a tribute to The Roots (who are coming to SLC tomorrow)

i have probably been a fan of The Roots for thirteen years, since they dropped their first album Do You Want More?!!!??! That would make me twelve at the time. i started listening to hip-hop in third grade, was a pretty serious listener by twelve, and then started getting more serious about making music at thirteen (though i also started at twelve). For some time now, The Roots have been one of my favorite groups. They have universal appeal while still maintaining "realness" for us avid hip-hop heads. Also, they've played a pivotal role in the neo-soul movement, collaborating and promoting artists like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott (also from Philly), Jay Dee (of Slum Village), Common, Cody Chestnutt, Bilal, etc. This will be my third time seeing them. Needless to say, i'm excited. In light of their appearance tomorrow, i thought i'd post a tribute of some of my favorite videos of theirs throughout the years. This is obviously far from definitive, but it should give you a nice taste. Thanks to Errin for sparking this post. Enjoy...

StumbleTube July 9th

Colbert on the O'Reilly Factor. i could watch this all day. i have a general disdain for all that is hannity, beck, o'reilly, or anyone else like them.

R.I.P. Bruce Conner

Bruce Conner passed away today at age 74 of natural causes. My friend Travis already posted a great article about Conner's death here and a post full of great links and information here, so i'll just add a few of my thoughts to his. i was introduced to Bruce Conner roughly two years ago while taking a class on beat art at UVU. As an aspiring filmmaker, it's easy to say that i've been most captivated by his incredibly spliced and innovative independent films. i have a few of his rare films, treasures that i present to house guests as a sort of initiation --- a sign of my confidence (and, i supposed, hope) in them. i show these films with eagerness, reminiscent of my desire to share scripture passages with friends when i first turned away from drugs and my old lifestyle. Of course, as i learned with my sometimes overbearing approach to sharing knowledge i'd gained, what changes your life doesn't universally transform the hearts of everyone. The process of exchange can be laborious and frustrating, often lacking reciprocity. Some of my friends have watched his films and walked away as if they'd just seen a reality tv show. Others, such as my wife, become instant enthusiasts and understand, almost intuitively, what makes his films so great. i am thankful for his vision and creativity that has profoundly impacted the way i view film and art. i encourage you all to delve into his work. i've only spoken briefly about his films. He has a large body of work that stretches over many mediums and many years. If you live close to me, stop by and we'll relax, turn the TV on, pop my DVDs in, and dig on some Bruce Conner together. That's how artists stay alive. Art derives and is ultimately retained and preserved in the memory.

One more link.

a question...

[Photo credit: Emdashes.com]

To my few readers: what would you like to see more of on this blog? Help.

StumbleTube July 7th

StumbleTube July 5th

Some inspirational videos...

Zombie Dance

[Photo credit: Daniel Hollister -- www.danielhollister.com]

i've been kinda feeling like a zombie lately. Not really like this one above, but more of a complacent, mindless, depressed, lazy one. i'm ready for it to pass. What do you do to shake off the zombie blues?

StumbleTube July 3rd

StumbleTube July 2nd

i know i'm posting too many of these to keep up. i assure you it will slow down after my initial addiction subsides. But, when you stumble for four hours, how can you narrow it down to one video? :)

Note on this video: i like the juxtapositions presented throughout, but i very much dislike the propaganda ending. i think it's worth posting here for the contradictions exposed in the middle content, not the contrived ending (what do you expect though, it's Robert Greenwald).


i can't tell you how happy this video makes me...

and dig on some soul while you're here...

StumbleTube July 1st

i recommend checking out parts two and three of the interview also...