#Real Talk Tuesday

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I just watched Kendrick Lamar’s new video (I know, please give me the late pass), and I must say if nothing else, it’s effective. “B*tch Don’t Kill My Vibe” was one of my favorite songs on Lamar’s amazing major label debut, so I wanted to check out the video sans expectations.
At first I thought it was just your garden variety somber, great looking clip. I noticed he was in all white, then I noticed he was in a church. Then I noticed he was at a funeral. And then it got really interesting. Lamar leaves the church after paying his respects to a closed casket, goes into a limo alone, raps a little, and then, all of a sudden….

There’s a raucous party. The vibe hasn’t been killed. Or has it? Is it a vibe that’s been killed or a person? Is this a last celebration for a fallen comrade? What (or whom) are we mourning here? As the clip progresses it gets better, and very funny at times. Comedian Mike Epps makes a hilarious cameo wherein he baptizes Lamar in a “bathtub full of liquor”, nodding to the “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice” videos.

Anyone who is familiar with Lamar’s music and especially his “Good Kid, Maad City” album know there is a prevalent theme of death in his work. Even though Lamar isn’t the first artist to employ a funeral backdrop for his video, it is very cleverly done. In the black community, many times funerals are called “celebrations”, and I appreciated it in the video. I could have been happy with it ending with these themes in place, but, right at the end, Lamar leaves us with the text..

“Death To Molly”.

Wow. Spark the debate. So what are we mourning here? Has the vibe been killed by Molly? Is the MDMA fad over? If nothing else, having someone as popular as Lamar even hint at a popular drug needing to die? That’s a step in the right direction. Kudos for this video. Very timely and thought-provoking.

Kendrick Lamar plays Lollapalooza in Chicago this Summer.

Love,
Psalmie
aka Psalm One©
Charm Lab Founder | 1st Lady of @Rhymesayers | Buy Child Support NOW  |#Realtalktuesday|
@psalmone
 | www.psalmone.tv | www.regularanddope.com  |www.facebook.com/psalmone

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Here is this week’s dose from Chicago’s Tastemakers! Each week we check in with our 60+ Chicago movers and shakers to see what’s going on around town. Stay tuned each week to get each week’s wrap and next week’s view!

 

Dani Deahl

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Lost In Concert

Blue Hawaii | Metro | May 3, 2013

 

Porn and Chicken TV

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Dynasty Podcasts

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UR Chicago

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Do312 Photo Ambassadors

Calling all Photo Ambassadors:

Do312.com is seeking talented, motivated, out-going individuals to be a part of their Photography Team!

Do312 is the best place to find out about concerts, events and awesome happenings in Chicago. Plus, we give away a lot of free stuff, like concert tickets, backstage passes and exclusive prizes. Also voted The Chicago Reader “Best Nightlife Blogger” in the 2012 Best of Reader’s Poll.

We are primarily looking for students that are enrolled in a photojournalism, communications, photo-communications, image creation, photography, and photography-related programs at a college/university-level institution. Others may apply however since this is an upaid position, we are interested in students have just graduated and are looking for a real-world experience that will complement their studies, further their portfolios, and help them get job.

Basic Requirements:

  • Must be 21 and over
  • Have a D-SLR capable of shooting in low-light
  • An Off-Camera Flash
  • A Reliable internet connection
  • Online Portfolio/Facebook page with portfolio
  • Multiple lenses are desirable but not required

Along with covering the event its itself, our photographers are also expected to represent Do312 and promote their photos on the site.  This works in conjunction with the ability to promote themselves as well.  Photographers will have Do312 information to distribute with while covering our events and expected to NOT ONLY photograph the band or entertainment but also people in attendance and anything that might be happening throughout the night. Photographers must have a social media presence, and be willing to promote themselves, their work, and Do312.

Photographers images will be posted to our website and social media after each event ( shared with over 19k Users and Followers).  Each photographer retains ownership and copyright of their images and will be given full credit on Do312 channels.

For consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume with a link to your work to our photography coordinator Ruben Cantu – cantu.ruben@gmail.com

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#Real Talk Tuesday

 

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The Chicago Public library gave a call to local musicians in the Fall of 2009 to make a love song about our city. Throughout thousands of entries, I was pleased to find I was among the finalists. What made this contest interesting were the rules: in addition to a great Chicago – themed song, you had to upload an accompanying video. Among the esteemed finalists I was only worried about one, a much younger Chance the Rapper.

His song escapes my specific memory, but I do recall a song filled with the fears and inspirations of a kid leaving home. The video wasn’t a big budget ordeal – it was sincere and showed Chicago through the eyes of a kid I could relate to. Kids I can relate to are blessed to have been shown something beyond their terrible neighborhoods. We are usually bussed to respectable schools outside of our zones and we are non-white kids who have tons of white and non-black friends. It is a street smart perspective but still very optimistic about life beyond.  It allows us to navigate different worlds and oftentimes, we thrive in them.

I ultimately won that CPL contest. My “Bucket Song” is celebrated to this day as a Chicago anthem of sorts, and at the final ceremony in Pritzker Park I got to meet the kid who impressed me so. Chance, the runner-up, was genuinely gracious and told me he thought my song was awesome. I told him the same and wished him well. It was cool to not have the initial rapper rivalries – it was a contest after all. But no…we both appreciated each other.

Fast forward to right now, and Chance is one of the biggest names is Chicago Hip Hop. And he couldn’t be more deserving. He clearly knows what he wants to do and he is honestly a joy to be around. The few times since that rainy day in Pritzker I’ve been around Chance and his team, it never leaves me feeling anything less than inspired. I consider myself a veteran in Chicago now, and I’m excited about all the young talent in this city. Chance is on a path to something awesome and it’s incredible to watch.

Check out his latest, “Acid Rap” at chanceraps.com and absorb it. I was gonna give my rap critique about the album but I decided to tell a story about a hard working young man and my respect for his craft. I enjoy his music and what he represents; he is among plenty of amazing new (and not so new) Chicago artists. If you didn’t know, now you’re aware. Give him a spin.

Chance the Rapper performs at Lollapalooza this Summer.

Love,
Psalmie
aka Psalm One©
Charm Lab Founder | 1st Lady of @Rhymesayers | Buy Child Support NOW  |#Realtalktuesday|
@psalmone
 | www.psalmone.tv | www.regularanddope.com  |www.facebook.com/psalmone

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Here is this week’s dose from Chicago’s Tastemakers! Each week we check in with our 60+ Chicago movers and shakers to see what’s going on around town. Stay tuned each week to get each week’s wrap and next week’s view! Our weekly Tastemaker Spotlight will let you get to know our Tastemakers a bit better because they’re more than a name online, they’re bringing you the hottest events Chicago has to offer.

This week we caught up with Bryn Rich, the man behind last year’s wildly popular and controversial @Lollaleaks Twitter account. In 2012, Bryn leaked a fictional Lollapalooza line up through the account and created a virtual shit storm. These days, Bryn is keeping out of the Lollapalooza limelight and focusing on building his career as a musician.

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Hi Bryn! Care to share a little bit about yourself? 

I moved here back in 2010 from Charleston, Illinois and it’s been a whirlwind of attending shows, playing shows, and trying to soak up everything the city has to offer.

Let’s travel back in time, a little over a year ago your Twitter account @Lollaleaks was blowing up. Tell us a little bit about the account why you started and where you got your information?

I started @LollaLeaks one night out of boredom and to see if the whole “leaking” game was really as easy as people made it seem.  Every fest has its share of snake oil salesmen leading up to the lineup release, and people fall for it every time.  Someone else tried it with Lollapalooza this year and ended up getting more followers than I did last year!  I never expected to take off the way it did, but once I passed 2,000 followers thought it might be a good chance to use my experiment to teach people a thing or two about anonymous information on the Internet.  I think a lot of them appreciated it.

You had a little bit of a dispute with Perry Ferrell because of @Lollaleaks, is that water under the bridge now or is there still a bit of bad blood between the two of you?

Perry had some cross words for me, but I didn’t take them too personally.  I’m a huge fan of Perry and everything he’s done with Lollapalooza, Jane’s Addiction, and Porno for Pyros.  Not only is he one of the great vocalists of the modern alternative era, but he’s easily one of the greatest frontmen.  I actually met Perry and Etty at the lineup announcement party back in 2011 where I got a chance to be a fanboy for few minutes.  They were both incredibly sweet and indulgent. (He does still have me blocked on Twitter, and I hope he lifts that someday)

Your posts started out as anonymous, were you nervous about unveiling your identity? 

The initial reaction was pretty harsh, but I got just as many messages from people who either thought it was hilarious or actually supported my message of waiting for credible information.  The people who were upset probably fell for the fake lineups again this year…

You’re also a musician! Tell us a little bit about your endeavor into the world of music?

I’m a singer-songwriter who does the solo acoustic thing.  I’ve been fortunate enough to have made a lot of really great friends in bands and at venues in Chicago and they’ve all been amazing and supportive.  Like everyone else, I started playing to empty dive bars and open mic nights, then half-empty venues, and now I’ve been able to get added to some pretty cool bills.  Right now I’m focusing on writing and recording, but I’ll hopefully be announcing some new shows over on my website in the next couple of weeks.

If you were to play any festival (world wide, at present time or any point in history) what would it be and why?

My music tends to be on the quieter side, so it definitely wouldn’t fit on the mainstage at any festival.  I’d love to play one of those shady, tree-lined side stages at Lollapalooza or in the woods at San Francisco’s Outside Lands.  I’ve seen a lot of great acoustic sets there (Frank Turner in the rain at Lolla 2010 was particularly great) and wouldn’t have to worry about my lack of a big stage show.

Awesome! Thanks, Bryn! Check out more on Mr. Rich’s musical endeavor or his blog here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brynrichmusic

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/brynrich

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brynrich

Website: www.brynrich.com

Tumblr: http://lollaleaks.tumblr.com/

 

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#Real Talk Tuesday

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Tity Boi grew on me. Wait, that reads so terribly. 2 Chainz grew on me. I’m a big fan of the slow burn in the mainstream. There are so many artists that (seemingly) come from nowhere, command the entertainment landscape, pop, fizzle and die. 2 Chainz has circumvented that to become a huge star that will be here for a long time because: he has already been here a long time.

As one half of the acclaimed southern duo Playaz Circle, Chainz born Tauheed Epps entered the recording industry in 1997, but did not enjoy any commercial success until 2007, with their single “Duffle Bag Boy”. The song features a Li’l Wayne that was turning a corner – the bluesy, scruffy autotuned Wayne everyone has come to know and love. The song definitely catapulted Epps into an upper echelon of the industry.

After announcing his solo efforts, Epps underwent a name transformation that ultimately worked for him. Going from Tity Boi to 2 Chainz is obviously better for the mainstream, as radio DJs can’t always mention breasts when mentioning your song. After a very successful Gangsta Grillz mixtape, Chainz started enjoying more and more commercial success, culminating in the release of his major label effort, Based on a T.R.U. Story, which debuted at number 1 on Billboard.

The 2 Chainz style is infectious and playful, straddling the lines of ladies man, drug dealer and fashionista with ease. If you’re new to his music, here’s a list of some of 2 Chainz’ best efforts:

“Duffle Bag Boy” (Single featuring Li’l Wayne, with Playaz Circle)
Codeine Cowboy (A 2 Chainz Collective Mixtape)
Codeine Cowboy (Video Documentary)
T.R.U. REALigion (Breakthrough Mixtape)
Based on a T.R.U. Story (Studio Album 2012)

I suggest starting with the documentary and going from there. 2 Chainz will be performing at Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer.

Love,
Psalmie
aka Psalm One©
Charm Lab Founder | 1st Lady of @Rhymesayers | Buy Child Support NOW  |#Realtalktuesday|
@psalmone
 | www.psalmone.tv | www.regularanddope.com  |www.facebook.com/psalmone

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Here is this week’s dose from Chicago’s Tastemakers! Each week we check in with our 60+ Chicago movers and shakers to see what’s going on around town. Stay tuned each week to get each week’s wrap and next week’s view! Our weekly Tastemaker Spotlight will let you get to know our Tastemakers a bit better because they’re more than a name online, they’re bringing you the hottest events Chicago has to offer!


This week we got to know Kristen Kaza, co-founder of Yellow Wing Productions and the sole founder of one of Chicago’s newest production companies, No Small Plans Productions.

Photo by Trés Awesome

Photo by Trés Awesome

Hi Kristen! Tell us a little bit about yourself? 

I usually like to begin answering this question by sharing that I’m a tenth generation Vermonter and pretty proud of it. Our family makes maple syrup; we’re the real deal. I’m almost at my ten year anniversary in Chicago though and I love it more every year. I came here to attend Columbia College and haven’t left; in fact I teach there now in the marketing department. Career wise, I’ve had the honor of working for Time Out Chicago, Whole Foods Market, and the Reader, with side hustles like producing documentaries with my bff Ky Dickens including Fish out of Water (2009) and most recently, Sole Survivor. I spent 2009-2012 with the Reader, and continue to produce many of their events with my company I founded last fall, No Small Plans Productions. My favorite part of all these jobs is that I’ve been able to connect with so many wonderful people and help spread good ideas. I tell my students that marketing is really just the spreading of ideas….not always good ones, but that’s the goal! I try to participate in work that helps people feel good, and helps them connect with others. That might sound rudimentary but I don’t think it’s very complicated: Have a good idea, “put the right people on the bus,” and it’s going to move in the right direction.

For those who don’t know what is No Small Plans and Yellow Wing?

No Small Plans is an events production company that I started in October, 2012 when I resigned from the Reader. We have been lucky to continue our relationship and in fact this Friday, May 3, No Small Plans will be co-producing the Reader’s First Annual Key Ingredient Cook Off: A Festival of Culinary Curiosities. The festival will feature 26 of Chicago’s best chefs who will use unusual ingredients, like malort. Who wants to try five dishes with malort?! Count me in. We recently hosted a Mad Men Premiere Party in the Logan Theatre, which was so fun to show on the big screen and have people dress up like the characters. Themes are kind of our thing, I guess. Yellow Wing Productions is the film and video production company I co-founded with Ky Dickens. We released Fish out of Water, a documentary about the Bible and homosexuality in 2009, and this year we’re releasing Sole Survivor, a documentary that tells the stories of lone survivors of aviation disasters. It’s amazing to work with friends. Sometimes people advise against this and I don’t understand why; I can’t imagine a better collaboration than one with hard working, talented friends – it provides a deeper sense of responsibility, motivation, connectedness and community, I think!

Yellow Wing Productions has worked on quite a few projects, what has been one of your favorite/most memorable and why?

Fish out of Water has been a deeply rewarding project. I think in cities, where we have greater access to safe queer spaces and elevated visibility and support, we forget that there are many people out there feeling isolated, misunderstood – Fish has provided a lot of comfort and been a catalyst for difficult dialogue. Ky and I continue to visit churches, community centers and colleges because the conversation is definitely not over. All in all, it’s taught me to treat people with as much kindness as possible and to listen and to understand, not react.

Starting a business is quite a challenge, care to share any crazy/funny stories from the early days of No Small Plans, the challenges you faced and how you overcame them?

Maybe something more enlightening than funny – You know, there are a lot of people with a few “side hustles,” as I called them before. We are in the gig economy; it’s very common now for people to wear multiple hats and the stigma around that is changing. I think it’s important to share that it can be a struggle; adjusting from being in a full time job with benefits, a regular payment schedule and a place to go to work with people to respond to – it’s a big shift transitioning to being the motivator and creator of these things. It has challenged my sense of worth and identity. But it’s also deeply, deeply rewarding. Coworking spaces like the Coop where you get the sense of an office environment are great places to create and maintain positive habits. My friends that run their own businesses are huge inspirations of mine.

What was your motivation or inspiration for starting No Small Plans?

You may be familiar with Daniel Burnham, Designer of the World’s Fair in Chicago, who said, “Make no small plans; they have no magic to stir men’s souls.” I started No Small Plans because I wanted to provide opportunities for people to get excited about – period. Even when I was a teenager, everything had a theme and I’ve never really stopped “playing dress up” – it’s just called “drag” now. I think if you give people a reason to put a look together and get into it, they’ll take it. Like the movies, events are a chance to transport people to a new place and time. I think, with all the heavy stuff we have to face, it’s really great when we can come together and revel in the variety of artistic, creative, spirited, and committed people we have in our community. I started NSP so there could be another platform for that. We try to work with people on projects that make sense to them. That’s why we involved local gin makers Leatherbee and vintage shops Dovetail and Tres Awesome in the Mad Men Party – it worked. I don’t think it has to be overcomplicated to be successful, and I don’t it has to be tweeted, instagrammed, facebooked, and watermarked like crazy to be legitimate. It’s legit when people are feeling good – and I’d even argue, when they can be IN a moment and not always have to share it.

Any upcoming events from No Small Plans that our readers need to know about?

The Key Ingredient Cook Off is this Friday at the beautiful Bridgeport Art Center. This is NOT your typical food fest; please tell me where you can try five dishes with MALORT in them. Scofflaw is hosting the VIP reception and we have 26 amazing Chicago chefs and restaurants involved including Blackbird, Fat Rice, El Ideas, and Nellcote. Slo ‘Mo has its regular residency at the Whistler Thursday, May 16 and then we’re super excited to host our first party at the Shrine night club Thursday, May 30. In June, Slo ‘Mo is hosting the Chicago Reader’s Pride Cruise for Slo ‘Mo H20. LOTS of fun things!!

If you could promote or plan any kind of production or event, what would it be and why?

Good question. Honestly, the best ideas for events I’ve had are the ones that have come to me when I’m riding my bike or taking a walk, always listening to music (often Janet Jackson is motivating). If the idea excites me, I usually pursue it. Why not? There are organizations and people I’d like to work with, locally Red Moon, the musician Damon Locks, Land and Sea Dept, and other Chicago gems.  There is SO much talent in this city, I just want to help provide platforms (and maybe throw a little gold dust on top).

Awesome! Thanks Kristen! For more info on Yellow Wing Productions or No Small Plans Productions, check out these links:

Website:

http://www.yellowwingproductions.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/NoSmallPlansProductions

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Here is this week’s dose from Chicago’s Tastemakers! Each week we check in with our 60+ Chicago movers and shakers to see what’s going on around town. Stay tuned each week to get each week’s wrap and next week’s view! Our weekly Tastemaker Spotlight will let you get to know our Tastemakers a bit better because they’re more than a name online, they’re bringing you the hottest events Chicago has to offer! 

This week we had the pleasure of chatting with Emma Arnold, Chicago street style guru and one woman fashion force behind Trés Awesome!

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Hi Emma! Care to share a little bit about yourself?
I’m a street style photographer and art director at an ad agency.
For those who don’t know what is Trés Awesome? 

TresAwesome.com is a street style fashion blog I started about 4 years ago. I focus on what people are wearing on the streets here in Chicago and also feature style from New York Fashion Week and Music Festivals around the country.

What was your inspiration for starting the blog?

I’ve taken photos all of my life but never of people. I got my first SLR camera and thought I should try and get some human subjects in my work. A street style blog seemed like the perfect way to do that. It was really tough to approach people at first but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. Now meeting new people is one of my favorite parts of the job.

Any events coming up from Trés Awesome (or that Trés Awesome is a part of) that our readers need to know about?
We will be having a party at RM Champagne coming up in June. More details to come on that soon.
Who is your favorite fashion celeb/It-person to follow on social networks or to photograph for your site?
I love following the designer Patricia Chang on instagram. She has the best feed ever. @patriciachangny
How would you define your own style and where do you pull your inspiration for your day to day looks?

My day to day style is all about comfortable basics with a little razzle dazzle thrown in.

Music Festival Season is quickly approaching, and it seems like each festival has inspired an eclectic style of its own! What’s your favorite festival look so far this year? 
My favorite festival look so far this season has been Ioanna Gika of IO Echo that I shot for Elle.com.
Awesome! Thanks Emma! For more on Trés Awesome, check out these links:

 

Chicago Mixtape
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Lost In Concert
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Porn and Chicken TV

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Gapers Block 

Photo credit: Hane C. Lee under Creative Commons
Photo credit: Hane C. Lee under Creative Commons

Bye Bye, Congress Theater?Quadrophonic Excursions: Takehisa Kosugi at Lampo

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Check out photos from these events on Do312!
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Photo by Tracy Graham: www.tracygrahamcracker.com
Photo by Tracy Graham: www.tracygrahamcracker.com

Show Review IO ECHO at The RivShow Review: Rhye at Schubas

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#Real Talk Tuesday

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You can’t stop me from making music, but at one point, I wasn’t releasing nearly enough of it. Living with a shitload of talent but not alot of money made me become a student of the industry fast. I realized early in my career that I was really built to do this. I’ve had a ton of heartache being a rapper, but I have never been happier in my entire life.

After leaving Chemistry to become Psalm, the industry folded in on itself. Shortly after that I moved to the Bay Area of California to find myself. While doing that, I made music. I didn’t release it though. And it was dubstep before dubstep was big. I made a ton of it, and that’s why you still hear traces of it in my music today.

I moved back to Chicago in Spring of 2009, and since then I’ve been building to get to where I am today, which is somewhere I never thought I’d be. Some of the opportunities coming my way could never come to me if I weren’t a scientist, or a mentor, or a nice person. Being a rapper adds many layers of “cool” to my life, but making music was something I knew I had to do. Now I know, even if I weren’t semi-popular, I’d be in somebody’s studio recording.

Rap is a check to some people. A hustle. I’m a hustler without it. Who else do you know worked at an Investment Banking firm on Wall Street at 16? This girl, that’s who. I just approach things from an analytical, egotistical and very loving way. I love the things I’m involved in. I don’t have to ever top the charts, but I have business in this industry and children to teach. I have music to release and invoices to output. The path you blaze may be one that is unique to only you, but it is one that needs to be walked.

I’d like to share a new remix with you. It’s pretty self-explanatory and offers another look into my story. Because you can’t say it all in one song. Please enjoy, and remember: the easiest path is the least rewarding.

Love,
Psalmie
aka Psalm One©
Charm Lab Founder | 1st Lady of @Rhymesayers | Buy Child Support NOW  |#Realtalktuesday|
@psalmone
 | www.psalmone.tv | www.regularanddope.com  |www.facebook.com/psalmone

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Aesthetic Beat: Jonah Ansell’s ‘Cadaver’

By: John Matthew Simon

Tavi-Gevinson-and-Jonah-Ansell-MCA-575x550“I want my poem to be brazen and long legged,” spouts Chicago MC Denizen Kane on the Typical Cat’s track “What You Thought Hops.” And that is exactly what Jonah Ansell’s short “Cadaver” embodies, espouses, and imbues; a meticulous shock therapy. The short film starring Christopher Lloyd, Kathy Bates, and local teen fashionista/blogger Tavi Gevinson was released in 2012 too much critical acclaim and fanfare. The picture shares the journey of a deceased man who awakes mid autopsy determined to tell his wife that even in death he still loves her. It’s a vivid and moving summation of what we all seek, serenity and steady-hands in the form of partnership contrasted with the finicky and stark realities of loss, life, and love.

The poem that serves as the rudder or “roadmap for the visual story” came first, according to creator Jonah Ansell. After summoning the story and visuals, Jonah needed to land some actors. In fact, the idea of landing the actors that he did for a short film was merely “a ridiculous wish list” and it took “blind, sappy, and embarrassingly passionate e-mails to them — the type of e-mail that you send to an ex-girlfriend at 2 a.m. only to regret it for the next six months of your life,” nevertheless it worked and in hindsight it is paying off. This won’t be the last time we hear from Ansell, as he stated in a brief interview, “Short films are springboards to feature films. In the industry, they essentially serve as a ‘resume’ — to communicate a visual style and voice.” And we hope that his stylization is viable for an industry over-wrought with wretched blockbusters. Ansell hopes to continue “in the spirit of Shel Silverstein and Aesop’s Fables” and “to explore the rhyme scheme and animation style that was introduced” in this short.

If you would like to understand the sentimentality of this motion picture and it’s artist(s), then you certainly should head to the Museum of Contemporary Art this evening for a screening of the short. Followed by an after party at Debonair Social Club, where Tavi Gevinson will be DJ’n – RSVP for No Cover and a hosted PBR bar. Trust me, this is 7 minutes of your life that will be happily spent.

CADAVER – The Film – Trailer from Jonah D. Ansell on Vimeo.

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