DRIVE: Music Monday

Saw Drive on the weekend - enjoyed it immensely. I'm not a film buff, so I can't really offer a very informed opinion, but there were some very cool scenes (violent and non-violent) and it certainly looked really nice. The setting in LA/some west-coast city was very cool. There were some really cool shots of sundrenched areas and really dark, grungy settings at night. It wasn't really like any action flick I've seen before (if you can call it an action flick ) it was really unconventional and artsy - which explains all the awards it got at Cannes. Ryan Gosling was pretty badarse - a lot of people get destroyed by him in the movie. I generally really liked the acting and I definitely liked the 80s styled minimalist electro-pop music and uber terse Heat-style ultra-masculine electronica score.


In many ways the music was a perfect fit for the film. There's this ultra shiny veneer of cool and kitsch in the sounds and pop overtones - but at the same time there's this emptiness, tension and darkness which seems to be a major theme in Drive.

I really enjoyed it. I'd recommend it for fans of driving movies and action and art-house cinema - it was a bit slow though, so if you're going in expecting a balls-to-the-wall action flick, you're probably going to be disappointed (or maybe pleasantly surprised). The soundtrack definitely gets my double thumbs up. Perhaps, like the way the soundtrack is a homage to 80's analogue electro pop like Tangerine Dream and Brian Eno, the film is a homage to 70's/old school car movies like Vanishing Point (1971) and Bullitt (1968).

Dig dat 80's Miami Vice FONT!

Sriracha Deliciousness

Recently I discovered this amazing chilli sauce - Sriracha or "rooster sauce". From what I can gather it's just made of crushed chilli and loads of garlic. I think you can buy it from most Asian supermaket shops (I went to good ol Madame Hoo's in Castle Towers). Heaps of my favourite restaurants use it, MsG's in Kings Cross is one, and Menya ramen also have it available on hand for your dipping and squeezing pleasure.

From the NYTIMES article

I really recommend it, it's ultra-tasty and unlike some other hot sauces, it has a really awesome aromatic flavour that makes the hotness worth it. A warning though, it is pretty hot, so use sparingly if you're not a chilli eater. Or mix it with some mayonnaise, which seems to work really well making it a bit more creamy and mild. Anyway I've included a supereasy recipe with this post.

SUPEREASY Sriracha Mayo and Baguette Bites
I'd primarily make it as a snack but it'd be awesome when you have some left overs, like grilled chicken, to use as topping. I think it'd be a pretty good entrée/starter/fingerfood thing at a bbq or a party. It's just really, really tasty and packs a punch with the chilli.

What you need:
1 x Baguette
Some Sriracha Chilli
Condensed milk (optional)
Some Kewpie Mayo (or any Japanese Mayonnaise)

What to do:
1. Cut the baguette into slices/discs (I suggest no more than an inch thick).
2. Put on some mayo and then squeeze on some Sriacha sauce then using a knife spread it across the surface of the baguette. You can also add a little bit of condensed milk if you wish. (just tweak the amounts to your own tastes, but be DEFINITELY be generous with the mayo - you want it to be creamy)
3. Add toppings if you wish (some slices of grilled chicken meat (probably drumstick meat - sliced off the bone), marinated in soya sauce and garlic and salt and pepper for a few hours and then pan fried is pretty awesome, cooked and sliced frankfurts are also pretty good on it too)

Other Hot Sauces


I don't think it'd be fair if I just harped on about Sriracha without mentioning my other favourite hot sauces.

from LIVE.LOVE.LIFE

LEE KUM KEE'S GARLIC CHILLI SAUCE - this stuff is amazing. My family is from southern China and they absolutely love this stuff - it's probably the signature chilli of the region. We have it cold and it goes well on everything, especially when we have won-ton soup. Not too much heat, lots of salty garlicky goodness, a bit of tang and a really nice texture.

BYRON BAY CHILLI SAUCE - I think they have a pretty awesome range, but I like the green one the best. It's really flavoursome and packs a punch. Really good with Mexican food like Burritos and Tacos. They used to stock it in Guzman Y Gomez. Ahhh those were the days.

TABASCO SAUCE - Need I say more? It's a classic. It's pretty watery, but when used sparingly, it can burnnnn so good. Really gets your mouth numb, but it tastes oh so GOOD. Really has a kick to it.

More Sriracha info?

The New York Times does a pretty good run down here about how Sriracha is made:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/dining/20united.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all

Here's also LYNDA BALSLEV's "Confessions of a Sriracha Fanatic"
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/06/140220680/confessions-of-a-sriracha-fanatic

"I got a love that keeps me waiting..."

New single off the Black Key's album El Camino - Lonely Boy. I assume the production is by Dangermouse. Reallly really gnarly sounding. Looking forward to it!

Also, Dom recently hipped me to this - Beach Boys DILLA style by Bullion:

Download the full mixtape HERE.

Some food for thought

(via @raymann)

ultraaa dope

Ultradope cover of IS THIS LOVE (orig. BOB MARLEY) done by BILAL and friends. It's closer to Corinne Bailey Rae's cover than the reggae feel of the original, but it's a bit more upbeat and experimental. Awesome violin and keyboard work.

==

Today, had a pretty awesome day. Had some pho (Vietnamese noodle soup in savoury, herby, beef broth) out in Blacktown Westpoint shopping centre for breakfast/lunch, had some coffee, had some gelato.

Also discovered a way trendy little cafe called Air out in the Hills area near the RTA - really worth a look at if you're around the area. Coffee is roasted on site and it is extra delicious. The interior is set up a bit like my old science classroom in high school, big long communal tables, really industrial feel with girders in the ceilings, books and strange drip contraptions that look like something straight out of the lab of a mad genius. Definitely recommended!

http://www.aircoffee.com/

Uh. Not much else to report, really! Picked up the new Mayer Hawthorne album - lots of cool, throwback sounds and some nice little Hall and Oates/ELO inspired numbers there. Definitely enough on the album to keep soul/funk/disco/raregroove heads happy.

hahah I love this video clip. It has everything.

Sounds that inspire me

I'm inspired today, found these great clips on youtube. First one is from instrumental-jazz-funk-experimental-rock trio medeski, martin and wood. If you stick around and watch it, you'll be treated to one of the most interesting clavinet/keyboard solos I have ever listened to... it's pretty hard to describe, but it's one of my favourites.



... and how can I not end the post with a clip from Good Old Herbie Hancock. Aside from John Medeski, I don't think there's been a keyboard player as influential as him on my playing style.

Don't Worry Baby

Beach Boys - This was one of their B-Sides. Just pure glorious vocal awesomeness. Simply gorgeous - don't take my word for it, just listen and viiiiibe.

DAFFFFT

Sick groove cover of Daft Punk by a live band w/ horns!

OK! One mo'. Here's their cover of a JDilla tune + some art/painting!



Saw the Jezebels today - it was a free lunchtime concert at Manning Bar on campus. I love being at uni again :). They are an awesome Sydney 4-piece - they don't have a bass player but they do have a fantastic, atmospheric, indie rock sound. I think Hayley (the lead vocalist) has incredible talent and charisma. Just putting it out there - Nik, Samuel and Heather (drums, guitar and keys) are one of the best rhythm sections in Sydney. Period. So solid!

Checkkk: http://www.thejezabels.com/

Some interesting reads:

http://www.raptitude.com/2011/09/you-and-your-friends-are-all-going-to-die-and-thats-beautiful/
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/opinion/you-love-your-iphone-literally.html

and uh. RANDOM groovy as hell 90's tune by ZHANE - Hey Mr DJ!

MISTER INTERNATIONAL!

Holidays are coming soon and I can't help feeling this tune. It's what summer is all about: sun, travel, fun and days that get so hot and fuzzy you forget where you are... I know we're only in Spring but, damn, in my mind Summer can't come quickly enough.

Anyway, back I go to study.

Damn you sun, you saucy temptress, for making me want to go outside and run and bask in your vitamin-D and UV drenched rays.

Ok one more. Classic funky joint - California Soul.


Hm, I've got a right mind to make a mixtape for running/runners sometime after my exams. I'm thinking a bit of Dungen, Mars Volta...

MONDAY'S MUSIC GARAGE ROCKnROLL

SAW these guys at GOODGOD the other day. Intense, dark, driving, grooving, slushy as hell, grindy garage rockers. Their song "cathedral" has a really nasty, kerb-stomper of a riff that just shakes you to the bone (I definitely recommend checking out/downloading the tune from Triple J Unearthed).

http://www.myspace.com/thelaurels
http://www.triplejunearthed.com/thelaurels