This was a hell of a week. Went as follows: Premier, gig, premier, gig, meeting for hiphop movie. Saturday was a small respite followed by today which I spent most of hammering out a scene breakdown of the film. I've still got a review to write later and a short story that's been commissioned and due for the end of feb. Oh, and i'm waiting for those submissions from all of you interested in writing for 1-Up.
It's weird that I'm working on a hip-hop film. It's something I've always enjoyed. No doubt if you catch a chupacabraz gig (yes I know there's a scarcity these days) you'll see our love for hip hop rear its head. It's interesting though that Cha told me the other day that by looking at me you'd never think that I knew a lot about hip hop or listened to rap. music afficionado, yes, hip hop scholar, no.
Brings back memories of those first few days in this country when I was asked the ever crucial, dividing line question of the time, hip hop ka ba, o metal?
At the time, hip hop. And things changed. Still today i've got a strong inclination to listen to hip hop along with everything i'm listening to. Granted i'm overdosing on the boss and bob dylan. But I'm also rocking out to kanye and common.
One of the guys i'm working on the hip hop project with hooked me up with some Stephen Marley, which is some pretty good stuff. And i've been listening to blue scholars and lupe fiasco. Man, lupe fiasco's daydream (i think that's the title) is such an awesome track, through and through, and it makes a powerful statement about pop music.
blue scholars is some mind-blowing hiphop. If you are disgusted by the senselessness of hiphop on the radio, (God save us all from sean kingston, akon, and soulja boy) then it's time to start digging blue scholars' rhymes. They're intelligent, socially aware, and know how to lay down awesome beats like no other. For those interested, i've posted a couple of videos on my multiply. Screw the social justice blah blah i'm made to teach. If only I could pop in some blue scholars and let them do the talking, maybe, maybe something might get through. Oh, another one of those selling points, they're pinoy! well, at least the rapper is anyway. too bad that we don't pay as much attention to him as other pinoy hip hop artists who barely measure up artistically.
in terms of social awareness and the like, i always fall back on springsteen and his ability to portray the plight of his countrymen with a concern and love that is rare. i'm not the only one to pick up on this, and i've just gotten a book called bruce springsteen's america which shows how non-fans and various people have responded to springsteen's music. it's really interesting stuff. written by pullitzer prize winner robert coles, it gives voice to those listeners whose voices springsteen emulates. it also situates him in the pantheon of american poetry, with coles comparing springsteen to walt whitman and william carlos williams.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Before Chinese Democracy
It's getting pretty tough to answer the question, "When's the album coming out?" I attempt to cough and cover up and say, "Ahem, mmm, aherm, patapos na, ahem, ahem, cough cough." I mention it because, I think it might set a record, being second only to Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy, for most times that a release date has been moved.
Chinese Democracy is getting on around ten years and still nothing really in sight. I'm loading a supposed single from the album on youtube, but well, there's still nothing on the record rack. We've already seen most of the GnR move to superband Velvet Revolver, but that only further piques our interest in what Axl will come up with.
I get to talking about GnR because I've just picked up the greatest hits. What I've really been looking for is some 20th century anniv rerelease of Appetite for Destruction, but you take what you can get. I've been wanting to get it so that I could let Cha have a good listen.
One of the cool things about a recent party that we went to was that thanks to her exposure to Guitar Hero 3 she's gotten very very interested in heavy guitar rock. It's a cool feature in our relationship that we both love music very much, but we've been listening to very different kinds of music. Thus while she teachers me about classical music and jazz and the formal elements of music theory, I'm getting her to listen to The Beastie Boys and RATM, and GnR.
Listening to GnR brings back a lot of memories. I remember watching that concert video from Use Your Illusion over and over when I was in high school. That stuff was so awesome, it really helped to define my concept of rock and roll. Of course there are some things that are more cerebral or more technically proficient, but it's hard to find a band with the loud, raunchy, bash down the doors sound of GnR.
If anything though, this purchase of yet another greatest hits album shows the lack of great stuff at the record store. There are some beautiful albums that are out there, but they aren't sold at our local music stores (bibili na nga ng orig, wala naman dito)so there you go, another argument for piracy and downloads. And it goes to show that finding some great guitar rock is so difficult these days.
Chinese Democracy is getting on around ten years and still nothing really in sight. I'm loading a supposed single from the album on youtube, but well, there's still nothing on the record rack. We've already seen most of the GnR move to superband Velvet Revolver, but that only further piques our interest in what Axl will come up with.
I get to talking about GnR because I've just picked up the greatest hits. What I've really been looking for is some 20th century anniv rerelease of Appetite for Destruction, but you take what you can get. I've been wanting to get it so that I could let Cha have a good listen.
One of the cool things about a recent party that we went to was that thanks to her exposure to Guitar Hero 3 she's gotten very very interested in heavy guitar rock. It's a cool feature in our relationship that we both love music very much, but we've been listening to very different kinds of music. Thus while she teachers me about classical music and jazz and the formal elements of music theory, I'm getting her to listen to The Beastie Boys and RATM, and GnR.
Listening to GnR brings back a lot of memories. I remember watching that concert video from Use Your Illusion over and over when I was in high school. That stuff was so awesome, it really helped to define my concept of rock and roll. Of course there are some things that are more cerebral or more technically proficient, but it's hard to find a band with the loud, raunchy, bash down the doors sound of GnR.
If anything though, this purchase of yet another greatest hits album shows the lack of great stuff at the record store. There are some beautiful albums that are out there, but they aren't sold at our local music stores (bibili na nga ng orig, wala naman dito)so there you go, another argument for piracy and downloads. And it goes to show that finding some great guitar rock is so difficult these days.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
SAIS
Hey all, consider this entry an invite to contribute to Adam David's anthology SAIS, a collection of six word stories. Yep. If you'd like a backgrounder on the six word story, google that and wired, you'll find wired magazine's feature on it done by some of the most brilliant writers around.
anyways, adam's putting together a collection. very simple submission requirements, six word short stories, submit six of them to juncruznaligas@gmail.com. 6 stories, 6 words each. He'll have some people illustrating it. very cool stuff. the call for stories got me into a creative spurt. here are the ones i came up with.
What was left, we couldn’t salvage.
She didn’t have to say anything.
Before detonation, I will be illuminated.
I falter and recover every moment.
Attempts to recalibrate my worldview fail.
Do her eyes twinkle for me?
Three red lights. Why, Xbox360, Why?
I thought I could hide it.
I look at stars and dream.
It would have been funny, except—
Laws to be enforced—Philippine Government.
The asteroid was beautiful from afar.
She withheld kisses, but drew close.
I’m not addicted, I just need—
Apocalypse is imminent. Let’s have sex.
“Admit it!” “No!” “Admit it!” “No!”
In the digital world, I dominate.
Noobs, cry now for your mothers!
Supernova’s only pretty from other galaxies.
God disproven. Religious fundamentalists: “Now what?”
This blood here, it isn’t mine.
But I thought you were dead!
I didn’t mean to. Just happened.
Condom broke. The miracle of life!
My genes made me do it.
She said no. I insisted. Ouch.
In the moonlight she revealed fangs.
Heart burns from burgers, not love.
If only this probe would stop.
anyways, adam's putting together a collection. very simple submission requirements, six word short stories, submit six of them to juncruznaligas@gmail.com. 6 stories, 6 words each. He'll have some people illustrating it. very cool stuff. the call for stories got me into a creative spurt. here are the ones i came up with.
What was left, we couldn’t salvage.
She didn’t have to say anything.
Before detonation, I will be illuminated.
I falter and recover every moment.
Attempts to recalibrate my worldview fail.
Do her eyes twinkle for me?
Three red lights. Why, Xbox360, Why?
I thought I could hide it.
I look at stars and dream.
It would have been funny, except—
Laws to be enforced—Philippine Government.
The asteroid was beautiful from afar.
She withheld kisses, but drew close.
I’m not addicted, I just need—
Apocalypse is imminent. Let’s have sex.
“Admit it!” “No!” “Admit it!” “No!”
In the digital world, I dominate.
Noobs, cry now for your mothers!
Supernova’s only pretty from other galaxies.
God disproven. Religious fundamentalists: “Now what?”
This blood here, it isn’t mine.
But I thought you were dead!
I didn’t mean to. Just happened.
Condom broke. The miracle of life!
My genes made me do it.
She said no. I insisted. Ouch.
In the moonlight she revealed fangs.
Heart burns from burgers, not love.
If only this probe would stop.
Merchant without goods
This blog has pretty much gone into a coma last few months. Too many things have happened, and sadly, my writing is the first thing to suffer.
Though writing is so important to me, it's the first thing that gets cut once turmoil sets in. well, even the sniffles get me off the track. So much seems to have to go right for me to get into the flow of writing, but the simplest thing, like the darn sniffles that have bothered me the holidays and the teary eye that's back at the worst time.
Updates, things new:
Books, yeah!
Well, I've found myself in a couple of books, both edited by Vince Groyon. Short Stories for Harried Readers is already available in national. It's a collection of stories supposedly under 500 words. I went over the word count, but still made the list. According to Adam David, it's a pretty good collection, entertaining at least.
The other book's A Different Voice, it's the anthology released by Philippine PEN by young writers born after 1962. Fine, fine, that's not really young if you're born after 1962, but in general the collection is made up of young and up and coming writers.
I'm supposedly coming out in a couple more books in the coming months. much excitement. plus there's the hope that maybe in the next few years there will be that much fantasized book with my name on the spine.
Music
Chupacabraz is still finishing the album. Don't ask me. It'll be done soon. I hope.
On the upside, Angel Radio will be having weekly gigs at Magnet Katipunan. Rock's asked us to kind of mix Angel Radio with Cha's solo set, so it's going to be some of our stuff together, plus her solo, and hope it sounds alright. I'm pretty sure it will. We'll be playing bonifacio high street twice in january supposedly. see how these things pan out. it's not only that it's fun to be in a band with my girlfriend and a close friend who i connect with very well on a musical level, but the music that we're playing is stuff that no other band would try. I love the range of things that we play. How many people have you heard cover Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" for their acoustic night gigs? Or Bruce Springsteen? "Feel Flows?" "Nightswimming?" "Shooting Star?" These songs, these are songs that I love, and I love performing them. I suppose that's the exciting thing, finally getting to play these songs that I've always appreciated and wanted to play. And even though we're working the kinks out, man rolling out those fast parts in "Thunder Road" and trying to emulate the boss's emotional intensity is definitely a high point for me when we perform.
Listening is a different thing. I've picked up the essential bob dylan. And in the packet of Springsteen books that Cha gave me for Christmas, she included a copy of the essential springsteen, which we'd been scouring the city for months looking for. and my cousin sent me a copy of born to run. which, now that i own it, i can officially say is my favorite album of all time. it's just an amazing piece of work, a tremendous vision. It's all the things that have been written about it, truly a grand rock and roll opus. Any LEAP students who stumble across this, expect that this will be part of our study in the coming quarter.
I think that the depth and perception with which both dylan and springsteen tell their stories comes from their being attuned to the worlds that they inhabit, to the things around them. There's something in their songwriting, which in essence is also powerful storytelling, that we find missing in most contemporary music. It's no wonder that Dylan's Modern Times in 2006 and Springsteen's Magic in 2007 were strong contenders for album of the year. Think, these guys who could probably qualify for social security benefits in a few years (if they don't yet)are still making powerful statements with rock music. Rock is about rebellion and youth, yes, but in your old age, what should you make of it? Does it become the stuff that our parents listen to on a Sunday morning, or does it still find a way to be relevant, to make commentaries about the world in which it inhabits? Obviously I am not of the emo mind which finds its artists content with pushing forty and still whining about the prom.
I'm looking to pick up the album by MIA, which though it tops the Rolling Stone list for album of the year, can't be found on the shelves of the local stores. And friend and rapper Tukoy will be hooking me up with albums from rap group Blue Scholars, which I'm looking forward to.
Also, if anybody's downloaded and cobbled together soundtracks for Guitar Hero 2 and 3, please hook me up. After a party at Ed's, Cha has gone made for the games and the music.
Movies
My film viewing goes on. The MMFF thus far has been dismal. Saw Bahay Kubo: Terrible. Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo: Tolerable. Resiklo: had its moments, though most of the time my friends and I were laughing and we weren't supposed to be. has all the things that make filipino movies bad, but has some scenes worth watching.
I've noticed that the MTRCB writes reviews and gauges their ratings on the moral value of a film. Imagine though, the managed to find some redeeming moral value in Death Proof. I loved Death Proof, but who goes into that expecting redeeming moral value? In any case, these ratings actually serve as endorsements of film's moral content. I mean, where did you see a ratings and censorship board say of a film, "Nice movie?" Isn't that overstepping their bounds, which are to rate and censor, not to judge for moral content? or does that spill over? I'm not sure, the case could be argued, but i'd be happier if the MTRCB quit writing reviews of these films based on moral content.
I'm working on a few film projects at the moment, exciting and tough stuff. can't get into it here though.
and well, all these movies have been waiting to be seen on my shelf. Once upon a time in the west has been eyeing me doggedly. darn holidays, when will the schedule let up? will it be when i finally join the unemployment line?
Games
New Year's Resolution: Play more games!
Though writing is so important to me, it's the first thing that gets cut once turmoil sets in. well, even the sniffles get me off the track. So much seems to have to go right for me to get into the flow of writing, but the simplest thing, like the darn sniffles that have bothered me the holidays and the teary eye that's back at the worst time.
Updates, things new:
Books, yeah!
Well, I've found myself in a couple of books, both edited by Vince Groyon. Short Stories for Harried Readers is already available in national. It's a collection of stories supposedly under 500 words. I went over the word count, but still made the list. According to Adam David, it's a pretty good collection, entertaining at least.
The other book's A Different Voice, it's the anthology released by Philippine PEN by young writers born after 1962. Fine, fine, that's not really young if you're born after 1962, but in general the collection is made up of young and up and coming writers.
I'm supposedly coming out in a couple more books in the coming months. much excitement. plus there's the hope that maybe in the next few years there will be that much fantasized book with my name on the spine.
Music
Chupacabraz is still finishing the album. Don't ask me. It'll be done soon. I hope.
On the upside, Angel Radio will be having weekly gigs at Magnet Katipunan. Rock's asked us to kind of mix Angel Radio with Cha's solo set, so it's going to be some of our stuff together, plus her solo, and hope it sounds alright. I'm pretty sure it will. We'll be playing bonifacio high street twice in january supposedly. see how these things pan out. it's not only that it's fun to be in a band with my girlfriend and a close friend who i connect with very well on a musical level, but the music that we're playing is stuff that no other band would try. I love the range of things that we play. How many people have you heard cover Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" for their acoustic night gigs? Or Bruce Springsteen? "Feel Flows?" "Nightswimming?" "Shooting Star?" These songs, these are songs that I love, and I love performing them. I suppose that's the exciting thing, finally getting to play these songs that I've always appreciated and wanted to play. And even though we're working the kinks out, man rolling out those fast parts in "Thunder Road" and trying to emulate the boss's emotional intensity is definitely a high point for me when we perform.
Listening is a different thing. I've picked up the essential bob dylan. And in the packet of Springsteen books that Cha gave me for Christmas, she included a copy of the essential springsteen, which we'd been scouring the city for months looking for. and my cousin sent me a copy of born to run. which, now that i own it, i can officially say is my favorite album of all time. it's just an amazing piece of work, a tremendous vision. It's all the things that have been written about it, truly a grand rock and roll opus. Any LEAP students who stumble across this, expect that this will be part of our study in the coming quarter.
I think that the depth and perception with which both dylan and springsteen tell their stories comes from their being attuned to the worlds that they inhabit, to the things around them. There's something in their songwriting, which in essence is also powerful storytelling, that we find missing in most contemporary music. It's no wonder that Dylan's Modern Times in 2006 and Springsteen's Magic in 2007 were strong contenders for album of the year. Think, these guys who could probably qualify for social security benefits in a few years (if they don't yet)are still making powerful statements with rock music. Rock is about rebellion and youth, yes, but in your old age, what should you make of it? Does it become the stuff that our parents listen to on a Sunday morning, or does it still find a way to be relevant, to make commentaries about the world in which it inhabits? Obviously I am not of the emo mind which finds its artists content with pushing forty and still whining about the prom.
I'm looking to pick up the album by MIA, which though it tops the Rolling Stone list for album of the year, can't be found on the shelves of the local stores. And friend and rapper Tukoy will be hooking me up with albums from rap group Blue Scholars, which I'm looking forward to.
Also, if anybody's downloaded and cobbled together soundtracks for Guitar Hero 2 and 3, please hook me up. After a party at Ed's, Cha has gone made for the games and the music.
Movies
My film viewing goes on. The MMFF thus far has been dismal. Saw Bahay Kubo: Terrible. Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo: Tolerable. Resiklo: had its moments, though most of the time my friends and I were laughing and we weren't supposed to be. has all the things that make filipino movies bad, but has some scenes worth watching.
I've noticed that the MTRCB writes reviews and gauges their ratings on the moral value of a film. Imagine though, the managed to find some redeeming moral value in Death Proof. I loved Death Proof, but who goes into that expecting redeeming moral value? In any case, these ratings actually serve as endorsements of film's moral content. I mean, where did you see a ratings and censorship board say of a film, "Nice movie?" Isn't that overstepping their bounds, which are to rate and censor, not to judge for moral content? or does that spill over? I'm not sure, the case could be argued, but i'd be happier if the MTRCB quit writing reviews of these films based on moral content.
I'm working on a few film projects at the moment, exciting and tough stuff. can't get into it here though.
and well, all these movies have been waiting to be seen on my shelf. Once upon a time in the west has been eyeing me doggedly. darn holidays, when will the schedule let up? will it be when i finally join the unemployment line?
Games
New Year's Resolution: Play more games!
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