Posts Tagged ‘robyn’
Interview: Diamond Rings
Like all great things in life, Diamond Rings, –the musical alter ego of John O- took time. After spending the majority of his adolescence exploring the wonders of team sports, John O began a new journey, one that included collecting vinyl records and learning GarageBand on his friends Macbook.
Upon his graduation from the University of Guelph, John O started conceptualizing a magnificent musical image. The result would eventually become known as Diamond Rings, a one man show that incorporated elements from numerous genres to create a unique concoction of emotionally raw glam-pop.
In terms of personal esthetic, the outward appearance of Diamond Rings is synonymous with the music itself. Much like David Bowie or Madonna, John O has created a cultural icon where you can’t think about the music without first appreciating the personality who created it. Diamond Rings is a bleached blonde goddess; an androgynous character that is relatable across multiple demographics. Bros’ love him, teen girls love him, single moms love him, hipsters love him and yes, the gays love him, too.
In 2010, things started to really happen for Diamond Rings. He played at Winnie Cooper’s No More Strangers one-year anniversary party in March and released his debut album, Special Affections, a few months later. With its sparkling sythns and self-reflecting lyrics, Special Affections caught the attention of critics, music lovers and fembot Robyn, who Diamond Rings would tour with during the winter of 2011.
A lot has changed for Diamond Rings over the past two years, and it shows on his latest record Free Dimensional. Regardless of the reason or muse, it seems that Diamond Rings is at a much better place, both creatively and personally. While less aggressively downbeat than his previous effort, Free Dimensional shows that Diamond Rings is anything but stagnate, presenting 10 electro-dance tracks that are perfect for a mid-week rave or turnt-up house party.
Along with the new album, Diamond Rings is currently on a headlining tour with a new 3-piece band. He’ll be stopping by Fortune Sound Club in Vancouver on November 17 with Gold and Youth. A few $15 advanced tickets are still available online or at Red Cat and Zulu Records. You don’t want to miss this, or my interview, which is posted below.
Where are you right now?
We’re traveling in the van somewhere between L.A. and San Francisco.
What’s the last song you listened to?
Embarrassingly enough, it would probably be my own song. We played (Jay) Leno last night and I just watched the playback of the show. I haven’t listened to anything else yet today; I’m trying to give my ears a break before the show tonight. The last song that wasn’t by me would have to be the new Tensnake single called “Mainline”.
What’s your favorite snap-back or fitted cap?
I just got a really awesome Raptors hat at this store in Los Angeles that I like, it’s a custom design. I’ve got my own snap-backs now for this tour, which is wicked. We sell them at the shows and my band wears them on stage with me.
What are your favorite snack on tour?
Cliff Bars, carrot cake and oatmeal raisin are my favorite. Stuff like that is really good during the day, most of the time the food you get on tour is shit.
Name three things you can’t live without on tour?
Definitely my laptop, my cobalt e-reader and my track pants. You gotta be comfortable.
It’s possible, right?
If there was a time machine and you could be transported back to 1985, what’s the first show/concert you’d go to?
I would go to Chicago and hit up a house party, either that or a Detroit techno rave.
Who’s your celebrity spirit animal?
It’s probably a mix of attributes from people I tend to gravitate towards, but maybe Grace Jones.
I was going to say Kylie Minogue.
Lets go with your pick, that’s better.
How has your stage show changed since you’ve incorporated a live band?
Considerably I guess, it’s more dynamic in a lot of ways, there’s more action. Performing with a live band frees me up to really lose myself in the music and interact with the audience more.
Are there more theatrics now?
When I was performing solo it was almost more theatrical because I had to compensate for the lack of the band. I had to over amplify what I was doing in a lot of ways. With the band the theatricality comes less from moving around/acting and more in the way of costuming and the way everyone looks. The band has a uniform and I have a different outfit every night.
You played the No More Strangers one-year anniversary party at Funky Winker Beans in Vancouver, who should play Winnie’s 5 year anniversary party?
I’ll play it! Me and Kylie Minogue.
You experimented with hip-hop on the new record, what rappers are you currently into?
I’m into Drake insofar as he’s doing really good things for Toronto as a city, but I don’t really identify with too much contemporary hip-hop. Most of my influence comes from Euro-Dance and House music and the way those genres incorporate rap as a textural element. I think that just has to do with my love of Dance music, a lot of rap music I find difficult to dance to, or at least in the way I like to dance.
What kind of dance moves can we expect at Fortune Sound Club on November 17?
Frantic improvisation. That’s usually my style. It’s nothing especially calculated, I just like getting up and feeling it.
There’s no choreographed dancing?
I’ve got a few go-to actions. Most of the time it’s just about being in the moment and having fun. I’m not a professional dancer, – I would like to be and it’s something I’m working towards- but until then, I’m just gunna go for it.
If you were a professional dancer what artist would you want to tour with?
I think Janet Jackson would probably be number one. Justin Bieber would be cool too, he has some moves.
Interview by @clarkbs
Whitney
Prescription drugs. Just as dangerous as “illegal” drugs. Some silly mashups. rip Whitney.
The Hood Internet – When The Night Knows (Whitney Houston x Chromeo)
Zooash – Dancing in Houston (Robyn vs Whitney Houston)
posted by @tristanorchard
Sasquatch Recap!
Photos by Miriam Thom
Here it is u guyz… Winnie Cooper’s Sasquatch! 2011 review! Words by Dolly Compton.
TOP TEN SHOWS:
• MSTRKRFT
• Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
• Sleigh Bells
• The Antlers
• Ratatat
• White Arrows
• Foster the People
• !!!
• Das Racist
• Matt and Kim
DAY 1 FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
DFA 1979: I had to keep myself from headbanging too hard so my neck wouldn’t be too sore for the rest of the weekend.
Foo Fighters: Dave Grohl is a modern icon, and he brought out Bob Mould from Hüsker Dü who shredded like he’d risen from hell.
DAY 2 SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
Aloe Blacc: I need a dollar…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR6oYX1D-0w[/youtube]
The Antlers: Fantastic performance in broad daylight! The sunshine made their set more powerful and surreal than they’ve been at indoors venues in the past.
Washed Out: Ernest Greene tapped into the house market with a booming four-to-the-floor that overpowered the twinkling melodies and pillow-talk vocals.
The Glitch Mob: 3 iPad nerds geeking out on some heavy synth and drum machine apps and putting on a better show than Bassnectar (due2power)
Matt and Kim: They sampled every hip hop great and Kim did a handstand while shaking her booty like you would not believe.
Sleigh Bells: Alexis Krauss is the hottest bitch on the planet! Combining everything you could want: bangin’ beats and metal.
Robyn: Sasquatch! 2011 had so many amazing female performers. Robyn ate a banana on stage and, as one of my friends put it, was dancing “like she was from another planet.”
DAY 3 SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
Beach House: Another female babe, Victoria Legrand commanded the hearts of every girl and the loins of every boy in the audience. It was sunny and beautiful during their set and I wept during “Take Care.”
Cold War Kids: My friends were passed out drunk in front of City and Colour so I went to the mainstage where Cold War Kids were surprisingly great!
Flogging Molly: Everyone caught a second wind for this set and jumped around dancing to Irish punk.
Das Racist: They pulled off the best audience interaction all weekend, making people choose between laughing and dancing. A white girl in a red bikini flashed them and Dap told her to “Eat something.”
Gold Panda: Money set in the Banana Shack dance tent. Expected nothing less.
Flying Lotus: A huge crowd came for Flying Lotus and you could tell he was just as stoked as they were.
MSTRKRFT: #FrenchHouse! I felt like I couldn’t dance hard enough for how good this show was.
Ratatat: Amazing visuals. They had a giant 3-D parrot that was hanging out on the side of the stage. The audience all looked like they were having out of body experiences.
DAY 4 MONDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
Black Mountain: Vancouver’s own! Dark, dance-able rock. So so good.
White Arrows: All these guys are babes. The crowd quadrupled during their set.
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings: Soul good on the mainstage. Sharon wore a royal blue flapper dress and had everyone on their feet getting down to soul jams like this or this.
Foster the People: Every Sasquatch bro’s summer anthem
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ[/youtube]
!!! (“Chk Chk Chk”): Lead singer Nic Offer was gyrating like Prince, strutting into the crowd to ham and steal the audience’s clothing. Glad I saw it!
Skrillex: Dub-step sweetheart Skrillex opened the door from a room of brostep euphoria LFOs into some hallways of dnb roots, dancehall, and not enough French house.
Major Lazer: Diplo and Switch ended Sasquatch! 2011 with a rager in the dance tent, narrowly avoiding a bum-rush after inviting ten girls onstage, and telling the audience that they were going to “F*ck everybody.”
THE ONE TO WATCH:
DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid: Portland bollyhood DJs who played an unprecedented all four days! Catch them in Portland before they get too big!
NAUGHTY LIST:
Yeasayer: Somewhere along the line these guys decided they wanted to be a boring indie rock band. They played mostly their new album with a neutered version of “O.N.E.” and you could tell they were bored. At least change your name if you’re going to be a completely different band.
Best Coast: Expectedly sarcastic, unexpectedly boring.
the interview show: Diamond Rings
Everyone loves Diamond Rings! Pitchfork loves him! Robyn loves him! The UK loves him! He even has a make up sponsor!
I caught John (aka Diamond Rings) at the end of a long day. I was his last interview, so I was hoping I would catch him a little looser than his usual serious self. He was his sober self, but so earnest! It’s easy to see why everyone loves him so much.
Diamond Rings on the interview show
Diamond Rings “All Yr Songs” (Go Green remix)
Diamond Rings “You Oughta Know” John shared with me that Alanis Morissette‘s album “Jagged Little Pill” was written about “Uncle Joey” from Full House. That would be Dave Coulier NOT “Uncle Jesse” aka the ultra cool John Stamos. Yep, kind changes how you look at the record if you imagine her “going down on “Uncle Joey” from Full House in a theatre.”
Diamond Rings and his buds PS I Love You are at the Biltmore this Friday. See you there!
NEW VIDEO FOR “IT’S NOT MY PARTY”
the interview show is everywhere! (interviewshow[at]gmail.com)
follow us on twitter @interview_show
www.cjsf.ca (Vancouver, BC, Mondays 4:30-5pm PST and Wednesdays 12:30am PST)
www.ckdu.ca (Halifax, NS, Saturdays 1:30-2:00am AST)
www.radiocfxu.ca (Campus Community Radio, Antigonish, NS, Fridays 11pm-12am AST)
www.cfru.ca (University of Guelph Radio, ON, Tuesdays 3pm EST)
www.umfm.com (Winnipeg’s Hit Free Radio, MB, Fridays 6-6:30pm CST)
www.caperradio.com (Cape Breton University Radio, NS, Wednesdays 2:30-3pm AST and Fridays 5:30-6pm AST)
Permalink: http://winniecooper.net/tag/scott-wood/
This Is A Weird Blog Post
so much random
Robyn – Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson Cover)
Robyn and Snoop team up again
You may recall the Sensual Seduction remix with Robyn…
Well, Stockholm and Long Beach link up for another track. Pop goodness!
Robyn ft Snoop Dogg – Bum Like You
Winnie’s Bag
Mailbag time:
From MMMatthias
Bloc Party - Signs (MMMatthias Remix)
New from the Bloody Beetroots
Robyn - Cobrastyle (Bloody Beetroots remix)
Big Nasty‘s take on the A-Trak banger.
A-Trak - Say Whoa (Big Nasty Remix)
La Mode hit us up with these two original productions. For lovers of the French filter / disco house sound.
