Category Archives: Kultcha

Bow Ties are In Again

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Michael Froomkin

“This year’s draft broke the record for the most freshmen chosen, but the real record might have been for the most bow ties worn by draftees.” – NYT, Bow Ties and Statement Sneakers at the N.B.A. Draft

As someone who, when wearing a tie, has worn only bow ties since college (funerals and juries excepted), I’m happy to hear it. Over the years I’ve been asked if the bow tie meant I was a follower of Elijah Muhammed (yes, really, a first year student asked me that about 20 years ago), or a conservative (I blame George Will and Tucker Carlson for the tarnishment). I’m much happier to be associated with the fashion-forward NBA.

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Monster Mashup

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Michael Froomkin

I’m guessing that most of the readers of this blog won’t care, and some others won’t agree, but I think it’s a shame that this piece of mashup brilliance by the Kleptones has only had fewer than 62000 views on YouTube since being uploaded exactly seven years ago. Even if the ending is abrupt.

Wikipedea on the Kleptones:

The Kleptones are a one-man English electronic music group fronted by music producer and DJ Eric Kleptone. They are best known for their Internet-exclusive mashup albums. Typically, Eric Kleptone mixes rock/R&B instrumentals with rap and hip-hop vocals in a style that is “fun… and often surprising”.[1] Both his name and the group’s name are parodies of the famous guitarist, Eric Clapton, and a play on the fact that he is a “klepto of tones” (that is, he “steals” others’ music).

Update: OK, I see 125K views on Vimeo, which is a little better, but still way short of what it deserves.

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“He Puts the Pluto in Plutocrat”

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Michael Froomkin

“Tin Foil Hat” by Todd Rundgren and Donald Fagen. Lyrics via Down With Tyranny:

He’s coming down the escalator
With a girl from east of here
He wants to make the country greater
We’ve got nothing left to fear

Because the man in the tin foil hat
Is sitting on the throne tonight
It kinda feels like coup de tat
But it’s gonna be great, tremendous, amazing and all that

‘Cause the man in the tin foil hat
Is tweeting like a teenage girl
He puts the Pluto in plutocrat
It’s gonna be a yuge yuge yuge new world

He hasn’t got the time for losers
Unless they do as he commands
He’s writing checks to his accusers
With those tiny little hands

Because the man in the tin foil hat
Is sitting on the throne tonight
It kinda feels like coup de tat
But it’s gonna be a yuge yuge yuge new world

‘Cause the man in the tin foil hat
Is gonna drain the swamp tonight
And fill it with up with alternative facts
It’s gonna be great, tremendous, amazing and all that

‘Cause the man in the tin foil hat
Is tweeting like a teenage girl
He puts the Pluto in plutocrat
It’s gonna be a yuge yuge yuge new world

Because the man in the tin foil hat
Is sitting on the throne tonight
It kinda feels like coup de tat
It’s gonna be great, tremendous, amazing and all that.

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Banned on the BBC

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Michael Froomkin

Top of the charts in the UK, but the BBC won’t play it due to its policy of pre-election balance.

Oh, and it’s a catchy tune too.

Posted in Kultcha, UK | Leave a comment

Buzzword Alert (Belated Dept.)

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Michael Froomkin

I met someone last week who introduced herself as working in a “think-do tank” which was the first I’d heard of the term.  I bet it catches on.

Wait a minute: Google has 7,740,000 results for “think-do tank”.  Guess I’m behind the times again.

Never mind.

Posted in Kultcha | 1 Comment

Performance Piece

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Michael Froomkin

From the Miami Light Project:

Join us this Friday at The Light Box at Goldman Warehouse for a performative piece with Xavier Cortada that brings Americans together towards a common purpose to uphold our Constitution!

Miami Light Project
presents

“Oath”
by
Xavier Cortada

with the participation of
Marcos Daniel Jimenez
Former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida

on
Inauguration Day
Friday, January 20th, 2017
11:30 am

at
The Light Box
at Goldman Warehouse
404 NW 26th Street
Miami, FL 33127

“Oath” is a performative piece that brings citizens together towards a common purpose: to uphold our Constitution. As part of Cortada’s performance, Mr. Jimenez will administer this Oath to all those present at noon (the exact time that the President-Elect takes office):

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute my role as Citizen of The United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Reading of the US Constitution:

Between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, individuals will gather to simultaneously read the United States Constitution out loud in English, in Spanish, and in Haitian Creole.

“Oath” serves to launch Culture of Resistance, a 48-month, socially-engaged performance project by Xavier Cortada  based at Miami Light Project.
Unfortunately, I can’t go, but I like the concept.
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