Crashed Ice
If you’re crazy enough to think you can compete at Red Bull’s annual Crashed Ice event — a combination of ice hockey, downhill skating and boardercross — in Quebec City on March 17, there will be a local qualifier on Feb. 4 at Canlan Ice Sports at 1871 Ellice Ave. Note that, there are 200 potential slots for men and 20 for women, and that you need to register online by Jan. 26. Spots will be randomly drawn to determine who gets on the ice for the local qualifier and gets a shot at competing at the main event. If you are one of the lucky ones selected in Winnipeg, you will battle it out in time trials to see who makes the final cut and gets to represent Manitoba in La Belle Province.
ANIMALS TALKING IN ALL CAPS
There isn’t much to say about this Interweb gem except that it’s exactly what it sounds like and your productivity level will equal zero once you start reading it. Brilliant!
MP3 of the Week: At the Drive-In – Alpha Centauri
When influential post-hardcore outfit At the Drive-In called it quits 11 years ago, Mars Volta and Sparta rose from its ashes. Mars Volta was OK if you were into prog rock, and Sparta had its moments but lacked the knock-out punch ATDI had. It’s no surprise (giving the amount of money being throw around for reunions) that At the Drive-In is getting back together. The band will play Coachella this spring, but no word yet on any other tour dates.
Video of the Week: DJ Brace - Synesthasia
Nobody has ever called former Winnipegger DJ Brace (Mike Topf) an underachiever. Along with winning the Canadian DMC Championships in 2004, he took home a Juno for his debut album in 2009. Last year, his second album, Synesthasia, received a Felix nomination (Quebec’s music awards) for Electronic Album of the Year. While he didn’t win (something he isn’t used to doing), he’s kicking off 2012 with an innovative new video from the album. Pushing turntablism forward, Brace’s nimble cuts are the the anchor to his melancholic soundscapes and carefully chopped beats. The slick clip was shot, edited and directed by local jack-of-all-trades Bill Acheson and also features art from Graham Landin, along with Topf’s 26 collaborators, Shaun Morin and Fred Thomas.
Things Apple Is Worth More Than
thingsappleisworthmorethan.tumblr.com — If you have Apple stock, you might want to hold onto it. It seems that Steve Jobs’ stepping down hasn’t stopped Apple’s growing momentum. In fact, the Cupertino, Calif.-based technology giant is now the biggest U.S. company by market cap, finally passing oil barons Exxon. What does that mean? With a market cap of over $350 billion, Apple’s value is even bigger than the entire economy of Singapore, the GDP of Denmark and all the illegal drug trade in the world. Knowing how many drugs get smoked, snorted, swallowed and shot every year, it’s surprising to learn people love their gadgets more than getting high. Things Apple Is Worth More Than is a recent Tumblr blog that shows you just how big the company has become by selling iPhones, Macs, iPads and, of course, dominating the online music market.
Archie Out of Context
archieoutofcontext.tumblr.com — Fans of reimagined and recontextualized comics such as Garfield Minus Garfield, Calvin Without Hobbes and Peanutwitter will probably want to check out Archie Out of Context before it gets yanked down. While some remixed comics have managed to stick around, some, such as Peanutwitter, didn’t last long.
Pancakes and Skateboards
pancakesandskateboards.blogspot.com — Local blog Pancakes and Skateboards is getting ready to launch its second zine and has recently unveiled a new T-shirt line featuring photos from founder Cam Nikkel. Already getting props from The Hundreds crew out West, Pancakes and Skateboards’ tees are available from your favourite local skate shop or at the zine launch party on Sept. 29 at 510 Plinguet St. DJ Sw@t and P_A will be spinning. Doors open at 8 p.m., admission is free.
MP3 of the Week: Dãm Funk
bit.ly/dam_funk — After tearing up the Jazz Fest this past summer as a last-minute fill-in, the City of Angels’ Dãm Funk is slated to return to The Pyramid on Oct. 10, this time with a full band. Expect a heavy dose of future-forward funk. His new EP, InnaFocusedDaze, is available for free download as part of Scion A/V’s music series.
Video of the Week:
Brown Bag AllStars – Got It All (DJ Brace Remix)
bit.ly/DJ_Brace_remix — Former Canadian DMC champ, past Juno winner and recent Felix award nominee for his Synesthasia release, DJ Brace has also been busy in the lab working on beats and remixes for the Brown Bag AllStars from New York City. Check this super-slick video for Brace’s remix of their cut, Got It All.
