Imagine None Of This Is Real

Last weekend, at the Pukkelpop festival in Belgium, a misjudged stage-dive by Charles Haddon of London-based synthpop outfit Ou Est Le Swimming Pool resulted in the serious injury of a female fan.

It's been reported that, following the incident, members of the band were embroiled in a furious argument backstage. Hours later, Haddon was found dead in a car park, having commit suicide.

As a tribute to the late singer, whose promising career has been cut cruelly short, Frankmusik recorded this impassioned acoustic cover of the band's debut single, Dance The Way I Feel.

Frankmusik - Dance The Way I Feel



The dubiously-monikored eMDeeeMA have re-jigged Frankmusik's cover, setting it to some bleeps and squelches. The raw intensity of the acoustic version is blunted somewhat, but it's still pretty lovely.

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool - Dance the Way I Feel (FRANKMUSIK cover) (eMDeeeMA Remix) by eMDeeeMA

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool will release their debut album, The Golden Year, in October.

Ah, Poxegen!

My '99% guaranteed' ticket for Oxegen appears to have fallen through. Alas, I fear I have been duped.

If you hear of any cheap tickets going, be sure to keep me posted.

[Image: Flickr]

Barometer of Judgement

Love it:

True Blood - How this fantastic series remains without an Irish distributor is beyond me. Directed by 'Six Feet Under' creator Alan Ball, the series is set in a reality where vampires have come out into the open following the invention of synthetic blood. Starring Anna Paquin as Sookie and Stephen Moyer as her vampire love-interest Bill, the series has been rather aptly described by Aideen as 'Twilight for grown-ups'.

Slightly Blue - This nifty little device scours collections of Flickr photographs for images that match a colour of your choice. I haven't a clue what practical uses it might serve but it's fun to play around with it and test its accuracy.

Twitter - Yes, I was initially skeptical of the 'micro-blogging' site and I do think a lot of the jibes directed at those who 'tweet' are entirely justified. However, the use of the site by Iranian civilians to orchestrate rallies has convinced me of Twitter's merits and watching the hysteria surrounding Michael Jackson's death unfold in real time on the site was fascinating.

When Saints Go Machine - If you hold my musical tastes in any regard at all, you need to get your hands on a copy of the Swedish band's album 'Ten Makes A Face'. Oh, and while you're at it, check out their self-titled EP.

Can't Speak French - This genius idea by the girls from Bluebirds Are So Natural involves converting the lyrics to popular songs into French through online 'translators' and then re-converting the resulting French back into English. e.g. 'This time baby I’ll be Bulletproof' becomes 'This baby of time, is it with test of the balls.' Amazing.


Shove it:

Sexist McCoy's Ad - Yorkie already did this. Far better.

No More Ad Hoc in Temple Bar - Where the jiggins are people going to get zebra-print tights, diamond encrusted whistles and metallic bow-ties now that this Dublin institution has closed up shop?

Perez Hilton - I'm becoming increasingly convinced that this man is, in fact, the anti-Christ.

Murray Mania - How can the Brits get so excited about the sporting success of a character who doesn't seem remotely excited himself? Henman hardy epitomised charisma but he was at least able to serve up a smile once in a while, unlike this chap, who lives up to the stereotype of the dour Scot.

Avenue Q's Final Curtain - After a run that lasted over 6 years, my favourite Broadway musical will close on September 13, 2009. If you've never experienced the irreverent puppety brilliance of this show during its run, it really does suck to be you.


[Image: Baltimore 21201]

Barometer of Judgement

Love It:

Imogen Heap - She's documented the drawn-out process of assembling her third album in a series of vblogs but now it seems we might finally get to hear the end product. She recently revealed on Twitter that the album is called 'Ellipse' and is scheduled for an August release.

IYT Festival of New Writing - Dublin's only youth-run youth theatre staged a fantastic festival this week. If you missed it, shame on you. Don't beat yourself up too much though because you'll have another chance to witness the talents of IYT during the upcoming Gay Theatre Festival. 'Killed By Curriculum' is written by emerging playwright Shaun Dunne and runs from 4th to 6th May in Teachers' Club Parnell Square. Tickets can be booked here.

New Look - I always thought it was just for women. Turns out they've got a H&M worthy men's collection. Summer Ball outfit: sourced.

Britney in Dublin - June 19th is the date Britney's Circus rolls into town. Tickets start at €86 though, which is a bit steep for the worst seats in the house. Tempting all the same...

MTV Sessions - Whoever's responsible for these is clearly pretty clued in as the roster of artists, performing pared down live versions of their tracks, reads like a who's who of 'next big thing' contenders.


Shove it:

The Long Goodbye - I've started bracing myself to say goodbye to DCU all over again. Mixed feelings about it, to be honest. As eager as I am to move on to the next stage of my life, I've had a lot of fun the past few weeks and it's a bit depressing seeing things set up for a time when I won't be here.

Bills, Bills, Bills - TV licences are a load of pox. I completely empathise with the people in those patronising ads who go to great lengths to avoid paying them.

Demolition of Andrews Lane Theatre - Apparently it's been on the cards for over a year but they've now officially started advertising the office spaces in the replacement building. Apparently the new complex will include a theatre but God knows how long it's going to take for the construction to take.

Calvin Harris' Latest Stuff - I wanted to like it but have come to the conclusion that it's absolute parp. Other people seem to be lapping it up though because 'I'm Not Alone' is his first ever UK Number One. Let them eat cake.

Lorraine Keane Off The Tellybox- As if losing The Seoige Sisters wasn't traumatic enough, Lorraine Keane has finished up on TV3's 'Xpose'. Who's going to tell us when Kylie launches a new brand of perfume now?!

The Day The Music Died

Last FM have announced that they are to begin charging to stream music on their hugely popular site. Last FM has been a fantastic to resource to me throughout the past four years so I think it's a pity they've taken decided on this course of action.

What makes this news slightly more difficult to swallow is that charges for streaming are only being applied outside of the UK, the United States and Germany. Discrimination station.

Image generated from my own Last FM page by Alekc's nifty device.

Barometer of Judgement

Love it:

The Books - American 'folktronica' act The Books are certainly worth a spin if The Garden State OST features in your CD/audio file collection. And perhaps even if it doesn't.

Google Reader - This nifty device saves a whole lot of clicking by displaying any new posts on your favourite blogs and sites that have been made since you last checked.

Cute Overload - Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Charity Shops - Assembling the costumes for DCU Drama's production of 'Rent' has been something of a trial. On the upside, I now have a near expert knowledge of Dublin's charity shops and realise that there are so many treasures to be found at dirt cheap prices in these establishments.

TV3 - Despite the fact that it must rank among the most awkward places in Dublin to access, I was very impressed by the set up that the independent TV station have in the Ballymount Estate, Lucan. Anyone who sees how slick the operation is behind the scenes might be less inclined to deride the likes of Xposé or Martin King. Then again, they might not.


Shove it:

Patrick Wolf - I tried to convince myself the new stuff was good but I've now conceded that it's pretty pants. He's slowly morphing into Boy George and the video for 'Vulture' is vile.

Assignments - It's 'reading week' but I've yet to do any reading. Oh dear.

Career Doom - The next person who tells me there won't be any jobs when I finish in September should brace themselves for a whack attack. My mother even suggested I go crawling back to the Irish insurance industry. Please God, don't let it come to that.

Skins Series Finale - This series has been brilliant so I'm slightly devastated that it's coming to an end this Thursday. The trailer suggests it's going to be characteristically overblown. I'll be disappointed if it's not.

Lucy Kennedy - Why do RTE insist on shoving these 'personalities' down our throats?! She was decent as compere on 'The Podge and Rodge Show' but she's certainly not worthy of the amount of airtime she's been given in her own right. 'The Lucy Kennedy Show'? Pfft! Bring back Anna Nolan, I say.

[Images: Music Now & In Photos]

Model Meltdown

Crazy scenes at the open casting in New York for the next season cycle of America's Next Top Model. Three people were arrested and six women required medical attention following a stampede.

And no, the girls weren't being chased by Ronald Mc Donald wielding carb-loaded hamburgers or anything of the sort. In fact, the pandemonium is being blamed on a back-firing car that was mistaken for a bomb by some auditionees.

This footage gives a pretty good sense of the chaos:

Barometer of Judgement

Love It:

Sea Kittens - A very clever strategy by PETA to generate interest in preventing cruelty to fish. No, really.

ARK Angel - Belfast boy Cameron Stewart's brilliant initiative to use stylish t-shirts to make the world a better place.

Springtime - I suspect I might suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder because I feel so much more chipper when it's bright and warm. That said, if you think I'm going to surrender an hour of my life to 'daylight savings', you've got another thing coming.

Miley Cyrus - The ironic appreciation I acquired from Liana for Billy Ray's pride and joy has blossomed into full-blown amour. I'm quite looking forward to her showdown with Tyra in Hannah Montana - The Movie.

Oxegen Line-up - Bloc Party, Lady Gaga, Foals, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Friendly Fires, Florence and the Machine, Blur, TV on the Radio, Ladyhawke and Lily Allen to name but a few. Get in there.


Shove It:

Electric Picnic in Jeopardy - Rumours abound that Electric Picnic might not happen at all this year. Very worrying.

Inadvertently Repeating One's Self - "Have you heard this song?" "Oh yeah, I saw it on your blog." Oh. "Did I tell you about X?" "No, but I read your blog-post so I'm up to speed." Lovely.

Dublin Bus - Something of a fixture in the 'Shove It' section. Their most recent gaffe was scrapping the 2-Easy bus passes, making it that extra bit awkward to avoid those head-wrecking refund slips.

Jade's Vultures - The media's coverage of every detail of Jade Goody's deterioration is extremely sinister but I suppose, in a way, tragically fitting.

Nightmares - I realise I'm a bit old to be waking in the night from bad dreams but my sub-conscious has been presenting me with some seriously warped scenarios of late.


[Image: ABC]

The Virgin Blogocides

Those responsible for The Chancer have followed UnaRocks' lead and laid their blog to rest. I regularly read both these blogs, particularly UnaRocks, and frankly I'm a little confused as to why they've decided to call it a day.

One theory I have is that the influx of Paddies to the blogosphere in recent months has made blogging a little too 'mainstream' for these former titans of the Irish blogging scene but perhaps the muddled explanations they offer in their final posts are genuine.

Miss you long time, guys.

[Image: Flickr]

Nitelol

Well, someone's certainly having a laugh.

I was out tonight at a fundraiser, organised by a friend of mine, in 4 Dame Lane. The set-up was great: good DJ's, nice crowd, funky visuals and an 'art swap'. Everyone was having a super time but at twenty five past eleven there was suddenly a mass exodus from the joint.

Cinderellas heading home for a twelve o' clock curfew? Think again. These people, myself included, were all heading for the last bus home, knowing that if we stayed out any longer, we'd have to pay an extortionate taxi fare to get home.

Dublin Bus's decision to scrap all Monday to Thursday Nitelink routes is farcical. I genuinely believe people will be less likely to venture out into town, meaning the pubs and clubs will suffer, establishments will close and people will lose jobs.

I try to avoid moaning about the recession but I really think the approach taken to public transport is ludicrous, particularly when you consider that there are to be more daytime bus-routes scrapped in coming weeks.

In the immortal words of Tommy Tiernan: The World is F*cked.

Please sign/set up a petition in your local area opposing less frequent bus-routes and sign here to call for the Nitelink's return.

[Image: Ronan Fitzgerald]

And Then You Go And Spoil It All By Saying Something Stupid Like 'Eh, Eh'

Rather disastrous choice of single release by Lady Gaga from an album loaded with potential hits. 'Pokerface' is yet to be properly released over here so at least it'll be a while before this monstrosity hits the airwaves.

Barometer of Judgement

Love it:

Ugly Megan - After being impressed by their support slot for Tilly and The Wall last October, I was delighted to catch Orlando and Kathi's performance at TAC last night. Their wonderfully weird brand of Waterford hip-hop was made all the better by the sudden appearance of about twenty semi-naked dancers onstage for the closing number. File next to Camille O' Sullivan and Duke Special under 'Artists That Sound Much Better Live Than On Your Ipod'.

The Pope on Youtube - I jest not.

Credit Munch - Spar have sandwiches for €1, Londis have Pepsi Max for 30 cent and Kit Kats for 38 cent. Recession come good. More of this, please.

Skins Season 3 - Although many are still pining for Tony et al., the consensus is that the first episode of the new series exceeded expectations. We got NTL digital today at our house so hopefully I'll be able to avoid snail-pace streaming from the E4 site from now on.

Dressing Up - Costumes make any night out at least 17% more fun. FACT.

Shove It:

Twitter - This looks poised to be the next online social networking fad. I previously 'shoved' Facebook and then had to eat my words so I expect it's only a matter of time before I succumb to this site too.

The Demise of State Magazine - Everybody seemed to love State when it first hit the shelves a year ago so it's a little surprising to see the magazine floundering. After a couple of months, it was downgraded to a free-sheet and now, because of a lack of funds, they've had to ditch the physical format altogether and distribute it as an online PDF. Bad buzz.

Extortionate Gas Bills - Let's just say I'll be reaching for my biggest, ugliest jumper instead of the central heating switch.

Cancelled Nitelink Routes - From Monday 2nd February there is no Monday to Thursday nitelink service. It's things like this that result in CIE getting 'shoved' on here more often than anybody else.

"This Service Is Not Available in Your Country" - Racists.

[Ugly Megan Image: Analogue]

Blue Monday

A number of media outlets are running stories that today, Monday the 19th of January, is statistically the most depressing day in history.

The Daily Mail report claims the collective gloom is a result of six factors: winter weather, Christmas credit card bills. abandoned New Year's resolutions, fears over job security, mounting debt and the house price collapse. They also predict that one in five people will call in sick to work. Disaster.

If you've fallen victim to the epidemic of woe, my advice is to try some lolcat therapy. The abundance of feline funniness on this cult site is bound to lift anybody's mood.









See also:

Cat's That Look Like Hitler

Kitten War

Cats in Sinks

Barometer of Judgement:

Love It:

As in RebekkaMaria - At the end of the calendar year, bloggers LOVE making lists of what was good and what was bad about the past year. One album that came to my attention as a result of these lists is 'Queen of France' by Denmark-born, Sweden-based pop pixie As In RebekkaMaria. With Norwegian poptart Annie out of the picture for the time being after her recent departure from Island Records, somebody needed to take over the helm of the europop revolution so the arrival of As in RebekkaMaria and her punchy pop ditties couldn't have come at a better time.

http://www.reasonsyouarespecial.com/ - One of a selection of cute websites from the people who bring you Converse.

Six Feet Under - I had forgotten how much I love this programme until Santa Claus brought me a box set of Series 2. (Series 1 might have been a better starting point but I'm not complaining). The brilliant characters, superb acting, gorgeous cinematography and murky themes all make for compulsive viewing and, as a result, I've now resolved to collect all five series. The best thing about re-watching Six Feet Under is that I get to look forward to, what at least one other person agrees is, the best series finale of all time.

Sarah Cramer Photography - She'll be photographing scantily-clad Miley Cyrus in no time at all.

Jameson Dublin International Film Festival - Soon to be my new employers, the JDIFF is shaping up to be a great auld fest. Here's hoping my employment extends a little longer than Christmas on Ice (two weeks) and that I catch a glimpse of some of the superstar-stars.

Shove It:

Emigration - Friends, family members, multinational corporations. They're dropping like flies.

"Your love-life's DOA..." - I haven't so much as fancied somebody in months. What's wrong with me? Although, I must admit that this shot of Frankmusik succeeded in brightening up my day.

Alexandra Burke - Biggest selling single of 2008? Tch. Be gone, you one-woman-blubathon.

RTE Television - I watched a lot more television than normal over the festive period and the standard of programming on RTE is truly appalling. Maybe it's competition with digital TV that's driving them to produce this lowest-common-denominator drivel but I really wish they'd ditch at least some of the reality TV shite and focus on making some quality drama along the lines of 'Raw' and 'Batchelors Walk'.

Bus fares - Up again? €1.15 and €1.60 are awkard, awkward amounts, Dublin Bus.

Great in '08

Please find attached the obligatory end of year 'things I liked' review:

Bangin' Choons of '08:

Annie - Songs Remind Me Of You
Bloc Party - Talons (Phones R.I.P. Remix)
Britney Spears - Womanizer (Teenagers Remix)
FrankMusik - When You're Around (Boys Noize Remix)
La Roux - Quicksand
Lady Gaga - Pokerface
Ladyhawke - Magic
Pin Me Down - Cryptic (left)
Sam Sparro - Sick
Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes



Best Albums:

Blood Red Shoes - Box of Secrets (right)
Heathers - Here, Not There
Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
Lykke Li - Youth Novels
Santogold - Santogold

Most Disappointing Album:

The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing

Best Live Performances:

Alphabeat @ Whelans
Camille O' Sullivan @ Queen's Hall
Chromeo @ Electric Picnic (left)
Foals @ The Academy
Lykke Li @ The Button Factory

Best Live Non-Performance:

Santogold @ Tripod

Best Non-Live Performance:

Zeigeist @ Twisted Pepper


Best Movies:

Caramel
In Bruges
No Country For Old Men
Sweeney Todd
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (right)

Worst Movie:

Sex and the City


Best Theatrical Shows:

Circus @ Dublin International Theatre Festival (left)
Clockheart Boy @ Edinburgh Fringe
Eejit of Love @ Dublin Fringe
Scaramouche Jones @ Edinburgh Fringe
The New Electric Ballroom @ Edinburgh Fringe

Worst Theatrical Show:

Those Powerful Machines @ Dublin Fringe

What's That Coming Over The Hill?

Is it a Monster? Is it a Monster?

I think my recovery from Pepsi and Coke addiction is decidedly less impressive when you consider how much of this stuff I've consumed since going "cold turkey".

Regrettably, the the scantily-clad woman whose arse features above has not been involved at any stage of the process.

The Barometer of Judgement

Love it:

DCU FM - DCU's Media Production Society this week re-launched their radio station thanks to a trojan effort by Chris Clery. Tune in on Tuesday's between 4pm and 6pm to hear me and Leah Doyle presenting 'Pop Years'.

'Ladies' playing in Dublin - Ladyhawke and Lady Gaga are both set to rock the mic in Dublin next February. I will definitely be at Ladyhawke but, in order to see Gaga, one will have to endure the mortification of attending a Pussycat Dolls gig, as she is the support act at their O2 date.

Ice-skating - Even my job at Smithfield on Ice hasn't tainted my love of the rink.

Paul Howard - I had the pleasure of interviewing the Ross O' Carroll Kelly writer recently and, even though it's hard not to feel as though he's flogging a dead horse at this stage, the man is so charismatic and witty that you'd forgive him anything.

TAC - Really cool indie night organised by some NCAD folk. Credit must go to Lyndsay for the discovery. Next one is on December 23rd.


Shove it:

Miming - Performers miming to songs on television is not a crime but I think an effort should be made to make it look convincing. Take note Britney Spears and 'X Factor' producers. Miming whilst performing 'live' at a gig is unforgiveable. Hang yizzer heads in shame, Zeigeist (aka Shitegeist.)

Caffeine addictions - My new year's resolution is to ease off on the Pepsi and Coke intake.

X Factor - Single-handedly ruining the fun of the race to Christmas no. 1.

DCU Meltdown - The bar's no craic and closed all the time. 3 euro Tuesday's are but a hazy memory. Students are banned from The Hub at weekends. Nobody turns up for events like The Carnival Ball or Duke Special (possibly the best DCU gig I've ever attended.) How I pine for my proper DCU crew and the days of old.

Working 'round the clock - As you can tell by the lack of posts on here, it's a busy, busy time indeed for The Bubble Boy. I'm counting down the days until the Xmas holidays...

Blog On

So, I only managed a measly five posts in all of October. Pretty pathetic, I'm sure you'll agree. That said, it's a pretty accurate reflection of 'where I'm at'.

I've spent the last few weeks running around like a headless chicken, trying to fulfill the various commitments I've taken on and touch base with all of my favourite people. Those of you that know me are probably thinking: 'What's new?' but, at the moment, it's really not sitting right.

The reason I tend to get involved in so many projects is because I love trying out new things, challenging myself and, if I'm honest, being a little bit stressed. Right now, it just doesn't seem worth it though. I'm not enjoying myself at all and I feel like I'm not spending enough time with my friends to sustain a proper connection.

This might all sound like self-indulgent tripe but it's really beginning to get me down. I'm not sure how I go about remedying the situation but I'm hoping reading week will give me a chance to clear my head and get back on track.

Things will work out just fine. They always do.

Mo' Money, Mo' Problems?

Surely not.


I think I can safely say that, at this precise moment in time, I am poorer than I have ever been before. And it sucks.

As time goes on, more and more of my friends are setting up in The Real World, bringing in a salary and even starting to save (for a rainy day, presumably). An unfortunate consequence of this is that I'm having to miss out on a lot of social occasions due to my lack of finances.

When we were all poor students, we all lived cheap and rarely went beyond the confines of DCU to socialise. These days, most of the same people wouldn't be caught dead in a student bar whereas I simply can't afford to go out anywhere else unless I 'pre-booze' (as one of my friends calls it) or stay sober.

Cinema, theatre, gigs and the likes are also off the menu for me at the time being. At the moment, I don't even know how I'm gonna pay for my next couple of months' rent and it's a scary, scary feeling.

The Barometer of Judgement

Love It:

Dublin Fringe Festival - Perhaps I'm biased but genuinely think my new employers have really upped their game with this year's festival. The Spiegel Garden located in The Iveagh Gardens is especially magical.

Blogging - Everyone's getting into it these days. Perhaps it is a self-indulgent practice but I look forward to checking some of my best buds' latest posts when I log onto the interwheb.

Autumn - It's my favouite season of all. I'm not sure how it reflects on me as a person that my favourite time of year is when nature begins to die but there you have it.

Wrigley's Extra Fusion Chewing Gum - Fruity-flavoured gum to cater to those of us enlightened enough to realise that mint is the source of all evil.

Successful Friends - It's so interesting to see how people I know are coping in The Real World. As it happens, most of them are kicking The Real World's ass, thank you very much.


Shove It:

The Rain - Stop please.

The New Boyzone Track - In fairness, they were godawful first time around so I'm not sure why I'm surprised by the atrociousness of their new material. Leave it to Gary Barlow and Co, lads.

Money Problems - I still owe €300 on the credit card my parents don't know I own. Oops.

You're Only Massive Split - Apparently, my new favourite band split amicably earlier in the Summer and the only reason I got to see them at Electric Picnic was because they were 'fulfilling outstanding commitments'. Maebh is going to contunue as a solo act, using the same name apparently. I kind of preferred the other girl, Megan. Oh well.

Missing Out - I'm missing about five 21sts this month because of work and other commitments. I also wish I could have gone on The Boat Trip for at least a couple of days. Bah, humbug!