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Sunday, January 24, 2016
NOLA
Who doesn't wish they were back in New Orleans at this time of the year. I love reading NolaDefender for news about the city, and obviously Nola.com for general stuff, but the photoblogs GoNola and NOLA Photos are so much fun to look at, they kill you with homesickness for the city.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Moonrise
Moonrise Kingdom [2012] is such an interesting, sad film. Typically Wes Anderson is very twee and ironic, but here his whole story seems more authentic, messy, indefinable and human than his other works. This great review [by Anthony Lane, 2012] of the film at the New Yorker is a good read.
Usually the famous modern English composer Benjamin Britten [1913-1976] is associated more with modernist, loud and roaring work that takes work to like, like Eyes Wide Shut or something, but in this film, if you can get past the opening 'kid introduction record' to orchestra that he made, his music really works here. It's so moving at certain points, and even the film's dialogue seems very realistic, with people behaving like normal, everyday souls. Britten's piece 'Cuckoo' is especially heart-wrenching when they film's characters confront how painful to two main kids must be feeling [for life in general, and for the only bright spot of each other].
Usually the famous modern English composer Benjamin Britten [1913-1976] is associated more with modernist, loud and roaring work that takes work to like, like Eyes Wide Shut or something, but in this film, if you can get past the opening 'kid introduction record' to orchestra that he made, his music really works here. It's so moving at certain points, and even the film's dialogue seems very realistic, with people behaving like normal, everyday souls. Britten's piece 'Cuckoo' is especially heart-wrenching when they film's characters confront how painful to two main kids must be feeling [for life in general, and for the only bright spot of each other].
Saturday, January 9, 2016
20s
For all 1920's loving music fans, check out Speakeasies' Swing Band, along with the very long The Roaring Twenties Music jazz videos.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
MTL
Montreal shopping is a sport, but you can also enjoy it from home during the winter arctic freezes. A very interesting shop is St Laurent's BoutiqueUnicorn [at 5135 St. L.], which has everything and some neat jewelry, an even a cute tumblr as well. It always has great sales.
BoutiqueOlivia has an online shop, if you don't want to venture out [to Atwater's Place Alexis Nihon at 1500 Rue Atwater]. Boutique Camomille [here's their Instagram] is quintessential Italian high class elegance--with an evil eye 'blue eye' up by the top door frame as you leave, be sure to spot it! I always check in here to see what's new. It has tons of all types of demure, lovely outfits along with many accessories, so there's something for everyone, and it has gorgeous Serapian handbags [very Italian film star].
Au Kouign Amann [in the Plateau at 322 Ave. du Mont-Royal E] is worth flying to Montreal for, so be sure to stop in and get one of everything [esp. the famous almond croissant]--and a handmade fruit juice. They are literally like crack.
BoutiqueOlivia has an online shop, if you don't want to venture out [to Atwater's Place Alexis Nihon at 1500 Rue Atwater]. Boutique Camomille [here's their Instagram] is quintessential Italian high class elegance--with an evil eye 'blue eye' up by the top door frame as you leave, be sure to spot it! I always check in here to see what's new. It has tons of all types of demure, lovely outfits along with many accessories, so there's something for everyone, and it has gorgeous Serapian handbags [very Italian film star].
Au Kouign Amann [in the Plateau at 322 Ave. du Mont-Royal E] is worth flying to Montreal for, so be sure to stop in and get one of everything [esp. the famous almond croissant]--and a handmade fruit juice. They are literally like crack.
Manga
The best manga is timeless--either for art, story, layout or innovation. One great example is 1988's Vampire Princess Miyu [ 吸血姫 美夕] by Narumi Kakinouchi and Toshiki Hirano [which also has an anime]:
Modern music
British The Haxan Cloak's album 'Excavation' [2013] is very gothic and eerie, an excellent example of how great ambient music can be--here's a great music review of this album, the music makes you think you might actually somehow be in either Silent Hill or the afterlife [... and you were not a good person before it].
A more beat focused and faster paced gothic ambient is the excellent album 'Black Goat of the Woods' by Black Mountain Transmitter and their LP 'Playing with dead things'. An even more upbeat, ambient piece is Montrealer [Chris] d'Eon's 'Al-Qiyamah' or his album with famous Montreal composer Grimes, the 'Darkbloom' EP.
The Quebeçois [French] group Sombres Forêts' [Dark forests] 2013 album 'La mort du soleil' has a ambient and nature-based opening with a metal focus and endpoint. Dante Augustus Scarlatti's 'Black Mass XXXIII' is great as well.
American Balam Acab's album 'Wander wonder' is quite open and hopeful, partially a MYST game soundtrack and giving off a Björk 'Vespertine' vibe as well [except in the ocean caves instead of in the snow].
Montreal's Tim Hecker's album 'Haunt me do it again' is very old school 'pure' ambient.
American Sun Araw's album 'On patrol' is more grunge/punk style ambient.
A more beat focused and faster paced gothic ambient is the excellent album 'Black Goat of the Woods' by Black Mountain Transmitter and their LP 'Playing with dead things'. An even more upbeat, ambient piece is Montrealer [Chris] d'Eon's 'Al-Qiyamah' or his album with famous Montreal composer Grimes, the 'Darkbloom' EP.
The Quebeçois [French] group Sombres Forêts' [Dark forests] 2013 album 'La mort du soleil' has a ambient and nature-based opening with a metal focus and endpoint. Dante Augustus Scarlatti's 'Black Mass XXXIII' is great as well.
American Balam Acab's album 'Wander wonder' is quite open and hopeful, partially a MYST game soundtrack and giving off a Björk 'Vespertine' vibe as well [except in the ocean caves instead of in the snow].
Montreal's Tim Hecker's album 'Haunt me do it again' is very old school 'pure' ambient.
American Sun Araw's album 'On patrol' is more grunge/punk style ambient.
Similar to M.I.A.
The music of Sri Lankan and English creator M.I.A. is a revelation when you hear her best pieces for the first time [like the well known 'Bad Girls']. After you hear it though, it's difficult to find anything similar, [other than the older work of 'Sleigh Bells', ie 'Crown on the ground']. While no artist is exactly the same, here are some ideas:
More ambient:
--English creator Forest Swords' album 'Engravings' [2013] is beautiful
--American Laurel Halo's work ['Logic Hour'] [2011] is very interesting
--3 hours of Nordic Ambient Music [ie. artists: Ulf Söderberg, Sephiroth, Empyrium, Tenhi]
--Music of Bali esp. at minute mark 29 and onwards [ie. song "Lüytheon" by László Hortobágyi - Gáyan Uttejak Orchestra, from album Gabevaildenor] is very unique and atmospheric
More indie [Pitchfork-ish, or Joanna Newsom-ish, for lack of a better descriptor]
--The obvious one to mention is perhaps Azealia Banks 'Broke with expensive taste'
--múm's 'Finally we are no one' album, from the experimental Icelandic group Múm
--Minimalist Balmhorea's 'Stranger' album [very instrumental and soothing]
More ancient but very rhythmic:
--Andes native music and the instrumental 'Music from the Andes Vol. 3' [Musica Andina, 2005]
--Persian folk music [ie. "Sarmast" by Shahram Nazeri & Dastan Ensemble, etc]
--Turkish Sufi music [ie Yemen Ellerinde Veysel Karani (Poem of Yunus Emre, a minstrel Sufi wandering, etc...]
--Tibetan folk music [ie. "Harvest Song" by Jhalakman etc]
More ambient:
--English creator Forest Swords' album 'Engravings' [2013] is beautiful
--American Laurel Halo's work ['Logic Hour'] [2011] is very interesting
--3 hours of Nordic Ambient Music [ie. artists: Ulf Söderberg, Sephiroth, Empyrium, Tenhi]
--Music of Bali esp. at minute mark 29 and onwards [ie. song "Lüytheon" by László Hortobágyi - Gáyan Uttejak Orchestra, from album Gabevaildenor] is very unique and atmospheric
More indie [Pitchfork-ish, or Joanna Newsom-ish, for lack of a better descriptor]
--The obvious one to mention is perhaps Azealia Banks 'Broke with expensive taste'
--múm's 'Finally we are no one' album, from the experimental Icelandic group Múm
--Minimalist Balmhorea's 'Stranger' album [very instrumental and soothing]
More ancient but very rhythmic:
--Andes native music and the instrumental 'Music from the Andes Vol. 3' [Musica Andina, 2005]
--Persian folk music [ie. "Sarmast" by Shahram Nazeri & Dastan Ensemble, etc]
--Turkish Sufi music [ie Yemen Ellerinde Veysel Karani (Poem of Yunus Emre, a minstrel Sufi wandering, etc...]
--Tibetan folk music [ie. "Harvest Song" by Jhalakman etc]
Saturday, January 2, 2016
One of the first female composers
Kassia [in Gk. Κασσιανή] was a Byzantine composer [living from 805 A.D. - 865] who is widely regarded as the first famous female music scorer. She was an abbess and a poet, and composed hymns that are still used in the Orthodox Church's liturgy books. Listen to her work here. And try one of her hymns sung by the Boston Byzantine Choir here.
Also try Cappella Romana's album 'The Fall of Constantinople'. If you want to hear the Orthodox Church's sung liturgy in English, it's very interesting and odd to hear it instead of read it in translation--you can here.
Also be sure to read and listen to the work of one of the most famous female troubadours [or poet], the French Beatritz de Dia [living around 1175]. By the way, this is noted as "fl. c. 1175" by most sources even nowadays, and it comes from the Latin 'flourished [around]', or as we would say 'lived'. The 'c' is of course 'circa' or 'around'. Watch this incredible performance in Germany of her piece "A chantar", performed with ancient instrumentation and a costumed singer [!!] at the Musiktheater Dingo.
Listen to her poetry set to music here along with other medieval composers. Beatritz de Dia's poem 'A chantar m'er de so qu'eu no volria' is translated onscreen for us with the music here. Read more about her here as well, with another poem example.
Also try Cappella Romana's album 'The Fall of Constantinople'. If you want to hear the Orthodox Church's sung liturgy in English, it's very interesting and odd to hear it instead of read it in translation--you can here.
Also be sure to read and listen to the work of one of the most famous female troubadours [or poet], the French Beatritz de Dia [living around 1175]. By the way, this is noted as "fl. c. 1175" by most sources even nowadays, and it comes from the Latin 'flourished [around]', or as we would say 'lived'. The 'c' is of course 'circa' or 'around'. Watch this incredible performance in Germany of her piece "A chantar", performed with ancient instrumentation and a costumed singer [!!] at the Musiktheater Dingo.
Listen to her poetry set to music here along with other medieval composers. Beatritz de Dia's poem 'A chantar m'er de so qu'eu no volria' is translated onscreen for us with the music here. Read more about her here as well, with another poem example.
SW
Okay, the new pilot Poe Dameron from Star Wars makes it worth seeing the flick, just look at him [and the lightsabers of course -- and for Luke too!] :
Friday, January 1, 2016
Music
Mai Yamane's [in J: 山根麻以] incredible cover of "House of the rising sun" [the New Orleans focused folk song recorded most famously by the band The Animals in 1964] is featured in the movie trailer for Japanese film "The World of Kanako".
Other excellent covers of the song are a minimalist one with with strong vocals by Holly Henry, and an incredible version with extensive instrumentation [violin and guitar] and great singing by Lettice Rowbotham and James Smith.
Another great set of music of that collected by Sublime Frequencies, like the "Shadow Music of Thailand" and the "Folk and Pop Sounds of Sumatra Vol. 1".
Other excellent covers of the song are a minimalist one with with strong vocals by Holly Henry, and an incredible version with extensive instrumentation [violin and guitar] and great singing by Lettice Rowbotham and James Smith.
Shiina Ringo has a very interesting music video in "Kamisama, Hotokesama"--Asian music really has every style on hand, with a huge variety among countries, regions and genres. Another great piece is the Thai piece by Louis[e] Kennedy's "Poo Yai Lee", from a record of 1960's pop music in Thailand [this song sounds like a cover of Booker T & the MG's "Green Onions"].
Monday, December 28, 2015
NOLA highlight
When you think of fancy, delicate many-layered doberge cake, you don't think of small local bars, but Twelve Mile Limit is making it happen. You might have to be buzzed in, or knock--it's very under the radar. They are an incredible little bar that serves up doberge cake made by the master at Debbie does Doberge. They had red velvet and rainbow almond paste--they were to die for and irreplaceable. Going out to Twelve Mile Limit and getting their classic take-home cup is a really unique, great experience that is unmissable. I will go back next time I am down in NOLA.
At 500 Telemachus St, usually 5pm-2am, or 10am-12am on weekends [check first, call in and see what flavors of doberge they have--they are very kind and helpful, even to the annoying people like me!]; get off the Canal St tram at S. Clark St and go left four streets and up two
At 500 Telemachus St, usually 5pm-2am, or 10am-12am on weekends [check first, call in and see what flavors of doberge they have--they are very kind and helpful, even to the annoying people like me!]; get off the Canal St tram at S. Clark St and go left four streets and up two
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Vintage in NOLA
When traveling, you need to be prepared--be sure to read travel guides to NYC, Paris, NOLA, etc, before you go, make a list of places you want to go [with addresses & times], print out a basic map and circle them. When you touchdown in your new locale, you'll be ready to rush off and go try a million different things. All that possibility, just waiting for your shoes to start walking.
For vintage clothes, try:
-If you are going to New Orleans' Cecilia's or Satsuma for a breakfast or brunch, the nearby Swap Boutique is great, a little store full of interesting items.
At 7716 Maple St, get of St Charles Ave streetcar by Cecilia's, usually open 10am-6
-Be sure to go to Century Girl while in the French Quarter
At 818 Royal St, usually open 11am-6
-And of course, GLUE clothing exchange, for really interesting finds
At 8206 Oak St, open 11am-6
For vintage clothes, try:
-If you are going to New Orleans' Cecilia's or Satsuma for a breakfast or brunch, the nearby Swap Boutique is great, a little store full of interesting items.
At 7716 Maple St, get of St Charles Ave streetcar by Cecilia's, usually open 10am-6
-Be sure to go to Century Girl while in the French Quarter
At 818 Royal St, usually open 11am-6
-And of course, GLUE clothing exchange, for really interesting finds
At 8206 Oak St, open 11am-6
Stationary
Stationary and sending cards is one of the great refined pleasures of age--you get to express how much people mean to you in carefully beautiful handwriting, choose unique and lovely cards, and give someone you love a great surprise in the mail. There are two components of this for the writing set: the cards and the seal [or stickers/stamps].
You need both great stationary and interesting decoration:
Get unique cards at places like: The Grove Street Press online, and the very famous Ana's Papeterie
Get wax seals at: U.K.'s British ebay site: very unique! I have often pored over each antique piece. On Etsy, the two people to get them from are ReminiscencePapers [for particular, different fonts letters] and TheSupplyGuy [for tiny incredible images]. Love the zodiac signs set of wax seals and the gingerbread man.
You need both great stationary and interesting decoration:
Get unique cards at places like: The Grove Street Press online, and the very famous Ana's Papeterie
Get wax seals at: U.K.'s British ebay site: very unique! I have often pored over each antique piece. On Etsy, the two people to get them from are ReminiscencePapers [for particular, different fonts letters] and TheSupplyGuy [for tiny incredible images]. Love the zodiac signs set of wax seals and the gingerbread man.
New Orleans b
More must-do's while in NOLA:
French Quarter
-Arnauds, the famous bar and restaurant, get a light and very famous WWI French 75 cocktail, it is a mixed champagne base drink
At 813 Rue Bienville, go early at night, it opens usually 5:30pm-11:30
-The Pelican Bar, ask them to make the now off menu blackberry rum cocktail, it's a classic
At 312 Exchange Plaza almost at the corner of Bienville St and Chartres St., it's on a hidden open road in the middle of that block on Bienville, open 5:30pm-9:30
-If you love classic, old world perfumes, go to Bourbon French Parfums and get the best one: the cherry blossom, or get it online here in any size.
At 805 Royal St, open 10am-5
-Cecilia's or Satsuma's are very interesting, try walking out from classic, old world American diner Cecilia's to modern, fresh Satsuma for fun exotic mixed [fresh] fruit juices [and for the vintage shops nearby] and get the meaty gumbo at Cecilia's and their pecan waffles, and a chocolate milkshake
At 626 S Carrollton Ave is Cecilia's, ride the St Charles streetcar over, which stops right next to it; Satsuma is at 7901 Maple St, a few streets over from the other cafe
-Go to the opera or ballet, the Louis A. theater is directly north of the French Quarter, so it's easy to get to
-Go to the famous, gorgeous Latin mass at the classic and ornate St Patrick's Church at 9:30am Sunday, set back from the street so be sure to look carefully; their service schedule is here
At 724 Camp St, in the CBD
The picture below is from the Garden District--the stained glass was lovely:
French Quarter
-Arnauds, the famous bar and restaurant, get a light and very famous WWI French 75 cocktail, it is a mixed champagne base drink
At 813 Rue Bienville, go early at night, it opens usually 5:30pm-11:30
-The Pelican Bar, ask them to make the now off menu blackberry rum cocktail, it's a classic
At 312 Exchange Plaza almost at the corner of Bienville St and Chartres St., it's on a hidden open road in the middle of that block on Bienville, open 5:30pm-9:30
-If you love classic, old world perfumes, go to Bourbon French Parfums and get the best one: the cherry blossom, or get it online here in any size.
At 805 Royal St, open 10am-5
-Cecilia's or Satsuma's are very interesting, try walking out from classic, old world American diner Cecilia's to modern, fresh Satsuma for fun exotic mixed [fresh] fruit juices [and for the vintage shops nearby] and get the meaty gumbo at Cecilia's and their pecan waffles, and a chocolate milkshake
At 626 S Carrollton Ave is Cecilia's, ride the St Charles streetcar over, which stops right next to it; Satsuma is at 7901 Maple St, a few streets over from the other cafe
-Go to the opera or ballet, the Louis A. theater is directly north of the French Quarter, so it's easy to get to
-Go to the famous, gorgeous Latin mass at the classic and ornate St Patrick's Church at 9:30am Sunday, set back from the street so be sure to look carefully; their service schedule is here
At 724 Camp St, in the CBD
The picture below is from the Garden District--the stained glass was lovely:
New Orleans a
The best of the best in New Orleans, for a perfect, luxurious trip--remember to call ahead to most places to ensure they have what you want and are even open, NOLA has more of a European take on time and many places are closed Monday or have different weekend hours:
-Reserve a $2 'Free tours by foot' guided tour online to St. Louis Cemetery no. 1 [you cannot get in without a tour like this to protect this famous cemetery]
At Basin St and St. Louis St
Garden District
-Go to the incredible, gothic Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District, usually open 7:30-2:30, so get there way before 2pm just to be sure
At Washington Ave streetcar stop get off from a green St Charles line car that you board in CBD [central business district] or French Quarter area--after getting off, walk past Prytania St right into the cemetery, it's free
-Next to Lafayette Cemetery is the famous turquoise restaurant Commander's Palace -- get a reservation and lunch: the pasta with wild boar sauce, and get some famous 25¢ cocktails
At 1403 Washington Ave, open 11:30am-1:30 & 6:30pm-9:30 (504) 899-8221
-In the garden district, walk around to see all the famous, enormous old fancy houses, and go see Anne Rice's old house at 1239 First St
-District Donuts, Sliders Brews has amazing, unique donuts that will blow your mind; walk down from the garden district big house area to rest here and get an iced tea
At 2209 Magazine St, open 7am-9pm
CBD
-Get a locally famous muffuletta Italian meat/olive sandwich at Cochon Butcher, and a Jamaican mule [ie a dark 'n stormy] at the bar [the mixer is a lovely, great man], and try a bunch of pies and cake slices, they're incredible
At 930 Tchoupitoulas St, usually open 10am-10pm
-Perfume lovers should call ahead to Avery Fine Perfumery and be sure they're open, they have a huge and unique selection of rare bottles, spray some blotters and experience the artistry
At 527 St Joseph St, open 11-6pm, call (504) 522-7102
-Famous local handmade artistic card/stationary shop The Grove Street Press is next door to the perfume gallery above, you can buy their unique, old fashioned cards etc here online
At 521 St Joseph St, open 11-7pm but call to ensure they are truly open: (504) 281-4575
Canal St
-Blue Dot Donuts, this tiny gem has giant donut bow ties you'd kill for and bear claws, it's irreplacable
At 4201 Canal St, open 6am until the afternoon but get there before 9am to make sure you get a real selection, they will sell out
Angelo Broccato, take the Canal streetcar up and get raspberry pastries, gelato, almond greek caps, and French fruit tarts, fresh cannolis; very old school classic
214 N Carrollton Ave, open 10am-10
Farther out
Plum St Snoballs, 1300 Burdette St but only during summer, so call or check online
-Reserve a $2 'Free tours by foot' guided tour online to St. Louis Cemetery no. 1 [you cannot get in without a tour like this to protect this famous cemetery]
At Basin St and St. Louis St
Garden District
-Go to the incredible, gothic Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District, usually open 7:30-2:30, so get there way before 2pm just to be sure
At Washington Ave streetcar stop get off from a green St Charles line car that you board in CBD [central business district] or French Quarter area--after getting off, walk past Prytania St right into the cemetery, it's free
-Next to Lafayette Cemetery is the famous turquoise restaurant Commander's Palace -- get a reservation and lunch: the pasta with wild boar sauce, and get some famous 25¢ cocktails
At 1403 Washington Ave, open 11:30am-1:30 & 6:30pm-9:30 (504) 899-8221
-In the garden district, walk around to see all the famous, enormous old fancy houses, and go see Anne Rice's old house at 1239 First St
-District Donuts, Sliders Brews has amazing, unique donuts that will blow your mind; walk down from the garden district big house area to rest here and get an iced tea
At 2209 Magazine St, open 7am-9pm
CBD
-Get a locally famous muffuletta Italian meat/olive sandwich at Cochon Butcher, and a Jamaican mule [ie a dark 'n stormy] at the bar [the mixer is a lovely, great man], and try a bunch of pies and cake slices, they're incredible
At 930 Tchoupitoulas St, usually open 10am-10pm
-Perfume lovers should call ahead to Avery Fine Perfumery and be sure they're open, they have a huge and unique selection of rare bottles, spray some blotters and experience the artistry
At 527 St Joseph St, open 11-6pm, call (504) 522-7102
-Famous local handmade artistic card/stationary shop The Grove Street Press is next door to the perfume gallery above, you can buy their unique, old fashioned cards etc here online
At 521 St Joseph St, open 11-7pm but call to ensure they are truly open: (504) 281-4575
Canal St
-Blue Dot Donuts, this tiny gem has giant donut bow ties you'd kill for and bear claws, it's irreplacable
At 4201 Canal St, open 6am until the afternoon but get there before 9am to make sure you get a real selection, they will sell out
Angelo Broccato, take the Canal streetcar up and get raspberry pastries, gelato, almond greek caps, and French fruit tarts, fresh cannolis; very old school classic
214 N Carrollton Ave, open 10am-10
Farther out
Plum St Snoballs, 1300 Burdette St but only during summer, so call or check online
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Things to read: J style
One great blog is TheJapans, about a Westerner living in 日本 or Nihon, as we say. She has great posts, including some on Japanese breakfast, which is always interesting to hear about--they are so different in every culture!
TheSartorialist, that old standby, had a few ensembles that were interesting--like in NYC here or here, but lately there's a shift towards other street style blogs, like:
- TIRU, the excellent Japanese style blog, they have an amazing sense of aesthetics
- FY FRUiTS, an engaging look at the infamous J-style fashion magazine, very fresh/modern
- FY DropTokyo is extremely modern/minimalist and interesting.
- the more classically beautiful YesAsianStreet and the HarajukuStyle.
TheSartorialist, that old standby, had a few ensembles that were interesting--like in NYC here or here, but lately there's a shift towards other street style blogs, like:
- TIRU, the excellent Japanese style blog, they have an amazing sense of aesthetics
- FY FRUiTS, an engaging look at the infamous J-style fashion magazine, very fresh/modern
- FY DropTokyo is extremely modern/minimalist and interesting.
- the more classically beautiful YesAsianStreet and the HarajukuStyle.
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