Editor’s Picks, June 18-21

I won’t recommend this event (see photo), as it constitutes French House music, which combines two of the more questionable elements of society that I am aware of, but I will direct your attention (Disgust? Uproarious laughter?) to its flyer. Congratulations, LOgO. If this was Oscar season you would have the inside track for the most ridiculous flyer of the year. Just a fantastic effort. And, without further ado (adieu?), on to the picks:

Thursday, June 18th

Free The Wax event, “Dub Echoes” film showing, The rooftop of 99 Nandandong Rd, Building 6, Apartment 602 (near Tianyaoqiao Rd) 南丹东路99号, doors 8 PM, film at 9 PM

Learn more about Free the Wax here. This event will be a prelude to the Adrian Sherwood show the next day. Here is a small blurb about the film from the Facebook invite: “The documentary that traces the origins of Jamaican dub music and its influence on the development of hip hop and electronic music.” BYOB. FREE. Sold.

Friday, June 19th

Decisions, decisions. It will probably come down to what pre- or post event you choose as your head candy. Will it be the aforementioned “Dub Echoes” film screening or the upcoming beatmaking workshop with Nosaj Thing (see below)? Either way, you probably can’t see both live shows, so choose carefully. Let’s see if I can help, shall we?

Adrian Sherwood, Shelter, 10 PM

Wikipedia is great before the butchers get to it. Consider these two contrasting quotes. First, the good:

In 1986 he began working with Jamaican dub producer and singer Lee Perry. They produced the classic album Time Boom X De Devil Dead and Sherwood’s support helped relaunch Perry’s career.

And then, the bad:

In 2003, Sherwood supported Blur at Wolverhampton Civic Hall. This performance was said to be crap by all in attendance.

So. While 2003 was quite a bit more recent than 1986, it is undeniable that this guy has a lot of experience in the biz, and he also just began a solo career (as opposed to producing others). The plot sickens. Tension is building. 50 chips.

or…

Nosaj Thing, YuYinTang, 9 PM

I have checked out the new album by this man with the mysteriously pronounced name. I will say that it sounds nothing like Flying Lotus, Burial, Battles, or Ratatat, which has been previously proposed. It is intriguing music, dark and minimalist, but not boring. One difference between him and Sherwood is that Sherwood is 40 years old, while Nosaj is 23. Which do you prefer, experience or freshness? Hope this helped, but I doubt it. Also 50 chips (no help there).

Saturday, June 20th

Nosaj Thing Workshop, the Factory, 3 PM

The start time of this event seems a bit ambitious to me, but I will go with it. This seems like an interesting way to spend an afternoon, namely, learning how to make your very own brooding, downtempo sonic miasmas! Free!

Joyside w/ Rogue Transmission, YuYinTang, 9:30 PM

This should be a banger. I have it on good authority. Joyside sounds awesome, although I have never heard them. The band said it best themselves when they vomited up this pile of snakes onto their Myspace page.

They are bitches of rock’n'roll, who are addicted to Dead Boys, New York Dolls, Sex Pistols and the Stooges. They are surviving young dudes from the old century. They are your modern human beings’ nightmare makers.

OK, then. In other news, you should not miss the Rogue Transmission, if only to see what they will do next, as well as Dan’s joyous, gravity-defying mustache. Can’t get enough of that thing. 60 ducats(!) So worth it.

Dropkicks, Anar, 9 PM

Well, the Dropkicks have made me out to be a downright jackass, as I hyped their show from a week ago as their last one and  they have played like eleventy times since then. How very punk of you. Fuck the establishment and all that. I think it might be for real this time, at a venue to which I have not given enough attention. 30 Faces of Mao.

Sunday, June 21st

Nothing happened.

Just kidding.

Music Matters: The Longest Day…, WTF, 2 PM to “The Sun Also Rises”

Yep, it’s the longest day of the year and what better to fill its incredible girth than bands, DJs, comedians, booze, filthy bouncy castles, circus freaks, mutant animals, booze, Tony’s terrific accent, and whatever the hell else is going to happen here. This event will also feature an appearance by a certain unbearably attractive music writer and drummer around 9 PM. 150 rapidly appreciating pieces of paper for all you can drink, 50 for sissies, or whatever Tony decides to charge you at the door.

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