It was about 120 degrees in The Double Door Wednesday, July 14th. The room was packed from wall to wall and an eclectic mix of 80’s standards and modern hip hop tracks played along with the stage lights. Beams of light cut through the clouds of what seemed to be artificial smoke, but was actually perspiration. A human fog filled the room and everyone was dripping with no escape from the suffocating heat. Moisture collected on the ceiling. The floor began to get slick, and then it started. Die Antwoord took the stage and the bass hit my chest like a sledge hammer as the hooded emcees jumped on stage backed by a ghoul-masked DJ. As the throbbing beats shook the building, the crowd moved as one and the floorboards flexed like a trampoline. It was at this moment that I stopped toiling in the miserable heat and started to embrace it. (more…)

Despite what you might think of Andrew W.K., this new music video is hilarious and features fantastic animated artwork by Gunsho. One of the most interesting choices in this insane video is the use of very loud sound effects that at times drown out the actual music this video is for. Wacky and over the top animations merged with horrible greenscreen footage of A.W.K. doing what he does best, Buffoonery. Make sure to watch in full screen at 1080p and you’ll be exhausted by the end. Writ­ten, di­rect­ed, and pro­duced by Pe­ter Glantz, Art by Gun­sho, An­i­mat­ed by Thomas Mc­Connell. Video Below. (more…)

Rupert Sanders directs this grim music video for Trent Reznor & Co’s new music project How To Destroy Angels. Not for the squeamish, as it focuses on the aftermath of a violent attack on a well-dressed couple in a hotel room, and the visual effects in this video are actually quite good. If you like what you hear, you can also download the band’s new ep for free here.

To add critical commentary, I should say that the visual of people unaffected by a burning room has been a re-occurring image since I first saw it in Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, NY, a film that I cannot recommend highly enough. I have seen it in at least one other piece since and it’s possible that it has been done several times before in a similar fashion that I am unaware of, but I’m attributing it to Kaufman. In my opinion, this doesn’t take anything away from the music video because it is done so well, but the next time I see it, it will start to feel derivative.

Before this video, I had never heard of Rupert Sanders, but I definitely remember his work. Sanders has directed several mainstream commercials that all tell gritty, gripping narratives that you don’t forget. You may remember seeing his epic commercial for Halo ODST. Videos after the break. (more…)

Musical favorites Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse have teamed up to create a massive collaborative album, featuring guest spots by members of The Shins, The Flaming Lips, Super Furry Animals, Grandaddy, The Strokes, The Pixies, The Cardigans, Neutral Milk Hotel, Suzanne Vega, Vic Chesnutt, Iggy Pop, and director David Lynch. It is evident by listening to the album that each guest musician had a hand in helping craft their track, making for an eclectic mix of sounds and moods, while managing to remain mostly cohesive. (more…)

Photographer Charlie White has created a bizarre but intriguing new music video for Interpol’s lastest single “Lights”. You can watch above or download the video in a higher resolution at the band’s website. Make sure to check out Charlie White’s portfolio for some very impressive images.

Dave Quiggle is a name known for years amongst the straightedge hardcore scene. If you are familiar at all with Facedown Records you have seen their resident art director’s illustrations on countless album covers and t-shirt designs, most notably for his own bands xDisciplexAD, Jesus Wept, and No Innocent Victim.  His portfolio has evolved to encompass gorgeous digital compositions along with his traditional tattoo influenced style. Not surprisingly, he IS a tattoo artist but his busy schedule only allows him take appointments on a few specific weeks each year at Soul Expressions in Temecula, CA. Also especially sharp is his shirt line Black Rose District, featuring his work in shirt series based on the four horsemen, the ten commandments and the seven deadly sins.

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We don’t write about too much music but this fantastic music video just came into the contribution box courtesy of Tanner Woodford. Francis and the Lights created this video in one take by strategically turning lights on and off to create live edits. The band has been touring with Drake and their latest album is really worth checking out if you dig the video above! You can also stream the band’s latest cd for free at their website.

Thanks to Jeron for recommending this really fun music video by the french band Hold Your Horses. The video is a great sequence of painted masterpieces recreated live by the band members. How many do you recognize?

Jónsi of Sigur Rós has a new album coming out entitled “Go”. Along with the album release, the artist will be going on tour accompanied by a very interesting stage production by 59 Productions. Check out the previews of the show in the videos above and after the break and then see it live. Tickets available now.

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