Awesome Things That Have Happened Thusfar In 2012

"Stop the press. Girl you turn me on." 

    Wait, I'm pretty sure that's an R. Kelly lyric. Oh yes, it is. 

So far, this year has been full of decently positive vibes. Just this last week, I traveled to Pittsburgh with a theater company that I find quite exceptional, led by the talented Young Jean Lee. I play bass and sing in the band that is 'Future Wife' and I stand very, very still. We performed the show that is "We're Gonna Die" to a full auditorium at the Andy Warhol Museum, where we were well received.  Also, I can now say that a genuine interest in Andy Warhol has been sparked within me. 

I foresee a few research sessions unfolding in the next few weeks. Of all of the fascinating things on exhibit there (all 6 floors), I especially apreciated the many rooms full of television monitors playing video tapes of various interviews Warhol did with the budding and bright stars of his day. It was like having all these tiny windows through which to glance into the man's life and an America I'll never totally understand. Oh, and there was a giant room full of floating silver "clouds" that were being blown around by a small fan. I won't try any harder to describe it. I only recommend visiting the museum for yourself, or any museum for that matter, if only to stand in this room and feel... floaty.

---

Speaking of museums, last month the Metropolian Museum Of Art was kind enough to invite Asphalt Orchestra to play the opening of their New American Wing. We did that. It was a blast. Check it.

---

And to finish off a great weekend, just last night, I got to make noise at Brooklyn Bowl with 'Hess Is More'; a 5+ piece, Danish disco-jazz-funk-party band. I sat in on percussion. It was definitely a party following a party, followed by bowling. The party that preceded our party was the party that was brought by none other than the legendary ska band, The Skatalites. Check it. They still rock (steady). My body feels it all. It hurts so... good?

---

    Run Dan Run made a music video for "Lovesick Animal", from our latest album Normal. It's rated PG-13 for mild violence. Directed by Dan McCurry and filmed/edited by Hunter Boone. 

Awesome Things That Will Soon Happen In 2012 + Citings of Creative Influence

Asphalt Orchestra is in the process of working out new material for the celebration that is the Bang On A Can 25 Year Anniversary. We're featuring music of otherwordly-gifted drummer/musican/performer Tatsuya Yoshida wrote with a band called Ruins. They rule. Check it. The most awesome part is that Mr. Yoshida will be performing with us on this evening. Our co-direction/saxophonist Ken Thomson has taken the helm of arranging a couple of his peices. They're super fun, actually. Site-specific stunts choreographed by Mark DeChiazza will again ensue as in passed shows. Catch us, among other spectacles, at the event on April 28th at the Lincoln Center (Alice Tully Hall). You can grab tickets HERE. 

---

  As aforementioned, "We're Gonna Die" has been taken on the road after it's debut at Joe's Pub... just over a year ago. Wow. The next landing and performance will be in May, upon the far-away soil of Calgary, Alberta. Yep. That's in Canada. I'm excited about this, making it my second visit to Canada. I have a curious respect and adoration for this Canada-place and it's people. I read somewhere that Leslie Feist spent a little time in Calgary herself. 

"Paper, paper obsolete. 

How will you reach out to me? 

I thought you'd ask me not to leave. 

Lonely, lonely, that was me..." 

(from "Lonely, Lonely", found on Feist's Let It Die, 2004)  

---

    Hearts and Plugs will be making noise on the "junior indie-label" scale. We are pushing forward with new jams and new music from Run Dan Run, Ashley Hopkins, Mr. Jenkins, and now... The Lovely Few. Stay tuned and you will see things happen.

---

    Mr. Jenkins is about to begin collecting sounds to build a sound bank for the next album. You may be asked to contribute to the noise. This will be a continuation of the volumes of blind-sampling-compositions-turned-mp3s-via-email project called "Commercials". This will be Commercials, Volume 6: Sound Banks and Audible Documents and I'll be collecting samples throughout the entire month of March.

Current Musical Recommendations + Similar Jibba-Jabba 

  
    So, since Run Dan Run's latest album has been burning up the indie-rock music blog charts that like quirky, yet mature alternative-pop music, we've also been featured on a number of samplers, mixtapes and compilations. One of the most recent ones included tracks by Sharon Van Etten and this band from Oakland, California called Kapowski. 

    There is so much that I find delightful about this band. You can stream their latest album from their website. It's an ear-full of smart lyrics, solid song structures, fresh melodic stuff, and very tasteful drumming. I dig it. This is the kind of "indie" music that makes me happy. It makes me want to keep "digging for gold" as they say, Not to mention, the name of the band is pretty great. I hope to see them perform soon.

    Maybe Kapowski and Run Dan Run can have a play date sometime in the 2012 era? (Eh?)

---

Oh. A few weeks back, right before I went on the road with the Highlife, we kicked off the week of shows with a set at Vaudeville Park. At this particular "gig", I met a young lady. Her name was Elana. It just so happens that she makes really hot electro-pop jams. She has a project called "Vernous". Check it. The songs are salty/sweet, energetic, very genuine and I think her passion for this kind of music comes through the mix quite well. Turn it up or keep it low. I recommend it to my friends who try channeling Depeche Mode, The Knife and Fever Ray among other audio wizardry. My favorite track thusfar is this. C'est si bon. 

In the same evening, I met a filmmaker named Mollie McKinley whose work I find very intriguing. I would go so far as to call it playfully haunting work. She directed and shot a video for a Jason Ajemian/Highlife tune called "Slide Life" which debuted that evening.
Check it.

---

Ok. I know this is probably a long-way off, but there are people, around the world... who believe that there might be another No Doubt album coming out this year. I am one of those people. I'm not losing sleep over this as of yet, and I don't want to jinx it, but I think about it sometimes. I... I... think about it.

    Via Audio is another band with a new album in the pot. Put your hands up. They're so rad. 

Go Brooklyn!

Snack-Time Tip Of The Day

 
    When pouring the final bits of crumbs from a potato chip or cookie bag into one's mouth, it is usually a good idea to close one's eyes.

---

Thank you for taking time to check in and to read my rants about some of the more positive fleeting moments in my day-to-day. There have been dark times, too. We shall save those tales for chatting over a couple of pints of various dark liquids... soon. I promise to stop saying, "Check it". Check it. Doh. 

peace,

Nicholas M. Jenkins

---

1
Asphalt Orchestra is performing on Friday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art! 
The event made it in the "Perfect Weekend" section of the TimeOut, NYC magazine. 
(File under: awesome.)

2
I just added a NEW page to this massive amoeba of a blog, containing a few videos featuring some of my music. 
(File under: interesting + visually stimulating.)

1

Music I Was Happily Fortunate To Enjoy Last Night At NYC Winter Jazzfest 2012

as played by:

Jason Ajemian & The Highlife

Sifter w/ Mary Halvorson, Matt Wilson, Kirk Knuffke

The Bernie Worrell Orchestra (w/ special guest: Gary Lucas)

Shahzad Ismaily, Ches Smith, Mat Maneri

Mostly Other People Do The Killing

Jesse Fischer & Soul Cycle (feat. Casey Benjamin)

[ Pardon me for not linking. I trust that your mere curiosity will be enough for further exploration/research of the artists listed above. ]

I will say that Mary Halvorson and Ches Smith are both doing great things with their music right now.

I have no profound writings or descriptions of what I saw, other than simply to say that I loved all of it 

and that I love music. I am very grateful for the sounds I have heard in this lifetime, the soothing and the harsh; 

the painful and glee; the mystery and the math; the near and far; the bounce and the bore of it; the now and the not-yet; etc. 

---

2

This book is really blowing my mind right now:
Big Questions, by Anders Nilsen

---

3

Asphalt Orchestra is up to good things right now. Rehearsals for the Metropolitan Museum Of Art are underway. If you can, maybe you could at least seriously consider making a trip to the museum on the 20th of January. I foresee a grand time had by all. 

---

4

"And she weeps on my arm 

Walking to the bright lights in sorrow

Oh, drink a bit of wine 

We both might go tomorrow 

Oh, my love

And the rain is falling and I believe my time has come.

It reminds me of the pain I might leave behind 

Wade in the fire

Wade in the fire"

- Jeff Buckley's "Grace" (from Grace, 1994)

This album STILL remains one of my all time favorite albums... ever. 

---

5

Keep hope alive. Keep chasing the dream(s). Peace. 

- Mr. Jenkins

I feel that there is much to thank the universe for today. So much, in fact, that there is no particular order to the list of the most current and most awesome happenings in my life today.

Thank you for checking in/being a part of the "big picture".

---

1. ASPHALT ORCHESTRA is such a fun band; such a great project of the creative intellect and artistic muscle of Bang On A Can. Earlier this month, we visited a few colleges, elementary schools, Portland (Maine), and one very special museum for the 

Ringling Arts Festival in Sarasota, FL.

We've also just begun to "Unpack The Elephant" (wink, wink) to what is a very wonderful, very involved stage show for indoor performances. Thanks to the fine people and students of Keene, NH for letting us test run the beast! I even wrote a piece that is a part of the show. Ah! Asphalt is now a double threat. 

2. RUN DAN RUN, "Normal" is out today! November 19th is the official release show at the Village Tavern in Charleston, SC. This excites me because the album has been 2+ years in the making. Come to our release show in Charleston next month and you'll see why. We were rarely in the same room for most of the creation of the album, yet, the bulk of the album was recorded in one room. We all had lot of other things going on. Like, BABIES for example. Our dear mate and guitarist Ashley Hopkins and his wife had their first child earlier this summer and we wish them so many good things and health and happy times.

[ Photo by: Megan Elger / Album Art by: Nick Jenkins ]

3. THANKSGIVING - Speaking of healthy and happy things, I am very much looking forward to time back home with my family and friends for Thanksgiving. This is the first times in a while that I've actually looked forward to doing much of not-work. I'm so ready. It looks like I'll be on Carolinian soil from the 10th to the 28th or so. Let's do some stuff.* Maybe there's time for a silent disco somewhere in there?

4. Emotional Statistics vs. Philosophical Algebra - This is a newly released, short album of dark pop songs. One of my favorite things is the ability to hear and make sounds. Luckily, there is a website where I can upload and share these neurotic creations with the world in an unobtrusive manner. I do this in the form of my Bandcamp page: mrjenkins.bandcamp.com 

(Albums are uploaded every few months... or so.) Try using headphones to enhance your listening experience. 

I'm mostly glad that I don't have to ask permission from anyone for me to share my own music. This makes me happy. It is a good outlet. 

5. Public Transit, NYC - This is something I appreciate and get consistently upset with all the same. In any case, it's there!

6. V ULTRA LOUNGE - We've been chiseling away at the mountain that is the lounge that is the cool hang that is the good jam that is the conglomerate of this band. Our next assembly and performance is scheduled for this Sunday, October 23rd at Bruar Falls in Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY) and we're sharing the bill with honorable likes of BABYLIPS. Oh, they tickle me so. Also in attendance/performance is ATM + YVETTE. Come out, come out, wherever you are. Get spooky.

Keep a look out for a V Ultra Lounge cassette in the near future. 

7. I'm very much a fan of the original series of Star Trek. Check out the set design! And the sound design! And the costume design! It's all so... "fresh." ::: www.startrek.com

8. Headphones, working at home, overcast days, cereal, the world-wide web, musical opportunities, new perspectives, new connections, beer, snacks, family, friends, storage space, bamboo, couches, Sharpies, MIDI and drum machines are all quite fine with me. 

---

There is so much more to add to this list, but for now, for today, I will end it... here. 

Take care. See you soon.

_N J

High Life Tour : Highlights 

---


I'm going to try and do my best with this summary of great things that happened on tour last month with Jason Ajemian and the High Life. We saw much. We made many great sounds. We rode the light into the bird's eye...


---


:::August 5 / Richmond, VA @ Balliceaux:::
We shared a bill with two great Scotts. Scott Clark (drums) + Scott Burton (guitar) = SCUO. It was a pleasant start to the tour, as the High Life played as a trio (bass, sax, drums) for the first couple of dates. It's been a while since I've seen/heard drums and guitar shred so effortlessly and quite musically. After both of our sets, we joined forces and played a few originals between the five of us. I would recommend visiting Richmond, VA for "the Scotts".   


:::August 7 / Chapel Hill, NC @ All Day Records:::
We played a record shop in a cute part of town (technically Carrboro) and 'bumped' at a tiny record shop. We were fortunate to witness the grand presence of a 6 piece band called Great Architect. They totally owned it. 


:::August 8 / Charleston, SC @ Tin Roof:::
FUN! We shared the evening with Lindsay Holler's Western Polaroids 2.0... and the house was full with warm community (and hot dogs). I will always call Charleston home. We met our 4th member and trumpeter, Jaimie Branch. She can very damn well play the trumpet. Later that night, I went skinny-dipping at the beach for the first time ever.


:::August 10 / Asheville, NC @ Bobo Gallery:::
We gained one Owen Stewart-Robertson on electric guitar. Strength and prowess are reinforced. 


:::August 11 / Columbia, SC @ Conundrum Music Hall:::
I never knew that this place existed in Columbia. It's a neat little performance room for multi-media performances and seats about 50-70 persons. There's also a great community of supporters of free jazz/experimental music. Tom Law is the man to know. 


:::August 12 / Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre:::
We can has rock band? 


:::August 13 / Washington, DC @ ( ______ Jazz Loft? ):::
The name of the venue is still escaping me, yet... the vibe will forever be apart of my memories of DC. We played a free jazz spot in the downtown area. Of the handful of notable players, I was happy to meet Janel Leppin (of Janel and Anthony). She is a great cellist who I presume will be going quite far in her musical endeavors. I'm sure of it. She knows how to make the thing... SING. She also tours with Kyp Malone's Rain Machine.


Earlier in the set we were joined by a mongolian throat singer named Andrew Colewell. He is a good human with a good heart.


:::August 16 / New York, NY @ Cake Shop:::
We shared a bill with Mike Pride's 'From Bacteria To Boys'. Nate Chinen of the New York Times coined our musical genre as "deep mirk funk". This REVIEW was a hot topic of conversation for the next few days of tour. 


:::August 17 / Toledo, OH @ Toledo Bellows:::
This was one of the most intimate house shows I've ever played with a free jazz/funk/rock ensemble. It was peaceful. The locals who came out did not exceed 15 persons. It was off the 'beaten path' and one of the longest drive of the tour. Worth it. There is audio available from this concert. Just ask.


:::August 18 / Chicago, IL @ Heaven Gallery:::
This was a beautiful set of music. The reception was warm because of previous seeds that had been sown. I learned that many years ago, Jason Ajemian started a music series there which continues to be an attractive scene for experimental musicians in and around Chicago. Check it out.


:::August 19 / Chicago, IL:::
We had the night off so I went to an art opening. I watched a wax statue melt to the ground. I shared great conversation with a lady named Brynn. We exchanged our favorite punctuations. 


[ ; ] + [ & ]. 


Afterwards, I caught the end of a Joan Of Arc set at Subterranean. 


:::August 20 / Kenosha, WI @ ______'s Garage House Party:::
Umm... In between the vast spaces of the midwest which are mostly filled with corn fields and interstates... we found a party. It got wild. We left before it reached the point of no return. Many strange gifts were alloted to us. 


:::August 21 / Chicago, IL:::
Off day. Studio time. We recorded 2 albums worth of music? It's awesome?

:::August 22 / Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle:::

It was a free show. 'Love Of Everything' (led by Joan Of Arc's bassist, Bobby) was the headliner and lots of avid fans were out for that. It was one of our strongest (energetic) shows of the tour.  I met a cute girl. Oddly enough, her name was Bella.

:::August 23 / Bloomington, IN @ House Bar:::

Peter Hanson, our saxophonist (aka Daddy), is from Bloomington. His family and close friends came out to support the High Life. I felt like we were playing in a tiny tin roof bar with the B52's. There was a jump rope competition in the parking lot. Even my friend Glass Boy (Justin Lambert) made a cameo. Good times.

:::August 25 / Dayton, OH @ South Park Tavern:::

Yip. South Park Tavern. We shared a bill with Ed Ricart and Hyrrokkin. Rock and roll happened. We made some people dance. We made a few smile a lot. I met a wonderful massage therapist named Erin. The next day, for my 28th birthday, I recieved one of the best massages of my life. (I owe you one, Jason Ajemian.)

:::August 26 / Lexington, KY @ Collexion:::

Bluegrass meets Freejazz. Yummy. 

:::August 27 / Louisville, KY @ Connect Festival:::

This was a bit of a family festival scene. Right before we played I witnessed one of the most serene sunsets ever. It was a great way to end the tour. 

---

Phew. This doesn't even really do the storytelling aspect of going tour any justice, but I wanted to share at least a little bit in some way. Next up... Asphalt goes crazy with an indoor show. Keep your ears bent. 


---


ps. THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED MAKE IT THE TOUR POSSIBLE AND SO VERY ENJOYABLE!


---


Other things I am excited about in the near future include the new St. Vincent album release on the 13th. Yum. Thursday, I will be rocking out to Broken Social Scene and TV On The Radio. Yowzah. Let's drink some coffee together. 

Hey! I'm on tour with Jason Ajemian & The High Life. It rules.

Hey! My new album is available for listening and purchasing.

Hey! This Summer somehow became the busiest Summer ever!

Hey! This Fall is going to be even busier!

Hey! Let's do it.

Hey! Thanks.

---

NYC is hot. There is no air conditioning or fans in my apartment. The heat is alive and well. 


I feel like I've been here longer than 6 months, but not quite half the year. It definitely feels like I've moved to a different city, yet, it doesn't quite seem like I'm completely settled.


The coolest part has been the beginnings of so many good projects and albums... These things are worth talking about as well as the discovery of Nutella. Just try me.


Here are some things I'm very much looking forward to, though:


---


Next month, I'll be heading on the road with a musician by the name of Jason Ajemian and his band, The High Life. We'll be Southwest, Midwest and Northeast bound for the most part. If you think you can make any of these dates, we would love to meet up/see you/play for you. Tour is way more fun when people you recognize come to your "gig". 


Charleston: We will be making a stop at the Tin Roof. August 8th. Lindsay Holler's Western Polaroids will also be on the bill. Sea ewe there?


Just before that, I'll be heading to Canada for the first time ever with Asphalt Orchestra. Things are obviously continuously going well for this project. We have appreciated your support and your enthusiasm over the passed 3 years. (Whoa, it's been a while!) Anyway... if you can't catch us in Ottawa on the 30th of July, maybe the Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors Festival would be a more better chance to get a little rowdy with us? We'll be there on August 3rd.


I think that's all for now. There's more, but that's all I'll dig into today. 
It's all quite nice, actually.


---


Other awesomeness in the works: 


Run Dan Run's new full-length album, Normal. I'm very excited about this! (Fall, 2011.)
V Ultra Lounge debut EP.
Julian & The Lopez Dispensers EP.
Asphalt Orchestra indoor show for the Fall, 2011. 
Oh, and a little electronic duo that was started in a diner just last night. More to come on that soon. 


---


I hope that you are at least a little bit "happy".


-N J

Who knows you better than you?

Pistil Films est grande. Voyez vous-même.





---

"Out Of Town" (Concert Series, Pt. 1)

The following text is from an electronic message from Ted Pallas of HUNGRY SAVAGES [Live Media Group] in regards to the silent disco/headphone concert/improvisational electronic music performance with Doc Gregory and myself to be held on this Friday, the 17th of June. We hope that you can make it. This is the beginning of a very great dream machine among other things...

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Hello -

I'm mass emailing the 8 of you to invite you out to come see Dok Gregory and Nick Jenkins perform an improvised set together at 571 Projects on Friday, June 17th at 7 PM.  This is the debut of my "Out of Town" concert series, which puts musicians who've never met  - one from NYC, one not - on a stage together here in town and then again next fall "Out of Town."  The idea is to use these shows to create firmer relationships between places - NYC has become an island in more than one sense recently, and this is the start of me trying to figure out how to break that down.

Details:

Hungry Savages and 571 Projects are proud to present

DOK GREGORY and NICK JENKINS

on FRIDAY, JUNE 17th at 7 PM

at 571 PROJECTS located at 551 WEST 21ST STREET unit 20A 
(through the door, up one flight, down the hall)

There is a $10 suggested donation, but it's a light suggestion.

For this particular show we'll presenting the program over headphones - you'll be handed a [cable] to plug your pair into.  So you need to bring headphones.

[The Performers]

Dok Gregory (his name links to a great radio show he did) makes music with synthesizers, some of which don't have keyboards.  I think maybe the best way to describe this is to imagine watching "Ghost," right, and you the audience are Demi, and the clay pot is "sound," and you're sitting there and you're confused and you feel alone and then Dok - you can't see him but you know he's there - Dok comes up and the two of you gently push and pull at the sound together, and you're feeling better, it's a beautiful moment, you're even kind of hot and bothered, and then it's over and you still fall asleep alone?  Seriously, Dok's ability to pull textures out of the aether stuns and amazes.

Nick Jenkins was sleeping on my couch for a few days when I first moved into my current apartment down in sunny Brooklyn Chinatown.  He knows my roommate from back in Charleston, and he's in town playing drums and bass in various projects (including Young Jean Lee/13P's HUGELY amazing You're Gonna Die this spring at Joe's Pub).  When he's not doing that he's being Mr. Jenkins, a man who makes electronic music for people who don't really spend that much time in nightclubs.  He's been presenting Silent Discos for the last couple months - this show is the first time he'll be doing such a thing cold.  He also likes to draw things, both for fun and profit.

[The Curators]

Hungry Savages is the name of a group of folk who make shows together.  We've worked with Broadway shows, top 40 pop acts, major national publications and all sorts of other Very. Impressive. Clients.  That's not special.  What is special is that we still all spend about 50% of our time producing our own work - bands and plays and books and installations and all sorts of things - which helps keep us fun to work with.  Want to make our website for us?  

571 Projects - The gallery features an exhibitions program showcasing selected highly talented emerging and mid-career artists working across all media, and aims to promote them to international contemporary art collectors and museums.71 Projects seeks to bridge the gap between dynamic emerging & mid-career artists and engaged collectors, both those beginning to collect and those looking for fresh talent. To support the work of significant artists, we provide a forum through tightly curated, solo exhibitions that showcase a single body of work.

Ted Pallas

Live Media Designer

History/Herstory Project: June 3rd, 2011

for Miranda July 

---


This chain of inter-webbing "surfing" events happened because of the following (mostly logical) cognitive reasoning:


I was recently listening to some music that my friend Justin (aka Glass Boy) sent me as the latest version of an electronic music project where we send tracks back and forth to one another and edit/add to them. It's nice. I was wondering where we could potentially market this kind of music and began searching for electronic music blogs and came up with "Indie Electro Yo". I gave up shortly after visiting the site. It's a bit humorous, I must say. Better luck tomorrow.


Bushwick Open Studios is hosting events around my neighborhood in Bushwick, NY. I wanted to look up the address and share it on facebook. I'll be playing a solo acoustic/electronic set at Boulevard Cafe on Saturday (5.4.11) around 830p. This event is free.


Neg-Fi is this totally epic electric guitar duo that my ska band V Ultra Lounge played a show with last night. The venue was "Party Expo", which is also in Bushwick. I wanted to share this video with my friend Jason Brogan. Facebook was available, so I shared it there. [ It is quite a harbor for digital media and informational exchange. ]


I came across a news article that The Cure just played a concert on Tuesday evening where they performed the first 3 albums. I was pretty stoked to find that they were still around and doing this. I was more impressed to learn that there were audience members who paid $3,000 for tickets for this concert. Now, that is dedication. Even though I can't say I would ever do that, I do still own "Disintegration" on cassette tape and it still gets heavy play. 


I was on SPIN magazine's website because Hooray For Earth's new album is currently streaming there. This band has my vote for one of Brooklyn's top 5 killer rock bands and the album is golden. [ Golden = Great! ] I highly recommend trying to get to one of their performances before their tickets begin to sell for $3,000. They're a great band but, don't take my word for it!


Oh. I learned that I forgot my dear friend Erin's birthday on last month. What a thing to forget! She lives a few states away and I think that's why it wasn't on my radar, but I think I could have done a better job at remembering. She has a beautiful voice and SINGS with an indie-rock band called Run Dan Run. I play drums with this band. We'll be releasing a new album in the Fall, hopefully.


I found the Facebook post for Miranda July's "History/Herstory" project. Shortly after, I learned how to take screen shots on my computer. This is super useful information for me. 


It seems that Wordpress is how a lot of people create and edit their websites this present day in age. The Future seems to have been done using some sort of Wordpress template.


NPR is my web browser's current home page. 


My love and admiration for The Specials led me to Wikipedia's definition of "Mod (Subculture)" of the 1950s and '60s. I think that I would've fit in really well in England in the late 1970s. The Specials are in heavy rotation in my iTunes/headphones this year. "Do you remember the good old days before the Ghost Town?" You can listen to this band as a pick-me-up for any occasion. 


---


This concludes my contribution to the "History/Herstory Project" 
(for Miranda July & Company). 


- N J
______________________________________________________________________________

Throw Your Own Silent Disco

by: Mr_Jx

Step 1: Find a 2-way or 3-way headphone splitter with 1/8" adapters. You can find these at your locale geeky electronics shop or Radio Shack for just a few bucks.

Step 2: Gather friends, headphones, snacks and a very good album. This one is recommended for the time being. 

[ If you like, you can buy/share at your leisure. ]

Step 3: Find a safe place, plug in and press "play". 

Step 4: Enjoy the sounds and be grateful for your ability to hear sound. 

[ SOUND is amazing!! ]

---

If you liked this text tutorial of how to "Throw Your Own Silent Disco" and happen to be in the Brooklyn/Bushwick area, please mark your calendars for a real-live 30-person silent disco with Mr. Jenkins on June 17th. Exact time and location to be announced.

Here's a video by the great Jade Sullivan.
This makes music video #2 for "2011: Dancing Music & Past Lives".
(See the other just below, posted May 11th.)

There will be more videos to come.

Thank you, PISTIL FILMS.




---

Thank you, Ralph Tresvant, for helping define the genre of music that individuals such as myself fit best in, which is something like: music by guys who don't want to fight.

Please, be my guest. Download this. Share this with your friends. Turn it up.

---