by Ian Savage
Ian entered a contest to make Radiohead's next music video. He didn't win first prize, but still made a sweet video... here it is, set to the song "All I Need" from Radiohead's In Rainbows.
Ian works as a freelance photographer and videographer in Manhattan. You can reach him here.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
All I Need: original music video
A.L.T. like Alternative
by Edith Pollet
A few weeks ago, Andrews Lane Theatre re-opened in Dublin, Ireland as a live music venue. As its name suggests it used to be a theatre proposing original and amateur plays. This new venue has the same aim: to propose alternative, not commercial acts. Being one of the technicians in this new venue, I had the pleasure to discover, watch and work for three alternative bands in April.
Crystal Castles: 1 boy and 1 girl from Toronto
Theirs was the first gig happening in this new venue but I wasn’t there to see them live. Loads of trendy kids that were into the band were there, and loads of trendy people that wanted to check this new venue were there as well. This show focused on their sound, as the band clearly told the technicians that they didn’t want any lighting show except for one song. So I listened to their tunes on myspace to know what they sound like and I have to say I didn’t like it. They sure have a lot of energy and catchy rhythm but the screaming/whispering singer gets on my nerves. Their music is described as thrash or noise so if you’re looking for nice melodies, or poetry, you’re listening to the wrong band. If you’re looking for a live experience where you’ll see yourself jumping everywhere without having to remember the lyrics of your favourite tunes, buy a ticket for one of Crystal Castles concerts. But you should be aware that you’ll have to wear your best trendy clothes and your nicest runners, plus don’t forget about the funky haircut.
M83: a guy from France joined by 3 other members on stage.
I wasn’t working on this gig, but I was in the venue as we had problems in the afternoon (and during the show as well where the lights started flashing or going on without touching the desk or anything... weird!!!). Despite the technical problems, we (the technicians) and the audience started to really appreciate this new venue and the quality of the acts presented. The first impression I had when listening to M83 was like listening to Air but it was way more catchy. When I saw them live, it was the same catchy electronic pop but the live energy was not there. They were not using their instruments enough, but rather focused on their backing tracks with their laptops. It was a nice gig nonetheless, as they make quality tunes, but their live performance was a bit disappointing. They might be more a festival band where the big crowd can give them the desire to improvise and play their instruments. Even if they're not coming to a city near you, you can still have a listen and enjoy this light electronic pop.
Why? : 3 guys from California joined by one more member on stage
I was working on this gig doing lights. It was my first time doing lights for an international band. And it was a wonderful experience. The lads were really nice, footing the ladder when I was focusing, telling me the look they wanted was entirely up to me. I listened to their music on myspace before going to work and I was surprised to find that I already knew one of their songs called The Hollows – a nice melody combined with rhythmic lyrics. Their other songs are of the same quality: nice melodies -not too fast, not too slow- and these smart funny catchy lyrics making the singer sounding sometimes like a hip hop artist or like a poet saying his words in rhythm. The sound was excellent during the gig, thanks to the sound engineer who did a fantastic job. The band enjoyed every minute of it and so did the audience, who was sang and clapped along. The place was packed and even the people who just came to check out the place or the band all fell in love with their tunes. A memorable gig for the technicians, for the audience and for the band.
You can reach Edith here or you can read about her adventures in Dublin here.
Europe in the springtime: a photo essay
by Kate Spring
Keukenhoft, The Netherlands
Gothenburg, Sweden
Tichfield, England
Coast of Northern Ireland
Strasbourg, France
Rouen, France
Paris, France
Glendalough, Ireland
Giverny, France
Copenhagen, DenmarkKate Spring just returned to the U.S. after spending two years in France. This photo essay features photos she took while traveling around Europe. Her next step in life is... unknown. Ask her about her adventures here.
Le premier jour de ma vie
by Jen Epting
This music video grew out of a couple of current obsessions (notably: Prospect Park, Bright Eyes, and French). Prospect Park is a place near where I live. Bright Eyes is a band from the mid-west that I recently discovered. And French? Well, French and I are stuck with each other, for better or for worse, at this point.
So I made this great movie in iMovie on my apple laptop at work. And... it looked so nice. And then I exported it to the Internet and the subtitles are blurry and I'm sorry, NIFW readers, I wish it could be better.
But I still think it's important for French-speakers to understand and love a band from the mid-west, so without further ado, here is the video and below it, the lyrics just in case.
Aujourd’hui, c’est le premier jour de ma vie
Je suis né ici, dans l’embrasure de cette porte
Je suis sorti sous la pluie et tout d’un coup tout a changé
Ils etendent des couvertures sur la plage
Le tien, c’est le premier visage que j’ai vu
Je pense que j’étais aveugle avant de te connaître
Et je ne sais pas où je suis
Je ne sais pas où j’ai été
Mais je sais où je veux aller
Et donc je voulais te dire
Ce genre de choses prennent une eternite
Et je suis particulierement lentmais j’ai compris que j’ai besoin de toi
Et je voulais te demander si je pouvais revenir
Te souviens tu du soir ou tu as conduit toute la nuit
Juste pour me retrouver le matin
Je pensais que c’était étrange, tu disais que tout avait changé
Tu te sentais comme si tu venais de te reveiller
Et tu disais “c’est le premier jour de ma vie
je suis heureuse de ne pas etre morte avant de t’avoir rencontrer
Mais maintenant je m’en fiche, je peux partir n’importe ou avec toi
Et je serai probablement heureuse."
Donc si tu veux être avec moi
On n’a pas besoin d’en parler
On n’a qu’attendre et voir
Mais je préfère gagner un salaire
Qu’attendre de gagner au loto
Et peut-être que cette fois sera différente…
Je veux dire, je pense que cette fois tu m’aimes vraiment.
Jen spends her days working among tech geniuses. She is hoping some of that will rub off. She lives in Brooklyn and writes about it here. Love letters can be sent here.
Ask the Pseudo-Expert
by Anne Brown
Here comes the bride is in full force, and I’m confused about what presents to buy and how much I’m expected to spend!
The “rules” of wedding-present-buying etiquette seem to be getting more and more complicated, and questions continue to arise as to how much you’re expected to spend on presents, and what you should buy. Below are some suggestions to help you through the ever-elusive present-purchasing process. (Disclaimer: most of my wedding experience is in New Jersey so this advice may not be directly applicable to all states.)
The engagement party: Once a rarity, these parties are now becoming the norm. Typically a registry has been compiled by the time this party takes place so it’s a good first place to look. If the registry has yet to be made, festive house wares – such as wine carafes, martini glasses, and party-serving platters – or gift certificates to area restaurants are nice go-to’s. Present prices for this first step toward wedding bliss range from $25 to $75 (per individual), depending on the size of the party and the nature of your relationship with the happy couple. (Note: the nature of your relationship should be weighed when considering the price range in each of the sections below.)
The bridal shower: Another registry favorite, this present is typically something practical that will be used in the new couple’s home and can cost anywhere from $35 to $95 for an individual.
The bachelor/bachelorette: This not-to-be-forgotten (unless a large quantity of alcohol has caused the memory to fade) night is planned and covered by the members of the wedding party. The only gifts – not to exceed $30 – that one may bring are snacks, booze, and/or paraphernalia. However, most bachelor/bachelorettes don’t ask their guests to bring anything more than themselves.
The wedding gift: The rumors – you should buy a gift that is equivalent to the wedding cost-per-head. The main reason why this rule is ridiculous (among many others) is that you should be spending more money on the people you are closer to, not on the people who have more money to spend on elaborate weddings. Instead, go by this rule of thumb – be prepared to pay between $50 and $150 (always feel free to spend more) if you are going to the wedding by yourself and between $100 and $250 if you’re bringing someone. By the time the wedding rolls around, the registry is usually pretty lacking (please see engagement party and bridal shower entries above) so either a gift certificate to one of the registry stores or a check written out to the new bride and groom (married names) is likely to be the present of choice. If you’re not sure whether the bride will be taking the groom’s name, it’s best to write the check to the half of the couple that you know [best]. And, if you’re still stumped about whom to write the check out to, it is more than okay to give cash – this way the couple doesn’t have to rush to the bank to get that extra money they need for their honeymoon.
So, those of you in your early 20’s to early 30’s, start saving now for the loving unions of your nearest and dearest – remember, they will be doing the same for you.
Anne lives in New Jersey, where she works hard to pay for the gifts for all the upcoming weddings she's invited to. Give her a shout here.
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