July 2, 2009

Grizzly Bear.

Dude, have you heard of this band? They just might be my new artist that I listen to until I'm sick of it. There is no one around today that sounds like them, except for maybe the Beatles and the Beach Boys...wait, they aren't around today. Anyway, their use of instruments, the ooooing and aaaahing, the melodies, the words...it's freaking amazing. I had read an article about Grizzly Bear in Rollingstone and then there was another one in the New York Times, I knew I had to at least check 'em out. I did, on itunes and never went back...except to buy the album. Grizzly Bear comes from Brooklyn and already had two albums before their recent release. All the reviews say that while the new album, Veckatamist, is good, Yellow House is where it's at. I bought it. One word, Catastrophic. It's that good. Check 'em out for yourself below.

| By Nathan Gemayel | 9:11 PM | Comments (0)

Living in the City!

I ask you, where else can you look out the back window and see a 4-year-old driving her pink princess Hummer? I love living in the city.

| By Nathan Gemayel | 9:04 PM | Comments (0)

Happy 4th of July!

| By Nathan Gemayel | 9:01 PM | Comments (1)

More 'Casualties' Pics

This past weekend we had a great shoot, and rather than finishing 3 hours after we were supposed to, we finished an hour early. Help it! Our first shoot was literally on the metro. It was pretty hilarious for us to all be connected, carrying cords, and waiting for the train. We would all get on in this big mass of people and the passengers would turn around and look at us like, "What the Hell is going on here?!?!" It was pretty funny.
We also shot another scene at a coffee shop...pretty awesome! We needed some extras to be studying, playing cards and decided that crew members could do those things...the next thing you know, all kinds of people were getting makeup, it was pretty funny!

| By Nathan Gemayel | 8:31 PM | Comments (0)

June 26, 2009

Legend

Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer in the world. Could that same argument be made about anyone else of our generation? Madonna? No...although close. Britney? No. Justin? No. But in one way or another they all owe something to the King of Pop. Jackson wasn't the best singer of all time but he could own the stage with his dancing and could reach through the screen in his videos and inspire people. Many in the industry looked to Michael Jackson as a modern day Fred Astaire, one who could glide, waltz (albeit in his own version), and sing as if the dance floor was created for him. The moonwalk was ridiculous. Jackson was our answer to Elvis. He truly earns any notoriaty he has earned as a performer.

Thriller was, without a doubt, the best pop record of our generation. I must have listened to that record 1,000 times as a kid. The album sold 26 million in the States alone, compare that to Britney's biggest seller, Baby, One More Time, which sold 12 million. Everyone had to have that album and of course, everyone remembers the video with the same name. One Saturday when I was in the 3rd grade my parents had gone to run errands, I made the mistake of turning on MTV...there he was sitting down in the theatre to watch a scary movie with his girlfriend...of course, we all know what happens next. That video freaked me out in the middle of the day and gave me many nights with visions of dead people fresh from the grave surrounding my bed. It could be argued that Madonna has made videos just as scary, although not intentionally. Has there ever been another pop album that won the Grammies for both Male Pop Performance AND Rock Performance? I don't think so.

One of my roommates who is younger asked me why Michael Jackson was so big. I guess he was the first of the modern day pop star. He was the original triple threat. He could sing, dance, and perform like no other. He was like the Spice Girls, N Sync, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, all 8 seasons of American Idol, and Britney all wrapped up together in one person...he was that big! That classic! I can play Off the Wall at a party and know that people are going to start connecting with laughter and fun conversation just because MJ is blasting in the background!

He was an amazing writer. Have you ever listened to the words of Man in the Mirror? It's quite a convicting song. Don't forget We Are the World. Of course, incredibly cheesy, but man, at the time that song was so infectious everyone had to buy a copy...to this day it's the highest selling single of all time. The dude was a musical genious. He was the quintessential pop star, and more. Today, despite all the weirdness that has permeated his life over the past 15-20 years, (let's be honest, it's been quite a long road of Elephant Man bones and Liz Taylors), I remember him as an incredible, musician, performer, and artist!

| By Nathan Gemayel | 1:13 AM | Comments (1)

June 24, 2009

Don't Forget Mixtape Contest 2009!

That's right America! It's official, Sweet Chicken's First Annual Mixtape Contest starts today! Since I was a youngster I have always had a knack for putting together the best mixes. In middle school it was all about finding the perfect songs by R.E.M., the Cure, and Violent Femmes. In high school it was Beastie Boys, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana. Lately, Bon Iver and Vampire Breakfast, as my sister mistakingly calls 'em on a regular basis, have always been included.
Just put together a list with 12 songs or less and send it my way. There are 5 judges that will need to hear the songs, therefore make sure they can be found on YouTube. You can email me your list at: nathanglo@gmail.com and put MixTape in the subject line.
You ask, "What about a theme Nathan?" Guess what...You name the theme! This is where creativity will play a part. For example, I could make a list called, "Summer Mix 2009," which could include songs from this summer, or songs that were big during the summer in years gone by, or whatever, just come up with a theme and stick with it!
There will be prizes given away for the best, as well as other prizes. All participants will get a copy of the winning CD.

Mixtape Lists due by: July 3rd at midnight
How many songs? no more than 12
Where to send the list? nathanglo@gmail.com
Don't forget the theme!
Make sure the songs are on YouTube!
Good Luck to All Participants!

| By Nathan Gemayel | 10:08 PM | Comments (2)