POS - Audition & Never Better...like finding treasure!

POS – Pissed Off Stef or Stefon Alexander. A Minneapolis native with musical roots planted in punk rock. After an initial hostility towards hip-hop, Stefon quickly graduated to rap as a musical expression and outlet. Now he is a member of the Rhymesayers family for life!

The gift of POS – Never Better, released February 2009, was bestowed upon me a couple weeks ago by a dear friend. And a week later I received the preceding album, Audition which came out January 2006. It’s clear in both albums that POS has an alternative approach to hip hop music. Sampling punk rock bands and drum & bass loops masterfully mixed into diverse beats with luscious lyrics laid on thick.

Audition serves as a wonderful stepping stone from the first album to the third. Lyrically Audition is on point, honest, and truthfully raw. Speaking to the little punk rocker and the wanna-be thug b-girl in me all at once. Each song laced with beats that serve as an homage to the hip-hop songs I grew up with from A Tribe Called Quest, Black Sheep, and De La Soul. The basic bouncy beat on the song “De La Souls” is driven by 3 deep cello notes reminiscent of early 90’s De La Soul songs. The 3 deep cello notes cut like a knife directly to the heart of the listener. “A Teddy Bear and a Tazer” serves as the birth place of this brilliant mixed big band sound that is almost James Bond like with POS speakin on freedom and independence. Jazzy beats moving slow like molasses and some gritty tribal rhythms on other songs carry through an extremely eclectic collection of stories on this album.


Never Better and the albums title could not ring more true for this artist. I experienced this album before listening to Audition and I about lost my little mind. Having grown up with a particular affection for drum & bass beats, the album Never Better spoke straight to my soul. The beats are not traditional at all and innovative in a way I’ve never heard or seen before. Illustrated particularly well in the song “Purexed” with the hook “try to find the beauty in your face, try to find the beauty in the baseline”. The song starts with a slow magical ambient sound that builds up to a light break beat and then bursts into a magnificent drum & bass explosion. The tone of POS’s voice in this song is radiant and strikes the perfect balance of chill evoking composition. A treasure trove is discovered in the album Never Better with succulent layers of gold buried in each song creating a compulsion to listen to every track over and over to find new sparkling bits and pieces within the whole.

POS is a true crossover artist, perfectly illustrated by both Audition and Never Better. There is a little something for everybody and I would be hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t at least enjoy if not fall in love with POS. I really can’t wait to hear more from this artist and see what direction he goes in next.

Felt lost its warm & fuzzy feeling :o(

I could feel my heart flutter a little as soon as I heard that the new “Felt Vol. 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez” was set to drop on November 17th. Having been a big fan of what Slug and MURS have done separately and their work together on the first 2 Felt albums, I was eager to get my mitts on Vol. 3. As soon as it became available I grabbed it on iTunes. For those of you who don’t know, Felt is a collaborative project between Slug of Atmosphere and MURS from the Living Legends. Featuring The Grouch of Living Legends (Felt: A Tribute to Christina Ricci) and Anthony Davis (Ant) of Atmosphere (Felt Vol. 2: A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) on production.

Aesop Rock was chosen as the maestro on production of “Felt Vol. 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez” with a signature style of dark and gritty garage beats to bring to the table. Aesop has a very distinct manner of rappin and luminous beats to match that signature style. I can appreciate Aesop Rock as an individual artist, but I have to admit that I was skeptical of him on production and after listening to the new “Felt Vol. 3” a few times, rightfully so. It seems like the beats and the rhymes are like oil and water, they just don’t mix.

The first two Felt albums had a playful and imaginative vibe with a congealed sound that brought the whole album together. Like puzzle pieces, it all seemed to fit together perfectly to make a complete picture. Every song was juicy, full, and dripping with talent that made you want more. Felt appeared to be the ground-breaking project that revealed a delicious recipe for hip hop by bringing all the elements together. “Felt” and “Felt Vol. 2” lead us to believe that this was the beginning of beautiful relationship, setting us up for what we know that Slug and MURS are capable of.

“Felt Vol. 3” leaves much to be desired especially when compared to their previous projects. The beats have the personality of Aesop Rock, while Slug and MURS bring lyrics fit for hip hop kings making for a confusing combination that never quite comes together. I found myself waiting for a few tracks to balance out the album with some bump, funk, jazz, and electro samples, but the dirty, dark, low-fi, grinded beats were carried throughout the album.

I never quite got that warm & fuzzy feeling that the first two albums left me with. Reluctantly, I must admit they missed the mark on this one. But I still got mad love for Slug, MURS and Aesop! Better luck next time boys.

~Portia <3

Sweet Little White Lies <3

I recently discovered a wonderful British band called White Lies. A group of twenty-something British blokes that are reminiscent of the new wave sound of the post-punk 80's with their own original flavor. If you are or were a fan of The Cure, Joy Division, or New Order then White Lies should perk your little ears right up! The lyrics are wonderfully poetic and morbidly delectible in an emo/goth kind of way with songs about death, suicide, kidnapping and so on. Each song delivered by Harry Mc Veigh's haunting vocals that truly resonate in my soul. Thought provoking tracks with great danceability, a subtle pop undertone, and technically very tight on all levels. I for one and really enjoying thier premier album, To Lose My Life.

Chilly bone jones!

Hello Everyone!

I found out about the band Dead Man’s Bones last summer in Manhattan and they have just released their first album on October 6th. An early October release is entirely appropriate for an album rife with the theme of ghosts, zombies, death, and the living dead. The perfect soundtrack for the weeks leading up to All Hallows’ Eve with songs like ‘My Body’s a Zombie for You’, ‘Werewolf Heart’, and ‘Flowers Grow Out of My Grave’. Lead singer Ryan Gosling presents haunting vocals with a faint spirit of Ian Curtis and his own noticeably unique delivery balanced out by Zach Shields delicately delicious vocals on several songs. With an eerie and nostalgic sound offered up by the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir featured on almost every song. They run the gambit of instruments from antique piano to organ to xylophone and it comes together magically in a perfectly unpolished package. Almost like finding a suitcase at an antique store full of old 45s…a veritable treasure chest!

Ryan Gosling is most well known for his role the epic love story “The Notebook”. He has appeared in many independent films with equally notable performances such as “The Believer”, “Half Nelson”, and “Lars and the Real Girl”. Seeming to be a fan of projects off the beaten path, his musical endeavors have landed in the realm of independent as well.

3 countries, 2 weeks, 1 Porkchop!

Hey guys,
So I haven't written anything on here for quite some time, but a lot has happened in the last few months. I returned a few weeks ago, reluctantly, from my summer holiday in Barcelona, Paris, and London. Having spent a week in Barcelona and 3 days in both Paris and London.

Barcelona:
A small apartment situated right in the heart of Las Ramblas about 2 blocks away from the port of Barcelona. My feet found new and interesting ways to feel pain. We walked everywhere in this city. Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, the beach, payaya, tapas, fanta, and beautiful smiling faces. This city breathes in the summer, alive in a way that feels electric. I would sleep just enough to have energy for the next day, but not much. I was up till 4, 5, 6am most nights or mornings! Seeing many old friends along the way and making wonderful new ones.

The marketplaces have the best fruit in the world. Figs, grapes, saturn peaches....everything mouth-watering. Even the kisses tasted sweeter in Barcelona. The air was thick and ripe with adventure, ready for the taking. I could see myself living in a city like Barcelona, all I have to do is learn to speak Spanish...details. A beautiful Maltese man took an emotional hole-puncher to my heart while I was there. There are small dots of me scattered throughout the city in Las Ramblas, Barceloneta, Liceu, Casanova, El Maresme, my apartment. I came home feeling like I was missing something...like I had left something behind. My soul feeling enriched with the memories and experiences shared with my friends in Barcelona.





Paris:
Travis and I boarded an easyjet plane to Paris from Barcelona after a late night at an unreasonable hour in the morning. The plane was cramped and small, but a cheap flight none the less. I caught about and hour of sleep on the plane ride over, thank god. We arrived about noon and caught a bus to a train to the west bank and then walked a few blocks to our hotel, Villa Glamour. Both starving, we found the nearest bakery to procure crepes STAT! I had a ham and cheese crepe with an egg on top and a lemon tart to finish.

The pastries in Paris are seriously the best ever. Following a much needed nap, we went out on the town with some friends and made our way to the Champs Elysees for a stroll. The Catacombs and a local graffiti exhibit were on the agenda for the next day. Seriously creepy down in the depths of the earth where the catacombs lie, but morbidly beautiful in a strange way. The kind of place that makes you realize your mortality and appreciate life all in one fell swoop. A famous ossuary deep beneath ground level in Paris due to city growth and generations of dead that began to overwhelm the city in the late 17th century.

Something to lift our spirits was definitely in order following the catacombs. So we headed over to “Ne dans la rue – Born in the streets” graffit exhibit at Fondation Cartier. Being a huge fan of graffiti and street art myself, this exhibit really tickled me. Large installations inside, a history and tools of the trade section, and live graffiti being done outside on temporary walls posted up for the show.

Another nap and then we were up and out again. After dinner we had a slight desire to go dancing, but there was no good house music to be found in the city. We went to watch the Eiffel Tower light show and called it a night with an early morning at the Pompidou ahead of us.

We had only a few hours at the Pompidou Center before I caught a train through the Chunnel to London. I really wish I had more time in Paris, but I guess that just means I'll have to go back soon!

London:
The train pulled into St. Pancreas at about 4:30pm. Made my way to the Northern Line and up to Camden Highstreet where my hostel was located. Check into the hostel and dropped off my things before going to the 99pence store to grab an umbrella and some shampoo & conditioner. Then I met up with some friends for dinner in Hampstead, fish & chips w/ peas. I went to bed early that night having been exhausted from traveling and with the hope of a full day ahead. I woke up early, got ready for the day, and set out on foot. Took the train down to Piccadilly Circus and wondered around from there. Made my way over to Pall Mall and walked down to the Grand Jubilee Bridges and across the river Thames to Waterloo Pier.

Then I went back to the statue of Cupid in Piccadilly Circus to meet up with my friend Leigh. We grabbed lunch and ate in So Ho Square followed by some shopping. Top Shop in London is absolutely divine! We made our way over to St. James Park, Green Park, and Buckingham Palace after that. Later that night I met up with some friends at a wonderful Greek restaurant and then went out on the town. The next day I went shopping in Camden Locke half the day. It's a wonderful maze of undergorund tunnels turned into little independent retailers and food stalls. Just brilliant! After I peeled myself out of there and avoided a flash rainstorm, I hoped on the tube and made my way down to the Tate Modern museum. Modern art makes me want to ROCK OUT!!! They had a RAD manga exhibit featuring some animae from Ghost In The Shell. Met some friends at a BBQ joint near Tottenham Court Road and then we went out for coffee in So Ho. I went home somewhat early that night knowing that I would have to take the tube at 6am to the airport and I wanted to give myself ample time and enough rest.

I made it to the airport in the morning safely and started the process of slowly realizing my vacation was almost over. The flight home was comfortable, but I was very sad. Like I had ended a relationship with the 3 cities I visited and felt as if I would never see them the same way again. I became very attached, especially to Barcelona. And when would I see all of the deliciously beautiful people I had met on this trip again? Would I ever see them again? My heart and mind were raught with strange ideas and feelings of separation while I was headed...home? I am glad to be back now, but I do miss it terribly...especially Barcelona. I plan to go back, I don't know when, but I do know I will be back in Europe again.

Gypsy punk & new friends from far away places!

Dr. Lung, a.k.a. Travis, and I went to see Gogol Bordello at the Ventura Theater last Wednesday May 20th. Just the thought of crazy carnival gypsy punks warmed my little heart. It was the first show of their summer tour and my first Gogol Bordello show. I was so unprepared for the characters and get-ups that presented themselves without warning or reservation. Part of the fun was just watching people at the show, but I had to make sure I wasn't staring. We got there early enough to have dinner in town and then head over to the theater.

As soon as we walked in we could hear the thumping of the dub step mash ups that the DJ was spinning. Travis and I walked straight up to the merch booth where we were greeted by a friendly smile and a English accent! Travis, more than anyone, knows just how fond I am of the UK and English accents in particular. So I honed in and started chatting up the attractive merch guy. After a few minutes, Travis took her cue and wondered off...leaving me to flirt shamelessly. After about 20 minutes we exchanged numbers and I had been invited to the next 3 shows (1 in Pomona & 2 in Santa Cruz). I went to meet up with Trav and we had a field day making up stories for the array of freaks parading around the Ventura Theater. About 30 minutes passed by and I got a text asking if I would "fancy a drink" after the show. I replied and said I would love to!

My feet instantly started to shuffle as the band began to play as if I couldn't help but shake my ass and dance. I felt like one of those little girls you see in the old video's of the Beatles playing on TV where they were just screaming and dancing uncontrollably. I was jumping around and flailing with reckless abandon for 2 hours straight. Screaming at the top of my lungs to sing along with the parts of songs that I knew. By the end of the show I was a deaf, sweaty, scratchy throated, hot mess! We went back to the car so I could pull myself together. After a comb, a few bobby pins, and a text message was sent...I was good to go. I waited about 15 minutes and having not heard back from my new friend I took off and headed back to the valley at about 11pm. Shortly after I got on the highway I got a text message saying "Sorry, I got bum rushed. Wish I could have seen you again. You coming to Pomona tomorrow?". Without hesitation I replied "yes, I will be there for sure!".

The next day I took off for Pomona straight from work and I had not planed on going to the Pomona show at all. I got down there early and sat down to have dinner by myself at the Vietnamese restaurant across from the Fox Theater. I was watching the laker game and happened to spot someone I knew from Hollywood walking back from the lou. There were a couple of fellas I knew that were also having dinner before the show at the Vietnamese place. We all walked over to the show and I was on the guest list with after show pass and all! The opening band that night was amazing and it just so happens that a former client's and close friend of mine was in the opening band. I hadn't seen her in about 2 years and I was able to give her a hug and exchange numbers with her...as if this is what I was meant to be there for. Most of the night was spent going back and forth between watching the show and visiting my English mate at the merch table. I stuck around after the show to spend some time with my new mate and wound up meeting most of the band...completely unintentionally. He walked me to my car and gave me a sweet kiss goodnight and in his English accent...told me to "Fuck off now then" with a kind sideways smile and soft sleepy eyes.

An invitation to hang out in Santa Cruz Friday & Saturday was extended my way once again. With little planing and a few cancellations, I decided to run away for a couple of days. It didn't work out and I decided not to go, which was for the best. Instead, I was able to do some PI service this weekend and prepare for the regional youth committee on Sunday. Picked up my parents and a close friend who came to visit from LAX that same night. I've been a little bit bummed all weekend that I didn't run away to Santa Cruz, but it was a smart choice...I'm much more rested for not going....aaahhhh...whatever...I really wanted to go. I'm sure there will be another opportunity for me to run away to Santa Cruz. That's all I got for now. It's been an amazing week.

Back to school...the UK...and skateboarding! (my first blog!)

Today I decided to go back to school. I only need a few math classes and a physical science class to have enough the general education credits to transfer from community college to a Cal State school. Because the word decision implies action I went to the school today, met with a counselor, figured out what I still need to take, and put in an application. I will soon take the assessment test for placement in the appropriate math class and get an appointment for registration (hopefully before summer session begins). I am hopeful and excited...and a little scared all at once. I often talk about doing things and it felt so good to have actually done some footwork today. About 5 years ago I lost sight of my desire to learn and since then my goals have changed also. I used to think that I wanted a BA in Psychology and now I am much more drawn to English and Art as I have gotten to know myself better. So my focus will be on a BA in English at a Cal State in the next 3 years or so.

I'm currently obsessed with all things UK. Films, music, actors, accents, etc. I've been listening to the new Art Brut album called Art Brut vs. Satan and a couple of Bloc Party albums as well as Joss Stone and The streets. Last week I received 3 DVD's that I ordered from Amazon.co.uk and what I didn't realize is that different countries have different codes for DVD players to avoid piracy and such. Out of the 3 films 2 were films that I could only aquire from the UK, The Escapist and Clubbed. And the 3rd film was Guy Richie's Rocknrolla. I've been able to watch the movies on my computer, but not on my TV. Tonight I will try to hack my DVD player so that I can watch the movies on my TV on a much larger screen. After watching The Escapist and Clubbed on a small computer screen and being amply entertained, I can't wait to see them on a larger screen. This is the healthiest kind of obsession I've had for a long time.

And today I discovered this video: http://vimeo.com/1340684

I'm still trying to figure out who the music is by and where it was filmed, but its beautiful and breath-taking. Enjoy!

~Sweet Little Porkchop <3