LHC smashes both particles and records
March 30, 2010
Earlier this morning the Large Hadron Collider successfully smashed two proton beams together at 3 times the previous record speed. Unfortunately, it will probably be at least a few months before we know any of the results of the collisions. That’s because there’s so much data produced from just one collision that it takes even the world’s fastest supercomputers a considerable amount of time to do all the number-crunching. In the meantime, they’ll probably be doing even more collisions at even higher velocities. Amazingly, even though they’re shattering all the records for collision velocity, this thing is still only in the testing phase. It could be at least another year before they’re smashing particles at the machine’s full potential. I especially enjoy the analogy made by Steve Myers of CERN that aligning the beams is akin to “firing needles across the Atlantic and getting them to collide half way.” Good analogies really put things into perspective. This device is easily the most significant piece of technology mankind has ever built. More can be found at Discovery News. I was also elated to see that this story made headlines on CNN.com this morning.
In somewhat related news, particle collisions (though much less powerful) might be the cause of Toyota’s recent accelerator problems. The current thinking is that cosmic rays may be responsible for glitches in the processing chips used by Toyota in their cars’ computers, and that those glitches are causing the faulty accelerator problem. It sounds rather ridiculous, but it’s actually happened before in other sensitive electronics. The earth’s upper atmosphere is constantly bombarded with radiation from not only our own sun, but also high-energy gamma rays from distant supernovae. The ozone layer absorbs almost all of this deadly radiation, but the impacts result in a cascade of lower-energy particles that do make it to the surface. These are mostly harmless, but when they impact sensitive microprocessors, they can wreak havoc. Since Toyota has been a pioneer into the realm of increasingly computerized vehicles, that puts them at higher risk for these types of problems. (Via Live Science)
Burgers official Spring 2010 MIXXXX
March 26, 2010
I spent some time on this one, maybe too much time. But here it is: the DJ Burgers Spring 2010 Mixxxx. Sorry about the mildly ridiculous artwork. I’m still not sure if it’s terrifying or hilarious.
Tracklisting:
Breakbot-Baby I’m Yours (Ft. Irfane)
Gorillaz-Stylo (Alex Metric RMX)
WebQueary-Searching (Mam RMX)
Nighty Max-Treehouse
Yeasayer-O.N.E. (XXXChange RMX)
Classixx-I’ll Get You (Treasure Fingers RMX)
GMGN-On My Mind
In Flagranti-Exexex (Golden Bug RMX)
Oh Shit!/Night Drugs-Everybody Needs (Night Drugs Re-edit)
Cassian-Friday Night
Makeup & Vanity Set-Falcon Force
Major Lazer-Call Mi (Dave Kelley’s Hold the Line RMX)
Timbaland ft. SoShy-Mornin After Dark (Wolfgang Gartner RMX)
A-Trak/Drake/Birdman-Loonies to Blow
Yeah Yeah Yeah’s-Heads Will Roll (A-Trak RMX)
Fake Blood-I Think I Like It
There are hot newbies in there as well as some “older” tracks. (A year is officially old in the world of bloghouse…) Spread the word if you dig, don’t if you don’t. Book me to spin at your party. I haven’t played out in a while. And thanks to Joseph/Fan Fiction of Nashville Nights (which is currently down because Blogger sucks) for posting so many awesome tracks.
Miike Snow/SXSW
March 24, 2010
After a few days of recovery from SXSW, I finally have a) the mental energy and b) a spare minute to blog again. In a nutshell it was pretty much just as awesome as last year. For two years in a row, however, the saturday of SXSW has been somewhat jinxed for me- last year it was me coming down with some sort of horrid cold/flu, this year it was the frigid arctic front that moved through sat. morning resulting a bone-chilling Saturday/night. Whatevs. I had a fucking blast AND I had a badge this year, so maybe this year was a little better overall.
I didn’t expect to come back having “discovered” a new band, but indeed that’s what happened. Miike Snow has been on the scene for quite some time, and I’m sure I’m VERY late in becoming a fan, but it still makes me happy that SXSW did exactly what it was supposed to in at least 1 respect: showcasing a new artist and generating new fans for them. I saw them Friday night at the Mohawk Patio and loved every minute of their performance. I’d heard the many remixes of “Animal” (and the original, of course), as well as “Burial,” but I was still a bit on the fence as to whether I’d fully be a “fan.” After seeing them live in Austin I got their full album last night and I’m officially sold. While “Animal,” “Black & Blue,” and “Burial” may be considered the main singles of the record, the track that stands out to me the most is “Sans Soleil.” It’s a very melancholy, slow song that revolves around 3 astonishingly simple piano chords, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Just get the album. It’s well worth your money or google/mediafire search efforts. Look for my pics of them and many others in this week’s Scene.
In other news, NPR is streaming the new MGMT album. I haven’t listened to it all yet, but a few tracks seem promising. Meh.
If Bill Murray were to go chillwave/glo-fi:
Via Hipster Runoff
New Lake Fever session/Predators update
March 15, 2010
Official performers of the Makeout With Violence Soundtrack and first 2010 Road to Bonnaroo winners The Non-Commissioned Officers did 3 songs for the awesome Lake Fever Sessions. They’re up now, so go have a watch. It’s reaaaal good.
I’m officially even more excited about the upcoming movie Predators, produced by Robert Rodriguez/directed by Nimrod Antal, now that I’ve seen the 2-minute clip on the official website. It’s not a trailer (apparently that’s hitting the web this Thur.), but it does have some footage and commentary from Mr. Rodriguez himself. The fact that they’re well aware they’d never top the tough-guy role of Arnold in the first one is heartening, and is the main reason I’m actually looking forward to it. Apparently SXSW Film had a special feature/sneak-peek party for the film last night:
I’m officially older than the internet, because the first .com celebrated its 25th birthday today. In 1985 Symbolics Computer Company registered the first official .com domain. (Via Live Science)
According to my bandmate Seth my hypothetical bloghouse/power pop side project should be called + (pronounced Cross). In a blog post on Nashville Cream about side projects he mentions several hilarious hypothetical Nashville side projects…
With that I submit that this may be my last blog post until after SXSW. We’re heading down tomorrow night, and unless I discover something that absolutely must be blogged, you probably won’t hear from me until at least the 22nd, probably more like the 23rd or 24th. Who knows, maybe I’ll find a spare minute to post a few random pics while I’m down there, but it’s not likely. Be sure to keep up with the Cream for my pics and updates from Adam Gold, Seth Graves, and Patrick Rodgers.
And, never forget:
Freakin’ Weekend/Free Coathangers
March 12, 2010
Currently listening: the Coathangers album Scramble. I’m only a few songs into it upon posting, but it’s interesting to say the least. A bit bizarre at times, but decidedly lo-fi and sassy. You can get the whole album for free at Suicide Squeeze records until March 14th. I saw them at the Basement a year or two ago, and their live show is an essential component to their overall appeal. Thus, go see them live next time you get a chance. They’re from Atlanta, so I don’t see why they wouldn’t be hitting up Nashville within the next year or so. (Via Largehearted Boy)
There are several bigger shows happening this weekend, and you can read all about them at the Cream, but I’m going to focus on The Freakin’ Weekend, a mini-festival of house-shows (except for Sunday which is at Betty’s) put on by Nashville’s Dead.
Friday: Kickoff party at The Jungle (aka Sweetbriar House) feat. Ben Steine’s Money, Larry David & The Hipsters, special guests. FREE, all ages, 8pm.
Saturday: Night two at Glen Danzig’s House feat. The Beets, Ex Humans, Terrible Twos, Beach Fossils, Peacekillers, Natural Child, The Looking Glass. All for a mere $5. All ages, starts at 7pm.
Sunday: Night three at Betty’s Bar & Grill feat. Sisters, Grooms, Coasting, Videohippos, Lesser Alvarez Gonzalez, Daniel Pujol, So Jazzy. 21+, starts at 8pm. (I assume there’s a cover, but ND doesn’t say)
Here’s to the parties not getting busted up by the cops!
Popular Science/Tron/Crazy Oscar lady explained
March 9, 2010
In case you’ve been living under a rock, or not had access to the internet for the past few days, the first full Tron Legacy trailer hit the web. Go watch it here and get excited. I really think/hope this movie will use new special effects technology in a tasteful way, and be generally awesome. (Via Yewknee’d)
Another item that’s been circulating the blogosphere for a few days but is still worth posting: Popular Science magazine now has its archives online, dating all the way back to their very first issue. You can also browse them in Google Books. Some of those covers from the early to mid 20th century are quite hilarious.
If you watched the Oscars sunday night and are still wondering WTF was up with that crazy woman in the purple dress getting all Kaye West on Roger Ross Williams during his acceptance speech for Best Documentary Short, go read this article. In short, her name was Elinor Burkett, and she was a co-producer of the film. Apparently she and RRW have been in a battle over who’s idea the movie was, and who deserves the credit.
Some other Oscar-related goodness: Honest Best Picture Move Titles on CollegeHumor. My favorite: Up. Honest title- Suck It Dreamworks! 2nd favorite: Up In the Air. Honest title- George Clooney On Autopilot. (Via Kottke.org)
Buzz Aldrin continues his reign of utter awesomeness by being a contestant (participant?) on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. He’s doing it as part of an overall effort to keep the US space program on the public’s mind. He also recently taped an upcoming appearance on NBC’s 30 Rock. I can only hope I’m that badass at 80. (Via Space.com)
I must take this opportunity to shamelessly self-promote for a moment. Tonight is Rock the Block at Exit/In, and this week I’m the host. I had a bit of a time getting the lineup together, but in the end I think it’s a pretty solid one. This is a FREE show, and it will kick off between 8:30-9pm. Please do get there early because every act on this lineup is definitely worth your time, and they’re only playing 20 minute sets (there are 6 of them afterall…). Also between the 2nd & 3rd and 4th & 5th acts Miss Jenn Ross will be doing bellydances to keep you entertained. I’ll use the same words We Own This Town used to promote their 8 off 8th last night: “There’s no reason to go to anything else tonight because this is where the goods are.” Also, Lost is on Hulu, so get your ass off the couch for once. I promise to have you home in time to get your beauty sleep because I have an early-ass day job just like you do.
Look what Nashville DJ just showed up on this flier for a Fool’s Gold-sponsored dance party in NYC, alongside the likes of Treasure Fingers:
steve cross loves music and science 