Pan Pan is Sarah Jerns, the 21 year old Multi-Instrumentalist from Bellingham, WA. Above are a couple of videos supplied to us, the masses by the good people at the You Are We Are blog. The videos are from an October 23rd performance at WWU’s Underground Coffeehouse. You can click over to You Are We Are at the link below to see footage of the whole show as well as “10 Questions with Sarah Jerns.”
Last night I was able to catch an Advance Screening of the new Michael Jackson concert documentary This Is It. The film chronicles the dress rehearsals and sound checks of what was to be Jackson’s come back, as well as his final curtain call. Running almost completed performances of hits like Billie Jean, They Don’t Really Care About Us, Beat It and Man In The Mirror, Jackson and his crew of producers, directors, dancers and musicians brought together what could possibly have been one of the best and most successful career comebacks of all time.
Jackson was in his element, his singing was dead on and all of his vocals were done live with no backing tracks which prove that he possesed a level of professionalism and pure ability that is almost unheard of today in the Pop world. At some points he did look a little rusty as far as dance moves are concerned, but taking into account the fact that the man was 50 years old at the time and hadn’t performed live in almost 10 years makes sense. But all of the skepticism about his dancing abilities were put to rest during his dance sequence for Billie Jean.
The Thriller portion of the film saw the addition of new footage in the style of the original music video filmed in 3D for use on the digital backdrop during the concerts. This was also done for other songs including a scene with Jackson and Humphrey Bogart for Smooth Criminal and a digital army for They Don’t Really Care About Us among others, but most elaborately for Thriller. The new visual technology that was used made for some great looking effects and surreal backdrops.
Aside from the music, the film showed some rare behind the scenes footage of just how a production of that magnitude comes together. Along side the show (and film) director Kenny Ortega, Jackson crafted a great work and was hands on in every aspect of the concert from musical direction and filming to set and costume design. His work with the musicians and his vast and complete knowledge of his entire catalog was striking and showed that he was not just a talented performer but also an amazing songwriter and arranger.
The only problem that I have with this film is that I will never get to see the finished product live and in person. This Is It is a great look at the interworkings and passions of a man who still had it, could still do what everyone remembered him and would no doubt have been back on top of the Pop world, the tragedy being that he would never able to bring it to his fans in person.
Somebody Cares is a Bellingham hip hop group featuring Chris Willis of Rec room, Lokeye of N/NW and Basement Basics, Whiplash and Adjectives of The Educataz and DJ Booger of Wilson Project. They also sometimes feature appearances by Micheal Harris of Idiot Pilot. Their new mixtape is available for download below.
Sol is an up and coming MC from Seattle, WA. Today is the drop date for his new digital release, the “Dear Friends” EP which you can download for free at the link below. Check this stuff out:
Long time no updates. I need to get back into blogging on a regular basis. It starts today.
Anyways, I have joined a new band since the last time this was updated. It is the side project of Idiot Pilot’s Daniel Anderson, links and the video for our second single “How Far You Go” are below.
Sitting down for a few minutes, thought I would throw an update at you. I’m back in London after spending a couple of days up north. Had a great time in Liverpool at Sound City, it was a pretty decent show and got a little bit of press. The band and I stayed with Chris Travis and his fiancee in their amazing flat, they were great hosts. While I was there I made a pilgrimage down to Matthew Street and had a Pint at the Cavern Club.
Since getting back into London I’ve stayed at a handful of spots and met quite a few interesting characters. Tomorrow I get to fulfill a lifelong dream, more information about that later.
I’ll be back in the States Friday night, see you then.
So I’m in the UK for a couple of weeks doing a little Clickpop work. Currently Black Eyes & Neckties are on a two-week UK tour, and I’m here having a little fun and doing a little business. Currently I’m sitting in a Pub in Oxford, just got in from London and waiting for the BENt show this evening. I’ve been carrying around a box of 100 BENt CD’s since this morning in London. I’ve been stressed out most of the trip, things over the last couple of days didn’t go well but they are looking up, except for the fact that I’m probably going to be sleeping in the Train Station tonight.
Tomorrow I’m off to Liverpool, home of the Beatles, for another BENt show. While I’m there I’m going to make sure to have a drink or two at The Cavern Club (birthplace of The Beatles) and then go to a great showcase. Not only do I get to see a few cool sites and a good show but I also get to see “Mr. Local Music” Chris Travis, hurrah!
Speaking of The Beatles, I went to Abby Road yesterday. It was the closest thing to a religious experiance I’ll ever have.
After Liverpool i’m heading back to London for the second half of my trip. I was going to follow the band to Scotland but due to unforseen circumstances I won’t be able to make it up there. But I am going to be hanging out in a couple of really cool places in London so thats alright I guess. And i’ll be staying put for a while, the most stressed I get is when I’m supose to be getting on trains and planes.
Things I Like In The UK:
- Cha Cha Moon (Resturant in SoHo)
- The Girls
- The Beer
- Free Museums
Things I Dislike In The UK:
- Pay As You Go Wi-Fi
- People who don’t move out of the way
- The Weather
- Teeth
I’m posting this because I’ve been contemplating their meanings. For the past three nights I have had a series of very strange and very realistic dreams:
Night 1: Was a crew member of a NASA Space Shuttle Flight. The dream included lift off (in stages) a quick mission and the entire reentry procedure. Once out of the craft and walking on the tarmac I woke up.
Night 2: Hanging out on the box level of a sold out Arena. I run into Prince, we have a quick conversation, he leaves to go on stage. I wake up.
Night 3: The strangest dream so far. Myself and Dennis Rodman (Detroit Pistons circa 1989 Rodman) are walking around the downtown area of a large city, he tells stories of famous people he knows and asks me if I know where he could find a rocket launcher. I slide down a railing outside a skyscraper and I wake up.
Yesterday I formally submitted paperwork to the State to form my new company: Northern Alliance Management.
About Us: Started in Early 2009, Northern Alliance Management works with emerging talent from the Pacific Northwest. NAM’s goal is to help assist artists in the development and management of a long-term career in the music industry. Our priority is to deal with, and meet, the needs of our artists, be they business or other wise related, so they can have the room to create and perform. Some of the services offered are World-Wide Representation, Direct Artist Management, Tour Management, and Publicity and Promotion.
Currently I’m in talks with local and regional talent about representation and I am also actively scouting for talent to add to my roster. More information will be coming shortly as well as a website where you will be able to get everything you need to know as well as be able to submit materials for consideration.
Somebody Cares is a Bellingham hip hop group featuring Chris Willis of Rec room, Lokeye of N/NW and Basement Basics, Whiplash and Adjectives of The Educataz and DJ Booger of Wilson Project. They also sometimes feature appearances by Micheal Harris of Idiot Pilot. Their new mixtape is available for download below.
Future Of The Left is a three piece rock act from Cardiff, Wales, UK. Recomended tracks: “You Need Satan More Than He Needs You” and “Manchasm”
