Hiatus

begins.

TMNT @ Midnight

Sunshine Cinema is a staple in New York City. One of their best offerings are screenings of an array of classic movies at midnight. I saw Pee Wee's Big Adventure last year and it was brilliant. Everyone was drunk and/or high, lipping each memorable line and just thoroughly enjoying the experience. Tonight is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It shall be grand.

Pale Blue Eyes

I came here out of habit and realized I had nothing important to say (like every blog, really).

The Wrestler at 7:20...

Max Records

One cool vegetarian kid. Apparently, at age 8, Max protested to get a vegetarian program at his school. Right on. With 2 films by acclaimed directors under his belt, I'm officially jealous I couldn't have been this cool when I was younger. Check him out in Where the Wild Things Are...

Langhorne Slim

I can't remember the exact circumstances under which I discovered Langhorne, but I can, however, recall that it was some time ago. It must have been around 2006/07, when the possibility of attending SUNY Purchase was actually a close reality. A couple of application errors and I was forced to look elsewhere due to time issues (they, or me [still unknown], put me in the liberal arts program, a waste for Purchase). Regardless, I didn't end up there but somewhere along the way I discovered an Alumnus of theirs, one Langhorne Slim. Langhorne is appealing. He has that Dylanesque quality every other singer songwriter tries to emulate, but he almost pulls it off. Which is saying a lot. Of course, he's not on Dylan's level... or Kristofferson's, Cash's, Nelson's, Young's, Van Zandt's, etc. But he's better than a ton of songwriters around today. His approach is messy and unscripted. He isn't really trying, he's doing. It's refreshing. Here's a clip, kinda old, but a great portrait of this musician.

Pauly Shore

Say what you will about Pauly Shore and everything he seems to represent: he is the epitome of all the good and bad things about the 90s. I can remember being a freshman in high school and being obsessed with the always childish, yet always pleasing, Bio-Dome and Encino Man. And, of course, Son-in-Law or In the Army Now. They're just so terrible. Filled with every 90s cliche in the book. To me, they're good time capsules. Kinda like the feeling I get watching a Jacques Tati film, particularly Play Time. Every detail wreaks the time and place it came from. Not all movies do that. In fact, many directors make an effort to avoid it for it's a big risk. There's a thin line between a novelty film and a film like Tati's. Obviously Tati is on a whole different level than Shore, but for argument's sake, the 2 share that time capsule quality. Basically, there's a nostalgic, soft spot for Pauly Shore for yours truly, and I am not afraid to express it. Even though Adopted looks like a cheap Borat knock off...

Here's a clip from Play Time.

Tetro

Love him or hate him, Vincent Gallo will be in Francis Ford Coppola's next film, Tetro.

Unreachable

Friends and Fans,

The Empyrean is my new record and will be released worldwide via Record Collection on January 20th 2009. It was recorded on and off between December 2006 and March 2008. It is a concept record that tells a single story both musically and lyrically. The story takes place within one person, and there are two characters. It contains a version of Tim Buckley’s, ‘Song To The Siren’ and the rest of the songs are written by me. My friend Josh plays on it, as does Flea. It also features Sonus Quartet, Johnny Marr and The New Dimension Singers. I'm really happy with it and I've listened to it a lot for the psychedelic experience it provides. It should be played as loud as possible and it is suited to dark living rooms late at night.

- John Frusciante, November 3rd, 2008

If you know me you may know that one of my favorite artists is John Frusciante. While in a deep Chili Peppers phase I was introduced to their guitarist's solo stuff and immediately became engulfed. I never heard such amazing music with spontaneity as I did when I listened to Curtains straight through. It was both accessible and out there, it was and is perfect.

John posted a new song on his MySpace called 'Unreachable.' It's a psychedelic influenced song. While listening you may agree that a 'dark living room' is the perfect setting.

I Love You, Man

Good comedic actors, the man behind Along Came Polly... I'm in.

Add One More

to the 2009 List.

Antichrist.

Imagine

if Gus Van Sant made his planned bio pic on Andy Warhol starring River Phoenix.

Good Trailers

are always treats. Gummo has lingered around in my head for quite some time now. It's grotesque and amazing. You don't really know what to make of it. It's difficult. But that's besides the point. I watched the trailer and Madonna's "Like a Prayer" comes in at an almost glorious moment, where Korine's distinct visuals act out to that memorable 80s chorus... consequently, I have been listening to the song on repeat for the past day or so. Who'd a thunk?

John Jacob Niles