So ummm, wanna know what I did this past weekend? . . . . I started a business, suckers!! That's right. A biz-ness.
OK, well I didn't start one loney-loney, but thanks to the most AMAZING team EVER, we started a business.
It was all a part of Startup Weekend Tulsa. And guess what? We won top honors!!
Are you kidding me?!
No, self, I am for reals.
And now we take part in a GLOBAL Startup Battle. (Are you thinking of Rocky IV right now because I know I am?)
Anyway, I had one day to submit a video to enter into the global battle. Tomorrow, at some undisclosed time, PUBLIC VOTING will take place to decide who wins out of this weekends top business in each city.
We're representing Tulsa-- heck, we're representing all of Oklahoma really-- in this global battle. So we need you to get your local pride warmed up and get ready to vote.
Oh and the business that we started? Well let me just show you . . . .
7.30.2010
Free Tulsa Schedule Suggestions
I'm scoping out the Free Tulsa roster and DAM-FUNK! there are a lot of bands playing. Imma try and break it down and see if I can build some kind of orderly schedule. I'm easy to scare and my mommy said I should always have a plan. By "mommy" I mean Nancy Reagan-- big ups, Old Mother Reagan!!
NOTE: There are tons of bands playing that I've never heard before and that's always fun too. Here's some that stick out to me on first glance that are guaranteed to be super:
FRIDAY
4:00 - People People - Soundpony
5:30 - Benjamin Lyman - Mainstage
6:30 - The Red Alert - Mainstage
6:30 - Don't Care Bears - Crystal Pistol
7:00 - PDA - Mainstage
8:30 - The Nghiems - Mainstage
8:30 - Motive for Movement - The Marquee
9:00 - OK Sweetheart - Bob's
9:30 - Native Lights - Mainstage
10:00 - Ghosts - Crystal Pistol
10:30 - Broncho - Main Stage
11:15 - Recorder - Main Stage
11:30 - Mayola - Crystal Pistol
12:00 - Aqueduct - Main Stage
12:30 - The Ruskettes - Crystal Pistol
1:00am - Acoustic Ross - Soundpony
SATURDAY
5:00 - Don't Care Bears - Crystal Pistol
6:00 - Slorder - Main Stage
6:30 - John Moreland - Crystal Pistol
7:30 - ISHI - Main Stage
8:30 - The Non - Main Stage
8:30 - Bearhug - Soundpony
9:00 - The 7 Degrees of Stephen Egerton - Mainstage
9:00 - Daniel(s) - Crystal Pistol
9:00 - Vandevander - Bob's
9:30 - Kawnar - Crystal Pistol
9:45 - Fiawna Forte - Main Stage
10:30 - Johnny Polygon - Main Stage
11:15 - Unwed Sailor - Main Stage
12:00 - Pretty Black Chains - Crystal Pistol
12:30 - Gentle Ghost - Crystal Pistol
1:am - Brine Webb - Hunt Club
NOTE: There are tons of bands playing that I've never heard before and that's always fun too. Here's some that stick out to me on first glance that are guaranteed to be super:
FRIDAY
4:00 - People People - Soundpony
5:30 - Benjamin Lyman - Mainstage
6:30 - The Red Alert - Mainstage
6:30 - Don't Care Bears - Crystal Pistol
7:00 - PDA - Mainstage
8:30 - The Nghiems - Mainstage
8:30 - Motive for Movement - The Marquee
9:00 - OK Sweetheart - Bob's
9:30 - Native Lights - Mainstage
10:00 - Ghosts - Crystal Pistol
10:30 - Broncho - Main Stage
11:15 - Recorder - Main Stage
11:30 - Mayola - Crystal Pistol
12:00 - Aqueduct - Main Stage
12:30 - The Ruskettes - Crystal Pistol
1:00am - Acoustic Ross - Soundpony
SATURDAY
5:00 - Don't Care Bears - Crystal Pistol
6:00 - Slorder - Main Stage
6:30 - John Moreland - Crystal Pistol
7:30 - ISHI - Main Stage
8:30 - The Non - Main Stage
8:30 - Bearhug - Soundpony
9:00 - The 7 Degrees of Stephen Egerton - Mainstage
9:00 - Daniel(s) - Crystal Pistol
9:00 - Vandevander - Bob's
9:30 - Kawnar - Crystal Pistol
9:45 - Fiawna Forte - Main Stage
10:30 - Johnny Polygon - Main Stage
11:15 - Unwed Sailor - Main Stage
12:00 - Pretty Black Chains - Crystal Pistol
12:30 - Gentle Ghost - Crystal Pistol
1:am - Brine Webb - Hunt Club
4.19.2010
Local Music: Buffalofitz
"We make stonebilly folk music . . ."
That's how Buffalofitz describes itself on Twitter (@Buffalofitz). Now, I have no idea what the hell "stonebilly" even means, but I'm a huge fan of making up words for musical genres so I'm all about it (btw, chubwave = next big thing. . . get it? BIG thing? Man, I crack my CheeseCore ass up).
Apart from being all about the word "stonebilly," I'm also all about the sweet and home-style sounds that come from Buffalofitz, an Oklahoma City duo comprised of Fitz Jennings and Buffalo Rogers. Their MySpace distinguishes the two by the following description: "Buffalo is a dirty Hillbilly, Fitz is a filthy Yankee." I mean, how can that NOT equal collaborative gold?
Their latest EP, Belle of St. Louis (Part 1), is available now as a FREE download. So head on over to BelleOfStLouis.com and grab it while you read the rest of this. And please do read the rest. I promise no more chubby jokes.
Instead of trying my best to explain to you the front-porch-in-springtime-night feeling I get from Belle of St. Louis, (and before I string too many more words together via-hyphen), watch this performance from The Helium Project. Your own eyes & ears can do a much better job than my clumsy words, I'm sure:
Call it folk, roots, americana. Call it "stonebilly" or what you will. Music like this goes beyond genre labeling and transcends dated trends. The word "timeless" is defined by music such as this. Folk-tales in song, this is music of the land and of the people, "dirty Hillbilly" and "filthy Yankee" alike.
The EP is strong through all tracks, but it's the 6th and final song, "Merle Haggard T-shirt," that completely carries this Okie boy to hillbilly heaven. The beauty of a girl in faded jeans and an iconic outlaw t-shirt inspires this tale of the road musician, the change of seasons and the newness of love. Lyrics like "the pay is too short and the road is too long" and "love worth building is worth building slow" are sung over music that is basic, yet beautiful-- just like its blue-jean wearing muse.
Again, let me shut my trap and let the music do it's thang:
Further Notes:
- My favorite lyric: "And I know Oklahoma can sure be lonesome, but us Hillcats always give it our best."
- Produced by Travis Linville
- Buffalofitz also perform for children at libraries and festivals, spreading the heritage of their music to other generations. Important, yes?
- The official album release is April 29th at VZD's (with Sheree Chamberlain, another Oklahoma great).
- They'll be in the Tulsa area for Mayfest this year.
- Buffalofitz.com
- BelleofStLouis.com
1.21.2010
Who needs the extra x: xx = sex
I swear to Prince's bare buttcheeks, The xx is the sexiest band around (see, I wrote it in red just to show you HOW sexy.)
If their 2009 album "xx" (as heard on Rock Rulz episode 1, btw) isn't proof enough, check out this subtle, yet smokin' video for "VCR." (More proof of sexiness: only xx could make the fab player of VHS tapes sexy). When I think of VCRs I now think of slow rewinding . . . and boning.
Enjoy.
The video is courtesy of Pitchfork, who also reports that the xx will soon remix a new album from jazz/spoken word/and badass artist Gil Scott-Heron. If you don't know Mr. Scott-Heron, then perhaps you have heard the phrase "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." (Never-mind the fact that the revolution WAS televised and it's called Jersey Shore.)
If their 2009 album "xx" (as heard on Rock Rulz episode 1, btw) isn't proof enough, check out this subtle, yet smokin' video for "VCR." (More proof of sexiness: only xx could make the fab player of VHS tapes sexy). When I think of VCRs I now think of slow rewinding . . . and boning.
Enjoy.
The video is courtesy of Pitchfork, who also reports that the xx will soon remix a new album from jazz/spoken word/and badass artist Gil Scott-Heron. If you don't know Mr. Scott-Heron, then perhaps you have heard the phrase "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." (Never-mind the fact that the revolution WAS televised and it's called Jersey Shore.)
1.14.2010
It Ain't Gonna Save Me: Jay Reatard Tribute
“Most of the time, what’s wrong with you is more interesting that what’s right. What’s right with you is fucking boring.” - Jay Reatard (in an interview with The Village Voice)
The death of Jay Reatard (born Jimmy Lee Lindsey, Jr.) has affected me greatly. I responded to his music immediately upon first listen. It epitomized the essence of Punk and even Rock in general. Jay was the first to admit that he could barely play his guitar, but it didn't stop him. From an early age (he released his first album at 15) the music poured from him and he kept playing and recording until he died.
He managed to remain completely real and raw and true to who he was, while making this massively accessible garage punk music with wonderful melody and even a catchy pop essence. Leave it to the guy who could give a shit what people think to ride the thin line of artistry and public appeal in such an effortless and uncompromising fashion.
The death of Jay Reatard also pisses me off because it's another case of not fully appreciating something/one until it's too late. I have mixed feelings about this. Sure, his death will bring new ears to his music and hopefully lots of them, but at the same time why does someone have to die before they are truly appreciated? What is it about a career/life/body-of-work cut short that makes their work suddenly important and craved?
Fuck it. I'm over-thinking this shit.
Whatever else I could say would be an understatement. So let me just share a few things that might paint a better picture.
Here's another quote from Village Voice. This one is from King Khan, recounting a pretty defining story about Jay:
The death of Jay Reatard (born Jimmy Lee Lindsey, Jr.) has affected me greatly. I responded to his music immediately upon first listen. It epitomized the essence of Punk and even Rock in general. Jay was the first to admit that he could barely play his guitar, but it didn't stop him. From an early age (he released his first album at 15) the music poured from him and he kept playing and recording until he died.
He managed to remain completely real and raw and true to who he was, while making this massively accessible garage punk music with wonderful melody and even a catchy pop essence. Leave it to the guy who could give a shit what people think to ride the thin line of artistry and public appeal in such an effortless and uncompromising fashion.
The death of Jay Reatard also pisses me off because it's another case of not fully appreciating something/one until it's too late. I have mixed feelings about this. Sure, his death will bring new ears to his music and hopefully lots of them, but at the same time why does someone have to die before they are truly appreciated? What is it about a career/life/body-of-work cut short that makes their work suddenly important and craved?
Fuck it. I'm over-thinking this shit.
Whatever else I could say would be an understatement. So let me just share a few things that might paint a better picture.
Here's another quote from Village Voice. This one is from King Khan, recounting a pretty defining story about Jay:
Here's some wonderfully done film shorts:KK: Or here's the best Jay story. When he was 17, he played at a mechanic's garage. This guy that was a fan of the Reatards [Jay's former band] set up a show in some garage. So while the show was going on, Jay was getting really crazy. While he was playing, he got naked and he opened up a can of motor oil and dumped it all over his head and was slipping and sliding everywhere. And then some smart-ass in the audience just rolled up a can of something on stage--it was all dirty, so he didn't know what it was. Jay grabbed it and opened it up and sprayed it on his dick. Within 10 seconds he started screaming in agony on the floor in the fetal position--"Ahhhhh!"--while covered in oil. Then he grabbed the can and scrapped the dirt off from it--it was EASY-OFF oven cleaner. He got taken to the hospital. Imagine the doctor's face when a 17-year-old Jay Reatard shows up covered in motor oil with two layers of the skin on his penis burnt off. That's how punk his love is.
1.08.2010
Happy Birthday, King
One of the music labeling stereotypes that I fall victim to is the "Beatles Person" vs. "Elvis Person" school of thought. While I know several people who comfortably sit in both camps (shout out to Jared Smith), I've always leaned far far into the Beatles category.
Of all the songs on my iPod, I only have about 5 Elvis tracks. (South Park made me love "In the Ghetto"). While I may not respond to his music, I certainly respect the King as a cultural icon.
So in honor of Elvis' big 75th birthday, let me share a few of my favorite E-influenced moments:
Buy your own velvet Elvi here
"Elvis is Alive" Rumors
The Lexicon of "Fat Elvis"
I wanted to end this post with the SNL video of Tiny Elvis, (Tiny E, if you please), but despite my hour long internet search, I came up dry. If you know of a link, please shoot it my way. The above pic is really all I could find. It's like they're trying to erase Tiny Elvis from our memories. Maybe Alive Elvis is behind it. (New conspiracy theory.)
"Look at this salt shaker, man. It's huuuuge."
Happy Birthday, (Tiny) King.
Of all the songs on my iPod, I only have about 5 Elvis tracks. (South Park made me love "In the Ghetto"). While I may not respond to his music, I certainly respect the King as a cultural icon.
So in honor of Elvis' big 75th birthday, let me share a few of my favorite E-influenced moments:
Velvet Elvis
Buy your own velvet Elvi here"Elvis is Alive" Rumors
The Lexicon of "Fat Elvis"
Elvis Impersonators
Tiny Elvis
I wanted to end this post with the SNL video of Tiny Elvis, (Tiny E, if you please), but despite my hour long internet search, I came up dry. If you know of a link, please shoot it my way. The above pic is really all I could find. It's like they're trying to erase Tiny Elvis from our memories. Maybe Alive Elvis is behind it. (New conspiracy theory.)"Look at this salt shaker, man. It's huuuuge."
Happy Birthday, (Tiny) King.
1.07.2010
Cold Day = No School = Rock!
Music, like one of my other favorite indulgences-- wine, can be enjoyed both alone or in the company of others. Music can console the lonely man in his empty house at night or it can spark love in a couple holding hands for the first time in a mass of concert-goers at Cain's Ballroom. It's this duality and adaptability of music (and other arts in general-- film, dance, etc) that really brings it to life.
Today on this frigid TulsAlaskan day (-15 wind chill, yo) when school's are closed (God bless those bus-stop kids) and it's certainly too cold to do anything else, what better way to spend some unexpected time with my kids than sharing some kickass music.
Yes, our Clark Family Jam is brought to us courtesy of Beatles Rockband. I can honestly say that I never forced The Beatles onto my kids. They took to the Fab Four naturally and have totally ran with it. (Scout, the 3 year old, does a wicked "I am the Walrus.").
Anyway, I'd better get back to it. I have some "Hey Bulldog" to master.
And if the cold leans you more in the "want to stay home alone and cry into my whiskey"/personal side of music, then I suggest you check out my play list for a cold day alone.
Today on this frigid TulsAlaskan day (-15 wind chill, yo) when school's are closed (God bless those bus-stop kids) and it's certainly too cold to do anything else, what better way to spend some unexpected time with my kids than sharing some kickass music.
Yes, our Clark Family Jam is brought to us courtesy of Beatles Rockband. I can honestly say that I never forced The Beatles onto my kids. They took to the Fab Four naturally and have totally ran with it. (Scout, the 3 year old, does a wicked "I am the Walrus.").
Anyway, I'd better get back to it. I have some "Hey Bulldog" to master.
And if the cold leans you more in the "want to stay home alone and cry into my whiskey"/personal side of music, then I suggest you check out my play list for a cold day alone.
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