Sunday, March 7, 2021

Pop Art

LA Pop Art Celebrates Rock Band KISS with Branded Apparel

LA Pop Art announces that it has joined forces with KISS to launch a branded “Word Art” line of apparel that celebrates the legendary band’s enduring magic.

 
“You wanted the best; you got the best!” We couldn’t be more excited and honored to be working with one of the most iconic rock bands of all time and, more importantly, being able to offer The KISS Army something so unique,” says LA Pop Art company founder Joseph Leibovic.
 
Just in time to commemorate their End of The Road final tour, LA Pop Art has created the iconic KISS logo out of their popular song titles and the famous makeup of the Demon, Starchild, Catman, and Spaceman. T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags and more are now available for men, women, and children.
 
“There has never been a band like KISS and there will never be another band like them,” Leibovic adds. “We wanted to honor their legend with a truly one-of-a-kind design that is a must-have for any KISS fan.”
 
This fully licensed KISS merchandise is boldly printed with pride in the USA and available for purchase at LAPopArt.comMacys.comAmazon.com, and other select quality retailers.
 
LA Pop Art worked with KISS’s licensing agency, Epic Rights, to facilitate this partnership.
 
The company’s full line of products are available at www.lapopart.com.  

Saturday, March 6, 2021

"Gossip"


Sound of a Squint in Partnership with Symphonic

Release New Single

“Gossip”

By Experimental Electronic Duo

NMND

In Support of Skid Row Housing Trust

March 5, 2021


Sound of a Squint (SOAS), an imprint helmed by music industry veteran Allen Avanessian, has just released “Gossip,” a new single by NMND , today, March 5, 2021. Following the recent release of Mana Contractor and McLean Macionis’ debut EP, Integration, the duo’s next tune is a colorful and eclectic dance track featuring chopped-up vocals and lo-fi vibrations ricocheting over shards of broken breakbeats. Avanessian’s new label, in partnership with Symphonic Distribution, will donate a portion of proceeds to the Skid Row Housing Trust, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization seeking to eliminate the structural causes of homelessness. To learn more about NMND, please visit https://linktr.ee/nmnd

We are thrilled to release our next single with Allen, says NMND. Our creative process is motivated by the intention to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Having spent most of our lives in cities surrounded by a growing homeless population makes this collaboration with Sound of a Squint, in support of Skid Row Housing Trust, that much more meaningful to us.


NMND
Mana Contractor & McClean Macionis
Photo:
Lindsey Best


With their latest single, NMND builds on the collage process that is central to both artists’ creative practices. In Macionis’ words, “‘Gossip’ is a reflection on the power of our words and the manner in which we use them to influence the people around us.” Beginning with a cacophony of glitched-out conversation amongst family, Contractor improvises a melody garnished with an emphatic sigh; blowing off the drama before sharing her exasperation with a sly sonified eye-roll. Her voice is then pulled apart, rearranged, and reorganized using a plethora of creative technology. These alluring vocal manipulations spread like a rumor throughout the track, tempting the listener ever closer until they find themselves right in the middle of the conversation. Contractor calls out several repetitions of the phrase “you are” as if to point an imaginary finger toward the listeners themselves. The chorus signals a triumphant and unifying shift as the phrase “who we are” resounds over scintillating synthesizers and a playful lo-fi piano lead. The track is sealed with a kiss and Contractor’s lighthearted beatboxing leaves the listener tapping their foot having long-forgotten about what all the fuss was about in the first place.


LINKS

• NMND Hub

• Sound of a Squint

• Bandcamp

• Instagram @nmndmusic

• SoundCloud @nmndmusic

• Twitter @NMNDMusic

• Spotify

Friday, March 5, 2021

Film Buff Friday: The Invisible Man Appears

"A monochrome gem"

     —Letterboxd

Finally released outside Japan for the very first time, these unique riffs on H.G. Wells' classic character (though undoubtedly also indebted to Universal's iconic film series) are two of the earliest examples of tokusatsu (special effects) cinema from the legendary Daiei Studios. In The Invisible Man Appears, written and directed by Nobuo Adachi in 1949, a scientist successfully creates an invisibility serum, only to be kidnapped by a gang of thugs who wish to use the formula to rob a priceless jewel. In addition to being the earliest surviving Japanese science fiction film ever made, the film's entertaining special effects were an early credit for the legendary Eiji Tsuburaya, five years before he first brought Godzilla to life. Eight years later, Mitsuo Murayama's exciting The Invisible Man vs. The Human Fly tells the story of a series of mysterious murders where the only clue is strange buzzing noise at the scene of the crime... could this be linked to secret wartime experiments in shrinking humans to the size of insects? And can a scientist who's just invented an invisibility ray be the one to stop it?

Media

 Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

  • High Definition (1080p) transfers of both films on one Blu-ray disc
  • Original lossless Japanese mono audio on both films
  • Optional English subtitles for both films
  • Transparent Terrors, a newly filmed interview with critic and genre scholar Kim Newman on the history of the 'Invisible Man' in cinema
  • Theatrical trailer for The Invisible Man Appears
  • Image galleries for both films
  • Reversible sleeve featuring new and original artwork by Graham Humphreys
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing by Keith Allison, Hayley Scanlon and Tom Vincent

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Michael's Musings

Raise Your Hand in the Air Like You Don't Care...
Michael Shinafelt

Well the Golden Globe Awards were this past weekend signaling that award season is upon us. While I did enjoy that we got to see some people on the actual Globe stage, the whole Zoom thing is still kind of sort of interesting. It forces one to get creative in their presentation of themselves and their surroundings. 

This touches on what I'm about of late, getting creative. Finding my happy place within, because ain't nobody gonna give that to you, got it? Good!

Always Remember: In a storm of stillness chew on the gristle of your soul. That is all.

Do you ever sit and think that some people have dick hands?

I don't wanna be buried in Slut Cemetery...

Cover yourself in wit & rhythm 

Sometimes I simply wanna chase the White Rabbit down that rabbit hole

Cheerleader full of spunk, discuss

Texas has a stupid governor in it, Lord have mercy on our souls (sung to the tune of Texas Has A Whorehouse In It)

Tim Allen, Tool Time indeed

Woman Crush of the Week - Gillian Anderson who won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher on The Crown

You should not be surprised, I told you that I live here

Filibuster be gone, I command you!!!

I like to go big and go home

Do I look thirsty???

I don't care what that man does

Find out of whom I speak here:

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Hump Day & Chill

Get "Real"
Eric Nies

With the original cast of The Real World reuniting Friday on Paramount + I felt hunky model Eric Nies would be the perfect Hump Day & Chill for the week. He did after all show lots of skin during his career. Most notably baring it all for the Bruce Webber's Bear Pond.

Of note apparently Nies wasn't allowed to live with the others in their SoHo Loft for the reunion. He was forced to stay in a hotel room apart from his housemates and video call in. Nies says he couldn't explain why this is, but it was not his choice.

Whatever the case it sounds like drama! 

In the meantime tune in to the link below via Tye Briggs Favorite Hunks & Other Things and Hump Day & Chill to Eric in his Birthday Suit. It's may not contain drama, but it's a whole lotta bang for your...

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2009/05/favorite-birthday-boy-for-may-23rd-eric.html  

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Pillow Talk


A few weeks ago I was flipping channels and stumbled across an old movie made in 1959 to be exact, that I had heard of, but never seen. That movie would be the romantic comedy Pillow Talk starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day.

It was, well since it was made before I was born how about using a corny adjective: Delightful!

What's that? You've never heard of Pillow Talk, Rock Hudson or Doris Day? Say what?! Well prepared to get schooled I tell you what. Click on the link to my buddy Jay Jacobson's Classic Movie Blog below. Jay is an expert on old movies and the stars of them, he also includes juicy behind the scenes details as well.

That's correct Minions, you will learn something new, and that's always a fun thing 😎

Click it, click it good!!!

Monday, March 1, 2021

Happy Anniversary, Drunk


With the Pandemic version of the Golden Globe Awards going down yesterday evening a lot of celebrities took a stroll down memory lane on Social Media. That's correct they posted pics of The Ghost of Golden Globe Awards past.

So I am giving my favorite Globes of the Past Award to Chrissy Teigen. Leave it to Chrissy, if she ever wants to do a reality show, she now has a title. To post the most self deprecating and funniest post from years gone by.

There's nothing more that I can say about this memory, as she has really said it all.

For those about to drink, like Chrissy, we salute you!

Chrissy on Twitter -

https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen