the bonharris.com

misty

bonharris — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:18:10 +0000

Playing the instruments this morning with stinging eyes. Light is very strange through the smoke filter here in LA this morning. Expecting all kinds of sinus havoc later today. Not a good day to go walking, cycling or anything else outside, owing to smoke inhalation.

Nothing to do with climate change though.

No Sir!

All A-OK on that front.

And up in flames she goes.

rotating ears

bonharris — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:15:23 +0000

Double late on this one. Better late than never. J.C. has been on the front line again.

24 is the new 65.

Here goes.

Foals – Norwich UEA

I’m starting to wonder if I’m getting too old for this shit! At 24, I was clearly one of the oldest people here. Oh well, as this is as close as I’ve been to university life for a while, I’ll have a pint of snakebite please barkeep!

So what about Foals then? Well they were surrounded by such a ridiculous tidal wave of hype when they first emerged that you kind of felt the only way was down. The acid test was always going to be a year or so down the line. To be fair they’ve done well, they’ve played here, there and everywhere. Raves, festivals, tours, they have a broad appeal. Big hitters ’Cassius’ and ‘Balloon’ spark near-riotous scenes, and just seem to command you to jump around like a loon. Although I didn’t. Too old! But I think the more tender ‘Red Socks Pugie’ is their best song by a mile, just makes your hair stand on end when played live, and reminds you why you drove for nearly two hours (on a schoolnight!) to see some guys with guitars. ‘Olympic Airways’ has a similar charm, and its out today kids!

If I had one criticism, it would be that some of their songs are a little bit samey, but there’s more than enough here to keep my interest. I actually can’t wait to see them again after they’ve finished the follow-up to ‘Antidotes’. I read that they’re considering re-locating to Hawaii to write and record it: “We thought Hawaii because we want to enjoy ourselves and we are great believers in the environment around you having an effect on the kind of music you make,” Nice work if you can get it!

vital signs

bonharris — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:06:24 +0000

Yes. Still here or hereabouts. Up to the peepers in scoring, and glad handing/business shuffle. Avoiding witnessing the “leaders of the free world” strangling the democratic process, whilst drowning it in a vat of it’s own excretion, has also been time consuming.

In the end I chose cassettes.

Audio Cassettes.

I have a box of them from when the iWalkman came out. Even more remarkably, I have a device that still plays them. Quite amusing looking at the prices they used to fetch when it was current tech.

They probably still beat the piss out of yer average mp3 though.

They absolutely beat the piss out of watching the “leaders of the free world” strangle etc. etc. etc.

Back to the music for me.

More soon.

rotating ears

bonharris — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:06:30 +0000

Look smart, here comes that JC. Out from the grit and grime of the city, he’s strolling through green and pleasant lanes.

He’s whistling a happy tune.

Here’s why:

Friendly Fires – ‘Jump In The Pool’ – “For me they don’t sound like anyone else around at the moment. I saw them perform live on TV recently and thought they were superb.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofRCldHb7X0

The Streets – ‘I Love You More’ – “New album preview on MySpace as we speak. OK the beats are somewhat simplistic, but to be fair thats part of the charm. I think he’s an amazing lyricist. He couldn’t be anymore genuine, I think all his albums are ace! This track stands out at the moment but can’t wait to hear the whole album.”

Shotgun Heart Club – ‘Now That Your Gone‘ – I have to big up these guys. The bass player lives in Great Baddow! They wear their influences on their sleeve but their pretty fucking tight. Nice work.

today in LA part 03

bonharris — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:06:28 +0000

This is Hollywood.

An “Art Lover” Who I know (and love) is working on a project.

This, I repeat, is Hollywood.

The project involves several mannequins, (IE: dummies)

There is a homeless man who “lives” outside of the studio.

He bides his time by writing ”Art Is Magic”, on the sidewalk

And drawing pictures on it.

He “lives” outside of this studio;

He is dubbed “Outside Dan” by a kind hearted Chicago Native.

They feed him, these foolish “art lovers”

Hours pass, the mannequins are left unattended in an alley.

“Outside Dan” does what clearly needs to be done.

He draws on them.

“Art is magic”

A small part of Hollywood is upset.. (before they get distracted by an OMG!! iPhone moment.)

Certain parties are “revolted” because the dummies were not Outside Dan’s “property”

Other parties” argued the toss….

“ART IS MAGIC” Someone squeaked…..

“SO LET HIM BE!!!!!” (that same entity piped up, clearly overheating for the right reasons)

Outside Dan’s Dummies remain utterly priceless, in the midst of???

Well, anwyay, That was Friday here in LALA.

BTW: “She” won by a knockout, (“my” art lover).

And Hollywood won more than it will ever know.

I’m ALL FOR THAT!!

ART IS MAGIC!!!!!!!

Yes it IS.

Cheers

“

today in LA part 02

bonharris — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:54:01 +0000

So, … I’m in a cafe chasing ghosts.

A madman appears @ the window.

He has unkempt hair, a radical beard, and shit and sweat stains on all items of his clothing.

He is clearly a “madman”.

He walks up to this cafe and proceeds to “groom” himself, table by table.

Clearly this is “against the rules”.

He is asked to leave, (not just the cafe, but the entire vicinity)

The customers were “disgusted” and “uncomfortable”.

He (the Madman), leaves – very angry.

He proceeds to step boldly into the rush hour traffic (mere paces from a pedestrian crossing) on Sunset Blvd on a Friday evening – Certain Death by Rush Hour Traffic- (CDxRHT- check it-wicked).

Each and every vehicle stopped by way of emergency.

Some drivers even laid down their hand held communication devices.

He “invented” the rules by taking a single step.

So he did.

Madmen.

Making up the rules as they go along.

You could take over the entire world on that principle.

Oh……………??????

Yeah.

Cool.

I’ll bet anyone that the “madman” I watched today served in Vietnam.

I’ll just bet you.

Cheers

today in LA part 01

bonharris — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:27:59 +0000

This is a story in several parts. Bear with me if you will. It started with dodgekas and Beethoven.

I decided (was forced), to look into that kid “Louis Van” and his modus operandi.

This obviously necessitated going 12 rounds with the “Mohamed (sic) Ali” of vodka bottles, a ream of score, and some kind of sound transmission device.

I am here to tell you I battled stoutly for the full duration.

The result was never in doubt.

Towards the scrag end of the 12th round, we were both battered and bleeding. The “Ali” of vodka bottles, (floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee), was towering over me, glowering -

“get up you ugly bear” etc and repeating this.

I might have conceded that he may have the cornerstone of a point.. (laying as I was, on the floor of my own kitchen – I had a tough choice – to shield my eyes with my gloves, from the harsh glare of reality, OR to fight back.)

From my prone position, seemingly bested, I countered.

“Oh yeah tough guy? EXACTLY HOW did Beethoven instrumentally distribute the cadential chords AFTER the initial statement of the primary motif in the first movement of the fifth symphony?”

I won by a knockout.

Might is not right.

Reading is sexy.

Nerds rule.

rotating ears

bonharris — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:01:47 +0000

Obviously intoxicated with phone power and dodgekas, it’s time for music. Like The Short One on Vizir,(who you can stroke to this day, for the price of a plane ride), we sally forth to liberate your ears from ringtones, car alarms and the crushing din of your own boredom.
Take it away JC:
Esser – ‘Headlock’ – Brilliant debut from former Great Baddow High School pupil, his reputation has snowballed massively over recent months. ‘On the verge’ as they say.

The Coral – ‘Being Somebody Else’ – More genius from one of Britain’s most original and consistent bands. No bullshit, no fuss, just an abundance of great music.

Metronomy – ‘Heartbreaker’ – This is sure to do well, could well be their biggest hit to date with its synth-heavy power chords, and its catchy as you like.

dodgekas

bonharris — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:31:35 +0000

These would be home concocted and administered vodka cocktails.
They are made from vodka.
They are dodgey.
This post is a bit of a test.
I’m having computer issues.(At this rate my entire life may well qualify as a large computer issue)
So, I’m posting this from my blackberry.
On my couch.
After many dodgekas.
I’m, like, so totally connected.
And shit.
Cheers.
BH

ensconsed

bonharris — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 05:08:52 +0000

I’m currently holding a ruler.

This means I’m writing music.

With a pencil.

On paper.

This means I’m racking my brains.

Learning all the while.

And I love it.

Cheers