Dj Cat painting by FallingApartArt
Last Christmas, I got the chance to do this fun commission painting for D.J. Sean Alan’s Christmas gift. I haven’t worked in paste acrylics and canvas in awhile, so it was a great way to get back into it. The painting incorporates two of his loves- his cat Cleopatra and DJing. It’s always a pleasure doing paintings with meaning to the customers. Thanks for looking!
We’ve been listening to a lot of crazy, glitchy hip-hop while we’ve been grinding out new t-shirt, sticker, and print designs here at Camp FAA. Minnesota’s Mux Mool is a heavy hitter and this video (featuring some edits of Bruce Lee flicks) is mind blowing.
Be sure and pop into the Store and pick our latest run of limited edition stickers and shirts. OR buy a tee and get the stickers for FREE- it’s the deal of 2012. Check back soon for more news and thanks for stopping by!
*Warning: EXPLICIT LYRICS
Ill Bill, along with Necro and Cage, really opened my eyes to NYC hardcore rap. This video produced by Adam Calfee from MoreFrames has a Ralph Bakshi/ “Street Fight”-feel to it- raw and perfect for the track.
J Dilla is still one of the greatest hip-hop producers around, four years after his death. Originally produced for the Stones Throw/ Adult Swim collab “Chrome Children”, “Nothing Like This” lives up to it’s name with it’s odd time signature, and spacy vocal samples. It’s nice to hear a hip-hop track that doesn’t sound like it was put together in five minutes on a cell phone. Take note.
The art and animation on this video also sets it apart from the usual rims/bling/dancing girls set dressing of the world of hip-hop video. Animated by Daniel Garcia & Mixtape Club, the amount of work that went into it is amazing. Check out the link for behind the scenes footage and character design
Madvillain was MF DOOM and Madlib’s collaboration for Stone’s Throw. DOOM has consistently killed it since he was Zev Love X in KMD (probably best known for their guest verse on “Gasface” by the highly underrated 3rd Bass). Madlib is a master with samples and beats; his recent series of Beat Konducta albums have brought a new focus on obscure beats and funk from India, Brazil, and Africa.
The video itself is an incredible tribute to Silver Age/Jack Kirby-style comics. The animator on the project was James Reitano of TFU Studios.
Reitano maintains a blog for TFU Studios here
Madlib’s latest Medicine Show release is coming up on August 24th. More information on the release on Stones Throw official site
San Francisco’s Aesop Rock released “None Shall Pass” in 2007 and it’s still fresh today. His lyrics are dense and thoughful and the production from El P and Blockhead is atmospheric and beautifully layered. I caught Aesop Rock at Emo’s during the None Shall Pass tour and the show was incredibly packed. It always amazes me what radio play in a college town does for show turn-out. The merch table was a show in itself with new t-shirt designs and posters from Jeremy Fish. I had gotten turned on to Jeremy Fish through Juxtapoz and his work with various skateboard companies like Creature:
Fish is working constantly on new shows and art for a variety of things. Check out the latest:
So I just got back from NYC and it was INCREDIBLE-so much art, so many cool people and experiences! So while I catch up and unpack, I thought I’d be lazy and do a Music Monday post…on Tuesday. This one has more to do with my trip than anything else:
Cage collaborates alot with artist Alex Pardee (a fellow Cardboard City member) on cover art and show posters:
Link to Alex’s blog/portfolio: http://eyesuckink.com/
I’ve been blown away by the animation and art direction I’ve been seeing in music videos lately. Animation has always been one of those areas of art that I’d like to try my hand at. I’ve managed to talk myself out of it based on technical ignorance, but alot of the videos I’ve seen recently look mostly hand-drawn. I’m planning on producing an animated short next month with my filmmaking partner Eric A. Garcia and I’ll post the results afterward.
As for the video, I first heard of Blockhead through his production work on Aesop Rock’s records. Apparently, he’s also the son of Sidney Simon, the sculpter from NYC. Good aural segue into my upcoming trip = ) I love the beat on this track- great for painting and drawing.
