A Round of Applause for John Carpenter

Zombie Zombie are a French electronic duo made up of Etienne Jaumet and Cosmic Neman and the hosted song below an homage to the sci-fi soundtracks of John Carpenter.

Zombie Zombie - Driving This Road Until Death Sets You Free
The nearly six-minute electro-instrumental (off 2008's A Land of Renegades) comes incredibly close to soundtrack work, lacking the dynamic ebbs and flows of more mainstream French electronic duos (take your pick). Perfect music to board up your house to in preparation for a zombie attack.

It's also the main reason why the video below is so perfect. Aping Carpenter's The Thing in innumerable ways, the music video made up entirely of old toys, elaborate cardboard sets, and fake blood goes hand in hand with the eerie synthesizer waves and siren howls of Zombie Zombie's keyboards and loops. Because the song is so soundtrack oriented, when combined with the video, the result is pop-horror-culture art.

ACT-I-VATE

As I mentioned a few posts ago, Comic-Con has long past and I may have forgotten to mention the round of interviews I did with some fabled creators. Thanks to my current gig at the Los Angeles Times, I was luck enough to get those pieces published on one of their media blogs. Here is the last of my three now-finished pieces that were published, a write-up of the current happenings of the ACT-I-VATE webcomic writers, Joe Infurnari and Molly Crabapple.

Travel here to view to story on the Times' media blog, Hero Complex.


ACT-I-VATE Is Making Dynamic Webcomics
By TJ KosinskiLike the undergound comix scene in those roiling days of the 1960s, the burgeoning online comics sector is a wide-open frontier now making up its own rules and picking its leading voices. I'd say one of the strongest players at the moment is Act-I-Vate, the webcomics collective with about 30 creators on its roster. It's both smart showcase and wild laboratory, providing consistently updated (and thoroughly interesting) comics to readers across the Web for free.

Two of the member creators are Joe Infurnari and Molly Crabapple. Infurnari is a writer and artist who values the benefits of creating comics strictly for the Web: “Going digital is great to get yourself to a wide audience. If I write something, [someone] can place a link to it on MySpace and it gets 60,000 hits. That sort of exposure can’t be done by handing out postcards or just talking to people.”

Infurnari is working on his latest webcomic, "The Transmigration of ULTRA-Lad!" It's a reverse-Shazam sort of story in which an old man transforms into a teenage superhero. The aesthetic of the webcomic is great. The story is told on "pages" that have the browning, battered edges of a vintage comic book (one that was not stored in a Mylar bag) and the art is a shadowy valentine to super-hero artists such as Mac Raboy and Wally Wood. Infurnari also has The Process, which had been nominated for an Eisner Award.
One interesting dimension of Infurnari’s The Process is how tailored it feels to the Web. The website that hosts the comic is meticulous; even the table of contents is intricate. Infurnari took this approach seeking “an interactive experience.” He explained that “with the Web, I can control how the audience absorbs material. The whole thing is an immersive design. My goal is to teleport the viewer into the world of the story.”

Readers should check out The Process, not only for the tremendously detailed artwork, but for Infurnari’s surreal narrative. It’s self-described as “a journey and exploration through a personal ‘pleroma,’ an imaginary landscape populated by strange, wondrous creatures and archetypal characters." The Eisner nomination for Best Digital Comic speaks to the ability of Infurnari to relay his strange inner visions to a wide audience.


Another member of the ACT-I-VATE circle is Crabapple, whom writer Warren Ellis refers to as “a major new illustrator.”

Her work has appeared in Marvel Comics, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and Playgirl.

“I’m friends with everyone who works in [ACT-I-VATE]. But more seriously, I had kicked around the idea of creating my own comic with my friend and writer John Leavitt, and when the ACT-I-VATE opportunity came about, I decided to stop [wasting time] and go for it.”

Crabapple is the artist behind Back Stage, a murder mystery set in the sordid, grease-paint splendor of the vaudeville circuit in New York City in 1904. The frames teem with detail and many are by turns both glamourous and gritty.

Crabapple's affinity for the burlesque goes beyond her drawings. She's the founder of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School , the life-drawing class which centers on burlesque dancers as its subjects, and she is a performer herself. Her career is a slippery one to try to define, and that makes her perfect for the still-protean webcomics scene of 2008.

Mr. Paul Pope

As I mentioned a few posts ago, Comic-Con has long past and I may have forgotten to mention the round of interviews I did with some fabled creators. Thanks to my current gig at the Los Angeles Times, I was luck enough to get those pieces published on one of their media blogs. Here is the second of my three now-finished pieces to be published, a write-up of the current happenings of the amazing Paul Pope.

Travel here to view to story on the Times' media blog, Hero Complex.


Paul Pope Is a Busy Man
by TJ Kosinski
To me, Paul Pope is a comic-book rock star. He's been called "the Jim Morrison of American comic books" for the delirious poetry he creates with his words and brushstrokes.

The creative mind behind Vertigo's riveting "100%" and the Eisner-winning "Batman: Year 100" is now pushing his art off the page and into toys, design, electronics and even wallpaper...

Yes, that's right, he is extremely busy.

In the past year, Pope designed exclusive screen-print posters for Diesel, worked on a clothing line for DKNY Jeans, released a monograph entitled "Pulphope," illustrated the cover of "Pop Gun: Vol. 2," and recently premiered his first action figure.

Then there's the icing on the cake: a reissue of Pope’s long out-of-print "THB" series is scheduled for sometime in 2009 with “a lot” of brand-new material, he says.

Despite this hectic production schedule, Pope barely appeared at this year’s Comic-Con.

The only booth Pope attended wasn’t one of the major publishers or an indie press. It was Kid Robot, the loopy plaything company that partnered with Pope to create his first toy, a vinyl Masked Karimbah action figure.

For those not familiar with "THB," Masked Karimbah is the "Itchy & Scratchy" figure for the comic; a cartoon the characters on the page like to watch on TV. The vinyl doll is huge; the Karimbah is astride a neon pink dog that is the size of a real-life Chihuahua. Thanks to its limited-run of 275 pieces (and despite its steep $160 price tag) the Masked Karimbah was one of the Con’s hottest exclusives, selling out during the weekend.

After signing toys, artwork, comics, and anything else fans brought to him, Pope traveled to the nearby bar at the Marriott, where he sat down to talk about his assorted ventures. Pope, who considers vinyl toys and his clothing line to be“new canvases for comics,” discussed what’s so appealing about the vinyl form.

“I’m interested in what hasn’t been done yet,” he said, explaining how toys highlight the sculptured form of his artwork in between sips from his vodka tonic.

His clothing line for DKNY Jeans, titled “NYC 2089,” launches in September with T-shirts, sweat shirts, and jackets adorned with exclusive Pope content. It goes well beyond comics-inspired characters: One of the line’s more extraordinary pieces is a jacket covered in a “new form of camouflage” of Pope’s creation, which is based on the natural patterns of a moth's wing.

Talking about clothing design, upcoming iPod artwork, and the possibilities of designer wallpaper was all very interesting, but what grabbed my attention most was the future of "THB," Pope’s independent comic begun in 1995. The futuristic series featured the exploits of a teenage girl, HR Watson, and her super-powered bodyguard, THB. That collection due next year will be half reprints and half unseen material.

While I was on the edge of my seat, Pope leaned back in his chair and opened up about "THB," referring to it as “his baby.” “I’ve been working on it this whole time,” Pope explained. In fact, he’s accumulated so much new material that the complete collection of THB will total four volumes.

This isn’t just cause for celebration for fans of Pope’s independent work. It’s a reason for excitement for sci-fi and comic fans in general. When talking about the magnitude of "THB," Pope cites epic illustrated sagas such as Katsuhiro Otomo’s "Akira" in terms of the impact he hopes to stir. Certainly bold words from one of comics’ rising stars, but there's a sense that the best certainly yet to come from the 37-year-old creator.

Dear Bloc Party,

What happened to you guys? When I finally picked up your debut album, Silent Alarm in late 2006, I couldn't believe it completely fell under my radar when it was originally released. From that point on, I ripped dozens of copies of that record for friends, added you to my favourite music list on all the hottest social networking sites, downloaded your earlier singles, and looked forward to the release of your follow-up, 2007's A Weekend in the City, which was then, right around the corner. But when that album was released, it defined the word underwhelming. Gone were the proto-punk guitar stylings and quick-whipped lyrics about relationships, failed, sexual, or otherwise. All of a sudden, your electronic dabbling was pushed to the forefront and your lead singer, Kele Okereke, began aping Thom Yorke like there was no tomorrow.

Since your abysmal sophomore effort, Silent Alarm and your fantastic early EPs and singles have collected dust on my hard drive. Then, you go ahead and digitally release an all-new record on Thursday, titled Intimacy. Well, I have it sitting here with me, and although I have yet to give it a listen, it's on my computer waiting to be heard first thing tomorrow morning. I just thought it'd write you guys to let you know that I'm skeptical. My expectations are far from high, but I'm hoping you don't let me down. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool my twice, shame on me.

So for anyone else who wants to give the London four piece another shot as well, here are the ten tracks...

Bloc Party - Intimacy

Why, oh why...

Am I frowned upon or looked down on every time I mention my proclivity for Vampire Weekend? I remember a time not even a year ago, where an aspiring media journalist like myself could talk about the band's debut bootlegs amongst friends and colleagues alike without an eye roll or a heavy sigh. This was a time where bloggers everywhere could host a Vampire Weekend MP3 with pride, impressing both his causal reader and college peer.

Well as the hype/backlash cycle assuredly ensued, as it always does, those days are long gone. When I once could proudly discuss the Police and Paul Simon influences on the New York City natives and their summery afro-pop, I now must shelter my enjoyment of their 2008 record, being ever so careful not to reveal the pleasure it brought to me throughout its various listens. Even now, I'm sure a few readers and friends are wincing.

So, in the spirit of Henry Clay, let's all agree to give the all new Vampire Weekend MP3 a listen (via Pretty Much Amazing). It's a Fleetwood Mac cover that stays relatively true to the original, with added pop flair. I submit for your approval...

Vampire Weekend - Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac Cover)

Try to enjoy.

New Music (Videos)

Thanks to all the summer festivals and concerts that have come and gone, a few notable bands have played some new tunes that have thankfully been captured by the gloriously poor-quality video devices of fans in the crowd. Although the sound and/or picture isn't always the best, the songs are still there, they do exist, and in the cases below, are actually pretty good.

For your benefit, I've collected 4 new tunes, plus of bonus fifth. Check 'em out, yo.

1. The National live at Vega in Copenhagen, Denmark, playing a brand-spanking-new song for the crowd and what ended up being some YouTube frequenters.



2. Wilco at this year's Lollapalooza, premiering a new song, the quality of which is a hell of a lot better than The National video above.



3. Bon Iver performing an all-new song the other night at the Cabaret in Montreal. Good stuff, indeed. Look forward to seeing him live later this month. Natch.



4. Lastly, an APW festival premier, the boys of Grizzly Bear performing "Fine for Now."



And as a bonus, for those who might've missed it, here's another Grizzly Bear video. This go around, they're performing the new "Two Weeks" on the Letterman show from a little while back.



Watch, listen, and enjoy.

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

This is a brief blog entry that I was lucky enough to have published on the Los Angeles Times music blog, Soundboard.

To read the short piece in its original context, please visit here.


'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today' for Eno and Byrne
By TJ Kosinski
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been waiting with bated breath for a follow-up to the ridiculously good "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts," the first collaborative album from Brian Eno and David Byrne in 1981. It’s been 27 years since the dynamic duo made a record together, but on Aug. 18, Eno and Byrne will satisfy the masses with the release of "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today."

If you can't wait that long to hear the latest from the team that brought you "Remain in Light" (in which producer Eno served as the veritable fifth Talking Head), no worries -- Byrne has you covered. The two have released a free MP3 from the upcoming album, available on the record’s website. After pausing to watch a ruby-tinted video of Byrne giving listeners a quick rundown of the new collaboration and some brief tour info, you can download “Strange Overtones.” There is a slight catch, however -- to receive the song, you’ve got to give up an e-mail address and your ZIP Code. Hardly a high price to pay.

Thankfully, the freebie delivers everything you’d expect from an Eno/Byrne tune. The track’s music, supplied by Eno, builds around an intimate, funky bass groove and smooth synthesizer riffs that elevate and distort. Throw in rhythmic tinny guitars, and it's the ideal poppy backdrop for Byrne's soulful, soaring overdubbed vocals, which work in beautiful combination with his ever-strange lyrics. So what are you waiting for? Sure, it took them 27 years in the making but it'll only take you a few minutes to download.


Aching to hear the song in question without having to give up your zip code or visit the record's website? I've got you covered.

David Byrne and Brian Eno - Strange Overtones
P.S. Byrne will be coming to the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor on Oct. 24th.

Mr. Eddie Campbell

Although Comic-Con has long past, I may have forgotten to mention the round of interviews I did with some fabled creators. Thanks to my current gig at the Los Angeles Times, I was luck enough to get my work published on one of their media blogs. Here is the first of my three now-finished pieces to be published, a write-up of the current happenings of Mr. Eddie Campbell.

Travel here to view to story on the Times' blog Hero Complex.


Eddie Campbell and the 'Huge Extravaganza of Baloney'
by TJ Kosinski
"The biggest collection of near-sighted people in the world." That's how the quirky and enigmatic Eddie Campbell summed up the madness and mass of Comic-Con. The Scottish comics creator, best known for the horrific and scratchy art of writer Alan Moore's "From Hell," was somewhat frustrated with his experience at crowded expo. He explained how the convention used to be a small gathering centered on celebrating the medium, but now it's metastasized into “a huge extravaganza of baloney.”

Why put up with it all? Campbell has the newly released "The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard," and he was at Comic-Con to promote it. He arrived, though, with plenty of cautious cynicism. "The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard" is a “what-if” story that imagines a future where the nephew of Jules Leotard (the famed trapeze performer and creator of the leotard), secretly takes on his uncle’s identity. It’s an adventure that takes place throughout the 19th century and toys with many staple elements of the superhero genre.

Campbell said an inspiration for "Leotard" was a Will Eisner quote about all modern comics finding their prototypes under the tents of circuses. Campbell in the story presents a sideshow act billed as Le Quartette Fantastique with members that parallel a certain well-known Marvel Comics team. With a winking expression, Campbell noted that the main character in "Leotard" lives up to Eisner’s adage: He wears a fake mustache to conceal his true identity, dons a vibrant costume for action and, to the crowd, seems to possess the power of flight. Sounds super doesn't it?

Around this time next year, an exhaustive omnibus of Campbell’s semi-autobiographical "Alec" works will be released by Top Shelf Comix. In addition to out-of-print work from the highly regarded series of graphic novels, Campbell plans to add roughly 40 pages of new material.

Campbell, who is based in Australia, has seen his work yield a film (the 2001 "From Hell," directed by the Hughes brothers, adapted the 572-page book and starred Johnny Depp as the lawman on the trail of Jack the Ripper) and now there is a television project that is even more personal. Campbell is also in talks with Australian television producers to create a program that centers on his daily life, a sort of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" meets "American Splendor" with an Aussie flavor. Although things are far from finalized, the series has been optioned and Campbell seems entertained by the prospect of “Alec” on television.

Sufjan Come Home

Where is a new album from Sufjan Stevens?


Despite the lack of another "state" record (or any other album, really), Sufjan's been putting out some great material in the form a single MP3s, contributions to compilations, etc; some of his best, forward-thinking material comes in the form of these one-offs. I've posted three examples of "new" (non-album anyways) Sufjan songs below.

Sufjan Stevens - What Goes On
This track is circa 2005 and is a pretty healthy demonstration that Sufjan's still got it (and creatively growing) despite his album sabbatical. It's off of the compilation record This Bird Has Flown - A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul and shows Sufjan structurally reworking the Beatles' track of the same name.

Sufjan Stevens - In the Words of the Governor
A 2007 track off of The Believer CD compilation from the literature magazine of the same name, this one's worth posting because of the radical approach (read: departure) Sufjan takes; it's more fuzzed-out, over-sustained, and distortion-saturated than anything Sufjan's done so far. And in what could be a bonus for some, Sufjan lyrically abandons his stereotypical storyteller approach for more simplistic punk-inspired lyrics.

Sufjan Stevens - Majesty Snowbird [Live]
So far, this track's only seen light at Sufjan's live shows (click for the Pitchfork-approved photos of the Sufjan show I attended). It's more epic and outstanding than anything Sufjan's attempted thus far, even on Illinois, and despite the mediocre sound quality, it's easy to hear.

So c'mon Sufjan, we know you've got the talent, record a new album already, "state" or otherwise.