Justice - A Cross The Universe - Trailer from industreate on Vimeo.

I saw the New York premiere of “Justice’ A Cross the Universe” last week. It’s a documentary of the band shot & produced by award winning directors Romain Gavras (”Stress”), and So Me (”D.A.N.C.E.”, “DVNO”) during the last 3 weeks of their Myspace sponsored tour in North America.

The screening was supposed to start at 7, I got there 20 minutes late, I thought I was going to miss it, but it was just starting. Members of the Ed Banger gang were in attendance, Busy P, So Me, SebastiAN, Amandine, of course Justice - Xavier and Gaspard.

I really thought one of best “characters” was the enduring, Christian bus driver. 100% Americana, 55 - 60 years old, reminiscing about singing in the church choir, practicing his vocal exercises, snapping shots of mountains with his camera phone, dealing with blown tires, and “crap” . . . literally.

Now throw the bus driver in with Justice, and their tour manager, “Bouchon“, English translation = bottleneck, stopper, plug. Bouchon has an obsession with guns, (I swear on one occasion he was in a Walmart shopping for one.) I think he is the most “gangster” French person i’ve come across in awhile, if ever. He’s definitely over the top.

And last but not least, Justice. Some of my personal favorite moments - Xavier & Gaspard kissing - Gaspard having sex with an Asian girl that allegedly looked like Xavier. The duo shopping for 8 mil homes. (Can they really afford that?)

Lots of drunk girls freaking out, singing “We Are Your Friends” at the top of their lungs, lots of “OMG I love you guys!”, puking, fights, blood, and hotel room pillow fights. I learned that Xavier can play the piano, and quite well, he is also caught on film serenading Anthony Keidis from Red Hot Chili Peppers with his band’s own song “Under the Bridge“. The look on Keidis’ face is priceless. There are also cameo appearances by Diplo (using the bathroom), the Ed Banger clan, and various other “scensters”.

It was an entertaining movie, certainly one for the fans, and it gives you more or less accurate inside look at what it’s like on tour in the land of Justice. It’s well done, considering the time restrictions it took to film, produce, and release the documentary by December 9, 08. The tour they were shooting ended in April of 08. Gavras and So Me do a great job of capturing the intensity of Justice‘ live performances. Quick cuts from revving up back stage to being right in the middle of a live dynamic sonic assault.

After the premiere, everyone headed over to hear Justice DJ at Webster Hall with SebastiAn and Busy P, who rounded out the night with old school Chicago House. Fun was had by all, and I felt like I was living a scene right out of “A Cross The Universe“.

If you live in Chicago, there is a screening of “A Cross The Universe” at The Metro on Nov. 14th, there are other screenings to coincide with their DJ gigs around North America, for more info visit UR CHICAGO.

As we speak, there is a contest running “Justice for All” - win a trip to Chicago on New Year’s Eve to hang out with Justice and So Me and party at Revolution Number 9, or take home cash. All you have to do is create a video, and get the most votes. The final winner will be chosen by Justice, So Me, Busy P, and other special folks. Maybe they will like your work so much you’ll shoot their next documentary?

Sign up and get full info at www.industreate.com/contest, create a video of what you did that was “Great in 2008“, then upload your video to www.Vimeo.com and tag it with “JST4ALL” and “TRASHMENAGERIE“.

As Big Stereo points out - “This is a contest for us too! We wanna hang out with you in Chicago so this is important, ha!*”

* Trash Menagerie note to Big Stereo and the rest of ya’ll, may the best blog win!

www.revolution-nye.com

www.industreate.com/contest

www.vimeo.com/justiceforall

Mr. Oizo - Lambs Anger on Ed Banger Records - out Nov. 17th - Digital and vinyl, November 2 - CD.

Stay tuned!

Dorothy’s Gallery located in Paris’ Bastille neighborhood has put together a collection of Obama inspired art with 30 French and American artists, viewable from the 3rd of October through the 17th of November.

Take a look at the Global Electoral College, What if the whole world could vote, featured on the The Economist, and the support Obama has around the globe. Viewing the world map really shows just how much the rest of the world is in favor for Obama. If this election were to happen in Europe, he most definitely would win by a landslide!!!! Hopefully for the U.S. we’ll do the right thing.

Dorothy’s Gallery
27, rue Keller, 75011, Paris
tel: 01.43.57.08.51
Open Tues-Sat, 1-8pm, Sun 4-8pm.

This is what Trash Menagerie was throwing down during the month of September. Features, interviews, parties, and plenty’a mix and MP3 download. We’re snuggling in for the busy month of October. Have you started thinking about your Halloween costume yet? We’re looking for ideas, so please hit us up and let us know if you’ve got any. Last year we gave you a heads up on how to MAKE YOUR OWN DAFT PUNK COSTUME. Hipster Runoff offered up a bit of inspiration, “WTF SHOULD I B 4 ALL HALLOW’S EVE”, But is it “ok” to be a Justice this year, if you were a Daft last year?

A truly scary option, the United States Vice Presidential Republican
Candidate and current Governor of Alaska - Sarah Palin.

Hmm, I guess she didn’t get understand the memo regarding last year’s Halloween Party. It was a Nordic theme. Looks like she still won anyway, even though she didn’t really come close to qualifying.

Sarah Palin 7 Months Preggers “I can hide my belly in a sexy, yet sophisticated, little black business suit.”

Goodness, her belly is HUGE, she looks like she’s going to pop any day now, right?

This is what Demi Moore looked like when she was seven months preggers . . .

Photo: Vanity Fair

Sarah Palin’s Witch Doctor . . .

Other potential options - “Sarah Palin Mayor of Meth”, “Sarah Palin Miss Alaska”, “Sarah Palin Soccer Mom”. Wow, and to think, the election isn’t even over yet, we’ve still got a few weeks to go . . . goodness, i’m sure we’ll have so many more choices to choose from. Maybe i’ll pull off one of those “couple costumes,” and we can go together as “Foreign Palin Policy“. One of us will be Russia, and the other Alaska, and we’ll stand on opposite sides of the room and say “I can see ya over there, behave yourself!”

“Sarah Palin Miss Alaska”

Anyway, Sarah, this song is dedicated to you . . .

Disco Villains - Move Bitch
Get more Disco Villains

TRASH MENAGERIE SEPTEMBER FEATURES

NEW MIX - TALIESIN “VIRTUAL LIGHT”
2008 End of “Summery”
Division Kent - Gravity in Your Face
Dskotek Emerges From the Rabble of LA
Why Republicans Should Go Down!!!
Bloggers Beware!
Bass Welterweight Kanji Kinetic
Revolver Disco
On A Mission
ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWAH
London Airwaves Festival Line-up Announced!
The BOX is ON
This Juan’s for You
Sarah Palin Beauty Queen
Diesel 30th Anniversary Parties!
Mystery Jets - Half in Love with Elizabeth - Delorean Remix
The Presets & The Aria Awards - They are like . . . GRAMMY’s, YO!
Midnight Juggernauts - Into the Galaxy - DANGER Remix
Charlie Ash
Miss OddKidd - Don’t Be Afraid To Sweat - Remixes - Drop The Lime & Goldielocks
Salem - Dirt Video
Rewind Chicago 1990’s Rave - Hardcore Jungle
Uproot Andy-The Great Migration
Spitzer’s - Rainy winter in Sydney
New Madlib Album & J Rocc Podcast on Stones Throw
Death Set Live at Studio 1087 pt 1 of 2
FOOLS Remixed GOLD
The Rapture !K7 Mix - Unmasterd
Crying Blood Ties in VV Brown, Holland, Weatherall, Death In Vegas, !!!
Little Boots - Meddle - Designer Drugs Remix
Yo Majesty Makes it Clap
Hold On! Hot Chip Touch Too Much
PLAYBACK - Episode 1 - Andy Butler - Hercules and Love Affair
Krudmart-Steve Kream’s Autumn Love Mixtape
Hey! Hey! Its Hey Champ!
MSTRKRFT - Fist of (oh my) God Tour
Micachu live at DURRR
A Black Hole is Opening
Bang! Bang! Eche!

TRASH MENAGERIE SEPTEMBER MIXES

Bite This! Robotic Mix From Montreal’s DJ Spaz
Little Boots - Computer Fairyland Mixtape
A Very Vanilla Mix from London’s Lesser Panda
4AM Jess vs. Proper Villians
Ruffneck DJ Set @ Brockout! Chicago, 1995
DJ Trace w GQ & 5-0 @ Psychosis - Chicago, 1995
Uproot Andy - Guacharaca Migration
The Toxic Avenger Live at Piknik Electronik - Montreal
Jon Hillcock Xfm Mixes

TRASH MENAGERIE SEPTEMBER LISTINGS

NY’s New Favorite Place to be on Friday’s
N.A.M.E. festival 2008 - Edition n° 4 - France
NewPop + Dj Mehdi, Local Hero - Chicago!
MSTRKRFT Fist of God Tour
Somewhere In The Universe There Must Be Something Better Than Man’ 2nd Birthday - Brighton
Sinden at LOVE 9/20/08!
POP MONTREAL 2008 FINAL LINEUP ANNOUNCED
Atmosphere on Tour & on Kimmel
2008 DECIBEL FESTIVAL : FULL LINEUP & PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
Italian Invasion - LA

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE TRASH MENAGERIE CREW - CONTACT@TRASHMENAGERIE.COM

Who doesn’t enjoy a good Bordeaux, especially when it comes to music? Boxon Records is Julien Minet’s dirty sexy record label out of Bordeaux, France that features prominent music artists (Tom Deluxx, Eclier, Toxic Avenger, Philipe de Boyer, Pro7, etc), and the incredible graphic designer Anem.

If you like teeth grinding, head banging, body shaking electro-trash music then this next one is for you. Coming out in late September, I had a sneak peak at the new Boxon album and it is fanfreakintastic. There are two separate and distinctive mixes of Tom Deluxx’s “Mushion Heroes” on here and they are both pure goodness. Who are the faces behind them?

First is Philipe de Boyar, the Suisse DJ/Producer who does a mixture of House/Electro/Breaks. He’s not a newbie to the scene, having already had tracks popping up in MIXMAG and is set to have releases on Erase Records, Hammarskjoeld Records or his own digital imprint Rockville Music as well as other labels. His version of “Mushion Hereos” is slap-in-your-face hard and reminiscent of the same energy you get with the Toxic Avenger.

The other version is by Pro7, an international party player who has already tricked with the likes of Sebastian, Teenage Bad Girl, TTC, and more. His version is very slightly lighter than the de Boyar one, with a little funky feel. Caution: these two tracks are not at all to be confused with each other, even if they stem from the same original! They are completely different takes and both quite enjoyable. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear them both pounding in clubs in the next 2-3 months.

Also from Boxon as of late, the latest video from Paris production company Born To Film of the Toxic Avenger’s “Bad Girls Need Love, Too”. It captures perfectly the style of Toxic — edgy electro with a rock feel. Tattooed ladies and Lolita like nymphs are in the video rocking out in this beautifully shot video clip with amazing color saturation. C’est tellement sexy et j’adore!

In other news, Boxon veteran Tom Deluxx has a new EP coming out this October, and I’m on the edge of my seat to hear it, especially if it sounds anything like the remix he sent us, “Fake” by GRS Club, who also have an EP arriving this October!

Putain c’est la classe! Anem is doing the artwork for the album. Including the fresh preview up top Boxon sent us!

Grs Club - Fake (Tom Deluxx Remix)

Tom Deluxx - Drama Queen (Eclier Grinded Version)

Tom Deluxx - Mushion Heroe (Pro7 Remix)

French artist extraordinaire Franck Rivoire, producing under the moniker Danger, has become notorious amongst many and recognized for his exceptional synth heavy production, that he describes as ‘French Touch new electro’. His music evokes complexity and a sense of darkness, stirring the emotions of his devotees, causing an insatiable desire for more. I’ve often envisioned Danger’s music playing in the background to an Osamu Tezuka anime, which seems quite fitting given his childhood influences.

Just five years back, Danger was a self-proclaimed chiptune geek, creating game music. His direction changed and his music has flourished since the days of past and in recent months, Danger has remixed tracks for Midnight Juggernauts, ‘Into the Galaxy‘ and Sébastien Tellier, ‘Divine‘. But it was his first few brilliant productions, ‘11h30‘, ‘14H54‘, ‘19H11‘, that paved the way for what was to come. Signed to the Parisian label Ekler’o’shock, Danger continues to push the limits of his craft, taking us into the future. As a long time favorite of mine, I wanted to know what is behind the mind of Danger, so a few months back, I exchanged a bit of Q&A with him. After a long delay and the responses properly translated, here you have his answers in French and English.

Lovestar: Who is Danger? Please give some background history

Danger: Je suis illustrateur et graphiste, je suis très imaginatif et j’aime raconter des histoires, et communiquer des sensations. J’ai passé une certaine partie de ma jeunesse devant des écrans d’ordinateur , des livres, et des consoles de jeux, je fais des bandes dessinées, j’adore le cinéma, l’art, les jeux vidéos et les synthétiseurs.

I’m an illustrator and graphic designer, I’m very imaginative and I love to tell stories, and convey sensations. I passed part of my youth in front of computer screens, in books, and game consoles. I do comic books, I love cinema, art, video games and synthesizers.

Lovestar: Tell us about the music that you are producing

Danger: J’imagine mes musiques comme des émotions simples. Mon avenir c’est de continuer à suivre simplement ce que j’ai envie de faire ressentir. Beaucoup d’entres nous parlent à “l’enfance” en faisant ce genre de musique, je m’en rends compte et j’ai d’autant plus envie de donner une vision de l’enfance qui est la plus fidèle à ce que je suis et à ce que j’ai été.

J’essaye de ne pas penser qu’à la musique quand je compose mais aussi à des images et à des sensations, d’ailleurs le fait que je sois graphiste et illustrateur m’aide à m’écarter du seul chemin musical, qui n’est pas le mien.

Je vais faire pas mal de lives dans un futur proche dans lequels j’utiliserai la vidéo et l’animation plus d’autres surprises mystèrieuses.

I picture my music like simple emotions. My path is to continue to follow that which I have the desire to experience again. A lot of other people talk to us about “childhood” in making this kind of music. I realize this and I really want to give a vision of a childhood that is the most faithful to that which I am and that which I have been.

I try not to think about just the music when I’m composing, but also the feelings and images. Otherwise, the fact that I’m a graphic artist and illustrator helps separate me from a single musical path that’s not mine.

I’m going to do a few live shows in the near future in which I will utilize video, animation, and other mysterious suprises.

Lovestar: Your tracks are all named with numbers and letters. Are these random or do they have meaning?

Danger: Disons que je pense qu’une heure est aussi évocatrice d’un sentiment qu’un titre littéraire. Je passe ma vie à faire attention à l’heure et je trouve sincèrement qu’un 20h45 ou un 14h porte déjà en lui tout un tas de sentiments, alors imaginez 14h54, c’est un truc de fou.

Let’s say that I think that an hour is just as evocative of a feeling as the title of a piece of literature. I go through life paying attention to the hour and I really find that no other time than an 8:45 PM or a 2 pm already brings a whole barrel of feelings… so imagine 2:54 PM, it’s something crazy.

Lovestar: Are you still working as a graphic designer and do you create your own artwork?

Danger: Yes still drawing :) It’s important for me to be sure to create what I want to communicate.

Lovestar: What went into creating your latest EP, 09.14.2007?

Danger: A first step for me…:)

Lovestar: Your music has a lot of expression to it, I could see it being played in a Japanimation movie or a Speed Racer scene – Do you know of Speed Racer? Have you ever thought of scoring your music in a film?

Danger: It would be great, that’s a long time dream.

Lovestar: What was it about the label Ekler’o’shock that made you want them to represent you?

Danger: I really liked the Ekler’o’shock artists.

Lovestar: A comment left by a fan on the Ekler’o’shock My Space said that “if Daft Punk and Justice had sex, their lovechild would be Danger”. What do you make of this?

Danger: Je pense qu’on a raison de comparer les artistes entre eux et de leur trouver des ressemblances mais généralement ces ressemblances viennent plus de références communes plus anciennes mes references viennent des jeux videos de ma vie, des films que j’ai vu et je pense pouvoir raconter d’autres choses que Justice et Daft Punk, des artistes que j’aime beaucoup pourtant.

I think that we’re right to compare artists between themselves and find their resemblances but generally these similarities come more from common references that are older. My references come from the video games of my life, the films that I’ve seen, and I think the ability to relate about things other than Justice and Daft Punk, artists that nevertheless I like a lot.

Sébastien Tellier - Divine (Danger Remix)
on Record Makers

Midnight Juggernauts - Into the Galaxy (Danger Remix)

We Are Scientists - Chick Lit (Danger TV Remix Edit)

Danger - 11h30

Danger - North America Tour Dates
Sept 11 2008 8PM / Abby Pub / CHICAGO, Illinois
Sept 12 2008 8PM / The Estate / BOSTON, Massachusetts
Sept 13 2008 8PM / The Social / TORONTO, Ontario
Sept 14 2008 8PM / LAX / LOS ANGELES, California
Sept 16 2008 8PM / Cinespace / LOS ANGELES, California
Sept 18 2008 8PM / Julliards / CALGARY, Alberta
Sept 19 2008 8PM / Mezzanine / SAN FRANCISCO, California
Sept 20 2008 8PM / Pasaje / MEXICO CITY, México

Four hours after the completion of the newest, unnamed Guns n Bombs track, Local Hero of Chicago drops it to 2,000 kids on a packed Tuesday (7.16.08) night at Dance at Arena in L.A.!! Making appearances are Turbotito from gnb, dancing in an all white get up and a small cameo by Harvard Bass of Noise/Floor Crew and his tongue. Get your sneak peak on and catch Local Hero this Friday 24th at Debonair, Chicago with DJ Falcon!! And look ahead to September when Guns n Bombs puts out a single and video!

Coucou y’all. It’s bisouK here, the newest contributer at Trash. For my first post I wanted to combine my two loves: music and France. I’m a Texas native, bilingual in French and currently living in sunny LA. I hope you guys enjoy what I do. Bon, des gros bisous du Texas et de la Californie pour l’instant. CIAO

There’s nothing like the French collective Valerie and its members who play tribute to the 80’s with trip taking tunes and fabulous synth. With it growing so quickly and consistently tantalizing us, we had to hunt down Valerie founder David Grellier to fill us in more about the collective and what it has next in store.

bisouK: How do you feel that the concept and execution of a West Coast collective has helped the artists in it?

David Grellier: Our collective is composed of friends, above all else. Passionate people I reunited around the blog and our myspace. Our blog is not only a support, but also a source and inspiration for our music. It permits us to exchange, to test our universe and our projects. We genuinely help each other find parties, perfect our sounds, and advance Valerie. I think today the act of being a collective allows us to have a stronger identity and the best representation.

bisouK: Are there any 80’s movies in particular that have been a major influence for the music that you all produce and play?

DG: (Laughs) Yes, but there are way too many of them to make a complete list! We can mention, though, films like “Ghostbusters”, “Back to the Future”, “Indiana Jones”, “Risky Business”, “The Keep”, “Terminator”, Halloween”, “Blade Runner”…

bisouK: How does the West Coast spirit infuse into the style of Valerie as compared to your Parisian counterparts?

DG: I think that the style of Valerie can be defined as being nostalgic music. The Outrunners use instruments that are 20 years old. We revisit just one period in time in one big synthesis blow. We don’t make a new style.

bisouK: Where was the best Valerie party to date and when will there be another one?

DG: Right now the best memory I have is from the first Valerie party last year in Nantes, France. We had invited Russ Chimes, and English artist who has become a part of the Valerie team and who has, outside the collective, become a really good friend. And so we really had the whole team present, and today that’s the most difficult thing to accomplish…but we’re definitely going to have another one before the end of the year!

bisouK: Minitel Rose came out with their CD recently throughout France and we see that Anoraak has his release planned as well in September. Who else in the collective has CD/EP’s coming out?

DG: For my part, I’m finishing the next College EP that will be coming out also in September. With the Outrunners we’re coming out with a superb limited edition 7”. Maethelvin and the Outrunners are also going to come out with many singles on a small Dutch label.

bisouK: Are there plans to come out with a Valerie compilation?

DG: It’s a project thats coming along little by little. When it’s ready you’ll be the first to know (wink wink).

bisouK: Tell us about working with The Zonders. Are they your exclusive go to guys or do you use other people artists for the albums, etc.?

DG: I met The Zonders thanks to Discodust, for whom they do the posts’ graphics. So they did some as well for Teenage Color and I immediately fell under their spell of their work. The Zonders do kind of the same thing as Valerie, but for graphics. It’s very 80’s inspired in style and codes, and in addition to being so amazingly talents, they’re also super cool. They’re passionate guys with whom it is incredible to work with.

bisouK: Are there difficulties ever in keeping the collective cohesive?

DG: Not really, everyone inside Valerie is free. That’s to say that we don’t have a contract with each other. It gives each group the opportunity to have fun and find what they wish. I see, for my part, the blog like an artistic work in and of itself that I work on just like my other groups (College and Sexy Sushi).

bisouK: What would Valerie say if she came to us in a dream?

DG: I think she would be really happy to see her name in bright colors on the T-shirts!

bisouK: So where can people find those dope t-shirts you make?

DG: To acquire a handsome Valerie T-shirt the only address you need is:
Valerie.merchandising@gmail.com Get yours today!

To ice this cake we have a smooth listen called D.A.I.S.Y. by College. We advise you to take this premiere track like the virgin it is…and enjoy it like a $20 whore.

College - D.A.I.S.Y

September 1st marks the release date for the self-titled debut album from the St Albans, U.K. trio Friendly Fires. “This 37 minutes of music is the end product of two years’ inspiration, frustration, toil and passion,” say the band. “We set out to merge heartfelt, romantic songwriting with our love of the dancefloor and blissful shoegaze guitars.”

The debut album, via XL Recordings, consisting of 10-tracks, will include the single ‘Jump In The Pool’ produced by Paul Epworth, which is the only track that the band did not produce and artwork by John Beasley. We can’t wait for it!!!!! Relive the addictive ‘Paris’ directed by Price James, below!

The long-awaited, modern-discoid-psych-rock heavyweight album of the year arrived when Vincent, Andy and Daniel Juggernauts decided to let “Dystopia” out of the Terrordome a month back. Exceeding the anthemic killer Institubes single “Road To Recovery” from ages ago - and that record was certified showstopping - and proving that modern-discoid-psych-rock fully deserves 50 mins of supersonics, Midnight Juggernauts just slayed Glastonbury and will be hitting Europe this month.

4th July, Paris, Solidays fest
5th July, Belfort, Eurockeenes fest
9th July, Montreaux, Montreaux Jazz fest
12th July, Lisbon, Alive fest
18th July, Barcelona, Summercase fest
19th July, London, Lovebox
20th July, Suffolk, Latitude fest

Here’s a lil Vincent Vendetta MJ/TM chat:

Terence: Old school slasher movies seem to do it for ya, what’s the most absurd b-movie scene that you love?

Vincent Vendetta: “Blastfighter” is a special film for me. It’s not very good but it’s one of the first films I bought on VHS. It’s basically another action about a guy killing people one by one. The premise of the film on the cover describes nothing but information about how powerful the lead character’s gun is, and nothing about the plot. That probably says it all.

Terence: Did you learn any French love-making tips from Justice?

Vincent Vendetta: Yes. Never kiss and tell.

Terence: What’s your number-one-how-to-stay-sane-on-the-road, tip?

Vincent Vendetta: Number one would be to remember to enjoy yourself. As long as you remember it’s an adventure and to savour it. Also check with the locals before jumping into new swimming holes.

Terence: How’s Melbourne? The arts and music and video scenes seem to be pretty fun right now?

Vincent Vendetta: Yeah Melbourne has a pretty healthy arts scene and lots of music venues so it’s easy to start a band and get playing. Maybe it’s because it has colder weather than the rest of Australia so people spend more time indoors being all arty and poetic, rather than surfing and crocodile hunting.

Terence: How did you meet the Krozm (the film/art collective/tyrants who helped direct and edit MJ’s experimental “Twenty Thousand Leagues” video) guys?

Vincent Vendetta: They were friends of ours. One of them used to live with Dan from Cut Copy and we all bonded over a love of trashy movies. It’s great when you meet a bunch of like minded individuals so you don’t feel so bad about being a nerd.

Terence: The range in the album may come as a surprise to peeps who got into you guys with “Road To Recovery”, can you describe the rest of “Dystopia”?

Vincent Vendetta: Yeah, we wanted to create a classic album which tells a story from start to finish, and traverses through different moods and styles and emotions throughout, rather than just being a collection of dance tunes. So there’s songs which are up-beat and down-beat, and other tangents which all help strengthen the mood we wanted on the album. It’s definitely not all for the dancefloor. Regardless of its style or genre we wanted to create songs which people can lose themselves within.

Graphic ‘Take Me To Your Leader’ by Solve, Chicago

“Foster a more positive, productive society.” – SOLVE

It isn’t just music that can cause a powerful impact, art does as well. One of my greatest passions in life is viewing street art in all of its many forms. Years ago, I spent countless hours exploring the vast surfaces of Chicago and other cities with a variety of mediums, always striving to perfect the letter style for the name I once sprawled everywhere. Graffiti made an impact on my life and the way I view things. I met some of the greatest artists whilst on this path and I will always remember those days.

With the major crack down of graf over the past 10 years, the street art that once covered so much territory has vanished in comparison to when it was flourishing. There are still some around, the ones that shouldn’t bother and the art you take notice of and think ‘wow, that’s so cool.’ On my walks around the city of Chicago, I have come upon some fantastic visuals created by someone named SOLVE. The art he created had stories to tell. They made an impact with their guerrilla style graphics, bold colors and messages to those passing by.

I enjoyed seeing SOLVE’S art as I’m sure so many found inspiration whilst going about their daily lives living in the concrete jungle. Images that on an early morning struggle to work, or on a rainy day while waiting for the CTA, could probe you to look closer and bring an inner smile. These are the things that faceless urban artists can do for me.

It is with great sadness that only a few days ago I learned that SOLVE was brutally murdered in Chicago. At first I couldn’t connect his alias to the work he did, but after some research and seeing his work, I realized that someone very important was taken away from our city and this world. Although I did not know him, he inspired me, he added a unique perspective to life in this city. He is one of my peers in the graphic and design world and for these reasons, his life should be celebrated and remembered. Keep your eyes open.

Ignorance breeds anger. Anger breeds hate. Hate breeds violence.

Street art in Chicago
SOLVE RIP Flicker pool of art

SOLVE’S ART

TRIBUTE TO SOLVE

USB

SOLVE, Bonus, 7ist,Senor Codo, Sneak Thief, Sammo, & StarheadBoy

After all the flash in the pan, 5 minutes of fame, 130 bpm garbage cluttering an itunes playlist, a music fans yearns for something truly fresh. Something, that won’t be a joke or embarrassing to find 6 months later. Something that you’ll run to tell your friends about or keep secret as your own personal audio treasure.

Salem delivers, in more ways than one, giving the listener everything they didn’t even know they need. Shrouded in mystery, with two cryptic myspace’s and no real place of origin (they claim Chicago, New York, and Michigan.) One would think that this would be a technique to add to already building hype but it becomes increasingly apparent that Salem are just accidentally building to their hype. They are just young group of artists drawing from there influences creating a unique experience for themselves and their listeners and everything that happens in between is just chance.

The music is haunting and beautiful, perfect for headphones or blasting on the boombox during bedroom love sessions. The group describes themselves as a blend of “black metal, Southern rap, early goth, screw, and juke”. While that description could easily make for the worst mash up, bandanna wearing bandanna, all over print bullshit, It’s only serves as a reference point of the actual creation process of the music. While its unfair to pin point comparison groups, Salem is a must have for fans of my bloody valentine, cocteau twins, christian death or even dj screw. Something so simple and obvious yet totally inventive and new. Salem operates on many parrells building a wide array of fans including indie web media’s Pitchfork and countless more.

They have an upcoming 7″ to be released on Acephale Records. It will be pressed on white vinyl with a limited amount of 500 with no represses. The 7″ is titled “Yes, I smoke crack” and will feature the songs; redlights, snakes, deepburn, and dirt.

No word on digital release but this is one to have on vinyl.

North American Pre-Orders are available through paypal here.

And International Orders here.

and both myspace pages here and here.

This is their cover/tribute to Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia” for Trash Menagerie readers listening pleasure.

Salem - Brustreet