Mer-chan: technocuddly, cute, arty, geeky stuff from Asia and beyond » Music

Drop That Zero Get with a Hero

merchan — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:49:41 +0000

Vanilla Ice did not start a revolution, as some have predicted (see crazy comments) that canceling the show would rouse the people of Dubai into ideological action. But our Internet was suspiciously down for ages (sorry for not posting) and we saw this this new Internet cop with a bomb when we foolishly tried to use Flickr:

We’re not sure if Vanilla Ice’s show was related to the Internet issues, but in Get Loose he raps “I raid the track like a terrorist / And with my napalm bomb lyrics,” so we really appreciate the safety precautions taken by the U.A.E. But the show did go on a few days later. And Vanilla Ice gave the audience everything they wanted: old skool. He even threw in the Ninja Rap from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2…and everyone sang along.

And of course the crowd drunk rapping of Ice Ice Baby:

Rob Van Winkle, you are a professional, and at least you’re marketing yourself. Thank you for coming to Dubai! And stay forever cool as ice.

Dubai Heat Melts Vanilla Ice

merchan — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:33:43 +0000

We were all set for a 90’s extravaganza of Vanilla Ice and SNAP! playing here in Dubai. But a controversial sms shut down the show. Abu Dhabi’s sheikh sadly passed away, and the country is in mourning. But Barasti, the venue, told everyone: “STOP! COLLABORATE & LISTEN! VANILLA ICE AT BARASTI IS GOING AHEAD TONIGHT AS PLANNED. NORMAL OPERATION. (Contd) WE ARE NOT DRY! NICE, NICE BABY! 5PM-3AM C U ON THE SAND” This was taken as an insult, especially since it was written in all caps. Read all about the controversy in the UAE community blog. End result: police on the scene know what I mean?

Dancing in the Souk

merchan — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 08:36:00 +0000

As I lament the lack of public art in Dubai, sometimes the city surprises me and I stumble upon something even better — public performance art! While shooting Cultural Capital I caught some rather fantastic dancing, which I’ll share with you in the next few posts. For some reason, I often hear from people how joyless the region can be, and music and dancing is haram (not allowed). This video shows that public music and dancing is alive and kicking in Dubai. Near the gold souk, Chinese line dancers sashay in the shadow of the Twin Towers…only in Dubai.

Murakami in the Muck

Katy Chang — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:02:00 +0000

Check out McG’s video of Kirsten Dunst in full on sailor moon cosplay, produced by Takashi Murakami, the Superflat artist and Vuitton visionaire. I most enjoyed the wtf faces of the tokyo street kids. Takashi Murakami did great with product placement; I see his blossom flowers everywhere. But poor Kiki looked much better dancing in Bring It On.

Man with a Cam

merchan — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:54:20 +0000

Sorry for cross posting this tweet, but we had to say more than 140 words about Dziga Vertov’s brill experimental film Man with a Movie Camera. Playing with the idea of hidden cameras way before (1929) Candid Camera, the camera finds itself at a birth and death, and even ends up in a beer glass. We’ve often had nights of filming end up that way with our documentary — let’s say it’s very inspiring. And, if you happen to be in Dubailand, check out the film accompanied by soundtrack music at Mahmovie at the Jam Jar tonight at 7:30PM (Music for the Eyes series).

Original movie poster by Vladimir and Georgy Stenberg in the Russian Constructavision style

Project Gameway

merchan — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:00:30 +0000

Project Runway stomps into its 7th season, finally living the dream of brand extension via video game. Women’s Wear Daily sees the rise of video games targeted at fashionistas. Ubisoft’s Imagine, for little girls, lets them try on professions with games like Fashion Designer, Figure Skater, and Doctor — though I wish they had scientist and computer programmer in there too. Nintendo’s Style Savvy puts you in control as a trendy boutique owner. Jezebel thinks the Project Runway video game can lift up the fashion industry in the way that Rockband and Guitar Hero did for the music industry – “provide an interesting experience for players and a profitable outcome for those holding the licenses.” The problem with that is music has a well-defined bundle of rights that ensure the copyright holder gets paid licensing fees. But fashion is generally not protected under copyright, so the designer would not be compensated.

It’s On, Tenori-On

Katy Chang — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:06:25 +0000

My lust for music far exceeds my musicality. That’s why I’m eagerly awaiting the plastic orange TNR-O tenori-on, the electro-instrument created by Yamaha and artist Toshio Iwai. The tenori-on looks like a hybrid of Battleship, Connect Four, Tetris and Simon and “lets you enjoy playing without any knowledge of music or musical performance techniques.” Sounds in tune with my sensibilities! Little Boots rocks the tenori-on in this video for Remedy:

iAstley strikes again!

merchan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:08:19 +0000

Looks like Rick is calling

Numerous iPhone users serenade their favorite device to keep it in proper working condition: “Never gonna give you up… never gonna set you down…” So perhaps it should come as no surprise that the iPhone has been Rickrolled! The new “ikee” worm replaces the background with a picture of Rick Astley. The worm began in Wollongon, Australia and continues to spread its way around iWorld. As of now, it’s relatively harmless but there is always a chance it could mutate into something more serious (Bonus question 1: Which is more dangerous, a new flu virus or a new computer virus?)

We love Rick Astley! And we enjoy his wonderful video by choice on a regular basis! But we are even more impressed with the celebrity second life phenomena of the internet (Bonus question 2: What is your Bacon number?). Twenty years ago, Rick Astley was the talk of the town. Ten years ago he was a faded memory. And now, his starry eyes make their appearance in everything from Scientology protests to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to Nancy Pelosi press releases. And that’s one hit wonderful! Critical accolades, sold out concerts, and platinum records are all fine and dandy. But true fame rides the wave of an internet meme (Bonus question 3: When was your last wardrobe malfunction?) .

Lady Goes GaGa for Kitty

merchan — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:33:59 +0000

It started out innocent enough: Lady GaGa was a Goth Lolita inspired by Hello Kitty, and it escalated to wearing a dress made out of Hello Kitties:

Some of the Kitties are wearing suits made of other animals; I see a bunny suit, panda suit, pink leopard suit. And check out the anime-eyes detail. Photographers Markus Klinko and Indrani have snapped more pictures of GaGa fashioned with Hello Kitty as part of her 35th anniversary. And if you’re in LA, check out the Three Apples art show!

Hi, How Are You

Katy Chang — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:08:27 +0000

Slightly less realistic than Gus Van Sant’s rockstar in Last Days, Kurt Cobain shows up in in Guitar Hero 5. He’s even wearing a Daniel Johnston friendly frog shirt. This is a complete sham and travesty, but on the other hand I guess something has to bankroll the down payment on a $7 million dollar condo. For a teenager.