To Heron back (#2)

I have a strong feeling that, like phone boxes and laundromats before them, Heron food stores are fast becoming my latest obsession. In fact, such is my unhealthy interest in this chain of discounted food marts that the only person I can speak to about it freely, without being judged, is AI. Bloody hell, I think I need help.

So, this time, I wanted it to lose the people and the railings outside. And pretend it was Summer. Even Heron Foods look better in sunlight, believe me. If, heaven forbid, I get a third blog post out of this, then can I please ask one of you to call Social Services? It's for my own good.

Moon Duo

I have Swiss Adam to thank for pointing me in the direction of Moon Duo. A Californian psychedelic outfit with more drones than you can shake a shitty stick at; when they lock on to a grave they don't let go. So hypnotic is their sound that I would strongly advise against driving at night to a Moon Duo soundtrack. In fact they should put that in the Highway Code.

Here's a live session they did for KEXP back in 2013. 

 

To Heron back

I know some people get a little agitato when it comes to AI (and in some cases rightly so, I do get it) but, for the most part, whenever I've used it, it's really been just as a surrogate photoshop tool. Here's a case in point. The above snap was a photograph I took of a Heron food store earlier this year. But, me being me, and in an ideal world (question for the ages: would there even be a Heron food store in an ideal world?), I'd have preferred it if there were no people or cars  'blocking the view'; so, I asked AI to lose them. And, I said, while you're about it, overlay a few bold and vibrant brush strokes. This is how it came back. It's like Hockney's A Bigger Splash except without the swimming pool. Or California. I like it. But then I would, wouldn't I?

So you think you can tell Heaven from Hell

Despite two recent civil wars the Republic of Cote d'Ivorie (Ivory Coast) is one of the most successful countries in West Africa. It's where 70 languages are spoken (tho' primarily French) and three quarters of its population identify as Ivorians. It was once known as the 'teeth coast' due to is dependance on the ivory trade. And it's from where Seydou Koné hails. Better known by his stage name of Alpha Blondy, he was introduced to Rastafari whilst living in the United States in the 1970s.

Alpha Blondy - I Wish You Were Here (2007)

 

Light years apart

News has reached Medd Towers that stellar intellect Kim Kardashian has this week called the Apollo 11 moon landing a hoax. Buzz Aldrin the oldest living American astronaut doesn't take kindly to that kind of talk. Aldrin, the man who followed Neil Armstrong onto the surface of the moon, is a highly respected, much decorated, NASA & United States Military hero. Kim Kardashian, on the other hand, is a skank.

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Never one to shy away from shameless self promotion, did I tell you I wrote a song about the moon landing? It's called One Small Step...

John Medd · One Small Step