I Don’t Have a Lot of Money… But I’ll Show You a Good Time

Have you heard that song “New In Town” from Little Boots? I guess it’s not the best work from this girl, but she made my day 1 week ago. That’s right it was Saturday, my parents were  in a trip and I turned on the TV, surprise!!! “New in Town” was on MTV. There from I got some inspiration, I called my ex and in 45 min I was right there in his door.We prepared our survival equipment: 2 bags, 8 Kellogs bars, 2 Lts. of water (.8 gallons) and 100 pesos (like 9 dollars). The thing is that we had to visit as many places as possible in one day with just what we had.

I had so much fun that day, we went to parks, coffee houses, tea places, bars, karaoke, lounges and lots of clubs. We met people so that they invited us our drinks, cheated the transport system, not giving tips, danced in places without drinking anything, made our way to not pay any cover for clubs, sang in karaoke and just paying the necessary, collecting penny’s we found on the floor. It was a rainy day and cold was intolerable, however it never stopped us from having a great time together, it ended about 1am in a bar near my house, we only got 10 pesos (less than 1 dollar) so with that we took taxicab that took us to our house for 9 box, I still conserve that coin that survived. There we got to my house, where we played some songs and… I felt asleep.

I took that picture long time ago, I though it will make the post, because we passed near that statue of Diana in Reforma. I guess is more than obvious which song I will post. First let me say that this girl Little Boots has impressed me with her album hands, specially the song “Remedy” which was produced by RedOne (Lady Gaga, Akon, Pixie Lott, etc.) and “Symmetry” which featured Philip Oakey (Human League). “New in Town” is a Greg Kurstin produced track, kind of different to rest of album, with a more aggressive voice on it, the instrumentation also goes heavier on this one, and well the post explains more or less what the song about. Good song still hope all of you like this one.

Little Boots – New In Town

Naruto

Since I was 3 or 4 I had certain fascination for anime series, making them a essential part of my childhood. Saint Seya, Sailor Moon, Samurai X, Inuyasha, Pokemon, Gundam Wing just to mention some of the animated cartoons I used to saw when I was young, nowadays I’m kind of old for being in that Japanese-anime stuff. However I must confess I still have an avocation for that thing, but just one single anime – NARUTO. The series is have to do with a ninja world, where Naruto is a misunderstood boy with problems to control his powers and save his friends, involved in many tricks and how he discovers about his past. Yeah I know it sounds kind of silly and I have my poster, some things from him, DVDs and well… my ex-boyfriend sort of looks like him, at least they have similar hair and make similar facial expressions. I wanted to make a post in honor of this guy because it’s a sort of trauma that I can’t overcome still since I was like 15. And yeah I like Naruto a lot is like he was perfect for me, yeah kind of weird but he is my top.

The animated series feature some soundtracks, most of Naruto’s songs aren’t for my like, however I think this one will make it perfect. “Shooting Star” is a mix of pop ballad with some of rapping on it. If you make the traduction, the song tells you about a special star, a SHOOTING STAR, which in fact I also chose the song because I love stars, and those are my favourites!!! Well hope you like this one. Peace and good luck to everyone.

Home Made Kazoku – Shooting Star

OPEN MIND

Digital Creativity was my favorite subject in the entire semester I did lots of cool stuff in that class. One of the projects was to create a magazine cover with a free thematic, most of the people went for the usual stuff (fashion, music, teens, gossip, etc.) I took another approach, mine was about taboo and controversial thematic taken into discussion and analyzed, subjects that people know but are afraid to talk in public (LGBT, sex, fetish, mind control) things that are more for people that have an OPEN MIND. The idea would be beautiful it was literally on sale, however it’s just a fantasy and a school project, but I would certainly love to live in a world where people can be more open and that way no things to hide. I made two portraits, the first one which will be added for you to download as pdf. if you want and another with two lesbian friends of mine kissing, sorry but I lost the last file.

If you like rock music then you will like the next song. “Open Your Mind” is the last song from The Music’s second album “Welcome to the North” which is by far one of my favorite albums in that genre. The song is about how people just need sometimes to have a more open panorama of life so that they can see all the things they are missing of this life because of being closed. The instruments played are beautiful, I love the guitar on this song and the vocals fit perfectly to the song. Hope you guys like this song and let’s hava a more OPEN MIND.

The Music – Open Your Mind

Open Mind.pdf

I’m not dead… Leo is back

I know that I haven’t posted anything since October! Well actually I was so busy with the school projects, my schedules and certain things of my life which I’m gonna post later in the blog, so you know that actually certain things happened. On Friday vacations started, I ended my first semester as Graphic Designer and I’m ready for the second one, although I was thinking of changing to Engineer in Audio Production, but better luck for me next year. The things is that all this time I was saturated of projects, homeworks, classes and also with my personal problems with family, friends and relationships… and also I must confess I also used my free time for entretaining, sorry for that, I’m kind of irresponsible I guess. The thing is just to make the announce that this blog is running in a normal way as also ‘Stuart’s Lounge’ and don’t forget to check them cause I will be updating with all the interesting things that happened in all this time.

The song I chose maybe is nothing like what all you guys usually hear, but I think is the song that fits more the situation I was living. “Escapar” (Scape) is a song by the Chile group Kudai, kind of emo-pop style, the musical structure is based in Blink-182’s “Miss You”. Although the lack of originality, style and it’s almost inverse of what I usually hear, the lyrics fit perfectly to that feeling I had of just wanted to scape from my life and find peace just for a day

Kudai – Escapar

Joel Peter Witkin

For the photo class my classmates and me had to make a presentation from some of the most recognized photographers. I was the last one and  presented an interesting guy, Joel Peter Witkin. First of all before you continue reading I must aware you that the photographs and descriptions are kind of sadic and grotesque… so if you’re not up to see really creepy things then I aware you not to continue reading.

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Joel Peter Witkin was born in 1939 in Brooklyn, he’s one of the most famous photographer from our era, although many people can’t stand his art, he is one of the contemporary artists with more followers. Since he was a kid his life was marked with several events that inspired him to make his obscure work. His parents divorced for religious matters and the mother impulses him a lot to religion. When he was about 10  he saw a decapitated girl in front of his eyes. If it wasn’t enough his brother impulsed him to take photographs into phenomenons shows, and when he became a war photographer people always sent him to take photos of the dead bodies.

That’s why when he began his own work photographs were so obscure and representative to what he lived. Tabu themes and deformities are always present in his work, the use of death bodies, mutilated people, hemafrodites, ant deformed ones is characteristic of his work. He re-worked famous art pieces as “Venus of Milo”, “Las Meninas” and “The Born of Venus” also denote that his painting has some religious feeling. From here are the most outstanding photos from his art… so I aware you that if you don’t feel like viewing deaths and grotesque art you better not continue. By the way to ambient the gallery you can hear this depressive song from Joy Division, is one of my favorites from this band, and I feel it fits perfectly, the lyrics are so sad and the music so creepy.

Joy Division – Decades

(In)Glourious Date

Hi everyone! Sorry for the lack of posts, it’s just that I’m kind of busy these days. Anyways, I just got time and here is something I felt to share with the world. On Saturday I went to downtown looking for some textile markers for some Converse I’m designing for the school, the art store is in a famous street named “Bolivar” in which you can find the instruments, amplifiers, DJ sets, and lots of things. When I finished with the material for the class I was surprised by a guy who promoted College Musical Studies, I was amazed when he talked to me about Engineer in Audio & Production,  he explained me everything, once I wanted to study that and now I want it more and more. The talk was great and he knows a lot of music, and… when I returned to my house he called me and asked me for going out with him to the cinema.

Which cinema and which movie was a mystery for me, he just passed for me near my house. We had a great time in the car and when we got to the movies he had already bought the tickets and he covered my eyes so I didn’t know which was the movie. That’s when I sat down in my place… quite impressed because we entered the premium ones (which are double-prize so I never enter those). Finally I got to know the movie, yes it was “Inglourious Bastards” I waited a long time to see that movie, but another idiot was supposed to take me out to see that one last week, that’s why I was so much more happy for me, and was a plus for this new guy. The movie is incredible, never miss a Tarantino movie, I love his sadic humour, which I and this new guy share. Then we went for dinner and he returned me to my house. A perfect GLOURIOUS DATE.

The important fact in this date was the movie, because I’m a fan of Tarantino and the other one left me waiting to see it. So the song must have something to do with Quentin. My favorite film from him is Kill Bill, actually is my favorite one overall. The story, photography, battles, blood, everything perfect. The whistle song is quite famous, it was sampled by Carolina Marques, an italian electronic girl, for a song which was accompanied by a video inspired by the movie, “The Killer’s Song”. Maybe you already know this song, people used to hear it a lot here in Mexico. And also denote that the lyrics can also have something to do with this post. Well hope you guys like this goodie. Peace.

Carolina Marquez – The Killer’s Song

…And now it’s Pandemonium

Thursday I went to see Pet Shop Boys ‘Pandemonium Tour’ live here in Mexico City. The show was amazing, the act is made of Square that fall and move to create new scenarios according to the parts of the concert. The production was in charge of Stuart Price which did an excellent work and can only make me express the concert in one word “Orgasmic”. Lol. well here is my review hope you guys like it.

1. Heart – The opening comes with two vertical rectangles made of squares, and the exact middle parts plunge to let them make their intro meanwhile “Heart” begins, mixed with “More Than a Dream”. I never liked this song, however this new version is far superior to the original one.
2. Did You See Me Coming – Right after this a new version of “Did You See Me Coming?” begins. The Stuart version is so incredible, one of the best songs from the tour, it contains lyrics from the ‘PSB Possibly More Remix’ “Every night is Friday night. Welcome to my life.” The screen projection is so beautiful, a couple which are separated by two squares and try to reach each other.
3. Pandemonium – The song that gives name to the show, and my favorite song from their new album. Someone thinks… Is there a way that the song could sound even better? Well they mixed it with “Can You Forgive Her”, I couldn’t believe it, the new mix was so perfect.
4. Love Comes  Quickly – Never liked this song, before I heard it on this show. Although it sounded even more downtempo, I think that this beat fits more to the song. I liked how the chorists sounded in the background of this new version.
5. Love Etc. - The leading song form Yes, for me is just another song, nothing great, but not their best. The song was slightly mixed in some parts. Hearing it live with everone making chorus makes it a great song. Definitely a song made for playing live, not for studio.
6. Building a Wall – This is Stuart Price’s favorite song from ‘Yes’. It was obvious that he will make a great job with it. He added an intro with lyrics from “Integral” which fitted perfect so that then can begin the song with a more heavy sound and sound effects with vocoder on it, although this remix is not even 2 min long, is quite great and was the perfect song to make fall the first scenario and open the next song.
7. Go West – The introduction sounds taken form the last song and the scenario made me feel like in the Olympics, and actually that was the point when “Go West” began which never lost the continuity from the last song. One of the songs that made turned on the entire forum.
8. Two Divided by Zero – They never played this song live, this is one of the reasons they felt comfortable working with Stuart (according to them). The song has a lot of Stuart’s sounds, never heard it before but it sounded great, the electronic voice fitted quite well. The New York background was amazing.
9. Why Don’t We Live Together? – The song was mixed with the previous one. The keyboards played an important part in this song, the song is way fast and quite good one. Although almost no-one knew this song from the entire public, everyone was turned on by the excellent beat it has. At the end it took lyrics from “Left to My Own Devices” and I saw Chris dancing with the choristers. Lol.
10. Always On My Mind – One of the most famous from their entire catalogue, people went crazy when they heard this song. Is a classis from them and although they only mixed it a little bit, it sounds great live.
11. New York City Boy – Maybe this is the most famous PSB song here in Mexico, everyone knows it, although almost no one knows who sings it. lol. It’s basically the same version with all the dancers around making a great choreography.
12. Left to My Own Devices – Neil goes up in the scenario and sings “Closer to Heaven” with a slow beat then it turns to a moved mixed version of “Left to My Own Devices” which made as one of the outstanding songs from the concert. It has altered lyrics in the middle and with extracts from “Heart”. Amazing song with a perfect outro. Love it.
13. King’s Cross – This is the part when Neil gets out with a formal outfit and he looks quite good in that way… except for his boots. The song is kind of slow and great for a more calmed downtempo part.
14. The Way It Used to Be – Back to Yes, here is one of my favorite songs from the album, live sounds slower, but great. Is the part when I heard Tenant more clearly in the entire show. In this part the dancers make a sort of fight between them.
15. Jealousy – Continue with the past act, the dancers make a bigger fight with a beautiful choreography where they threw themselves to each other. The song continues the downtempo style, but never bores you.
16. Suburbia – The moment where everybody stands-up. The scenario begins to saturate of electric stairs projections. Based on the version they sang in the Brits Medley, perfect song. With a new intro with powerful drums. There were two square face persons dressed formal which ended being two twin blond girls which dance incredible. they did an amazing job as animators. Loved this presentation
17. All Over the World – It’s one of the most enjoyable and fun songs from Yes. The version is slightly mixed but it gives you a great humor and the dancers made a great choreography for the song.
18. Se A Vida E - Reminding me to “La Isla Bonita” from Madonna in the Confessions Tour, and Neil trying to dance according to their dancers was so funny. It sounded faster with and were clear the use of Stuart’s elements, more clearly at the point where it ended and mixed with Domino Dancing.
19. Viva La Vida – This is not one of this songs I enjoy hearing, but the remix Stuart made with the disco elements and Domino Dancing made it a perfect song. As usual only Stuart could be the person with the capacity of transforming shit into gold. Nothing to do with the original one, and keyboards sounded great. Beautiful.
20. It’s a Sin - This one was my favorite song over all the entire show. This is the point where the entire scenario falls and then it rises and starts spining in the air. The new Stuart version is perfect, with an overfast intro, elements from the Disco Mix, the song was perfect and could be a better choice to be the ending song than “West End Girls”.
21. Being Boring – They did the trick of supposing that the concert ended. It was funny because the persons that were at my right side actually left. Lol. The new version is great with more keyboard and a totally different style. One of the best re-inventions from the night.
22. West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys most representative, like “Holiday” for Madonna. This new mixed version was great and the moment of encores came, quite good song, although I would prefer to have “It’s a Sin” as ending song. But quite good, I can’t complain an excellent concert.

As bonus you can download the studio version from Pandemonium/Can You Forgive Her. You will also find Heart in the other blog and if you e-mail me I will send you the other songs.

Pet Shop Boys – Pandemonium (Stuart Price Version)

Poor Panda

Today looking at the newspaper I discovered something really sad. There’s a scientist, nutriologist or I don’t know what the hell he is. The case is that according to him trying to save Panda Bears is just a waste of money and time, that their conservation cost is too high and the invested money could be used in saving other species. This person said that if he could, he would have eaten every single Panda to stop the conservation of this animal. This is so sad because this animal is one of my favorites. I know that I love most of the animals, and that it’s important to conserve other species, but he doesn’t have to be so mean with these animals, people are doing their best to protect them, and I’m in favour of their prosperity.

Right now there are only 1,600 Pandas in China (I want one of them!) and if the situation continues getting worst probably they will die soon. I don’t have songs about saving animals, but I have a song that talks about a poor bear called Leno. “Poor Leno” is a song by Röyksopp from their first album ‘Melody A.M.”, one of the best tracks from the album with a fast beat and accompanied by a music video from a lonely bear. I uploaded 2 versions of the song, the original one and the Röyksopp remix entitled ‘Instanbul Forever Take’, the last one is the version the play live. When I have a Panda I will name him Leno. Good luck to everyone and don’t forget to preserve the animals in danger.

Röyksopp – Poor Leno

Röyksopp – Poor Leno (Instanbul Forever Take)

Trainspotting

There are some movies that I feel worth watching more that once. ‘Trainspotting’ is one of those movies that I could see a 100 times. I think most of you have already seen this movie, it was directed by Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, The Beach & Slumdog Millionaire) and was based in a novel with the same name by Irvine Welsh. The trama is basically about a group of guys who are into drugs and the effects of them, however one of them try to evade it, and they end selling a huge amount of drugs. It has been recognized as the best Scottish film of all times, and #10 in British Films by BFI. The scene that I love the most is when the main character is locked in his room and starts seeing things like his baby walking in the top and his friend behind his sheets. Strange humor and great thematic. A piece of art.

Accompanied by my favorite possible soundtrack: New Order, Joy Division, Underworld, Iggy Pop, Brian Eno, Sleeper, Blur, Ice MC, Goldie and many others. The song I felt the most for the soundtrack to this post is “Temptation”, but I already put that song… so why not Underworld’s “Born Slippy. NUXX” is the best song from this band, so enigmatic and with a perfect beat to dance and get high, I love how many times it uses the world “Boy” in the intro of the song. Choose either of the 2 versions I uploaded – the 11:37 extension of the original one or the 2003 version which came with piano and different arrangements. Good luck to everyone.

Underworld – Born Slippy.NUXX (Extended Version)

Underworld – Born Slippy.NUXX (2003 Version)

The Land of the Rising Sun

If there’s one top country for me to visit is Japan, there’s something enigmatic about that culture that takes my attention. Since I was a little boy I used to visit Japanese restaurants with my parents, I love the Sushi-Rolls, Miso-Soup, Yakimeshi, Tempura, and lots of things from that cuisine. I learned a lot from this culture in my Topics3 class, I made origamis, wrote Haikus, made paintings with similar styles and even making manga drawings (Japanese comic style). Other things is that their culture is more oriented to peace and preservation of nature, there’s a passage that talks about how we need to respect nature in order for it to not get mad and create natural disasters. Well there are lots of things more that I love from this place. Christopher, a friend of mine, just went there and told me about the Tanabata (Japanese Summer Celebration) and how beautiful the place was. I just felt a higher desire to go there at some point of my live.

I don’t really like most of the Japanese actual music, is really pop and they are obsessed with fast songs and most times sounds just like typical pop-music. Actually all music I heard from there are related to the few Anime’s I saw, being the few ones I like: m.o.v.e., Home Made Kazoku, Aluto, the soundtrack for Ruroni Kenshin and Eri Nobuchika. The last one is a female singer who works mostly with electronic producers from Japan. “Sing a Song” is a 6min electropop song full of synthesizers and her voice is not so strong, but fits quite well to the song. Röyksopp remixed the song for the single release, and for the new album they changed the lyrics from this remix. I highly recommend this song and the remix, they are so different, but it’s up to you which one you prefer.

Eri Nobuchika – Sing a Song

Eri Nobuchika – Sing a Song (Röyskopp I Kramsnø Remix)