One of my favorite DJs, Nick Terranova aka Starkillers, will be at Beta Nightclub in Denver Thursday, May 1st.

Best known for “Discoteka” and “Scream,” they’ve also done popular remixes of Seal’s Killer.   He’ll be performing with Austin Leeds and Jerome Farley.

I’ve never visited Beta and look forward to checking the place out.  This new club is promoting itself as a “green” club, and although I’m skeptical of most corporate green claims Beta Nightclub has given some clear and simple ways of how they’re cutting down waste in the nightclub industry.   (Cups cups and more cups.)

Check out Starkiller’s music on Myspace.  Beta Nightclub is at 19th and Blake, downtown Denver.  Their site also features a clip of Beta management discussing their green initiatives with a local TV news station.    The entire Future Gringo team will be at this event.  Unfortunately due to the economy no more free T-shirts.  Say hello if you see me though - I’ll be wearing my favorite pants and need a haircut.

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There’s a few reason Nicole Torres has 100 times more friends on mySpace than me. One, she actually logs in at least once a month, and two, she’s one of the top young female artists around. And a wonderful down to earth person as I can attest to.

Her style as a songstress has been compared to Ani Difranco and Fiona Apple, but with a mix of spoken word and light rap. Her latest album from 2007 is titled “Out of Harm’s Way.” I personally love her juxtaposition of steady toe tapping grooves (such as “Soul Survivors”) but with sudden bursts of soulful rock as demonstrated in the song “Impulsive.” Mellow, ambient chill music like “Synopsys” round out a truly unique style.

Her group “Nicole Torres & the Affiliates” will be performing at Herman’s Hideaway this Friday, then at the Lion’s Lair on January 11th. After her schedule takes her to Iowa for a few shows she’ll be back in Denver performing through February. Full schedule at nicoletorres.com/tour.

You can listen to all of her songs at nicoletorres.com/music. After listening for yourself you’ll definitely want to plan a night out to hear her perform.

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I saw National Treasure: Book of Secrets over the weekend.  It was pretty hokey, but as far as dumb movies go it was one of the better ones - and I’m not ashamed to say I had fun and enjoyed it.

I read the New York Post review by critic Kyle Smith.  Writing as the “voice” of Nicolas Cage, this review is as entertaining as the movie itself.  This must be the first movie review I’ve ever laughed out loud at. 

An excerpt:

THIS is Nicolas CAGE. Remember when I used to make quiet movies for smart people? Things have CHANGED.  National Treasure: Book of Secrets” is my latest LOUD movie for IDIOTS. It’s another flick about maps, landmarks and buried treasure that makes “The Da Vinci Code” look like TOLSTOY.  And yes, I do continue to develop my HABIT of suddenly YELLING in the middle of a sentence.

Read the rest here.  Photo from Rottentomatoes.

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With some days off and down time in SoCal coming up I started watching the Twin Peaks Gold Box DVD set, and plan on getting through at least one season over the next few weeks.

I initially watched the series on VHS about six years ago, being slightly behind the curve catching the original airings.

I watched the pilot episode last night and was amazed at the quality of picture and sound in this 10 disc set. They’re as razor sharp as Josie’s machine saw down at the mill.

I love the imagery, subtle humor, and style of Dale Cooper. His decent character and observations as an outsider are sly and hilarious, and creator David Lynch can create dialogue and meaning out of something as small as a raised eyebrow or pursed lip.

Between the Log Lady, Leland Palmer, apple pie, and David Duchovny as Dennis (or Denice,) I don’t know what show could be better on a cold winter nights.

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This finally moved up my que in Netflix and I’ve been absolutely riveted by this series.  “Life in the Undergrowth” was produced by the BBC in 2005.  It documents and details insects and invertebrates across the world as they go about their daily activities of eating, mating, and protecting their homes and young.

In each episode David Attenborough takes us to the landscapes and floors of every continent poking around and explaining the behavior of these little guys.    As much as the insects make the show David Attenborough completes it.  Most animal, science, and nature shows are narrated by an unseen off-screen voice.  As Attenborough himself hikes up a hill or scoops away dirt you share his delight and appreciation in learning about these little guys.  You feel like you’re on an expedition with your cool science teacher uncle as he explains everything for the layman.

One reason this series is so incredible now is that camera technology has vastly improved over the past few years.  Tiny cameras are able to work their way into desert scorpion holes, and watch bumblebees hover in midair as you see the details in their eyes.  Any “ewww” factor is quickly replaced by the appreciation of nature.  There’s something oddly human about watching two spiders fight on their hind legs, or a spider take care of his nest in order to woo the eggs of a female visitor.   And like the human culture some bugs are working hard to survive and provide, and some are taking advantage of others with more nefarious intentions.  It’s beautiful, delicate, and deadly.  I highly recommend it.  And your kids would love it too.  From David Attenborough:

“If we and the rest of the backboned animals were to disappear overnight, the rest of the world would get on pretty well. But if they were to disappear, the land’s ecosystems would collapse. The soil would lose its fertility. Many of the plants would no longer be pollinated. Lots of animals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals would have nothing to eat. And our fields and pastures would be covered with dung and carrion. These small creatures are within a few inches of our feet, wherever we go on land — but often, they’re disregarded. We would do very well to remember them.”

More about the series at BBC’s site 

by James Van Dellen

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I’ve been listening and rapidly downloading music from The Loose Cannons, an electronica group based in Cannonia, U.K. Headed by DJs Kaiser Saucy and “Lord Fader,” the duo blends irreverent lyrics with thumping bass lines and tight sampled edits. They’ve been compared to Daft Punk, but less sterile, and much more cheeky to use a word found in many reviews.

Their current album “El Fuerte” features bass laden tracks such as “Girls In Hats,” and the funky 70s sounding “Raw.” They’re popularity as soared as of late due to their club hit “Superstar,” which is being played across the UK and on one of my favorite internet stations, the Buenos Aires based beatbox.fm

Their music, photos, and tour dates (mainly in the UK) are at myspace.com/theloosecannonsuk  You can also listen to their Janet Jackson remix of “What Have You Done for me Lately” at urbanamplified.com And should you be visiting the London’s Oxford Street Urban Outfitter This Thursday the 15th you’ll find them playing live at 6pm.

And below - their song “Superstar”

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I watched what I consider to be the most bizarre movie I’ve seen in a long time: The Great Happiness Space, a documentary by director Jake Clennell. Clennel takes us deep into the world of Japanese host clubs in after hours Osaka. Here, young men spend their nights providing physical but mostly emotional attention to women - or clients as they’re referred to. In the early evening men pace the streets and woo women into a club, (not unlike men on the streets of Tijuana,) in hopes of scoring a wealthy girl in needs of lip service.

Upon first visit the woman selects a “host” from a book, and he becomes the person that she will always spend time with. Often multiple women spend time with the same host. Competition, more accurately financial competition, ensues for the host’s attention. A talented host can find themselves making thousands of dollars per night.

In the U.S. women have the upper hand in nightlife entertainment. They are handed free drinks, (to the chagrin of Steve Horner,) and always command attention from men individually or in groups. Even strip clubs, once considered blighted trash accessible only from neon lit back alleys, have become more acceptable as entertainment venues for both men and women. And they even sell stock.

In this strange parallel universe the opposite exists at Cafe Rakkyo in Osaka. The men of this and other host clubs seduce women with sweet talk, understanding, champagne, and large stuffed teddy bears. These women pay out the nose for the attention and companionship of the hosts. And they KNOW that the attention and companionship is an act, but conversely they admit that an emotional connection exists.

If the women suffer emotionally then the men suffer equally as much physically. They’re obligated to drink glass after glass of champagne and remember the details of each and every client. If they can’t maintain the farce of a special relationship the woman will leave them. Owner Issei explains that the trickiest part is keeping female clients “in the dream,” - that is the host must continue to sell the dream that they COULD be together and in love at some point. When reality hits, as it did for one client, the game is done.

Throughout the world almost everyone that visits strip clubs or even brothels enters the exchange with the understanding that it’s just flesh for money. I was awed that these women fool THEMSELVES at the chance for true love as they openly admit. Or maybe they find it empowering?

The old bald guy that cheerfully pines “that stripper really likes me,” is laughed by strangers or brought down from the clouds by his friends. And for good reason. In fact even HE knows inside there isn’t a shot. What’s with Japanese women spending thousands of dollars believing the same lie? From a personal note, of course noting attractiveness is subjective, these skinny guys aren’t even hot. With their makeup and spiked hair I’d think I was chugging champagne with one of those science lights you touch to demonstrate static electricity.

Of course it’s just a small look into Japanese life and examines one individual subculture. I certainly don’t believe Osaka as a whole is nearly that seedy. But strange subcultures exist and are fascinating. I wonder if someone is sitting down with a teacup full of popcorn in Osaka at this very moment watching the opening credits of Jesus Camp?

James Van Dellen

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I like this video. I have no idea what language some of the graphics and text are in, but Robbie Rivera’s “Your Mistake” featuring Marnie is the perfect mix of the driving/thumping club beats I like, and the video is sexy in a futuristic Bourne Identity way, especially for a train geek like myself. Anyone recognize the locations in this track? Pun intended.

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Despite an interruption mid show caused by a 10 minute long audio problem the Chemical Brothers put on a tremendously rocking and fun show at the Fillmore Auditorium last night.

Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons took the show after opener The Faint performed a 45 minute set. Opening with “Galvanize” the duo worked the crowd throughout the night and seamlessly blended in two of my other favorites “It began in Afrika” and “Leave Home.” Their metallic set and interwoven chain video screen gave an industrial vibe to the normally cozy feeling Fillmore, and the crowd of all ages, styles, and backgrounds at it all up.

Thanks to my professional photographer friend M.P. for these photos. He’ll be happy to sell you some wall size prints if you like.

If you’re headed to the Fillmore Auditorum in Denver and care to libate yourself before the show - you’d be best served by visiting the Red Room a few blocks down or Dulcinea’s next door. I discovered during last night’s visit a beer and vodka/soda on site now costs MORE than economy parking at the airport.

This weekend the Chemical Brothers will be headlining the Annual Nocturnal Wonderland Festival in downtown Los Angeles.

Jump for two more pics

(more…)

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United Airlines sets up a committee to investigate “Air Rage.”  From the Denver Post’s  Kelly Yamanouchi

“Air rage” has become such a problem that United Airlines is creating an internal committee to review incidents in which passengers are physically abusive of employees. The new United program comes as airline passengers throughout the country - including in Denver - make headlines for bad behavior.

My thoughts?  Sure the alcohol aspect is a factor, but booze has been around since the inception of air travel.  The leading cause of air rage incidents is only given THIS one sentence.  Short, but exactly to the point. 

More passengers with fewer airline employees tending to passengers, the frustrations of traveling, fewer amenities and packed planes also increase “the opportunity for passengers to show their unreasonable side,” Nelson said.

Bingo!   When you cram hundreds of people into an enclosed space, delay them, don’t communicate with them, and then threaten them with the federal crime of “interference” if they question you or your actions - rage happens. 

On a recent quick trip to L.A. UAL canceled my return afternoon flight back to Denver.  Out of five later flights every one was completely sold out, as were potential connecting flights through San Francisco.  I finally arrived home six hours late through Las Vegas.  I’m a solo traveler, fairly patient, and bring books with me to read.    But I can sympathize with a family with kids, or elderly folks (needing to stand in line for two hours awaiting rebooking,) and even though I can’t sympathize with the middle age asshole jerk or his bitchy girlfriend, those people exist and need to be placated.  Trapping them for hours and hours in airport lines or on board non-moving is a recipe for air rage.

When you overbook flights then cancel them, or have to contingency plans to accommodate them, well, not surprisingly rage happens.  It’s not (mostly) the fault of alcohol, ATC delays, or weather.  It’s simply too many people and not enough people caring for them.  But airlines won’t make that a focal point, because it’s THEIR fault for not hiring more people to attend to the masses.

Argentina church gets called on it’s past.  This  New York Times article by Alexei Barrionuevo explores the catholic church’s role and marriage with government during the “Dirty War” during the late 70s.  Father Ruben Capitanio testifies against Christian von Wernich, accused of conspiring with the former military leaders.

In Argentina, however, there was a much tighter relationship between the clergy and the military than existed in Chile or Brazil. “Patriotism came to be associated with Catholicism,” said Kenneth P. Serbin, a history professor at the University of San Diego who has written about the Roman Catholic Church in South America. “So it was almost natural for the Argentine clergy to come to the defense of the authoritarian regime.”

Father Capitanio said that he felt that a weight had been lifted — and that he was not alone. “Many men and women of the church, bishops as well, have come to agree with my way of looking at the reality of the church’s role,” he said. “We have much to be sorry for.”

Prison Break returns tonight!  I watch very few shows on TV.  The shows I do watch I view via Netflix.  No commercials or annoying on screen promos.  I’ve seen all six seasons of CSI Vegas this method and it’s far more enjoyable.

Prison Break is an easy show with a simple plot, (guys on the run.)  Add in some interesting characters, exotic locales, and of course a conspiracy and a good looking cast including actor Wentworth Miller looking serious yet unthreatening in his cream colored suit or prison jumpsuit.

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The Chicago band “Greenskeepers” is by far one of the weirdest and/or insane groups around. The only “normal” track I’ve heard is the mellow groove “Keep it Down” which has been in heavy rotation on the Future Gringo iPod as of late.  It’s the perfect soundscape for a rainy evening of relaxation at your local coffee/wine bar.  At least that’s my take.

The other songs are completely different.  The most popular is their song “Lotion”, based on the 1991 movie “Silence of the Lambs.”  The video for “Lotion” features clips from the movie interspliced with other bizarre scenes to a chanting chorus of “It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again.”  Equally as strange is the video “Machine” which features robots from the 80s movie “Short Circuit.”

If you’re expecting all their tracks to sound like the below song “Keep it Down” don’t count on it.  But if you like eclectic, strange, and songs with a nerdy oddball attitude you’ll love the others. More at  Greenskeepersmusic.com.  

From Greenskeeper’s myspace:

Chicago’s Greenskeepers have been called abstract, quirky, avant-garde, irresistible and bizarre. They’ve written songs in the voice of the psycho transsexual from Silence of the Lambs (“Lotion”) and made psychedelic-era internet videos starring Tattoo (“Da Plane, boss, da plane!”) caught in a sexual world of tall women (“Pilipino Phil.”) They’ve licensed 3 songs off of their last album “Pleetch” to the hit TV show “Greys Anatomy”. Not to be confined by any box, the band barely balked at the overwhelming success of their underground hit “Lotion,” from the debut LP Pleetch, and the accompanying mash-up video that continues to delightfully infest computer screens across the globe.

Instead, the collective returned to the Chicago studio to create fourteen heady, interstellar tracks featuring the band’s signature guitar-driven sonic discosis and capricious vocals. Polo Club, the compilation of the Keepers Green’s latest work, marks an unforeseen level of musical progression and a testament to the power of four. It is the culmination of two years of touring the world –from Istambul to LA– as a cohesive unit. The end result is a double disc collection of songs that perfectly captures the insane genius of the Greenskeepers.

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I’ve been listening to Dousk, or John Ntouskos, a young Athens DJ trained in classical music.  His music is a blend of house and techno, but with a mellow chill feeling sandwiched between his driving beats.  Perfect for a dreary rainy day like today - at least in my corner of the world.

Listen to more at myspace.com/dousk  His remix of BT’s “Remember” (listen below) can also be downloaded free here.

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Great news! Entombed in a heap of junk mail today was my Netflix DVD of MacGyver. I was messing around on YouTube the other day and found this entire episode of how MacGyver met Pete Thornton and became MacGyver. I immediately relived my childhood recalling the many happy hours spent watching MacGyver, and then trying to emulate him by solving non-existent problems around the neighborhood with my Swiss Army knife and Casio digital watches.

I don’t think it’s hyperbole to claim that for a boy in the 80s this was absolutely the best show on TV. MacGyver was smart, funny, and solved his problems through logic, science, and insight. I looked forward to watching every Monday night.

Did you know that a very, hmm, dedicated Wikipedia user catalogued some of the many problems solved by MacGyver? It’s true; here are a few examples:

MacGyver repairs a post mix soda gun by bleeding off some built-up CO2 that has caused a valve to stick. He takes off the button panel of the soda gun, removes the troubled valve spindle (both with his Swiss Army knife) and inserts a miniature pirate’s sword from a plate of olives. Using the sword, he opens the valve to the CO2 line fully, and draws out the sword, which lets it close naturally.

When he needs to remotely control a car’s door locks, MacGyver connects the car’s mobile phone to its onboard computer’s signal lines for the door locks. Using his knife to open the back of the phone, he identifies the contacts where power is routed when the phone is taken off the hook. He opens a tube of wires and identifies, presumably based on color, the two wires which control the computer’s locking circuitry. He wraps one wire around each contact, reassembles the device, and waits at a nearby phone booth.

You can read ALL of them here. This is sure to be the best night of the week. I’ll post an update after I finish these four episodes from season 3.

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I attended Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo yesterday.  As with every Cirque du Soleil show it was a fascinating blend of gymnastics, costumes, emotion, live music, and humor. I preferred the ethereal and emotional music of Alegria over Corteo, however the gymnastics and athletic feats of Corteo were jaw dropping as always. 

Corteo is the story of a clown imagining his own funeral.  The weight of the theme is balanced out by the beauty of his thoughts, humorous reflections from boyhood to present, and the parade of characters involved.

I also loved the self deprecating humor in which Corteo subtly displays.  Cirque du Soleil knows their shows are seen by some as overly bizarre and abstract.    Corteo’s host references the audience with third wall jokes, and during a scene in which a remote controlled spotlight chases a dancer around they make light of the technical aspect by “losing control” of the robot after it develops a mind of it’s own.

The most favored scene by all was watching a little person float through the arena under six large helium balloons, and gracefully make her way over the audience, enchanting them in the process.  The Epoch Times writes:

The most poignant act was simple. The Giant Clown and a little woman playing a child embraced. Then she flew away under giant white helium balloons. She wafted over the audience, subtly expressing delight, humor, apprehension, exploration. He watched with paternal care. As she sank toward the audience, she indicated she wanted a gentle boost for her feet. Audience members pushed her up and forward as one plays with a single balloon. The vignette seemed to talk about the tensions of parenthood—caring and letting go. It was suspenseful.

Corteo is in Denver until August 5th, then on to Los Angeles and Orange County for the remainder of the year.

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I’ve been downloading some old Baby Mammoth songs from iTunes over the weekend.

I’ll be first to say my information on them is scarce, but there’s a plethora of work by them on iTunes.

Sure their album “Motion Without Pain” is almost seven years old, but their music is great, and they deserve a plug and kick in the ass to create some more grooves.

They’re on iTunes, and myspace.com/babymammoth

From Artist direct:

Amidst heavy competition, Baby Mammoth is the Pork label’s most prolific act, packing in five full LPs of blunted instrumental hip-hop between their debut in late 1996 and the end of the decade. Like other Pork acts Fila Brazillia and Solid Doctor, the duo of Mark Blissenden and Andrew Burdall specialize in earthy breaks and ambient atmospheres, more slanted to the instrumental edge of acid jazz than other producer-based trip-hop acts. The pair first met Pork label-head Dave Brennand and associate Steve Cobby (aka Fila Brazillia) at a club in Hull, where both band and label are based. The relationship blossomed with the release of Baby Mammoth’s debut, 10,000 Years Beneath the Street, in 1996. Blissenden and Burdall then released two albums the following year (as well as an EP and single). Baby Mammoth settled down to a more languid release schedule with one LP release each year in 1998 (Another Day at the Orifice), 1999 (Swimming) 2000 (Motion Without Pain), and 2001 (Seven Up). After a year long break, the band returned with Octo Muck in 2003. A year later, Blissenden teamed with labelmates Steve Cobby and Robert Ellerby from Beige for the Fabric 18 mix CD. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

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When plunked in front of the computer I usually listen to XM Radio or some other various internet radio stations.  One I listen to frequently is Beatbox.fm   Not only is this a great techno/dance station out of Buenos Aires, but the staff, (yes this net radio station is staffed), helped track down a song for me after much fruitless searching.

A song in light rotation featured the fragment of lyrics “Such a crying shame, she’s so pretty, so insane” and “She’s Cool Cool” to a heavy driving beat that I love, ala Starkiller’s “Diskoteka”.  Plugging these crapshoot of lyrics into the regular searches netted nothing, with exception to a few people using it in myspace as their signatures.

I e-mailed Beatbox with the lyrics and time it ran, and Javier promptly responded and gave me all of the song information.  Turns out it’s “KooKoo” by DJ Jay P. 

Of course I immediately downloaded it because you’re dying to hear it: 

Thanks Beatbox and Javier!  Listen to Beatbox and send them some love.  And warmth. It’s very cold in BsAs now.

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During Most days I listen to XM channels 80, 81, and 82, which are mostly dance, house, techno, and club music,  as well as XM84 “Chill” later in the evening. I constantly hear remixes of songs that ordinarily I wouldn’t hold my interest in the least, (should I admit Hilary Duff)? but with a good DJ they can turn a banal top 40 drone into something catchy and original.

When I hear a song I like I’ll jot it down and search for it on iTunes, but obscure remixes are often difficult to find.  Beatport can usually solve that.  Easily searchable by artist, song, album and DJ, they delve deep into the house/techno/trance music for your downloading enjoyment. 

Check them out next time you’re stuck trying to find a song:  www.beatport.com

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