We shall start with the basic thing – its about Wall-E, yep, that Pixar film with the robot from short Circuit (a miraculous accident apparently). What is of interest for such a menial kids film? WELL, haven’t you just opened a can of worms? or so I think.

It all revolves around a figure called Guy Debord, a writer who penned “Society of the Spectacle”, a key text for this group of blokes called the Situationist International (the SI). In this book, right, Debord goes on about this thing called the spectacle, which is everywhere, everything, you literally cannot get away from it. All to do with mediation through images, capitalist theory. I suppose you could call it nihilist? I will try to write about that more clearly in another post. On with the theory.

For Debord, one of the clearest articulations of the Spectacle is through the urban environment, and he talks about this idea of Psychogeography, an idea he elaborates upon elsewhere. Through this thing called the “Derive” (apologies for lack of accents etc. – also is derive a verb or a noun?) Debord and fellow chums would allow themselves to drift on the natural flow of the city, allowing the urban environment to dictate where they went. Sometimes for weeks, possibly even months. It’s all to do with floating, travelling, trains (one of the key terms refers to this turntable-esque device which moves trains on tracks), people, lost, in, cities.

Might try and hunt out some of the exact definitions from the original texts. Yes, good idea. It occurred to me whilst watching Wall E for the umpteenth time, that this spectacle is articulated, or at least could be suggested is articulated, through the Axiom, the gigantic spaceship on which all the Humans are based. And the spectacle is everywhere, dictating the colour of clothes that is fashionable, the drink/food choices, weather, the whole environment. (There is a weird possible Marxist undertone which I haven’t quite gotten my head round – basically the fact that currency no longer exists and all the children are taught by robots – also where are these children coming from).

Part of the spectacle’s control over the humans, is through their mediation of experience, the tv screens that allow them to communicate, despite being next to each other, the way they ‘exercise’ (again via a robot – e.g. tennis pong) and then importantly for our methods, the way the spectacle controls their movements – floating in and around the city. Reminiscent of the derive wouldn’t you say?

So this has lead me to look at the design of these people movers… and has lead me to the topic of Disneyland/Disneyworld, and so I am currently reading a load of stuff by Baudrillard et al, about ideological critique, and psychological themepark design. May I take this moment to recommend Alan Bryman’s wonderful book “Disney and His Worlds” – very helpful guide to get into all the academic texts there are out there (and by gum there are plenty!).

Enough then, to leave you with. I will have to elaborate on where my thinking goes as I digest more and more reading. Hopefully this was in some way thought provoking, or at least an adequate way to mediate a few moments before death. By the way I’m not really sure how this all fits in with copyright? Will I be infringing myself if I keep on doing this? Who cares. I think this could be good for me. If you have any comments, suggestions or anything, please feel free to email me, fahitch at gmail dot com. (suggestion #1 – don’t mention the death so much…)

(Never Mind The) Stars – Holiday
These chaps are from Amsterdam, and they want me to take them with me on holiday. Lovely intro. Ripe for a remix please someone. They got an Alphabeat vibe, but don’t hold that against them. They’ve got Fearne Cotton’s support, so maybe hold that one instead.
Label: STRFCKR RCRDS
Release Date: 8th March 2010.
Just realised theres no track of this I can share, they’ve not even got a youtube or myspace with the music on so down in my estimations some what. sigh. Right change of plan. No band gets my support unless there is some way you can listen to it. That was for free “stars” and your unfortunate punctuation accomplice. Next time I WANT TO SHARE YOU.

Alan Pownall
sampler from his album arrived, and it is wonderful, soft folky guitar, with a few other strings lying about, very pleasant, well worth a listen. But I can’t embed the video for any of his song from youtube. sometimes I don’t get record labels. instead then, heres a jabwok remix.

Label: Mercury Records
Release Date: 23rd March 2010.

Lulu and the Lampshades
Right just as I was about to lose all hope in unsigned bands, new music and all that jazz, I found this.

I have unofficially labelled this “Ode to the Unemployed”. Really lovely.
Label: Voga Parochia (possibly?)
Release: Unknown

And you won’t go wrong with a free download of OK Go’s “This too shall Pass”.

Thats enough for now. Other people from the bag that was my bag, even if its not from my remit.
Either that or they just didn’t bother allowing me to share their stuff. I don’t want to break the law, I want to share you.
Mama’s Gun – Ivor Game – – The BDI’s – Officer Kicks – DLDown – Aaron Carey – Bang Bang Ece

*I am well up for more promo stuff so feel free to send stuff in, especially demos and ep’s from local unsigned Edinburgh bands – email me at Programming@freshair.org.uk if you are interested.

The Illicit Still In Edinburgh

we’re throwing sketches and characters, songs and competitions into the mix and as a result the night itself is being renamed…’COMEDY POW WOW @ THE STILL’. Each show’ll feature regulars ADAM MITCHELL and PHIL O SHEA as the LOVE GROOVE EXPERIMENT (Think Vic Reeves Big Night Out meets Rik and Ade as the Dangerous Brothers). Sketches come courtesy of gig founder and Stand regular BEN VERTH and everything will be kept together by resident MC BOB GRAHAM.

The gig is entirely free and as usual will be good so come along…. might be trying out some more new stuff, but we shall have to see.

Comedy Pow Wow @ The Illicit Still

Not Really A Palindrome really is it? More of a freaky looking cat.

I had no idea, but apparently today is 01 – 11 – 10 in the US. Always brings a smile to myface. Speaking of Pallindromes, here’s a poem from the fantastic Demetri Martin that is a Pallindrome. Very talented young man he is too (have you not seen his TV show – Important things? – do it now please).

“Dammit I’m mad.
Evil is a deed as I live.
God, am I reviled? I rise, my bed on a sun, I melt.
To be not one man emanating is sad. I piss.
Alas, it is so late. Who stops to help?…
A loss it is alas (sip). I’d assign it a name.
Name not one bottle minus an ode by me:
“Sir, I deliver. I’m a dog”
Evil is a deed as I live.
Dammit I’m mad”

You can read the whole thing here

What Have I been doing? Not a lot – got far too interested in Key, Basden, Wolf, Steffan and the Cowards in general, had another listen to all the fantastic Ianucci ‘Charm Offensive’ stuff (might revisit “on the hour” soon) and watched loads of nature documentaries in HD. Also, planned my new life (like Shaun of the Dead but with less zombies i.e. Shaun.).

In other news, Boing Boing blogged this video, and I don’t know what it is – perhaps the hypnotically beautiful animation, a catchy pop hook or a woman with three tits – but I love this video. Sort of one that goes on in your head only for the lyrics to not quite match up, and so ends up looping as the last line becomes the first line. Still, very good. Enjoy.

Apologies for not posting in a while (last post was in the build up to the festival, though I think you find my suggestions were some of the creme…, including the winners of the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, one show which has since transferred to the west end, and a few other crackers..), but things have been getting very busy!

The website will be changing a little in the next few weeks, mostly to give me practice with my coding skillz, but also it will become a new space where I can publish poems and other writings, provide news of upcoming gigs and so on.

Anyway, that isn’t really important and will all be very clear as and when it happens.

But for now, enjoy the rest of the bank holiday and I will hopefully see you in the New Year!

What is it?

Silly sketches and stuff from one of the UK’s top sketch troupes.

Why Should I Care?

They’ve done a pilot for channel four as part of Comedy Lab, and if that went well they may be doing more TV soon. Plus, they’re planning to do 200 sketches in on ehour to break a world record… even if they are hit and miss, thats 100 hit sketches. Can’t say fairer then that!

And they’ll be on the radio 5 pm on the 5th August on Fresh Air! Here’s a video of the first part of their recent TV pilot — yes, yes yes NO!