Toronto Thumbs

VIDEO
DJ Finish Him VS Oxvylu

If you missed the DJ Finish Him VS Oxvylu gig last month in Toronto, not to worry. Someone has uploaded a 10 minute clip of it!

It’s weird for me to see myself on video, but I suppose I’ll get used to it. In other news, I couldn’t see anything with those 3D glasses on, but they did look cool. Also: We didn’t really practice before this gig, so pretty much everything we’re doing is ad-libbed.

While a next gig has yet to be booked, we are planning on hooking up in the future for some more creative projects.

Posted in Canada, Music, TORONTO, Videos | 1 Comment »

Free Rad Tunes
From Desktop

Desktop, a dance/electro outfit from Detroit, has two free EP downloads over at their official site. I’ve been grooving to the 12-inch Desktop EP since it was released last year, but it was only today that I discovered the second EP download. My Boo, as it’s called, is another three-song release featuring two remixed tunes from the first release plus the title track.

Did I mention these downloads are free? I’ll be reviewing both releases for the venerable Popshifter this week. In the meantime, Check them out.

Posted in Awesome, Music | No Comments »

Unorthodox
Peter Project Feat. More or Les

TORO Magazine has posted this excellent video of Peter Project and More or Les performing the undeniably awesome “Unorthodox” from Peter Project’s Fresh EP. Check out this performance and marvel at Peter’s beat-making skills and More or Les’ ability to make rapping seem effortless.

Posted in Awesome, Music, TORONTO | 3 Comments »

Dolph Lundgren
A Little Less Conversation

Kevin’s latest Who Buys This Shit? column recalls fond memories of Rocky IV’s Ludmillo Drago. But as great as I think that column is, I believe his comment on it regarding the current activities of one Mr. Ivan Drago might be the best thing on the Internet right now, and thus totally worthy of its own post.

Watch the video »

Posted in Awesome, Music, Videos | 2 Comments »

THROWDOWN!
DJ Finish Him Vs. Oxvylu

If you missed the DJ Finish Him vs. Oxvylu live set this Saturday at Hard Luck Bar in Toronto, here’s a photograph Terence Cheng took of the set. Now just picture really loud blippy music and sound effects where half the crowd is into it and the other have is mostly confused. Now it’s like you where there!

Evidently parts of this performance were filmed, in HD, no less, so I’ll try to track that down and post it here for all to enjoy.

Posted in Awesome, Indie, Music, Photos, TORONTO | 2 Comments »

Is This Real Life?
Snoop Dogg Launches New Adidas Originals

Although I am a huge Star Wars nerd, I don’t always spend a lot of time on its official site. But I should! As far as official sites go, Star Wars is doing everything right. In addition to its neat features and distracting soundboards, I just lost about an hour of my life to its online shop and loved every second of it.

So what’s this all about? Why is Snoop Dogg hanging out with Stormtroopers? Is he a Snoop Trooper? You bet he is! He’s also launching the new Adidas line of Star Wars apparel, which is just awesome. The video is completely surreal, even though there isn’t much to it.

I’ve often lamented the fact that cool Star Wars shoes only come in kids’ sizes – but not any more! In case you’re wondering about just how nerdy these new kicks are, much of the Adidas footwear is actually very subtly done, like these Rebel Pilot/Luke Skywalker sneakers.

Will I be getting those?

To quote Yoda, “Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.”

Posted in Awesome, Music | 4 Comments »

CHIPTUNES, GLITCH TECHNO, SYNTHS, AND ROCK
One Killer Show Lineup - February 6, 2010

Toronto chiptunes artist Oxvylu, who wrote and performed all of the music your hear in our podcast, will be playing a live show tonight at Hard Luck Bar (812 Dundas St. West., Toronto). As if that wasn’t awesome enough, DJ Finish Him, who did all of the music in Reindeertase, will play a few songs with him.

Rounding out the show will be the synth-rock stylings of The Sister Wives, the danceable sludge rock of Cobra (that’s my band), and the utterly mind-blowing Deutsche Banks.

So drop by, say hello, have some complimentary candy, and enjoy the show.

Doors will open at 9:30 p.m. Check the Facebook event page for more details.

Posted in Awesome, Events, Music | 2 Comments »

Coming This Month:
KORG DS-10 Plus

XSEED Games recently announced that it will be launching the KORG DS-10 Plus in North America on February 16, 2010. I’m not sure how I missed the initial announcement, given my love for all things KORG, but I’ll be sure to make up for it by making lots of songs with the program as I have been with its predecessor.

For those wondering about some of the benefits the KORG DS-10 Plus will have over the KORG DS-10, here’s a big one: When used on a DSi, the KORG DS-10 Plus has a “Dual DS-10” mode it which it doubles its synth capacity. Its simultaneous sound reproduction total is 12, up from six; there are four analog synth simulators, up from two, and two drum machines instead of one. Additionally, those into jamming can sync up to eight units together. I can only imagine how awesome that must be.

Posted in Awesome, DS, DSi, Music | No Comments »

DANGERDOOM
The Mouse And The Mask

I got a free copy of the MF Doom/Dangermouse DANGERDOOM collaboration album The Mouse and the Mask not that long ago. While I’d received this as an MP3 download about three years ago, it was great to finally get to see the artwork and liner notes, both of which are beautifully designed. The fact the rhymes on the album are about, and feature samples from, Adult Swim shows just makes it all the more excellent.

As a pack rat, I’m inclined to enjoy something more if it has more to it: DVD special editions with gewgaws, intricate liner notes and booklets, and of course actual physical copies of games. While online distribution services make it easier than ever to find and buy games, I still enjoy opening up the packaging and taking a whiff of new game smell. The only downside is that every so often I have to do a massive item storing and swapping routine. It keeps things on my Dork Shelf (technically, shelves) refreshing, I find.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some music to listen to.

Posted in Art, Awesome, Music | 2 Comments »

DS To Get More Rhythm
Beat City Coming to Town This Year

Today THQ announced an upcoming DS game from developer Universomo called Beat City. While not much has been revealed in terms of details, it looks somewhat similar to Rhythm Heaven. Players will tap, swipe, and hold to the beat of the music in several mini games. Sounds cool, no pun intended.

While this happens, the city in the game will transform into a vibrant place. The above image is from the tentative box art from the game and reminds me of the Powerpuff Girls episode “Mime For A Change” in which the girls save a black & white Townsville through the magic of rock ‘n’ roll. Here’s a clip of that; it’s awesome.

So how about some bonus content for you exclusive to Toronto Thumbs? Here’s an mp3 of my friend (and part-time contributor) Kevin Hickey and me covering this tune. It was recorded in 2001 (or 2000). We used an old Tascam four-track I had borrowed from a friend and didn’t really know what we were doing. Enjoy!

Posted in Awesome, DS, DSi, Music, News Bytes | 2 Comments »