Bi-Weekly-ish newsletter #48 w/ Timberland's 50th 🥾🎤, Bloc Party x EE 📱🎶, AI and Artistry 🤖🎵, The Furby Organ 🧸🎹, Justin Pearson Documentary 🎤🎬
Hi there,
Back again with a brand new edition of the bi-weekly-ish newsletter!
Boots tread city's pulse,
Notes and tech intertwine tight,
Culture in spotlight.
Enjoy!
1. The Timberland Tales
Bridging Builders with B-Boys
Timberland, a brand synonymous with robust and enduring footwear, has carved its mark far beyond its original trails and into the heart of urban and hip-hop culture for decades. While 14-year-old me in the 90s was sporting a Biohazard Urban Discipline long-sleeve and dump store combat boots, my hip-hop-inclined peers were rocking Wu-Tang video-inspired Helly Hansen jackets paired with the iconic Timberland 6" boots.
It is precisely this influence Timberland is both capitalizing on while celebrating its 50th anniversary in a recently released 45-minute documentary that delves into the development of their renowned boot, from its origins as a staple for construction workers to the adoption as mentioned above by the hip-hop community and other movements like the Milan Paninari.
Commitment to long-form-ish brand storytelling is something I admire. Interestingly, though, while the documentary has garnered 4,000 views, its 1-minute trailer has exploded with 1.7 million views. This either speaks volumes about our collective attention span or the efficiency of the trailer in capturing the essence of the overall Timberland story.
Trailer linked below.
2. Bloc Party x EE's 'Freedom' Campaign
Synchronizing Songs with Stories that Sell
EE Limited, a British mobile network operator, has launched a new campaign called "Freedom" that aims to capture the essence of youth, technology, and its challenges. The campaign features Bloc Party's 2005 hit song, "So Here We Are," which complements the rollercoaster of emotions and experiences that define modern teenage life.
According to Social Media sources, Bloc Party was so impressed with the synergy between their track and the imagery used in the campaign that they came up with an innovative idea. They proposed transforming the commercial's visuals into a full-fledged music video as a starting point for a broader re-release of the almost 20-year-old song, introducing the track to a new generation of listeners.
This is a great example and testament that demonstrates the potency of music-for-advertising. Showcasing not just its ability as a storytelling powerhouse but as a creator of meaning and value for both band and brand that transcends the confines of the campaign itself.
3. Cleo Abram's Insight into AI and Artistry
Assessing Artificial Intelligence in Audio
I have mentioned Cleo Abram in previous editions of this newsletter. She has a talent for making complicated topics easy to understand. Her latest video is right up my alley as she delves into the complex world of Artificial Intelligence and music creation, exploring where technological innovation meets, limits, or expands artistic expression.
In her video, Cleo explains how and why AI is causing a stir in the music industry by demonstrating its ability to imitate legendary artists or create brand-new songs and provides examples, such as AI-generated voice clones of Frank Sinatra, to illustrate how creative expression and technology can blend seamlessly in the future. She furthermore explores AI as a revolutionary tool that makes music creation more inclusive by lowering the barriers to entry. Cleo also addresses the controversial issues surrounding copyright laws and artist compensation in this new era of creation by having conversations with the likes of Spotify CEO Daniel Ek and mother of Techno Mechanicus Musk and musician Grimes.
All fun and understandable. If you're already deep into this topic (say if you're an avid reader of this newsletter or this article), none of this is news, but for a comprehensive update in just 15 minutes, it's the perfect watch.
4. The Furby Organ
Symphonies of Strange
In a vast exploration of the internet, filled with endless hidden gems and right around Halloween, I stumbled upon a creation that has been around since 2018, equal parts bizarre, captivating, nightmarish, and above all, too good not to share —the Furby Organ.
Sam Battle, also known as Look Mum No Computer, crafted an incredible instrument that is nothing short of a modern marvel. Sam transformed the once-beloved and must-have owl-like toys into a unique musical ensemble.
These chattering creatures were introduced to the world by Tiger Electronics over twenty years ago, but Sam envisioned a new role for them, far from toy shelves and children's bedrooms. He meticulously connected 44 Furbies to piano keys, creating a synchronized choir that belts out tunes with a touch of weirdness.
Have a look below to see the machine in action.
5. Don't Fall in Love with Yourself Â
The Sonic Subversions of Justin Pearson
Justin Pearson, also known as JP, is a figure who's left a profound impact on my life and many other people's lives. He has been the thriving force behind Three One G Records and played in an extensive array of bands, pushing the boundaries of punk, hardcore, grindcore, and various other forms of noise that will likely scare your average co-workers away.
"Don't Fall in Love with Yourself" is a recent documentary that masterfully captures JP's life and career, from overcoming the challenges of a tragic childhood to discovering his distinctive voice in the San Diego punk scene. His unyielding commitment to DIY, his craft, and his fearless self-expression have propelled him to a cult celebrity status, and this documentary does a commendable job of showcasing just that.
Lots of archival footage, sourced from decades of VHS & Mini-DV tapes, paint a vivid picture of Justin's world and the unique musical movement he's been a part of and ensures that viewers get to experience the proper depth of Justin's story which is a testament to a life lived on one's own terms, full of blood, sweat, spit, snot, cum, piss, and shit...I couldn't be prouder to call JP my friend.
Trailer below. Full documentary on Vimeo on Demand.
Thanks so much for making it down here. If you like what you read, why not hit the like button and/or forward this to a friend?
Also… I'm a panelist at the Most Wanted/Music conference in Berlin from November 14th till 17th. I’m speaking about the future of Sync Licensing; drop me a line if you're around and want to meet.
With that said!
Enjoy your weekend!
Marcel