IM // UR | Marina Gasolina vs Maskinen

We swear this isn't an ironic listening. We love Beyoncé and 4. OK, we might unironically skip straight to track 5, 'Party', produced by Kanye West and with rap by Andre3000, because we ain't no stay-home-mums that need all those ballads about being broken hearted and finding the right person. But, after that, the album turns into a beautiful compilation of classic r'n'b, soul and a bit of sweat-inducing booty tracks - not too many though - that sound surprisingly courageous considering the actual state of pop music. And for that, we bow down and hail Queen B. P.S. Get the deluxe version, for those extra couple of amazing tracks.

WE // R \\ WEARING

The name of this label has been interpreted in many ways; from 'bass-seekey' to 'base-ike', but the correct way describes exactly what this label is about: BASIC. Bassike delivers easily breezily cut staples with an interesting little twist that keeps them from being your run of the mill. For those that live in climates like that of Australia (where Bassike hails from) or Brazil, you'll know how easy it is to make fashion faux pas when the weather gets hot and the prospect of wearing anything but a bathing suit becomes slightly unappealing; Bassike is all and everything you need.

WE // R \\ WATCHING

Before watching HBO's Game of Thrones, I assumed the series would tend a bit more towards the blood-dripping Danish movie Valhalla Rising rather than fairy-tale stories a lá 'Lord of the Rings'; and for that I didn't really like the series at the beginning. But slowly, I found myself submitting to tales of bad kings, midget juggernauts, savage warriors and... dragons. And that happened probably because there aren't exactly good guys and bad guys here, like there are in Tolkien stories - and that is, of course, a simplification of his work. Another reason I relented to this series is because of the intriguing political backstage element that leads to the ever-happening dance of thrones. Oh, and did I mention the gratuitous nekkid-ness?

WE // R \\ GOING

Of the slew of new spots having opened up in Sydney in the last six months, The Norfolk on Cleveland St in Surry Hills has been one fated with success. Owned by some of the same kids that have brought The Flinders back to life (and currently, it's incredibly quick onset of 'The Norms'), you'll undoubtedly find The Norfolk rammed with all kinds, vying for a bite, a beer and a spot in the garden out back. The aim of the game is to cultivate Aussie pub culture at it's best; and it's doing a pretty decent job so far - if only you could get a table!

WE // R \\ READING

Super Sad True Love Story is the third book from the writer of the best selling Absurdistan, Gary Shteyngart. Incidentally, I read him name dropped in Flavorpill's Ultimate Hipster Reading list and in the same sentence as James Franco (they're buds, apaprently) just before I finished his latest offering. Don't let any of that put you off, or take away any of the sad scary brilliance of Super Sad True Love Story; written from the perspective of one 39 year old Lenny Abramov, son of Russian immigrants and in love with the impossibly cute and cruel Eunice Park. A satire that cuts to the bone, Super Sad True Love Story is exactly it's title. And it's good.

Marina Gasolina vs Maskinen

Thursday // October 08, 2009 at 11:26 // filed under Music

Marina Gasolina

photograph by Julia Corsaro

Ex Bonde do Role front girl Marina Gasolina has teamed up with Swedish kids Maskinen on their latest song and video, 'Dansa Med Vapen', seeing Marina go all voodoo queen on our asses. The currently blond singer venutured into the woods to roll around in the dark somewhere in London, crowned with one of Charlie Le Mindu's wigs from A/W 09 (which Marina lugged all the way up four flights of stairs back up to Charlie's studio while I watched).

It seems quite a few people have gone all cannibalistic in their vids; but unlike Boy Crisis' recent hipster 'sacrifice' video, this one is a little more dirty and a little more naked. Check the Maskinen boys canoe through a jungle river only to be rumbled and taken prisoner by a capoeira dancing tribe somewhere in Sweden (oh the magic of post production), all captured in sepia tones.

From what I gather, the title of thes song means 'dancing with vampires' (though I could be very very wrong here and if I interpret correctly then they've gotten their references a little mixed up in creating the video); and it's a super fun and catchy choon - check the video below:

Edited to add: I stand terribly misinformed, as the song title translated means 'DANCES WITH WEAPONS', innit. Thanks for the Swedish lesson Mattias!

POSTED BY CHRISTEL ESCOSA

TAGS: Marina Gasolina, Maskinen // LINKS: Maskinen

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Comments // 3

Mattias Östergren
Wednesday // October 10, 2009 at 12:59 // #1

You are very very wrong! :D "Dansa med vapen" is swedish for "Dance with weapons" (where dance is a verb, not a noun). If it would have been a vampire spoof of the Kevin Costner it would probably have been named "Dansar med vampyrer" wich would mean "Dances with vampyres".

Hence the abundance of weapons and total lack of vampires in the video. :)

Raphael Caffarena
Wednesday // October 12, 2009 at 22:00 // #2

Yes, even Marina says "Dance with Weapons" in Portuguese in the beginning of the track. Looks like your Swedish and Portuguese is not what It used to be...

Damn you, Sookie!

Christel Escosa
Wednesday // October 13, 2009 at 09:49 // #3

I stand terribly misinformed! Thanks for the Swedish lesson Mattias, and the Portuguese lesson too Rapha.

Where is Eric when you need him though, really!