New La Paz DJ night/HRO ridiculousness/42-year old David Bowie fanletter

First and foremost, for my Nashville readers, I must plug my DJ gig tonight at the new La Paz location on Elliston. It’s where Ombi Bar used to be. My friend DJ Potamus is going to be hosting a weekly friday night dance party there, and he’ll be having different guest DJ’s each week. This debut week, it’s me (Burgers). So come out and DANCE BETCHES! Seriously, if not for the hot jamz, come for the drink specials! (FYI- the next BFF is going to be Friday Dec. 18th in case you were wondering…)

It’s been a minute since I mentioned Hipster Runoff. In case you don’t follow Carles on a regular basis, he recently “retired” (aka wrote under the faux names of mike and becca and inevitably made some gullible people think he’d actually retired). But he’s back. Because he was ‘born 2 blog‘.

This has already circulated widely by now but it’s worth mentioning because it’s kinda cute and endearing… David Bowie’s giddy response to his first American fan-letter in 1967. (Via Flux-Rad)

Pitchfork has a pretty interesting reader’s poll going on right now. My favorite part is the “trend you wish would go away” category:

1. 90s revivalism (No Age, Japandroids, Cymbals Eat Guitars)
2. Afropop indie (Dirty Projectors, Fool’s Gold, Abe Vigoda)
3. Animal Collective acolytes (Blind Man’s Colour, Our Brother the Native, USF)
4. Balearic (jj, John Talabot, Windsurf/Hatchback)
5. Chillwave/glo-fi (Washed Out, Neon Indian, Nite Jewel)
6. Dubstep and its offshoots (wonky, funky, bassline)
7. Post-Lily Allen UK pop (La Roux, Little Boots, Florence and the Machine)
8. Prim, buttoned-up indie (Grizzly Bear, Andrew Bird, St. Vincent)
9. Shitgaze/lo-fi aesthetics (Times New Viking, Wavves, Vivian Girls)

I had a pretty hard time with that one… as most of them are actually trends I wish would go away. Except for the 90’s revivalism one… but that’s mostly just me being a) nostalgic and b) in a band doing just that… kinda. (List via Brooklyn Vegan)

Speaking of 90’s nostalgia… My So-Called Band returns to the stage this Saturday at the Exit/In. I may or may not be DJing some 90’s jock jams in between/after sets…

See you tonight at La Paz!

 

Life on Mars developments/H1N1 vaccine process

Remember that meteorite from Mars that caused a huge stir back in 1996 when NASA announced that it thought it had found remnants of fossilized bacteria in it? If you don’t, just know that this meteorite, named the “Alan Hills meteorite,” had what we initially thought was a fossilized remnant of ancient Martian bacteria. But then some other scientists came forth with an equally plausible hypothesis for a non-microbial origin of the microscopic formation. So ever since then, the scientific community has been at odds, with one camp saying “Yes, it’s an ancient Martian microbe! There really was life on Mars!” and another camp saying “Nope. That formation wasn’t biological in origin.” But new technology has shed some light on the subject that wasn’t possible back then. Researchers at the Johnson Space Center have used more sophisticated High Resolution Electron Microscopy than was available in 1996 to study the meteorite, and their findings contradict the nay-sayers. So, if no new nay-saying hypotheses come out, then we can be pretty damn certain that microbial life once existed on Mars. AND it may even still exist there, under the surface! (Via Universe Today)

Kottke.org is one of longest-running blogs in existence, and it’s almost always full of random awesomeness. In this case, it’s all about the H1N1 vaccine, and how it and other vaccines are made. I had no idea it took soooo many chicken eggs. Do yourself a favor and read all about it.

Now here’s yet another hilarious comic from xkcd:

 

New She & Him due in 2010/photo exhibit update

I totally drank the She & Him koolaid in 2008 and I don’t regret it for a minute. I love everything about that album, and not just because Zooey Deschanel… AHEM… Gibbard… is the singer. Good news came today via Stereogum and TwentyFourBit that S&H have a new record done and ready for release in early 2010. Kinda surprising that Stereogum didn’t mention S&H in their most anticipated albums of 2010. Seriously though… new shit from MGMT? The Avalanches? LCD Soundsystem? Spoon? HELL YES 2010 is gonna kick 2009’s ass.

Just a quick note: just confirmed last night that I’ll be guest DJing at La Paz’s new location this friday night with DJ Potamus. The new location is where Ombi Bar used to be. (2214 Elliston Pl.) Please do come out and have blast with us. I’m bringin’ some hot new jamz, and Potamus always kills it.

Also, my photography exhibit at Vanderbilt is coming down soon (Dec. 11th), so if you want to see it, I’d suggest coming one night this week or next. Night is best because Vanderbilt parking is slightly less of a nightmare then. It’s in the Sarratt Student Center. Google map here. Rather than wandering around trying to find the Rand Promenade, just ask the front desk attendant for directions. If you’ve ever been to WRVU, it’s in the same building.

I have a batch of winter ale in the bottles now. It’ll be ready in a couple of weeks… I’m pretty sure it’s going to be my best batch yet because it smells really good. I basically took a pre-made Porter recipe and added some winter spices to it.

 

Twighlight Heroin/SXSW lineup

I’m not making this up. SXSW is already announcing an initial batch of bands for the 2010 festival. Unbelievable. I mean, I must admit that I’ve been thinking about it some, but it’s still about 4 months away! Regardless, some highlights that I noticed: Deer Tick, The Brunettes, The Coathangers, Robyn Hitchcock, We Are Scientists. Decent list, I guess. I’m pretty sure it will improve drastically when the full lineup finally comes out. SXSW ‘09 was literally one of the best trips of my life, so one way or another, I’m going back next year! Check out the full list here. (Via Pitchfork)

Twilight has officially gotten out of control. It’s already sad enough that New Moon had the most successful opening weekend in history… but now we have people biting other people in the theaters? And to top it all, Twilight-themed heroin was confiscated in Florida! See for yourself at io9. WTF?!?!?

So this will probably be my last post till next Monday. Have a great Thanksgiving weekend!

 

 

LHC has 1st collisions/Obama announces science ed campaign

Exciting news today in the world of science!

First, the Large Hadron Collider underwent several tests last week in which beams of protons were successfully circulated around the massive 17-mile installation. Those tests all pointed to a “go” for the first actual collisions, which happened yesterday. These collisions were still only tests, and nowhere near the full power needed to look for the elusive Higgs Boson. But with this first collision, the LHC is now officially the world’s biggest functioning particle colider. There’s still a lot of testing and preparation to do before they start doing the “real” experiments, but this is still very exciting. (Via Discovery News)

Secondly, yesterday also marked the kickoff of a new science education campaign by the Obama Administration. I can’t even describe how happy I am to know this is happening. It’s the best government-related news I’ve heard in a loooong time… probably since Obama won the election. I will echo Dr. Phil Plait’s sentiments that the following quote from Obama’s speech is a symphony to my ears: “We’re going to show young people how cool science can be.”

WIN. EPIC WIN. There may yet be hope for humanity.

 

Caitlin Rose hits the UK/indie films hit Netflix

From SXSW 2009

If you’re facebook friends with her or follow her on twitter, you probably already know that the amazing Caitlin Rose will be heading to the UK next week for a short tour. Regardless, it deserves a mention! She also signed a deal with UK label Names Records to release her Dead Flowers EP on limited edition 10″ vinyl. Way to go girl! Catch her last US appearance before crossing the pond this Wed. night at Exit/In opening for the legendary Charlie Louvin, along with the Dex Romweber Trio. (Via Theory 8 Records)

Netflix will begin streaming a lot more indie films today thanks to a new deal with IFC. Netflix will get 53 films that will be available to “stream online to whichever platform you like.” I’m starting to like Netflix more and more…. (Via FluxRad)

Now allow this to brighten up your day:

Via Yewknee’d

 

My birthday bash/3rd BFF tonight!

Only one thing worth mentioning today:

Come to the 3rd BFF tonight at Mad Donna’s! It’s doubling as my birthday bash (yes, I’ve been alive 28 years), and our special guest DJ is Makeup & Vanity Set (aka Matt Pusti, aka one of my all-time favorite electronic music artists). This is definitely one you don’t want to miss! Fan Fiction has returned to the lineup and will kick things off, with me (Burgers) in the middle, and MAVS closing things out. We’ll be going till last call so if you’re going to the Mountain Goats show, by all means, make BFF your official afterparty!

As it was last month, it’s FREE if you’re 21+, and $3 if you’re 18-20. Please do come.

 

WRVU benefit tonight/Gwar artwork

In case you’ve been under a rock lately, or are just utterly unfamiliar with Vanderbilt’s student radio station WRVU, there’s been a bit of a shitstorm recently regarding a new rule put in place by their governing body. In short, the board of directors for Vanderbilt Student Communications (which is a separate corporate entity from Vanderbilt) voted to cap the number of community DJs. Community DJs are ones who are not Vanderbilt students, faculty, staff, or alumni. Simply read some of the comments at the Nashville Cream post if you’re unfamiliar. I simply do not have enough knowledge of the situation to form a firm opinion, but I am pretty disgusted at how nasty some of the comments on that post were. It’s horrible that members of our local music scene resorted to name-calling and personal attacks, though I do understand where their anger comes from. Personally, the most I can opine on the matter is to say that the number limit should not be on the overall number of community DJs, but rather the number of shows/time slots given to community DJs. Also, as a former DJ at 88.3 WMTS (MTSU’s student station) which had no community DJs at all, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to limit the amount of community DJ involvement. I’ve always thought that our local music scene/community was lucky to have college radio station that allowed non Vanderbilt-affiliated people to host shows. However, given the very different student demographic and level of interest in the two stations, it’s difficult to make a comparison. But, it’s also obvious that WRVU wouldn’t be half as good as it is without the community DJs. They really add a lot to the programming, especially the diversity. But I happen to know many DJs who are current or former students and they have great taste in music, and also come out to support the local music scene, contrary to what many Cream commenters seem to think. I must digress before this post turns into a novel… the main purpose here is to make sure that you know about tonight’s WRVU benefit show at the End, featuring my new band POWERBRRRD, Vermicious K’nids, Westfolk, and Cheer Up Charlie Daniels. The show also serves as CUCD’s vinyl release show. Please do come out for the sheer sake of supporting the bands, if nothing else. Boycotting the show as some have suggested is childish and disrespectful to the bands. And honestly, the people behind the community DJ cap decision could probably care less if you boycott the benefit show. Furthermore, it will only deepen the divide that has developed between the local rock community and WRVU. So please do come out and support the bands at the very least.

And now to lighten your mood, go read Hipster Runoff’s musings about what it would be like working for Twitter. Then look at this stunningly beautiful and inspiring artwork for the new Gwar album Lust in Space. (Via Brooklyn Vegan)

 

Bizarre balloon-rocket moon mission/Gibson gets raided by the Feds

Two cool things come your way via Universe Today today:

Apparently a Romanian group is competing for the Google Lunar X-prize with a bizarre balloon-rocket combination. They have a nice animation video in the post that explains the design far better than I could with word, so just check it out for yourself. I never thought I’d see helium balloons involved in a project where getting to the moon is the final goal… It’s one of those things that’s mind-numbingly simple and you say “why did no one think of this before?”

Also from UT is this cool HD video of Space Shuttle Atlantis blasting off on Monday. The shuttle docked today with the ISS.

Regarding the Feds’ raid of Gibson HQ yesterday: (FYI- it wasn’t the FBI, it was the Fish & Wildlife Agency that raided them…)

Via Hartley

 

Bird photography/The Who playing superbowl/Jack White working w/ Wanda Jackson

Geez, where did this day go? Since it’s already so late in the day, I’m just going to sum everything up into tidbit format:

Wanda Jackson at the 5 Spot

Jack White apparently got bored between his 3 bands and is producing a new album for recent RNR Hall of Fame inductee Wanda Jackson. I can’t see how this could be anything but awesome, and maybe better than his album with Loretta Lynn. I had the distinct pleasure of photographing her show at the 5 Spot back in Feb. of this year. Amazing show…. (Via Nashville Cream and Pitchfork)

The Who are strongly rumored to be the halftime entertainment at Super Bowl XLIV. No official confirmation from the NFL yet, though. (Via A.V. Club via Sports Illustrated)

Finally, please do go feast your eyes on this amazing bird photography project by Andrew Zuckerman. Call it bird portraiture maybe? Regardless, you won’t be able to pull your eyes away from it until you’ve seen them all. (Via Kottke)