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Report from the field: it is ridiculously f**king hot.
RVA Magazine reporter Ian M. Graham reports from the field.
"It is ridiculously goddamn motherf**king hot. I know we live in The South, but seriously? It's June. We're not supposed to get this kind of crap-ass weather until July at the earliest, and with the heat index, it's been over a hundred goddamn degrees for, like, a week. I'm leaving a sweat trail like a over-hydrated slug in a pressure cooker."
Sweat streaming down his face like a torrential river of human salt water, Graham shifts uncomfortably while peeling his soaked shirt off of his chest.
"I think I'm lactating. Jesus. How much longer do I have to stay out here? I could be reporting on this from the air-conditioned office. How's that sound? A compare-and-contrast editorial about how it's hot OUTSIDE and I'm INSIDE so my buttcrack doesn't feel like a damned slip-n-slide?"
RVA Magazine's editorial staff then made several jokes implying that Ian is a homosexual, based off of his "slip-n-slide butt" comment.
Dominion owns Mountain Dew
Green Label Art is an online competition to find unique art to wrap around limited run Mountain Dew cans. In their own words, "...GLA is all about self-expression and individuality... The bottles are vibrant expressions of DEW created by a collection of bold unique artists that drive culture."
Richmond's own Dominion Skate Shop has a design in the running right now and could use your votes. Take a minute to check this out HERE .
Winning 101: How To Win, Even When You Lose (Becoming A Leader At Online Gaming)
Playing video games online is a terrific way to meet new people and face new challenges within the gaming community, and with new content being made available daily and more games capitalizing on this growing trend, online play is now a staple of the video game industry. Players can play with or against other online players, and headsets have taken interactive gaming experiences to a new plateau. Seasoned gamers understand the impact this trend has had on the industry, and most are completely at home interacting with strangers online as they conquer new titles and revisit familiar favorites. Novices may be eager to jump into the pool, but before you get wet, there are a few things you should know.
This week we will focus on leadership, an essential element of team-based play. Good teams have effective leaders who generate positive results from the team as a whole, while lousy teams operate without a coherent plan and lack any guidance or tutelage along the way. Lousy teams suck the big one.
DAILY REVIEW: Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid
Usually when someone hears the word “diva” in reference to music they think of strong female personalities like Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, or Liza Minelli who’s larger than life talents often outshine even the brightest of their male counterparts. Unfortunately, there is usually a bit of pretentious negativity linked with that characterization as well that often borders on sexism and a palpably manifested fear of a strong “leader with heels.” For any male (or female for that matter) that has that particular set of issues to deal with, stay away from Janelle Monae because she will rule you! Her talent, concepts, performances and music in general are so well developed that she will instantly outshine any “star” in the room, including her label head Sean “P.Diddy” Combs. Yeah, Diddy is the man behind bringing Monae to the spotlight 3 years ago with her Grammy-nominated Metropolis – Suite One: The Chase, but don’t hold that against her. This is probably the most talented artist Diddy has had on his roster (Biggie fans simmer down!) and with her newest release The ArchAndroid, she’s carrying Bad Boy Records into the future like an eternal flame leading creative cavemen out of darkness.
You see, Janelle Monae is all about the future. On Metropolis:Suite One she emerged as a soulful, love-struck android named Cyndi Mayweather who was on the run for falling in love with a human in a not-so-distant futuristic time period where emotional agency on the part of androids is not permitted. I always envisioned her as a brown-skinned version of Milla Jovovich ala The Fifth Element mixed with the faux-human characteristics of Daryl Hannah’s character Pris in Blade Runner. She also proved herself a vocal talent with a range of delivery that isn’t seen much in commercial music in these (hopefully) last days of the Autotune Era. However, on The ArchAndroid she expands her range exponentially and comes across with an elevated musical masterpiece of stylistic diversity that I haven’t heard on an album from a solo artist in a minute. In all honesty, the first vocal artist I thought to compare Monae with who has a similar broad range of musical expression is Mike Patton. And while Patton’s catalogue is more extensive and includes diverse projects such as Mr. Bungle, Faith No More, Lovage, and Bjork’s Medulla, they share a natural sense of focused artistic schizophrenia that makes listening to their recorded works an adventure in sound.
Since The ArchAndroid consists of suites 2 and 3 of a 4 part story (Metropolis was part 1), it begins with the same highly orchestrated type of intro that started off the first EP. From there, you are catapulted into the first track “Dance or Die” by the chants of spoken wordsmith Saul Williams and subsequently sent spiraling down a rabbit hole of musical styles. From the 60s lounge influenced track “Sir Greendown” (where Monae is more Astrud Gilberto than Erykah Badu) to the Stereolab-esque electronica of “Wondaland”, this album has a span of styles and influences that you would normally expect to hear on a Thievery Corporation album not a mainstream album from one of the most commercially recognizable labels in urban music. In addition, the album is Executive Produced by Monae’s fellow ATL-ien, Big Boi from Outkast. His influence is most evident in the uptempo aesthetic of “Cold War” that mirrors Outkast’s classic track “Bombs Over Baghdad”, and the lead single for the album “Tightrope” which features his classic ATL flow woven in with Monae’s heated, Tina Turner-type vocal performance. “Oh Maker” starts off sounding more like a folk track from The Ditty Bops and eventually grows into a more nuevo soul groove in the fashion of Estelle or Adele by the time the chorus drops. “Come Alive (War of the Roses)” could have a place in a 2010 re-creation of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with it’s swinging rhythm section and frenetic vocals. “57821” is a throwback to the classically elegant music and vocal harmonizing of “Scarborough Fair” era Simon and Garfunkle and “Say You’ll Go” is more of a contemporary Jill Scott-type electronic neo soul groove that fits in well as another “personality” to the obviously very complex Monae. One of the premiere collaborators on this album is the group Of Montreal. While I am a casual fan of some of their music, “Make the Bus” is probably my least favorite song on this album. It seems a little sophomoric relative to the other well developed, expressive songs on the album. But all of us have a “less mature” side and when I listen with that in mind, that song fits in perfectly as another manifestation of the ArchAndroid’s pseudo-human personality.
Now, I’m well aware that I have managed to parallel Janelle Monae to Mike Patton, Tina Turner, Astrud Gilberto and Jill Scott among others within the span of a few run-on sentences, and I don’t apologize for that in the least (the references or the run-ons). This songstress is that good. For once I applaud Diddy for his vision in signing such a commercially left-of-center artist and having the restraint (I’m sure Ms. Monae demanded it!) to not tinker with her work and let her present her artistic vision. The ArchAndroid is a not-so-subtle classic on so many levels, particularly when it’s observed as a cinematic, stream of consciousness musical with a diverse collection of movements and atmospheres within it. Janelle Monae is a diva re-defined and she’s got the skills to prove it.
by Mikemetic Williams - www.audiomasstransit.com
Bass Player - PHOTOSYNTHESIZERS
Host - "Middle East Coast Mecca" Sunday Nights 1-3am EST wrir.org/ 97.3 FM RVA
Nick Woods on RVA Sessions
RVA Sessions is our new RVA TV series showcasing local talent in studio with this episode featuring Orioles lead singer Nick Woods.
If you would like to know more about RVA Sessions or to possibly be featured in future episodes contact Jonathan Martin at jon@rvatv.com.
Afro-Futurist Kombo Chapfika
AFROFUTURISTA
by Kombo
The Former British Empire Several months ago I met someone at the Japanese Rock Garden in Castleberry. He described a sculpture he’d recently seen as ‘Afro-futuristic.’ His obvious excitement and the term itself piqued my interest instantly and got my mind racing. ‘What is that? Is that like sci-fi, or retro gone-neon? Does it have anything to do with light saber spears, please tell me it has nothing to do with light saber spears.’ I’m glad I talked to that guy, whose name I forget, because it was like finding something I didn’t really know I was looking for. It gave me great conceptual space to explore that I had (unknowingly) been exploring for years, without the compass of such a sharp term.
Afrofuturism is. We’re making it up in our lives and artful expression. What I love most about basing some work around this is that it’s dynamic because identities are always in flux. Zimbabwe won independence in 1980, the older generations, those who lived through the colonial era dubbed those born after 1980 the ‘Born Free,’ often in a dergatory tone or to imply we lacked the wisdom one can only glean from ‘having been there.’ It’s 2010, the people making things happen now, the young educated, motivated and ambitious crowd are mostly ‘born free’. They are also largely in diaspora and western-educated. Hopefully this line of works will progress naturally from the gross to the subtle.
Kombo Chapfika will be showing work at the FLUX group show at Ghostprint Gallery next week.
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FLUX, a diverse collection of work by emerging local and national artists including Kombo Chapfika (Atlanta), Jason Deganis (Buffalo), Eric Eaton (Richmond), Kevin Orlosky (Richmond) and Nicole Rosato (Boston) opens at Ghostprint Gallery on Friday, July 2nd and shows through July 31st.
Kombo Chapfika uses his work to reconcile the seemingly disparate elements of his upbringing in Zimbabwe with his experiences in America. His recent body of work is based on the notion of Afro-futurism, creating a new identity informed by the past, present, African and Western culture.
Jason Deganis is a printmaker who employs a variety of processes to create his strongly textural work including lithography, silkscreen and applied coffee pigment.
Eric Eaton is a multi-media artist and film-maker. He creates collages on small glass slides using various transparent materials.Initially created to be projected, for Flux they will also be shown as enlarged photographs.
Kevin Orlosky expresses his concepts of social responsibility and concern for humanity through his art. With thoughtful symbolism, he portrays the negative impact of man on nature and the seductive and misguided pursuit of the “American Dream.”
Nicole Rosato's work currently involves her in the unending exploration of the human body. The series If you were a place you’d be…addresses the similarity between the lines on one’s body and the lines on a road map. Each work utilizes a map of the place chosen by the individual represented.
FLUX , the state of constant change in which all things exist.
17 Degrees Ain't Nothing
A good friend of mine created this documentary from a conversation with the Atlanta homeless. The filmmakers are showing at several upcoming festivals and hopefully sometime soon in Richmond.
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In the winter of 2009 local artists Dane Jefferson and Carlton Mackey set out to find something inspiring in the city to photograph or draw. Shortly afterward they saw a group of what appeared to be all men standing outside of an abandoned building. With no certainty about the outcome, they stopped the car and began a conversation. The result was about 50 photographs, an hour of video footage and a totally new perspective.
17 DEGREES AIN'T NOTHING brings to the forefront issues surrounding homelessness in Atlanta. It places the story of 5 local individuals in the context of a global conversation about the economy, the recession, and the real life impact of it. This project challenges our assumptions about homeless people. It is a glimpse into their lives and a peering into our own.
More info at www.17degreesaintnothing.com
Introducing The Gods of the Bobble Heads
The God of the Bobble Heads is a new radio show coming out of Ashland. Its pretty damn funny and RVA is a proud sponsor. We will be posting a new episode every Monday morning on RVAMAG.com. Be sure to check it out live every Saturday on WHAN1430AM and download all the past broadcasts at www.bobblegods.com. - RVA
CLICK HERE FOR THE GODS OF THE BOBBLE HEADS
At a time when Virginia radio stations are cutting local programing to make room for syndicated shows from major markets, WHAN1430AM is going against the grain. The Gods of the Bobble Heads is a relatively new show that's first broadcast was Saturday, May 1st. "The show is more of a variety format where we produce funny skits, fake commercials, and offer a forum for local people to promote themselves to a diverse audience they can't find elsewhere." say Dan Anderson, one of the shows creators, better known as Pasta Fagioli (fazool). When asked, co-creator John "Johny Cab" Massey said: "From hip-hop to indie-rock, film-makers and authors, there truly is something here for everyone...As a struggling artist myself, I wish I had a resource like this show when I was trying to promote my own music."
The Gods of the Bobble Heads is overflowing with edgy content, so it's not for sensitive people, or those with a weak stomache. It was created with the tastes of the ever-evolving tastes of the 18-35 yo consumer in mind. "We don't discriminate against anyone, for any reason, because of that, nothing is off limits short of FCC restrictions." says Brandon "Baby Huey" Fox, the most recent addition to the motley crew known as The Bobblegods.The shows diverse group of guests include indie rock band Make Phantoms, author JJ McMoon, and and stand-up comedian Patrick McCarthy just to name a few. "We've been blessed to have great guests so early on, but we'd like to diversify further by adding professional fighters, skateboarders, and street preformers to the list." says Pasta.
Smart, funny, edgy, and humble, The Gods of the Bobble Heads is exactly the kind of radio that Richmond needs. A soap-box for locals, the Bobblegods invite everyone to submit their music for regular rotation. Anyone who feels they have something for the bobble heads can apply to be on the show at www.bobblegods.com in the contact section. The show can be heard every Saturday from 8-10 pm on WHAN 1430am in Ashland, or live at www.bobblegods.com anywhere in the world. "It's all about accessibility...every Sunday we turn the Sat. show into a podcast on our site so people who missed it live can download and listen to it anytime." says Baby Huey. Low-brow humor with intelectual undertones, the show is enjoyable now, but continues to get better with every broadcast.
Either way, it's sure to make your head bobble.
FILM REVIEW: Grown Ups
There are many things that go into making an enjoyable comedy. One of the most important is good chemistry between the lead actors. This is something that Grown Ups, the new Adam Sandler comedy has in spades. This is achieved in a rather simple way. The lead actors playing a group of friends are, in fact, all friends in real life. Sandler teams with his actual buddies Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider to make a very light-hearted, well-meaning comedy. Unfortunately, when Adam Sandler sat down to write the film, he apparently was unable to come up with very many different scenarios to place his friends in. As a result, much of the film follows the guys as they just sit around shooting the breeze. It is not half as much fun to watch as it probably was to make.
There is not much of a story here. The five guys were all on the same championship basketball team when they were in middle school, and they have all gotten back together 30 years later to attend the funeral of their old coach who has passed away. Sander’s character is a successful Hollywood agent, and he arranges for all the guys and their families to spend the fourth of July weekend at a lake house where they used to hang out as teenagers.
VCU's Larry Sanders is in the NBA.
Fellow VCU alum Larry Sanders has been drafted 15th by the Bucks. Congrats Larry, it was fun watching you grow up on the court and good luck in Milwaukee.
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