Something that you'll learn yesterday

Liekeland, a land of joy

2012-02-04T10:48:00.000+01:00

Lieke van der Vorst aka Liekeland is an illustrator from Breda. She is yet to graduate at St. Joost academy of the arts, but already making quite a name for herself. She also made the design for the poster and flyer of the musical pub crawl I helped organize last year (see picture above).

One of her key products is the big tea mug. Partnering up with Dave Hakkens, they produce custom made mugs which are very cute (and absolutely HUGE, they hold up to 0,6 litre). They're a bit pricey, but completely tailored to your wishes and once you see how they're made, you see that this is a very high quality product. Watch the video to find about the mug-making process:

Lieke's other products are for sale at Feito Com Amor (Breda), Stilleven (Breda), Guten Appetit (Tilburg), You Are Here (Eindhoven), bos & heij (Arnhem), Walnut Mixstore (Groningen) and online at www.liekeland.nl

Best of 2011

2011-12-31T14:05:00.001+01:00

So... another year over. Time for some looking back!

THE MUSIC

1. Pete and the Pirates - One Thousand Pictures
I've been making these lists for years now, but never has it been this hard to pick a #1. So I just checked my last.fm charts, et voila. I love these guys.

2. Wild Beasts - Smother
After seeing them live at the London Calling festival in May, Wild Beasts definitely grabbed me by the throat, and I spent most of the summer listening to Smother.

3. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
Justin Vernon's bunch has grown on me. I was tickled by For Emma, but somehow it never fully got to me. Not until this year, when he/they finally stole my heart, not in the last place with the perfect live show in Utrecht.

4. Little Dragon - Ritual Union
Little Dragon's latest was surprisingly addicting, I could not stop listening to this album.

5. The Antlers - Burst Apart
Smother and Burst Apart formed a solid base for my summer playlists in '11. Such a beautiful album.

6. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
Ahhh, who doesn't love Fleet Foxes. Their second album, much like the first, took some time to get into my system. But once it kicked in, I was addicted.

7. James Blake - James Blake
Sweet James secretly already invaded my playlists in the end of 2010, but the strength of this album is that it still feels fresh after a year.

8. Active Child - You Are All I See
Somehow I kind of neglected this album when it came out and it wasn't until the end of the year that I got hooked. Awesome compositions, brilliant use of electronics.

9. Dum Dum Girls - Only in Dreams
These chicks are so cool that I never expected them to deliver such a perfect pop gem. Every song is just... right.

10. Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring for My Halo
Another surprise. Although I was initially attracted by only a couple of songs, the entire album turned out to be so, so good.

11. The War on Drugs - Slave Ambient
12. Washed Out - Within and Without
13. Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know
14. Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost
15. Alamo Race Track - Unicorn Loves Deer
16. SBTRKT - SBTRKT
17. Austra - Feel It Break
18. Real Estate - Days
19. Timber Timbre - Creep on Creepin' on
20. Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation

21. Feist - Metals
22. Metronomy - The English Riviera
23. tUnE-yArDs - W H O K I L L
24. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Mirror Traffic
25. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
26. Wye Oak - Civilian
27. I Am Oak - Oasem
28. Atlas Sound - Parallax
29. Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx - We're New Here
30. Jay Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne

31. Alex Turner - Submarine EP/Parenthetical Girls - Privilege Pt IV: Sympathy for Spastics EP
32. The Weeknd - House of Balloons (/Thursday/Echoes of Silence)
33. Yuck - Yuck
34. Bright Eyes - The People's Key
35. Idiot Glee - Paddy Whack
36. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes
37. Summer Camp - Welcome to Condale
38. Lola Kite - Lights
39. Jamie Woon - Mirrorwriting
40. Bibio - Mind Bokeh

41. Intergalactic Lovers - Greetings and Salutations
42. Memory Tapes - Player Piano
43. CANT - Dreams Come True
44. The Strokes - Angles
45. The Horrors - Skying
46. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
47. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
48. Black Lips - Arabia Mountain
49. Cults - Cults
50. Fucked Up - David Comes to Life

This list feels somewhat arbitrary, because I've left out some albums which would've also made it if it were a, say, top 100. Therefore I've also made a playlist with 201 songs from 2011 on Spotify.

Top 10 gigs

1. Bon Iver - Vredenburg, Utrecht

2. Ty Segall, London Calling, Paradiso, Amsterdam (boo, no videos, but you can watch the entire show on 3VOOR12)

3. Pete and the Pirates, 013, Tilburg

4. Wild Beasts, London Calling, Paradiso, Amsterdam

5. Fleet Foxes, Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam

6. Dark Dark Dark, Paradiso, Amsterdam

7. The Kills, Melkweg, Amsterdam

8. Dry The River, Melkweg, Amsterdam

9. Agnes Obel, Mezz, Breda

10. Das Pop, Vestrock, Hulst

THE MOVIES

I don't think I've ever seen as many films as in the last year. Listed below are some highlights.

Top notch: Rundskop was magnificent, Submarine was very cute and La Piel Que Habito just baffled me. After seeing Drive I was somewhat in doubt, the story is actually rather simple but after reconsidering, the music, the scenery, the rawness and mr. Gosling's performance made it definitely one of the best films I've seen in 2011.
Kudos: I nearly pissed my pants from laughing while watching Bridesmaids in the theatre. Our Idiot Brother was pretty sweet, Carnage was rather funny and Midnight in Paris, despite its wafer-thin storyline, was very enjoyable. The Greatest Movie Ever Sold gave an interesting insight into the world of product placement.
Slightly disappointing: I felt somewhat unfulfilled after watching the final Harry Potter movie, because I just read the last book and some things were so much different, and over-the-top. But the 'end of an era'-melancholia was probably also a major factor. Source Code started off rather promising, but I really disliked the ending. Crazy/Stupid/Love also disappointed me, probably because my expectations were sky-high, but also because of the annoying babysitter storyline, ugh... that just ruined it.
Awful: I watched No String Attached because of Natalie Portman, but she couldn't make the film worthwhile. Also Friends with Kids was plain terrible despite the decent actors...
Yet to be seen: Melancholia, The Future, The Ides of March, Rabat, Le gamin au vélo, The Tree of Life (if I ever find the patience for watching it), We Need to Talk about Kevin, Beginners... etcetera etcetera.

THE SMALL SCREEN

Tv-wise, 2011 has been mostly about comedy for me. Perhaps because of the more serious developments in my life (writing my master thesis, getting a 'real job'), I highly enjoyed a laugh provided by professionally funny men and women. I think I started watching 30 Rock and The Big Bang Theory this year. I was a bit about hesitant about New Girl, but I'm starting to like it. However, the discovery of Parks and Recreation was definitely the one of the biggest bringers of joy. I LOVE this show. Everything about it is perfect. Unfortunately I've seen all episodes now, so I just have to wait for a new one every week, boo!
In other genres, I've kept on watching Gossip Girl, which doesn't really interest me anymore, and Grey's Anatomy, which in my opinion is picking up again after a slow season. I wanted to give up on Desperate Housewives, but oh well, it's the final season, but so far I've not been rewarded for my loyalty. Dexter's sixth season was a bit less haunting than usual, the religious theme didn't really work for me. However I'm very curious to see how things will continue now [SPOILER]....

All the best wishes for 2012!

Cats & music ftw

2011-10-26T19:09:00.001+02:00

Cat videos are incredible, obviously. One things that's often missing though, is some good music to accompany the hilariousness. Reading's lovelies Pete and the Pirates found a solution for this dilemma (actually they already did so about six months ago, but somehow I only found out about it now). Enjoy the awesomeness that is the video for the, not unenjoyable either, 'United'.

Arm aber sexy

2011-05-14T11:14:00.001+02:00

Some pics of my trip to Berlin with Anneke, from the end of February. It was a really nice but way too short visit. We also met up with Ines who I hadn't seen in two years! Lots of fun.

Anneke's new blog

2011-04-12T14:43:00.000+02:00

Illustration by Anneke Koster

Just a quick update: my friend Anneke has a new blog: annekekosterillustration.blogspot.com. Make sure you pay her a visit, or better: follow her!

Heart is a Beating Drum

2011-03-31T16:41:00.002+02:00

Yesterday I finally saw The Kills live at the Melkweg in Amsterdam. It took me quite a while, but it was worth the wait. Because of their raw and gritty sound, I sometimes tend to forget that Alison really has a beautiful voice. Fortunately, they gave a reminder of that fact by playing Last Goodbye during the encore, a slow song featured on the new album, Blood Pressures. On the album it sounds somewhat cheesy, with the string arrangements and all... but played live, the piano and strings were distorted and a bit out of tune which made it all fit perfectly.

By the way, I'm on Tumblr now! I already signed up for an account months ago, but I never really started using it until recently. At first, I didn't really see what extra value it could bring to my blog or one of the other network things I'm on and that it was just a platform for hipsters to channel their ~coolness~, but I've come round to it. Unlike this blog, I use it as a sort of visual diary. I try to upload something every day, and it's actually working! Feel free to follow me if you're interested. I'm still looking for nice people to follow, so if you have any suggestions, let me know!

Nirrimi Hakanson

2011-03-08T18:27:00.000+01:00

Nirrimi Hakanson is a very young and amazingly talented photographer. Despite being only 18 years old, she has already won several awards and shot a campaign for Diesel. I really like her work.

official website - blog

New York, New York

2011-01-03T16:18:00.003+01:00

Hope you all had a wonderful start of 2011! So, in the spirit of the new year, one of my resolutions being to blog more often... Here are some pictures from my trip to New York last September. Photographs by me and my friend Eva.

Bye bye, twenty ten

2010-12-31T17:51:00.000+01:00

Source: ffffound.com

In the wee hours of 2010, here's my annual end-of-the-year post. However, no album top 50 this year, it was just too hard to pick! I could've made a top 100 if I wanted to. Therefore, here's a Spotify playlist I created, capturing 2010 in 201 songs.

Here's my top 10, in no particular order:

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Sleigh Bells - Treats

The Black Keys - Brothers

Balthazar - Applause

Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Tame Impala - Innerspeaker

Janelle Monáe - The Archandroid

Beach House - Teen Dream

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

Wolf Parade - Expo 86

Have a brilliant 2011 everyone!

Like a map with no ocean

2010-12-23T23:21:00.001+01:00

My dear grandfather died this week. Tomorrow is the funeral. Christmas is going to be so strange this year.

New York Cares

2010-09-09T00:38:00.002+02:00

After years and years of wanting to go there, I'm finally visiting New York. I'm going with a friend and we're leaving on Friday. That's tomorrow! So surreal. Anyway, to 'celebrate' or whatever, I made a mixtape. Yes, you probably guessed. This blog is becoming way too predictable.

A NY-mixtape is a thing I've been, in a way, working on for years as well. So now the time of wrapping up is finally here, I must say the result turned out pleasing but also rather surprising. Most of the featured artists are from New York, perhaps born or raised or even died there. The blend of old and new songs all have a certain almost melodramatic feel to them. The title was initially just a working title, taken from the Interpol song. But now that it's finished, it seems to fit the compilation rather well.

Picture by Ted Dwane.

NEW YORK CARES
1. The Strokes - New York City Cops
2. Ella Fitzgerald - Manhattan
3. Harlem Shakes - Niagara Falls
4. The Walkmen - 138th Street
5. Matt & Kim - I'll Take Us Home
6. Cat Power - Hard Times In New York Town (Bob Dylan Cover Peel Session)
7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Yeah! New York
8. John Lennon - New York City (Rehearsal)
9. Beastie Boys - An Open Letter To NYC
10. Interpol - NYC
11. Vampire Weekend - M79
12. The Magnetic Fields - The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side
13. Ol' Dirty Bastard - Brooklyn Zoo
14. LCD Soundsystem - New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down
15. Ramones - 53rd & 3rd
16. Jonathan Richman - Springtime in New York
17. Bishop Allen - Flight 180
18. Conor Oberst - NYC - Gone, Gone
19. The National - So Far Around The Bend
20. Julian Casablancas - Ludlow St.
21. Frank Sinatra - New York, New York

Bonus track: (yes, beyond corny, but I couldn't help it)
22. Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind (ft. Alicia Keys)

Also on Spotify (with limited availability).

Let's not fall apart

2010-07-25T01:10:00.000+02:00

As if Tim Vanhamel wasn't perfect enough, he now is in a project that goes by the name Broken Glass Heroes, together with Pascal Deweze. Their first single Let's Not Fall Apart is the perfect tune for hot summer days and comes with a sweet, self-directed home video.

Art by Anneke

2010-07-01T10:37:00.000+02:00

My friend Anneke Koster is an amazing illustrator from Amsterdam. She just graduated from art school and is now on her way to become famous! Here is some of my favourite work of hers:

(Wham! - Club Tropicana)

(an impression of Johnny Jordaan)

(embroidery)

And finally some work of her graduation project:

Her graduation exhibition is opened from 4-8 July at the Minerva Academy, Groningen.

A summer wasting

2010-06-28T16:36:00.008+02:00

My exams are over (let's forget about that resit for a bit), the sun is shining like crazy and summer has officially begun: time for a mixtape!

Picture by Jen Gotch.

SUMMER SUPREME
1. Yeasayer - Sunrise
2. Modest Mouse - Dashboard
3. Nouvelle Vague - Blister in the Sun
4. Empire of the Sun - Walking on a Dream
5. Beyoncé - Crazy in Love (ft. Jay-Z)
6. Gotye - Learnalilgivinanlovin
7. Phoenix - Sometimes in a Fall
8. M.I.A. - It Takes a Muscle
9. Passion Pit - The Reeling
10. Broken Bells - The High Road
11. The Asteroids Galaxy Tour - Around the Bend
12. Girls - Lust for Life
13. Vampire Weekend - Run
14. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Bright Lit Blue Skies
15. The Drums - Submarine
16. The Very Best - Kamphopo
17. Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work
18. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - A Teenager in Love
19. Mayer Hawthorne - The Ills
20. Animal Collective - Fireworks

Also available on Spotify.

Dreaming of Another World

2010-06-02T20:53:00.004+02:00

The Mystery Jets go dandy in their new video for the song 'Dreaming of Another World'. Their new album Serotonin will be released on the 5th of July.

Good weekend

2010-03-22T08:47:00.002+01:00

Ah, the weekend. One of the few things I'm actually looking forward to in 'the adult life'. I've been trying hard to push it forward, sticking into college for another two years after graduating last summer. But having the weekend off, every weekend, is definitely something I could get used to.

Picture by Milo Vermeulen.

On Friday I saw Slagsmålsklubben, a crazy-sweet bunch of goofy Swedes and on Saturday: Yeasayer. Plenty of reasons to say 'Yea' there. And tonight I am going to see Owen Pallett perform in a church! I-am-excited!

I know it must sound incredibly corny, but the past few days were so... inspiring. I've had a little free time on my hands so I had the time to indulge myself in books and music and movies and tv and magazines and people and cities... Basically I'm a big spunge, absorbing all of it. Or maybe it's just springtime lurking, and the desperate need for change after the long, cold winter.

Last Thursday it had been exactly one year since I posted my first entry here. So happy birthday to... my blog? Speaking of blogs, I started another one, as an assignment for a course in uni. It's mainly about social media for now, but I'm exploring the topic of IT and organizations, which is what it needs to be about. In fact, we're obliged to use Twitter and Google Analytics as well. This blog can be found here: http://nikkie-media.blogspot.com/ and I'm acutally partly graded on the number of visitors I get, so please don't hesitate to pay a visit!

Romance is never boring

2010-01-15T20:51:00.006+01:00

Romance is Boring is the title of the third album of Los Campesinos!, which will be released on February 1. A title that would normally appeal to any spinster like myself, however, in the case of this band, the romance is all around. They stole my heart back in 2006, when I received a couple of mp3's and gradually continued to impress me with their passion for making music (and playing it live in such a devoted manner) and their clever, witty lyrics.

I cannot emphasise enough that my body is a / Badly designed, poorly put together vessel / Harbouring these diminishing, so-called vital organs / I hope my heart goes first
(We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed)

Yesterday they played a sold out show in Rotown, Rotterdam. This also was the mainland-Europe introduction to Kim Campesinos, who replaced the former bandmember Aleks who left the band to return to her studies. She did quite well (although the sound was a bit off at times) and was received most enthousiastically by the men in the audience... Anyway. The crowd only went mental during the second song, which left me unprepared and caused me to spill my drink all over myself BUT, most importantly, Los Campesinos! played a great show, mixing older tunes like Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks and You! Me! Dancing! with songs off their second album and a couple of no-so-sneaky previews from Romance is Boring, according to the singing along (ty, internet leaks). One thing that I so love about this band, is how approachable they are. Singer Gareth and guitarist Neil entered the crowd several times, and despite selling out the venue, the band packed their gear by themselves and hung around long after most of the concert visitors left.

They'll be back around soon:
13 March: Gebäude 9, Cologne (D)
14 March: Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)
18 March: Botanique, Brussels (BE)

They're also playing a free instore at Rough Trade East, Brick Lane, London on the 31st of January and doing a full UK tour in February. OR, for the quick Dutchies, they're playing in Groningen tonight at 21:50 at the Eurosonic Festival in Simplon.

Put the radiator on

2010-01-11T11:17:00.003+01:00

Picture by William Hawkins.

It's cold. I know it, you know it, everyone in Europe knows it. In my humble 23 years on this planet, I don't think I've experienced more than three consecutive-ish weeks of snow, like now. In order to cuddle up next to the radiator to, I made a wintery mixtape last year, enjoy!

Tracklisting:
1. Sigur Rós - Hoppípolla
2. Belle and Sebastian - Winter Wooskie
3. The Smiths - Hand in Glove
4. Explosions in the Sky - Snow and Lights
5. Special Needs - Winter Gardens
6. Joy Division - Atmosphere
7. Sufjan Stevens - Sister Winter
8. Regina Spektor - 20 Years of Snow
9. The Long Winters - It'll Be a Breeze
10. Radiohead - Reckoner
11. Iron & Wine - Faded from the Winter
12. The National - Squalor Victoria
13. St. Vincent - We Put a Pearl in the Ground
14. Jens Lekman - The Cold Swedish Winter
15. Arcade Fire - Winter for a Year
16. Stars - Your Ex-Lover is Dead (Final Fantasy)
17. Matt Pond PA - Snow Day
18. Bright Eyes - If Winter Ends
19. Wolf Parade - This Heart's on Fire

Download HERE.

Obsessed with the mess that's America

2010-01-07T20:26:00.002+01:00

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful NYE and that all your fingers and limbs are still intact. Definitely a great way to kick off 2010 with, the lovely Marina & the Diamonds ('and' or ampersand? I'm still unsure) released an acoustic version of her latest single Hollywood on Youtube, with a cosy and very stylish video:

She's performing at the Eurosonic festival in Groningen, next weekend and her debut album The Family Jewels will be released in February.

Oh, that time again

2009-12-31T11:24:00.005+01:00

Yes, it's the ending of the year and even of the decade. I respect those who are able to make an entire "best of the Noughties"-list... (btw, am I the only one who hadn't heard that word until December 2009?) Because I really couldn't do that. This decade has shaped me in such a drastic way as a music lover and as a person in general, there's no way I could wrap it up in a simple Top 10 or something. I mean, I was 13 at the change of the millenium and now I am 23. There's been top 40-pop shit, pop rock, some goth, nu-metal, punk rock, hiphop, electro, reggae, grunge, even a brief emo-phaze... You probably get my point. What I can do, is reflect on the year that just passed!

ALBUM TOP 50

1. Fever Ray - Fever Ray
Mmm, such an amazing and brilliant album. I really took me some time to get used to her sound, but Fever Ray managed to grab me by the throat with this one.

2. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Full of great songs such as My Girls, Lion in a Coma and Brothersport.

3. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Brilliant, yet subtle compositions. Two Weeks must've been the most perfect single of '09...

4. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
... or is it Lisztomania? Phoenix managed to keep me interested for quite a few years now, but this album finally got them the attention they deserve.

5. Gossip - Music For Men
This album has so much energy wrapped into perfect pop gems. Because of all the media attention you might forget that Beth Ditto is not only a truly inspirational person, but also a great singer.

6. The Hickey Underworld - The Hickey Underworld
Surprisingly good debut album of this Antwerp quartet.

7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
Not as edgy as their previous work, but still highly enjoyable.

8. HEALTH - Get Color
About 30 minutes of loud, way too loud brilliance.

9. Absynthe Minded - Absynthe Minded
Yes, it was a great year for Belgian music.

10. The xx - The xx
Because how could it not be in the top 10?

11. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
12. Metric - Fantasies
13. The Bony King of Nowhere - Alas My Love
14. The Thermals - Now We Can See
15. Girls - Album
16. Isbells - Isbells
17. John Frusciante - The Empyrian
18. Julian Plenti - Julian Plenti Is... Skyscraper
19. Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young
20. Das Pop - Das Pop

21. The Raveonettes - In and Out of Control
22. Jamie T - Kings and Queens
23. Ghinzu - Mirror Mirror
24. Noisettes - Wild Young Hearts
25. The Whitest Boy Alive - Rules
26. Regina Spektor - Far
27. The Maccabees - Wall of Arms
28. Emilíana Torrini - Me and Armini
29. Nouvelle Vague - 3
30. Fanfarlo - Reservoir

31. Florence and the Machine - Lungs
32. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
33. Mos Def - The Ecstatic
34. Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
35. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
36. Jiggy Djé - De Ark de Triomf
37. Röyksopp - Junior
38. Spinnerette - Spinnerette
39. N.A.S.A. - The Spirit of Apollo
40. Dananananaykroyd - Hey Everyone!

41. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
42. Simian Mobile Disco - Temporary Pleasure
43. Karen O and the Kids - Where The Wild Things Are OST
44. Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
45. Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3
46. Little Dragon - Machine Dreams
47. Silversun Pickups - Swoon
48. Howling Bells - Radio Wars
49. White Rabbits - It's Frightening
50. Tiga - Ciao

Yes, but no:
La Roux - La Roux
Yes, she produced a bunch of more than decent and highly addictive singles, but she also goes down in history as one of the most annoying personalities of the year, in my opinion. The voice! The face! Aargh!

Passion Pit - Manners
The Reeling is an amazing song, but the rest of the album fairly disappointed me. A bit too soft, although their live show at Melt was a lot edgier than the album.

GIG TOP 10

1. Florence and the Machine, Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)

2. Gossip, Melt Festival (D)

3. Grizzly Bear, Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)

4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
you know it's been a good show when someone faints afterwards ;)

5. Fever Ray, Polsslag Festival (B)

6. Beirut, Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)

7. Kings of Convenience, Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)

8. Das Pop, Mezz, Breda (NL)

9. Noisettes, Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)

10. White Rabbits, Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)

BEST MOVIES

I really liked Inglourious Basterds and De Helaasheid der Dingen. This year I really started getting into Belgian cinema, but most of the films I saw were released before 2009... Public Enemies was also enjoyable. My expections were really high for (500) Days of Summer, but the ending really disappointed me. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was also a bit disappointing, He's Really Just Not That Into You was pretty terrible. There are still quite a few movies I have yet to see, such as Antichrist, Up or New York, I Love You. And Where The Wild Are too, of course, but that hasn't even been released in NL yet.

BEST BOOK
Like in 2008, I don't think I've read one book that came out this year. I re-read Microserfs by Douglas Coupland, spent about 7 months getting through Naomi Klein's No Logo, which was very interesting but a bit heavy before bedtime or on the beach. Other books I read were A Disorder Peculiar to the Country by Ken Kalfus and Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris, both entertaining and somewhat funny, but not brilliant. A few weeks ago I started reading A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Tolz, so far I really like it. Oh and I got Eating Animals by Jonathan Safron Foer for Sinterklaas, that'll be my next read.

ALBUM COVER
Little Dragon - Machine Dreams:
So predictable, I like anything with lots of colour and detail

I also really liked the cover art of Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors, Tonight by Franz Ferdinand, Further Complications by Jarvis Cocker and Grrr.. by Bishop Allen. Definitely NOT memorable for their design: My Maudlin Career by Camera Obscura (the font!) and Junior by Röyksopp.

Have a more than brilliant 2010 everyone!

Merry christmas y'all!

2009-12-24T09:39:00.002+01:00

The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride (mp3)

Illustration by Hedof.

December = bells

2009-12-22T18:54:00.002+01:00

Delicate, lovely tunes to crawl underneath the blankets to under these snowy circumstances: Isbells. Yet another pearl from the fields of Belgium (Leuven to be more precise), Isbells is singer/songwriter Gaëtan Vandewoude. He played in bands such as Soon and Ellroy (yeah, never heard of them either) and is now taking the solo route. His music is often compared to Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes, which makes sense because of the high-pitched vocals and the singing in parts, but his music is a lot less complex than the above mentioned artists. This might make Isbells a shortlived hype, but so far I've played his album to pieces on my iPod.

Isbells - Reunite (mp3)

He is playing all over the Benelux next year, so don't miss out! A few tourdates:

7 Jan: Rotown, Rotterdam (NL)
10 Jan: Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
16 Jan: Tivoli de Helling, Utrecht (NL)
22 Jan: Doornroosjes, Nijmegen (NL)
30 Jan: AB, Brussels (BE)

For the cheap ones among us: he's also doing a few FNAC instores in Belgium.

Het betere uitpakwerk met C-Mon & Kypski

2009-12-17T10:43:00.001+01:00

Een beetje oud nieuws, maar een aantal weken geleden schreef ik een review over het concert van C-Mon & Kypski op 4 december jl. in Mezz, Breda voor 3VOOR12/Breda.

Sinterklaas-voorpret met zoete traktaties in Mezz. Met de nieuwe plaat ‘We Are Square’ op zak komt C-Mon & Kypski de laatste keer hun set testen voordat ze in de Heineken Music Hall staan met Kyteman. En dat belooft veel goeds.

SKIP & DIE
De avond wordt geopend door Skip & Die. Dit duo bestaat uit Jori Colligon (tevens C-Mon & Kypski) en de Zuid-Afrikaanse Catarina Aimee Dahms, die we dan weer kennen van Shane Shu. De formule is vrij simpel: elektronisch geweld, hier en daar een trommel en vrouwelijke raps en Skip & Die doet op papier denken aan M.I.A. of Amanda Blank. Live blijkt het juist meer te neigen naar de baile funk van Bonde do Rolê. Het niveau ‘hobbyproject’ overstijgt het nergens, maar het is een geinige opening van de avond. Bonuspunten voor de aankleding, visuals en Catarina’s glitterjurkje.

C-MON & KYPSKI
De show van C-Mon & Kypski gaat van start met een druk op de rode knop, die door een mysterieus figuur in zwart pak met lichtgevende banen wordt aangereikt aan het publiek. Voor C-Mon & Kypski is het optreden in Mezz een generale repetitie voor hun show met Kyteman in de Heineken Music Hall, die volgende week zal plaatsvinden. En we kunnen al zeggen: dat belooft veel goeds in de bierhal.

Zo terughoudend als de zaal tijdens Skip & Die was, zo uitbundig wordt het tijdens de hoofdact. Al vanaf het eerste nummer zit er sfeer er goed in en eet het publiek uit C-Mon & Kypski’s hand. Er wordt geklapt, meegezongen, er ontstaat een mosh pit en later zelfs een heuse polonaise. ‘We Are Square’, het nieuwste album van de band staat deze avond centraal. Hoewel deze plaat slechts enkele maanden geleden verscheen, worden ook de nieuwe nummers goed opgepikt. De band lijkt uitstekend in vorm en heeft er zelf ook plezier in, wat aanstekelijk werkt.

Minpunt is dat de show halverwege wat inzakt, mede omdat publieksfavorieten als ‘Bumpy Road’ en ‘Make My Day’ al vroeg gespeeld worden. Hiervoor haalt de band nog enkele trucjes uit de kast: zesvoudig scratchkampioen Kypski komt van achter de drums vandaan om zijn kunsten te vertonen, terwijl de andere drie bandleden hem vocaal aanvullen. “Burning… hot!”. Tijdens het nummer ‘Bomba’ komt Catarina van Skip & Die een mopje mee rappen en wordt de eerste helft van de set besloten. De uitgerekte toegift verzandt in Balkan Beats-achtige toestanden, wat het publiek overigens niet deert. Hoewel zij zich prima amuseren, mag het duidelijk zijn: deze band verdient een groter publiek dan de matig gevulde Mezz op deze vrijdagavond. Ten slotte nog een compliment voor Kyteman: als je dìt in de voorprogramma hebt staan dan heb je het erg goed voor elkaar.

Gezien: Skip & Die en C-Mon & Kypski. Mezz, vrijdag 4 december 2009.

Zie ook: http://3voor12.vpro.nl/artikelen/artikel/42839913

Stillness is the move

2009-11-13T18:42:00.000+01:00

Everyone should hear this:
Solange - Stillness Is The Move (Dirty Projectors cover)

Source: Pitchfork

Hallo Ween

2009-10-23T12:34:00.003+02:00

A little mix I made in 2007 to celebrate Halloween:

Tracklisting:
1. Late Of The Pier - White Snake
2. Black Wire - See The Blood
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Graveyard
4. The Libertines - Horrorshow
5. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - The False Husband
6. The Horrors - Death At The Chapel
7. Liars - Grown Men Don't Fall In The River Just Like That
8. Pixies - There Goes My Gun
9. Fear Of Flying (White Lies) - Shadows
10. Boys Of Brazil - Something Was Wrong
11. Lupen Crook - Halloween
12. Neils Children - How Does It Feel Now You're On Your Own
13. Sonic Youth - Hallowe'en
14. Ox. Eagle. Lion. Man. - A Recipe For Disaster
15. Controller.Controller - Poison/Safe
16. Patrick Wolf - Underworld
17. Television - See No Evil
18. Theoretical Girl - Red Mist
19. Interpol - Cutthroat
20. The Duke Spirit - Dark Is Light Enough
21. The Victorian English Gentlemens Club - Cannonball
22. Final Fantasy - Flare Gun
23. The Violets - Hard Hammer

Download HERE.

Only 3 more days, kids!

2009-10-13T18:17:00.002+02:00

American kids, that is. According to IMDB us Dutchies have to wait another three months until January 14th. I thought Belgium got it in October as well, but apparently that isn't until December 23rd either...

But! To keep our impatient souls occupied, there's always New York, I Love You in the meantime! Opens October 29th.

Gelijk nen 'ond

2009-09-24T07:23:00.003+02:00

(foto: Andre Joosse)

Afgelopen zondag nog aan de picknicktafel bij Ivo en mij tijdens mijn eerste interview ooit, gisteren bij Matthijs in De Wereld Draait Door: Jasper Erkens.

Let vooral ook even op het bordje in het publiek op Werchter op 1:02. Ik heb het ventje toevallig twee keer kort achter elkaar zien optreden waar ook wat eyebrow-raising spandoeken en borden voorbijkwamen, maar dan toch nog altijd wat cryptisch: "Een leven zonder Jasper = een leven zonder sex" en "Erkens Jeanet". Deze is toch weer een stuk minder subtiel...

Girls, girls, girls.

2009-09-22T15:57:00.003+02:00

Tipje: morgen kun je voor gratis naar Girls en Swanton Bombs in Rotown, als je er zelf eentje bent (een meisje dan). Wat moet je doen? Stuur een mail met onderwerp 'GIRLS' naar prijsvraag@rotown.nl en ontvang één gratis entreebewijs. De mannen mogen mee voor het luttele bedrag van 7 euro.

Nog steeds niet overtuigd? Bekijk dan hun onwijs leuke video'tje bij Lust for Life (geen Iggy Pop cover):

Melted and enchanted

2009-08-07T21:53:00.010+02:00

1. 2.

Once a year, the former minegrounds of Ferropolis, Germany tranform into a world of sound and vision, when the annual Melt! Festival takes place. My friend Eva and I went there for the first time this year, and it was really nice!

3. 4.

On Friday, the first band we saw were Cold War Kids. I love them, last year at Pukkelpop I saw them for the first time. They played the main stage there, but that was just one size too big, plus the wrong timing (in the middle of the afternoon) really didn't help either. Now, they definitely made up for it, people were actually running towards the stage to see them play. Foals cancelled, apparently because of some mysterious illness, so Klaxons were on next. The atmosphere was really good, although the band were kind of distant, not really seeming to enjoy it. They played quite a number of new songs: more Golden Skans, less Magick.

5. 6.

I will never forget the first time I saw Gossip, at the Metropolis Festival in Rotterdam in 2006. It was over 30 degrees outside, Beth was wearing a shiny purple bathing suit and blowing everyone off their flipflops. This time she wore some more decent clothing (just a little), but the band still very convincing. Playing a lot of songs off their newest album Music For Men, Queen Beth and her posse made the entire tent go crazy. Definitely one of the highlights of the weekend.

I listened to Junior, the last Röyksopp record a lot, and I loved it. Live, they didn't really live up to my expectations. Their show was quite boring, even though they put a big effort in it with a bass player and a guest vocalist. Fortunately, their poor performance gave us the chance to sneak out and go see Metronomy, who played simultaneously. But we were disappointed to see they weren't there! Bodi Bill, Germany's electropop sweethearts were still playing and after that, Crystal Castles took the stage. According to a Melt Tweet, Metronomy "fucked up their travel". Bummer! We watched some Crystal Castles anyway, and even though I'd never seen them before, it felt a bit like 'been there, done that'. New album, plz.

Simian Mobile Disco made up all of it, putting on a fresh show, which we danced to in the rain. Their new single Audacity of Huge became one of the anthems of the weekend.

Saturday started late, after we spent half an hour queuing at the cash machine for no reason (foreign cards didn't work). The Whitest Boy Alive brought instant bliss to the rather drizzly day. For some reason, I though Erlend Øye would be shy, but in fact he was a strong, confident performer. Can't wait to see him with Kings of Convenience in October.

As you can see, they had really cool visuals and they played a brilliant cover of Show Me Love by Robin S. Just pure bliss! The visuals also did amazing work during the show of Animal Collective. They played a blend of songs off Merriweather Post Pavillion and older stuff. Guided by the huge screens behind them, the visual picture finally did justice to their bigger-than-life sound.

7. 8.

After Animal Collective, we went to the Gemini stage and saw a bit of !!!, which sounded very solid and danceable! We couldn't stay long though, since we wanted to get some good spots for Phoenix, who put on a very good show. They had the most energetic drummer, and basically the entire band put effort into putting up a great performance. I expected them to be a bit French & arrogant, but they really weren't (or at least they didn't show it). Also, I totally forgot how many great songs this band has delivered!

Bloc Party can't do much wrong, in my opinion. They're one of the few bands that have grown with me, musically, over the past few years. So when Kele and his men entered the stage, I could feel nothing but excitement. Their show was good, new single One More Chance worked pretty well live, which still can't be said of Mercury. That song just wasn't made for the stage. Sorry guys! In a way, it surprises me that the songs from their first album still are the biggest crowdpleasers.

Digitalism put on a big, big show with screen-filling visuals and an extensive lightshow, but they also suffered from the Crystal Castles-syndrome: been there, done that (even though the live drums really added something special). Again: new album please! Luckily, there was still an opportunity to dance over at the Gemini stage, where Boys Noize & Erol Alkan shared the decks. They really seemed to have fun, and in general there was a really good atmosphere in the tent. It wasn't just an illusion when we came out and it appeared to be light outside.

9. 10.

Sunday started with, yes, sun! Patrick Wolf's music generally works best in dark, small venues with candle light. Since his third album, he became more extravert and cheery, and now he can even pull off a show in broad sunlight. He wore a very interesting costume, until he stripped down to... barely anything. Wearing white boxer briefs, suspenders, knee-high socks which were later accompanied by black shiny pumps, worn fiercely on the front stage; Patrick made us all wonder whether he's the next Boy George. Musically, the show was alright, very powerful with lots of electric guitars. Not much has been left of the shy, introvert singer-songwriter that brough us Lycanthropy and Wind in the Wires . But as long as he's happy with it, so am I.

I still cannot contain what the fuss around Glasvegas is all about. In my opinion, they're just plain terrible! Their songs are bad, their singer is a douche bag and don't even let me get started about that excuse for a drummer. She's just a disgrace for every woman that ever picked up an instrument. Ok, enough words spent on that. We wanted to go and see Kakkmaddafakka, just because their name is so hilarious, but it started raining and the Coca-Cola tent was packed, so we couldn't get in. Shame.

Polarkreis 18 are from Dresden, and were the only German band to perform on the mainstage that day. We saw their show, but on the other side of the 'pit', something way more interesting took place. Some crazy guy took off his clothes and started entertaining the audience, which provoked lots of applause and cheering. Very, very funny. Eventually, he was carried out by two security guards. Boo-hoo.

11. 12.

And by that time, the grand finale of the festival on the main stage was about to commence. Kasabian were grand, too bad their singer is such an ass. I hate to use words twice in one post, but again: douche-bag! Too bad he can sing.

That Liam Gallagher can also be kind of an annoying fella, is a known fact. Maybe that's why he gets away with it. Oasis did prove why they're the biggest band on this festival, by far. Hearing Wonderwall live, sung along by so many people, was just amazing. Although I'm not really a big fan of theirs, they definitely won my respect with this show.

But the night wasn't over yet! There was still some dancing to be done over at Tiga's show, but we left pretty soon to catch some Passion Pit in the Coca-Cola tent. They were quite good! I wasn't sure what to expect, Sleepyhead had been one of my favourite tunes of 2008, but they might just dissappoint live. They only did so by quitting way too early and with that, announcing the official end of the festival.

Photo index:
1. by me
2. by Hans Reinsch
3. Cold War Kids, © The Headhoops, by Franziska Reichwein
4. Klaxons, © The Headhoops, by Franziska Reichwein
5. Gossip, © The Headhoops, by Franziska Reichwein
6. The Whitest Boy Alive, © The Headhoops, by Franziska Reichwein
7. Phoenix, © aufgemischt.com, by Christoph Paul
8. Bloc Party, by me
9. Patrick Wolf, © The Headhoops, by Franziska Reichwein
10. by me
11. Kasabian, © Melt! Festival, by Maurice Baker
12. Oasis, © Melt! Festival, by Philipp Böll
All videos by me

The Uniform Project

2009-07-10T16:19:00.005+02:00

What would it be like to wear one dress all year long? The Uniform Project is a project, started and carried out by Sheena Matheiken. She has seven identical dresses, one for each day of the week (otherwise it wouldn't be very hygienic, would it?). During one year, she will wear the dresses every single day. Growing up as a child in India, Sheena was inspired by the way that her schoolmates tweaked and individualized their identical uniforms. Now living in Brooklyn, NY, she will create a different look for every day only by means of layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments (mostly vintage or hand made) and publish these online.

The project is also a fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation. The contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for slum children in India. Website visitors can donate accessories or money. I think this is fantastic way to use creativity for creating awareness in a playful way!

High on a wire

2009-06-21T09:58:00.007+02:00

The Black Box Revelation - High On A Wire from joris rabijns on Vimeo.

Let love rule

2009-05-26T22:24:00.008+02:00

On sale today: H&M's new Fashion Against Aids collection. For the second year in a row, this time with designs by Katy Perry, Róisín Murphy, N.E.R.D., Estelle, Yoko Ono, Dita Von Teese, Cyndi Lauper, Yelle, Robyn, Dangerous Muse, Katharine Hamnett (again) and (yes) Tokio Hotel (who are probably responsible for the spread of most STD's around Western Europe, but hey). 25% of the sales price from each garment sold this year will go to projects around the world carried out by DAA, YouthAIDS, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation. Although H&M managed to get a fair amount of decent pop belles to draw, I'm not particularly overwhelmed by this year's designs, but the good cause makes it worth while. Spread some love, buy a shirt!

Elephant's breath

2009-05-15T21:23:00.004+02:00

Have I told you that elephants are my favourite animals? The Antwerp Zoo has something really cool: a website entirely dedicated to Phyo Phyo, their knocked up elephant. You can sign up for e-mail or text alerts when the elephant goes into labour, and guess what? I just got an e-mail that it has begun! You can watch the delivery live online or on the big screens outside the zoo. Apparently they can't handle all the traffic and the webcam's already down. Ain't that amazing?

I hope it will be as adorable as this little guy.

Ik zie uw polsslag graag met Londen bellen, yeah.

2009-05-04T20:18:00.012+02:00

Drukke tijden op concertgebied! Vorig weekend was de eerste editie van het Ik Zie U Graag festival in Mezz in Breda, afgelopen woensdag stonden de Yeah Yeah Yeahs in Paradiso, daarna was het London Calling en afgelopen zaterdag Polsslag, in de Grenslandhallen in Hasselt. Een impressie van een volle week.

1. 2.

Ik Zie U Graag begon op donderdag met The Sedan Vault. Een groep uit de buurt van Brussel, die een duistere sfeer neerzette met haar postrock, veel rook en videobeelden van Russisch verkeer. Ze deden me al snel denken aan The Mars Volta, iets minder geflipt en minder geniaal, maar toch zeker nog heel goed. Barbie Bangkok speelde in het café. Iets minder vrolijk en swingend dan ik had verwacht, maar toch een leuke show. Het meisje links op het podium mocht wel wat meer Vlaamse frieten eten/pintjes drinken. Daarna snel weer terug naar de zaal voor A Brand. Deze heren kwamen in stijl en al snel werd duidelijk dat zij met recht de afsluiters van de avond waren. Allemaal op een rijtje (inclusief drummer), strak spelen met zelfs nog een enkele ingestudeerde head-move, just another day at the office voor A Brand. Met een paar covers op zak van LCD Soundsystem en AC/DC wordt al snel duidelijk hoe breed de muzikale grens van deze band zich spreidt: van hardrock naar electro en weer heel snel terug.

De vrijdag heb ik om praktische redenen geskipt, maar op zaterdag was ik wel in Antwerpen dus het Belgische gevoel bleef gehandhaafd. Die avond viel ik binnen toen The Hong Kong Dong aan hun laatste nummers bezig waren. Maar een beetje meegepikt dus, maar zeer amusant! Amusant was het zeker ook bij Vermin Twins. Een soort gekke soundmixshow met verkleedpartijen, vuurwerk en af en toe een gastoptreden van ene Chuckie. Bangelijk! Pas écht feest werd het bij The Subs. Amai, deze gasten weten hoe ze een zaal op stelten moeten zetten. Helaas was hun show al snel voorbij en mocht dj Jules X nog wat plaatjes draaien om het publiek te vermaken.

Op zondagmiddag was het fijn bijkomen met de zoete liedjes van Tom Pintens. Begeleid door Stijn Cole van Off The Record was het geen standaard zondagmiddag-akoestischgitaartjehier-gevoeligliedjedaar-show, en werd ik zeer positief verrast, terwijl ik eigenlijk helemaal niet zo van Nederlandstalige muziek houd. Daarna zou eigenlijk Tim Vanhamel op het programma staan, maar die was 'ziek'. Tot mijn grote spijt, want ik ben stiekem een beetje verliefd om Tim Vanhamel, maar allez. Mezz had in Ruben Block een meer dan waardige vervanger gevonden, zo bleek. De voorman van Triggerfinger was wèl echt ziek, maar stond toch op het Bredase podium. In Mezz spelen is toch altijd een beetje zoals vakantie, sprak hij. Met zijn drie dames (gitaren) wist hij het met zijn charisma voor elkaar te krijgen om het meestal nogal luidruchtige publiek stil te krijgen met een mix van eigen solo nummers, liedjes van zijn band en een aantal covers. Knap. Al met al een zeer fijne eerste editie van dit festival, volgend jaar graag weer!

3. 4.

Woensdag was het niet alleen voor sommigen al Koninginnenacht, er was ook in feestje in Paradiso want de Yeah Yeah Yeahs stonden op het podium. Met héél veel glitters en een gigantisch op de zaal toeziend opblaasoog, wisten Karen O. en haar mannen een zeer fijne show neer te zetten waarbij een glansrol was weggelegd voor het hun nieuwe album, It's Blitz!. Met haar uitgebreide garderobe (er kwamen o.a. een kleurrijke kimono, een nekhangsel met goudkleurige glanzende bollen, een glittersjaal, een studded leren jack met 'K.O.' op de rug en een lichtgevend masker voorbij) en een kanonlading aan rode Y's van glanspapier trokken de New Yorkers alles uit de kast om het publiek te vermaken, en met succes. Maar ook ingetogen kwamen ze goed uit de verf, zoals bewezen werd bij Skeleton en de klassieker Maps (kippenvel! ook mooi zachtjes meegezongen door het publiek). Alleen een beetje jammer van dat dooie voorprogramma, HTRK.

Een dag later was ik weer in Paradiso te vinden voor London Calling. Eigenlijk was ik van plan om na 6 keer achtereen eens een editie over te slaan, maar door alleen deze dag te gaan had ik een mooi compromis gesloten, vond ik zelf. Helaas was het de zwakste dag in London Calling-geschiedenis die ik heb meegemaakt. Het begon met Two Door Cinema Club, hun niet al te originele band naam (wie vormt er geen clubje dezer dagen?) werd weerspiegeld in hun ietwat afgekauwde indie met electro-invloeden. Ik ben groot fan van onconventionele bandopstellingen, maar een drummer had dit drietal toch wat meer pit gegeven. Doordat er dit keer geen scherm in de grote zaal was waarop je de optredens vanuit de kleine zaal kon zien, was het veel heen en weer lopen. Het was gelukkig niet zo druk als gewoonlijk, dus het was ook goed te doen.

5. 6.

Tijdens Lowline heb ik een dutje gedaan op het balkon. Yawn. Even later werd ik trouwens weer goed wakker bij Pulled Apart By Horses, die eruit zagen alsof een takkeherrie maken en dat ook deden. Maar wel goed! De zanger kwam gezellig met microfoon en al in het publiek staan. De Golden Silvers stonden in de grote zaal, ze waren wel okee. Terug in de kleine zaal zagen we Stricken City. Een groepje met een zangeres met model-achtige looks (lang rommelig haar, messcherpe kaaklijn) en een handvol geinige liedjes, maar het werd nergens echt spectaculair. The Airborne Toxic Event zijn niet Brits, maar komen uit L.A. en zo klonken ze ook wel een beetje: groots, niet echt opvallend of vernieuwend, maar wel verzorgd. In de kleine zaal stond daarna Fight Like Apes. Niet alleen delen zij een gewelddadige naam met dieren erin met Pulled Apart By Horses, ook hun geluid komt overeen: hard! Er werd zelfs geheadbangd, jawel. Ik was benieuwd hoe Filthy Dukes hun live show zouden aanpakken, aangezien hun album barst van de collabs. Zo komen er onder meer Samuel Dust van Late Of The Pier en Orlando Weeks van The Maccabees, beiden LC-favorieten, voorbij. Het antwoord was al snel duidelijk: ze zingen het gewoon lekker zelf. We zaten op het balkon dus ik kreeg niet veel mee van de vibes op de vloer maar er werd volop gedanst. Prima show. Als laatste alweer zagen we James Yuill. Hij wordt veelal geïntroduceerd als iemand die akoestische nummers begeleid met electronica, maar live bleek het (in ieder geval de eerste paar nummers) andersom te zijn. Beetje jammer, want na HTRK en 2DCC was ik de drumcomputers eigenlijk wel al beu. We moesten ook al snel weg, want ondanks dat het Koninginnedag was, reden er geen nachtbussen. Als het goed is hebben we niet veel meer gemist, Delphic had ik al gezien (eerder dit jaar in het voorprogramma van Bloc Party), Erol Alkan was niet meer gekomen en Miss Kittin, och, daar kan ik wel mee leven.

7. 8.

Pukkelpop is mijn favoriete zomerfestival. Dit jaar moet ik het helaas aan me voorbij laten gaan omdat ik dan op vakantie ben, maar niet getreurd, er is Polsslag! Je hoeft er zelfs niet eens een tent voor mee te slepen en er zijn èchte wc's. Hoera! Bij binnenkomst stonden we al direct in een van de zalen waar de Noisettes net begonnen spelen waren. Na de noodzakelijke voorbereidingen (kluisje, pardon, locker zoeken, drink- en eetbonnen en een plasbandje (!) aanschaffen) kwamen we snel terug om hier iets van mee te pikken. Het was alweer de vierde keer dat ik ze mocht aanschouwen. Het nieuwe album, Wild Young Hearts had (en heb) ik nog niet gehoord, maar de nieuwe nummers klonken goed en ze leken het goed naar hun zin te hebben. Ik was bijna vergeten hoe sympathiek deze band is. Nog zo'n band in de categorie 'Al veel te vaak gezien' zijn The Rakes. Helaas vind ik het sympathieke er bij hen een beetje vanaf gegaan. Alsof ze een karikatuur van zichzelf zijn geworden. Jammer, want hun eerste album was toch een klein pareltje. Nadat we net binnen waren in de dance hall bij Birdy Nam Nam, waren zij al klaar met hun set. Toch maar weer terug naar de marquee, waar The Von Bondies gereed stonden. Kun je iets van vier/vijf jaar geleden jeugdsentiment noemen? Want wat heb ik toch veel geluisterd naar Pawn Shoppe Heart. De nummers die ze daarvan speelden waren dan ook favoriet, maar ook de nieuwe kwamen goed uit de verf. Ik kreeg er zin van om weer gitaar te gaan spelen. Over naar de club voor Fever Ray. Dat Karin Dreijer Andersson een aparte dame is, wist u al. Met Fever Ray zette zij een bloedstollend optreden weg, compleet met veel rook, (prachtige) lasers en wacky outfits. Een waar hoogtepunt.

Na Fever Ray gingen we naar de marquee waar de Yeah Yeah Yeahs zouden staan. We hadden wel meegekregen dat zij van plaats geruild hadden met Peter Doherty, maar helaas niet dat de tijden daarmee ook veranderd waren, met als gevolg dat we bijna een half uur voor niks hebben staan wachten. Oh well. Het optreden was grotendeels te vergelijken met dat van woensdag (nog steeds erg goed dus), hoewel Karen nu wel een ander speelpakje aan had. Hetzelfde tafereel speelde zich af bij De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig: te lang wachten omdat we niet wisten dat het later begon. Het was ontzettend druk in de club maar we stonden er goed met een drankje links en... etc. Uiteindelijk barstte het feest los: de Damsko's vroegen om liefde en kregen die ruimschoots van het Vlaamse publiek. Goed om te weten dat er weer een Nederlandse act is die het goed doet op de Belgische festivals en dus geen afzeikerige introductie in de Humo-boekjes behoeft (denk aan Kane en Within Temptation).

9. 10.

Dames en heren: Peter Doherty is gearriveerd. Om de één of andere reden had ik hem met band verwacht, maar hij stond echt slechts gewapend met zijn gitaar en een bijzettafeltje met union jack en de nodige hard liquor op het podium. Ik heb hem nooit met The Libertines gezien, maar in deze vorm vind ik hem het best tot zijn recht komen: als een troubadour die hartstochtelijk zijn liedjes speelt. Zijn show was een ware natte droom voor de Pete-aanhangers, want hij speelde een bonte verzameling van solo nummers, Libertines en Babyshambles liedjes en obscure tracks die ergens over het internet zwerven. Echt moederziel alleen was overigens hij niet, tijdens een liedje werd hij bijgestaan door twee danseressen (!). Jawel, daadwerkelijk komen opdagen bij een optreden én ballet op het podium, onze Pete wordt zo nog de ideale schoonzoon.

Toen viel er een groot gat in het programma, omdat we druk waren met iemand van onze groep te zoeken die wel een telefoon op zak had, maar waar niemand het nummer van had. Eenmaal herenigd steeg de euforie tot een hoogtepunt bij Tiga, een mooie afsluiter van de avond (nacht, inmiddels). Alleen jammer dat van petje.

Foto index:
1. The Sedan Vault, foto door Martijn Stadhouders, 3VOOR12/Breda.
2. Vermin Twins, foto door Edwin van de Rijke, Oor.nl.
3 & 4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, door mij.
5. Pulled Apart By Horses, door mij.
6. Stricken City, foto door Niels Vinck, KindaMuzik
7. Noisettes, foto door Jan Van den Bulck, Flickr
8. Fever Ray, foto door Rien Geypen, Polsslag Flickr
9. Peter Doherty, foto door Jan Van den Bulck, Flickr.
10. Tiga, foto door Joris Bulckens-Jokko, Flickr
Alle video's door mij.

I (don't) love a nice Hummer

2009-04-22T20:10:00.006+02:00

Yesterday I saw a Hummer. Not for the first time, but it doesn't happen every day, since this isn't LA or Dubai. Every time I see one I realize how ridiculous they are. I mean, what were they thinking?

"Parking is a bitch anyway, so why bother?"

"Let's increase national security by letting people drive around in bulletproof tanks!"

"All the money people spend on gas, thus taxes, could be invested in education and health care!"

Later that day I was watching (another rerun of) Sex and the City and to quote Samantha Jones: "I love nice Hummer". Well, I don't think I do. Although I must admit I have a weak spot for the pink ones.

Sex, drugs, rock 'n roll en stront

2009-04-16T20:51:00.016+02:00

Eén van mijn goede voornemens van 2009 was meer boeken van Herman Brusselmans te lezen. Tot nu toe (en we zitten toch alweer dik in april) was daar nog niet veel van gekomen. Dit moet hij vooral niet persoonlijk opvatten, aangezien mijn literaire consumptie de laatste toch een beetje op een laag pijl staat. Toen mijn favoriete langharige Gentse auteur gisteren weergaloos als gast optrad bij De Wereld Draait Door was mijn interesse alweer snel gewekt.

Helaas had ik zo snel niks voor handen, op een niet geheel legale versie van de verfilming van Ex Drummer na. Dus die werd het.

Voor wie nog niet precies weet waar de film over gaat: drie gehandicapten zoeken een drummer voor hun band en vinden deze in een bekende Vlaamse schrijver, Dries. De vergelijking met Trainspotting is al snel gemaakt: een stel debielen, onverstaanbare dialecten, verwaarloosde baby's. Sex, drugs, rock 'n roll en stront. The Feminists, Harry Mulisch, collectief verdriet en een enorm geslachtsdeel, dat De Grotste Lul van't Stad een geheel andere betekenis geeft.

Mijn piratenversie had Engelse ondertiteling, wat eigenlijk nog niet eens zo vervelend was. Mijn West-Vlaams is toch niet zo best en gewoon Nederlandse ondertiteling zou ook maar raar geweest. Als je net denkt dat je de meeste mottigheid wel gehad heb, komt dan die eindscène, met het geweldige Blow van Ghinzu op de achtergrond. Voor de liefhebber: ge zijt gewaarschuwd. Tragikomisch, of beter gezegd: komi-tragisch.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T14:31:00.001+02:00

Yikes

2009-04-10T19:11:00.004+02:00

Loop je het ene moment nog te klagen dat je met uitgaan alleen maar aandacht van minderjarige jongetjes krijgt...

...heb je daarna weer zoiets aan je fiets hangen. Neen, dank u.

All the single ladies, put your hands up!

2009-04-08T19:26:00.008+02:00

Yes! I am an independent woman and managed to put this piece of wonderful Ikea-furniture together all by myself. I wonder if Beyoncé's ever done that. It isn't perfectly stable, I don't know how long it will take before it falls apart or if it will survive my moving out in a couple of months... But for carrying socks and underwear it'll be just fine.

Concerning the Jamie Oliver book on top of it: I cooked his Chicken Tikka Masala yesterday and made the inevitable mistake of rubbing my eye after cutting up the peppers and gingers: ouch!

Also: how good is the new Ghinzu album?

Answer: really good.

THE COMING OF SPRING

2009-04-01T17:39:00.007+02:00

Het is jullie vast niet ontgaan: de lente is begonnen. Terrassen worden weer massaal bevolkt, parken puilen uit, zonnebrillen op, winterjassen uit! Gisteren kocht ik panda-aardbeien (je weet wel, van die met een Wereld Natuur Fonds-sticker op de verpakking) en vanmiddag at ik me misselijk aan crunchy paaseitjes. Bij dit euforische gevoel (de lentevreugde, niet de misselijkheid) hoort natuurlijk een passend muziekje. Daarom, lieve bloglezers, en aangezien het feit dat ik jullie vast nog wel op één hand kan tellen, bied ik hierbij mijn voorjaarsmixcd'tje aan dat ik twee jaar geleden al bij elkaar heb gescharreld. Ik fröbelde er zelfs ook nog een hoesje bij. Geniet ervan!

Je kunt het hier downloaden en dit staat er op:

1. Au Revoir Simone - The Lucky One
2. Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill
3. Good Shoes - Sophia
4. Bright Eyes & Neva Dinova - Spring Cleaning
5. Los Campesinos! - Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks
6. Minnie Riperton - Les Fleur
7. Les Incompétents - Reunion
8. The Michelles - Springtime
9. Feist - Mushaboom
10. Yeti - Never Lose Your Sense Of Wonder
11. De Novo Dahl - Shout
12. Vincent Vincent And The Villains - Johnny Two Bands
13. Mystery Jets - Diamonds On The Dark
14. The Lovin' Spoonful - Daydream
15. I'm From Barcelona - Rec And Play
16. Travis - Selfish Jean
17. The Unicorns - I Was Born (A Unicorn)
18. Of Montreal - Your Magic Is Working
19. The Rapture - The Coming Of Spring
20. Cajun Dance Party - Colourful Life
21. Larrikin Love - Ribbon Dance Mews
22. The Svengalis - Sting In The Tale

SHOCK DU JOUR

2009-03-20T22:32:00.011+01:00

One of the things that made me go "Whut?" today: Florence and the Machine's Kiss with a Fist in Nike's Men vs. Women commercial with a whole bunch of famous people. And her album isn't even out yet! Apparently the commercial features Run by Gnarls Barkley in most countries... which makes much more sense, yes, but still. I'm glad we got Florence! Even though it was a little frightening to hear her voice come out of my tv.

Edit: Found the original video:

JUMPING THE BLOGWAGON

2009-03-18T20:16:00.000+01:00

Ja, daar is hij dan. Mijn blog. Na vele omzwervingen op het web hoop ik hier een vaste uitstortplaats voor mijn hersenspinsels te creëren. Chique lettertypje erbij, mooie plaatjes, lekkere linkjes, dat moet wel wat worden. Nu nog een samenhangend verhaal, maar dat zit er vandaag helaas even niet in.

Om deze post toch nog een beetje nieuwswaarde mee te geven: gisteren zag ik Animal Collective in Paradiso en het was wunderschön. Tschüss!

Foto: Siese Veensta/OOR.nl