Vacuum Live @ More Or Less / Baltimore

Let's be clear -- Vacuum is a dirtbag. A dirtbag and a burnout, in fact. Truth be told, the only thing separating Matt Abbott (aka Vacuum) from your run-of-the-mill, drug addled, lowlife, redneck, hoodrat motherfucker is that he is the owner of a laptop computer and a stellar record collection. With these two resources, a good ear, and a brain wired for weird, Vacuum turns out quirky, funky, techno and house jams, as well as disco re-edits and the odd yacht rock & coke rock compilations. Matt Abbott's got more psuedonyms than can be listed here, and has remained a bright light in Detroit's on-again, off-again, party scene since the 90's as a DJ, live act, and party promoter under CPM (City People Music). Here is a recent mix by Vacuum full of sleazy rape beats.

Vacumm Live @ More or Less - 3/27/09

Ghostly Cast #21: Todd Osborn

This month's ghostly-cast features the the obscure nature sounds and whale-mating calls of paleolithic dragon-slayer, Todd Osborn. This shit is so dangerous that Ugandan government officials have raised their threat levels from Patrick Duffy to HOLY FUCK....., it's hard-ass Mark "Skid" McCormick. Chaos has ensued and the New Vision headline reads "Dragon Slayer tramples Universe And Eats Cereal Bowl Full Giraffes". You think you're ready for this, hot rod? You think your ready? Try me.... I dare you!

Listen to Osborne

Planet E @ Cliff Bells

Planet-E label owner, Carl Craig, hosts an event tomorrow evening at Cliff Bells in Detroit. The show includes a special live performance from Barcelona native, Fransisco Tristano, winner of the 2004 Orleans International Contest - a highly prestigious competition dedicated to 20th Century classical music. The show runs from 9pm to 1am and is free of charge.

Drexciya Interview By Liz Copeland

Legendary WDET Radio Host, Liz Copeland, interviews the elusive and enigmatic Detroit Electro outfit, Drexciya. For the interview, Liz sits down with late Drexciyian member, James Stinson, just before his untimely death. This is a great interview and it reminds us of the huge contributions from both Liz And James that will continue to serve as important dialogue within Detroit's storied musical history.

Sound Opinions Radio Program

From: Chicago Public Radio Online

Based in Chicago, Sound Opinions is hosted by Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, two of the finest and best-recognized pop music writers in the nation. In addition, they are the top music critics and dedicated competitors at Chicago's two daily newspapers, the Chicago Sun-Times (Jim) and the Chicago Tribune (Greg). They are also both critically acclaimed authors who write for some of the nation's most prestigious rock magazines, including Rolling Stone, Spin, and Vibe.

Every week, Sound Opinions fires up smart and spirited discussions about a wide range of popular music, from cutting-edge underground rock and hip-hop, to classic rock, R&B, electronica, worldbeat, or just about any other genre you can name. The consistently informed, engaging, and controversial dialogue makes it a unique and essential source for the top stories, albums, and trends in music. Sound Opinions airs on Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 11am, on Chicago Public Radio. Access the show archives here.

Dan Sicko Interview

From: Andrew Duke @ Cognition Audioworks

Ten years ago this month, back in a time before MP3,
IM, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, and the like, Cognition Audioworks' Andrew Duke spoke to author Dan Sicko about Techno Rebels: The Renegades Of Electronic Funk, his book that would go on to be published in June 1999.

To celebrate the forthcoming tenth anniversary of this important book outlining the emergence of Detroit electronic music culture, Andrew Duke has re-added his interview with Sicko online. Listen to the entire audio audio interview. Here is also an additional interview with Dan from Little Detroit.

Design Like You Give A Damn

From: Design Like You Give A Damn

Edited by Architecture for Humanity, Design Like You Give a Damn is a compendium of innovative projects from around the world that demonstrate the power of design to improve lives. It is the first book of its kind to offer a history of the movement toward socially conscious design and showcases more than 80 contemporary solutions to such urgent needs as basic shelter, health care, education, and access to clean water, energy, and sanitation. Featured projects include some sponsored by Architecture for Humanity as well as many others undertaken independently, often against great odds. This book is a great read for those individuals who are engaged in either humanitarian organizations and architecture. Purchase and preview the book through Amazon.