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Now You Know [Australian Hip-Hop news column]
15 August 2008 04:23:59
 Welcome to Now You Know, a monthly take on what is happening in the Australian hip hop scene and more importantly who is tearing shit up like bouncers on fake ID power trips. Firstly Now You Know must tip its cap, that’s a curved brim cap ALWAYS, to Prowla and Nuff Said records, the excellent Australian label who released the Now You Know compilation from where this column lifted its name.
As we tip over into August the Australian scene is really starting to heat up with some great releases having just dropped, some massive ones on the horizon and some stars hitting the road. First up Adelaide town, K21 has dropped his first release a compilation entitled K21 presents the Greenhouse, it’s a nice introduction to a young man with a stack of talent. The same can be said of Dialect, another who at only 18 years of age has his debut The Rugged Uncut ready to go, older and sure to blow people away are Certified Wise’s Terra Firma. Their new album has been a long time coming and Now You Know has heard the results, let us say it is going to be hard to top Music To Live By for album of the year. Finally hard at work in Adelaide and with one of the most impressive debut EP’s Now You Know has heard is Social Change, the full length LP is not far away, be prepared. Swinging over to Melbourne and there is a lot to look forward to in the near future. Hired Goons Ciecmate and Newsense are completing their long awaited debut, while not heard from in a minute Raph (Mnemonic Ascent) has an LP on the way. One that may have slipped past a few peoples attention is Idem’s Beat Journey, this is instrumental hip hop at its finest. Also worthy of your ears is the Symphony Project release from DJs Next and Sum 1 and the always class Muph and Plutonic whose third album And Then Tomorrow Came has just dropped. In Brisbane Pure Product have unleashed their debut LP Eviction Notice with beats by The Optimen it hits as hard as you would expect, while the Lflows and Verbill mixtape had many excited and can now be downloaded for free from http://www.divshare.com/download/4960134-845. Heading down to Sydney city and there is a current wave of releases. Bliss & Eso returned to form with Flying Colours and they will be hitting the road with Mind Over Matter whose debut Keepin’ It Breezy has received really strong reviews. The act with perhaps the biggest wraps on its talent all year is Horrorshow, their debut The Grey Space is expected August 16th, again Now You Know has heard the finished product and nobody should be disappointed with the results, the duo showing maturity and a depth to their sound many veterans wish for. Snapped up by Obese is Dialectrix from the Blue Mountains and his debut produced by Chasm is just about ready to drop also, you may remember him from the dope Down Under Beats Crew. Hailing from Canberra is D’opus and Roshambo, a duo who took some risks on their debut The Switch and it has paid off, first single Million Dollar Bill is currently getting hammered on Triple J. While if we skip across to the other side of the country the debut release from Tomahawk has been copping rave reviews online, some calling it Dazastah’s finest production work to date. Speaking of Dazastah you can expect the long overdue new release from his group Downsyde in the very near future, now located on Illusive, it should prove a good home for the crew.
The biggest news for the past month and for many months to come in the Australian scene is the Hilltop Hoods have a new home. Having fulfilled their contractual obligations with Obese the boys have started their own label www.goldenerarecords.com.au a really exciting development for this county’s biggest act.
Out on the road this month are a number of crews. Muph and Plutonic are taking their album nationwide supported by the USA’s Eligh & The Grouch in Sydney and Melbourne. Also touring nationwide are The Herd, those who have seen the Elefant Tracks crew live know this isn’t to be missed, while the labels new signing Horroshow also has some dates around the country. Bliss & Eso are touring nationally between now and November, supported by the likes of Mind Over Matter & Motley for 15 dates as well as acts such as Choose Mics when they head north. Terra Firma will be launching their album in Adelaide with a huge show on September 5th and you can expect a national tour to follow.
Finally Now You Know would like to wind up with a shout to some acts missing in action who need to drop releases. What’s up to Lazy Grey, Bob Balans, Trem & Prowla, the scene needs to hear from these guys and the kids need to be educated!
Until next month Peace.
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Prins Thomas is a DJ from Norway
12 August 2008 01:58:08
Prins Thomas is a DJ from Norway… Or how my brain works fucked Oh urinal let me embrace thee! It trickled out sporadically, teasingly, eventually finding a full flow, the dam burst and he let out a loud pee-gasm driven sigh: "Ah fuck that's good." The pressure of toilet performance was now over he needn't hide himself in the corner any longer. A quick look around a few shakes and we’re done. The floor began to tremor with a funk driven bass from downstairs, a youth lay held in the grip of a white toilet emerging stale and spent looking, mouth spluttering words to his sneakerwise friend. "Fuckin deadly tune man" "Yea, you, ah nearly done there boss?" the friend remarks nonchalantly.
At the bar voices raised in the bravado that only payday brings, heads rise up from the feeder, puffy eyes of the weekend drinkers; a warm welcome. And there he sits the Solomon of all this chaos the bringer of goodtimes, telegram boy for the hangovers that lurk in the recesses of all present. “What’s your drink son?” -"Just a beer" "That'll be six euro." Six euro, robbery without violence, he thought to himself.
He moves towards the floor, standing silently beside a girl. "In Norway it wouldn't be as much, longest coastline in the world in proportion to its size, didn't you know" he commented to Stephanie, a French girl who had perfected the art of the awkward silence here they stood lost in the translation of an inaudible foreign language.
"Prins Thomas is his name" he motioned pointing to the DJ who in fact was Prins Thomas a well known House Dj from Norway which was presumably why the soon to be rejected man blurted out his coastline knowledge.
"Em very interesting" she countered Mistakenly led into thinking the conversation had a life further than outside those last syllables the man tried to think of more information on Norway or at least Prins Thomas.
'Um yea the promoters a friend of mine, I come here sometimes for the good acts its busy tonight too, Radioactive Man played support, think them Norwegian lads brought the cold weather with them too, ha ha' "Yes its quite cold" realising that the man was not to be put off with subtle hints she decided to make the best of it. "Em I wonder could you maybe get me a drink? Mines empty"
Yes this is my chance alright knew watching that documentary on Norway would pay off thank you BBC Bristol! he thought excitedly. "Um yea of course same again?"
There he is again, that bartender bastard! I am loving this music though two turntables that's all it takes think they call that a mash up. Wonder why he isn't big like Rokysopp maybe doesn't want all the attention bet you he knows them though. "That'l be 12 euro" 12 it was six a minute ago, fuck sake. The scratch of glasses. Don't spill it. Ok where is she? Ah Bollox.
Prins Thomas went on to a house party that night happy in the knowledge that the people enjoyed his music, Stephanie met a Spanish trigonometry student who didn't seem to mind or understand the awkard silences. And three drinks later that man was seen stumbling towards a kebab takeaway mumbling something under his breath about annual percentage rainfall in the northern European climate, or something of the like.
Luckys blog
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A Night To Remember
28 July 2008 03:02:37
A Night To Remember… 
Every once in a while, (usually when you least suspect it!) you have one of those weekends that leaves you and your friends grinning insanely wishing you could do it all over again. One of those nights that gives birth to all those insider jokes and hilarious private stories. A night that produces photos that make you cry with laughter, smile fondly or simply marvel at the fact that you and your idiot friends are still alive. Now it's easy enough to look back in wonder at how everything seemed to go according to plan, but trying to recreate the magic is a completely different story.
However, it is possible to bring certain elements into the partying so that you can tip the scales in your favour… First and foremost, you need 'the crew'. One can't forget your stylish divas, music savvy maestro's and guest list mouths'. You also need your favourite fun-loving randoms'. People that are friendly and up for a good time!
Ever seen the guy that leans against the bar at a club sipping on his imported beer and giving uncomfortable smiles to anyone that goes near him? You don't want to be him.
You want a happy, friendly crew that are pulling those ridiculous moves on the dance floor and are more than happy to chat with fellow punters at the clubs. This kind of open, high-spirited crowd always attracts good luck, as well as your occasional freaks that make for hilarious stories the next day. So once you have your friend's situation in hand, you have already acquired your first essential ingredient! Next on the list is a casual pre-drinks affair at home. Good for girls as any last-minute wardrobe changes can be dealt with. And the boys can get stuck into the drinking without having to shell out half their wallets. During this time your crew will bond, take the obligatory 'before' photos, get to know each other, and make general plans as to which part of the town you will be painting red.
This is imperative in order for inhibitions to be lost and some sort of silliness to begin. Ensure that everyone is having their fair share of tequila shots and disco biscuits. Being the odd one out, sitting in a corner watching everyone laugh at something you can't see is no fun at all, so encourage everyone to partake in the trashiness equally. On the other hand, don't let anyone get greedy with self-distribution. Being babysitter to someone who has trouble using the toilet on their own because they are in a k hole may make it a memorable night but hardly a night you want to remember. So now were nearly at the club guidelines folks, guidelines; - Blag everything you can. Yes, everything. It's as simple as that.
- 'Oh guest list? So and so put us on… I can give him a call now if you like?
Oh I can't get through but he definitely put us on.' - Get the girls to flash their pearly whites or something else at the bartenders and peruse around for free drinks.
- Walk into the DJ box like you're meant to be there and plonk your coats behind the decks to save your cloak room fee.
- Three 'red stars' for a tenner? Well tell the bloke you can get them off someone else for cheaper and bargain it down.
A quote from the Bible says, 'Ask and you shall receive, knock and the door shall be opened to you.' -Okay, I'm sure God wasn't talking about lying your way into clubs and getting better deals on your stimulants, but the point being made here is to take chances and plenty of them! You never know what may happen and where the night may lead you…Step out of your comfort zone. Whip out the camera for some good memories and a lot of incriminating evidence the next day. When everyone is in a silly mood and doing things they wouldn't dream of doing on an ordinary night, the crazy antics make it a night to remember. Carry on until the end. Never mind if friends are slowly dropping off like flies and declaring surrender. Let them go home to their beds. If you've got the stamina to carry through then take those who are willing and soldier on. Some of the best bits of your bender usually will happen when the others leave resulting in their usual cry of, 'Oh I wish I stayed!' Last but not least, persevere! Some nights that start off not very promising can take a surprising turn for the best. So forget that the taxi cost you a fortune and that your guest list fell through. Carry on with a good attitude and the worst may be over for good. Your misfortunes at the beginning of the night may well be worth for what lies in store ahead! So there you have it, a rough guide to ensure that you have the foundations to build on a night you might remember forever. Just be sure to leave all expectations at the door and head out with the thought that anything can happen. Anything ranging from; dancing with fuglies, meeting people you will stay friends with forever, to vomiting all over yourself in the middle of the dance floor. At the end of the day, your weekend is what you make of it. You create your own thoughts and your thoughts in turn create your actions. So step out with a positive vibe and a smile on your face and chances are you will also come home with the two! Aleksandra Pejcinovic
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DIGITAL NEWS
26/08/08 Developing: Apple Investigating Chinese iTunes Store Block
Apple is now examining why its iTunes Store is inaccessible to Chinese users, according to information emerging Friday. "We are still investigating," a representative told news service AFP.
Earlier this week, users started noticing that the store was inaccessible from inside China, and subsequent traceroutes pointed to a governmental block. The reason for the block is not entirely clear, though the presence of a pro-Tibetan album download is strongly suspected.
The next moves are likely to set the tone for future content "discussions," specifically those tied to albums like Songs for Tibet. In most cases, the Chinese government demands compliance with various censorship rules, a pill that most American companies must swallow.
26/08/08 Terrestrial Radio Revenues Down 6% In July...
Terrestrial Radio Revenues Down 6% In July...
US-based terrestrial radio revenues slid 6 percent in July, according to figures published by the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB). The tally, published late last week, showed a 5 percent decline in local advertising revenues, and a 15 percent decline in broader, national advertising. That was offset by a 6 percent increase in off-air revenues, though the pace of that growth has slowed. The revenue information is based on a sample of one-hundred stations, collected by accounting firm Miller Kaplan Arase & Co.
The July assessment follows a string of declines during earlier months, according to RAB reports. In June, the group reported a broader decline of 9 percent, and May produced a drop of 8 percent. In fact, the industry has been posting declines for the past fifteen consecutive months, a trend that predates the current economic malaise. "Radio has entered and seems stuck in a new, discouraging territory with the combined challenges of a secular slide and cyclical recessionary times," commented CL King & Associates analyst Jim Boyle.
26/08/08A Bull Among Bears: Newbury Comics Expanding...
A Bull Among Bears: Newbury Comics Expanding...
Most companies cut costs, shed employees, and table expansion plans during economic downtimes. But for some ambitious players, economic malaise sets the perfect backdrop for an expansion - and market share grab.
In Boston, Newbury Comics is now adopting that aggressive, and more risky, approach. "Every time the economy goes into a recession, that's when you want to invest," company cofounder and chief executive Mike Dreese recently told the Boston Globe. "Virgin just pulled out of town, Tower is bankrupt. If we're going to expand, we should do it now."
Indeed, the company just opened a mega-store in the Boston suburb of Norwood. The massive facility, a former car dealership, offers the perfect space for shows and latte bars, as well as merchandise like clothing, vinyl, DVDs and games. The company also added another store in the city, at Faneuil Hall, a move that cuts an aggressive profile.
Some executives would have trouble stomaching that level of risk, and Newbury is feeling its share of pain. The company pointed to flat sales during the past four years, and a profit dip of 10 percent last year, though Dreese confidently pointed to a diversified product set.
26/08/08 ...And Vinyl Sales Keep Increasing..
The CD is leading the plunge in recording sales, though the decades-old vinyl keeps showing strength. The latest positive report comes from Newbury Comics, part of a broader profile in the Boston Globe. "There’s a huge resurgence in vinyl," chain chief executive Mike Dreese reiterated, while pointing to turntable sales of 600-800 over the past two months.*
In total, the company projected vinyl-specific sales of $1.5 million this year, up 70 percent from 2007. That is part of a steadily ramping format. In June, Newbury pointed to monthly vinyl revenues of approximately $100,000, or $1.2 million annualized.
The trend is being sparked by a number of factors, including nostalgia, more involved product packaging, greater collectability, and the availability of lower-priced turntables. Dreese noted that CDs now account for 43 percent of the broader product mix, down from 75 percent ten years ago.
21/08/08 The iPhone Connectivity Issue: Is Apple on the Case?
The second-generation iPhone is easily the hottest device of the summer, though connectivity issues are now softening the hype. A number of buyers worldwide have been complaining about 3G-specific connectivity problems, including spotty reception and dropped calls.
Now, Apple appears to be addressing the problem through a firmware update, without publicly admitting the issue. The company recently issued the upgrade - OS 2.0.2 - while reservedly pointed to a 'bug fix' release. Just recently, reports suggested that the connection issues were linked to a chip from Infineon, though neither company has confirmed the cause.
The firmware update is automatically triggered during an iTunes sync.
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