Ratatat

I'm not the only one fascinated by patterns! The combination, or should we say utterly contrast of background and performer makes it a worthwhile treat & tweet!

Can you feel the lights ?

I can literally feel the steps in the snow and dark as this independent little girl has in the beginning of the video... without any other further interpretations.

Kanye West... so many things has been said about him and I'm not going to raise my voice in either direction. The only thing I know is that he is an innovative and creative source that has a lot to offer, first and foremost to music but also with influence on other areas.

Maybe

Feelgood music! 

I'm Outta Time

OASIS | Myspace Music Videos

A sober and melancholy song, but the video is a beautiful black & white piece of work

Spellbinding facts about Trolls (Internet & Real world)

The homeland of Trolls

Lately I've stumbled across several articles addressing internet trolls and how they can make life miserable for anyone having internet sites depending on interactions with readers and customers. For many, success lies in the numbers and responses you accumulate on your site, but in the long run bulk responses and internet trolls can have a strong negative impact and hurt your credibility as a dependable source of information.

NPR (Public Radio) is one site that has initiated a troll hunt. To read more check this article: Public radio decides it's time to chase trolls away.

TechCrunch a popular blog about all things tech related has minimized the problem by using a Facebook commenting plug-in:  Facebook comments have silenced the trolls - but is it too quiet?

But here's the creative twist of today: I am introducing you to the old world of trolls. To get you in the right ambiance we need some music! You've probably heard this piece numerous times from commercials and  movie or perhaps you've hear it from recordings made by "The Who", "Electric Light Orchestra", "Erasure" or "Metallica". Originally composed by Edvard Grieg and premiered back in 1876. "In the hall of the mountain king":

What you might not know is that this piece is a description of a human being facing the horror of the Trolls in a mountain. And you are hereby warned about explicit lyrics:

Slay him! The Christian's son has bewitched
The Mountain King's fairest daughter!
Slay him!
Slay him!

May I hack him on the fingers?
May I tug him by the hair?
Hu, hey, let me bite him in the haunches!
Shall he be boiled into broth and bree to me

Shall he roast on a spit or be browned in a stewpan?

Ice to your blood, friends!

Mårten Eskil Winge 1872
"Thor's battle with the Ettins"

Trolls first appear in Norse Mythology about 1000 years ago. They have numerous forms and shapes and are grouped into categories. Without explaining every category they can in general be categorized as fierce (but not very smart), ugly beings usually with a bad agenda.

Found in isolated areas and rough nature like mountains, caves and thick woodlands and some lives in waters and in the ocean too. They can be big or small. Some are human looking and some are true monster-like with several heads. Enemies of  Gods, all things good and humans in particular. They operate between sundown and sunset because exposed to sunlight they turn to stone.

The popularity of the new movie "Thor" is another entry into the subject since he is known for having fierce battles with giant trolls ("Jotuns") It's really exiting to see Norse mythology being used as creative inspiration for new movies in 2011. The Norse mythology is a kaleidoscope of Gods, colorful figures, trolls, drama and myths. If you are into Greek mythology I highly recommend you  to explore the world of Asgard! : "The Norse Gods"

After the Viking era and the Christianity of Scandinavia the myths and legends from Norse mythology continued to live on in Scandinavian folklore evolving into a rich fairytale tradition and as an inspiration source for traditional art forms like poems, paintings and music. Even in modern times it is a cultural phenomena still having influence on it's surroundings. Do you know there are mountains  and roads named after Trolls, like "Trollstigen" ? (The Troll ladder).You  have oil fields in the Northern Atlantic discovered in 1979 named "Troll". So is a science station and a landing base in Antarctica and even a record label too. Trolls has become modern time tourist attractions and popular souvenirs.

Teodor Kittelsen 1906

As a child I grew up with the colorful world of fairy-tales, myths and trolls making each walk in the woods an exiting and imaginary place and they certainly has contributed to creativity. But there is another side to fairy tales that might not be so well known. From old times they have played a significant role as advisories and even as "parental guides". Through story telling back to times when people could not read and write they functioned as entertaining guides to what was wrong and right, good and bad and how to be smart and overcome the "trolls" in life and sometimes just being a simple guide to common sense. To give you an example, here's a short story translated to English:

"Boots Who Ate a Match With the Troll" 

Today the myths about Trolls continue to inspire modern creators and here's a trailer to a dark comedy movie "The Troll Hunter" first released in 2010 with recent viewings in 2011 at the Sundance FilmFestival, San Fransisco International Film Festival and Boston Independent Film Festival:

I might be far away from the origin of Trolls and sometimes I think I know how Thor must have felt falling down in the Nevada desert. The tropical landscape of Florida is far from rugged mountains, but still there are reminders. I've heard stories about the "Chupacabra" and the "Pechuen" from South American Mepuche mythology so in some sense I know there are other similar myths. Nevertheless we are just entering into a summer season when Thor makes his sound remarkable vivid around areas like Miami (he must have a hang for the tropics like I do :-) Reminding me of old landscapes, heritage and most importantly about being strong and fight the wicked ways of trolls. You don't believe me ? Trolls love to intervene and poke with humans. Beware! 

Mr. Scruff - Honeydew

Animated music video I just stumbled over. You kinda end up watching this through... Feel good tune accompanied by sweet, naive-clever animation.

Radiohead hits the newspaper stand

The first newspaper album - an example of how the music industry can take advantage of the digital revolution.  And perhaps could this be the beginning of reintroducing artwork as an integrated part of the music package & experience ? 

"The title of the more expensive option, the Newspaper Album is not a coincidence as the newspaper industry is having to adapt to the digital trends of contemporary society. In this regard Radiohead have been bold, brave and forward-thinking"

To read more from article:
Digital music revolution - Radiohead & "The King of Limbs" 

Radiohead's music store

Blue Music

Ever wonder how colors plays out in music? Here's some great examples with the color blue.  The video pick's are based on the color either appearing in lyrics and / or in a visual presentation. Some would may question why I not mention blues music as a genre. There is of course a link between the color blue and blues music, but this is such a vast area to cover that it is more than worth a blog post alone. And in a humble way I do know a thing or two about that. My mom loved music and she was a great fan of Billie Holiday. So against odds, as a child I grew up with blues music. I do comment about it in my project, ref. Have a colorful new year. Sometimes a little overwhelmed with only spare time and weekends to work on it - but it is moving forward, still in the process ; it may turn out to be a publication in some sort. Time will tell!

But back to the music! 

I was amazed finding this video with Dorothy Moore with the song that originates from her album dated 1976. There is no special effects, no lady Gaga costumes, the backdrop is so simple and in front a natural,  sometimes quirky, not choreographed singer with a big voice and a lot of soul. This video has restrictions in regards to copying so you have to click this link to see the video on you tube: Misty Blue

Moby's "Into the blue" resonates towards explaining the blue color as a communicative color and the video incorporates the use of relevant elements:

Moby - Into the blue - 1995

Bob Dylan recently appeared on the Grammy's award and for new generations an older ramblin' unknown guy with lyrics difficult to pick up. But he had (and may still have) an enormous impact on the baby boom generation. I can only encourage to explore his career, his impact and maybe most importantly his lyrics. In regards to this video clip "Tangled up in blue" is not a typical blues tune. In that sense I could have easily served you B.B. King's "Why I sing the blues" or another classic blues song. But this live video clip of Bob Dylan, gives other explanations to "why you sing the blues", about life known as complicated. Also the use of blue light on the cast of the video is interesting.

Bob Dylan - Tangled up in blue, 1974

Choices

And here's some slammin', jammin' groovy feelgood music:

Love of an elevator

 Here's an article about art literally finding new spaces to fill in New York city and I think it is a great idea! As it sometimes happens with this blogger I got this allegory to this music video from 1989:




To read the article: In New York, an Elevator is an Art Gallery

A powerful trio

...with a cool aid kinda supervision from master Herbie Hancock:

Beautiful music

But this is my darling when it comes to music these days...

More sides than one...

Yes I have! I love this music too:

Logo recognition ;-)

"Aries have flashing eyes and charming smiles"...and "are ambitious and never quit.(according to @Sexstrology) Well, who knows in these times with astrology confusion. ;o)