See (and hear) the new Launch 2011 DJ Mix

I've been itching to edit some tracks and create a mix that strays from ever exceeding the 125bpm mark. What the heck does that even mean? Essentially, I wanted to create something that finely stays outside of a mega-dance party sound, but would still motivate you to get out of your chair and shake your money maker.

Clicky and enjoy:

The CDs for this mix are being pressed as I type this, with lovely art by the talented Brady Tuazon. There will be roughly 100 of these guys to hand out at Launch.

So yes, I know I take forever to make my mixes and edits, but here it is. Download or stream it and enjoy. See you soon. 

See amazing games re-imagined as book covers

I often find myself reeling at the look and feel of most video game box art and packaging. Many of the current and previous generation's most moving game experiences are often referred to as "art"--which makes me wonder why the cover/packaging has to be so dire and throwaway in design.

So, color me giddy when I discovered A.J. Hatley, a UK artist, who has been reinventing some of the past decade's most moving gaming experiences and capturing them as book covers.

Make with the clicky and see for yourself: 

Most of A.J's work is drastically different than his cover re-interpretations, but I find it all to be rather intriguing. 

See my new prints and painting now

I have grown rather fond of the recent work by young artist Matheus Lopes Castro (quite a name I must say).

I chatted with him recently over email and told him that I wanted to edit a bit of his work for my blog's logo and how I was looking to add his work to my slowly growing collection. A super friendly guy, Matheus also pointed me to where I could pick up his work. If you talk to him and nag like I did, perhaps he would discuss parting with an original too. 

Anyway, I wanted to share the two that I am purchasing from him and encourage friends to see his whole collection. His older work may not impress me personally, but I love the new material. Keeping an eye on him. 

Circling my way out of trouble

Life's problems have a way of seeming so minuscule when listening to KoC (lovely acronym I know).

The goal is to compartmentalize and balance issues with work, social life, and general stresses. Learn to tackle them in a way that's logical and realistic. It's ultimately not that big of a deal. You can't change the world by yourself, but you can learn to deal with it a whole lot better.

Famine, civil war, the future of humanity, genocide--these are the things to truly fret over. The small stuff will pass. In the big scheme of things, it's important to stay out of trouble.

Erlend Oye's genuine openness and positive attitude and lyrics make me want to keep him in my back pocket.


I'll stay out of trouble. Thank you sir. 

See me move to no man's land

This really obscure track by Scandinavian boy Popnoname has been playing of late in my cycle. It held little value to me several years back, but slowly the lyrics went from being mindless to seeming rather perceptive. I'm not sure why, but they seem to stir something. 


Watch/listen/read and make up your own mind if it's rambling or if it makes sense. 

I listened to it a good 10 times to get the lyrics down until he just emailed them to me...ha.

"No man's land. I want to move to no man's land. Fuck the free world. Young, dynamic, and pretty high. I move to no man's land, where everyone knows themselves and nobody else. Moments that would influence no one. I close my eyes to be in no man's land. See the world through my eyes. Find what I need. Need what I find. Like me. Meet what I find. Like losing myself in a trance. In habit which can't be left behind in the picture of others. Everything being pretend the day after you were there. Poster sheets on tv. In the sun. 


The day I look in the mirror it only shows me shadows."

See me with a better camera.

Thanks to Armen's (he's not Ron Swanson) input, I have narrowed down my camera upgrade choice to this little guy. 

Based on unanimous feedback, it's a great entry into serious camera work. Do I plan to be serious about it? Absolutely not. Still, I want to look awesome as I walk around capturing random things I think hold value and meaning. 


Any thoughts from your end on this or another camera? I'm giving it a week before jumping in. 

Steal me!

Getting excited about a lot of new tracks and editing them.

I predict the new DJ mix (pretty different sound for me) will be ready in a week or two. I'm removing this mix once that's done. Hope you like. 

Sam I Jam - March 2011 DJ Mix by Sam_I_Jam

See me now?

With all the excitement and changes in life (and to avoid going in circles circles circles--thanks to a friend who taught me that you can get any address when you put the word in three times), I'm finding myself actually intrigued with the concept of having a little hub to share (and force upon) my interests with friends and loved ones. 


Let's be honest, a blog is generally done for selfish purposes. A chance to put your thoughts, opinions, and favorites in one neat package or to make profit. I'm aiming for the former. I used to dislike the concept, but at this point, it doesn't necessarily feel like that bad of a thing. 


After all, a little vanity never hurt anyone, right? Right?



Anyway, if you enjoy snobbery, music, film, inflated opinions, or are finding yourself to be generally bored--come see me now.

Oh and Follow the blog so I can harass you regularly. 


xo
sk