and funny F.U. to the “establishment” at times. Enter Neck Face. Born in the mid 80s in Stockton, California and inspired by death-metal, Neck Face’s goblins, monsters, hairy arms and slogans can be seen all over NYC, San Francisco and Tokyo. Alongside his drawings you’ll notice his name written in a child-like scrawl and dripping menacingly. Provoking both laughter and fear, Neck Face is well-known both because of the volume of his pieces as well as his originality and dark humor. It’s just hard to hate the guy.
Words by: Miss Ash

Self-described “painter and drawer” on her website stellaimhultberg.com, the artist was born in Seoul, South Korea and was raised in South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. She came to the United States to study Industrial Design at California State University. After that, she designed furniture, products and toys. She has since moved to New York City with her husband and spends her time now on drawing. She has been showing her drawings in various galleries around the country since the fall of 2005.

Her delicate and evocative artwork is done with ink and oil on tea-stained paper. She tends to draw wafish yet strong, raven-haired women alone or as siblings that seem twin-like. About her pieces she says, “I think of them as a slice of a moment, revealing very private emotions and dreams.” Some originals and prints are for sale on her site and through the galleries themselves. Get them before she blows up and cannot be afforded by everyday folks like you and me.
Words by:Miss Ash