My Way of Ending a Great Week

An Education




























Copywrite Criminals


























Fantastic Mr. Fox

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Precious

The Future of Def Jux

OFFICIAL UPDATE FROM EL-P:

OF HOOPTYS AND HOVERCRAFTS

Dear Inter-web, fans, friends and JUX family,

People keep asking me what’s up with JUX. There’s been some talk, there have been some rumors. Some half true, some way off. Reports of our demise have been mildly exaggerated. Here’s what it really all boils down to: (read on)

This year, a decade after starting DEF JUX and after overseeing the releases of some incredible albums including the forthcoming release of my dear late and great friend Camu Tao’s brilliant “KING OF HEARTS” LP, I’m stepping away from my duties as artistic director for the label to concentrate on what I love most: being a producer and an artist full time. This is something I’ve been contemplating for a few years now, and can’t think of a better time or, with the eventual release of Camu’s record, a more poetic way to transition into a new direction.

This means change for JUX. Of course we’ll still have our website, we will still sell our catalog, merch and more as well as bring you news and updates on all our projects and artists. We will be releasing “KING OF HEARTS”, a DEF JUX remix compilation, a 10 year anniversary retrospective and some other goodies. But then as a traditional record label DEF JUX will effectively be put on hiatus. We are not closing, but we are changing. The process is already underway, and the last several months (for those wondering what the hell we’ve been up to) have been spent dealing with the technical aspects of wrapping up the label in it’s current form and re-imagining our collective and individual futures.

In 2000 starting a traditional record label made a lot of sense. But now, in 2010, less so and I find myself yearning for something else to put my energy into. I also see newer, smarter, more interesting things on the horizon for the way art and commerce intersect, and as an artist and an entrepreneur, I’m eager to see them unfold. The evolution of this industry is, in my opinion, exciting, inevitable and it would be nice to see the DEFINITIVE JUX brand be a part of it. In other words, maybe we can turn this hoopty in to a hovercraft.

All business aside, and regardless of what form JUX may inevitably take, my focus for the immediate future is going to be back-to-basics. The fun stuff: sitting in the studio and immersing myself in music, performing it for for my fans when the time comes and whatever (or wherever) else might be out there creatively for me. Thats how it all started and that’s how the next phase will begin. The days of me dedicating the majority of my time and energy into providing JUX with a constant stream of physical releases from multiple artists are on hold for the time being. My heart (and what little common sense I possess) is telling me to simplify my focus and it has always been my policy to listen to my heart.

Truly, DEF JUX has been amazing to be a part of. So many good people. So much fun. I feel very lucky to be friends and collaborators with people who have affected and continue to affect my life and work deeply and indelibly. Working with the likes of Amaechi Uzoigwe, Jesse Ferguson, Jason Drake, and Katy Eustis at JUX as well as allies like Kathryn Frazier (biz3), Michael Bull and Lisa Socransky-Austin (to name only a few) has been incredible. These are people who worked for generally meager wages because they loved what they did and they believed in the artists and the idea of DEF JUX. Anyone would be lucky to have worked with even one person as dedicated and passionate as all of them are. They are true champions of indie music and they (and too many others to mention here) have my gratitude and loyalty forever.

None of it would have existed, though, if not for the artists. Artists who rolled the dice on us the same way we did on them, and were there with us as we battled it all out. CAMU, MR LIF, AESOP ROCK, MURS, CAGE, ROB SONIC, HANGAR 18, CHIN CHIN, CANNIBAL OX, THE PERCEPTIONISTS, RJD2, DESPOT, SA SMASH, YAK BALLZ, CRAYZ, THE MIGHTY UNDERDOGS, DIZZEE RASCAL, DEL, P.F.A.C, ACTIVATOR, COOL CALM PETE … the list goes on. I consider them all geniuses at what they do. Every victory that they have had and will have will always feel like a victory for myself and all of us at JUX. It’s been a joy to create and even struggle with them all. It has not always been easy, but it’s almost always been fulfilling. I only hope the work we put in together helped build a path to their collective futures. They have my sincerest well wishes and genuine respect.

Lastly and most importantly are the fans… holy shit THE FANS! Our fans are no joke. I can’t tell you how humbled I am to have felt the love and respect that they have shown us all. Even when we did things they didn’t like, they stuck around. This was their label as much as ours. We answered to them, and yet they respected that we did what we loved, nothing more and nothing less. We always will. You are why we do any of this, and I’ll never be able to express how much your support means to all of us. I think I speak for all of us Jukies when I say I love making music for you and can’t wait to make more.

Until then, on behalf of everyone here at JUX and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

EL-P
Founder/Artistic Director/Recording Artist
DEFINITIVE JUX

urbanears

First of I just have to say that Henry Rollins yesterday was just as good as I had hoped. I was full of energy and in a very good mood when I left the venue.

I usually don't write about gadgets and stuff here on this page. Firstly because I very seldom buy gadgets and technical stuff, but also because this is not that kind of blog. But I just have to mention the headphones that I bought yesterday. I bought a pair of white Urbanears Plattan and am totally in love with them. Both when it comes to the design and the sound. I have to thank lovely Maria for showing me this Stockholm based brand.

The Real King Henry

Today it is time again. Time for some quality Henry Rollins. As I've mentioned earlier, his show in Gothenburg 2 years ago totally rocked and I hope it will today also. And according to the reviews of his show in Malmoe the other day there is a good chance it will be an awesome night.

TV Shows

One of these days I will actually get around to watch all the episodes of Being Human and Breaking Bad. I promise. I will. Soon. Some day. Perhaps I might even see the last few seasons of The Sopranos. Who knows?

Elin Amanda

Facebook invites. What can you really say about them? You get them by the tons from friends and from people that you don't even know. The ones I like the best are invites to events, but even those get too many sometimes that I can't really bother to check most of them out. And sometimes you miss out on some good stuff. I found that out today. I know I've recieved invites earlier to my friend Elin's shows. But I have to admit in shame that I never bothered to check out what she is up to. I wish I had done that earlier. Today I checked out her Myspace and got a little bit blown out of the water. The girl got serious talent. I really like the songs, but most of all her voice. Damn! Here is someone I need to listen more to. On Feb 11 she will perform at Mitt Andra Hem here in Gothenburg. Too bad for me that I'm working, but I urge anyone reading this in the Gothenburg area to go there and check it out. And Elin, you got yourself a fan in me.

New York, I Love You / Where the Wild Things Are

New York, I Love You


























Where the Wild Things Are

Two Ton Sloth - Siphoning Dreams

Finally something new from the old favourites Two Ton Sloth. I still haven't forgotten how PZ blessed me during the process of putting together Du Ska Inte Tro Det Blir Sommar; beats, breaks & big smiles vol. 2. This latest offering is a download that you pay as much or as little as want for. It's all up to you. Support good music though!

DOWNLOAD

Chillin Villain Empire - Can You Love a Villain?

Just try to ignore that the video itself to CVE's Can You Love a Villain is really very bad. Enjoy the song instead, which is really very good.

Books

New books ready to be read.

Nocando - Jimmy the Lock

Just listened to Nocando's new album Jimmy the Lock. And I'm sorry. It really is quite boring. Next.

Adam Green & The Swell Season

Today I bought tickets to Adam Green's show @ Parken Feb 15 and to The Swell Season's show @ Trädgår'n on Feb 17. Live shows are fun.

R.I.P. Apache

On January 22, Flavor Unit emcee Apache, born Anthony Teaks, passed away after a protracted illness.
As an original member of Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit, Apache first appeared on 45 King Presents The Flavor Unit and his best known single Gangsta Bitch peaked at #11 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart.
Apache was one of the three original rappers in Flavor Unit, which also counted Queen Latifah and Latee as early group members.
Apache's appearances included collaborations with Naughty by Nature, Fat Joe, Tupac and A Tribe Called Quest.

Apache - Gangsta Bitch
Uploaded by homhom. - Explore more music videos.

Week 3

Some of the music I've been listening to lately.

Classified - Oh... Canada

Yes, I totally admit it. I am a sucker for Canada. I have been for many years. So when I have the opportunity to give you a combined gift in the form of one of my favourite Canadian emcees and an actor from one of the best tv shows ever I'm a happy camper. So I give you the video to Oh... Canada by Classified. And please keep your eyes open for the cameo by Jim Lehey from Trailer Park Boys. Yepp, I just gotta love that country!

Avatar...

I'm sure I will regret it, but I think I have to do like everyone else. I think I have to go and see Avatar soon.

dosh - Subtractions

The pending arrival of a brand new dosh record, to be titled Tommy, has been confirmed. Now you can also download the track Subtractions for free.

DOWNLOAD

Takaba Records presents Cool - Like the Pulse of a Corpse

Free label sampler from the new Toronto based label, Takaba Records. 18 tracks featuring Modulok, Noah23, Baracuda, Kaigen, Apollo Creed and more. Check it out.

DOWNLOAD

Umeå Vråljazz Giganter

(Almost) all NY VÅG bands on one album, exclusive songs, all in Swedish. Bands on the compilation: The Most, Invasionen, UX Vileheads, the Bombettes, Kommunen, Regulations, Dom Döda, Masshysteri, Knugen Faller, AC4, Brottsvåg, Tristess.
Out first week in February.