THE advertising world has a lot to answer to. It may be able to make an artist but it's also succeeded in destroying an entire genre of kooky, quirky, lightweight indie pop through overkill (see Peter Bjorn and John ad infinitum).
The Narcoleptic Dancers have previously been victim to this. Latest single Not Evident has so far escaped, but if an ad exec gets wind of this cloud-tripping, happy clappy ditty, it will be the end. Lovely long-fringed Darwin-Deez-esque video.
Showing posts with label Darwin Deez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Darwin Deez. Show all posts
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Thursday, 21 October 2010
PATIENCE...DARWIN DEEZ IS SPEAKING
GEMSTONES, 25 cents a week, chores on the refrigerator, Mushpea the dog, Honda car trips, Discman, In Utero, Metalheadz – a potted history of Darwin Deez’s formative years in his own words.
New York singer Deez is in a van, heading to Newcastle and proving a tricky subject.
If he isn’t turning the questions on his interviewer, he’s taking his sweet time between Every. Single. Utterance.
Take this prime example when asked about his abstract videos: “Em....err...(10 second pause) I spaced out, what was the question?”
Somewhat contradictorily, Deez professes to be a “very, very, very” impatient person – so, for the benefit of others like him, we shall forego the pauses and deliver the readers digest version.
Deez plays Scala with his ultra-hip geeky band on October 26.
“We’re going to sing and dance and be in the moment and it’s going to be fun,” he says.
The shows are famous for their inventive dance routines to mash-ups of tracks by other artists in between their own songs.
Deez said: “We’ve just put two brand new ones in the set. It has to be a surprise...Is that what you really, really want? That was my hint... I get really enamoured with certain songs and making a dance to them is a nice way of doing something with that love and sharing the music with people. It’s very satisfying.”
He added: “The stuff we dance to is pretty far away from us but it adds to the entertainment value. If we
stuck to one kind of music it wouldn’t necessarily make the same impression intellectually ...I’m always tickled by a good mashup.”
And he’s got a plan: “It’s my mission is to make music for people who are not even music fans. I want to make their next favourite song. I also want it to have value to music fans.”
Anyone familiar with the video to recent hit Radar Detector will recognise the colourful indie-flick style of Deez’ work.
Although he gives most of the credit to the director, it was his idea to hoover up his own shadow and, he reveals, despite the video showing results to the contrary, his disposable camera panorama hat didn’t really work.
He said: “It was just a prop but don’t tell people that. You see what you’ve done, you go after the truth and you ruin the magic.”
While touring the UK, Deez has begun writing rap music “a stream of consciousness”, he says.
“I haven’t written any lyrics in a long time. Not actual Darwin Deez music just hip hop. I just wanted to do something fun. I’ve gotten a lot better this summer. I can get better.”
His videos seem full of joy but is he happy?: “Yeah....that’s my image isn’t it? Don’t be fooled though, I feel all emotions?”
But it is this anecdote about plans to prank a friend, which is most telling about Deez’ character: “We were going to hide behind somebody’s curtains and turn the TV on and off so they thought there was a ghost in their room. But we never did it. We did steal the keycard but we didn’t follow through.”
So full of ideas but too laid-back to do them then?
“Yeah, that’s me to a T.”
New York singer Deez is in a van, heading to Newcastle and proving a tricky subject.
If he isn’t turning the questions on his interviewer, he’s taking his sweet time between Every. Single. Utterance.
Take this prime example when asked about his abstract videos: “Em....err...(10 second pause) I spaced out, what was the question?”
Somewhat contradictorily, Deez professes to be a “very, very, very” impatient person – so, for the benefit of others like him, we shall forego the pauses and deliver the readers digest version.
Deez plays Scala with his ultra-hip geeky band on October 26.
“We’re going to sing and dance and be in the moment and it’s going to be fun,” he says.
The shows are famous for their inventive dance routines to mash-ups of tracks by other artists in between their own songs.
Deez said: “We’ve just put two brand new ones in the set. It has to be a surprise...Is that what you really, really want? That was my hint... I get really enamoured with certain songs and making a dance to them is a nice way of doing something with that love and sharing the music with people. It’s very satisfying.”
He added: “The stuff we dance to is pretty far away from us but it adds to the entertainment value. If we
stuck to one kind of music it wouldn’t necessarily make the same impression intellectually ...I’m always tickled by a good mashup.”
And he’s got a plan: “It’s my mission is to make music for people who are not even music fans. I want to make their next favourite song. I also want it to have value to music fans.”
Although he gives most of the credit to the director, it was his idea to hoover up his own shadow and, he reveals, despite the video showing results to the contrary, his disposable camera panorama hat didn’t really work.
He said: “It was just a prop but don’t tell people that. You see what you’ve done, you go after the truth and you ruin the magic.”
While touring the UK, Deez has begun writing rap music “a stream of consciousness”, he says.
“I haven’t written any lyrics in a long time. Not actual Darwin Deez music just hip hop. I just wanted to do something fun. I’ve gotten a lot better this summer. I can get better.”
His videos seem full of joy but is he happy?: “Yeah....that’s my image isn’t it? Don’t be fooled though, I feel all emotions?”
But it is this anecdote about plans to prank a friend, which is most telling about Deez’ character: “We were going to hide behind somebody’s curtains and turn the TV on and off so they thought there was a ghost in their room. But we never did it. We did steal the keycard but we didn’t follow through.”
So full of ideas but too laid-back to do them then?
“Yeah, that’s me to a T.”
Saturday, 10 July 2010
PINK'S ACROBATICS, MISSY ELLIOTT'S FAILS, SNOOP DOGG'S SUNNY DISPOSITION AND JAY-Z'S CAMERON-LIKE TENDENCIES
PINK dropped from the sky, Missy Elliott's German tracksuit offended, Snoop Dogg wore girly hair bobbles and Jay-Z played the popular card at an eventful Wireless festival last weekend.
By Sunday night, Wireless stragglers looked more like extras from Shipwrecked than holders of the coolest hip-hop tickets in town as arid weather conditions turned Hyde Park into one giant dustbowl and filthy feet, mud-caked fingernails and dirt-streaked faces became the official festival uniform.
Not even the luxury loos, Ugg boots store, makeovers, Superdrug counter, Elemis massages and Bed Head hairdressers could combat the dust.
Pink's headline performance was a spectacle in itself, so carefully stage managed that it even ended with a roll of credits.
And they deserved the praise, Pink dropped onto a walkway from a gift-wrapped box suspended high on a crane, running through hits, many lesser-known tracks and some covers.
She mashed up Lou Reid's Walk on the Wild Side with Green Day's Basket Case, later launching the loudest sing-along of the weekend to 4 Non Blondes' What's Up – a perfect fit for her voice.Pink's songs have rarely been captivating but her performance skills and powerhouse vocals are something to behold.Her set was a fully-functioning carnival, she made full use of the slides, her drummer stood inside a waltzer and Pink's acrobatics matched those of a circus professional.From Cirque du Soleil roof-dangling on drapes, to soaring over the crowd suspended on four-way wires, to literally running over the heads of the audience in a giant inflatable Zorb ball, it was a non-stop feast for the eyes.Earlier Plan B drew hundreds from Gossip's main stage set as crowds caked the outside of the Pepsi Max tent to try to catch a glimpse.Beth Ditto made her usual threat to strip but thankfully failed to deliver.Not even Ditto's lungs could compete with the crowds singing along to Plan B 150m away and her cover of Tina Turner's What's Love Got To Do With It was drowned out.The Ting Tings banged out a bit of a racket but the most euphoric moment of the day was lying in the grass, staring at the clear blue sky listening to The Temper Trap.Day two's headliners LCD Soundsystem seriously disappointed – an odd choice for top billing when the likes of Missy Elliott and Snoop Dogg were in town.
To be fair, Missy's set consisted of a number of big fails. 1 – coming on 20 minutes late, 2 – playing a medley of best-known tracks so fast you almost missed them, 3 – part-miming, badly, 4 – bringing on latest protege after only 10 minutes, who also mimed, 5 – making an ill-judged return to the stage in a Germany tracksuit – her
prerogative I say – but she drew boos from a huge group of miserable bad sports, 6 – overrunning and having her set cut mid-flow.
Still, Get Your Freak on was a popular three minutes, her rapping was fierce and she threw herself into rallying the crowd for the brief time she was on.
A quick dash to Darwin Deez confirmed why he's the Napoleon Dynamite of the moment and a delight to watch – but the pull of legend Snoop Dogg was too strong.
The sunshine loved Snoop, who came on with a knuckle duster-style mic and charted his hip-hop history through a memorable, laid back set.
Still hard to take Gangsta rap seriously when it comes from a man with clear plastic bobbles on his plaits.
Day three was uncomfortable as thousands crammed into the park, may looking for trouble. Huge groups of boys cleared the ground of bottles by flinging them into the crowd, prompting Lily Allen to point out the number of girls she'd seen crying in front of her after being hit.
Earlier, Professor Green on the second stage was a huge, popular draw, Slash played a couple of his own solos which flew above the head of most of the crowd, but woke everyone up with Sweet Child O' Mine and a vastly diminished D12 delighted the many who rushed to see them on the third stage – though twice as many were left out in the cold.
Lily Allen brought on Professor Green for a drum 'n bass remix of Smile before the two launched into their new single Just Be Good To Green, which ended up as a huge rave.
Jay-Z the ever professional, played the popular tracks, some lesser-known older ones and never let the crowd forget he was thinking of every single one of them.
Much like the David Cameron in the leaders debates, he took note of his audience and singled out the ones who most knew his songs, or those who most caught his eye.
When he realised he had 24 minutes left he declared he was not ready to go and promised to run through as many track people asked for as possible, flicking from a bar of Bonnie and Clyde to a chorus of another, he skipped around, prepared to please his devoted followers.
He ended on Encore – the smash hit mash-up with Linkin Park's Numb – a wise and explosive choice that confirmed Jay-Z's generous showmanship.
By Sunday night, Wireless stragglers looked more like extras from Shipwrecked than holders of the coolest hip-hop tickets in town as arid weather conditions turned Hyde Park into one giant dustbowl and filthy feet, mud-caked fingernails and dirt-streaked faces became the official festival uniform.
Not even the luxury loos, Ugg boots store, makeovers, Superdrug counter, Elemis massages and Bed Head hairdressers could combat the dust.
Pink's headline performance was a spectacle in itself, so carefully stage managed that it even ended with a roll of credits.
And they deserved the praise, Pink dropped onto a walkway from a gift-wrapped box suspended high on a crane, running through hits, many lesser-known tracks and some covers.
She mashed up Lou Reid's Walk on the Wild Side with Green Day's Basket Case, later launching the loudest sing-along of the weekend to 4 Non Blondes' What's Up – a perfect fit for her voice.Pink's songs have rarely been captivating but her performance skills and powerhouse vocals are something to behold.Her set was a fully-functioning carnival, she made full use of the slides, her drummer stood inside a waltzer and Pink's acrobatics matched those of a circus professional.From Cirque du Soleil roof-dangling on drapes, to soaring over the crowd suspended on four-way wires, to literally running over the heads of the audience in a giant inflatable Zorb ball, it was a non-stop feast for the eyes.Earlier Plan B drew hundreds from Gossip's main stage set as crowds caked the outside of the Pepsi Max tent to try to catch a glimpse.Beth Ditto made her usual threat to strip but thankfully failed to deliver.Not even Ditto's lungs could compete with the crowds singing along to Plan B 150m away and her cover of Tina Turner's What's Love Got To Do With It was drowned out.The Ting Tings banged out a bit of a racket but the most euphoric moment of the day was lying in the grass, staring at the clear blue sky listening to The Temper Trap.Day two's headliners LCD Soundsystem seriously disappointed – an odd choice for top billing when the likes of Missy Elliott and Snoop Dogg were in town.
To be fair, Missy's set consisted of a number of big fails. 1 – coming on 20 minutes late, 2 – playing a medley of best-known tracks so fast you almost missed them, 3 – part-miming, badly, 4 – bringing on latest protege after only 10 minutes, who also mimed, 5 – making an ill-judged return to the stage in a Germany tracksuit – her
prerogative I say – but she drew boos from a huge group of miserable bad sports, 6 – overrunning and having her set cut mid-flow.
Still, Get Your Freak on was a popular three minutes, her rapping was fierce and she threw herself into rallying the crowd for the brief time she was on.
A quick dash to Darwin Deez confirmed why he's the Napoleon Dynamite of the moment and a delight to watch – but the pull of legend Snoop Dogg was too strong.
The sunshine loved Snoop, who came on with a knuckle duster-style mic and charted his hip-hop history through a memorable, laid back set.
Still hard to take Gangsta rap seriously when it comes from a man with clear plastic bobbles on his plaits.
Day three was uncomfortable as thousands crammed into the park, may looking for trouble. Huge groups of boys cleared the ground of bottles by flinging them into the crowd, prompting Lily Allen to point out the number of girls she'd seen crying in front of her after being hit.
Earlier, Professor Green on the second stage was a huge, popular draw, Slash played a couple of his own solos which flew above the head of most of the crowd, but woke everyone up with Sweet Child O' Mine and a vastly diminished D12 delighted the many who rushed to see them on the third stage – though twice as many were left out in the cold.
Lily Allen brought on Professor Green for a drum 'n bass remix of Smile before the two launched into their new single Just Be Good To Green, which ended up as a huge rave.
Jay-Z the ever professional, played the popular tracks, some lesser-known older ones and never let the crowd forget he was thinking of every single one of them.
Much like the David Cameron in the leaders debates, he took note of his audience and singled out the ones who most knew his songs, or those who most caught his eye.
When he realised he had 24 minutes left he declared he was not ready to go and promised to run through as many track people asked for as possible, flicking from a bar of Bonnie and Clyde to a chorus of another, he skipped around, prepared to please his devoted followers.
He ended on Encore – the smash hit mash-up with Linkin Park's Numb – a wise and explosive choice that confirmed Jay-Z's generous showmanship.
Sunday, 27 June 2010
WIRELESS SET TO ELECTRIFY?
THERE were some great scenes of rebellion at last year's Wireless Festival as we joined the scramble to break into the tent to catch The Streets during one of the most memorable and sweltering performances of the weekend.
And there's sure to be as many equally unforgettable moments this year with a line-up of huge draws including Jay-Z, Pink, LCD Soundsystem, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott and 2ManyDjs.
And there's sure to be as many equally unforgettable moments this year with a line-up of huge draws including Jay-Z, Pink, LCD Soundsystem, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott and 2ManyDjs.
Wireless, sponsored by Barclaycard (July 2 - 4), is one of the easiest festivals around, a medley of urban, indie, electro and hip-hop acts all in Hyde Park but with the power to pull huge names more usually associated with vast soulless stadiums.
Ideal for non-campers – and lazier music-lovers – there's not even a worry about transport or accommodation, as it all usually ends before the last tube leaves and well before the last clubs shut their doors.
While last year Kanye West left us cold with his immense detachment, Basement Jaxx's star shone bright with a euphoric carnival performance.
We're not expecting a repeat of West's vacant show this year, as Jay-Z headlines the Sunday night, a US rap giant who knows how to play the crowd.
We're not expecting a repeat of West's vacant show this year, as Jay-Z headlines the Sunday night, a US rap giant who knows how to play the crowd.
Another crowd pleaser with a mammoth voice is Pink, or is that P!ink?
Her gravity-defying feats at the Grammy awards were the talk of the show, but can she top it? She headlines on the Friday night – expect a spectacle.
LCD Soundsystem and 2ManyDjs co-headline on Saturday but I'll be more interested in Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Darwin Deez and DJ Shadow.
Her gravity-defying feats at the Grammy awards were the talk of the show, but can she top it? She headlines on the Friday night – expect a spectacle.
LCD Soundsystem and 2ManyDjs co-headline on Saturday but I'll be more interested in Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Darwin Deez and DJ Shadow.
There's so much to see over the three days, so here are my picks – Snoop Dogg (he made it into the country, the least we can do is go see him), Jay-Z (always room for an epic megastar), The Temper Trap (soaring tunes), Hockey (good indie attitude), Alphabeat (they'll smile even if it rains), DJ Shadow (to revive some hazy student memories), UNKLE (ever innovative), Missy Elliott (fierce), The Big Pink (too cool), Darwin Deez (edgy, quirky pop from the frizzy-haired, eyelinered one), The Hundred in the Hands (moody duo), Friendly Fires (lively electro), Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip (unfailingly fantastic, a must, must, MUST) and Devlin (Dagenham MC with a good brand of dark hip-hop).
There's sure to be a book running on what Beth Ditto plans to wear when Gossip take to the stage so start guessing now.
There's sure to be a book running on what Beth Ditto plans to wear when Gossip take to the stage so start guessing now.
Others attracting attention are celeb offspring Lily Allen and I Blame Coco, the slightly irritating The Ting Tings, rapper-turned-lounge-singer Plan B, new young darling Daisy Dares You, New Young Pony Club, Example, Chase & Status, Chipmunk, Tinie Tempah, Mr Hudson, D12 and Roll Deep.
As well as a whole list of other acts, there's a full programme of non-musical entertainment – fashion shows, talent scouts, a pampering parlour and all sorts of games.
As well as a whole list of other acts, there's a full programme of non-musical entertainment – fashion shows, talent scouts, a pampering parlour and all sorts of games.
Sunday, 23 May 2010
MUTYA BUENA'S CAMDEN CONNECTION? AND MORE...
EVER walked by Stables Market and thought: “I want to capture that sound forever?” Well, the guys who own the market have roped in ex-Sugababe Mutya Buena to guest on a series of albums called The Sound of Camden. I’m not sure what her Camden connection is but Mutya’s promo quote says: “I am connected to the market and now I am singing songs that my mother loves as well, it’s amazing.”
The albums, sold at 2,800 market stalls, cover electronic, classic and revolutionary sounds of bands such as U2, The Pixies, The Rolling Stones and more, featuring tracks that are synonymous with the sound of Camden.
• Beware the small print. I couldn’t believe it when I read Blackstreet were playing at The Hill, Haverstock Hill on Friday. Then I heard it was two ex-members and a guy who was never in the original band – anyone know different?
• Jongleurs hasn’t left Camden but the venue has been renamed Highlight. There’s a pop-up variety cabaret show on Tuesday (May 25) including Mandy Muden MC – who combines comedy and magic, ping-pong ball mouth juggler Rod Laver, musical impressionist Duncan Wisbey, comedy circus performance artist Kaliki Hula Girl, 16-stone prima ballerina Madame Galina, the world’s fastest tap-dancer James Devine, and octogenarian Barry from Watford – got to beat any Britain’s Got Talent line-up. Tickets from 0844 499 4064 orwww.thehighlight.co.uk
• Sadly just learned I missed out on a screening of Love Story, a documentary about Arthur Lee’s genius psychedelic band Love at Westminster Reference Library on Monday. I heard Darwin Deez recently played there too. Definitely a venue to keep an eye on.
Here's Arthur Lee in later years - still struggling to find footage of him with the original line-up.
Here's Arthur Lee in later years - still struggling to find footage of him with the original line-up.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
OZZY OZBOURNE GOES DARK FOR THE ROUNDHOUSE ITUNES FESTIVAL
TIME was, Ozzy Osbourne was primarily associated with Black Sabbath, alter-ego The Prince of Darkness and his on and offstage antics.
But in these days of celebrity obsession, half his family have overtaken him. The media spotlight spends more time shining on wife Sharon’s celebrity judge stints, daughter Kelly’s weight-loss and son Jack’s latest daredevil stunt.
In turn, Ozzy’s become the Boris Johnson face of heavy metal – a harmless-looking amiable mumbling chap, with unkempt hair, a questionable past and oft-seen wobbling on two wheels. But give the guy a break, he’s taking his limelight back and will be trying to be as convincing as possible as The Prince of Darkness at July’s month-long iTunes Festival at the Roundhouse.
The full 31-day line-up – featuring more than 60 acts – has not yet been announced but we do know Scissor Sisters, Tony Bennett, Faithless, The XX, Chew Lips, The Drums, Chipmunk, Darwin Deez, Ellie Goulding, Kate Nash, Diana Vickers and Daisy Dares You are all on the bill.
Pick the right gig and you could inevitably find yourself witnessing one of those rare, historic sets that brings more than you bargained for. At last year’s festival Liam Gallagher made headlines at one of Oasis’s final performances when he strode on stage in a furious mood, eyeballing the crowd and swearing about students throwing beer at him. Even so, they played on for two hours, although at times it looked like Liam was about to go on strike.
The atmosphere between him and Noel was visibly tense, as big bro dismissed his sulky younger sibling and played on while Liam collected himself. But the entire evening was electric and one that won’t easily be forgotten. The irreparable cracks were pushed further apart and it was only a matter of time until our boys just couldn't stand to share the same stage any more.
The iTunes sets are usually quite short but who’s complaining when there’s the chance to see some huge acts up close for free.
That’s not to say you can just walk in. Apple is making tickets available through Facebook and a series of competitions and giveaways. My only reservation about this is it seems you can only access their iTunes page by allowing it to access your own Facebook page and take the details of your friends.
I may be wrong about this, but I could find no other way of getting on to it.
It will be the first time that Ozzy, Scissor Sisters and Tony Bennett have graced the Roundhouse stage.
All performances will be recorded and can be bought from iTunes stores worldwide. The best of the festival will be broadcast on ITV.
• Visit www.itunesfestival.co.uk
Thursday, 29 April 2010
RECORD OF THE WEEK - HURTS, Better Than Love
AFTER falling for Hurts’ atmospheric early tracks Wonderful Life and Blood Tears and Gold, this switch to such an up-tempo dance track for their official debut single was surprising.
It still has an eighties ring, while maintaining a contemporary electro feel.
The hooky question “Does it Feel Better Than Love?” forms a strong chorus but at times there’s too much going on. I suspect Better Than Love, though appealing to club audiences, doesn’t quite hold the same attraction that drew initial murmurings of great things for this synth duo.
Won't stop me going to see them at Koko on May 10 - supported by my new favourite Darwin Deez.
READ MY INTERVIEW WITH HURTS HERE - http://tutankarbon.blogspot.com/2010/04/hurts-on-shoestring-suffering-for-their.html
Monday, 19 April 2010
RECORD OF THE WEEK - DARWIN DEEZ, Radar Detector PLUS SPRING DANCE REVIVAL
OK I'm a bit slow on the uptake with this one and it's been out for at least two weeks but it just can't be ignored.
Gangly Darwin Deez' bizarre video is the equivalent of opening up a paintbox when you were four - a messy discovery that brought grins, imagination and a whole lot of unrealistic possibilities.
The song has an innocent ring, with an indescribable New York quality and the video is devoid of all serious pretentious posing.
The band's supporting Hurts, alongside Everything Everything at Camden's Koko on May 10.
That will be one show not to miss - prepare for a memorable night.
Also, in the interest of the sunny climes I thought it's time to resurrect Deez' The Spring Dance video from last year.
I challenge readers to bring this to UK dance floors now and when perfected, take the moves on holiday - spread the word.
It's set to an instrumental edit of the Thompson Twins' In The Name of Love.
Enjoy!
Gangly Darwin Deez' bizarre video is the equivalent of opening up a paintbox when you were four - a messy discovery that brought grins, imagination and a whole lot of unrealistic possibilities.
The song has an innocent ring, with an indescribable New York quality and the video is devoid of all serious pretentious posing.
The band's supporting Hurts, alongside Everything Everything at Camden's Koko on May 10.
That will be one show not to miss - prepare for a memorable night.
Also, in the interest of the sunny climes I thought it's time to resurrect Deez' The Spring Dance video from last year.
I challenge readers to bring this to UK dance floors now and when perfected, take the moves on holiday - spread the word.
It's set to an instrumental edit of the Thompson Twins' In The Name of Love.
Enjoy!
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