Of Drums and Buckets.

I greatly enjoy art and admire artists. Art to me is anything mundane that has been transformed into something thought provoking, emotionally stimulating and inspirational. I especially love it when new forms of art are being created. Anybody can expand on something that has been already created but to start something new all together is a truly special thing.

A recently featured video on YouTube features New Yorks Larry Wright who turns ordinary buckets of all kinds into drums. I will admit that this idea certainly isn't new. Poor kids worldwide with a beat in their head will find a good bucket to release them on. History will certainly support the connection between the invention of pottery and the invention of percussion. Larry Wright however uses his absolutely amazing talent to busk with. The idea of using any piece of plastic junk to make a little money with is certainly a very novel idea. One that will spread quickly.

Indeed the very day I first found out about Larry I happened to spend the night on Whyte Ave where I came across a busker who was clearly influenced by the New York Street Drummer. His drums were all pulled out of garbage bins and neatly strapped together with duct tape to form his own drum set. Predictably the only thing missing was any sort of talent. Whyte Ave was graced with the sounds of one whole drum beat for practically the entire night. As quickly as art is created it is defiled. So sad.

Z-Trip

I mentioned in a previous post that Champion has to be the best live experience I have ever had. Its a close call but Z-Trip at the Starlight Room last thursday is a very strong contender. Heard that night before an absolutely ravenous crowd were the likes of Aerosmith, ACDC, Metallica, John Mellencamp, Jimi Hendrix, Gun's N Roses, Nirvana and even Johnny Cash. All of this in between Hip Hop, Disco, House and even Drum N Bass. It doesn't sound like a very hot mix but you had to be there. It worked and worked very well. Many times Z-Trip picked up the mic and let us know we were the dopest crowd he has seen yet and I fully believe him. There was not one body sitting still that night and every dip in the volume was immediately replaced by hundreds of voices. Our energy certainly kept him going and he continued to play after three consecutive encores. By then I had to consider getting my sorry ass to work and never got to see how it ended. I was seriously considering calling in sick but I showed up with limp legs, no sleep and no voice. Even if you don't like dj's or electronic music I still strongly urge everyone to go catch his next show, you will not be disapointed.

Ear Worm of the Day

Todays insanely addictive earworm comes from Pythagora Switch, an incredible Japanese children show which features Rube Goldberg Devices in its transitions. The clever use of these machines have gained the show international attention but it was the "Algorithm March" that really turned the show into a true phenomena. The steps to this crazy little dance are taught by two of the shows actors then recreated in larger groups (My personal favourite: the Ninja's). Its become so popular that you can see it being performed in places like a public square in Stockholm, a Prison in the Philippines, and even the South Pole. It is the theme to this dance that got stuck in my head today and refused to die (I don't even know Japanese). Yet I can't help thinking to myself; do I really want it too? It is decidedly better than MmmBop.

"I wonder if it will end soon . . ."

Update: There's a laughably well done remix!