Sita Sings the Blues

I found out about this movie on www.metacritic.com, one of my go to sources for music and movies. Sita Sings the Blues tells the classic Indian myth the Ramayana in animated form, which parallels the end of a relationship taking place in modern times. Though most tellings of this story focus on the hero of the story, Rama, this version focuses on Sita, his devoted wife. Many of the scenes depict Sita singing the songs of Annette Hanshaw, which become her main vehicle of expression throughout the movie. I thought the movie was great and an incredibly original take on this story known to just about everybody in south and southeast Asia. Also, the animation is spectacular with several very cool, very trippy interludes. Not to undermine the movie itself, but one of the coolest things about it is that you can watch the whole thing for free online. You can also download it, show it, and distribute it however you please.

www.sitasingsblues.com

The Timeless, Ubiquitous AK-47

The Timeless, Ubiquitous AK-47

Gonjasufi

I am greatly looking forward to this album, A Sufi and a Killer, out March 9th.
UPDATE!!!!!
You can listen to the whole album online now!

http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/hear-gonjasufi-a-sufi-and-a-killer-album

Oldie, but goodie

Alright so I thought that I could use this blog as a vehicle for my music as well as others since some people somewhere at sometime claimed to enjoy it. But anyway, here's one I recorded almost exactly 4 years ago, when I was a senior in high school. It's an acoustic cover of the New Order song "Ceremony." Now, as many of you may know, Joy Division holds a very special place in my heart and this song was actually one of the last songs they wrote before Ian Curtis's suicide. A rough version played by Joy Division does exist, but the version most people know is the New Order one. The New Order version can be found as the first track on there 1987 singles collection Substance. Here is mine:
"Ceremony"
http://www.mediafire.com/?ymijjozjzem

Whiskey: great liquor or greatest liquor?

To me, no other spirit beats whiskey. I don't really drink any other liquor besides it. I find, that if I have money to spend on booze, there is no other booze I'd rather spend my money on. I tend to lean towards the bourbons and ryes, American whiskeys, but I do love Jameson and scotch is definitely a tasty treat. If you have any whiskey, I suggest you pour yourself a glass and check out this short and sweet guide to American whiskey from GQ:

American Whiskey History Facts Brands Wine + Cocktails: GQ.com

Bill Plummer and the Cosmic Brotherhood

I don't listen to much jazz besides the occasional miles, coltrance, and mingus, and jazz infused with anything eastern seems a little revolting totally goes against my gut reaction, but man this album is great. Journey to the East combines jazz and some sweet sitar playing that makes for a great listening experience. Doesn't seem like it would work? Well it does.
Check it!
Journey to the East (1967)
hxxp://www.mediafire.com/?xwlkvdmzw2h

Zola Jesus"Night"

And I thought I left my goth years behind me! I've been obsessing over this song for the past week, listening to it over and over again fighting the urge to paint my nails black. Though this song channels the reverbed synth drones from goths heyday, the songwriting of Zola Jesus a.k.a. Nika Roza Danilova has an incredible immediacy that's especially felt in this song. Pitchfork likes this song too, giving the track best new music. Their review though seemed like one of those pitchfork reviews that doesn't actually admit that they actually like the song. Whatever, I love it and her debut album The Spoils is worth checking out too. She recorded it in her bedroom and it sounds really fucking good too. Oh and she's a philosophy major at University of Wisconsin at Madison (good Tibetan studies program), oh and she's 20. bleh, what have I done with my life? "Night" will be the first song of her new E.P. Stridulum will be out in March.

"Night"

Hum

"She thinks she missed the train to mars, she's out back counting stars." I remember hearing this line on the radio when I was like 11 as I'm sure anybody else that spent a good amount of time listening to 96x, our local "alternative" (hahahahahahahahahaha.......oh man) rock station. Since then I've long dissociated myself with about 98% of the music they play on that radio station, but by chance I stumbled upon this relic of a 90s band. From what I've read on the interwebs, Hum was the premiere Space-Rock band of the 90s. Since I love space and rock, I decided to check out their major label debut You'd Prefer an Astronaut (who wouldn't?). However, three songs in I was confronted with that very same line in the beginning of their only moderate radio success, the aptly named "Stars." Though I was weary to listen to any band I associate with my 11 year old self, I'm sure glad I did because I've listened to them pretty much nonstop since...oh...Friday? And you know what? I don't really feel like listening to much anything else. Hum's music is dense, heavy, and filled with feedback, but deceptively so due to the melodies and the clean nonchalant singing style of Matt Talbott. Admittedly, it took me a little time to get passed the way this guy sings, but once I did, I discovered the rampant references to all things space and science which is fantastic to say the least. Check out this almost forgotten band and I guarantee you'll drift off to space. Both albums are recommended.

You'd Prefer an Astronaut (1995)
hxxp://www.mediafire.com/?uzwijt1owjt

Downward is Heavenward (1997)
hxxp://www.megaupload.com/?d=R8LMDHHT

Dear Spacemen,

Ever wish you could be as pretentious as me? Well here is your chance! I never really had any desire to create a blog before, but being in this disposable digital age we find ourselves in I thought it would be a good way to share the music/movies/ideas/whatever the fuck has caught my attention with all my friends. So here I am, welcoming you to Southern Space. I hope you enjoy all this stuff as much as I do.