This coming Friday at the Koken Art Factory happens to be one of the most terrifyingly awesome nights of the year thus far (and for a while to come, I’d imagine) as St. Louis booty shakers Drew Digital and Get Serious combine their darks powers, giving birth to ”Glow 2 - Gore In the Dark,” a horror themed, glow-in-the-dark dance party . As the second iteration of “Glow” to hit town, this party promises to please by highlighting some of St. Louis’ most talented DJs and producers under the same roof. Most notably, St. Louis native and Mad Decent signee Jay Fay will be pushing out some serious moombahton rumble, while long time South side boys Sweets, Tapes and Brandon B deliver their own delicious takes on house, disco and moombah-x. Also making a headlining appearance will be St. Louis’ prodigal son of boogie, Kool Hersh, spinning a vast collection of funk, electro, disco, house, breaks and anything and everything else you can think of. Not to be missed for a mere $10. Check the facebook event here, rsvp and get ready to get your feet bloody.
In continuation of our Dec/Jan issue’s coverage of contemporary artist, Damon Davis, we bring you news of Davis‘s latest project, FarFetched. An independent music and art imprint, Farfetched is Davis’s brainchild comprising of forward thinking musicians, artists, and imaginative video artwork. Farfetched is celebrating its first record release, {Prologue}. A music mix comprising of the who’s who of upcoming local acts, {Prologue} is a preview of things to come. Gathering sounds from a breadth of genres, {Prologue} promises a preview that will highlight the strengths of its forward-thinking musicians whose work will be featured by Farfetched.
The acts featured will be: 18 and Counting, Adult Fur, Standing Sleep, Scriptz n Screwz, Thelonius Kryptonite, Helen Marie, Scrub, Whiteout, and Blank Generation.
FarFetched also incorporates other forms of art, such as the tactile. An example would be the installation from Matt Strom and Davis which will also be in attendance at the party.
You can catch the show, for free, January 20th. Festivities will commence within the space of 2720 (2720 Cherokee) with doors opening at 9 PM and music starting at 10 PM.
In addition to {Prologue}, FarFetched has begun a monthly musical podcast, BadTaste. Curated by a different musical mind each month, BadTaste will undoubtedly provide a curiously different aesthetic upon every listen. You can check out BadTaste‘s premier podcast by clicking on the graphic below:
Now that it’s officially the weekend, I can’t help but wonder, What Going On?
Thursday, January 5th
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Esoteric impressions of sunrises, noon skies, sunsets, haystacks, and landscapes are all bound permanently to his canvases. Even within the walls clothed with ivy, he found inspiration inside of his garden at Giverny. Now, for the first time in 30 years, Claude Monet’s monumental Lilies exhibition has found its way back to St. Louis. Present until the 22nd of this month. Almost a century after his death, Monet remains one of the most prolific painters, not only of the Impressionist epoch, but of all time. Presented by SLAM against gray walls, his paintings vibrate with an intensity only true passion and genius can create.
Friday, January 6th
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Every Friday Cafe Sebastienne posts a new menu for The Kemper Musuem’s patrons to feast on. This Friday prepare to mange on starters like Moroccan-spiced carrots and beets, gorge on an entree like the lamb and duck sausage cassoulet. Prior to eating to quell your tummy’s desire, stroll through the Kemper’s Companion Pieces exhibition. You’ll see the likes of platonic and romantic couples whose art inspired one another. Willem De Kooning and his wife, Elaine, are presented in addition to artwork by Neil Welliver and Alex Katz, and colleagues Jules Olitski, David Smith, and Kenneth Noland.
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The Bad Plus have been combining uncompromisingly pretty piano strings, harmonious upright bass, and energetic drums for a decade. Catch them at Jazz at the Bistro around 7:30 PM.
Saturday, January 7th
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Works on Paper, Andy Leicht
Andy Leicht is a St. Louis based painter whose artwork will be ending its exhibition tonight at Fort Gondo. The series, Recent Paintings, is comprised of oil on canvas work mostly incorporating abstract and figurative subjects.
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Eleven brought you news this month’s issue about PLUSH, the next big venue in STL. Get a feel for the place by checking out Bay’s Bash. Celebrating the end to his corporate matters, Bay is focusing on what he loves (KDHX) and inviting you all to come kick it for free. From 8 PM until whenever, expect music from Beth Bombara and Karl Eggers, beer at half price, and party hats.
Sunday, January 8th
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Featured artist Buzz Spector
Kick back and listen to Bad at Sports. BaS is a weekly contemporary art talk podcast. Featuring national and local artists, BaS is an approachable glimpse to the art world. This week’s guest is local writer, artist, and the founder of San Francisco’s WhiteWalls urban gallery, Buzz Spector.
I never could quite comprehend the fascinating nature of Jack White until I saw The Raconteurs at Bonnaroo a few wet and HOT summers ago. Even when he appeared on stage, and my eyes appeared to cloud over in awe (was it really ‘awe’? The world may never know), I still pondered the irreverent position he took on stage. Maybe if I had watched Under Great White Northern Lights, the White Stripes documentary following them during one of their final tours, I would understand. Well, now I have the chance to comprehend, as do you. Schlafly Bottleworks is hosting the film at 8 PM tonight. Be aware, you might be tempted to dress like a peppermint.
Photo by Johnny Andrews | jandrews@post-dispatch.com
Clever title, right?
Since they’re known for the absurd amount of musical prowess displayed during their live shows, it’s no surprise Bo and the Locomotive would eventually shoot a livevideo. Carved out by STL Today‘s LISTEN division, the video shows some familiar faces around Cherokee being galvanized into a food fight by Bo’s enthusiastic performance.
For this look into St. Louis’s vast and varied stockpile of vinyl, I found myself drawn into a region of dance not usually on my radar, techno. Now, I’m not talking about capital “T” techno – the stuff of your Eurotrip nightmares – that dominates the popular conception, but rather about the very American musical phenomenon that arose from the post-industrial imaginations of Detroit’s denizens. The origins of the Detroit techno sound can be attributed to three innovative producers, Juan Atkins, the godfather, Derrick May, the innovator, and Kevin Saunderson, the elevator.
The trinity is, depending on who you talk to, more or less responsible for shaping the way we sonically envision the future. Their translation of themes of technological perfection, utopian and dystopian futurisms into soundscapes fundamentally altered the way in which a generation approached the advent of truly a technological world by facilitating release and transcendence through tech instead of domination by it. In a manner of speaking, they technologized humanity while at the same time humanizing technology, an essential balance I find missing in much of what passes for “techno” today. This perhaps paradoxical co-temporal subordination of the human in tech and tech in the human brings us to our track for this week, “Big Fun (Magic Juan Atkins mix)” by Inner City, a duo comprised of Kevin Saunderson and singer Paris Grey.
Opening with mechanized voices, a crisp, programmed beat, and piercing strings, the track initially presents itself as something wholly alienated from the organic. As the bouncing synth establishes over the relentless kick drum something strange happens, though, as we encounter Paris Grey for the first time. Soaring, cold, metallic and disinterested, her vocals take the place of the synthetic strings from before and become part of the machine music. From here, the lines between human and machine blur as Grey’s vocals and the high synths trade off, coming in and out of focus over the perfect rhythmic repetition, drawing you further and further into the imagined future being laid out before you. Get into it.
I picked this up over at The Record Exchange, quite possibly my favorite STL record store due to the enormity of their collection. The size of the store can, however, be a bit overwhelming at times, in which case one should check out their website for organized listings of some of their stocks. Also, hit up their blog for a run down of their improvements planned for 2012 – all making it easier and faster for you to get your dirty hands on that coveted wax.
Hey everyone! As you finish up your finals or getting ready for an overdose of family for the holidays, you might be wondering what’s going on. Well, here are some options for you this weekend.
Thursday, December 15
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I don’t really know where to begin with this graphic…but Black James, The Chill Dawgs, Ellen the Felon, and The Mattronome are in town!
Let’s get real here: St. Louis is a sometimes a seriously pretty city. Part of her beauty is the brick architecture that studs homes throughout the city. Unfortunately, she’s just encrusted with the vandalism of apathetic denizens and burdened by a reputation that is in dire need of rehabilitating. Support STL by attending a screening of “Brick by Chance and Fortune“. The film centers around the history of brick-theft, neglect, and urban renewal, and the promise of a brighter future.
And after that…you can “put your a$$ to work” as Bitch Please spins at El Leñador.
The femme fatales of Bitch Please are cited as, coming ”armed with graffiti, glitter, and a filthy collection of wax, and plastic designed to get you headed you toward a night of bad decisions fueled by Stag and dancing,”.
Not content to kick it at home after a rowdy Saturday night on Cherokee? Prune, Dubb Nubb and Navigator are convening in South City for your aural pleasure (HA HA!).
DJ Invisible Cola and Mike Stasny will be playing at the latest SLOUP gathering. SLOUP is a monthly soup dinner that gives its profit to a local artist. Listen up for artist’s proposals and the opportunity to dance!
Fresh off signing with a major label whose name I could not recover from the abyss of internet lore, Alabama Shakes are bringing their soulful southern rock to the Old Rock House. Lead singer Brittney Howard sounds like a Janis Joplin condoning version of Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys…But better, younger, and disingenuously dangerous.
Karma is all parts-bookstore, gallery, publisher. They specialize in books about artists. Part of Karma’s charm is their special brand of sales. Installing pop-up stores to-and-fro, they effectively cast a capricious air to publication.
They also are shipping an enormous installation to White Flag. Multimedia neo-pop artist, Dan Colen is exhibiting his artwork in the White Flag Gallery this weekend.
Hailing from New York, this will be Colen’s first appearance in St. Louis.Part of Colen’s “Trash” series, the installation, consisting of materials varying from glass bottles to discarded posters, will hang from Thursday to Sunday.
Colen is part of an artist collective that calls, among others, photographer Ryan McGinley a member. Having been featured in a Karma pop-show himself, McGinley is most known for his voyeuristic aesthetic which utilizes stunned and stark composition of Larry Clark‘s Tulsa, to capture the naivety of his subjects who embody youthful splendor.
Colen’s work will be featured in the gallery Friday within the hours of 7-9, Saturday and Sunday from noon-5.
As 2011 draws to a close and the “Best Of…” lists begin, these two releases prove that it’s not over until it’s over.
However, while The Black Keys’ ubiquitous “Lonely Boy” viral video is certainly engrained into your eyes and ears by now (sweet Carlton moves, am I right?), make sure to later divert your attention to locals Last to Show First to Go.
The Black Keys- El Camino
Slap some glam onto eleven new tracks of The Black Keys’ dirty blues-rock and you’ve got their seventh studio album, El Camino. Undoubtedly their catchiest release-to-date, the Keys manage to perfect luscious hooks and sugary riffs with tremendous masculinity.
Drawing obvious influence from producer/co-writer Danger Mouse, the Black Keys continue their post-Magic Potion transition from garage jams to massive commercial rock’n’roll, fitting for the arenas they’ll play on their upcoming tour. Regardless, the blues are still there, and that’s something us St. Louisians can always appreciate.
While El Camino seemingly speeds to a quick finish with its full-throttle tracks (“Dead and Gone”, “Gold on the Ceiling”, “Hell of a Season”), the Keys do slow it down briefly for classic rock ballad “Little Black Submarines.” However, the track (which is drawing widespread comparisons to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”), ends in typical Black Keys’ fashion: an epic combination of shredding guitar and crashing cymbals.
Last to Show First to Go- The Farmer John EP
Bluesy influence takes a much different form on Last to Show First to Go’s The Farmer John EP.
Following the release of their full-length Short Cuts, this local fivesome tightens its jazzy blend of horns and cello with modern Americana folk. Sounding more cohesive and comfortable than ever before, The Farmer John EP displays maturing songwriting from Last to Show First to Go.
They’re still storytellers (arguably some of the best in the local scene), however, the focus here is much more deliberately political.
While structural corruption is the subject of “Dirt”, an ironically playful number, Last to Show First to Go construct a much more intimate account on the very solemn “Far Be It.” Painfully relatable, lead vocalist Bredon Jones eloquently illustrates a struggle with alcoholism, a dark social consequence of economic instability.
Miss out on Last to Show First to Go’s release show at The Sheldon last weekend? No worries. You can purchase a download or physical copy of The Farmer John EP here.
“For nearly fifty years, experimental sound and visual performance artist, Tony Conrad, has been making drone music and short films that re-examine and re-invent their form, content and structure.
Conrad was one of the early pioneers of New York minimalism and deep listening microtonal music. He worked in 1962 on LaMonte Young’s “Dream Music” project with the likes of John Cale and Angus MacLise (both moving on later to form The Velvet Underground). Since then, he has remained the purest and most ascetic of the minimalists.
Violin has remained his trademark instrument, although he has also manipulated sound through electronics, studio techniques, and projects with various collaborators.”
After having your mind thoroughly blown by Conrad, talk a short stroll down to the Gramophone for Smoove, a new dance party (with your’s truly getting it in on the 1s and 2s from 11-12) guaranteed to make you shake down the walls with a solid line up of disco, house, booty and moombahton. Be prepared to get messy, though, because this is a glow paint affair, so plan your outfits accordingly – or just leave your outfit at the door, your choice.
Is a baked bird celebrating the pummeling of Native American society really so dope, anyway? Eff that noise and hit up your local scene for an eclectic weekend void of smallpox.
Thursday, November 24th
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The Cuban Missiles
Get served by a broad-shouldered and babe-tastic bartender and listen to the stellar sounds of punk rock outfits The Cuban Missiles, The Haddonfields, and the Disappeared. Mangia is pretty small, and the acoustics are pretty fantastic, expect to get consumed by rancorous melodies all night.
They recorded their album in 200 year old barn, rattle off quasi-existential lyrics and call West Plains, Missouri home. If Ha Ha Tonka was an author, they’d be William Faulkner. Additionally, KDHX reps them, and that’s as good a reason as any to peep their show.
Plainly speaking, you’re an idiot if you haven’t listened to Harry Nilsson…ever. “Early in the Morning” is a gem, man. Nilsson is one of the best singers of all time. I know that, other people know that, and whether you do or you don’t know that, you need to hit up the What is the Point? A Tribute to Harry Nilsson this weekend. To elaborate on the event’s apathetic-sounding title, The Point!was Nilsson’s fable-tastic concept album revolving around Oblio and his intrepid dog, Arrow. Without points adorning their foreheads, the pair are ostricized for being different. Yeah, this is an acid-induced morality tale about acceptance, but all you need to know is that it’s brilliant. Also, it will be one of the definitive albums I’ll play my children over and over. But lest I digress, there will be a screening of The Point!‘s film, and bands like Theodore and Ransom Note will be covering some of Nilsson’s jams. Joining them will be Rats and People’s Motion Picture Orchestra, Old Lights and many more.
Times: Door 8PM/Show 9PM
Tickets: $10 if you’re 21. $13 if you’re a damn dirty minor.
If you bike, have biked, will bike, wanna bike…then listen up! Spoked STL and South Grand Delievered are hosting their second Alley Cat Race toooooonight. Find the lit-up landmarks, capture a glowstick and race back to The Handlebar to receive yo priiiiiiize.
Times: Pre-Party and registration/5PM – 7:00PM. Race starts at 7:30PM. Entire event lasts until 1:30AM.
Chris Jordan takes portraits of America’s current ecological disasters and rabid consumerism. The picture above depicts the 320,000 light bulbs wasted each year in America. As part of The Aggregate Series, Jordan’s photographic exhibit, Running the Numbers will be on display until January 6th, 2012.
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