CUT THROUGH THE NOISE » IN SHORT

IN SHORT July 2010: Acid Trips and Pranks

Kate Bradley — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:49:19 +0000

Hey there! Off we go with another edition of IN SHORT, our monthly cornucopia of stuff — sometimes music stuff, sometimes not. This month’s theme: Laugh Your Ass Off (and Perhaps Squirm a Little). Enjoy.

1. Double Rainbow!

I found myself watching this, thinking, why am I watching this? This is stupid. Then: this is awesome. Then: this is stupid. Then: god dammit, this is really awesome. Trust me. Now, of course, I’m dying to have one of these. Full. On.

2. Yankee Prankee

It’s painful. But you have to watch this one to enjoy the next one. Admittedly, Amir is kind of a dick.

3. Million Dollar Shot

Streeter gets his revenge. And it’s beautiful…

IN SHORT: May 2010

Kate Bradley — Tue, 18 May 2010 03:41:57 +0000

Hiya kids. Time for another edition of IN SHORT, our monthly hodgepodge selection of stuff — sometimes music stuff, sometimes not. A team effort this week (thanks for your suggestions).
And um, as they say: Rah-rah ree, kick ‘em in the knee. Rah-rah rass, kick ‘em in the other knee. Go team.

1. The Coolest Soccer Ball Ever

Brilliant and cleverly named. Meet The Soccket, a soccer ball that generates and stores enough energy to power a small LED light for three hours for each 15 minutes of play. Want one? Try e-mailing Team Soccket to see what’s what re: retail. Just think. Socckets for everyone you know for Christmas. Those guys better get on it.

2. Facebook Time-Waster of the Week

Telling Sarah Palin She’s Full of Crap

Thumbs up, Team LefTake. Of all the things people have asked me to “like” in the last couple of weeks, this one actually made the cut. Sorry Dad .

3. Actual Musical Talent Caught on Video

Team Faux recording most of Abbey Road (Side Two), live. 18 minutes and worth it.

The Fab Faux – Abbey Road Side 2 (mostly) from The Fab Faux on Vimeo.

IN SHORT: February 2010

Kate Bradley — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:22:48 +0000

You know the drill. IN SHORT is our monthly hodgepodge selection of stuff we think’s worth mentioning… sometimes it’s about music, sometimes not. This month, it’s about live music (what’s that? We kid, we kid), the interwebs, sort of:

SxSW Interactive, Film & Music Festival
Every year it seems someone is always questioning the validity of music conferences. And for good reason. Mostly they suck. The music panels especially. A bunch of know-it-alls who live at 30,000 feet and just like to hear the sound of their own voices — seemingly never doling out any practical, useful advice. Sadly, the music panels at SxSW are generally no exception. But now that I’ve started going to the Interactive portion of the festival beforehand, I could care less.

SxSW Interactive, that’s where you actually learn things. And generally, there’s less drinking (then during SxSW Music) which makes for better brainwork. You remember people’s names. Business cards actually find their way into your suitcase. You take notes. You have ideas.

Then, a funny sort of phenomenon starts to happen as the week wears on and Interactive flows into Music (Film is supposed to be the bridge but really, who goes?). Less green vegetables. Less sleep. Longer nights. The hotel staff now knows you by first name. Instead of sitting at panels you’re standing all day shows. But your attention span is shot and your smart phone is blowing up. Plus, your feet hurt.

Fun stuff. But in the end, I’m there to work. Every second of every waking moment, networking my little hiny off with the hopes that some of it will somehow pay forward and help make this crazy ride we’re on stick (even I don’t exactly know what that means but I’m leaving it in). Fingers crossed.

The best part: gazing out at an endless sea of head-bobbing, balding-with-ponytail, over-40 grown-up heads, collectively getting their badass rock ‘n roll groove right on.

Who says we old farts don’t rock? In Austin, we sure as hell do.

That said, here’s to seeing you at our showcase (a production of THE iNSIDERS NETWORK). If you’re in Austin, do drop on by. Those free beers I’m always threatening to buy you guys? Come and get ‘em.

Thursday, March 18, 12 PM-5 PM, 204 E. 6th St. (BD Riley’s)

12:00-12:35 They Were Stars
12:50-1:25 Seth Glier
1:40-2:15 Robert Deeble
2:30-3:05 Michael Miller
3:20-3:55 Steve Poltz
4:10-4:45 Roman Candle

Yeeeeeeehaw.

IN SHORT: January 2010

Kate Bradley — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:14:33 +0000

You know the drill. IN SHORT is our monthly hodgepodge selection of stuff we think’s worth mentioning… sometimes it’s about music, sometimes not. This month, three videos that have been forwarded our way multiple times — we got the hint . So here goes, one to make you laugh, one to make you ooo and ahh, one to perk your interest about the seedy inner insides of the music industry.

1. Bohemian Rhapsody, The Muppets

Come on, I had you at Muppets. 60 seconds or so in… wait for it. Mama? (Animal).

2. Don’t Stop Believing, Nick Pitera (five of him)

Apparently this is a Glee cover (the TV show which I’m proud to say I don’t watch — although I certainly do watch a lot of cheesy TV). This, for sure, is cheesy but dammit it’s also cool.

3. Golden Days, The Damnwells

Yes, I’ve given this band of ridiculous amount of airtime. But finally, the documentary movie that Chris Suchorsky put together is available. The film follows the story as the band lands their major label record deal and then gets completely hosed by the machine (Epic), as does happen. It’s been around the film festival circuit, even nabbing best documentary in Phoenix a couple of years back. Now, the DVD is available (naturally, Epic delayed the process). If you don’t want to drop the cash, add them to your queue on Netflix, they are officially listed although the release on Netflix, still TBD. It’s a damn (ehem) fine little film.

IN SHORT: 2009 Best-Of

Kate Bradley — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:25:01 +0000

Generally, we stick to music here on the OUTLANDOS blog. But once a month, we digress. The idea being that if we share the same taste in music, we likely share the same taste in other stuff, lifestyle stuff. It’s kind of like what we do with THE DAILY DOSE; by associating music with “other stuff” — in this case wine and cheese — it adds a greater value to the music, an expanded aesthetic experience. So that’s the theme for IN SHORT, monthly recommendations of “other stuff” that we think you’ll like, will perk your interest or at the very least make you chuckle. Hence, a review of 2009, the Top Five:

1. Fans

It’s a recurring theme around OUTLANDOS HQ, not only the power of fans but also what to do with it (more on that next week). But for now, just again touching on the idea that We can help.

2. Boxed Wine

Been trying it out this year and I can honestly tell you, it’s not bad. As in, good. Especially for a table wine around the house. And both cheaper and environmentally more friendly with 4 to 6 bottles of wine condensed into one box. Less waste. Black Box is our current fave, if you can find it.

3. Razor Saver

Yes, you can actually sharpen the razor blades you shave with instead of plunking down 20 or so bucks for new ones. It saves a ton of money and it’s environmentally friendly. I bought mine about 3 years ago and I think I’ve purchased a total of 20 blades since… and I mean individual blades, like a couple of 10 packs. It’s totally awesome, idiot-proof and it’s $12. Everyone needs one of these.

4. Breakfast at Sulimay’s
It’s bunch of older folks reviewing new music, most of which is alternative. They are insightful and at the same time hilarious. You will pee your pants. You likely also go and buy some of the stuff they recommend.

5. Autotune the News

The only way to get your news. These guys compile a montage of current stories and autotune the voices so it’s kind of like CNN meets Broadway meets Cher. Ridiculously brilliant.