Written By: Thomas Murphy

Veteran music journalist, Thomas Murphy of the Denver Westword was kind enough to compile the best albums of 2014 for Publik / Private. If anyone knows music, it’s Tom. Check out these awesome 2014 releases!

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Andy Stott – Faith in Strangers – Modern Love

Even when Andy Stott dips into his old bag of tricks for this album he puts an interesting new spin on it. Rather than the smoothed out bass sounds and unconventional dance rhythms found on the Passed Me By EP and Luxury Problems, Stott seems to be tapping into the same cosmic zeitgeist of soundscaping that has informed some of the best work of Hammock, Tim Hecker and A Winged Victory for The Sullen. Naturally, Stott is coming from a different musical place than any of those artists but opening track “Time Away” has that almost 20th Century avant-garde classical sensibility that is one layer of the aesthetic of those artists. The swells and depth of sound work incredibly well together on this release. Stott wasn’t lacking in that capacity on previous albums but it is fully developed here making for a consistently satisfying listen for those who like some mystery with their melodic atmospheres. Continue reading →

Written by: Emily Ballaine

But is it art? This is the question that seems to come up most often when one talks of comics, and really by asking “Is it art?” what one is really asking is “Is it important?” There is the belief that comics are the sort of thing one should “grow out of,” the type of adolescent amusement we abandon upon entering adulthood. The inherent fallacy, however, in that sort of belief is the assumption that comics are an unworthy art form devoid of substance and lacking in that magical ability art has to move us, to make us feel, to connect one lonely soul to another.

Berlatsky’s goal in Wonder Woman: Bondage and Feminism in the Marston/Peter Comics, 1941 – 1948 is one then that is as subversive as the Wonder Woman comics themselves, a desire to change the way we view comics and a belief that comics, as a medium and art form, have the ability to do so, like any great art, to change one’s perception of the world. But here in is also the great struggle of art: many people are unable to change their perceptions, unable to see things from outside themselves. And here I will admit my initial perception of a book about bondage, feminism and Wonder Woman was an assumption that it would be the sort of male-gaze dominated text that leaves one feeling angry and hollowed out and resigned to the fact that there will always be men explaining things. Let me say now, this is not that sort of book. Continue reading →

Written By: Lee Davis / Originally Posted on Le Bete Noire

Those of us who live or have lived in neighborhoods with more liquor stores, pharmacies and churches than cracks in the concrete understand. If you are greeted in the morning to the sounds of a nearby garbage truck having a weeks worth of trash for breakfast, if police sirens, fire trucks, buses account for the daytime noise, while helicopters, gunshots and more sirens wail at night, then you understand. You get it because you inevitably have said it. Perhaps you say it every day.

“I’m good.”

We say it all the time. Like many colorful phrases it has several meanings. It can mean “the world is great,” as in I just got paid or we just had a baby, or I got a great new job. Or it can mean, “I’m surviving,” despite the circumstances, I haven’t gone under yet, I’m up off the canvas. Sometimes we mean it when we say it, and other times, we say it hoping to mean it, knowing nothing could be further from the truth. Continue reading →

I want to bring to you something about you. It is a quote. I quote “Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves who am I to be brilliant or just talented – fabulous. Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated by our own fear o ur presence automatically liberates others”. – Marianne Williamson from the lips of Odetta

Written By: Jordannah Elizabeth

Its been a few years since we’ve heard Anton Newcombe really sing. The iconic underground musician’s new The Brian Jonestown Massacre EP entitled, + – has incorporated elements of soul and R&B instrumental and vocal styles that have rarely been so confidently executed in BJM‘s earlier work.

Much like the last full length album Revelation, + – is self reflective and transparent without giving off a sense that he’s brooding or longing in a manner that is unhealthy or emotionally unproductive. The truth seems to be leaking out with lyrical explorations of what Newcombe expected of himself early in his life, what he achieved and the acceptance of the reality that he is in the middle of his life. Continue reading →

Written By: Lee Davis Lee Davis is known for his work on Spike Lee‘s earlier films including Malcolm X, Jungle Fever and Mo’ Better Blues. Davis has launched himself from protégé status of Lee’s work and wrote and directed his own films, 3AM, Romance is Served and Hoop Reality. He also directed music videos for Bilal, Freemoor and Sunny Dilinger. Look out for his soon to be released collection of original short stories Bespoke.  Lee has contributed a film review of Hiro Murai’s short film / music video for Flying Lotus. Check out what he has to say:

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Written By: Jordannah Elizabeth

This Halloween I thought I’d share a sensuously ghostly music video that sparks the dark portals of the imagination (at least it sparks my stark and dark sensibilities.)

There is always a method to my madness and I must be honest and admit that I promised to share this video a week or two ago. But on this rainy Halloween day in San Francisco, I found myself with some time and the inkling to share this eerily poignant music video with you.

SHE OWL‘s self titled music video is perfect for the mood and tone of All Hollows Eve. This is our gift and celebration to you on this festive day. Without further ado – SHE OWL’S SHE OWL.

Noah Berlatsky is a jounalist who has written for Slate, The Atlantic, Wired, Splice Today, the Chicago Reader, Comics Journal and other publications. He is also the editor of the renegade arts and culture website, Hooded Utilitarian.

We asked Noah to share some of his favorite music with us and he did just that. Check out his favorite tracks from strong women who have made an impact in the music world from the past to the present.