This post is JUST some notes about some video that are inspiring some of my current ideas for producing TV content this year.
A lot of these videos, and also some photography is styles of things I'd love to expand into doing. Everything from costumes & makeup, but also shooting on location, shooting in studio, various lenses & frame-rates. HEAVY on the artistic VIDEO end/spectrum.
Well, I'd previously been very busy with going to UMASS Boston, but NOW I am doing a variety of film-making, animation, and photography, among other arts. My daughter is about to wrap up her Freshman year in high school.
I have a mix here of music but also video art heavy on the audio design.
But, here's some interesting video art since last I'd posted:
Jail Blimp:
Jail Blimp is ONLY 1 min long, but its SO AWESOME! I've watched this so many times! It's surreal, whimsical, weird, and won a number of awards. I often ask people if they've seen it, and when they haven;t I always show it.
All India Radio:
Let's talk "All India Radio"!
It was my little brother that showed me their work. very creative video art in a variety of styles. I've often referenced their work for some of my own at UMASS:
Here's a new one:
Other older ones:
My PERSONAL FAVORITE:
"All India Radio" has actually SO MUCH content. Most of their work is ambient or chill-out music. But, they're highly experimental, and very artistic.
The Glitch Mob's NEW album as an entire video art FILM "Seeing Without Eyes":
The Glitch Mob has been a favorite of mine since the GW Bush Era. They've always been pretty artists, including their live shows and their music videos. But this was incredible. They did the ENTIRE album as a music video film. It's full or psychedelic visuals and video art.
GRIMES & Janelle Monáe:
I'd posted about Canadian "GRIMES" before but she did a video art film with Janelle Monáe with a Canadian grant that was FANTASTIC!
I've also watched this video more times than I can count. Ultra experimental. They shot so much stuff that they have a remix at the end to showcase some of their B-Roll experimental footage.
Grimes had also done some work with HANA and I gotta say I LOVE HANA's work. I love her look on camera, her spirit, and her energy!
Here's the entire film:
Björk
I'd been a fan of Kerli for a while now, and she;s a fan of Björk, so often her work can kind of hint at some Björk influence, but NEVER had I seen Björk's work start looking like Kerli's until she did THIS. Not only that but her new album is ALSO named after Kerli's album Utopia from 2013:
Incidentally, Björk likes to work with video artist Andrew Thomas Huang who's work is Incredible!
Another thing I was quite enamored with this year was some Shamanistic Fusion, including Russian & Mongolian, or even Turkick, and Neo Pagan stuff:
Heilung:
I also happened to come accross a Tribal Fusion/Gothic bellydancer who freqently puts out videos and even dances to some older tracks from the GW Bush era by "Shiva In Exile":
There's a CD/album floating around out there, if u have cash to get one, from Walküre the audio/sound unit team from the Delta Unit in the show "Macross Delta".
In case u didn't know "Walküre" is the Germanic word for "Valkyrie" which comes from Norse mythology/ancient cultural religions. (also spelled "Walkuere" which is the same thing)
There's a new song in the series "Walküre Attack!":
I think this is probably my favorite song, even tho' I like all the songs very much. This song has that epic hard rock opera vibe like another song from the "Macross Frontier" final film "The Wings of Good-bye" in which a major character martyrs them self in a gesture of noble honor.
I gotta tell ya, that song ended up being my favorite song of all the songs from the entire Macross Frontier series. (There's 2 different versions of Macross Frontier, the TV show series version, and the films versions which are a somewhat different story, much like how Macross plus went with 2 different versions also, also their English versions had differences as well, and there were 2 of those also, as well as re-edited versions of those.)
The Walküre song reminds me of this song
"Sayonara No Tsubasa ~ End of Triangle"
also often called "the Valkyrie song" by fans.
For one, this song has the vocals by May'n, whom I liked way better than the original vocalist for Sheryl. But, wasn't interesting about the composition of this song, is that (if you ever studied music or dance) not only does the tempo change several times, but the beat counts also change. That's rare in songs. Also, this song tells a story, much like an opera, and as much of a hard rock song that it is, it also has a full orchestra backing, plus synthesizers which still has a pop & J-Pop vibe while still being "hard".
The Walküre Attack! song also does some of this, but still has more of a pop feeling than the Frontier one. This is still the most "hard" sounding. But, I suppose one could argue that the old vintage Macross music was way more rock n roll.
New Lindsey Stirling Whimsical Burning Man Vibe Video
Lindsey Stirling has out a new whimsical bohemian Burning Man and almost Katy Parry or Ariana Grande or Kesha vibe going on with her new Music Video. THE ARENA:
This video showcases much more of Lindsey's Dancing skills in ballroom and lyrical dancing and shows how nimble and dexterous she is.
The video is a very symbolic enigma of dream-like statements.
(UPDATED) I always like to see what other artists do (and in case you didn't already know, yes, I am an artist, myself, as well). There's this beautifully talented Estonian artist, named Kerli, whom I've been admiring the work of for about a few years now. She's ever changing, and inventive. There's so much of her work that resonates with the types of things I like, or do, but in her own way. She also was the artist whom inspired Lady Gaga to create her own artistic creative works.
I wouldn't call myself a "fan" whom she affectionately calls her "Moon Children" or "Moon Babies", but more of a fellow artist that admires her work VERY MUCH, just not in the way a fan does but as another artist does.
It's a very rare person/artist that actually lives and breathes their art, and she is that, which is why I SO ADMIRE not just her, but her artwork because she IS THE ARTWORK.
She doesn't just make the art, even tho' she quite often makes and rigs her own EVERYTHING or directs it, she lives the art, performs the art, feels the art, dreams the art, sings the art, shares the art. That sort of thing is something I'd say "I get it". I think she goes beyond the legendary artist Rebecca Horn because Kerli is so much more palatable for most people.
Kerli has been teasing people last year like a Hermit, Mori Girl, Nemophilist, off communing in the woods in Estonia, and posting photos of her dreamy creations last year, burning herbs for inspiration, and really getting into character with her flowing costumes, clothes, and creating all kinds of things...
Here's a number of teasers she put out recently: "Feral Hearts"
If you like the strange, whimsical, dreamy synth pop styles of Canadian artist Grimes, you might like her new single which I found for on SoundCloud:
I was watching on Snapchat for quite a long time the live premiere performance clips of this song but with a live band of folk instruments. It was very nice. So, I was surprised when I found out the single version is synth pop. I like both.
She's supposed to be launching her new music tomorrow. I assume that also includes her new music video art.
I personally would've loved to contribute to the crowd funding campaign she had months ago, but I lost my job.
here was the video she created for the fund raiser. She has a very child-like sweet innocence in this video clip.
Some of Kerli's beautiful art from Estonia:
UPDATE: (1:30 AM 02/19/2016)
I actually just got the new song on Amazon. I kept searching for it, and then suddenly there it was!
I'm actually surprised that this became so popular. Originally I wanted this record to be all "om" chants for meditation and/or yoga related practices. (Yes, I quite enjoy yoga and meditation for beneficial medical and emotional well being reasons.) Unfortunately, 8Tracks just refused to let my upload certain tracks. I have no idea why. I tried frequently for over half a year, like 7-8 months of trying, until I finally gave up on certain tracks, and just uploaded Deva Premal and some ambient tracks at the end.
There was a weird glitch when I got the "Gold Record" on this album, which just WOULD NOT SHOW UP for about a week or more.... I tried to get in contact with the 8Tracks Team which is generally rather social with me, especially on Twitter, and frequently emails me asking me to create theme mixes... but, they were nowhere to be found... I guess they were sick with flue, or on a vacation... *shrugs*
So, I've actually had some positive feedback on some of the musical tracks I created. I'm not the greatest musical person, but sometimes I need my own music to do my own video, or audio content. And, that's what these were for.
If you want them you can download them and use them, COMPLETELY FREE. (Just PLEASE DO NOT USE MY MUSIC FOR ANYTHING RACIST, BIGOTED, SEXIST, PREJUDICED, HATEFUL, OR XENOPHOBIC.)
the first 2 tracks are more ambient or somewhat dub house-ish.
The 2nd 2 tracks are Experimental Tribal Fusion using 303 Acid audio and ancient Arabic or Egyptian drum rhythms. Watch out for you speakers tho'.
Since it's almost 2016, I have a smattering of some stuff that sorta all started coming out around the same time.
Yes, I was often NUTS about the new Star Wars films "The Force Awakens" which I still haven't seen yet, since I don't like holiday crowds. I did, however, go ridiculously insane over getting the Covergirl Lipsticks online, which was like HELL, because they sold-out in like a second, and the websites were fraught with glitches.
I'll put a weird video of a dude playing piano, who seems kinda awkward. He dresses like a Jedi, only to sit down and play the overture, then walk around swing his light saber around like he's high or something... I dunno... awkward artists... go fig'.... *shrugs*
When Star Wars came out with the new film, Star Trek came out with their NEW FILM TRAILER. Which has a track from the Beasty Boys, which NOT ALL TREKIES are fans of, sparking a MAJOR CONTROVERSY. And, YES, I am a TREKIE. OF ANY fandom out there ST is my #1! strait to the core!
And here come the haters...
I'm on the fence... it's not exactly a "Star Trek" song choice, but it's the track when the rebooted Kirk stole a car as a kid in the first new film.
Then, I got THE NEWS a few weeks ago, about the NEW MACROSS Series! I'm like a MACROSS FIEND! MACROSS DELTA or withe the Greek symbol/letter: Macross Δ
Well, We're in LUCK because a new video came out with a new song from the new Series whcih premiers LIVE on Thursday December 31st!
Most of this month I've been OBSESSED with MACROSS FROSTIER soundtrack music, J-Pop, and K-Pop.
Then, a few weeks ago, PSY, everyone's favorite K-Pop singer/rapper/dancer star came out with not just ONE, but TWO new songs on the same day:
If you haven't heard the Daddy song you, you should, and WATCH THE VIDEO:
His other song/video that came out on the same day is NAPAL BAJI which is a Disco/Electro track. And, while ur at it, you NEED to see PSY do the Daddy song LIVE with all of his dancers. There's also a Video where he was doing a LIVE show in Hong Kong and danced with Chow Yun Fat that was especially good!
Even tho' Steve Aoki is actually American, I figured, what the hey, I'll just slap him in here also.... I've been kinda borderline obsessed with Steve Aoki... I say border line because I don't quite cross that line, just kinda close, but I like a number of things he creates, since he's more than just a musician and DJ, and a social media mogul, and well as a major producer. (And YES he has been NAKED on his Snapchat. ) He mostly seems to enjoy working with others, which makes his stuff very unique.
I must say I LOVE his NEON FUTURE stuff.
HIs NEON FUTURE II was REALLY REALLY REALLY GOOD! And he pout out NEON FUTURE ODYSSEY which is also good.
I was, however, obsessed with one track in particular, which I was busting my ass off on my now ex-job, called "Lightning Strikes", and altho' the video has NOTHING to do with Lightning, it just recently came out:
Home We'll Go Just came out on Christmas Eve.
And, you can see WHY I like Steve Aoki stuff, since he's about my age, and Generation X also:
1 final word about Steve is that not only does he have a lot of really enthusiastic fans world wide, and has a Guinness World Record of the most shows by any DJ in a full year, plus being inducted into the Hard Rock Cafe, but he managed to convince his audience to let him hurl a sheet of CAKE at them. In fact, he's managed to make people ENJOY getting caked that they compete of whom gets caked when he plays the CAKEFACE song.
If you want to see a bunch of little, skinny, hot girls, get TOTALLY SPIKED IN THE HEAD HARD CORE WITH CAKE, you should watch his compilation video, and any of his live concert shows.
My daughter has been obsessed this year with a band that's logo looks like it says "STUPID KILLERS" but no, they're actually called "STUDIO KILLERS".
They're actually a fictional band of virtual singers and musicians, similar to GORILLAZ from about a decade ago. The main singer is a pretentious brat diva named Cherry, whom altho' is a female character is actually sung by a man, Teemu Brunila.
Well, they actually just came out with a new music video on Christmas Eve. of the track, "Jenny", that was supposed to be released over a year ago.
Today, the views on the video went from just over 200K at noon (EST) to over 300K+ by 5PM, and as I'm typing this it just got about 9K more views on it.
Here's the video:
And, I know this was from late 2014, but I just found out about it this year. Like love animation, rave, and I do like Ke$ha. This ANIMATION is SO INCREDIBLY GOOD!
Well.....
That's all, folks!
Happy New Year!
Can't wait to see the new MACROSS DELTA in a few days!
I'm getting a new digital dual DJ deck in about a week. Don't know how that will go, but here's hopin'!
There's so many really great film scores out there. I love Disney Soundtracks, and a few select Anime soundtracks especially anything by Yoko Kanno, and I think anything and everything Danny Elfman goes without saying, as well as Star Wars, and Star Trek anything and everything.
Films by Speilberg, and Jim Cameron's Titanic are also great works.
I think, so far, my own personal favorites are stuff from the 1980s and 1990s, but I've also listened to many old classic films which had excellent scores as well.
I think what usually catches my attention the most are the scores for Fantasy and Sci-Fi films, because they often as (as they say) like a character in the film also.
So, let's go through a few right now!
1980s:
Excalibur by Trevor Jones
Dark Chrystal Trevor Jones
The Last Unicorn
Ridley Scott's Legend: There are 2 versions of the soundtracks, and several re-cut versions of the film.
Original Jerry Goldsmith:
Tangerine Dream (North American) Version:
Tangerine Dream Extended Version:
Dune by TOTO:
I can think of several other ones also.
1990s:
I gotta tell ya, I LOVED this one so much I had to go buy it after I watched the film in high school! It's REALLY WEIRD!
Event Horizon:
There's actually tons of great stuff from the 1990s, stuff by Dreamworks, Disney, Anime soundtracks, and all kinds of Sci-Fi summer blockbusters, and even several TV Shows, but I think if I add anymore I will crash people's computers. And, a number from the 2000s also.
Just what exactly do Bohemians & Gypsets or Gypsetters listen to?
It can range from rock'n roll, to folk, the world or New Age, and fusion, to even techno, and ravers...
I've seen the trend going in and out for a while, but it never really does seem to just go away, does it?
usually, when you think of Mori Girls, the "Forrest Girls", or nemophilists, you would think of the woodlands, Japanese folks music, or Japanese singer-song-writer hippie guitar music, or Celtic...
But, when you're a Free Spirit, I suppose anything goes....
Wanderlust and wandering, with trance, or trip-hop. The dreamy, the whimsical, the otherworldly, the ethereal, the esoteric, or the Earthy...
Bland, sleepy, and light vocals:
Folksy and Country-ish...
Folksy/Bluesy:
Electronic/Electric/Poppish
Chill/Trip-hop/Electro:
Random Cholo Fusion Gypsets! Awesome find with electric bass guitar with vlog clip:
Mori Girls:
Ravers:
..... well, too bad Love Parade ended in 2010. Those were quite lovely! A Free Spirit's Dream!
Here are some mixes I have done since I started my 8Tracks profile. Dubstep has become way more popular than I ever thought it would. I remember when i used to HATE 2-step garage music in the 90s, because it bored me... But, but the mid-late 2000s many musical artists on the West Coast (USA) began playing with the 2-step beat, and adding sampling, dubbing, loops, mixing trance & Eurodance synth, glitching it, and adding what is most signature of the contemporary styles which is the wobble bass distortions, as well as mixing in analogue musical instruments or the electric equivalents.
The 2-step has gone from something I would/could never dance to, then to what we now call "dubtsep" which I find to be quite dancey. It's marvelous for popping & locking, tribal fusion, isolation moves, and is VERY popular with hoop dancers. I hear it in pop music now, and have even seen competitive ice skaters preform to it.
Well.... I've been contemplating this, and putting it off for a long while... but, it's in my blood, and I LOVE music... so, I guess I'll need to start somewhere.... I studied music since I was a young child, but I'm not as good as I could be...
