DMW: Digital Music W...

Why am I not surprised? But, I think what really surprised me during the nomination announcement was the fact that only three - THREE - made the list and two spots were still available. Not that I don't want Miyazaki-san to win (a shoo-in at this point) I just thought how strange that AMPAS still treats this category like shit. I mean, where's Katsuhiro Otomo's Steamboy? And The Weinstein Co.'s Hoodwinked? I guess previewing tapes didn't make it to Academy members?
Anyway, congrats to the other noms: Tim Burton's Corpse Bride and Wallace & Gromit In The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Eventually they will say, "It's an honor to be nominated...and to be nominated with the likes of Hayao Miyazaki." Translation - "I'm going to lose to Hayao Miyazaki."

N.B. - The Hollywood Foreign Press Association recently announced adding a Animation Feature category for 2007. About time The Golden Globes recognizes animated features.

Below is a segment from Comcast's Anime Selects covering the US premiere of Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle. It's obvious who I'm rooting for.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 31, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Peelander-Z returns to SxSW with maybe some new tunes. How can I describe them? Well, they are like anime...but in live-action.

Seriously, this band is a fun band to watch. Check out their website. Doesn't it scream, "FUN!"? Take a listen to their song called "Dragon". If that doesn't wake you up, then you are dead.
Since they are based in New York, you come to expect Lower East Side punk action with an infusion of Japanese speed rock. Quite evident in the track "S.T.E.A.K." where they ask, "How would you like cook you a steak?" The answer, "MEDIUM RARE!!!!!!"

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 30, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok. She didn't say it in those words. But, she might as well have said it in those words anyway. Another gift from Western Civilization...

Here's how the headline read in the release: Tajik star breaks post-Taliban silence and rocks Afghan fans

The sultry Tajik star tested the audience in this deeply conservative Islamic country by kicking off with a slow song about her father for which she wore a long black robe and head scarf and barely moved. Encouraged by the positive response, she changed into tight, Western-style jeans and uncovered her hair -- still rare among Afghan women in public -- for more up-tempo numbers which also had her dancing across the stage. The concert was the first in a series planned for the capital and the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif that many said showed Afghanistan was moving away from its fundamentalist past, which included five years of Taliban rule.

Slowly but surely, Afghanistan will reach modernity and when that happens, it would be cool to see a showcase of Afghan talent at SxSW. But for now, baby steps.

Source: AFP

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 30, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

AAAAWE YEEEEEAAAAAHHH!

Photo: AP/Kevin Rivoli

UNRANKED Seton Hall DEFEATS #25 Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. Final score: 68 - 61, The Hall

LET'S GO PIRATES!
-Amanda Nanawa, Class of 1996

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 29, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ha! Add Paul Weller to the list of musicians who don't give a crap about James Blunt or his ridiculous song, "You're Beautiful". Here's what he told organizers of the Brit Awards:

"I'd rather eat my own s*** than duet with James Blunt."

Ok, so far we have Justin Hawkins of The Darkness, Charlotte Church (even though she's pretending to like his music) and Alison Goldfrapp. Adding Paul Weller makes it four. You can start your own Justice League with this. Oh wait, add me too. I don't fancy his style or retarded nuances. I heard that he was recently compared to a young Rod Stewart. Yeah, sure...if Rod Stewart's balls were caught in a vise.

Vise

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 28, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

I have to admit, I was a bit passive about this band when they first came out in 2001 with their debut album 604. And although Light & Magic spawned a hit single in "Seventeen", I still wasn't hitching a ride. I didn't get into them until Witching Hour was released and suddenly I approached their music with open arms. The third album is considered their darkest yet (just listen to the lyrics of "International Dateline" and you can see where people get that idea). And fans and critics do seem to agree on one thing, their sound is maturing. I hope they include a DJ set in addition to their live show at SxSW. That would be cool. My favorite tracks off the album are: "Destroy Everything You Touch", "High Rise", "CMYK", "International Dateline", "Fighting in Built Up Areas" and "All the Way".

Video to "Sugar"

Video to "Destroy Everything You Touch"

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 28, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hence, it's a site - not a label. AOL Music has recently launched "G-Sides, Music for the GLBT Community" and goes on to say it features "the gay and lesbian artists we love." Here's how the rest of the press release reads:

But M. Tye Comer, senior programming manager for AOL Music, says G-Sides isn't necessarily a "gay music" site. "This site will talk about all different facets: gay artists, music that has a strong LGB fan base, and even videos that you might not think have relevance to the gay and lesbian community -- but do." At its January 23 launch, G-Sides (http://music.aol.com/feature/gay_music) featured an interview and DJ session from Cyndi Lauper, videos of the Strokes and a duet between Antony & the Johnsons and Boy George. A chart, "This Week's Essential Tunes," links to videos from artists-and presumed gay icons-such as Gwen Stefani, the cast of the Broadway hit Rent, and, of course, Madonna.

Source: Reuters

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 25, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When I was programming The Anime Network and we had time to fill, this band was one of my favorites on the slate. I'm really happy to see that they will be at SxSW. Their stage performance is pretty funny to watch -- only because they wear funny things either on their head or just funny outfits. Plus, I like their ode to Devo. Cool.

Below is a video to "Kaja Kaja Goo" from their album, Polysics or Die!!!!. I liked the scene with the cat and it's little duster booties. Cute!

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 23, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I just want to throw this out there since I love the video game. I played the first and second Silent Hill games (I only finished the second). Silent Hill: The Room is just amazing. One of my favorite games of 2005. Anyway, the feature film version of the game will release nationwide in theatres on April 21, 2006.
To get things going, Sony's TriStar has a contest for the official movie poster that will be used in the campaign. There are five finalists and viewers can vote online at WelcomeToSilentHill.com. TriStar will unveil the winning poster on February 22, which will then be displayed in theaters across the country prior to the release of the film. The designer of the winning poster will receive $2500.

Silent Hill Finalist

Silent Hill Finalist

Silent Hill Finalist

Silent Hill Finalist

Silent Hill Finalist

Here's a short descrip of the movie: The eerie and deserted ghost town of SILENT HILL draws a young mother desperate to find a cure for her only child's illness. Unable to accept the doctor's diagnosis that her daughter should be permanently institutionalized for psychiatric care, Rose (Radha Mitchell) flees with her child, heading for the abandoned town in search of answers -- and ignoring the protests of her husband (Sean Bean). It's soon clear this place is unlike anywhere she's ever been. It's smothered by fog, inhabited by a variety of strange beings and periodically overcome by a living Darkness that literally transforms everything it touches. As Rose searches for her little girl, she begins to learn the history of the strange town and realizes that her daughter is just a pawn in a larger game.
SILENT HILL is directed by Christophe Gans, written by Roger Avary and produced by Samuel Hadida and Don Carmody. Executive producers are Andrew Mason and Victor Hadida.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 23, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

While waiting in line to buy movie tickets, I overheard the man in front of me saying he wanted to buy two tickets to see "Munch." The ticket seller just looked at him, bemused, and said, "What was that?" The patron repeated, "Munch. You know, "Munch!" The man pointed at the digital board and people in line looked up to see it read "Munch". The 'i' was missing in the title of Munich. I thought that was damn funny.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 22, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Unfortunately, "Baddabing!" was not the winning slogan. But this was, "New Jersey: Come See for Yourself." Do you like? Residents of America's most densely populated state were asked to vote on five finalists, and the winning slogan, submitted by Jeffrey Antman of Passaic, got the largest number of votes, 3,373 out of a total of 11,227. Congrats, Jeffrey!

Here are the other slogans that failed to catch fire:

"New Jersey: Expect the Unexpected"

"New Jersey: The Best-Kept Secret"

"Come Out to New Jersey: It's Not as Bad as it Smells"

"New Jersey: Hey, at Least it's not West Virginia"

"New Jersey: We'll Win You Over" (Which was devised by an image consulting firm that charged the State $260,000 to come up with that brilliant failure)

I still think "New Jersey: Medicine Chest to the World" would've worked. But then it sounds too close to that fictitious pharma in The Constant Gardener, "The World is Our Clinic."

Source: Reuters

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 22, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

You gotta love viral marketing. This is the latest music video from Goldfrapp off of their latest titled Supernature. "Ride a White Horse" is the third single in the U.K. (previous singles were "Ooh La La" and "Number 1," respectively).
So while you're just getting back from those Sundance parties and film screenings, take a break and check this out. After I watched it, two words immediately came to mind - exaggeration and juxtaposition. Let me know what you think?

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 21, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

And the wish list continues... I am listing acts I want to see at this year's SxSW Music Conference.

Band to see: Brazilian Girls (Brooklyn, NY)

This band was brought to my attention over lunch several months back. Their self-titled debut released early last year and they have been on the road supporting it ever since. Actually, I'm surprised they're coming to SxSW this time around. I think it has a lot to do with the party environment. I don't blame them for that. Hopefully, they will have new tunes to test at the show. And for the record, the band has one female lead singer - Sabina Sciubba - and no one in the band is from Brazil. It's a three men, one woman act. The three men are: Didi Gutman on keyboards and computers, Jesse Murphy on bass, and Aaron Johnston on drums. Their sounds are sexy, dirty and crazy hot.

They will perform under the Verve Forecast Artist Showcase at SxSW. Details of the showcase can be found here.
When: Friday, March 17, 2006
Where: Eternal (418 East 6th Street), Austin, TX

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 19, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I want to walk over to the offices of The New York Times and ask them one question, "Are you guys being paid by Cartoon Network to write articles that glorify their anime programming?" Don't get me wrong. Cartoon Network has been the stalwart in anime programming since they struck gold in the late 1990s with the airing of Dragonball Z. That show basically put the network on the map and help build a programming block called Toonami into the power that it is today. But the article from this past Sunday's New York Times Arts & Leisure section really got my ire up.
It starts out ok, mentioning the success of feature length anime courtesy of Miyazaki and Kon. But as the article goes on, I figured out that the true nature of the article was not to gauge the state of anime on US TV, but to publicize anime currently being offered by this one network, Cartoon Network. In other words, it was stealth pr, a pr piece for Cartoon Network. I hated the fact that the piece made it sound like you can only find anime on this one network and that is simply not true. You can find anime on other nets such as G4 under their Anime Unleashed sub-block of Barbed Wire Biscuit block, Starz, Showtime Extreme and soon on IFC. On VOD, you can find anime programming on The Anime Network and Anime Selects.
What I hated most about the article were the very bad descriptions of some of the shows. He had the gall to equate Samurai Champloo to Crazy/Beautiful. WHAT??? He described Samurai Champloo's characters as "three misfits straight out of a high-class teen movie." Was that the best description you can come up with Mr. Hale? You couldn't just say 'a mixture of contemporary pop culture set in Feudal Japan where three disparate travellers are forced to share a journey'? Instead, you opted for the - "Hey, NYT readers are pretty dense, so I'll just use the contemporary movie title and hope for the best". Mr. Hale compromises integrity for ignorance.
And must you relegate Naruto as 'just another one of those tween shows'? You probably thought you were watching an anime version of "7th Heaven" or "Summerland." I am completely dismayed by the article since it showed that the writer was trying to grab the attention of the readers at large by using simplistic analogies at the expense of the true anime viewer.
If this article was written with the intention of only spotlighting Cartoon Network's anime programming, then it did it's job. If the article was written with the intention of discussing where to find anime on US TV, then the article failed on all accounts.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 19, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This strange phenomenon ranks right up there with suicide clubs, panty sniffing and visual kei. There is an article in the January 15th issue of The New York Times Magazine titled "Shutting Themselves In" written by Maggie Jones. Not to give too much away, but it deals with a particular social ill that is plaguing Japan's urban centers. Mostly affecting teenage boys and a small segment of girls, a 'hikikomori,' which translates to 'withdrawal,' is known to stay within the confines of their bedroom and not leave for a good number of years. They do venture out to the 24-hour convenience store once in a while (while society sleeps) and return to their rooms before dawn breaks. The article is a must-read. Something to remind us all that adolescence in this day and age is more complicated and requires us to re-think the way we raise children.
(Thanks BK for pointing out the article.)

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 18, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

To kick off the frenzy that is South by Southwest (SxSW), I will talk about bands that I am thrilled are listed on this year's list. Bands that I mention are bands that I personally want to see.

Band to see: The Go! Team (Brighton, UK)

Why: Exciting and electric stage shows. Their youthful energy and fan-centric shows are what makes this band stand out from other newcomers. You can't go wrong if the lead singer's nickname is Ninja. And it's fruitless to ask this band what they sound like. It's like asking them what color underwear I'm wearing. Fruitless and rhetorical. They will always answer something like, "...a mix of other styles of music." But if you must ask, then the best way I can describe it is Sesame Street on speed infused with hints of Jackson 5 meets Lee Greenwood and Nancy Sinatra and a pinch of Sonic Youth. Ok?

Check out their latest video for Ladyflash and a short film.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 15, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I knew it! I kinda had that feeling back in December that the band would make an appearance at SxSW. I should've bet on this.
Here's another prediction: they will most likely be performing in a showcase presented by Mute. A la, "Mute Presents...".
I attended SxSW 10 years ago. I'll never forget that time. I'll have to post my musings about it soon. God, what a strong list.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 14, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

At last, Japan gets their Naked News. As cited in Reuters, Japanese mobile subscribers will get a taste or tease of news reports in the buff. Since making its debut in Canada in 1999, Naked News has become available via the Internet, television and mobile phones in North America, Australia and Europe.
Canadian-born presenter Lily Kwan says, "I love being able to go out onto the streets and take my clothes off. While we have been in Tokyo, people have been very surprised to see us with no tops on, but they're very happy and interested in talking to us."

This shouldn't be a surprise. Japanese viewers get their pervy fix via other means such as Hentai anime shows. I can count the ways how many times in the past I've been asked to air Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend in the States. I laughed every time I get asked. Like I'm really going to air that!

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 14, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If Matt Farber can launch Logo, why the hell not a record label? I'm curious, does it matter who's on this label? And since it's music "embraced by the gay community" as the press release states, does the label make sense? What's next? A film distribution company that only has a stable of titles from or inspired by the gay community?
Thoughts????

BTW - Has D.E.B.S. aired on Logo yet? If not why? It's not like it's that difficult to license it. I would be surprised if it is licensed to another net.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Week of January 9 - 13, 2006

Random stuff for the week. I've been battling a flu for the past week, hence, I may be a little off in this post. On the bright side, I have been watching more stuff on my TiVO. It's never good when you have shows backed up as far as Oct 2005 on the drive. Never good. Anyway...

"Your Love Drives Me Mad..."
Did you think going into Afghanistan was all for naught? This is what Western Civilization had to offer as of late, Afghan Star.

"We knew there was a demand," says Wajma Mohseni, one of the show's producers. "There's a huge gap in the Afghan music industry due to the past conflicts, and we want to fill that gap -- but were overwhelmed by the answer."

I can see it now...the most watched show on Google Video.

How the War Against Music Piracy is Being Fought
How does the war against music piracy get fought these days? It's not always about legalese. There are guns and drugs involved. Music cd pirates are just as problematic to track down as those movie pirates. In fact, if you bring all the pirates together, you literally have another industry - a collective assortment of pirates that can make the MPAA and RIAA do drastic things, like sending subpoenas to soccer moms instead of that dude in his apartment who has over 500,000 burned CDs ready for shipment on the streets. Here's a better picture, as told by Reuters.

Philip Glass Does Appomattox
What would a modern day opera about the Civil War be like? Apparently, the San Francisco Opera has an idea and it would involve Philip Glass and Christopher Hampton, who will write the libretto.

Music Awards For the Elite Few
Just when you thought all was lost, musicians resurrect remnants of the Shortlist Music Prize and combine it with the charisma of U.K.'s Mercury Music Prize and you get the New Pantheon Awards. Looking at the nominees list, it was as if someone raided my iTunes library.

Kylie is OK
Kylie Minogue was given the "green light" by her doctors that there are no more cancerous cells. Yeah! And now for the hard part, going through daily radiation treatment and waiting six months more for just one word, remission.
If you feel compelled to, feel free to go here and sign a "Get Well Soon" v-card, message board thing.

Advertising Sponsor:

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Where does Digital Spy get this stuff? The story struck me as odd since it's more like the blind leading the blind kinda thing. Rachel Stevens, the UK's siren wannabe, seeking advice from James Blunt, the UK's Damien Rice wannabe. Seriously, it is like that. And the worst part is, the story made it sound like Stevens' career is expiring.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 09, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's a news flash. Kylie's little sister Dannii wants to pole dance in her London pad. According to Digital Spy, Dannii is negotiating a way for a pole to be installed, but it may not actually be feasible.
Too bad. If her place went on the market, I'm sure it would fetch for a hefty price tag. I mean, a pole in the middle of the room? Can you imagine the realtor trying to explain with a straight face that the flat once belonged to a musician who had a hankering for a pole because she wanted to pole dance for recreational reasons?

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 09, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

People who know me well know exactly what this post will be about.

The 23rd Annual Adult Video News (AVN) Awards were held last night at the Venetian Hotel Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The big winner was a porn film called Pirates which walked away with 11 awards. That's a whole lotta booty (no pun intended, really). The film stars Jesse Jane as she and a bunch of scantilly clad co-stars do battle with skeletons in between sex scenes (think The 7th Voyage of Sinbad meets...a porn movie).

Here's a quote worth noting from Ron Jeremy, "I'm still working, not as much but as long as the penis works I'm going to exploit it."

Source: Reuters

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 08, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As everyone knows by now, Jon Stewart will host the 78th Annual Academy Awards which will telecast live on ABC March 5, 2006 at 8 P.M. Eastern.
Why do I think he is the logical choice? Well, he's self-depricating:

"As a performer, I’m truly honored to be hosting the show," said Stewart. "Although, as an avid watcher of the Oscars, I can’t help but be a little disappointed with the choice. It appears to be another sad attempt to smoke out Billy Crystal."

He has acted in several films. Among them: "Death to Smoochy," "Big Daddy," "The Faculty" and "Playing by Heart."

And, he just oozes wit. Of course, all this couldn't have been made possible without the help of his A+ writing team (which will probably contribute some jokes and skits to the Oscar show).

Now, I'm wondering... Will there be a Daily Show: Oscar Edition? Or Colbert Report: Oscar Death Watch? Or The Daily Show and Colbert Report do an Oscar Special: Countdown to Armageddon?

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 07, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Take a gander at this...

Photo By: Amanda Nanawa

I got it at this place in NYC...

Photo By: Amanda Nanawa

My friend pointed out to me the cucumber garnish sitting at the side of the martini glass. Classy.

The food was delish... Highly recommend. And an awesome bar. Telephone Bar and Grill.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 06, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

**Sniff, sniff...** Lou Rawls has passed away Friday. He was 72.
I remember while growing up in Kansas City, MO listening to my dad's car radio and he would tune in to some Top 40 station. Either it was Juice Newton, ABBA or Starbuck on the station. And for good measure, they would play the Lou Rawls tune "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" right after they play Chuck Mangione's "Feels So Good". It's crazy how I remember that!

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 06, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's something you don't see booked often... Hip-Hop Hoodios.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 06, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Maybe you can add this to your Christmas list of 2006?

It only costs...oh, $9,500. But it looks cool, doesn't it?

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 05, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

***PROGRAMMING REMINDER***

Starting tonight on TCM (USA), look for programming devoted to the works of Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki. Every Thursday night, expect the English dub version of the program and then later, the Japanese audio with English sub.

Arigatougozaimasu!

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on January 05, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)