by Holly

1. East Village Eye, digital reissue

The East Village Eye, a monthly mag that profiled avant garde and popular culture from 1979 to 1987, is digitally releasing its entire archive (72 issues) for anyone’s viewing pleasure. The Eye featured several iconic players at the very beginnings of their stardom such as Iggy Pop, Beastie Boys, Afrika Bamabaataa, David Lynch, and Barbara Kruger.

The Eye was, allegedly, the first publication that printed the word “hip-hop” which only examples just how on top of the game the staffers were there. They already posted ten full issues on their website, only teasing the reader for more. Bask in the nostalgia.

2. Books, books, books, read free online

Speaking of free things to read online, I recently came across a gigantic list of free classic literature that is available to read online. Most titles from the list are available on either Planet eBook or ePub So, get ready to check off that summer reading list because this website will have you stocked.

Some titles I selected on the list specifically are The Great Gatsby, A Clockwork Orange and 1984. Browse through the websites though and you’ll find new, old and bizarre titles that will keep you occupied all summer long.

Now I am all for the look, feel, smell, etc. of an actual book, but this opportunity is too grand to pass up. Read on.

3. Creator of GIF confirms it’s actually pronounced JIF, news

This year’s Webby Lifetime Achievement award went to Steven Wilhite, the creator of the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF). Instead of reciting an acceptance speech in the vain of Sally Field, he simply displayed a GIF that read “It’s pronounced JIF not GIF” (typical digital pioneer) and *silence* the social media goes wild.

While I’ve struggled with this pronunciation for as long as I’ve known what a GIF was, I am appeased that the man who started them all clarified things. The Times released a pretty compelling article explaining the linguistics of the pronunciation and all that jazz, but, as stated before, what’s wronged is righted. Pass the peanut butter.

4. Dreams in the Rat House by Shannon and the Clams, new album

Another album that’s been on constant rotation at the Duck this is week is by 60s ballad spewin’, Oakland, CA dwellin’ trio Shannon and the Clams. These tunes are totally awesome and whirl around valley corridors with compliments of androgynous vocals and riffs that wash away into the foamy waters. 

While the album art is totally insane, the songs themselves travel a different route than past 7” releases of the band. With tracks similar to their ultimate jam “I Wanna Go Home” this album proves, yet again, their never-ending ability to combine a fuzzy ballad vocale with classic 60s quips and clangs.

If you’re interested, they’re playing in Detroit with Mikal Kronin at the Lager House on Wednesday, June 12.

5. Robin Williams throws shade toward Kim Kardashian, tweet

Obviously.

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That’s all for this week. Happy Memorial Day!

xx

by Holly

1. The Shangri-Las & The ’60s Girl Group Garage Sound, compilation

This compilation has been on constant rotation at the Duck all week. It’s basically a gigantic pile of all the best songs girl garage groups produced in the 1960s with the Shangri-Las as headliners. We think they did that in order to sell more of the album because other than that it would be a random mixtape loaded with unknown artists. 

Examples of tracks on the comp include but are not limited to:

Skateboard Song by Norma Tracy & Cinderella Kids (sound familiar? totally sampled by The Go! Team’s Huddle Formation)

Bend Me, Shape Me by The Models (cla$$$ic rendition)

Everyone Loves to Rock and Roll by Candletts (those horns!) 

It’s just a really sweet mix that’ll get you through any part of the day. Stream the mix on Spotify here. 

2. Eating pizza reduces the risk of cancer, medical study

Yes. I am not joking when I say that eating pizza reduces the risk of cancer. While I kind of feel like one of those doctors in the late 50s that said smoking was great for you (especially if you were pregnant,) there was actually a BBC report conducted in honor of pizza’s name. 

Apparently, it’s the lycopene in the sauce that helps our bodies out. The doctors who conducted the study say that even though this is cool, sweet, exciting news, pizza is still, like, super high in saturated fats and should be consumed moderately (or something). Whatever. I still count it as a victory.

3. Largest Falcon Hospital in the World, photo spread

Even though you may not believe me, falcons get sick and injured and need help from special doctors, just like humans. So, naturally, there’s a place in the United Arab Emirates (where falcons are treasured more than anywhere else in the world) regarded as the best falcon hospital on the planet. 

The Times did an awesome photo spread of the place. The hospital, itself, has a very surreal atmosphere and made us wonder if the falcons actually just chill there, in-line, super relaxed like they are in the pictures. They’re so cool. 

If the falcon hospital isn’t at least mentioned in one of Wes Anderson’s new films, there’s going to be some explaining to do. Or maybe we’ll just make our own movie instead. Stay tuned. 

4. “Gif-fiti” by INSA, street art

As lovers of all things street art, this work really impressed us. INSA, a UK-based graffiti artist, creates “gif-iti,” a completely unique approach to the traditional ways of street art. 

He actually repaints the wall several times before completing his work, often taking several days to finish a piece. He also doesn’t use Photoshop as a shortcut to create these gifs, it’s all hand painted. His serious dedication shows in how awesomely tripped out and well done his work is. 

Some may call it a waste of time, but I think it’s an extremely modern and relavent approach to street art. Check out more of INSA’s work here. 

5. William Keihn, artist

Where do I even begin with this guy? You’ve probably seen his work without knowing it was his, but his style is unmatchable. William Keihn is the name, a San Francisco livin’ poster and album art maker. He’s done stuff for all the cool kids, including Grass Widow, Thee Oh Sees, White Fence and Ty Segall. Plus, his personal work is just as wicked as anything else. 

His stuff looks like it comes directly from a psyched out garage sale with The Goonies in mind. I especially love how he adds random phrases like “kick off yr boots” and “#1 rock show” to his posters. It’s just so good.

I could look at his work for days, so if you’re interested just check out his blog where he features his own stuff and friends’ things too. 

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That’s all for this week. Until next time.

xx

by Holly

Instead of the usual list of things, we decided to compile a list of five happenings going on in East Lansing this weekend. We’re doing this mainly because we’re pretty excited that there are five different things happening that we’d like to go to this weekend which doesn’t always happen in this fine, fine city.

1. Residuum, art opening. Friday, 6-9pm. (SCENE) Metrospace.

Check out this free public art opening at SCENE. The “Residuum” exhibit focuses on the theme of memory. The exhibit was guest curated by Mandy Cano Villalobos, assistant professor of painting at Calvin College. The show will feature innovative works by artists Ann Chuchvara, Liz McCarthy, Soo Shin, Katie Short and Mandy Cano Villalobos.

Can’t make it to the opening? These works will be on display until June 23. You’ve got tiiime.

2. Seeing Milk Specks, performance and photo instillation. Friday, 7-10pm. Milkmaid Gallery East.

Local artists Caroline Caswell and Ethan Tate will be embodying both the name “Milkmaid” and the physical space of the“Milkmaid Gallery East” at this one-night only event. Their artist statement says, “The work is wildly different at points but is uniquely linked by the specificity of the Milkmaid Gallery East. At once, we are examining what the space itself represents and what the title of the space represents.” Interested? Check it out.

3. Record Store Day. Saturday, all day. The Record Lounge, Flat Black and Circular & Replay Entertainment Exchange.

Head over to your favorite record store bright and early to snag all the deals and limited edition goodies. Record Store Day only comes once a year! It’s like Christmas for people who don’t think records are just another “hipster fad”.

RECOMMENDATION: Contact your favorite retailer directly to know the specific time they’re opening and get there, like, at least 30 minutes before that time.

4. Greater Lansing DIT Fest. Saturday, noon to 5pm. (SCENE) Metrospace.

Doing It Together is much better than Doing It Alone. With that, you should totally come to the first-ever Greater Lansing DIT Fest this Saturday at SCENE. There will be loads of tablers, selling things from paintings, zines and photos to music, seeds and herbs. We’ll even be there selling vintage iron-on t-shirts! Dialogues and workshops are also apart of the itinerary. 

View the entire table, workshop and dialogue listing on their Facebook event page. See you there!

Also, there will be a DIT Fest after-party starting at 8pm at the Hum House in Lansing. Five bands rockin’ and rollin’.

5. Second Line Sunday. Sunday, meet at Kresge Art Center at 1pm.

Have you ever wanted to be apart of a parade instead of just watching from the sideline? Well, here’s your chance to shine. Meet at the Kresge Art Center at 1pm on Sunday to join in on the masquerade parade led by the Gabriel Brass Band. The parade will then move across campus ending up at the Broad Art Museum.

Check out more details about the origins of the parade here. New Orleans flavor right here in East Lansing, who knew?!

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That’s all for this week. Five things will return to it’s original programming next Friday. Have a good weekend!

xx