CLASSIC ZINBIN REPOST + SHOW TONIGHT

For the benefit of the members of the influx of people the fair city of Brooklyn/everyone coming into town next week, I thought I would do a repost of one of my first NYC entries. Ah, memories. Also, I'm playing with PHONE TAG tonight at Bruar Falls at 10, if you would care to join us. Brand new songs (as in only a few days old) and a new live set up! Eek! We're a man down, so I'm sure we're going to have alot of fun. You'll get to hear Gram0phone's sexy manbot voice and watch me bang on drum pads. Good times will be had. Anyway, without further ado

THE SORE FEET DIET

OR HOW TO LOSE ALL YOUR BODY'S INSULATION IMMEDIATELY BEFORE WINTER, THE BROOKLYN WAY

The Brooklyn Sore Feet Quick Weight Loss Guide for Autumn 2009 is not intended as serious medical advice. Accordingly, it should not be used in any attempt to diagnose, treat, or prevent a medical condition. That being said, it works.

1st meal (brunch)
Eat at as soon as you can after waking. Ideally this will be sometime between 11 AM and 3 PM. Wander around for 30 minutes calling people to see if they want to "do lunch." Never eat a substantial meal alone, ever. It does not particularly matter what you eat at this point in the day. Most varieties of noodles, sandwiches, and tacos are acceptable. The main point of this meal is to give you the energy to not immediately return to your bed, floor, or pile of bedding on the floor for a nap. Drinking alcohol at this meal is acceptable so long as you keep the previous guideline in mind. Contrary to popular belief, horchata, coffee, kombucha, water, various juices, and tea are all suitable alternatives to many of the more traditional breakfast beverages, such as the mimosa.

Interlude 1
This is an excellent time to do whatever it is you need to do. Wherever you are going, walk there. Walk ceaselessly. If your destination is too far to reach on foot in a reasonable amount of time, take the train. As a general rule, it's important to avoid any form of transportation that does not require you to scale or descend an excessive number of stairs at some point.

Make sure and get lost a few times per day, as this can greatly increase the number of miles you walk in a day. Your iPhone or any other electronic device with a rudimentary form of GPS can aid you to that end. Purposefully limiting your understanding of the subway system can also help.

NOTE: A good way to tell if you're sticking to the program is literally right beneath your feet. Are your socks and shoes in good repair? If you answered "yes," you may not be following the guidelines as well as you should. And your feet themselves, do they hurt? Even when soaked in warm water for 30 minutes? If you answered "no" to either, you may need to be paying more attention.


2nd meal (follow your nose)
This meal should be something you can eat while walking. Try to find something that can fit in one hand. Candy bars, churros, and nuts coated in some mysterious substance are all suitable options. Many other options are readily available from your favorite bodega. Coconut water or beer are common substitutes.

Interlude 2
See interlude 1. Continue to walk around. Finish up whatever you need to in preparation for the evening.


3rd meal (playing for keeps)
This meal ideally occurs between 7 and 9 PM. Its main purpose is to tide you over for the next 12+ hours. If you do not have a crippling cable TV or internet addiction that keeps you at home, this can be especially important. Once again, what you actually eat is immaterial, as long as the portion is sensible. Many express a preference for carbohydrates, as they provide a lasting source of energy for whatever activities the night brings. Others consider this meal totally optional, preferring a more sizable two candy bar/two churros/two whatever snack to the smaller portion described previously.

AN EXTREMELY BRIEF NOTE ON GOING OUT: If you do choose to go out, try not to eat until at least 4 AM. As always, the most important thing here is to remain in a state of constant activity. If you can, try not to stay at any particular location more than two hours. Taking cars or other non-stairs centric forms of transportation is the most acceptable during this time, but do not to overindulge, as you can quickly become dependent on this luxury.

RESULTS
Marvel as your previously fashionably fitting clothes expand around you, even as your body core seems to recede into itself and you find your once familiar limbs replaced with wiry, translucent versions of themselves. To compensate, add layers of clothing until movement begins to become restricted. Noticeable results should appear within 3 weeks. Repeat these steps everyday until completely satisfied with your life.

HOUSE AKA HOUSU NOW PLAYING

Held over at the IFC Center til Tuesday: what happens when you give a Japanese ad man (Nobuhiko Ôbayashi of the Charles Bronson MANDOM commercials) way too much money to make a movie? No, I'm not talking about Survive Style 5+, although that movie is awesome, too. Think weirder. Think matte sunset paintings, eye popping color saturation, wind machines indoors, editing that goes beyond just being "unconventional," more and more mattes, visual metaphor (?), playground style misogyny, uncalled for animation, stop motion, and a sunny soundtrack that's far more suited to the CMs the director was accustomed to crafting than a ghost story, even one as bizarre as this.

Oh yeah, did I mention it's a ghost story? Still, I hesitate to call this a horror movie. There's too much of a distinct childlike sensibility here. Chalk that one up to most of the plot being the product of the imagination of the director's daughter. When people talk/write about this movie, they like to say "it's like [INSERT HERE] on acid." The color palate, editing, and relentlessly bizarre visuals do lend themselves to a psychedelic vibe, but in my opinion, it's an oversimplification and implies that the director was not being deliberate. Dreamlike would be the term I'd use. Hypnagogic works, too.

Believe me, the arsenal of special film techniques used in this movie didn't just happen on their own. They come in and out and overlap and twist and confuse and that's the whole point. Among the rule annihilating cuts, complete breaks in style, and muddled dialog (characters tend to talk over each other, which can make the dialog hard to follow for those of us dependent on the subtitles), all that apparent chaos is actually building the aesthetic. Sneaky. And defining that aesthetic is just about impossible. There's not really a context to discuss it in, except for Japanese CMs. Even so, this is a full length movie we're talking about. The fact the film is intentionally difficult to comprehend in the same way you (AKA an audience) would normally deal with a horror/any film, much less be able to quickly break it down and analyze it, is likely a huge part of its appeal to the cult film community.

TRAILER


Also, I'd like to point out that this was not an obscure director's final career ruining film, as many have implied. Far from it, Nobuhiko Ôbayashi went on to direct many many feature films and successful CMs. Check out his IMDB entry if you want to know more.

Anyway, if I were a good blogger, I would have pimped this part harder at the top of the entry, but alas, it's going down here. SHOWTIMES AND TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE DO IT GO GO GO BE HAPPY GO GO

MR. SATURDAY NIGHT INTERVIEW

I recently had the opportunity to interview Eamon Harkin and Justin Carter of New Release, Mr. Saturday Night, Sunday Best, and a thousand other cool things for a recent piece I did for Joonbug. I sincerely thought it was a shame to edit down an interview with two of the most literate people in the New York dance music arena, so I'm presenting the full discussion here on ZinBin. Enjoy!

On Mr. Saturday Night's migration to Brooklyn:

How has the transition from club to loft space affected your perspective on Mr. Saturday night? Has is affected changed the aesthetic you're trying to achieve?

Justin: Well, I for one have always preferred loft parties to traditional club events, so in a way I feel like Mister Saturday Night is just coming into its own now. Of course we have a soft spot for Santos, where we started the party, but the loft feels more like home. Hosting a party in a loft in Brooklyn, though it is becoming more and more common, still challenges the typical expectations that people have about going out. Even when you're walking up to the party, before you get inside, there's a very different impression given off than when you're walking up to a club with security barricades and two or three security guards standing outside.

Eamon: Brooklyn is a natural home for what we do, whether its Mister Saturday Night or Sunday Best, and the loft space we're using feels like the right fit for what we're about right now. We have more autonomy now which is also very important as being in control of all aspects of the production of the event is important to us. We hire all the staff, own the sound system, curate the line up and of course are the resident DJs.

Weekly dance parties seem to be moving to Brooklyn en masse. Do you guys think this is a function of real estate/available venue space? Bringing the party to the people that want to party? The general phenomenon of "Brooklyn appeal" these marketing suits keep talking about?

J: It's definitely a function of real estate and venue space. That's not just because there can be fewer venues because of high rents, either. That's also because the clubs that do exist have such high rents that it seems like they often have to do things outside of their ideals to meet their break even point. I feel like over the past few years, we've seen some solid places with great ideals open up with guns blazing: great bookings, great sound, an interesting overall aesthetic, and so forth. In the end, though, they can't sustain their ideals, and they have to start doing things that they aren't necessarily psyched about to make sure they can make ends meet.

E: The commercial realities of Manhattan have led it to be a less interesting place for music and art when compared to Brooklyn. The fact that the better parties are happening in Brooklyn now is of no surprise to me.

On the topic of New Year's:

Obviously, you guys know how to keep a weekly party fresh week after week. Have you been saving anything special for New Year's Eve at Market Hotel?

Justin: Well, beyond the fact that we're running an open bar all night, we're keeping things as we normally keep them at Mister Saturday Night. We'll probably do a countdown or something, but really, I feel like New Year's Eve gets too much pomp and circumstance sometimes, and the best parties I've ever been a part of on New Year's were good because they were good -- not because of something specifically New Year's related. That's not to say we won't make it special -- we're hosting Omar S, playing really good music ourselves, using our full Turbosound sound system and stocking the bar with drinks that are made with quality -- it's just to say that we try to make every one of our parties special.

E: We're actually trying to make NYE really simple for our audience this year. A very affordable ticket gets you a great party, with one of the world's best DJs and a full open bar. You really cant do much better than that!

Is there a New Year's Eve that stands out in your memory or lack thereof?

J: The first New Year's Eve party I ever threw was probably my favorite. It was at Asterisk, a now gone Brooklyn spot where I threw my first loft parties. I think it was 2004 going into 2005, and we had a few bands on the bill. I think Kudu, The Epochs and a few others. Roy Dank and Brennan Green played in the back room, I played in the front room, and there was free beer for everyone who came, and it was just generally a big, crazy party.

E: A couple of years ago I played a 5 hour set in the basement of 205. It was packed and strangely for NYE felt very spontaneous. It was the only time I played there and I had a blast.

On the topic of the future:

2009, a good year for New Release and its various incarnations. Any grands visions for 2010? The new decade in general?

J: 2009 was really our first year! I mean, I started writing the New Release Weekly Selections (the one about events going on every week in New York) about five years ago, and Eamon and I have both been doing events and DJing for a while now; but this was the first year that Eamon and I worked together constantly as a team, and it was the year that we gave a lot of our past endeavors real focus and direction. As an individual it's really nice to step back and see that the partnership has taken me forward. There are a lot of ideas floating around up there, but without the right partner, those ideas often don't take shape, and with Eamon, things really have gelled.

As for the future, there are lots of grand ideas that we have cooking, but for right now, Mister Saturday Night, Sunday Best and our Weekly Selections will keep us plenty busy.

E: We're delighted with the success of Mister Saturday Night and Sunday Best in 2009 and New Release is really finding it's voice as a credible music editorial site now. We plan to build those brands in 2010 and to continue to challenge ourselves and do new things. Justin and I have really hit our stride as a DJ pairing which I'm really happy about and we definitely want to build on that and to find some time to do gigs in Europe and throughout the US. I also have some productions coming out with my production partner Steve Raney which I'll be happy to see get released.

EXPONENTIAL TEQUILA BLOGGING

For anyone who made it out to the Hornitos Ball on Sunday, if I say wow, you know what I'm talking about. If I say "ouch," you probably understand even better. The actual ball they're dropping on NYE in Times Square made a special guest appearance. Very cool! Total sci-fi set piece material. Full write up (here)

BONUZ

THE SORE FEET DIET

OR HOW TO LOSE ALL YOUR BODY'S INSULATION IMMEDIATELY BEFORE WINTER, THE BROOKLYN WAY

The Brooklyn Sore Feet Quick Weight Loss Guide for Autumn 2009 is not intended as serious medical advice. Accordingly, it should not be used in any attempt to diagnose, treat, or prevent a medical condition. That being said, it works.

1st meal (brunch)
Eat at as soon as you can after waking. Ideally this will be sometime between 11 AM and 3 PM. Wander around for 30 minutes calling people to see if they want to "do lunch." Never eat a substantial meal alone, ever. It does not particularly matter what you eat at this point in the day. Most varieties of noodles, sandwiches, and tacos are acceptable. The main point of this meal is to give you the energy to not immediately return to your bed, floor, or pile of bedding on the floor for a nap. Drinking alcohol at this meal is acceptable so long as you keep the previous guideline in mind. Contrary to popular belief, horchata, coffee, kombucha, water, various juices, and tea are all suitable alternatives to many of the more traditional breakfast beverages, such as the mimosa.

Interlude 1
This is an excellent time to do whatever it is you need to do. Wherever you are going, walk there. Walk ceaselessly. If your destination is too far to reach on foot in a reasonable amount of time, take the train. As a general rule, it's important to avoid any form of transportation that does not require you to scale or descend an excessive number of stairs at some point.

Make sure and get lost a few times per day, as this can greatly increase the number of miles you walk in a day. Your iPhone or any other electronic device with a rudimentary form of GPS can aid you to that end. Purposefully limiting your understanding of the subway system can also help.

NOTE: A good way to tell if you're sticking to the program is literally right beneath your feet. Are your socks and shoes in good repair? If you answered "yes," you may not be following the guidelines as well as you should. And your feet themselves, do they hurt? Even when soaked in warm water for 30 minutes? If you answered "no" to either, you may need to be paying more attention.


2nd meal (follow your nose)
This meal should be something you can eat while walking. Try to find something that can fit in one hand. Candy bars, churros, and nuts coated in some mysterious substance are all suitable options. Many other options are readily available from your favorite bodega. Coconut water or beer are common substitutes.

Interlude 2
See interlude 1. Continue to walk around. Finish up whatever you need to in preparation for the evening.


3rd meal (playing for keeps)
This meal ideally occurs between 7 and 9 PM. Its main purpose is meal is to tide you over for the next 12+ hours. If you do not have a crippling cable TV or internet addiction that keeps you at home, this can be especially important. Once again, what you actually eat is immaterial, as long as the portion is sensible. Many express a preference for carbohydrates, as they provide a lasting source of energy for whatever activities the night brings. Others consider this meal totally optional, preferring a more sizable two candy bar/two churros/two whatever snack to the smaller portion described previously.

AN EXTREMELY BRIEF NOTE ON GOING OUT: If you do choose to go out, try not to eat until at least 4 AM. As always, the most important thing here is to remain in a state of constant activity. If you can, try not to stay at any particular location more than two hours. Taking cars or other non-stairs centric forms of transportation is the most acceptable during this time, but do not to overindulge, as you can quickly become dependent on this luxury.

RESULTS
Marvel as your previously fashionably fitting clothes expand around you, even as your body core seems to recede into itself and you find your once familiar limbs replaced with wiry, translucent versions of themselves. To compensate, add layers of clothing until movement begins to become restricted. Noticeable results should appear within 3 weeks. Repeat these steps everyday until completely satisfied with your life.

HOPANGO

Going on and off the subway. Turning with the train. The fast transitions between daylight and darkness and muted daylight, filtered by impact glass and smothered by cyan fluorescent.


"Ladies and gentleman, can I have your attention, please," says the flight attendant. The flight attendant asks for change. The request is ignored. A sign on the wall suggests that calling 311 will provide the "change" and "quarters" the flight attendant truly requires can come only as the result of some vague package of social service options. The are no particulars included. "Orange, apple, and left over sandwiches, please. Anything helps. Apples, oranges, leftover sandwiches, or anything you might spare." A sharp jerk concludes the flight. The stop is here. You leave. Voila. There is a new flight attendant the next day or the next. There are also pretty girls on the subway.

SINCE LAST WE SPOKE

Well, I made it. Not made it made it, but I'm here; I've made it here; looky me, here I am. I'll admit, getting to New York felt a bit like this:

I have adjusted somewhat since. That process will continue.

Finding things to do has kept me busy. Leads that seemed to be prayers, long shots, and wishful thinking are starting to call me back/make their interest known. It's encouraging, but I still need more. I have one possible job on Friday. That possibility is super exciting, but I am impatient with waiting for phone calls.

If the signs declaring that airport x-ray machines somehow do not ruin film are true, I will have pictures soon.

NOTE
I've also discovered the inadequacies of the term PA. The A is easy, as it almost invariably means assistant. The P is just not enough. Too many words start with P. Are you hiring a photo assistant, personal assistant, production assistant, or pyrotechnic assistant? Some people don't seem to know either. Lines blur. People make mistakes. Hopefully nobody gets set on fire, unless that is what is supposed to be happening.