Spineless

Off to check out new stereos today. The old one has got to go. One channel on the amp repeatedly cuts out or breaks up, the speakers aren't the brightest around and every part is over 15 years old (excepting the tape deck and mini disk) if not more. We've had it cleaned out before but I really think it has now done it's time.

So, how do you buy a stereo? I've only ever acquired them before, always second hand; a friend of a friend is flogging an amp or someone moves out of shared housing and leaves behind some speakers etc. Having said that, the current set up is mostly my better half's. So, back to the buying, I've decided on a selection of CDs to take with me. Not sure what the shop assistants will make of my choice but I'm sure they've heard worse. I've chosen a range of styles and recording qualities to gauge the systems and separates I'll be listening to and this is what will be blasting out of electronic retailers around Ipswich later today:

Joe Gibbs and The Professionals - Almighty Dub Chapter Three (for the 70s dub production and sound FXs)
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Lie Down In The Light (for the clarity of the male/female vocal mix and for the folk)
Lou Reed - The Blue Mask (for the 80s production and the heaviness of the title track)
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La-Band - One Million Died To Make This Sound (for the mood and its lo-fi glory)
The Bug - London Zoo (for the deep bass, deep vocals and claustrophobic ambiance)
Leadbelly - C.C Rider (for the crackles)

I've rejected Fugazi and Bob Dylan and narrowly avoided taking some Bum Gravy, the ultimate in shit production.

The only thing missing is classical but that is for musical snobs and elitists and I'm unlikely to ever want to listen to any unless it is accompanying a nice advert on the TV.

Still deciding whether to get a turntable or store the vinyl when we move.

Landmark

It's been a crazy busy week. Got my first look in the new University Campus Suffolk Waterfront Building on Monday and then spent everyday except today in there begging rooms to induct new and returning students. It's looking good.
Also been busy planning some lectures for next week and dealing with loads and loads of admin.



In the great house move scheme of things got rid of our piano last night and although I tried not to, ended up giving the people that came to pick it up a hand. An old friend/band acquaintance turned up to help them take it away (coincidence) and it's the first time I've seen someone prepare for piano removal by wearing flip flops!
Another old friend phoned and as we hadn't spoken for two years it was a long call. Great to hear from him.
Saw some friends last Sunday and went to a Polish festival in one of Ipswich's many parks and watched the Warsaw Village Band who were fantastic. Thanks for the tip off Kelvin and it was great to see you all.

Down point of the week, I unfortunately had to pull out of a Pindown gig. It was scheduled for late October in Colchester, the same week I'm going to move house. Too much on at the moment to concentrate on rehearsing. Number one priority: keep sanity intact! We will play again however, and hopefully showcase some of Jason's new clothes I've heard he's been buying!

TV On The Radio and Mogwai's new albums have been helping me to keep on top of it all.

cmyk:dna

My submission for an exhibition themed on CMYK with the outcome resulting in an A2 poster of one of my initial ideas. Text at bottom of poster reads:

'I love print. A screen can never match the tactile nature of paper or the smell of fresh CMYK on uncoated stock. Twelve years of working in the print industry leaves an impression you know. Not to mention that my grandfather was a printer and that my father, a photographer by trade, started and ended his career working in print. I sometimes feel I must have Pantone 1807c running through my veins. I can’t walk into a print shop now without my heart beating a little faster and I’m not ashamed to admit I get a little giddy when the smell of ink that pervades the air hits my nostrils. It’s the best smell in the world, fresh cut grass and ground coffee don’t come anywhere near. I am a self confessed print sniffer! CMYK is my DNA.
Nigel Ball, 2008 – after Milton Glaser.'

Link to previous dublog post on subject.

The mirror man

Just returned home from a very civilized works social. Lovely homemade food, wine and tea from teapots laid out in what is usually an exhibition cum teaching space with small tables adorned by plastic beakers of carnations. Joshing with colleagues about politely drinking tea out of cups with saucers while outside society collapses, I return home and check Newsfire to discover a Noisy Decent Graphics post today discussing the uselessness of saucers, and that The Design Observer has a post about Lehman's Bankruptcy Statement. I'm starting to get a little worried that my life is becoming an offline blog post where my comments and thoughts and activities mirror other peoples online activity. I'm sure there's some SciFi feature in this somewhere.

Baby

With an imminent house move coming up we've been Freecycling like crazy but alas we can't help this person who wants baby muslims!

America is fucked

America Is F*cked.......(Graphically at least) from Jess Gibson on Vimeo.

If you go down to the beach

Yesterday I went to the private view of Purple Snail's latest exhibition, titled 100:50. This, their third exhibition, is a break from previous shows where each of the Snail's exhibited their own work in a gallery, (I say gallery, but in fact it was actually a tea room on Felixstowe prom!) This time they've collectively created an installation on Felixstowe beach to highlight the plight of global warning. If you're in the area it's well worth a look. Head for the Spa Pavilion and you won't fail to see them. Especially at night as it lights up. Unfortunately I had another engagement to attend so couldn't stick around to see them illuminated, but there's a photo on their blog which looks pretty impressive. I'll certainly be heading back one evening when I've more time.

I did stick around to be served a complimentary glass of bubbly and a free ice cream from the van they had organized. Two firsts for me, not only have I never been given a 99 at a private view before but I also have never seen Mr Whippy in a Clash T-shirt! I don't think Strummer had ice cream in mind when he wrote White Riot but I might be wrong.

The exhibition runs until the 15th September, and while you're there you can book tickets for Chas and Dave at the Pavilion.

Prepare to die

Had a look at MyDeath.net ages ago. Reading Bill Drummond's 17 reminded me that it existed so I decided I ought to post my wishes.

2 steps on entry

Dubsteps on exit

17:45

Listening to the great Bill Drummond on 6Music this morning made me go looking for his book '45' on my shelves. It's not there. This can only mean I've lent it to someone. I lend stuff all the time and often it doesn't come back. Not through any willful thieving nature on the part of the borrower, more just forgetfulness brought on by our busy lives. I also forget who I've lent stuff to.

I'm equally as bad. I have several DVDs here, (Sin City - Simon A, Sopranos, Night of the Living Dead - Ken, amongst others) that I keep forgetting to return. In fact, I got out Sin City last time Simon came over to return to him but we got so drunk it stayed on top of the piano where I'd put it!

So, as I'm about to buy Bill Drummonds new book '17', if I've lent '45' to any of my regular readers could you remind me who you are. You can hang on to it if you still haven't read it but I'd just like to know it's safe.

BTW, howies, the 3rd biggest clothing company in Cardigan Bay, run their own book and magazine lending service. More details here. And on that note, I'm now off to Ipswich Town Centre Library to peruse their extensive CD collection.

Bill Drummond's website, Penkiln Burn.