When I first heard that Maurice Sendak's classic Where the Wild Things Are was going to be made into a movie, I was, of course, skeptical. The notion of having cherished childhood memories consumed yet again by the unstoppable nostalgia feedback-loop of remakes and re-imaginings was, at best, unwelcome. That is, until I heard tell that Spike Jonze was on board to write and direct. Who better to revisit the fantasy worlds of my childhood than the man responsible for the movies and musicvideos that resonated in my young adulthood the way that Sendak's book had in my earlier years. Next I find out that Dave Eggers is co-writing the screenplay. Literary accomplishments aside, Mr. Eggers runs a young-writers' workshop/pirate supply store. And he is tireless in exposing charlatan pirate-supply merchants. Perfect.
Then I see the trailer. To paraphrase a friend, I really didn't really realize how much the book meant to me until I noticed the chills running down my spine the moment I realized that the shaggy-haired, sleepy-eyed child resting his head on that furry shoulder was, in fact, Max, and that the horns silhouetted below belonged to a Wild Thing. Even the typography in the trailer, which hints at the sort of aesthetic cultivated by a gallery like Charming Wall, had me mentally calculating the hours till the release.
And now, as if all of that weren't enough, I recently happened upon a blog, We Love You So that the filmmakers are publishing as a compendium of like-minded creators and catalog of sundry inspirations. As it turns out, it's one of the most consistently wonderful blogs I've read in a while. Here are a few of my favorites entries of late:
Ghanaian Movie Posters: Edible creatures from both Edith Zimmerman... and Vanessa Dualib All in all, our expectations are high for Oct. 16th. What about you? Any movies you're looking forward to this fall? Any must-read weblogs? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you. If we're as excited about it as you are, who know, maybe we'll even cut you a deal on some Firestone wines!
Andrew Bird's music is simultaneously intense and dreamy. This Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and whistler, is a master of his own orchestra. His career spans a decade, continuing to artfully escape labels and keep fans and critics guessing with every live performance and new release. Looping a wild range of his roots as a classically trained violinist with swing jazz, calypso, blues, and a smattering of eclectic pop, Bird creates a fresh, innovative sound that cannot be matched. If you have a moment, listen to Andrew Bird's performance of Nomenclature from his album Noble Beast released this year. Video is courtesy of Pitchfork TV.
The World in Focus is described on its home site as "The Ultimate Travel Photography Contest," and based on the past winners, they seem to have a pretty solid argument. This is a breathtaking collection of images. You can scroll through recent entries, cast a vote for your favorites, and see how they compare to past winners.
Trompe L'Oeil is an age-old art technique with a proud history ranging from Baroque-period frescos depicting grand windows overlooking even grander meadows, to the timeless appeal of the tuxedo t-shirt. You've almost certainly seen the style adorning the interior of stately domes of churches and state buildings, which appear to open toward the heavens but are, in fact, merely an expertly illustrated likeness thereof. Here are some contemporary artists who, not content with making ceilings and walls invisible, manage to disappear their cars, render themselves invisible, and carve gaping chasms into the sidewalks of crowded city streets.
At this time of year, the anticipation of harvest season is at its peak. Harvest is in the air, and everyone is prepping, watching, tasting and waiting. You can just feel it. In our excitement, we began thinking about different ways to celebrate another year of hard work – best yet, we want to celebrate with you! What pairs with hard work, the impending cool weather and Firestone wine? Chocolate truffles, of course. This October we invite you to celebrate harvest with decadence. On October 17th, the Firestone Vineyard Paso Robles Tasting Room will offer a unique tasting, including artisan chocolate truffles created by Daily Dose of Decadence (Templeton), exquisitely paired with a flight of five classic Firestone Vineyard wines. We taste-tested all of the pairings, just to be absolutely sure – someone has to do it, right? You won’t be disappointed, we can assure you.
Reservations are required and there is limited availability, so contact Katy Smith at the tasting room (805-591-8050) to reserve a spot. Three tasting sessions are available at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM.
I often wonder whether the joy I get from eating homemade bread, for instance, or adorning a meal with that sauerkraut that just finished fermenting, comes more from the fact that it tastes so incredible, or from the feeling of empowerment that comes with simply taking certain matters into my own hands. In a world in which outsourcing has become positively quotidian, where a tomato can be grown in one town and sold in the next town over, yet somehow travel hundreds of miles in the interim, there is something deeply satisfying about doing things yourself. The Urban Homestead, by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen, is a book that teaches you to countless ways to realize such satisfaction. Aimed specifically at city-dwellers looking to up their sustainability and self-sufficiency, it teaches skills that anyone can use. Fortunately, in a field in which unrealistic dogmatism is often the rule, these two write with a knowing sense of humor. They come across as normal folks who don't presume to be saving the world, yet are happy to acknowledging that their lifestyle is a definite step in the right direction.
Admittedly, a fair chunk of the book covers moderately complex undertakings, but it's also filled with a bounty of advice both simple and practical. Yes, you'll learn how to build a modest chicken coop in your yard and hack into your greywater to use your shower runoff to water your crop (which is, frankly, pretty cool). But you'll also learn how to whip up your own cleaning solutions, which takes all of a minute, costs almost nothing, and keeps some truly gnarly toxins out of your cupboard. They cover surprisingly simple recipes for foods like butter and pickles (by no means limited to the cucumber variety), and impart useful advice on bicycling, container gardening, energy conservation, and plenty more.
Ultimately, what Coyne and Knutzen offer is really much more a primer on self-sufficiency than a complete manual. They'll tell you what's possible and how to achieve it, but just as importantly, are always quick to offer advice on how to pursue a project further, should one strike a chord. If you're the curious type, like myself, expect yourself to become quickly enraptured by the possibilities proffered. What began an hour ago as a casual perusal of the book soon had me off in a half-dozen directions, scouring the website of a local mycological society for info on upcoming forages, and revisiting the familiar orange banner of Instructables, hot on the trail of blueprints for a self-irrigating planter made from old soda bottles, to name a few. And anyone who has found themselves reading this might be interested in the authors' thoughts on homemade "Country Wine," though we suspect that some things are best left to the experts.
We love the Bay Area. Where else could you find a festival dedicated to sustainable street food? The Eat Real Festival, taking place in Oakland from August 28-30th, will do just that. Take one look at the lineup and your stomach will start to growl. There will certainly be something for everyone: from streetside cooking demos, canning classes and butchery contests to live music, cutting edge food flicks and an ice cream social. With free admission and all food priced between $1-$5, it’s a celebration of real food and real people…for real. In addition to a revolving roster of events, approximately 40 street food vendors will be serving up a wide variety of tasty treats including tacos, BBQ, savory pies, dim sum, fruit, ice cream, hot dogs and aguasfrescas. The only prerequisite is a healthy appetite.
According to their website, “Eat Real Festival is a social venture created to inspire eaters to choose tasty, healthy, good food. Eat Real Festival will donate a percentage of its profit to several California organizations promoting access to healthy and affordable food, entrepreneurship, and economic development.”
Glowing blue caves, nonstop electrical storms, spacecraft shaped water towers...there is no end to the weird and wonderful places waiting for your perusal at Atlas Obscura, a website dedicated to, in their words, "the world's wonders, curiosities and esoterica".
Carefully catalogued and highly detailed, Atlas Obscura can be searched and browsed from numerous points of view. Interested in musical oddities? They're just a click away. Or, you can search via interactive maps that take you anywhere in the world. The photography is hauntingly beautiful and the prose is inspiring. We're big fans.
There is a certain breed of magazine (ReadyMade, Real Simple, etc) that will often have a short section, usually before you get into the meat of the magazine, in which readers will submit their favorite alternative uses for a standard household item. Sometimes they're inventive and practical (Light a piece of spaghetti when you need a long match! Use a coffee filter to strain out wine from a bottle with a broken cork!), and sometimes silly and obvious (Pull on a towel to strengthen your arms! Use a shower curtain for a tablecloth!), but they're always fun to read and inspire me to reconsider the potential of conventional stuff. Problem is, the article always seems to be limited to a page or two. However, I recently stumbled across an easy solution to this all-too-common problem. Using an everyday household computer, I simply go to AltUse.com, where I'm able to peruse crafty fixes just as long as I please. And even if you don't have a bottle of vodka on hand the next time you get stung by a jellyfish, you'll still find yourself looking at that bottle of vodka in the pantry in a whole new light.
Bonus use: You can also use this website to read my official favorite sentence of the day, courtesy of the all-knowing wikipedia. Are you curious as to what a sock is, and what its primary use might be? Well, simply put, "A sock is a knitted or woven type of hosiery garment for enclosing the human foot." A very practical use indeed. Of course, now that there's AltUse, enclosing the human foot is just the beginning.
Check out Aliza Green, chef, author and consultant from Philadelphia. With eight books published and two more on the way, she's taken time out to sign up to be a Firestone Pathfinder. As she wrote on our Facebook Wall: "Potatoes, chiles and ceviche originated in Peru, which has a complex cuisine perfect for wine pairing." We knew about ceviche, but had no idea about potatoes and chiles-thanks Aliza!
And speaking of ceviche, Aliza has what looks to be a fascinating book on the subject:
The process of discovery is fun! Over the past several days, many people have discovered our Firestone Discoveries Pathfinder contest to trek the Inca Trail in Machu Picchu. There’s no denying that the launch of our campaign comes in the midst of a social media frenzy within the wine world, particularly ignited by the good folks at Kendall Jackson with Murphy Goode’s lifestyle media candidate search “A Really Goode Job” (congrats Hardy!). In the short time since we’ve announced our contest, we’ve seen a lot of comparisons made between our two campaigns, so we thought it would be worthwhile to highlight a couple differences.
First off, it’s all fun and games. The lucky winner gets paid for taking an all expense paid trip to a breathtaking location: trek the Inca Trail, journal on the journey, eat great food, vlog the views, and bank a thousand bucks. It’s that simple. Isn’t this what you would do anyway? Sounds more vacation than career move, although this would no doubt be a fine resume builder. You need no experience with wine, with facebook, or with twitter to apply. Experience hiking at high elevations is probably a good thing though.
We’ve also tried to be very transparent in our selection process. We will randomly select ten applicants from those who sign up. From those ten, three semi-finalists will be chosen (by a mix of interviews, resumes, writing samples, background checks) to travel to Firestone for final interviews to see who gets the assignment. Big time.
And hey, let’s be honest here, the more exposure we get, the better. We want everyone to know (and get excited) about our first-ever Discoveries Pathfinder contest – from Nashville to Los Angeles. So, we will reward those who rally their troops. Applicants who refer friends, via e-mail, facebook or twitter will increase their chances of winning. For each referred friend who applies for the Discoveries Pathfinder position, you will receive one extra chance at having your name drawn to be a finalist.
At the end of the day we are hoping that one lucky person has an awesome time hiking the Inca Trail, eating great food, and drinking great wines. We’re jealous already!
Perhaps you've noticed, but we've been fairly enamored of everything Peru lately. Could be that we just announced that we'll be sending one very lucky adventurer and one very adventurous chef to hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Well, throughout this whole process we've made all sorts of Peruvian discoveries ourselves. Needless to say, there's a lot more to Peru than the ruins.
One of the most vibrant elements of Peruvian culture that I've come across is the tradition of Afro-Peruvian music. It's a sound that National Geographic describes it as "an entrancing amalgam of Afro-Caribbean beat, flamenco flash and Spanish poetry," and a music as fascinating in it's rich history as it is enchanting to listen to. In many ways it's the Peruvian equivalent of American blues, having grown out of the music played by slaves brought from Africa by Spanish conquistadors. As this music felt the influence of each new generation, a sound was formed which drew simultaneously on African, Spanish, and Andean traditions. However, pervasive racial discrimination throughout the first half of the 20th century caused this music to all but disappear until the 1950s, when Nicomedes Santa Cruz left his blacksmith trade to become an ambassador of Afro-Peruvian culture. In addition to his lively and impassioned music, he formed a theater troupe, wrote poetry, and worked as a print and broadcast journalist, all in order to help resurrect this tradition throughout Peru.
This resurgence of popularity continued in the 70s with the music of Peru Negro, recognized by the Peruvian government as "The Cultural Ambassadors of Black Peru." Like Santa Cruz, they were formed with the goal of drawing attention to the culture from which they drew their sound. Their fevered performances and focus on musical forms meant to accompany a variety of traditional dances set in motion a dance craze that can still be felt in today's Peruvian nightlife.
However, one can hardly discuss Afro-Peru without mentioning the name Susana Baca, the music's reigning diva. Her songs beautifully encapsulate the elements that Afro-Peruvian music draws from, with her Spanish lyrics, the soulful, haunting melodies of the Andes, and the complex rhythms of Africa. Part of the unique sound comes from an array of percussion instruments which were developed in response to a ban on drums in slave communities. These include the Cajon, a fruit crate which you sit upon and thump with your hands, the charange, often made from armadillo shells, and the quijada de burro, nothing more than a dried out donkey jaw bone.
This sound was brought from the shores of Peru into the ears of the world largely through the efforts of David Byrne, the former Talking Heads frontman. In between lessons with his Spanish tutor, an Argentinean musician, he was shown a video of Susana Baca performing her breathtaking "Maria Landa" in her backyard. He soon flew to Peru, met with Baca, and recorded songs for what would become "The Soul of Black Peru," the definitive Afro-Peruvian document, and the one responsible for bringing this music to an international audience. If you're interested in hearing more, this record is absolutely the place to start. In fact, all of the songs above are drawn from it. You can find out lots more on the website of Luaka Bop, David Byrne's outstanding record label, which has put out other flat-out classic records by Os Mutantes, Tom Ze, and Zap Mama, to name a few.
If you'd a chance to hear some Peruvian music at the source, check out the Firestone Discoveries site and fill out the application. Who knows, you might just find yourself dancing the Alcatraz atop the Andes!
With all the recent news activity around our Discoveries Pathfinder contest, we thought you may be inspired by seeing some actual testimonials from the trail - travelers who have experienced the infamous trek to Machu Picchu under the skilled guidance of Allan Wright and the Zephyr Adventures team.
In their own words -
"This trip was fantastically run from day one to the end, and was amazingly educational on many levels! The guides make everything look so easy but we realize they are constantly working details in the background. Combine that with the Zephyr approach for ensuring customer satisfaction and you can't lose." Liz & Dan, California
"Excellent trip! The local guides are awesome. The region and its history are beautiful. My favorite moment was seeing the faces of the porters when the clothing gifts and tips were given on the last morning. These porters are amazing people. They work so hard and are so kind!" Michael, Oregon
"I can't say enough about how good this trip was. This was a trip of a lifetime, a check off my bucket list and I thank you for the quality and value this trip presented." Marilyn, Utah"We absolutely loved our trek on the Inca Trail and would do it again given the chance. We will also recommend Zephyr Adventure to everyone. It was the trip of a lifetime and FAR exceeded our expectations." Kit & Court, Montana
"Experiencing the Andean Mountains, following in the footsteps of ancient Incan civilization, observing Indian culture...all first-hand and not from a seat on a bus. We pushed our physical boundaries on the steep Incan steps and wondered at their ingenuity, stamina and strength. " Alan & Judith, Montana
"The four day trek on the Inca trail was fantastic! The scenery was beautiful, the food was great, the trekking staff were amazing, and my pack was light! I had no idea that spending three nights in a tent could be so much fun." Devon, Colorado
Jeff Lefevre over at Good Grape has posted a thoughtful meditation on the importance of travel-in every sense of the word, whether it's thrill seeking or soul searching. And, of course, we appreciate the kind words about our Discoveries Pathfinder search! Thanks Jeff!
Per Jeff: This is a long and overly wrought way of saying to those in their 20’s, or those that, for whatever reason, are under-employed, who have an interest in wine, food and travel – screw ‘the man’ and soak up some experience. Soul-sucking work will always be there. The cubicle can wait, as can the knowing laughter that comes with reading the comic strip Dilbert.
Love, that is. Another post caught our eye this morning, this one from Honey My Heart, who decided, rather than let their caterer pick the wines for their wedding, to spend a beautiful August at Firestone selecting the perfect wines for their nuptials. Nice idea Honey My Heart!
Donna Romani, one of the top event planners in Santa Barbara, recently posted a great article about our Vineyard Mesa, one of our numerous ceremony sites at Firestone Winery. Says Donna: "Available for ceremonies up to 180 guests, the expansive lawn overlooks the vineyard and the valley. The gorgeous view and peaceful setting is highlighted by the magnificent Oak Tree marking the site."
The word is out-we're going to Machu Picchu. There are press reports all over the web, like on CNBC about our search for a Pathfinder to hike the Inca Trail, accompanied by a specially selected Guest Chef, vlog about it and bank $1000.00. We're going live Monday, but you can take a peek at www.firestonediscoveries.com
Tell your friends! The more people you sign up, the better your chances of getting to go. Stir up a Pisco Sour, crank the Yma Sumac, roast some ajis and let's go!
Hopefully your mouth's not still burning from yesterday's helping of Aji sauce, because that was just the appetizer. Today brings us an even spicier Peruvian delight. Frankly, I can't help but feel inspired by a national fascination that runs so deep. Roughly 8,500 years deep, that is, as it's believed that chiles have been cultivated in Peru since 6,500 BCE. The writer "El Inca" Garcilaso de la Vega, born in in 1539 to an Inca princess and a Spanish Conquistador, and a major contributor to our understanding of Inca culture, often mentioned aji (Peruvian for chile) in his writings. "The people of my homeland are so enamored of ají," he wrote, "that they won't eat so much as a few raw vegetables without it." You needn't be a native, however, to notice the fixation. Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt wrote in his Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain that "The fruit (of the chile) is as indispensable to the native Peruvians as salt to the whites." The very soul of Peruvian cuisine, it's been said. Even today McDonald's fries are served with a yellow aji cream sauce.
One particular object of affection is the rocoto pepper, the second most iconic Peruvian pepper after the Aji Amarillo. Though upwards of a hundred varieties exist, the typical rocoto is very similar in appearance to red or yellow bell peppers, but with distinct black seeds and Scoville rating on par with the habanero. In some South American markets, they are actually sold alongside bell peppers, which I imagine must make for some very spicy surprises. So spicy, in fact, that they are sometimes referred to as "llevanta muertos," hot enough to raise the dead, or "gringo huanuchi," hot enough to kill a gringo.
The pepper's trademark dish is Rocoto Relleno, or stuffed rocoto, a traditional entree from the Andean city of Arequipa. Rocotos are, sadly, rather difficult to find in the US. And while rocoto.com does provides ample info for growing you own, if you decide to prepare some Bell Pepper Relleno, we promise not to tell. There are indeed plenty of finerecipes to be found online, though here at Firestone we have a certain fondness for chefs able to encapsulate their culinary craft in a brief online video (you'll find out more about that soon).
But to be fair, while Peru's cuisine is inextricably linked to the aji, it really is so much more. In fact, the Fourth International Summit of Gastronomy, held in Madrid in 2006, declared Peru's capital city of Lima to be the "Gastonomical Capital of the Americas" (Gastronomy is an interesting interdisciplinary take on the study of food that takes into account all of the surrounding culture, including the fine arts, hard science, and sociology). If you're interested in checking out some Peruvian cuisine for yourself, peruvianrestaurants.org maintains a thorough list of restaurants in American cities. Still though, I don't suppose anything could match the thrill of having it prepared for you in Peru, by a culinary expert, perhaps even while hiking the Inca trail, to Machu Pichu. If only...
It’s hot. So, what’s in our glasses right now? Light, bright, fruity, delicate, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc - 2008 Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc, to be exact. You get the picture. We enjoy refreshing white wine year round, but it’s right about now that aromatic whites take center stage in creating an effortless summer dining lineup – from everyday grilling to exquisite outdoor soirees. Versatile and elegant, these crisp darlings make the most out of toasty summer days. Firestone Winemaker, Kevin Willenborg, focuses on producing aromatic whites that are flexible and delicate, allowing the beauty of Santa Ynez soils and climate to truly shine. With ample exposure to fog, mist and wind from the neighboring coastline, the western reaches of Santa Ynez Valley provide an ideal setting for aromatic varietals to thrive. The Santa Ynez offers just enough summer heat to fully ripen our Sauvignon Blanc fruit while maintaining bright, grapefruit-like acidity, and striking a balance between Old World and New World styles. According to Kevin, delicate wines demand a delicate winemaking process….from start to beautiful finish. The grapes were harvested early during cool mornings to maintain fruit integrity. Minimal handling of the fruit throughout crush kept the aromatics in tact. Fermentation was carried out under very cool temperatures, then the wine was aged in stainless steel and bottled in screwcap closure to preserve bright fruit characteristics. Can we just tell you? It’s incredibly fragrant, with notes of ripe honeydew melon, cantaloupe, guava and passion fruit, with a touch of bold grapefruit that balances the lush fruitiness. The lean acidity is thirst-quenching and refreshing, partnering ideally with everything from buttered popcorn to seared tuna, without sacrificing any of the bright fruit and floral notes.
Here’s a great combo we just discovered: Try 2008 Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Sauv Blanc with roasted broccoli tossed with olive oil and sea salt or roasted asparagus with lemon-yogurt sauce. Yum – rave reviews! Bonus: Screwcap closure makes this wine super convenient for entertaining at home or impromptu beach barbeques.
I once heard a friend note, upon returning from a trip to South America, that it seemed the primary factor in determining a local chef's merit was essentially how spicy they were willing to make their dishes. So you say you've prepared an uninspired ceviche? No problem, just reach for the aji (a generic Peruvian metonymy for all chiles and chile sauces, though referring specifically to the Aji pepper). And while I imagine that any of the growing number of gourmet chefs in the Peruvian capital of Lima would insist (correctly, I'm sure) that they bring much more than chiles to the table, they could scarcely deny their country's love for all things aji. We'll be rolling out some recipes in the next couple of days that celebrate their cravings for Capsaicin.
One incredibly simple way to share in this Peruvian passion is by whipping up a batch of Aji Sauce. This versatile salsa verde, the national sauce of Peru, can be prepared in a variety of ways and used on countless dishes, but is often served simply with bread at Peruvian restaurants.
The basic recipe goes something like this:
1 bunch of cilantro As many chili peppers as you can stand. Salt
Pretty simple right? Well, that's part of the beauty. However, this is just a starting off point. As far as the peppers go, jalapenos are pretty standard in recipes made in the states, though the more adventurous might add some serrano or habanero. Popularadditions include garlic, lime juice, green onion, olive oil, crushed black pepper, even a stalk of celery. Somevariations incorporate lettuce, mayo, and bread cubes. Think of it like making pesto. There's no right way to do it, but it always seems to turn out fantastic.
In the spirit of discovery, we'll let you decide your favorite way of preparing it! Let us know your faverite and how it turned out. Unfortunately, to make a really authentic Aji Sauce, you'll need to get your hands on some aji amarillo peppers, which are next to impossible to find in the US. If only there was some way to make it to Peru...
Haramara Retreat is not your typical beach experience. The place exudes minimal luxury, dropped in the heart of Mexico’s wild western coast, Nayarit. The owner & founder of Haramara Retreat spent years conceptualizing this serene eco-destination nestled between secluded private beaches along the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre mountains, 40 miles north of Puerta Vallarta. In order to find the most magnificent views and ensure ideal privacy for each cabana, she took a seat in each potential space in the early morning hours and at sunset to envision what guests would experience while staying in her future oasis. Haramara, a sacred Huichol word for “Grandmother Sea” maintains a rustic elegance, with scattered, palm-thatched cabanas hidden in the heart of a lush tropical forest, each peeking through or above the tree line to face the Pacific Ocean. The open-air concept provides an elegant fusion with the surrounding jungle (if you’re lucky, you may even hear monkeys at night). Hand-woven linens, beautiful hard wood floors, vibrant tiles, and oil lanterns make up the cozy interior, with the front side completely open to the refreshing ocean breeze. Accommodations include three vegetarian and seafood meals per day prepared on-site from seasonal, fresh local produce. Yes, we said vegetarian, but even carnivores will be satiated by this organic, oh-so-fresh, healthy fare. While many people come from far and wide to practice yoga at Haramara, you can most certainly just park yourself on the beach, surf, or shop in Sayulita, the neighboring eclectic artist community that houses a variety of shops and restaurants. For the more adventurous in the bunch, Haramara also books snorkeling trips along secluded beaches, cliff diving at the Marietta islands, whale-watching tours, jungle hikes, and horseback riding. Did we mention you could also bathe in mineral rich clay? Oh yeah, and there’s no electricity. Now that’s the definition of minimal luxury.
Radio just ain't what it used to be. Or so I gather. The year was 1962, and an FCC ruling had just informed AM stations that they could no longer simply simulcast their programming on their FM sister-stations. To help fill the airwaves, many stations simply let the DJs play whatever they pleased. Thus, freeform radio was born (or at least hugely popularized). 47 years later, there exist only a small handful of freeform radio stations that don't employ strict programming rules with a "clock" and playlist rotations. New Jersey's WFMU is perhaps the reigning king of such stations. Their shows are manned by DJs with a true passion for and deep knowledge about the music they spin. In fact, most of them are succesful and acclaimed artists in their own right.
But what good is this bounty of freeform broadcasting for those who reside outside the State of Garden, you ask? Well, fortunately for everyone living in the technology-laden present, the Podcast giveth where the Telecommunications Act taketh away. WFMU is kind enough to provide free versions of many of their fantastic programs, automatically delivered directly to your computer on a regular basis.
As you might imagine, without the lowest-common-denominator filtering, the content can get somewhat out-there. So here's a handy guide to some of their most consistently wonderful, if a bit off-beat, offerings:
Downtown Soulville with Mr. Finewine: [iTunes Link]"We're gonna start from the beginning, and teach everyone how to scratch! Are you ready! Jump up! Jump back! Bring in your knees! Scratch your back!" Yeah, I know. It's a bit hard to believe that Ty Terrel's "The Scratch (Pt. 2)" never caught on as a national dance craze. Then again, our host Mr. Finewine has made a habit of delivering sweet long sets of rare soul 45s that'll have you twistin', scratchin', and shakin' your head in disbelief at the amount of absolutely classic soul you've somehow managed never to hear. Put your good dress on. Let's go downtown!
Mudd Up! with DJ/Rupture: [iTunes Link] As a recording artist, Rupture is one of the most critically acclaimed DJs of the decade. His radio show covers much of the same territory as his records, taking the listener for a spin across the world's dance floor. Ragga, Cumbia, Dancehall, Dubstep, North African and Arabic folk music, and indigenous music from every corner of the globe are all woven together into a seamless tapestry. Don't let your perception of modern day dance music mislead you: this is absolutely captivating stuff. Immensely accessible, especially considering the breadth of the terrain it covers, and never off-puttingly outre, Mudd Up! is a fascinating listen, at once hypnotic and eye-opening.
Do or DIY with People Like Us: [iTunes Link] Imagine if the Italian Futurists' inner children hosted a radio program. To be fair, this one can get a bit weird. But even more so, Do or DIY is all fun-loving, lollipop-toting, Easter-Bunny-believing, wide-eyed, technicolor wonder. Weird has never been this much fun. There's really no easy way to describe the contents of this playfully avant-garde celebration of collage and pastiche. The most recent episode saw a breezy duet between Tropicalia legends Caetano Velosa and Gal Costa segue into The GTOs "I'm In Love With The Ooo-Ooo Man" (who was raised in Shnitt-Schnitt land, and who's first name is the same as his last). Later on you're treated to The 13th Floor Elevators' Roky Erickson wailing over a baroque Beach Boys arrangements. One second you're wondering what on Earth you're listening to, the next you're playing it for everyone you know.
Also try: Sinner's Crossroads for good-ole hand-clappin' vintage gospel and The Best Show Gems for the funniest fake call-in show on the dial. Also be sure to stream some old episodes (the podcast is on hiatus) of Radio Freetown's 70's-era West-African guitar rock for the some of the funkiest, grooviest, most infectious tunes ever recorded.
You can imagine how our nation fell desperately in love with the vibrant, often sultry and intoxicating sounds of one Yma Sumac. A 1950s USA had no idea what hit it when Hollywood debuted the film Secret of the Incas, featuring the Peruvian soprano. Deemed the Inca Princess, Sumac brought the exotic sounds and hip-swaying rhythms of South America to the states, from Hollywood to suburbia. Her iconic and extraordinary vocal range was full of life, depth and extremes, all bound by the contagious energy and charisma of the singer herself. One single song can take listeners on a journey from the depths of soulful and haunting vocal growls to an angelic and lively, pure staccato akin to the energy of a bee in the flight. The unique sounds of Yma Sumac experienced a resurrection in the 90’s with the resurgence of exotica and lounge music among Indy filmmakers, DJ’s and musicians, as seen in Sumac’s evocative vocal feature, Ataypura, in the Cohen Brothers’ cult classic The Big Lebowski. Sumac’s sound has transcended time, not only played and celebrated in original form, but also being sampled into modern club scratch and hip hop tracks…from the sultry, smoky and dimly-lit ballrooms of the 50s, to pulsing dance floors of urban hipsters in the heart of our major cities today. Yma Sumac is a force of nature, and her sound will move you. Guaranteed.
Have you ever been struck by an inexplicable urge to make a chair out of an old hose? Ever sit and ponder the best method for fashioning a flute from bamboo, or personalizing your favorite coat hanger? Perhaps not. But if you're suddenly a bit curious, you might do well to check out one of the seemingly endless sets of simple instructions at Instructables. Say you're looking to impress your breakfast guests with some remarkably easy homemade cream cheese. You'll find that in the food section, alongside plum-infused vodka, Malaysian coconut balls, and a thorough guide to fermentation. Many of the projects are simple and straightforward, including throwbacks to fourth grade science experiments and clever alternate uses for oldstuff you've got lying around. Others are a bit more elaborate, along the lines of building portable homes, melting soft metals, and laser-guitars. You'll find out how to outfityourself in duct-tape and craft a solar powered iPod charger. Homemade sunscreen is now at your fingertips. Even if you don't find yourself embarking on any of these adventures in creation, the parade of ingenious design and elegant craftsmanship on display here is well worth a look. It really is amazing what you can create with a few simple ingredients and some old-fashioned know-how. Just look at what we can do with grapes.
As winemakers, we’re enthusiastic about artisan libations of all kinds. Like cuisine, traditional beverages speak to the roots and spirit of a place, its people, and its rituals. Travel to any country and get a true glimpse into the heart of its culture by sitting down to a communal table of food & drink with the locals. Take Peru, an adventure-seeker’s epic destination. Everything about this country is extreme and magnificent – from dense jungles and ancient ruins to jagged peaks and raging river systems. Peru is a small country that packs a punch, and thus, so should its national drink. Enter pisco, a unique, clear brandy distilled from fermented grape juice, ranging in style from sipper to firewater. Its origins date back to the sixteenth century, presumably from quebranta grapes (a variation of Muscat) brought over with Spanish settlers via the Pisco Port. Aged in huge clay vessels or neutral pots rather than oak barrels, pisco’s robust flavor and aroma comes directly from the fruit. The love and production of pisco has been passed on from generation to generation, and has inspired famous cocktail incarnations along the way, including the Pisco Punch in Pre-Prohibition San Francisco, but the Pisco Sour has reigned supreme as the iconic national cocktail of Peru for some time. This classic balance of tangy citrus and potent pisco topped with creamy egg white foam is the real deal. Our favorite recipe of the summer, Piña Pisco Sours, comes from the May 2009 issue of Gourmet: http://bit.ly/6LTWc. Let us know how it turns out.
Posts
Ghanaian Movie Posters:
Edible creatures from both Edith Zimmerman...
and Vanessa Dualib
All in all, our expectations are high for Oct. 16th. What about you? Any movies you're looking forward to this fall? Any must-read weblogs? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you. If we're as excited about it as you are, who know, maybe we'll even cut you a deal on some Firestone wines!
