Slumberland

HIATUS

2009-07-01T16:36:00.001-04:00

My computer broke almost 2 weeks ago. Slumberland is on hiatus until I either a) get it fixed or b) get a new one. BUMMER.

writing: Jason M, age 30

2009-06-21T22:37:00.002-04:00

"Black Men: Gay. White Men: OK. -- The "Skinny Jeans" Edition"

Fashion is fickle, especially with the number of trends going on at once now. Everybody is or is at least trying to be a trendsetter. What defines a trend exactly is best left to a dictionary, but what I have noticed as I’ve gotten on in years is that certain trends tend to lend themselves to certain races more so than others.

Let’s take the tight pant phenomenon. Back when people wore Adidas and lived life slow, skinny jeans were just something you wore. Back in the 80s everybody wore skinny jeans, no matter what your ethnic or socio-economical background or style was because, well that’s all there was. They were the norm. And they weren’t called “skinny jeans” they were just called “jeans”. The only thing you had to worry about wasn’t really their tightness as much as the label on them. If “Le” was followed by another “e” and it was on my ass, I was in for such ridicule from my peers. They even made a parody song in the hood about it (you older heads might remember) “Shout, Shout, LEE’S ARE PLAYED OUT!” after the Tears For Fears song.

Then something happened in the urban (Black) community. What and exactly when I’m not sure, but baggy pants became all the rage. Not just baggy though, they had to be sizes bigger so that they sagged so far down the seat of them became street sweepers. Some idiots even decided to turn them around backwards as a gimmick. As hip hop music flourished and became less about having fun and more about shooting guns, pants got bigger and baggier, I guess to hide your imaginary “piece”. The tightness of your pants became directly proportionate to how homo you were, even though saggy pants supposedly originated in prison, a place where people get “stuck up the butthole” on the regular. But I digress.

Fast forward to now, with this whole 80s revival hogwash and these 80s babies wearing super tight colorful jeans and creating dances around how tight their jeans are (but they’re still “hood”). Artists like Kanye West have made it cool to wear tight pants again or at least a pair of jeans that fit you properly . . .

But not really.

There seems to be a rift in the urban (Black) community over jean tightness that has everyone spilt down the middle. Because his pants fit him a bit snugly, Kanye is gay and there are plenty of people out there that will stand by this. Just go to any of your favorite rap/hip hop fashion blogs and read the comments on how gay this rapper is or how much of a rumored homo that rapper is for wearing that “fag shit”.

My thing is, rockers have been wearing tight jeans for years and if you pay attention to their music videos, concert footage, behind the scene pics or stories from groupies, they get madd, for lack of a better term, “pussy”. If you go to a punk rock show or a death metal show, predominately frequented by (White) men in skinny jeans and makeup and call one of the patrons a “fag”, chances are that if you even make it to the door, no matter how many people are in your entourage, you’re going to get sacrificed to a pagan god of some sort or at least get your face kicked in. I think back to The Ramones and remember they had the tightest jeans in existence and were not only rampant heterosexuals, they made the hardest music of that era and what some would consider the best fight music ever. And the skaters I know will rip your head off if you dare come up to them with that nonsense.

Punks are no punks.

So where does this leave us? Well as an “alternanegro” (yes, I coined that shit!) that listens to more rock and metal nowadays than I do hip hop and identifies more with the prior despite growing up in the projects, I can’t go back to rocking super tight jeans. I also can’t rock saggy bottoms. I’m too Black and too old for either. I choose a middle ground: a nice pair of fitted jeans with a slight taper or flare that I can roll into a cuff. End of the day it’s all about personal preference, but seriously, when did your jeans become a marker for your sexual orientation? I’m also sure that a true gay person would not be caught dead in a pair of fluorescent yellow skinny jeans sagging half way off of their asses with wallet chains and a bright Kid Robot hoodie on doing the god damn “stanky leg” (I really hate that dance).

(Black) People, you gotta let that stupidness go.

photography: Sarah M, age 22

2009-06-21T22:23:00.002-04:00

"Science!"

Museum of Science
Boston, MA

"First Concert"
Warped Tour 2008
Camden, NJ

painting: Jen L, age 23

2009-06-19T00:52:00.003-04:00

"Dance Party 2000"

"Bat"

dance: Ekow E, age 20

2009-06-16T19:40:00.003-04:00

BlackOut Step Team from Tufts University performing @ Northeastern University
4/2009

White Rabbits and The Subjects @ The Summit in Columbus, Ohio (June 7, 2009)

2009-06-16T00:30:00.002-04:00

White Rabbits = 2hot2handle.

No, but seriously. Even though I had seen them at the Grog Shop on May 30, a week prior, this show was 10x better. It was one of the best shows I've ever been to. The Grog show was the first night of their tour and I hadn't been listening to them too long at that point. I didn't expect the energy that was delivered that night. But after a week of playing shows, they were phenomenal. I will definitely see them again if I have the chance.

They probably should give Karen O lessons in stage presence. Er, not that I'm still bitter about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Pontiac show...or anything...

Oh, and the Subjects were good too. However much that sounds like me blowing them off, it's just tough to say much about them when they're placed next to White Rabbits. I did enjoy their music, but they weren't nearly as energetic. I'm glad that they opened, because White Rabbits would have been a real tough act to follow.

The Subjects

White Rabbits

I've been trying to think about which songs I wanted to share off of their second LP, It's Frightening. It's difficult though, since I think that album is pretty much perfect. Seriously. I love every single song. Except maybe the last one, but that's still good too. I think I've narrowed it down.

Fort Nightly
Kid On My Shoulders
The Plot

It's Frightening
Rudie Fails
The Salesman (Tramp Life)

photography: Patty M, age 23

2009-06-15T16:41:00.004-04:00

"Stuffed"
en route to Nashville, TN

"Street Princess"

Santa Monica, CA

"LA"
Los Angeles, CA

"Alex Who"
Chicago, IL

"Accommodate Me"
Chicago, IL

graphic design: Carla P, age 19

2009-06-15T14:26:00.003-04:00

"Swirly"

slang

2009-06-15T14:04:00.000-04:00

It's been brought to my attention that I may spout slang that is not understood. Two things come to mind. Let's begin with "get it."

Urban Dictionary's defines "get it" as...

"Basically this is said when you witness something amazing or extraordinary...or if you do something awesome."

Let's use an example.

Chanelle: *does some sweet dance move*
Aba: Get it, girl, get it.

or

Chanelle's mom: Why are you guys so tired?
Chanelle: We stayed out late dancing.
Chanelle's mom: Oh, I bet you guys were gettin' it.

The other phrase that comes to mind is "workin it too hard." It's kind of like "work it" except even better. Here's another example.

Katryn: *poses against a brick wall outside of Circus*
Aba: Ohhhhhh, you're workin it too hard.

or

Katryn: Ew, Aba what are you doing in this picture?
Aba: Don't be jealous just because I was workin it too hard.
Katryn: *rolls eyes*

I hope this helps.

photography: Karl W, age 21

2009-06-14T09:34:00.004-04:00

"The Diner"

Akron, OH

"Red Buildings"
Cleveland, OH

"Graf On Back"
Cleveland, OH

"Ernie's"
Cleveland, OH

"Demolished"
Akron, OH

"Abandoned Akron"
Akron, OH

Circus in Columbus, Ohio (June 6, 2009)

2009-06-11T12:18:00.014-04:00

As much as I enjoy hot, sweaty, PBR fueled orgies accompanied by an abrasive, pulsing, electronic soundtrack (in this case, the dance floor at Circus), I'm also not 19 anymore. I love electronic music as much as the next girl, but I'm picky. Not pretentious. Just picky. The two times I've been to Circus, I've found that I've needed copious amounts of alcohol to thoroughly enjoy myself. Whatever happened to the phrase "everything in moderation"? Does every button on the mixer need to be pushed at the same time? I'm sure that the DJs who play really overwhelming, seizure inducing electronic music think that there's a method to the madness, (in addition to the people on the dance floor having seizures--ahem, I mean, dancing) but come on, DJs. Next time, play something I can actually dance to. Without being inebriated.

Oh well. At least the DJs at Circus on June 6 looked adorable in their matching hoodies.

(gettin' it.)

(werkin' it 2 h@rd.)

Black Moth Super Rainbow @ Skully's Music Diner in Columbus, Ohio (June 6, 2009)

2009-06-10T18:14:00.006-04:00

Aside from the kids starting a mosh pit and the man getting to second base with the pretty mannequin wearing a hot little black number being projected on the screen behind them during the set, the Black Moth Super Rainbow show was great.

I had never seen pictures of them before, so I had no idea what to expect. They really took the shine off of them by playing their entire set in the dark, and, in one case, by wearing a ski mask (the drummer--who promptly made her way off the stage as soon as the set was over). And, of course, the robotic voice. They were this really nerdy group of people who probably majored in Computer Science or Engineering at Carnegie Mellon and had black light posters of mushrooms in their room and made music to smoke bowls to.

I'm not hatin, I'm just sayin.

Sorry that I don't have more pictures. I just got a new camera and I didn't realize how few gigs the memory card held. Speaking of, I'd like to introduce you. I just got a drool-worthy Canon SD770 ID point and shoot (or, Heidi, for short). She's a beaut.

More to come after the Cleveland show at the Grog Shop on June 27.

Here is a track off of their latest album, Eating Us.

Twin Of Myself

photography: Matt G, age 19

2009-06-05T19:02:00.010-04:00

These pictures were taken when Diplo came to the B Side Liquor Lounge in Cleveland Heights back in April. I've seen them in person and I feel bad because the film doesn't translate well into this format. What you see here doesn't do the pictures justice at all.

Oh, and here are some mp3s:

Diplo and Blaqstarr - Get Off (DJ Rob 3 Remix)
M.I.A. - Pop (Diplo Remix)
Le Tigre - After Dark (Diplo Remix)
Diplo - Reload It

video: Andrew P, age 19

2009-06-03T18:37:00.002-04:00

"The Sun's Never Down"

5/09
Okinawa, Japan

Tight Times Loosen Artists' Creativity

2009-06-02T10:59:00.004-04:00

CLICK THE TITLE

snippet: Diane Leon-Ferdico, 63, an abstract painter who lives in Elmhurst, Queens, pays the bills working as an administrator in the Hebrew and Judaic studies department at New York University. She said artists should have a backup plan but should not give up on their art. “I’ve done it all my life and still have had a good balanced life,” she wrote. “This too shall pass. Artists must continue to create no matter what happens around them.”

I think that this article is so relevant, especially considering how much art supplies cost. It can be daunting, even when the economy is good. Since I was 11, I've written to get through the tough times. When I entered college, I abandoned that method of anxiety-reduction in favor of more mindnumbing alternatives (just one more vodka shot before I get into the shower). It's been difficult to find my voice again, so I really appreciate hearing the voices of others through reading this article.

The Recession Proof Artist

2009-06-02T10:48:00.002-04:00

CLICK THE TITLE

Wait so...how is this guy any different from most of my friends? Haven't the people at the New York Times ever heard of the phrase "starving artist?" Why was this news worthy? I remember seeing this on facebook a few weeks ago and people were commenting with things like, "Omg! He's such an ~+*in$piR@ti0N*+~!!!" But why? It's called living frugally and forfeiting your comforts, something that many college students and 22-year-olds do every day. He's actually got it made because he has no loans to worry about.

The fact that this was news makes me imagine "the average American" in this economic environment being presented with extreme hardships on a day to day basis, like being forced to downgrade on their Starbucks latte or having to walk to the mailbox instead of drive due to rising gas prices. All facetiousness aside, is it really that amazing to see someone living within their means? Is this kind of life style really such an alien thing to most people? After graduating college, does one use the piece of paper that they spent four years and thousands of dollars to earn to abandon the tricks that they learned in college (budgeting, budgeting, budgeting) just because they have a fat wallet? Why should living within your means or budgeting be labeled as college culture or reserved for "the starving artist?"

Yeah Yeah Yeahs postcript

2009-05-31T21:05:00.002-04:00

Brian Chase is the happiest drummer I've ever seen.

The Hot Rails @ the Grog Shop in Cleveland, Ohio (May 31, 2009)

2009-05-31T20:18:00.022-04:00

Last night, Lashea and I went to the Grog to see The White Rabbits. In addition to The Subjects (WHO WERE AWWWWWSUMMMMM) and The Mother Country Madmen (who I missed due to a broken shoe mishap), The Hot Rails opened. I had never heard of them and so I didn't know what to expect. Truth be told, I probably won't listen to them. I thought they were aight. The lead singer's stage antics were entertaining and I'd see them live again for that reason...if it was free. Oh, and aside from chatting it up with me, he also gave me a PBR tall boy during the set. Most people seemed to be there for The White Rabbits, but the crowd seemed to enjoy The Hot Rails.

And might I add, this camera is better than I thought, for a point and shoot. The pictures look shitty on the camera but look way better once uploaded to the computer. It's my dad's 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix.

"Something, something, something, you don't think I'm cool enough for your little hipster art project."

That isn't sweat. It's a self-inflicted beer stain.

Why didn't my dad take me to shows at this age?

One of The White Rabbits, which I didn't know at the time. Dunno why he's making that face. Maybe I can ask him when I see them again in Columbus on June 7. More about them and The Subjects after that show.

photography: Sarah M, age 22

2009-05-30T10:54:00.003-04:00

"Taj Mahal"
3/13/08
Taj Mahal, Agra, India

"Shoulders"
5/9/09
Traveling British Acrobats, Boston, MA

Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Clutch Cargo's in Pontiac, Michigan (May 27, 2009)

2009-05-29T11:16:00.001-04:00

I can't think of a better band to kick this thing off with.

This past Wednesday, Nick, Derrick, and I made the treacherous, hurricane infested trek up to Pontiac, Michigan (which I'm pretty sure is basically Detroit???) in hopes of landing in the path of one of the droplets of beer that Karen O would undoubtedly project from her mouth. Even though it was a life-threatening drive, it was no big deal considering our unconditional love for Karen O.

Did I say unconditional? I think I meant unconditional...until that night.

This guy who sounded like he was doing Bright Eyes covers bored the crowd for about 20 minutes on a beautiful guitar and got the loudest applause when he finally left the stage. I'm pretty sure he was Karen O's little cousin who had the power of being able to "tell Uncle Johnny if you don't let me tour with you guys!" on his side.

Grand Ole Party was next. I had heard of them but never heard any of their music. They were...cute. I don't say that with any type of disdain. I just can't think of any other word to describe them. It was two guys--one on bass, the other on guitar--and a girl on vocals/drums. It was an interesting set up, considering I had never seen a drummer stand for their entire set before. The girl's mic needed to be turned up so I couldn't understand what she was singing (although, she did have a beautiful voice and a fabulous hair piece), and she drummed very daintily, as if she were a lady riding side-saddle.

After listening to these two under agers next to us Negative Nancy it up throughout Grand Ole Party's entire set and in the time between their set and the next, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs finally came out. Brian Chase sat at the drum set and began turning the giant orb that had been mysteriously protruding from the back of the stage until a giant eyeball faced the audience.

Even though the effects were pretty sick (and my, was that burning, Lord Of The Rings-esque eyeball burning a hole into my soul the entire show delightful!), I was a bit disappointed. I had held the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on this pedestal ever since seeing them in Cleveland at the Agora Ballroom for the Show Your Bones tour a few years ago. They were ridicoulsly good that time. The energy was insane and that has gone down in history as one of the best shows I have ever been to ever. So even though I didn't like It's Blitz! nearly enough to pay the amount of money that I paid to see the show, I liked the band and the last show I went to enough to pay and drive 3 hours.

It wasn't worth it.

Oh, it wasn't that they weren't good. They were good. But that's just it. They were good. They were just good. Not amazing. Not mindblowing. Not wild. Just good. And in my book, especially since I have a standard to compare to, good just isn't good enough. In addition to that, their set wasn't very long. Oh, sure, they played Gold Lion and Date With The Night and Honeybear and Maps and Y Control and Modern Romance, and Zero and Phenomena, but last time I checked, they had more songs than that. I felt as if the effects were supposed to compensate for the lack of everything else. If that's what upped the price of the show, then I would rather they cut all the effects and play a longer set. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

(idunnowhyhemadethisfacebutilovehimanyway)

After the show, we went around back by the tour bus and hung out with Screamer Girl, who insisted on yelling at the security guards every five seconds, "WE DON'T WANT YOU, WE WANT KAREN O! GO GET KAREN O!" To which they just nodded and smiled and made some (un)witty remark every third or fourth time she would scream.

So annoying. Then, we brought our questions about what Karen O actually says in the chorus of Dragon Queen to the attention of everyone else standing around us. The general consensus was that she just makes up words each time. We decided to ask her ourselves.

She confirmed our belief, saying that she doesn't know what she sings and it's kind of a relgious experience for her each new time she sings the song. Kind of like speaking in tongues.

I will let you guys decide what to think about my favorite song off of the album:

DOWNLOAD: Dragon Queen

itsfinallyupitsfinallyupitsfinallyup

2009-05-28T12:42:00.000-04:00

COMING SOON.