I’ve had I Come To Shanghai’s Eternal Life Vol. II for quite some time now. As previously discussed here on Popblerd , Robert Ashley and Sam Frigard added an “early download & listen” incentive to their KickStarter project. Over the last month, I’ve had their record pop up on my iPhone as I go for long drives or as I do chores around the house. Much like one of my favorite albums, Chicago , there is a constantly flowing suite of music that seamlessly blends from one […]
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Pixel Perfect: New Technology Allows for Capturing Performances in Video Games
Unlike literature or film, video games did not set off to tell a story during it’s humble beginnings. Attempting to virtually create recreational activities like pinball, video games were simplistic algorithms designed to “blip” and “bloop” a square object back and forth between paddles. Eventually, these pixels evolved into more complex shapes, from descending invaders from space to Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde. Jump to the present, and we’re being treated to games telling complex stories through big budget cut […]
Spin Cycle: Delta Spirit’s Self Titled EP
At the onset of Autumn 2010, I had never heard of Delta Spirit . My friend and fellow musician was invited to a “secret show” in a small bar on Landsdowne Street (right next to Fenway Park, for all you non-Bostonians out there) to see some “Americana rock band” that I “would probably like.” My first time seeing Delta Spirit was pretty magical. Since that time, they’ve been one of my staple go-to-bands for the warmer seasons of the year, with their […]
The Singles Bar: I Come To Shanghai offers “Eternal Life” for a price… (NSFW)
Athens-based rock duo I Come To Shanghai appears to be tapping into the zeitgeist of the internet, with their new KickStarter project gathering funds to implement the previously released “Eternal Life Vol. I” and the forthcoming “Eternal Life Vol. II” to be pressed to a vinyl LP, forming one cohesive and eternal musical experience. As previously discussed on Popblerd in both mediums of documentary filmmaking and old school PC gaming , KickStarter-esque projects seem to be all the rage as of late. Robert Ashley and Sam Frigard of I Come […]
Who The Hell Is… Chris North?
Chris North, former member of The Points North , has a disposition somewhat akin to his music. This Jamaica Plain resident is a humble guy, while simultaneously being a no-bullshit and a very straight-to-the-point individual. His music resembles his earnestness, which he’s been writing and performing for several years now, dating back to his solo and collaborative efforts under the moniker of Saint Joe Hazelwood . North’s music has ranged from quite Appalachian folk to experimenting with static and industrial-esque soundscapes. Consistently honing and altering his […]
Pass The Popcorn: How to Fund a Time Machine
Jay Cheel, director of “ Beauty Day ,” wants your money. Why should you fork over your hard-earned money to help this relatively unknown Canadian filmmaker fund a documentary based off an allegedly elaborate hoax about time travel? Well, if that intriguing rhetorical question didn’t do anything for you, take a quick gander at this Doc Ignite trailer for “How to Build a Time Machine“… Crowd funding is an interesting concept. It’s been all the rage as of late, with Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Productions raising over 600K in under 24 hours via KickStarter […]
Pass The Popcorn: The Found Footage Debate
“ Chronicle ” made 22 million last weekend in the U.S. domestic box office. That’s not bad considering it’s a film cast with relatively unknown actors and for a film released in the dead season of February. This is far more impressive when considering it cost only 12 million to produce the film. How did such a film get away with such a small budget and still bring in a large audience on its opening weekend? The answer can most likely […]
From the Diamond to Developer: The Story of Curt Schilling’s Passion for Gaming
The man with the blood-soaked “red sock,” Curt Schilling , is a hero to many a Boston sports fan. Under the mentoring and friendship of Terry Francona, Schilling went on to set records and helped to win two World Series championships within his four years with the team. What most people don’t know about Curt, however, is that he’s an avid gamer. While he was on the road, he would constantly obsess over a 1980’s board game entitled Advanced Squad Leader . He also became […]
The Singles Bar: I Come To Shanghai’s “In Your Own Way”
Nostalgia is in. With bands like M83 and The Radio Dept. dusting off many a drum machine and synthesizer, it’s fair to say that a reverence for the past is common building block for most modern bands. Music, in a way, is like your favorite cocktail. You stick with what you know, but it’s the twist that sets itself apart. That’s not to say that this Athens, Georgia-based duo sounds anachronistic by any standards. Conversely, I Come To Shanghai has the penchant for implementing the “blips” and […]
À la carte: How to Stop Paying Expensive Monthly Bills & Get the Content You Want
Satellite and cable television subscriptions are expensive. You’re paying for a lot of content you will never see, nor ever have the desire to. In this article, I will illustrate the cheaper (and more sensible) alternatives to getting your couch potato fix. Mind you, these television substitutes vary largely on your location, proximity to heavily populated areas, and access to a high-speed internet connection. If you’re reading this via a 56k modem, just stop reading now (and/or watching the photo […]
Pass The Popcorn: Oscar Nominations (Pomp & Predictability)
It’s Oscar nomination time. Blake sizes up the choices, some of which are surprising, many of which are predictable.
Shell Shock: The 5 Stages of Playing an Online Competitive First Person Shooter
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First person shooters (FPS) video games are extremely popular. The Call of Duty games have had record breaking world-wide releases, surpassing any blockbuster film opening before it. With Modern Warfare 3 making over 1 billion dollars in sales in just under 16 days , it’s safe to say that people like shooting other people in the face via an internet connection. Competitive shooters are varied (from the fast paced arcade shooting of Call of Duty games, to the slower paced and more tactical shooting of the Battlefield series, to the ultra cartoon violence of Team Fortress 2 ), there’s something […]
