Feature Song of the Day = 'Bright Lit Blue Skies' by Ariel Pinks Haunted Graffiti (2010)

Today's feature song is Bright Lit Blue Skies, by Los Angeles based recording artists/psychedlic-indie-pop collaboration Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti. Ariel Pink (Ariel Marcus Rosenberg) is a recording artist who is the primary member of the band, which has had various other musicians and personnel do bits and pieces of work under the band name, and their are about 17 of them in total so I won't name them all here.  Rosenberg has been active on the music scene in L.A. since 1996. Bright Lit Blue Skies is the second track off of the lastest album titled Before Today, which was released on June, 8th 2010. If you like what you hear you can find this album on ITunes, or you can head over Ariel Pink's website HERE.

A Brief Book Review: Hermann Hesse's 'Steppenwolf' (1927)

Book: Steppenwolf (1927)

Author: Hermann Hesse

5/5 Stars *****

Today's brief book review is on an extraordinary piece of German literature that you may or may not have heard of, and that I personally consider to be a classic. The book is Steppenwolf (originally published in German in 1927, and translated to its English-publication first in 1929), and its author was German-born Swiss poet/novelist/painter Hermann Hesse. Now I wasn't around pre-1980's but I have heard from my elders that this book quickly became a staple in many personal-libraries following its publication in 1927. The Steppenwolf is one of Hesse's alter-ego's (so to speak), and we discover the tale of a man who is past his prime, single, and struggling to find a reason to keep living in Germany as it is clearly ramping up for World War II. Hesse explores his animalistic side, his spiritual side (although if you read the book you know that is a gross over-simplification) where he is gripped by a constant internal struggle as his consciousness awakens and the dying egoic self becomes more and more dysfunctional with its approaching collapse. I can relate to Hesse's writing as it becomes clear to me, as the reader, that much of his story comes out of personal-spiritual-psychosomatic experiences. If I go into it too much it starts to become abstract, and so I will tell you now that if you enjoy the writings of Aldous Huxley or Carlos Castaneda, then you will find that Hesse and Steppenwolf come from a similar exploration of existential-existence and experience that somehow connects the trans-personal to the personal in a brilliant manner. Also, Hesse's biographic is quite interesting but I will keep it brief. Now I am just trying to be a fancy-pants here, but seriously, check out this book, and if you are confused after reading it, do not fret, because you are not alone in that experience...it is after all exquisitely existential!

Feature Song of the Day = 'Need You Now' by Cut Copy (2011)

Today's feature song is...Need You Now, by Australian indie-synth-pop group Cut Copy. Cut Copy are fresh out of Melbourne, Victoria (Australia) and consists of members Dan Whitford (vocals, keyboards, and guitar), Tim Hoey (bass guitar and sampler), and Mitchell Scott (drums). It all began with Dan Whitford who is both a DJ and a graphic designer, and in fact Whitford released the first single and EP on his own before he recruited the other band members that comprise the band today. I have had the privilege of seen Cut Copy live on two occasions, and I highly recommend checking them out live if you ever get this chance, a very good show. Need You Now comes off of their recently released (February 8th, 2011) Zonoscope album. If you like what you hear from these lads then head on over to their MySpace page HERE, or head on over to the band website and get yourself a free mp3 download when you sign up for their mailing list HERE.
Cut Copy – Need You Now found on Pop

Feature Song of the Day = 'The Show Goes On' by Lupe Fiasco (2011)

Today's feature song is The Show Goes On by Chicago based rapper/hip-hop artist/producer/CEO Lupe Fiasco. Lupe Fiasco has been active out on the rap-pop music scene since 2000 and he was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois USA. He started off by recording songs in his father's basement and then became a member of a group called Da Pak, which would disband a short time following its inception. A little later on he met rapper/producer Jay-Z who helped get a record deal with Atlantic Records. By 2006 he had released his debut album, followed up by a second album in 2007 and charted hits as well. Its amazing how much a person's life can change or not change in the short span of just a year or two, which never ceases to amaze me. The Show Goes On is the first single release off of his upcoming third studio album titled LASERS. This single was released in the USA on November 9th, 2010 and it peaked at #57 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and at #23 on the US Rap Songs (Billboard). Check out his website HERE for more info and songs by Lupe Fiasco.

Mentionable Mashups: 'Shorty Shutup' by DJ BC

Today's mentionable mashup is Shorty Shutup by DJ BC. It is a mashup of Shut Up and Let Me Go by The Ting Tings with Shorty (Put It On The Floor) by Busta Rhymes (feat. Chingy), as well as Time Of The Season by The Zombies and snippets of Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye. I have heard a few mashups involving that particular Ting Tings song, which does have a great sample to it, and DJ BC has done another brilliant job of mixing/mashing these tracks. If you like what you hear then be sure to head on over to his website HERE.

Feature Song of the Day = 'King of the Stars' by Dr Don Don (2011)

Today's feature song is Australian mid-summer dance hit King Of The Stars, by Dr Don Don. Dr Don Don is actually the dance alter-ego of Sydney-based hip-hop producer Chasm (Chris Hamer-Smith). King of the Stars is his second single, which was released in Australia on January 15th, 2011. If you want to check out some of his other works you can head on over to his website HERE, or his MySpace page HERE, or even to his Facebook page HERE. He also has this song up for listening on a Soundcloud page HERE. Enjoy peeps!

A Brief Movie Review for 'The Girl Who Played with Fire (Flickan som lekte med elden)' (2009)

Movie  = The Girl Who Played with Fire (Flickan som lekte med elden) (2009)
Writer = Stieg Larsson
3/5 Stars ***

This is part 2 of the Millennium Series by Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson. While part 2 still keeps you a bit on your seat it doesn't quite live up to the quality of the The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Part 1) but I have often found that this is how trilogies most often seem to be. The father of computer hacker Lisbeth re-emerges to wreak some havoc and as we uncover more of her past and family ties. The plot isn't quite as strong as the first story was, but it seems to all tie together in the end. Apparently Hollywood is re-making this movie already (despite the real-versions being made in 2009), although I doubt I will even bother to watch it as the Independent Swedish-versions are surely better than a Hollywood version could be. If you liked the first story you will probably like this one, and their is a third part to this series as well, so keep an eye out for that one too.

#26 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown: 'Shake Your Foundations' by ACDC (1985)

G'day 80's Fans! Its time now to present #26 of Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown, and the song is....wait for it.....Shake Your Foundations by Australian hard-rock-legends ACDC. It was about time that ACDC appeared on the list, and none to late either as this song is one of my ACDC favorites of all time. Now, for some background ACDC...They come from Sydney, Australia and it all started there for them in 1973 when brothers Malcolm and Angus Young formed the band. In fact these 2 brothers were actually born in Glasgow, Scotland before their family moved to Sydney in 1963. A 3rd brother (George Young) was the first musician in the family as he learned to play guitar and joined up with The Easybeats, who were a successful Aussie band in the 1960's. According to their Wikipedia page, their sister Margaret Young gave them the idea of naming their band ACDC after noting having seeing the AC/DC symbol on a sewing machine. In 1974 the band was joined by lead vocalist Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott, who would lead the band to super-stardom in Australia and internationally. After Bon Scott died in 1980, he was replaced by Brian Johnson, who is the lead vocalist of the band to this day. As of 2010, ACDC sold more than 200 million records worldwide, and somewhere around 71 million in the USA alone. Back in Black (their most successful album from 1980) is estimated to have sold 49 million units worldwide making it highest-selling album by any band, and making it the second highest selling album in history behind the Michael Jackson's 1982 Thriller album which holds the throne at #1. Shake Your Foundations was released in 1985 on ACDC's 10th studio album titled Fly On the Wall. In 1986 the song was remixed by Harry Vanda and George Young and that version was released on the Who Made Who album, and then featured on the film soundtrack for Stephen King's classic action-horror film Maximum Overdrive (which I would highly recommend watching even just for the ACDC songs). And there was #26!

Today's Feature Song = 'Not In Love' by Crystal Castles (feat. Robert Smith) (2010)

Today's feature song is Not In Love (feat. Robert Smith) by Toronto-based Canadian electronica-band Crystal Castles. The song featured here involves guest vocals by Robert Smith, who is the lead-singer for a little band called The Cure. Crystal Castles have been active on the electronica music scene since 2004 and consists of producer Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass. They have released 2 studio albums, and Not In Love (feat. Robert Smith) appears on their Crystal Castles II album, which was released in April of 2010. It is the 3rd single release, and a remix version at that, that comes off of that album. Be sure to check out their website HERE, or their MySpace page HERE for more band and music information. Snap!

Feature Song of the Day = 'Pumped Up Kicks' by Foster the People (2011)

Today's feature song is Pumped Up Kicks, by Los Angeles-based indie-rock band Foster the People. The band has been active on the American rock scene since 2009, and it consists of members Mark Foster (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Zach “Reazon” Heiligman (MPC), Mark Pontius (drums), and Cubbie Fink (bass guitar, vocals). I was noticing the inspiring news coming out of Egypt this morning, and thinking that the people had finally won quite a big and symbolic battle that will no doubt resonate the world-round, and then I saw the song on my IPod came up was a Foster the People song (this one actually), and I thought, "how fitting for today's feature song!" Global Politics and social movements aside, Pumped Up Kicks comes off of the January 18th-release-self-titled EP, which can now be found and purchased on ITunes and Amazon.  So check out the band's website HERE if you like what you hear, or head to their facebook page HERE. Here's to a New-World!

#27 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown: 'To Cut a Long Story Short' by Spandau Ballet (1980)

VJ Samsonite here, and we are back presenting #27 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown, and the song is the 1980 release  To Cut a Long Story Short by British 80's synth-pop/new-wave band Spandau Ballet. Spandau Ballet formed back in the 1970's in Islington-London, UK (originally the band was called The Cut). The band came together as they were inspired by the arising of the New Romantic fashion/genre, and at that time they consisted of band members Gary Kemp (guitars), Steve Norman (guitars, saxophone, percussion), John Keeble (drums), Tony Hadley (vocals), and Martin Kemp (bass guitar). To Cut a Long Story Short was the first track and hit single off of their debut studio album titled Journeys to Glory, and was released in March 1981 (the single was released in November 1980). It would peak at #5 on the UK Singles chart, and at #15 on the Australian Singles chart that year. According to their Wikipedia Page the Journeys to Glory album was considered quite cutting-edge/avant garde upon its release in 1981. More recently the band reformed in 2009 and released a new album that year that won Best Comeback of 2009 in the Virgin Media Awards. And there it is, #27 in all its glory. Check back next week for #26!

Feature Song of the Day = 'I Can Show You' by Tim and Jean (2010)

Today's Feature Song is I Can Show You, by Australian indie-electro-pop duo Tim and Jean. Tim and Jean are Tim Ayre and Jean Capotorto who come out of Perth, Western Australia. They started up a MySpace page and ended up entering Triple J's Unearthed High School competition for unsigned bands, in which they made it to the finals with their song Come Around. They were later then selected to by that radio station to play at the Parklife Festival. They have not yet released an official album or EP, but they have played internationally and in America when they were a supporting act for Moby. If you like what you hear on this post then go check out their MySpace page HERE for more songs and band info, or you can also check out their Unearthed page HERE which includes a free and legal 128kbps-mp3 download of their song Come Around (which is also available for purchase at HQ in the ITunes store. They do sound a bit like Passion Pit, especially the keyboard style they play in this song, so if you are a Passion Pit fan you will probably dig the musical styles of Tim and Jean. Check it!

Today's Feature Song = 'Crazy For You' by Best Coast (2010)

Today's feature song is Crazy for You by American indie-garage-pop trio Best Coast. Best Coast are based in Los Angeles, California and its members are Bethany Cosentino ( songwriter/lead vocals), Bobb Bruno (multiple-instruments) and Ali Koehler (drums). This song appears as the second track of of their Crazy for You album, which was released in July, 2010 on the Mexican Summer Record Label. The album peaked at #36 on the US Album Charts upon its release. If you like what you hear and you want some more band info and songs to listen to then come off it and check out the Best Coast MySpace page HERE. Something tells me they like cats...