Synth Britannia "Documentary following a generation of post-punk musicians who took the synthesiser from the experimental fringes to the centre of the pop stage. In the late 1970s, small pockets of electronic artists including the Human League, Daniel Miller and Cabaret Voltaire were inspired by Kraftwerk and JG Ballard and dreamt of the sound of the future against the backdrop of bleak, high-rise Britain."
posted by vronsky on Nov 19, 2009 - 14 comments

Part 1 of a What's On documentary by Granada TV about the Buzzcocks and Magazine (Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley), broadcast on July 27, 1978 and presented by Tony Wilson. 2 l 3 l 4 l 5 l Permafrost
posted by vronsky on Feb 18, 2009 - 15 comments

In the 1980s, songwriter, artist and cultural critic Momus recorded a number of albums for the legendary indie label Creation Records, combining influences as diverse as Jacques Brel, Serge Gainsbourg, Pet Shop Boys-style synthpop and Balearic acid-house. These have largely languished in Sony Music's vaults over the past few years, occasionally fetching hefty prices on eBay. Now, Momus has taken the step to commit auto-piracy and release his Creation albums online, for free; over December, he will post MP3s of all six albums to his LiveJournal blog, each with freshly written liner notes. The first one, 1987's The Poison Boyfriend, is here. [more inside]
posted by acb on Dec 9, 2008 - 15 comments

A slightly drunken Momus sings us a song from his living room, then gives us 5000 years of chairs in 5 mimutes.
posted by vronsky on Jul 20, 2008 - 37 comments

Ways of Seeing, the BBC documentary written and hosted by novelist and art critic John Berger, is back up on YouTube. (scroll down for direct links to all four half-hour episodes) "I actually find it rather disturbing that -- despite our claims to be a culture that's increasing freedom of choice all the time -- we haven't come up with anything quite as astute, subversive or beautiful as Ways of Seeing since. Not on the BBC, and not even -- especially not -- on the internet. Download it while you still can."
posted by vronsky on Apr 30, 2008 - 32 comments

The mysterious podcast
posted by vronsky on Mar 18, 2008 - 15 comments

Slideshow: Japanese book jackets. via
posted by vronsky on Feb 24, 2008 - 5 comments

The Polypunk mixtapes. "selected in Tokyo, designed in London, posted from Brooklyn, hopefully enjoyed around the world." From digi nikki. via. [more inside]
posted by vronsky on Jan 30, 2008 - 6 comments

Try to remember - Harry Belafonte - Stockholm 1966
posted by vronsky on Nov 16, 2007 - 25 comments

Hamsapham
posted by vronsky on Jul 31, 2007 - 22 comments

What is the connection between cute semi-naked japanese girls, and Orson Welles' F is for Fake? Momus explains.
posted by vronsky on May 8, 2007 - 79 comments

The best thing ever posted to the web? The Momus Mixtape of course. This music will do things to your brain. Good things. And bad things. You may cream your jeans. iMomus via Litwack.
posted by vronsky on Jan 12, 2007 - 118 comments

Slow Life is a Japanese movement that eschews the fast-paced consumption of modern urban life for the slower pace of farming and small villages. It emphasizes self-reliance, sustainability, and the appreciation of leisure. From some perspectives, it can be seen as a reaction to hazards in the modern world or as a peer to Shinto and modern schools of thought.
posted by mikeh on Feb 27, 2006 - 21 comments