The City of Abacus - Volume 1: MX-41

My thanks to all at The City of Abacus for keeping me in the loop.

Before anything else, I have good news; I was listening to one of my “writing” albums (The Associates’ “The Affection Punch”) when I came across some news on the Internet: Radio 6 has been saved. According to the BBC Strategic Review Interim Conclusions, not only is the station “well-liked” by its audience, but also “was highly distinctive and made an important contribution.” To all the supported and love Radio 6, the support has paid off!

Imagine living in a world where at the end of every week your memories are wiped away from your mind, leaving you tabula rasa. Imagine for a moment a world in which all of your worries and concerns could be dissolved into thin air. Well, in reality, it is happening everyday: between television and radio programmers selling us what is “hip,” partisan cable news stations in the USA dismissing different points of views and trying to brainwash audiences, and reality television telling us what reality really is, we are constantly forced to reconfigure what it is we really think, but just for a moment, imagine even all of that was wiped clean every week. Welcome to the City of Abacus, and let me introduce you to the MX-41.



Volume 1 of “The City of Abacus,” titled, “MX-41,” introduces the reader to the technological “marvel” of the title’s sake. Though Queen Virusos will respond to any request from her subjects, these requests disappear when MX-41 wipes clean of all of their worries. With a tabula rasa for a brain, everyone melts into a reality of conformity and ambivalence. Even our heroine, Freeda, suffers from this ambivalence, surrounded by relics that have “no clear use, she sits and wonders…”

But the plot thickens with a stranger, a fight, a keyboard-looking device, and Freeda’s being unaffected, for some reason, by the scans. The stranger narrates a partial tale, stating, “We were once an advanced city, we enjoyed progress, arts, literature, music… We had ideas. … [W]e were quickly reduced to brainwashed subjects, barely able to question the world around us.” And the adventure begins…

As I have stated before, this is a story that is urgent and relevant to our day-and-age. When we are wiped clean of our concerns and our very thoughts are not allowed to flourish, we lose our individuality, culture, and existence, and conform to living in ambivalence. This is why “The City of Abacus” should be on your must read list over the next few months.

Keep up with City of Abacus at its homepage, MySpace, and Facebook.

Also, here are a few links of where you can purchase Volume 1:

The City of Abacus homepage (via Paypal).

For those who do not have PayPal, here are some of the national links for iTunes where Volume 1 can be downloaded:

• Argentina

• Australia

• Belgique

• Canada

• Chile

• Columbia

• Danmark

• Deutschland

• España

• France

• Ireland

• Italia

• Méjico

• Nederland

• New Zealand

• Norge

• Österreich

• Portugal

• Sverige

• United Kingdom

• United States

• Venezuela

• 日本 Read more ...

VV Brown Answers 5 on "City of Abacus"

The seven-issue “City of Abacus” comic series launched this month, and will be collected into a graphic novel later this year (link for review of “City of Abacus”). The original posting of “City of Abacus” marked the first time SlowdiveMusic Blog covered something that was not “music related,” though singer, songwriter V.V. Brown is one of the writers. Why review it? Because “City of Abacus” is relevant and urgent, and if you dare to scratch the surface, there is a truth/reality that all of us should be conscious of. Of course, I could not pass the opportunity to commemorate this new direction without an interview, and few e-mails later, voilà. So I would like to personally thank V.V. Brown for taking the time to answer 5.



1. What is the genesis of “The City of Abacus”?

The symbolic genesis begins with a lost city, introduced through the symbol of a lost girl. The narrative genesis is one to be revealed throughout the story showing the lineage of reason and understanding. Like most historical beginnings the reasons lie in the understanding of the characters and their psychology, this development introduces the foundation.

2. Prior to “City of Abacus,” what experience did you have with comics?

I read them a lot. I found it a form of “xscapism” and a way to challenge my philosophical questions as a kid.

3. Comics / graphic novels do not have the same constraints as music or film. In a manner of speaking, the tradition of comics is one of social criticism and creating a chronicle of society’s attitudes and beliefs. But what are the constraints in creating through this medium?

There are no constraints but rather more a liberating sense of freedom. A sense of new discovery, where other forms of art inspire other forms of art.

4. Having studied and taught literature, I am a sucker for a good allegory, and the names of the characters seems highly allegorical. So out of curiosity, where did you draw your inspiration for the character and name of “Freeda?”

Freeda = freedom.

5. The concept of having memories erased is a very powerful metaphor for what is happening in the world today; most people do not see this happening to them in their day-to-day life. I am not a conspiracy theorist, but I have come to believe this whole-heartedly when I hear all of the spin in the news. Do you really think that the world as become this “Orwellian?”

Absolutely. Desensitation, social hypnosis, anti-social behaviour due to social networking sites, books rewritten, polarised governments.... The world is spinning upside down and we are far removed from the beginning. The abacus, the first computer. George Orwell is definitely an inspiration.

For more information, please visit the “City of Abacus” homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.

Keep up with V.V. Brown at her homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.

From TheCityOfAbacus YouTube Channel, here is a video preview and interview exclusive.

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"City of Abacus"

My thanks to V.V. Brown and company for the opportunity to write about “City of Abacus.”

Once upon a time The King of Abacus was seduced by a maid, Virusos; though he would call off his affair when the Queen became pregnant, send Virusos (who was also pregnant) away from Abacus, and rekindle his relationship with his wife, the seeds of the future had been sowed and what would be reaped is the story of “The City of Abacus.” Singer, songwriter V. V. Brown and company bring the world of Abacus alive, in a neo-Orwellian world where thoughts are control by being erased; free thought and individuality quelled and destroyed by a machine, the MX-41. In a nutshell, they have created and written a tale of a dystopia more harrowing than Orwell could have ever imagined.



Written by V.V. Brown and David Allain, illustrated by Emma Price, and storyboarded by David Allain, this is the story of a young girl, Freeda (the daughter of the King), who like much of the youth of this generation, inherits a world that has lost freedom of thought, objectivity, and creativity. The fantasy world of Abacus is the perfect analogy of our world, which through the constant saturation of media and the Internet, faux reality television, and the obsession with celebrity culture, has become numb, misinformed, and detached from reality. And just as Orwell’s generation’s anxiety and emotions in 1948 was jumbled into “1984,” V.V. Brown and company brings this generation’s into “City of Abacus.” This is not your typical graphic narrative; this is the story for a generation fighting for liberation of thought.

[Storyboard]

Why would a music blog write about a graphic novel? Besides my admiration and love for V.V. Brown’s music, it is refreshing to see an artist engage another medium and explore her creativity in a new venue. Further, there is a sense of urgency and relevance to this narrative that makes it important. As the world keeps turning, it is important to question and challenge what has been inherited; it is important to question what are the constraints on free thought and expression. And for this reason, I encourage all of you to enjoy a bit of escapism and get a hold of this comic that will chime strongly with truths.

From 7 May 2010 through November, one issue will be released monthly, culminating in a graphic novel to commemorate the epic tale. Accompanying each issue will be the opportunity to download a song that musically represents the narrative. After the publication of the graphic novel, the songs will be released as an album.

The comic will be distributed through Diamond Comic and available in hardcopy at a store near you, or you could go to The City of Abacus website and purchase online. From 7 May 2010 to 29 May 2010, a “City of Abacus” exhibition will be running at The Book Club in Shoreditch, East London.

For more information, please visit the “City of Abacus” homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. (Also, keep up with V.V. Brown at her homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.) Read more ...

Videos on a Brisk Evening

Ah, that brisk air is blowing through my window - autumn is here! This is definitely my favorite time of the year. Thought I would catch up on a few videos by artists we have posted before. Hope you enjoy!

V.V. Brown's "Game Over" from her YouTube Channel: VVBrownTV.



The Joy Formidable's "Greyhounds in the Slips" from their YouTube Channel: TheJoyFormidable.



Reverend and the Makers' "No Soap in a Dirty War" from the WallOfSoundRecording YouTube Channel.



IAMX's "President" from their YouTube Channel: iamx.



Fever Ray's "Seven" from the MuteUSA YouTube Channel.

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Catching up with A-ha and V.V. Brown

Been traveling around a bit lately, but finally had the time to sit down and write a bit (hopefully the next few days will allow me some time to write before taking off again). But I have kept my iPod stacked with great new music. So here are two albums, one by veterans and the other by a “newcomer,” that you should really give a listen to. Yeah, they are both pop albums and some of my friends have even joked about me loving these two albums. But this is not your throwaway pop music; this is craftsmanship that should be respected and emulated. In the near vacuum of good pop music of the past decade, pop acts are emerging and veterans are returning with strong efforts. Though I do not think that we will ever return to the mid-80’s new wave hit machine of mindless pop (which is a good thing), it is great to see intelligent pop being produced and giving a real alternative to corporate music, indie/festival circuit bands, hip-hop, and the dominance of rock (in all of its forms) over the past few years.

A-ha: “Foot of the Mountain”

A-ha released their first album in four years; “Foot of the Mountain” (19 June 2009 in the European Union, available as an import in the USA) truly highlights what A-ha does better than any synthpop band out there: combining luscious vocal arrangements with subtle synth hooks. There is not doubt that they have already left their mark on music with early hits like “Take on Me” and “The Sun Always Shines on TV,” where you hear their fingerprint in the likes of Beck, Coldplay, Keane, Radiohead, and Travis. Unfortunately, especially on the States side of the Atlantic, when bands have major hits early in their career, what follows if often ignored by the mainstream. But in this nu-new wave world, were new bands are emulating and celebrating the monuments of the past, it may be wise to take a look at one of those bands that not only help to define new wave, electropop, and synthpop, but continue to define, push the envelope, and compose some of the highest quality music out there.

Out of Norway, this band is not creatively bankrupt; well with being associated with a musical scene in Scandinavia that is producing some of the most interesting bands at the moment (the Legends, Royksopp, Moonbabies), A-ha proves that they can step into a new era of music with relative easy and comfort. Unlike other veterans of electro/synthpop recording these days, the quality of sound is incredible. The album is crisp and flutters easily like sunlight through a window early in the morning. What is different about this album is that it is more empathic, a feeling of being more personal than any of their previous material. For instance, in the song “Nothing Is Keeping You,” the entire music works towards the singular goal of making you feel pensive. Other tracks that I would pay close attention to is the opening track, “The Bandstand” (incredibly arranged and layered), “Riding the Crest” (a throwback to 80s new wave), and “Sunny Mystery” (a beautiful interplay in the vocal arrangements, a beautiful interplay of different sounds).

What is a real standout about the album is that it does not sound dated. If you are one of those people who are harkening for an old style, synthpop album, this is not it. A-ha has learned through the years, and even influenced, by everything from pop to dream pop. They do not jump any bandwagons, but they certainly allow themselves to be influenced, continue to experiment with new synth sounds, while composing music in the same classic standards style. Furthermore, the years have strengthened their English language skills. Just like Bjork and Robyn, it is wise to remember that these boys are not native English language speakers, but recognize the fact that to obtain international, global status, they must sing in English: “Life is the dream that you wake up to, these things you’ll never find; dreams are the life from which you wake, out of sight and out of mind; everybody makes the extra effort, these things you’ll never find; never know what to do, out of sight and out of mind but you know the answer, yeah you know the score, it feels just like before…” (“Sunny Mystery”) And moreover, this is an album by veterans who are living up to what they are capable of. It is obvious that they are not attempting to ride the coattails of their moniker, reconstruct old hits for a new generation, or living with a foot in the past with their sound or attitude. Instead, what you have here is an amazing album by a band that can produce. I am often critical of veterans, but there is nothing here to criticize (…well I would have liked a few more songs, but that is splitting hairs).

Keep up with A-ha at their homepage and MySpace.

Here is the link for A-ha’s video for “Foot of the Mountain” from the universalmusicgroup YouTube Channel.



Track Listing:
1. The Bandstand
2. Riding the Crest
3. What There Is
4. Foot of the Mountain
5. Real Meaning
6. Shadowside
7. Nothing Is Keeping You Here
8. Mother Nature Goes to Heaven
9. Sunny Mystery
10. Start the Simulator

V. V. Brown: “Travelling Like the Light”

She is a genius; combining the best of sixties sensibility, rockabilly, and neo-soul, V.V. Brown (born Vanessa Brown) hit the music scene this year with her incredible debut, “Travelling Like the Light” (13 July 2009 in the UK). This is current pop at its best: fun, intelligent not heady, danceable, infectious, and “genre free.” This is the main appeal. Brown is not trying to appeal to a specific scene or sensibility; rather she has produced an album that has appeal across a large spectrum of listeners – something that is becoming increasingly rare in music today.

“Shark in the Water” (which I posted the video for here) is on the album. Nowhere on the album is the fact that she is of Jamaican and Puerto Rican descent more obvious, but more to my point I am always weary of singles by “pop acts,” because they usually represent the best of what is on the album. This is not the case of “Travelling Like the Light.” The single is amazing, but the other songs on the album are as amazing and captivating. The album opens with “Quick Fix” (not so ironically the shortest song on the album), which will bring to mind more of an American sound than a London cliché. It is this kind of song that sets her apart from other neo-soul singers like Amy Winehouse or Alice Smith. The vocals are raw, passionate, and even screechy at times, not to mention it may inspire you want to surf.

Another track worth taking a look at is “Crying Blood.” It has that infectious beat and familiarity of rockabilly (think “Monster Mash”). But she does to pop and soul vocals what Annie Lennox did twenty-somewhat-years ago with the Eurythmics: she infuses a passion and candidness that is unexpected from a voice that is so distinctive. “Can’t believe what you’ve done to me,” ingeniously Brown sings, “you got me feeling like a cloud in stormy weather.” Of course that album includes the mandatory ballet (aptly called “I Love You”), but it is the slow-paced, almost experimental, titular track “Travelling Like the Light” that will get your emotions stirring: “I try to deny when my surface butterflies, and I try to resist when you say that it’s alright, and I try to believe that it’s nothing but a crush, but it’s incredible… so incredible… I’m travelling like the light.” The last track I would like to mention my favorite song on the album: “Everybody.” Busting in a bit of disco elements and a steady beat, this song is all about dancing, but not frivolity.

V.V. Brown may be a new name to the scene, but she is anything but an amateur. Under her pseudonym, “Geeki,” she has penned music for pop acts such as the Sugarbabes and Pussycat Dolls, and has the goal of one day scoring films. Most impressive, she turned down opportunities for recording, turning down P. Diddy at one point. She stuck to her guns and eventually had the opportunity of releasing her own album, on her own terms. Along side such artists like Little Boots and La Roux, pop is coming back with a vengeance. But what is great about this album, as I said before, is how its appeal crosses genres, but I would also like to add that unlike so many artists out there, the appeal crosses generations. (My mom loves this album.) There are rumors of a fall States-side release of the album, but do not hold your breath and just import it!

Keep up with V.V. Brown at her homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.



Track Listing:
1. Quick Fix
2. Game Over
3. Shark in the Water
4. Leave
5. Bottles
6. Crying Blood
7. Back in Time
8. I Love You
9. L.O.V.E.
10. Everybody
11. Crazy Amazing
12. Travelling Like the Light

Here is V.V. Brown live performing “Crying Blood” on the John Peel Stage at this years Glastonbury Festival from her YouTube Channel VVBrownTV.

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Vids I'd Like to Share

Link Update

Been sort of crazy lately, and there is a lot out there I want to share. But here is a bit of an update: both Mirage and Hyena have decided to commit to becoming contributors (thanks guys) and of course Juju is always a godsend! So here is my second post of the day, some videos that I have not been able to stop viewing the last few days - all for different reasons. Some for quirky music, others for amazing concepts, and some for amazing voices. Hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Frankmusik: "Confusion" - from Island Records YouTube Channel.



The Phantom Band: "The Howling" - from the chemikal (Chemikal Underground Records) YouTube Channel



Enter Shikari: "Juggernaut" - from AmbushReality (Ambush Reality / Tiny Evil Label) YouTube Channel.



Little Boots: "New in Town" - from her YouTube Channel: littlebootsvidoes



V V Brown: "Shark in the Water" from Island Records YouTube Channel.

Embed disabled, by the video can be seen at this link: "Shark in the Water"

We Have Band: "You Came Out" - from their YouTube Channel: wehaveband.

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