The Heartless stole my heart

You know who I like? The Heartless, from the video game Kingdom Hearts. You may have noticed from my user photo. It's one of my favorite games of all time, and the sequel is equally as amazing as the first. It includes not only Disney characters, but characters from the ongoing Final Fantasy franchise, which is another series of games I endlessly obsess over. The plot is congenial to most players I would assume, but since it is also a part of Disney I can imagine they had to watch the tone of the story-line somewhat. However, it does take a bleak turn when they finally start piecing together the plot, and you realize that peoples hearts are being stolen from these shadow creatures with demon eyes, claws for hands, and the ability to disappear into thin air. "I believe darkness sleeps in every heart, no matter how pure. Given the chance, the smallest drop can spread and swallow the heart." Talk about a negative outlook on life! Ansem is a pretty sinister character, or should I say "Xehanort"? :x Regardless, The Heartless, and let's not forget the Nobodies, are among some of my favorite enemies for any video game I've ever had to conquer. >D They're just so adorable, and let's face it, I love Tetsuya Nomura's designs. Tetsu Tsukamoto also worked on the artwork. They both deserve applause. This is definitely a game you need to play if you have not already. It's for Playstation 2, but I am sure you already knew that. Not only do you get to explore things like the Light cycles in Tron, the world of the Little Mermaid or Alice in Wonderland, but Tim Burton's a Nightmare before Christmas allows you to play with Jack Skellington himself in Halloween Town! What more could I ask for? Oh yeah, a Kingdom Hearts 3!

As many times as people have said this ..

It's Doppelganger week on good ole' facebook. Now everyone knows the truth.

Greg Simkins; I'm so scared!

Has anyone seen the artwork of Greg Simkins? I 'stumbled' upon it one day on another persons blog. They had acquired a collection of various paintings done by the artist, and his eccentric style absolutely intrigues me. Whether they are scenes from a childrens storybook, or a twisted recreation of a more modern fabrication, you will not be able to avoid just stopping to gawk for awhile. At least this is the way I feel about it. A bit on the dark side of the spectrum it of course appeals to me, but there is also a sort of "innocent" and comedic undertone shining through the seams. I would not call it low brow, but some people might be reminded of that particular style from time to time. His is something all together unique, and I am not sure how to describe it. It's just something you have to see for yourself. If you like his artwork you can always visit his website and see the rest of the gallery on-line, which includes his paintings, drawings, and graffiti art.


GALLERY -:IMSCARED.COM:
What a cute URL! ^__^

Skelanimals need love too

"Skelanimals are adorable little animals who have met an untimely end-mostly due to their own reckless and ill-advised behavior. They are looking for a home with that special someone to care for and love them, but not just anyone. They like people who have a warm heart, after all they're just bones. They need you to keep them warm and cozy. Snuggling is their favorite thing to do, especially when you watch a scary movie."


http://skelanimals.com/







I wish someone would buy me one of these someday! >__<
They are soooo cute.

Talking Light Tour

I would kill to be there.

Bubblegum Octopus now has t-shirts for sale!!

Bubblegum Octopus is another of my favorite all time musicians, and I am lucky enough to have seen him play live twice. A mix of so many different styles, it is hard to classify him to any one specific genre, but his affinity for video games is definitely present in the happy-go-lucky melodies and temperamental beats. Make sure to give him a listen at the link provided below, and if you're a big fan like me pick up one of his new t-shirts too!!




http://bubblegumoctopus.bigcartel.com/product/bubblegum-octopus-t-shirt













Bubblegum Octopus on Myspace

The Residents

Now touring!



Talking Light Tour Schedule


Jan/17/10 05:20 PM
January 23 - Santa Cruz CA - Rio
January 29 - San Diego CA - Birch North Park Theater
January 30 - Los Angeles CA - Henry Fonda Theater
January 31 - Tucson AZ - Rialto Theater
February 2 - Austin TX - Stubbs
February 3 - Dallas TX - Granada
February 4 - Memphis TN - Hi Tone
February 5 - Atlanta GA - Variety
February 7 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club
February 8 - Philadelphia PA - World Cafe
February 9 - New York NY - Webster Hall
February 10 - Boston MA - Middle East
February 12 - Montreal QC - Club Soda
February 13 - Toronto Ontario - Opera House
February 15 - Chicago IL - Logan Square
February 16 - Milwaukee WI - Turner Hall

April 27 - Caen France - Le Cargo
April 28 - Brussles Belgium - Ancienne Belgique
May 1 - Bergen Norway - Bergenfest
May 2 - Oslo Norway - Sentrum Scene
May 7 - UK - ATP Festival
May 13 - Rome Italy - Officine Mariconi
May 14 - Bologna Italy - Estragon
May 15 - Milan Italy - Teatro Leonardo

DArkVant-Garde Vol. 1(?)

One of my favorite bands of all time is The Residents. I know quite a few people who listen to them, but might wonder what other music there is out there that holds the same atonal dissonance that they are so well known for? Well, that is the purpose of this as well as to share with you some other artists that I find enjoyable and inspirational. Okay, so admittedly one or two of these songs aren't exactly fitting the theme chosen for this mix, but I cannot find a reason to leave Renaldo & the Loaf and Snakefinger out of it. That borders on just damn nonsensical! While most of these tracks are darker in nature, a few I have added just because they cannot elude the Avant-Garde side of my taste in music. Some are ridiculously Gothic, some are in my made-up languages, others take a bit of patience to get into, but this is a gathering of songs, in my mind, that influences the style I try to recreate in my music from time to time. Of course, I have many other genres and artists that contribute to the inner workings of my brain, and I will continue to pull together examples of what makes me, me. Some of the artists I have provided up to two tracks for each one, because I found it so hard to make a decision and they generally have too many songs to choose from anyway. A few of these bands I was just recently introduced to, but I found the music to be so addicting I had to include them. Hopefully you will enjoy these musicians just as much as I do.




DArkVant-Garde
(click here!)

Bone-up

Native Winter Park Musicians Yip-Yip came out with a new music video for their song "Bone-up." I like their new lyrical style, but I have been a fan of them for years. I just thought I would share the youtube link in case anyone is interested.

art of meowlori

I would like to take the time now to let you in on an artist whom I think is absolutely amazing! I love her art, and she was even kind enough to draw a picture for me. Her name is Mallari Mcmains, but I prefer to call her Meowlori, it is much more fitting I believe. Her art is a combination of spooky cute creatures and humanoid beings fitted with Gothic accouterments and Burtonesque themes. Much like myself, she is a HUGE Tim Burton fan, and Sandworms are among the many things repeatedly featured in her art. She has been known to do commissions for such musicians as RoMak and the Space Pirates, Johan Ess, The Tleilaxu Music Machine, and my own musical project, Strangelette. She is a must see for anyone inspired by all things comically creepy, and it is a pleasure to know someone as obsessed with Beetlejuice as I am!

Here are a few examples:








You can view more of her art at:

Art of Meowlori

Or, just click the banner above!

Carl Sagan; one in a billion

I have been reading a lot of Carl Sagan recently, having been introduced to him by a friend over the Winter Break, and I must say he is one fascinating fellow. Scientist, Writer, Interstellar explorer, he is what made the space program so successful in recent decades. Without Carl Sagan, the plaque on the Pioneer would not exist, daring to be scooped up by universal travelers, hoping against hope that we are not the only intelligent species floating around out there. Among his other accomplishments was a TV series called "Cosmos", dumbing it down for the lay person interested in extraterrestrials and cosmic exploration, far away nebula's and billions upon billions of stars! Anyone who wishes to explore Science beyond the entertaining yet fanciful works of Lovecraft or Burroughs should definitely check him out. Not only is his voice intoxicating, but so are his written works.

Known books by the Author can most likely be checked out at your local library! Look for such titles as:

Cosmic Connection: An Extraterrestrial Perspective
Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark.
The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God

He was also co-founder of the "The Planetary Society", the world's largest space-interest group, dedicated to inspiring the public with the adventure and mystery of space exploration. You can visit the website here:


http://www.planetary.org/home/

Tim Burton at MoMA

As everyone knows, I have been a long time Tim Burton fan and he has finally obtained a spot at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, NY. The exhibit will run from November 22-April 26, 2010. I am sad that I did not know about this when I was in NYC recently this past year in 2009. I would die for a chance to return just to see his pseudo-gothic art and creepy designs. There are over 700+ works of art on display and it is recommended for no one under the age of 7, or for the faint of heart. The entrance to his gallery is marked by a three-dimensional monster with jagged teeth, complimenting the various other ghouls and goblins that lie ahead on the third floor vestibule.




For more information visit MoMA's site for the Director at:

http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/313

And here is a PDF of the museums vistors guide for the exhibit:

http://www.moma.org/docs/learn/Burton_FamilyGuide_opt.pdf