Mischief-Managed Media Presents: Martina Topley Bird

Recently I was contacted by Independiente regarding their artist, Martina Topley Bird and her single, "Poison."

I agreed to review the track, because my research in to Bird provided me with a new artist whose music I enjoyed and whose style I found fresh and vibrant.

Martina Topley Bird has a surprising track record of working with some of the music industry's most innovative mavericks: Tricky, the Gorillaz, Primus, and John Spencer Blues Explosion. She embarks on her most recent musical voyage with long-time friend, Danger Mouse. Her first release came out in 2003, and her upcoming album, "The Blue God," [May 2008) is a testament to the "contradictions of her past."

"Poison" is a catchy pop song combining surf rock and electronica to create a delightful and dance worthy song about the way that betrayal and love creates a poisonous after-effect. In "Poison," Bird's voice is sensual and raw, sticky sweet and gritty with the memories and burdens of the past. Like any good dance tracks, the song is filled with highs and lows, but each beat is guaranteed to keep you on your feet. What I love most about this song is it's versatility; I can say in all honesty that it's on several playlists on my iPod, that I've listened to it in the car, and while dancing around the house. The more I listen to it, the more I've come to really enjoy it.



Martina Topley Bird: "Poison [original track]"



Martina Topley Bird: "Poison" [Van She Remix]"

Sleeve Meet Face

Sleeveface is my newest favorite Flickr group-- and why shouldn't it be? It combines two of my favorite things, vinyl and innovation.

Sleeveface defines itself as "one or more persons obscuring or augmenting any part of their body or bodies with record sleeves causing an illusion." This definition is provided by DJ Carl Morris, who began the fad when he placed an old album sleeve of McCartney while DJing. The crowd went wild, and DJs have been emulating the presentation ever since.

Sleeveface also has a blog where the continue to post great images.

Icons of Rock n' Roll

On Friday night, I had the rare and amazing opportunity to see two musical legends perform, practically in my backyard: Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan. As part of IU's Homecoming Week and the inauguration of a new university president, the school presented this amazing concert. I'm quite a fan of Costello, and rather like Dylan well enough-- but more importantly, it was about taking advantage of a rare opportunity (and a rare opportunity for such a reasonable price!).

The evening's biggest disappointment (other than the $15 posters!) was realizing that I actually had the time of the event wrong-- and ended up coming in during the last minute of Costello's final song! It broke my heart quite a bit. But watching Bob Dylan perform for his whole set was a lovely, relaxing, and vibrant experience.

It was also an intriguing event to observe-- Costello came out to watch Dylan perform, and no one seemed to acknowledge he was there. Hundreds of camera phones came out when Dylan took the stage. My date for the evening, who was unfamiliar with Dylan's work, enjoyed counting beats and rhythms in his music, trying to decipher some semblance of order in what seemed erratic. My favorite thing to realize though--was the energy in the room. Coming from a performing arts background, you recognize and feel the energy of the audience. And this was the most irregular and uneven energy I've ever felt. Despite this though, I thought it was a good thing. It meant that there were hundreds, if not thousands, of patrons seeing a concert where they had no idea what to expect. Their energy was low because they weren't fans of the musicians, but they realized the importance of the opportunity being presented to them, and they took advantage of it.

And really, in my arts administration career, I think that's one of the most fulfilling things that can happen.