Modular synth with amazing steampunk design by Moritz Wolpert. "All parts such as buttons + handles were on the lathe by hand." Just a little taste of the inner-goodies is that it features "ring modulator, control voltage, and a complex rhythm Center". Holy hell, my only modular experience is somehow making perfectly good Reaktor ensembles completely useless. i'm almost afraid that routing an oscillator on this thing incorrectly results in your eternal soul being devoured.
Moritz Wolpert (whom i imagine hates being called "Maury") is also the man responsible for this thing:
What does it do? Why, it gives you intrusive probing examinations in all the most delicate of areas (like Tetsuo The Iron Man performing a physical), of course! Just kidding, here's this bit of musical gear and pinion in action:
Those of you who follow my twitter probably saw me post this link where you float through a world populated by ever-evolving abstract images and wires that overtake an off kilter manor like Pollock-by-way-of-Tim-Burton. All the work of Abnormal Behavior Child. Head to the site, click around and explore every nook and cranny (just take a shower first), there's a lot to be found. All sorts of fantastic interactive digital pieces for you to watch, hear, experience, discover and replay on the back of your eyelids.
Let the record show, that i am an ass. i had no idea how many days had passed since the last blog or even marginally informative twitter. i could tell you that i've been wrapped up judging both The Hipster Olympics and The Belated National Douche Off, or that i've been set upon by a series of Lovecraftian horrors . . . but those would be hilarious, awesome lies. Actually it's because there's a lot going on in Stahliland (note to self: Create theme-park filled with rad), everything from editing live drums on the new Celldweller track Louder Than Words, to cutting vocals on the next Blue Stahli single "Burning Bridges" while writing a new track that brings the BIG riffs, sensual vocals, tribal drums played by Klayton and so much rampant sexiness you'll need to lay down a tarp or dropcloth of some kind (that's right...you better *believe* i just comically insinuated). In addition to that, i'm doing some extra little side thingies that you definitely would not expect from me (more on those later!). Rushing a bit to get everything done before making a a bit of an emergency trip back to the desert (where i'm from) for a few days. The only way i can make up this past absence to you guys is to fill this particular post with entertaining goodliness. But before i actually give you all something enjoyable, here's the Antisleep: Undercover track from the acoustic live-set for this Friday:
Today, it breaks away from The IAMX covers for a bit of slaughtering of a Sneaker Pimps song...which isn't really breaking away at all as it's the *exact* same artist just in his previous band (i promise the very last track from this set is a different artist). i know i mentioned that
Listen to me desecrate a perfectly good song here:
And turn your iPod into a torture device, by downloading the free MP3 here:
-HERE is an amazing photo and story of a ginormous volcanic eruption as photographed from the freaking International Space Station. i'm not entirely convinced they aren't just filming an expository scene for Michael Bay movie.
-Wiland Pinsdourf's "Samparkour" is a breathtaking glimpse of São Paulo through the eyes and superhuman displays of Zico Corrêa. i've never been to Brazil, but if i find myself there, i hope i see it in this manner (though i'll probably jut jump off a curb, into a nearby puddle saying "Check THAT shiznit out!").
-They're bout to play some dooguh. DOOguh Greeahrn:
-And finally, if you're easily offended and don't want to see a gritty, animated criminal underworld filled with saucy language, sex, violence and subtitles...then skip it. For the rest of you, enjoy this brilliant music video for N.A.S.A.'s "A Volta" (who's album, The Spirit Of Apollo, i am absolutely *loving* . . . hard).
Blue Stahli + trailer for a Robert Rodriguez movie?
Hell yes, it is. Found out that i landed the trailer for the new Robert Rodriguez movie "Shorts" (you'll hear my track 'The Perfect Heist' from Antisleep Vol 01) from about 0:36 - 0:52. Like Spy Kids, it's one of his features to take your spawn to. Sure, i was hoping the first Robert Rodriguezfilm i wound up in would be something involving firearms, nudity and wanton destruction, but i'll catch the next one.
It seems these particular "Antisleep: Undercover" Fridays sneak right the hell up on you when you least expect it. Ready to pounce and cripple your speakers with horrendous sound-spasms that only the bravest (or self-harming) souls withstand before dropping to the ground in a heaping mass, bleeding from the ears (i hit some bad notes, alright?...sheesh). The song you get today is another IAMX number (go get his stuff if you haven't already!). And honestly, most of the cover songs i played for this live acoustic set are from that catalogue, but aside from just being a fan, i should tell you *why* i chose these songs. This is how kind of how i taught myself to sing. Sure, i've made *noise* all my life. And i've "done stuff to a pitch" ( . . . questionable things), but it wasn't until i started singing along with these songs that i actually started modulating my voice differently and really exploring (kind of like how Scrape was the first time i've really ever screamed). And usually before i track final vocals for one of my songs, i warm up by playing something from IAMX.
Next Friday, another free Antisleep: Undercover song from this acoustic set (i wonder what group it'll be a cover of? Gosh...pins and needles...pins and needles....
Thought i'd post something a bit more upbeat. Don't get me wrong, there's still a sense of foreboding and ominous doom...they just find the time to be highly larious about it.
There are other things i SHOULD be doing right now: Sleeping, working out lyrics, or simply painting the words "collaborate and listen" underneath random stop signs...but after a long drive of listening to this track over and over (and a few more times after that), i couldn't help myself. i'm throwing this in the Under The Influence header because this song has been a fave for years now and is a reason why i even *do* Blue Stahli. Something i absolutely love about this track is that it truly demonstrates how amazingly universal music is. i don't speak the Kimbundu language and i've never been to Angola (where this talented mofo originates), but i feel every bit of passion in this performance. Not only that, but this is simply one of *the* most cathartic songs i know, and if i need to be calmed the hell down or brought back from the edge, this is definitely a piece of music that can handle it. Whether it's heartache, loss or something too abstract for a name, taking a breath and listening to this keeps me from doing something stupid, like hijacking a city bus and splitting for Tijuana to live out my days as a wisecracking, hardlivin' vigilante character who walks in slow motion and is hellbent on vengeance of some sort (i'll figure out "for what" later...i already bought a leather jacket, a pair of sunglasses and have begun working on a brooding scowl, i can't just return this crap).
At any rate, this is the drive behind why i do what i do, and why i'll pursue it at any cost. The goal is to do for other people what this does for me. If i can pull that off, then it's all worth it.
