www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TL3oaHKCko

I’ve got some awesome news on that front.

The CDs have been assembled by Mars Pyramid and are on the way to Contrarian HQ. The inimitable Susan Norton has turned in the comic that comes with the purchase of the physical copy of the album. The liner notes have been written and the lyrics pieced together. All that’s left are the videos (and probably a podcast where I explain what a tremendous pain in the ass it is to do this stuff, but also why it’s fun and rewarding). Look for an official rollout within the next couple of weeks.

But it’s not all about me, me, me. I’ve decided, after six or so solo releases (at least two of which have been successful by modest standards), to put out some stuff by other artists.

Lux Eterna is the name of the label, and the next release will be from classically-trained experimental-Americana guitarist Mark G. Cooley, who has decided to go electric on his new recording. (Go ahead, scream “Judas!” — it always feels good.) So what does this as-yet-unnamed album sound like? Picture Discipline-era King Crimson as played by technicolor gnomes from another dimension and you’re almost there. There’s lots of cool shimmers and shudders for all you noise addicts, too. In other words, something for everyone.

Next, I hope to collaborate on a pop song cycle with Arthur Adams. I’ve long wanted to compose an album in tribute to weirdo rocket scientist Jack Whiteseide Parsons in which bygone California — in all of its bootstrapping, schizophrenic glory — serves as a musical lodestone. Last time I checked with Arthur, he was down. All the way down, even.

After (or perhaps before) that, I hope to release something from The Ten Thousand Things, whom readers will know as our resident Library Scientist, Wes Covey.

By the way, my short story “The Cove,” which was featured as a digital extra for my last record, Eldritch Musicks, is published in the latest edition of Fantastic Horror #16. You can read it online, even.

As you were.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oloFLyel3Is

Hat tip to MGP.

Easily the catchiest exercise in r&b irreverence since “Crazy.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6PGzC6_WMw

www.youtube.com/watch?v=skCV2L0c6K0

In mini-Juggalo news, Violent J‘s progeny, Violent J.J.(!!!), is launching his own music career at the tender age of… um, I’m guessing 5? The song is called “Bad Bad Man,” and it will either make your day or ruin it, depending on your blood-to-Faygo balance.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGqlRtXuJNE

And finally, because there was a strange harmonic convergence around Billy Squier a couple of weeks ago (don’t ask), I am posting video that tragically derailed his career. But before you have a look, please consider my friend Elizabeth’s astute observations:

I would hardly say it’s tragic — I found it very informative. It’s like one legendary move after the next. Here are some of the high points for me:

1. He starts out wearing a completely absurd shirt that for whatever reason has one nearly torn off sleeve

2. His dancing is mostly a lot of marching around and then rolling around on the floor

3. Is that a crane? In his bedroom?

4. He rips his shirt off and immediately replaces it with an equally ridiculous one (Why? I mean, if he was so encumbered by the first one, why put on a new one that appears to actually be LAYERED TANK TOPS)

5. Just when i think that I’m going to explode from the sheer euphoria of this feast of the senses, I’m happily rewarded by three more minutes of the song.

The short is called “The Grind,” and it’s a musical tour de force about how being a porn star is the worst job in the world. Well, almost.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0O3aT6FPqI

Good luck to Kelly and co. as they try to grab the 48 Hour prize (whatever it might be)!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqlVCKfX3hk

1. Hilarious/compelling concept

2. Concept is infinitely repeatable

3. Content is easy to produce.

I came up with these rules off the top of my head, but I still think they’re valid. Interesting that The Contrarian doesn’t quite hit the mark. Delancey’s new site, Stairway to Poetry, nails all three.

The concept couldn’t be simpler, but it’s definitely got legs: “an algorithmic approach to poetry composition using classic rock lyrics and Google translator.” Fucking. Awesome.

Here’s the AC/DC classic “Back in Black,” translated thusly:

English->Hebrew->Lithuanian ->Welsh->Vietnamese->Spanish->Swahili->Finnish->Japanese->English

Back in black
I go to sleep
I am a long time, I’m very excited again
Well, the opening
Link
I still keep it
I keep looking at the sky
It is not so,
Forgot your funeral, even for the dead
My nine lives
Cat
Using the behavior of wild

I’m back
Yes, I’m back
Well, I’m back
Yes, I’m back
Well, I go back, come back
(Yes) I’m black again
Well, I’m black

Back
Cadillac
Coup, called
Yes, I am an explosion
Gang
When I persisted, they caught me
Is again the way I am,
I head
Nobody is going to rap
Look at me now
I’m playing now
Do not push your luck. To my way

I’m back
Yes, I’m back
Well, I’m back
Yes, I’m back
Well I go back, come back
(Yes) I’m black again
Well, I’m black

Well, I have Yes, I’m back
Well, I have Yes, I’m back
So I go back, come back
I’m black again
I’m black again

Hooo yes
Oh well
Yes, it is
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, right
Now back to the top
So, I repeat, I repeat,
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back in black
I’m black again

———————————

Wow, huh? The Powers of Dorkness compel you to bookmark and/or RSS this site post-haste!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSLRHvrOe6U