That was uncomfortable...

The 2010 Grammy's took place earlier this week and I watched a large chunk of the ceremony before getting bored and switching to something else. There was nothing out of the ordinary to report: The acts who were expected to win won and the live performances were generally quite stale (with the exception of Dave Matthew's Band and an almost interesting performance featuring Eminem and the soon-to-be incarcerated Lil' Wayne).

Something that did make my jaw drop with disbelief was the appalling Michael Jackson tribute. Five singers got on stage to perform a rendition of Earth Song complete with backing vocals by MJ himself and a tacky 3D video. At first I was greatly amused because looking at the singers I noticed that not ONE of them was a Jackson. Now, unless I am mistaken, aren't ALL of the Jackson siblings singers by trade? Surely it would not have been too much effort to get Janet, Tito of even LaToya up there to belt out a few tunes? After all, it is their fucking brother they are commemorating!

Instead, they got Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson to sing. Okay, I will let you away with Smokey Robinson because he is a soul legend and Jennifer Hudson gets a pass because she also makes incredible music (and I have a bit of a crush on her). But what the hell was Celine Dion doing up there? The fugly Canadian crooner could not be further removed from the music of Michael Jackson. Usher could have got away with it if he hadn't dropped to his knees and gyrated on the stage floor like a lap dancing midget and I don't have a clue who Carrie Underwood even is! In short, something that could have been quite special was reduced to an uncomfortable joke that made a mockery of the King of Pop more than it celebrated him.

At least I got a good chuckle out of it.

Shlohmo (the future of bedroom production)

I got put onto this guy by someone at my work and I was instantly impressed. He does not play any musical instruments and relies solely on production packages to make his sounds. Plus, I am not entirely sure the results he comes up with are entirely intentional. Still, this guy produces material that sounds similar to Flying Lotus, Samiyam and Gaslamp Killer for all the right reasons.

Shlohmo is only 21 but the San Francisco based bedroom producer is going places - fast!

For now, check out the video for his amazing song Hot Boxing the Cockpit.

Pollyn interview on The Skinny

Pollyn "Still Love" from Pollyn on Vimeo.

I interviewed Los Angeles based electronic outfit Pollyn a couple of months ago after seeing the amazing music video for Still Love. Anyone who likes Morcheeba or any form of smooth electronic stylings with sexy female vocals is going to go spastic for these guys.

Plus, their debut album only has one rubbish song (although you are going to have to listen to it yourself to find out which one I am talking about).

Check out the interview HERE.

Nee Naw! Here come the Ambulances

I was recently asked to do an interview with down tempo indie newcomers Ambulances. After listening to their debut album, I was pleasantly surprised by their Dandy Warhols/ Beta Band stylings and their warm boy/ girl harmonies.

Check out the interview HERE and be on the look out for an Ambulances show near you. They might be a bunch of pendantic piss take merchants but their music is pretty damn good.

Dorian Concept

I am a VERY big fan of Austrian electronic artist Dorian Concept. His real name is Oliver and he is a self-taught musical prodigy. As a child, Oliver taught himself to play piano and as he got older, he got hooked on keyboards and the rest is history. He takes influence from the jazz of John Coltrane and Baltimore club music.

Just look at what he can do with a couple of keyboards and a laptop. It actually sounds like he is playing turntables with a drum machine.

Amazing.

Slamm Jamm interview with Jake Eley

Here is the second interview I conducted at the 2009 Slamm Jamm, featuring Loco Skates owner and ex K2 pro skater, Jakey Eley. Jake was one of the most recognisable athletes in UK rollerblading before he decided to help stabilise the rollerblading industry in the UK by setting up one of the only skater-owned shops in the country.

Support LOCO SKATES.

SLAMMJAMM XI JAKE ELEY www.locoskates.com from Slamm Jamm on Vimeo.

Look mum, I'm on the internet!

A few months ago I got invited to work at Slamm Jamm XII, hang out with some of the best rollerbladers in the world and drink my weight in alcohol. In return, all I had to do was write some updates for the website and interview a few people. One of my interviewees was UK Skate owner Steve Bass. I am pretty sure there are more to follow...

SLAMMJAMM XI : STEVE BASS www.ukskate.com from Slamm Jamm on Vimeo.